JP2021086206A - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress performance degradation of a storage device while reducing an impact on performance of a user operation.SOLUTION: A storage device 104 includes storage areas 203-207 divided into a plurality of parts. When TRIM needs to be executed at the next automatic sleep recovery, a main CPU 101 calculates a TRIM required time and changes an interrupt generation time to a time (T13) before an original designation time (T14) by the TRIM required time. When there is a sleep recovery request from an RTC 105 due to the interrupt after the change, the main CPU 101 starts issuing a TRIM command, and causes an image forming apparatus 1 to shift to a standby state when the issuance of the TRIM command is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a storage apparatus having a storage area divided into a plurality of areas and a control method thereof.

An image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) having a semiconductor storage device including a flash memory and a control circuit such as SSD (Solid State Drive) and eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) is known. In this type of storage device, distributed writing called wear leveling is performed in order to extend the life of the built-in flash memory. In wear leveling, writing is performed by replacing blocks so as to use blocks with a small number of writes as much as possible. Therefore, during the execution of the wear leveling process, block erasure or data copy may occur at the time of block replacement, and the performance (read / write performance) may deteriorate.

In a non-volatile semiconductor storage device, a process called TRIM (trim) is generally performed as a method for improving the deterioration in performance. TRIM is a command for notifying a storage device of a storage area that is no longer needed for the OS (operating system) file system. By notifying the storage device with the TRIM command, the controller of the storage device does not need to perform wear leveling processing to an unnecessary area, and the performance deterioration can be suppressed.

The TRIM command is prepared in the eMMC standard, and the data transfer speed can be kept good by the eMMC deleting unnecessary data during the idle time. If TRIM is executed at the timing when a device such as an image forming device incorporating the above storage device is used, CPU resources are occupied, so that the functions provided by the device cannot be executed, which is convenient for the user. It is impaired. Therefore, it is desirable to execute TRIM at a timing when the user does not use the embedded device. Regarding the execution timing of TRIM, there is known a technique of acquiring the status of a print job and executing a TRIM command that can be used for wear leveling when it is determined that the status indicates a job interruption (Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-141681

In Patent Document 1, it is considered that TRIM processing does not affect the performance of job execution. However, the performance of the entire device is not considered. For example, if the user operates the operation unit while performing TRIM processing when the job is idle and the job is not being executed, the TRIM processing and the processing of the operation unit conflict with each other and the operation of the operation unit screen is slow. There is a risk of becoming. In such a case, the user may not recognize that the device is operating properly and may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the performance as a device may be affected.

An object of the present invention is to suppress a deterioration in the performance of a storage device while reducing the influence on the performance of user operations.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of divided areas, and shifts the image forming apparatus from a power saving state to a normal power state at a designated time. The issuing means includes means and issuing means for issuing a TRIM command notifying the storage area that is no longer used in the storage device, and the issuing means is said to be said when the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state. When it is necessary to issue a TRIM command, the TRIM command is issued before the designated time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the storage device while reducing the influence on the performance of the user operation.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram of a main CPU and a storage device. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply state of the image forming apparatus in a standby state. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply state of the image forming apparatus in a sleep state. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply state of the image forming apparatus during TRIM execution. It is a figure which shows the example of the TRIM automatic designation screen. It is a timing chart of power status and TRIM implementation. It is a flowchart of standby processing. It is a flowchart of sleep processing. It is a timing chart of power status and TRIM implementation. It is a flowchart of standby processing. It is a timing chart of power status and TRIM implementation. It is a flowchart of standby processing. It is a flowchart of sleep processing.

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

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 100, a display unit 107, an operation unit 109, a printer 113, a scanner 115, a USB I / F 117, a FAX I / F 119, a wired LAN I / F 121, a wireless LAN antenna 122, and a motion sensor 125. Have. The controller 100 includes a main CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage device 104, an RTC (real-time clock) 105, a display unit controller 106, an operation unit controller 108, a printer controller 112, and a scanner controller 114. Further, the controller 100 includes a USB controller 116, a FAX controller 118, a network controller 120, an image processing controller 123, a motion sensor controller 124, and a system bus 126. The operation unit 109 has a touch panel 110 and a key 111.

