JP2017142776A - Life management device and life management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to appropriately manage the life of a first storage device.SOLUTION: A life management device comprises: an integrated writing amount calculation part 12 that calculates the integrated amount of writing in an external memory (first storage device) every time writing is performed in the external memory; an information recording part 13 that records, in an NVRAM (second storage device), the integrated amount of writing in the external memory in association with a device ID (identification information) of the external memory and the date and time when the external memory is started to be used; and a life prediction part 14 that predicts the date and time when the external memory reaches the end of its life on the basis of the integrated amount of writing and the date and time when the external memory is started to be used recorded in the NVRAM.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a life management apparatus and a life management method.

  In image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines, an inexpensive and large-capacity flash memory, particularly a NAND flash memory, is often used as a memory for storing an option program and accompanying user data.

  The NAND flash memory has a certain limitation on the number of rewrites for each block as a physical restriction. If this is exceeded, the written data becomes garbled data (decrease in data retention performance) or cannot be written normally (called BAD BLOCK). Therefore, the NAND type flash memory approaches the state where it cannot be used normally, that is, the lifetime of the device, as the number of rewrites increases.

  Since an image forming apparatus has a relatively long product use period (product life), a memory for storing an option program or user data may reach the end of its life before the product itself. In such a case, if the memory is used without being aware that it has reached the end of its life, the option program, user data, etc. may be lost. For this reason, it is required to appropriately manage the lifetime of the memory.

  In SSD (Solid State Drive) and eMMC (embedded MultiMedia Card), etc., the number of rewrites and the number of BAD BLOCKs are used as management information called SMART (Self-Monitoring and Reporting Technology) information as the number of rewrites and the number of BAD BLOCK. There is a mechanism to encourage exchange before reaching the level. However, not all NAND flash memories have a mechanism for notifying management information such as SMART information. For example, since a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and an SD card are not regulated in terms of management information, there is no way of knowing the number of rewrites and the number of BAD BLOCKs.

  Patent Document 1 describes that when a BAD BLOCK occurs in writing data to a NAND flash memory, BAD BLOCK occurrence related information relating to the occurrence of the BAD BLOCK is acquired and stored in a nonvolatile storage means. . According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the number of BAD BLOCKs in the NAND flash memory exceeds the allowable range, or when the generation interval of BAD BLOCK becomes shorter than the allowable range, the flag of recycling NG is set. By storing in the nonvolatile storage means, it is possible to determine whether or not the NAND flash memory can be recycled.

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to determine whether or not the NAND flash memory can be recycled, but it is not possible to determine when the NAND flash memory reaches the end of its life, and a viewpoint of appropriate management of the NAND flash memory. There is room for improvement.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an integrated write amount calculation unit that calculates an integrated write amount for the first storage device each time data is written to the first storage device, and the integrated write amount. Is recorded in the second storage device, and the first information recording unit records the information in the second storage device in association with the identification information of the first storage device and the use start date and time of the first storage device. A life prediction unit that predicts a life arrival date and time of the first storage device based on the accumulated writing amount and the use start date and time.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the life of the first storage device can be appropriately managed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the flash memory. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the life management apparatus realized as one function of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information for each external memory recorded in the NVRAM. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus when an external memory is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the life management apparatus at the time of writing to the external memory. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the life management apparatus when it is time to predict the life arrival date and time. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus when a predetermined operation for instructing information transfer is performed. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the FAT file system. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining cluster identifiers in the FAT. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the life management apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the write count management information. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for writing the write count management information in the external memory. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus when an external memory is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the life management apparatus at the time of writing to the external memory. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus when it is time to predict the life arrival date and time. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus when the image forming apparatus is powered off.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a life management apparatus and a life management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an example in which the life management apparatus and the life management method according to the present invention are realized as a function of an image forming apparatus (an aspect of “apparatus”). However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can be realized as a function of a device other than the image forming apparatus or as a device independent of the device.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, and an engine 130, as shown in FIG.

  The controller 110 is a control device that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The controller 110 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 112, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 113, an SSD 114, an NVRAM (NVRAM) (NVRAM) Various electronic components such as a USB port 116 and an SD card slot 117 are mounted. A USB memory 140 is attached to the USB port 116, and an SD card 150 is attached to the SD card slot 117.

  The CPU 111 is an arithmetic device that executes various programs for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The DRAM 112 is a memory used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program, for example. The ASIC 113 is an integrated circuit that executes various image processes and implements various input / output interface functions. The SSD 114 stores a system startup program, for example. The NVRAM 115 is a non-volatile memory with no rewrite restriction that stores various data that needs to be stored even when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off. In the present embodiment, the cumulative amount written to the USB memory 140 or the SD card 150 is recorded in the NVRAM 115 in association with the identification information (device ID) and the use start date and time of the USB memory 140 or the SD card 150.

  The USB port 116 is an interface for connecting the USB memory 140 to the controller 110. The USB memory 140 is a memory that is arbitrarily used by the user, and is a flash memory that is externally connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The SD card slot 117 is an interface for connecting the SD card 150 to the controller 110. The SD card 150 is a memory that stores an option program and the like, and is a flash memory that is externally connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Hereinafter, the USB memory 140 and the SD card 150 that are externally connected to the image forming apparatus 100 are collectively referred to as an external memory 160.