The main CPU 101 is a central arithmetic unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, and is connected to each unit by a system bus 126. The RAM 102 is a work memory for operating the main CPU 101, and is used for expanding various programs, saving calculation processing results, and saving image data processed by the image processing controller 123 by operations such as printing and scanning. The ROM 103 is a memory in which the startup program of the main CPU 101, various setting information, and the like are stored. The storage device 104 is a non-volatile semiconductor storage device for storing a large-sized program or data, and is, for example, a NAND non-volatile memory (flash memory). Although eMMC is exemplified as the storage device 104, the storage device 104 is not limited to the eMMC, and may be an SSD or other non-volatile memory device.

The display unit controller 106 transmits image data to the display unit 107 according to the communication protocol of the display unit 107. The operation unit controller 108 receives the input from the touch panel 110 and the key 111, and converts the data into data that the main CPU 101 can understand. The printer controller 112 controls various devices such as a photoconductor drum, a laser oscillator, and a toner fuser that are involved in the printing operation of the printer 113 when printing the image data designated by the main CPU 101. The scanner controller 114 controls various devices such as a document detection sensor and a scanning sensor involved in the scanning operation of the scanner 115.

The USB controller 116 communicates image data and the like with an external terminal connected to the USB I / F 117 with a USB cable. The FAX controller 118 communicates image data and the like with the public line network connected to the FAX I / F 119 by a telephone line. The network controller 120 performs network communication with an external terminal connected to the wired LAN I / F 121 with a LAN cable. Further, the network controller 120 wirelessly transmits / receives data to / from an external terminal via the wireless LAN antenna 122. The image processing controller 123 performs image processing such as conversion of the original read by the scanner 115 into image data, enlargement / reduction, monochrome conversion, and conversion into image data for printing by the printer 113. The motion sensor controller 124 notifies the main CPU 101 of the activation control of the motion sensor 125 and the presence / absence of a person in front of the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main CPU 101 and the storage device 104. The processing between the main CPU 101 and the storage device 104 will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of simplicity, the system bus 126 connecting the blocks is not shown.

The controller 100 operates the operating system (OS) 201 by the calculation of the main CPU 101. OS201 is basic software that controls and manages the entire software and hardware and is commonly used by many applications. The OS 201 also includes a function of reading and writing data to and from the storage device 104. For example, in an application running on the OS 201, when reading the data of the storage device 104, the OS 201 issues a data read command from the main CPU 101 to the storage device 104. The storage device 104 that has received the data read command operates the storage device controller 202 inside the storage device 104, acquires the data requested by the command from the storage area in the storage device 104, and transfers the data to the main CPU 101. Similarly, when writing data to the storage device 104, the OS 201 issues a data write command from the main CPU 101 to the storage device 104. The storage device 104 that has received the data write command operates the storage device controller 202 and writes the data requested by the command to the storage area in the storage device 104.

Further, the OS 201 manages the storage area in the storage device 104 by dividing it into a plurality of areas. This is to prevent, for example, when a plurality of applications write data to the storage device 104, different applications write data to the overlapping storage areas and necessary data is not lost. In the present embodiment, the storage device 104 has a storage area divided into a plurality of parts. In FIG. 2, for simplification of explanation, it is divided into five storage areas (storage area 203, storage area 204, storage area 205, storage area 206, and storage area 207). The number of storage areas does not matter.

When writing data to the storage device 104, the storage device controller 202 confirms whether or not any data exists in the area before writing the data to the area specified by the data write command. If the data does not exist, the storage controller 202 writes the data to the designated storage area. However, a flash memory such as the storage device 104 has a limit on the number of rewrites for each data cell. Therefore, in the storage device 104, wear leveling is performed by the storage device controller 202 in order to extend the life of the built-in flash memory. The performance (read / write performance) of the storage device 104 may deteriorate during the execution of the wear leveling process. In order to avoid this, TRIM processing is performed.

The TRIM in the present embodiment is a command for notifying the storage device 104 of a storage block that is no longer needed for the file system of the OS 201. Specifically, when it is necessary to carry out TRIM, the main CPU 101 notifies the storage device 104 of the unused storage area by a TRIM command. By recognizing the unused area, the storage controller 202 needs to collect only the blocks in use (garbage collection) for wear leveling. Therefore, the amount of data to be copied is reduced, the number of blocks used is reduced, and the total number of rewrites is also reduced. Therefore, by notifying the storage device 104 of the unnecessary storage block by the TRIM command, it is not necessary to perform wear leveling processing up to an unnecessary area, and the performance deterioration of the storage device 104 is suppressed.