  The operation panel 120 is a user interface that displays various types of information and notifies the user under the control of the controller 110, and receives various input operations by the user and transmits them to the controller 110. The engine 130 includes a scanner engine that reads a document under the control of the controller 110, a plotter engine that forms an image on a recording sheet or the like under the control of the controller 110, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the external memory 160 (USB memory 140 and SD card 150), which is a flash memory connected externally to the image forming apparatus 100, corresponds to the “first storage device”. The NVRAM 115, which is a non-volatile memory with no rewrite restriction, is equivalent to the “second storage device”. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment calculates an accumulated write amount to the external memory 160 and records it in the NVRAM 115 every time writing to the external memory 160 is performed, and the accumulated write amount to the external memory 160 becomes a predetermined amount. It has a function as a life management device that predicts the life arrival date and time.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the flash memory. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage area of the flash memory is divided into a plurality of blocks (Block 0 to Block 1023 in FIG. 2), and each block is composed of a plurality of pages (page 0 to page 63 in FIG. 2). Data is written to the flash memory in units of pages, and data is erased in units of blocks. In addition, data cannot be overwritten. When new data is written in a block in which data is written, new data cannot be written unless the data in the block is once erased.

  Data is written to and read from the flash memory by a device driver that is software operating on an OS (operation system). In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, the CPU 111 of the controller 110 operates a device driver corresponding to the USB memory 140 on the OS to write or read data to or from the USB memory 140 attached to the USB port 116. Is done. In addition, when the CPU 111 of the controller 110 operates a device driver corresponding to the SD card 150 on the OS, data is written to and read from the SD card 150 installed in the SD card slot 117.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the life management apparatus 100A realized as one function of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, for example, the CPU 111 of the controller 110 executes a predetermined program in which the execution procedure of the life management method is described as a program code, thereby obtaining identification information as shown in FIG. 11, integrated write amount calculation unit 12, information recording unit 13 (corresponding to “first information recording unit”), life prediction unit 14, display control unit 15, write prohibition control unit 16 (“first write prohibition control”) Functional component constituting the life management apparatus 100A such as the information writing control unit 17 (corresponding to the “first information writing control unit”).

  The identification information acquisition unit 11 is a functional module that acquires identification information (device ID) of the external memory 160 when the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. When the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 holds a unique device ID, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the device ID of the external memory 160 by reading this device ID from the external memory 160. . Further, when the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 does not hold the device ID, the identification information acquisition unit 11, for example, the current time when the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, etc. Based on the above, the device ID of the external memory 160 is generated. In this case, the identification information acquisition unit 11 performs a process of writing the generated device ID into the external memory 160 through the device driver.

  The integrated write amount calculation unit 12 is a functional module that calculates an integrated write amount for the external memory 160 each time data is written to the external memory 160. When the device driver writes data to the external memory 160, the integrated write amount calculation unit 12 counts the write amount. Then, the cumulative write amount calculation unit 12 refers to the NVRAM 115, and if the cumulative write amount corresponding to the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 is recorded in the NVRAM 115, the cumulative write amount recorded in the NVRAM 115 is used. On the other hand, a value obtained by adding the writing amount counted this time is calculated as a new integrated writing amount. If the cumulative write amount associated with the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 is not recorded in the NVRAM 115, the write amount counted this time becomes the cumulative write amount as it is.

  The information recording unit 13 associates the integrated write amount calculated by the integrated write amount calculating unit 12 with the device ID of the external memory 160 acquired by the identification information acquiring unit 11 and the use start date and time of the external memory 160, and the NVRAM 115. It is a functional module to record in. The information recording unit 13 refers to the NVRAM 115, and if the cumulative write amount associated with the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 is recorded in the NVRAM 115, the cumulative write amount recorded in the NVRAM 115 is used as the cumulative write amount. Update with the new integrated writing amount calculated by the calculation unit 12. On the other hand, when the cumulative writing amount corresponding to the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11 is not recorded in the NVRAM 115, the information recording unit 13 displays, for example, when the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Using the current time as the use start date and time, the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11, the use start date and time (current time), and the integrated write amount calculated by the integrated write amount calculation unit 12 (the write amount counted this time) Correspondingly, it is recorded in the NVRAM 115.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information for each external memory 160 recorded in the NVRAM 115. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the NVRAM 115 includes information 21 indicating the device ID of the external memory 160, information 22 indicating the use start date and time of the external memory 160, Information 23 indicating the cumulative writing amount is recorded in association with each other.

  If the cumulative write amount associated with the device ID acquired by the identification information acquiring unit 11 is not recorded in the NVRAM 115 and the external memory 160 holds the use start date and cumulative write amount, the information recording unit 13 Records the use start date and time and the accumulated writing amount held in the external memory 160 in the NVRAM 115 in association with the device ID acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 11. As a result, information transfer when the image forming apparatus 100 described later is replaced is realized.

  The life prediction unit 14 is a functional module that predicts the life arrival date and time when the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 reaches a predetermined amount based on the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 and the use start date and time recorded in the NVRAM 115. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off, when the external memory 160 is attached, the external memory 160 is removed. Sometimes, it is carried out at a predetermined timing, such as at a predetermined time or periodically at a predetermined time interval.

  The life prediction unit 14 refers to the NVRAM 115 when it is time to predict the life arrival date and time, and corresponds to the device ID of the external memory 160 to be predicted, that is, the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The accumulated writing amount and the use start date and time are read from the NVRAM 115. Here, if the accumulated write amount read from the NVRAM 115 is already equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the life prediction unit 14 determines that the external memory 160 has already reached the life. On the other hand, if the accumulated write amount read from the NVRAM 115 is less than the predetermined amount, the life prediction unit 14 first starts using the external memory 160 based on the use start date and time and the current time read from the NVRAM 115. , And the average writing amount per unit time (for example, one hour) to the external memory 160 is calculated by dividing the cumulative writing amount read from the NVRAM 115 by the elapsed time. Then, the life prediction unit 14 predicts the life arrival date and time when the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 reaches the predetermined amount by dividing the difference between the accumulated write amount and the predetermined amount by the average write amount per unit time.

  Note that the lifetime of the external memory 160 is determined by the number of writes to the external memory 160 as described above. In the present embodiment, since the cumulative writing amount to the external memory 160 is handled, the life of the external memory 160 is not necessarily determined accurately. However, since the cumulative write amount to the external memory 160 has a high correlation with the number of writes, the life of the external memory 160 can be predicted with high accuracy based on the cumulative write amount to the external memory 160.

  The display control unit 15 is a functional module that controls the life panel date and time predicted by the life prediction unit 14 to be displayed on the operation panel 120 (an aspect of “display device”). For example, the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display the life arrival date and time predicted by the life prediction unit 14 as a message using text data. The display control unit 15 also displays a warning message indicating that the life of the external memory 160 is near if the life arrival date and time predicted by the life prediction unit 14 is within a predetermined period (for example, within 3 months) from the present time. The life arrival date and time predicted by the life prediction unit 14 may be displayed on the operation panel 120.

  In addition, the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used when the life prediction unit 14 determines that the external memory 160 has already reached the end of its life. May be. Further, the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used when the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the write-protect mode. You may do it.

  The write prohibition control unit 16 is a functional module that controls to prohibit writing to the external memory 160 when the cumulative write amount calculated by the cumulative write amount calculation unit 12 reaches a predetermined amount. The write prohibition control unit 16, for example, the external memory 160 in which the cumulative writing amount calculated by the cumulative writing amount calculation unit 12 has reached a predetermined amount, that is, the external memory 160 that the life prediction unit 14 has determined has already reached the life. By setting to the write prohibit mode, writing to the external memory 160 can be prohibited. The setting of the write prohibition mode may be realized by turning on a predetermined switch provided in the external memory 160, or may be realized by turning on a predetermined flag. Further, the setting of the device driver corresponding to the external memory 160 may be controlled to be prohibited from writing to the external memory 160 by setting the device driver to the write prohibiting mode.

  The information writing control unit 17 is a functional module that controls to write the accumulated writing amount and use start date and time recorded in the NVRAM 115 to the external memory 160 in accordance with a predetermined operation. When the image forming apparatus 100 is exchanged from an old one to a new one, the external memory 160 used in the old image forming apparatus 100 may be used in the new image forming apparatus 100 as it is. In this case, it is desirable to allow the new image forming apparatus 100 to take over the accumulated writing amount of the external memory 160 and use start date / time information recorded in the NVRAM 115 of the old image forming apparatus 100. In order to realize such information transfer when the image forming apparatus 100 is exchanged, the information writing control unit 17 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 when a user performs a predetermined operation instructing information transfer. The integrated write amount and use start date and time associated with the device ID of the external memory 160 are read from the NVRAM 115, and the integrated write amount and use start date and time are written to the external memory 160 through the device driver.

  The accumulated writing amount and use start date and time written in the external memory 160 are held in the external memory 160, and when the external memory 160 is connected to the new image forming apparatus 100, information recording of the new image forming apparatus 100 is performed. The image is recorded in the NVRAM 115 of the new image forming apparatus 100 by the unit 13. As a result, information transfer at the time of replacement of the image forming apparatus 100 is realized.

  Next, the operation of the life management apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment configured as a combination of the above-described functional modules will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus 100 </ b> A when the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed every time it is detected that the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100.

  When it is detected that the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, first, the identification information acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not the external memory 160 holds a unique device ID ( Step S101). If the external memory 160 holds a unique device ID (step S101: Yes), the identification information acquisition unit 11 reads the device ID from the external memory 160 (step S102). On the other hand, if the external memory 160 does not hold a unique device ID (step S101: No), the identification information acquisition unit 11 generates a device ID of the external memory 160 based on the current time, for example (step S103). The generated device ID is written in the external memory 160 (step S104).