However, while issuing the TRIM command, the main CPU 101 is occupied by notifying the unnecessary storage area and waiting for a response, which hinders the operation of other applications on the OS 201. For example, suppose that the image forming apparatus 1 controls a printer controller 112 and a scanner controller 114 in an application in order to execute a print or scan job operation. In this case, if the main CPU 101 is occupied by the TRIM command, the job execution will be interrupted. In addition to this, when the application controls the display unit controller 106 by user operation, operations such as screen transition of the display unit 107 are stopped because the main CPU 101 is occupied. If the TRIM command is issued during the job operation or the user operation in this way, the user may be misunderstood or uncomfortable as if the image forming apparatus 1 had failed. For this reason, it is desirable to limit the timing of issuing the TRIM command to the time when the job is not executed and the user does not operate the image forming apparatus 1.

By the way, even if the TRIM command is issued at a time when the user does not operate, if the entire area of the storage device 104 is targeted for issuing the TRIM command, the occupancy time of the main CPU 101 becomes long. On the other hand, if the timing of issuing the TRIM command is limited to a time that does not affect the user's operation even if the occupied time of the main CPU 101 becomes long, the issuing opportunity is reduced. In order to avoid this, it is desirable to issue TRIM commands individually and sequentially to the divided storage areas in the storage device 104. By doing so, the time for occupying the main CPU 101 with one TRIM command is shortened, and the conditions for issuing the TRIM command are relaxed. For example, when it is desired to issue a TRIM command for the storage area 203 and the storage area 204 in the storage device 104, the main CPU 101 first issues a TRIM command for the storage area 203, and after the TRIM is completed, issues a TRIM command for the storage area 204. Issue.

Next, the implementation timing of TRIM will be described. The power state of the image forming apparatus 1 is roughly classified into a standby state (normal power state) and a sleep state (power saving state). As a timing for executing TRIM, a method of using the sleep automatic wakeup function by specifying the time (hereinafter referred to as the sleep automatic wakeup function) can be considered. The sleep automatic wakeup function is a function of automatically returning the image forming apparatus 1 in the sleep state to the standby state at a time (designated time) preset by the user. The designated time is usually set to a time before the user is scheduled to use the image forming apparatus 1.

The movements of the main CPU 101 and the RTC 105 at the time of automatic sleep recovery will be specifically described. First, when a designated time for automatically returning from sleep is set by the user, the main CPU 101 is set so that an interrupt is generated from the RTC 105 at the designated time. The interrupt issued from the RTC 105 as the issuing means is input to the main CPU 101. During sleep, the main CPU 101 enters the WFI (Wait for Interrupt) state and monitors the interrupt of the RTC 105. The WFI state is a power saving state, and the main CPU 101 is in a state of waiting for the occurrence of an interrupt request by the power supplied for monitoring.

Then, when the designated time at which the image forming apparatus 1 should automatically return from the sleep state to the standby state comes, the RTC 105 generates an interrupt. Upon receiving the interrupt from the RTC 105, the main CPU 101 as the transition means returns from the power saving state, and returns the image forming apparatus 1 from the sleep state to the standby state. The time zone before the designated time is the time zone before the user is expected to use the image forming apparatus 1 (timing when the user does not operate). Therefore, if TRIM is performed during this time period, it is considered that the performance when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1 is not affected.

Next, the flow of performing TRIM at the timing before the automatic wakeup from sleep and the power supply state of the image forming apparatus 1 at each timing will be described. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 are block diagrams showing a power supply state of the image forming apparatus 1 during a standby state, a sleep state, and TRIM execution, respectively.

First, in the standby state (FIG. 3), power is supplied to all the modules of the image forming apparatus 1. In the sleep state (FIG. 4), power is supplied to the ROM 103, the storage device 104, and the RTC 105, and the other modules are in the power saving state or the non-power supply state. During sleep, monitoring power is supplied to the main CPU 101, and the main CPU 101 is in a power saving state waiting for the occurrence of an interrupt from the RTC 105. In addition to the main CPU 101, a sub CPU may be provided for interrupt monitoring. In such a configuration, the power to the main CPU 101 may be cut off and the power may be supplied to the sub CPU during sleep. During TRIM implementation (FIG. 5), power is supplied to the main CPU 101, ROM 103, storage device 104, and RTC 105, and the other modules are in a power saving state or a non-power supply state. In particular, at least during the period from the start of issuance of the TRIM command to the completion of issuance, power is not supplied to the operation unit 109 which is the user interface, so that the operation unit 109 is prevented from being operated by the user during the execution of TRIM.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a TRIM automatic designation screen. This TRIM automatic designation screen is a UI screen displayed on the display unit 107 in the administrator mode. On the TRIM automatic specification screen, the user can specify whether to enable / disable the automatic execution of TRIM. When the automatic execution of TRIM is disabled, the issuance of TRIM commands is prohibited.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the power state and the implementation of TRIM. In FIG. 7, “other controller / load power supply” refers to the power supply state of the component indicated by reference numerals 106 to 125 in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the timing T14, which is the designated time for automatic sleep wakeup, is set to “7:00 AM”. In the standby state, power is supplied to all the modules of the image forming apparatus 1 (FIG. 3). The image forming apparatus 1 starts the transition process from the standby state to the sleep state (sleep transition process) at the timing T11. This sleep transition process is started when the operation from the user is not continued for a certain period of time or when the user presses the power saving button of the operation unit 109.

During the sleep transition process, the main CPU 101 calculates the TRIM required time required to execute the TRIM. Here, it is assumed that the TRIM time required is 20 seconds. In this case, the main CPU 101 causes the RTC105 to generate an interrupt from the RTC105 at "6:59:40 AM", which is 20 seconds earlier than the original (initial) designated time of automatic sleep recovery, "7:00 AM". Is set (timing T13). When the sleep transition process is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state at the timing T12. In the sleep state, power is supplied to the ROM 103, the storage device 104, and the RTC 105 (FIG. 4), and the main CPU 101 monitors the occurrence of an interrupt from the RTC 105.

At the timing T13, when the designated time after the change is "6:59:40 AM", an interrupt from the RTC 105 is generated. When an interrupt from the RTC 105 occurs, the main CPU 101 returns from the power saving state and executes TRIM. During TRIM, power is supplied to the main CPU 101, ROM 103, storage device 104, and RTC 105 (FIG. 5). When the TRIM is completed at the timing T14, the image forming apparatus 1 starts the transition process to the standby state (sleep return process) and shifts to the standby state.

As described above, before the initial designated time (T14) for automatic sleep recovery, the user does not operate the image forming apparatus 1. Since TRIM is performed during this period, it does not affect the performance of user operations. Such a TRIM execution process will be further described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 in addition to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of standby processing. This process is realized by the main CPU 101 expanding the control program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it. This process is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the standby state.

First, in step S101, the main CPU 101 waits until a shift start instruction from the standby state to the sleep state is given due to the user operation not continuing for a certain period of time, pressing the power saving button, or the like. When there is an instruction to start the transition to the sleep state (timing T11), the main CPU 101 determines in step S102 whether or not TRIM needs to be executed at the next automatic wakeup from sleep. The following factors are exemplified as the discriminating factors for implementing TRIM. For example, if the image forming apparatus 1 has not been used since the last TRIM was performed, it is determined that the TRIM is not necessary. That is, it is determined that it is not necessary to issue the TRIM command. Further, even when the automatic execution of TRIM is invalidated on the TRIM automatic designation screen (FIG. 6), it is determined that the execution of TRIM is unnecessary. In cases other than these, it is determined that TRIM needs to be performed.

Then, when it is determined that the execution of TRIM is unnecessary, the main CPU 101 sets the TRIM execution flag after the automatic return from sleep to OFF in step S103. When the execution flag is set to ON, it indicates that TRIM is executed before returning to the sleep state, and when it is set to OFF, TRIM is executed before returning to the sleep state. Indicates not to. After that, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the sleep state in step S108 (timing T12).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the implementation of TRIM is necessary, the main CPU 101 confirms the storage area in which TRIM has not been completed in the storage device 104 in step S104. In step S105, the main CPU 101 calculates the TRIM required time required for issuing the TRIM command from the number of storage areas for which TRIM has not been completed. In step S106, the main CPU 101 sets the RTC 105 so that an interrupt such that a TRIM command is issued at a timing earlier than the initial designated time for automatic sleep recovery (timing T14) by the time required for TRIM is generated. That is, the main CPU 101 changes the time at which the interrupt occurs to a time (timing T13) that is earlier than the initially specified time (timing T14) by the TRIM required time. An interrupt after the time at which the interrupt occurs is changed with respect to the initial interrupt is referred to as an "interrupt after the change".