  Next, the information recording unit 13 determines that the current time is the use start date and time of the external memory 160, the device ID read from the external memory 160 in step S 102 or the device ID generated in step S 103, and the external memory 160 The use start date and time (current time) is recorded in the NVRAM 115 (step S105). If the device ID and the use start date / time of the external memory 160 are already recorded in the NVRAM 115, the process of step S105 is skipped.

  Next, the information recording unit 13 determines whether or not the external memory 160 holds the use start date and time and the cumulative writing amount (step S106). When the external memory 160 holds the use start date and time and the accumulated write amount (step S106: Yes), the information recording unit 13 copies the use start date and time and the accumulated write amount from the external memory 160 to the NVRAM 115 (step S106). Thereafter, the use start date and time and the accumulated writing amount held in the external memory 160 are erased (step S108). On the other hand, if the external memory 160 does not hold the use start date and time and the cumulative writing amount (step S106: No), the processing of step S107 and step S108 is skipped.

  Finally, the integrated write amount calculation unit 12 operates the device driver corresponding to the external memory 160 in the write management mode (step S109), and the series of processing ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the life management apparatus 100A at the time of writing to the external memory 160. The series of processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed every time a device driver operating in the write management mode receives a write command.

  When the device driver corresponding to the external memory 160 receives a write command, first, the display control unit 15 determines whether or not the external memory 160 is in the write inhibit mode (step S201). If the external memory 160 is in the write-protect mode (step S201: Yes), the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used (step 202). The series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the external memory 160 is not in the write inhibit mode (step S201: No), the device driver writes data to the external memory 160. At this time, the integrated writing amount calculation unit 12 counts the amount of data written to the external memory 160 by the device driver (step 203). Then, the cumulative writing amount calculation unit 12 adds the writing amount counted in step S203 to the cumulative writing amount recorded in the NVRAM 115, and calculates the cumulative writing amount of the external memory 160 increased by the current writing ( Step S204). Then, the information recording unit 13 updates the cumulative writing amount recorded in the NVRAM 115 with the cumulative writing amount calculated in Step S204 (Step S205), and the series of processes is completed.

  If the cumulative write amount of the external memory 160 is not recorded in the NVRAM 115 when writing to the external memory 160, the write amount counted by the cumulative write amount calculation unit 12 in step S203 is the cumulative write amount of the external memory 160. Are treated as In this case, the information recording unit 13 records the amount of writing counted in step S203 in the NVRAM 115 as the accumulated amount of writing in the external memory 160.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the life management apparatus 100A when it is time to predict the life arrival date and time. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed every time a predetermined timing is set as a timing for predicting the life arrival date and time.

  When it is time to predict the life arrival date and time, the life prediction unit 14 refers to the NVRAM 115 and determines whether or not the cumulative writing amount of the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined amount ( Step S301). If the accumulated write amount in the external memory 160 has reached a predetermined amount (step S301: Yes), the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used (step S301: Yes). Step S302). Further, the write prohibition control unit 16 sets the external memory 160 to the write prohibit mode (step S303), and a series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the accumulated write amount in the external memory 160 has not reached the predetermined amount (step S301: No), the life prediction unit 14 determines whether the external memory 160 uses the external start date / time, the current time, and the accumulated write amount. The average writing amount per unit time for the memory 160 is calculated (step S304). Then, the lifetime predicting unit 14 divides the difference between the accumulated write amount and the predetermined amount by the average write amount per unit time calculated in step S304, so that the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 reaches the predetermined amount. The arrival date and time is predicted (step S305).

  Next, the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display the life reaching date and time of the external memory 160 predicted in step S305 (step S306). Further, the display control unit 15 determines whether or not the life reaching date / time of the external memory 160 predicted in step S305 is a date / time within a predetermined period (for example, within 3 months) from the present time (step S307). If the life arrival date / time is within a predetermined period (step S307: Yes), a warning message indicating that the external memory 160 is near the end of life is displayed on the operation panel 120 (step S308), and the series of processing ends. If the life reaching date / time of the external memory 160 is not within the predetermined period (step S307: No), only the life reaching date / time is displayed at step S306.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus 100A when a predetermined operation for instructing information transfer is performed. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed each time a predetermined operation for instructing information transfer is detected.

  When a predetermined operation for instructing information transfer is detected, the information writing control unit 17 reads the device ID from the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 (step S401). Then, the information writing control unit 17 refers to the NVRAM 115 and determines whether or not a device ID that matches the device ID read in step S401 is recorded in the NVRAM 115 (step S402). Here, if a device ID that matches the device ID read in step S401 is not recorded in the NVRAM 115 (step S402: No), a series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if a device ID that matches the device ID read in step S401 is recorded in the NVRAM 115 (step S402: Yes), the information writing control unit 17 uses the usage ID recorded in the NVRAM 115 in association with the device ID. The start date and time and the accumulated writing amount are copied to the external memory 160 (step S403), and a series of processing ends.