In step S107, the main CPU 101 sets the TRIM execution flag to ON, and in step S108, shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the sleep state (timing T12). After step S108, the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of sleep processing. This process is realized by the main CPU 101 expanding the control program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it. This process is started when the image forming apparatus 1 goes to sleep.

In step S201, the main CPU 101 waits until there is a sleep wakeup request for returning from the sleep state to the standby state. Here, the sleep wakeup request is roughly classified into the following three cases. That is, the sleep wakeup request is issued from the RTC 105 when the initial interrupt (T14) is generated, when the changed interrupt (T13) is generated, or when the operation unit 109 is operated by the user. .. When there is a sleep wakeup request, the main CPU 101 wakes up from the power saving state in step S202 (FIG. 5). That is, only the main CPU 101 wakes up from the sleep state.

In step S203, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the sleep wakeup request received in step S201 is an automatic wakeup by specifying a time, that is, an interrupt from the RTC105. When the sleep wakeup request is not due to an interrupt from the RTC 105, it is a sleep wakeup request due to an operation of the operation unit 109 by the user. In this case, since the user intentionally wakes up from sleep in order to use the image forming apparatus 1, the UI will not operate when TRIM is executed. Therefore, the main CPU 101 proceeds to step S207 without performing TRIM, shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the standby state, and ends the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the sleep wakeup request received in step S201 is due to an interrupt from RTC105, in step S204, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the TRIM execution flag is ON. Then, when the TRIM execution flag is OFF, it means that the sleep wakeup request is due to the initial interrupt from the RTC105. Therefore, the main CPU 101 proceeds to step S207 without executing TRIM. However, when the TRIM execution flag is ON, it means that the sleep wakeup request is due to the interrupt after the change from the RTC105. Therefore, the main CPU 101 advances the process to step S205 in order to carry out TRIM.

In step S205, the main CPU 101 starts issuing a TRIM command. As described above, the main CPU 101 issues TRIM commands individually and sequentially to the storage area. Then, when the issuance of the TRIM command is completed, the main CPU 101 sets the TRIM execution flag to OFF in step S206. Here, instead of waiting for the issuance of the TRIM command to be completed, the process may proceed to step S206 when the TRIM required time has elapsed from the issuance of the TRIM command. After that, the main CPU 101 executes step S207 (T14).

Even when the specified time is changed and the changed interrupt is set to be generated, the changed interrupt (T13) and the initial interrupt (T14) may coexist. In this case, the main CPU 101 may proceed to step S206 in response to the occurrence of the initial interrupt (T14) instead of waiting for the issuance of the TRIM command to be completed in step S205.

The TRIM required time was calculated from the number of storage areas in which TRIM was not completed, but the method for determining the TRIM required time is not limited to this. For example, the time required for performing TRIM on the entire storage area of the storage device 104 is stored in advance in the main CPU 101. Then, the TRIM command may be set to be issued at a timing earlier than the initial designated time for automatic sleep recovery (timing T14) by the required time or more.

According to the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state and it is necessary to issue the TRIM command, the TRIM command is issued before the designated time (T14) (T13). In other words, the TRIM command is issued before the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the standby state. For example, the issuance of the TRIM command is started at a time earlier than the originally specified time by the time required for TRIM. Therefore, it is possible to avoid overlapping the period in which the user operation may be performed and the TRIM implementation period. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the storage device 104 while reducing the influence on the performance of the user operation.

The RTC105 was set so that an interrupt such that a TRIM command is issued at a timing T13 earlier than the initial designated time for automatic sleep recovery (timing T14) by the time required for TRIM is generated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the return to the standby state from being delayed from the originally specified time. However, the timing T13 may be earlier than the timing T14 by the TRIM required time or more. That is, the RTC 105 may be set so that an interrupt that can start issuing a TRIM command occurs at a time that is equal to or longer than the required time of the TRIM from the specified time of the initial interrupt.

If it is allowed that the return to the standby state is delayed from the originally specified time, the specified interrupt time (T13) after the change may be earlier than the initially specified interrupt time (T14). , It is not essential to provide the TRIM time required between the two.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the TRIM implementation process, and the other configurations are the same. The TRIM execution process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

As a timing for executing TRIM, a method of using the auto sleep transition function by specifying the time can be considered. The auto sleep transition function is a function that automatically shifts the image forming apparatus 1 in the standby state to the sleep state at a designated time set in advance by the user. This function is mainly used when it is assumed that the user will not use the image forming apparatus 1 for a while after the designated time.