  As described above in detail with specific examples, according to the life management apparatus 100A of the present embodiment, every time writing is performed to the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100, cumulative writing is performed. The amount calculation unit 12 calculates the integrated writing amount in the external memory 160, and the information recording unit 13 records the integrated writing amount in the external memory 160 in the NVRAM 115 in association with the device ID and the use start date and time of the external memory 160. Then, based on the cumulative writing amount recorded in the NVRAM 115 and the use start date and time, the lifetime predicting unit 14 reaches the lifetime reaching date and time of the external memory 160, specifically, the lifetime at which the cumulative writing amount of the external memory 160 reaches a predetermined amount. Predict arrival date and time. As described above, the life management apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to predict the life arrival date and time when the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 reaches a predetermined amount, and thus appropriately manages the life of the external memory 160. be able to.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100A of the present embodiment, the identification information acquisition unit 11 reads this device ID when the external memory 160 holds a unique device ID, and the external memory 160 holds the device ID. If not, the device ID is generated and written to the external memory 160. Therefore, the device ID of the external memory 160 can be appropriately acquired, and the device ID can be written to the external memory 160 that already holds the device ID. This can effectively suppress an increase in the amount of writing.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100A of the present embodiment, when the integrated writing amount of the external memory 160 reaches a predetermined amount, the write prohibition control unit 16 performs control so as to prohibit writing to the external memory 160. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the disadvantage that data stored in the external memory 160 is lost by writing data to the external memory 160 that has reached the end of its life.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100A of the present embodiment, when a predetermined operation for instructing information transfer is performed, the information write control unit 17 performs the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 recorded in the NVRAM 115 and Since the use start date / time is controlled to be written in the external memory 160, it is possible to appropriately take over information when the image forming apparatus 100 is replaced.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100A of the present embodiment, the display control unit 15 controls the operation panel 120 to display the life arrival date and time predicted by the life prediction unit 14, so that the external memory It is possible to notify the time when the 160 should be replaced and to prompt the preparation for replacing the external memory 160.

<Second Embodiment>
In this embodiment, the number of times of writing for each cluster managed by the file system corresponding to the external memory 160 is used as an index for determining the lifetime of the external memory 160 in addition to the above-described integrated writing amount. Specifically, the number of times of writing for each cluster is recorded in the DRAM 112 (corresponding to “third storage device”) or the like, and a cluster whose number of times of writing has reached a predetermined number is set as a defective cluster. If the number of defective clusters exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that the external memory 160 has reached the end of its life, and writing to the external memory 160 is prohibited. If the number of defective clusters is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the same method as in the first embodiment described above, or the total number of times of writing for each cluster recorded in the DRAM 112 or the like (hereinafter referred to as “total number of times of writing”). ) Is used to predict the end of life when the external memory 160 reaches the end of its life. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate, and only different portions from the first embodiment will be described.

  The FAT file system, which is a file system corresponding to the external memory 160 such as the USB memory 140 or the SD card 150, manages user data in units of clusters and records the mapping information in a management table called FAT (File Allocation Table). It has become the system.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the FAT file system. The minimum writing unit of data in the FAT file system is called a sector. Information called a master boot record is stored in the first sector. The master boot record is information on the entire disk (in this example, the external memory 160 such as the USB memory 140 and the SD card 150) including partitioning information (partition entry table) and the like. A partition indicates a unit of division when a disk is divided and used.

  The first sector to the 19th sector are empty, and the partition starts from the 20th sector. The first sector of the partition is a boot sector, which includes a BIOS parameter block and the like. The BIOS parameter block stores information on the internal configuration of the partition, such as the number of sectors in the partition, the number of sectors constituting one cluster, and the number of sectors in one FAT. A cluster is a set of a plurality of sectors, and user data is written in cluster units.

  A data area normally used in the partition is provided after the boot sector including the BIOS parameter block. This data area is provided with two FATs, FAT1 and FAT2, a root directory entry, and a user data area into which user data is actually written.

  The FAT is a table that stores information such as the state of each cluster in the user data area and the next cluster to be connected in a one-dimensional array. The same value is stored in FAT1 and FAT2, and one is a mirror of the other. User data is written to an empty cluster, and for example, FAT2 is first updated in response to the user data being written. Then, after the user data is written, the contents of FAT2 are copied to FAT1 to complete the user data writing process.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining cluster identifiers in the FAT. FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 in the figure indicate the classification of FAT based on the number of bits used in the cluster identifier. In FAT, there are a cluster that can be used by the user (unused cluster and valid user data cluster), a reserved cluster that cannot be used by the user, a bad cluster that indicates cluster failure, and a final cluster that indicates the end of the connection between clusters. Each is identified by the cluster identifier shown in FIG.

  The root directory entry is an area in which directory information regarding files is stored. The directory information includes, for example, a file name, file creation date / time, file update date / time, attribute, data size, data start position (file start cluster), and the like. When one file spans multiple clusters, the start cluster is identified from the directory information stored in the root directory entry, and the next cluster is determined from the cluster identifier stored in the FAT cluster number corresponding to the start cluster. Identified. Thereafter, subsequent clusters are sequentially identified on the FAT up to the final cluster.

Since the FAT file system manages user data with the above configuration, when updating a certain file, the following procedures (1) to (7) are performed.
(1) Delete directory information from root directory entry (2) Delete cluster from FAT1 (3) Delete cluster from FAT2 (4) Write file to user data area (5) Add cluster to FAT2 (6) Add cluster to FAT1 (7) Add directory information to the root directory entry

  As can be seen from the above procedure, in the configuration in which user data is managed by the FAT file system, the update frequency on the management information side such as FAT and root directory entry is higher than the user data area where user data is actually written. . When actual data is written to the external memory 160 such as the USB memory 140 or the SD card 150, for example, the actual address is controlled to vary depending on the operation of the controller 110 described above. However, there are various algorithms in the method, and it is difficult for the user to grasp how data write control is actually performed. In addition, for example, there is a case where an exchange operation with an empty block is mainly performed, so that a position where data is actually written may be biased. For this reason, recording of the number of writes in cluster units, which is management information in the FAT file system, is effective as information for simply determining the life of the external memory 160.

  Note that data is written to and read from the external memory 160 by the device driver operating on the OS as described above. In the present embodiment, a file system driver for accessing a file from a higher-level application operates on the OS, and data is written to and read from the external memory 160 in cooperation with the file system driver and the device driver. Is called.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment has a second information recording unit 31 and cluster management for the configuration of the life management apparatus 100A of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). The unit 32, the second write prohibition control unit 33, and the second information write control unit 34 are added. As in the first embodiment, the functional components constituting the life management apparatus 100B include, for example, a predetermined program in which the CPU 111 of the controller 110 describes the execution procedure of the life management method as a program code. It is realized by executing.

  The second information recording unit 31 is a functional module that records the number of writes for each cluster managed by the FAT file system in the DRAM 112, which is a volatile internal memory, in association with the use start date and time of the external memory 160. . The information on the number of times of writing for each cluster recorded in association with the use start date and time of the external memory 160 is hereinafter referred to as “write number management information”.

  The second information recording unit 31 checks whether or not the write count management information is stored in the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on. If the write management information is stored in the external memory 160, the second information recording unit 31 reads the write management information from the external memory 160, copies it to the DRAM 112, and then writes data to the external memory 160. Is performed, the write management information on the DRAM 112 is updated by measuring the number of writes for each cluster. On the other hand, if the write management information is not stored in the external memory 160, such as when a new external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, the second information recording unit 31 sets, for example, the current time to the external The start date and time of use of the memory 160 is recorded in the DRAM 112. Thereafter, each time data is written to the external memory 160, the number of times of writing for each cluster is measured and recorded in the DRAM 112.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the write count management information 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the write count management information 40 has a configuration in which information 42 indicating the write count for each cluster number is recorded in association with information 41 indicating the use start date and time of the external memory 160. On the FAT, clusters to which actual user data is written are clusters having cluster numbers “2” and later. Therefore, for example, the cluster number “0” and the cluster number “1” are assigned as cluster numbers corresponding to management information such as FAT and root directory entry for the sake of convenience. The number of times can be recorded as the number of times of writing for each cluster.

  The cluster management unit 32 is a cluster in which the number of writes reaches a predetermined number in the write number management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112 by the second information recording unit 31, that is, a cluster in which the number of writes reaches the predetermined number in the external memory 160. Is a functional module for setting a bad cluster. The processing by the cluster management unit 32 can be realized, for example, by storing a cluster identifier indicating a defective cluster in a cluster on the FAT corresponding to the cluster that has been written a predetermined number of times.

  The second write prohibition control unit 33 is a functional module that controls to prohibit writing to the external memory 160 in which the number of defective clusters exceeds a predetermined number. For example, the second write prohibition control unit 33 refers to the FAT to count the number of defective clusters, and when the number of defective clusters reaches a predetermined number, by setting the external memory 160 in the write prohibit mode, Writing to the external memory 160 can be prohibited. The setting of the write prohibition mode may be realized by turning on a predetermined switch provided in the external memory 160, or may be realized by turning on a predetermined flag. Further, the setting of the device driver corresponding to the external memory 160 may be controlled to be prohibited from writing to the external memory 160 by setting the device driver to the write prohibiting mode.

  The second information write control unit 34 controls to write the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112, which is a volatile internal memory, to the external memory 160 when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered off. It is. The second information writing control unit 34 performs control so that the write count management information 40 on the DRAM 112 is written in the external memory 160 each time the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off. The write count management information 40 is synchronized with the. Note that the second information writing control unit 34 is not only when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is shut off, but also when the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the energy saving operation mode. May be controlled to be written in the external memory 160. Thereby, the frequency of data synchronization can be increased.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for writing the write count management information 40 to the external memory 160. When the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, first, as shown in FIG. 13, a special flag (here, 0x0ffffff8 meaning the final cluster) is used for a predetermined unused cluster on the FAT. This cluster is set as a write count management cluster so that it cannot be used for other purposes. When the write count management information 40 is written to the external memory 160, the write count management cluster in the user data area corresponding to the cluster number for which the above flag is set on the FAT is set as shown in FIG. Write write count management information 40 is written.

  In the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment, the life prediction unit 14 uses the accumulated write amount of the external memory 160 recorded in the NVRAM 115 and the use start date and time as in the life management apparatus 100A of the first embodiment described above. Based on the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112, the total number of writes in the external memory 160 can be set to the upper limit count in addition to predicting the life end date and time when the accumulated write amount in the external memory 160 reaches a predetermined amount. It is also possible to predict the life reaching date and time.

  When predicting the life reaching date and time when the total number of writes in the external memory 160 reaches the predetermined number of times, the life predicting unit 14 refers to the writing count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112 at the timing for predicting the above life reaching date and time. First, based on the use start date and time and the current time of the external memory 160, the elapsed time from the start of use of the external memory 160 is calculated. Then, the average number of writes per unit time (for example, one hour) to the external memory 160 is calculated by dividing the total number of writes (total number of writes) for each cluster included in the write count management information 40 by the elapsed time. . Next, the life predicting unit 14 divides the difference between the total number of writes for each cluster included in the write count management information 40 and the predetermined number by the average number of writes per unit time, thereby total write in the external memory 160. Predict the date and time when the life reaches the upper limit.

  Next, of the operations of the life management apparatus 100B of this embodiment, operations different from the life management apparatus 100A of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus 100B when the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executed every time it is detected that the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100.

  When it is detected that the external memory 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, first, the second information writing control unit 34 writes the write count management cluster to the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100. It is determined whether or not there is (step S501). If there is no write count management cluster in the external memory 160 (step S501: No), the second information write control unit 34 refers to the FAT in the external memory 160 to search for an unused cluster, and finds an unused cluster. It is set in the write count management cluster (step S502). Next, the second information write control unit 34 writes the current time as the use start date and time in the write count management cluster in the external memory 160 set in step S502 (step S503). This information is the initial information of the write count management information 40.

  Thereafter, the second information recording unit 31 copies the write count management information 40 of the write count management cluster in the external memory 160 to the DRAM 112 (step S504), and the series of processing ends. If it is determined in step S501 that the external memory 160 has a write count management cluster (step S501: Yes), the second information recording unit 31 stores the write count management information 40 of the write count management cluster. Copying to the DRAM 112 (step S504), a series of processing ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus 100B when writing to the external memory 160. The series of processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed every time a device driver operating in the write management mode receives a write command.

  When the device driver corresponding to the external memory 160 receives a write command, first, the display control unit 15 determines whether or not the external memory 160 is in the write inhibit mode (step S601). If the external memory 160 is in the write prohibit mode (step S601: Yes), the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used (step 602). The series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the external memory 160 is not in the write inhibit mode (step S601: No), the cluster management unit 32 refers to the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112 and corresponds to the cluster number to be written. It is determined whether the number of writings has reached a predetermined number (step S603). If the number of writes corresponding to the cluster number to be written has reached a predetermined number (step S603: Yes), the cluster in the external memory 160 is set as a defective cluster (step S604), and a series of processing ends. .

  On the other hand, if the number of writes corresponding to the cluster number to be written has not reached the predetermined number (step S603: No), the device driver writes data to the cluster in the external memory 160 (step S605). . Then, the second information recording unit 31 updates the write count management information 40 of the DRAM 112 so that the write count corresponding to the cluster increases (step S606), and the series of processing ends.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the life management apparatus 100B when it is time to predict the life arrival date and time. The series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is executed every time a predetermined timing is set as a timing for predicting the life arrival date and time.

  When it is time to predict the life arrival date and time, first, the FAT of the external memory 160 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the number of defective clusters exceeds a predetermined number (step S701). ). If the number of defective clusters exceeds the predetermined number (step S701: Yes), the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display an error message indicating that the external memory 160 cannot be used (step S702). . In addition, the second write prohibition control unit 33 sets the external memory 160 to the write prohibition mode (step S703), and the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the number of defective clusters does not exceed the predetermined number (step S701: No), the lifetime predicting unit 14 refers to the write count management information 40 of the DRAM 112, and starts using the current date and time and the external time of the external memory 160. Based on the total number of times of writing in the memory 160 (the total number of times of writing for each cluster), the average number of times of writing to the external memory 160 per unit time is calculated (step S704). Then, the lifetime predicting unit 14 divides the difference between the cumulative number of writes and the upper limit number by the average number of writes per unit time calculated in step S704, so that the total number of writes in the external memory 160 reaches the upper limit number. The arrival date and time is predicted (step S705).

  Next, the display control unit 15 causes the operation panel 120 to display the life reaching date / time of the external memory 160 predicted in Step S705 (Step S706). Further, the display control unit 15 determines whether or not the life reaching date / time of the external memory 160 predicted in step S705 is a date / time within a predetermined period (for example, within 3 months) from the current time (step S707). If the life arrival date / time is within the predetermined period (step S707: Yes), a warning message indicating that the external memory 160 is near the end of life is displayed on the operation panel 120 (step S708), and the series of processing ends. If the life reaching date / time of the external memory 160 is not within the predetermined period (step S707: No), only the life reaching date / time is displayed in step S706.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the life management apparatus 100B when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered off. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is executed every time an operation for shutting off the power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is performed.

  When an operation for shutting off the power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is performed, first, the device driver starts an unmount process of the external memory 160 (step S801). Thereafter, the second information write control unit 34 copies the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112 to the write count management cluster of the external memory 160 (step S802), and the image forming apparatus 100 and the external memory 160 communicate with each other. The write count management information 40 is synchronized with each other, and a series of processing ends.

  As described above in detail with specific examples, according to the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment, the second information recording unit 31 sets the number of writes for each cluster in the external memory 160 to the external memory 160. Is recorded in the DRAM 112 as the write count management information 40 in association with the use start date and time. Then, the cluster management unit 32 sets the cluster that has reached the predetermined number of times of writing as a defective cluster, and determines that the external memory 160 has reached the end of its life when the number of defective clusters exceeds the predetermined number. The write prohibition control unit 33 controls to prohibit writing to the external memory 160. Therefore, according to the lifetime management apparatus 100B of this embodiment, even when data writing to a specific cluster is concentrated, the lifetime of the external memory 160 is correctly determined, and data is stored in the external memory 160 that has reached the lifetime. Thus, the disadvantage that the data stored in the external memory 160 is lost can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment, the life prediction unit 14 determines the life arrival date / time of the external memory 160, specifically, the external memory 160 based on the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112. Since the lifetime reaching date and time when the total number of times of writing reaches the upper limit number can be predicted, the lifetime of the external memory 160 can be appropriately managed.

  Further, according to the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment, the second information write control unit 34 writes the write count management information 40 recorded in the DRAM 112 to the external memory 160 when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered off. Therefore, the write count management information 40 can be synchronized between the image forming apparatus 100 and the external memory 160, and the write count for each cluster of the external memory 160 can be appropriately managed.

  In the above example, the write count management information 40 is recorded in the DRAM 112, which is a volatile memory provided in the controller 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the life management apparatus 100B of the present embodiment is configured as follows. The write count management information 40 may be recorded in a nonvolatile memory such as the NVRAM 115 provided in the controller 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 or an HDD (hard disk drive) connected to the controller 110. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent a problem that the write count management information 40 is lost due to an unexpected power shutdown (for example, a power failure) of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments show an application example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied with various modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Identification information acquisition part 12 Integrated writing amount calculation part 13 Information recording part 14 Life prediction part 15 Display control part 16 Write prohibition control part 17 Information write control part 31 2nd information recording part 32 Cluster management part 33 2nd write prohibition Control unit 34 Second information write control unit 40 Write count management information 100 Image forming apparatus 100A, 100B Life management apparatus 110 Controller 112 DRAM
115 NVRAM
140 USB memory 150 SD card 160 External memory

JP 2012-088937 A

Claims (12)

An integrated write amount calculating unit that calculates an integrated write amount for the first storage device each time writing to the first storage device;
A first information recording unit that records the accumulated writing amount in a second storage device in association with the identification information of the first storage device and the use start date and time of the first storage device;
A life prediction unit for predicting the life arrival date and time of the first storage device based on the accumulated writing amount and the use start date and time recorded in the second storage device;
A life management device comprising: When the first storage device holds the identification information, the identification information is read. When the first storage device does not hold the identification information, the identification information is generated and the generated An identification information acquisition unit for writing identification information to the first storage device;
The life management apparatus according to claim 1. A first write prohibition control unit that controls to prohibit writing to the first storage device in which the cumulative write amount reaches a predetermined amount;
The life management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. In accordance with a predetermined operation, the information processing apparatus further includes a first information writing control unit that controls to write the accumulated writing amount and the use start date and time recorded in the second storage device to the first storage device.
The life management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3. A display control unit for controlling to display the life attainment date and time on a display device;
The lifetime management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. The first storage device is a flash memory connected externally to a device,
The second storage device is a non-volatile memory that is implemented in the device and has no rewrite limit.
The lifetime management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. A second information recording unit that records the number of writes for each cluster managed by the file system corresponding to the first storage device in a third storage device in association with the use start date and time of the first storage device; ,
A cluster management unit that sets a cluster in which the number of writes recorded in the third storage device reaches a predetermined number of times as a defective cluster;
A second write prohibition control unit that controls to prohibit writing to the first storage device in which the number of defective clusters exceeds a predetermined number;
The lifetime management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6. The life prediction unit includes the integrated writing amount and the use start date / time recorded in the second storage device, or the sum of the number of writes for each cluster recorded in the third storage device and the use start date / time. Based on the above, a life reaching date / time of the first storage device is predicted,
The life management apparatus according to claim 7. The first storage device is a flash memory connected externally to a device,
The third storage device is a volatile memory mounted on the device.
The life management apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. A second information writing control unit that controls the number of times of writing for each cluster recorded in the third storage device to be written in the first storage device when the device is powered off or shifted to the energy saving operation mode. Further comprising
The life management apparatus according to claim 9. The first storage device is a flash memory connected externally to a device,
The third storage device is a non-volatile memory that is mounted on the device and has no rewrite frequency limit.
The life management apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. Calculating an integrated write amount for the first storage device each time writing to the first storage device;
Recording the accumulated write amount in a second storage device in association with the identification information of the first storage device and the use start date and time of the first storage device;
A service life management method comprising: predicting a service life arrival date and time of the first storage device based on the accumulated write amount recorded in the second storage device and the use start date and time.

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