When the user sets the designated time for auto sleep transition, the main CPU 101 sets the RTC 105 so that an interrupt is generated from the RTC 105 at the designated time. The main CPU 101 monitors the interrupt generated from the RTC 105. At the designated time of the auto sleep transition, the RTC 105 generates an interrupt. When the main CPU 101 receives an interrupt from the RTC 105, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 from the standby state to the sleep state. The time after the designated time of the auto sleep transition is a time zone (timing when the user does not operate) where it is assumed that the user does not use the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, if TRIM is performed during this time period, it is considered that the performance when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1 is not affected.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart of the power state and the implementation of TRIM. Each power state is the same as described with reference to FIG. The designated time (timing T21) for shifting to auto sleep is set to "23:00 PM". During standby, the main CPU 101 monitors an interrupt from the RTC 105. At the timing T21, when the designated time "23:00 PM" is reached, an interrupt is generated from the RTC 105. Then, the main CPU 101 starts the sleep transition process of shifting the image forming apparatus 1 from the standby state to the sleep state. When the preparation for going to sleep is completed, the main CPU 101 executes TRIM at the timing T22. When the TRIM is completed at the timing T23, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state. Therefore, the issuance of the TRIM command is started after the designated time (timing T21) of the auto sleep transition, and the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state after the issuance of the TRIM command is completed (timing T23).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of standby processing. This process is realized by the main CPU 101 expanding the control program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it. This process is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the standby state.

In step S301, the same process as in step S101 of FIG. 8 is executed. However, in step S301, the sleep transition instruction (interrupt generation) by the auto sleep transition function is also included in the transition start instruction to the sleep state. When there is a transition start instruction to the sleep state, the main CPU 101 determines in step S302 whether or not the transition start instruction this time is a sleep transition instruction by the auto sleep transition function. If the transition start instruction this time is not a sleep transition instruction by the auto sleep transition function, it is a normal transition start instruction, so the process proceeds to step S306 without executing TRIM. In this case, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the sleep state and ends the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the transition start instruction this time is a sleep transition instruction by the auto sleep transition function, the main CPU 101 executes the same process as step S102 in FIG. 8 in step S303. At that time, the sleep transition process is also started. Then, when it is determined that the execution of TRIM is unnecessary, the main CPU 101 proceeds to step S306 without executing TRIM. On the other hand, when it is determined that the implementation of TRIM is necessary, the main CPU 101 confirms the storage area in which TRIM has not been completed in the storage device 104 in step S304. Further, when the sleep transition process is completed, in step S305, the main CPU 101 starts issuing a TRIM command. Then, when the issuance of the TRIM command is completed, the main CPU 101 advances the process to step S306.

According to the present embodiment, when it is necessary to issue a TRIM command and an interrupt is generated by the auto sleep transition function, the main CPU 101 issues a TRIM command after the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state. To start. Further, the main CPU 101 puts the image forming apparatus 1 into the sleep state after the issuance of the TRIM command is completed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment with respect to suppressing the deterioration of the performance of the storage device 104 while reducing the influence on the performance of the user operation.

(Third Embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the TRIM implementation process, and the other configurations are the same. The TRIM execution process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

As a timing for executing TRIM, a method of using the auto sleep transition function (described in the second embodiment) and the sleep automatic wakeup function (described in the first embodiment) can be considered. The designated time of the auto sleep transition function is referred to as "sleep transition designated time" (first designated time). The designated time of the sleep automatic wakeup function is referred to as "sleep wakeup designated time" (second designated time). When both functions are enabled, a method of executing TRIM using the time zone from the designated time for sleep transition to the designated time for returning to sleep can be considered. The above time zone is a time zone that is not expected to be operated by the user. Therefore, if TRIM is performed during this time period, it is considered that the performance when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1 is not affected.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart of the power state and the implementation of TRIM. Each power state is the same as described with reference to FIG. The sleep transition designated time (timing T31) is set to "23:00 PM", and the sleep return designated time (timing T35) is set to "7:00 AM". When both functions are enabled, the RTC105 generates a first interrupt at the sleep transition designated time and a second interrupt at the sleep wakeup designated time.

First, during standby, the main CPU 101 monitors an interrupt from the RTC 105. At the timing T31, when the sleep transition designated time “23:00 PM” is reached, the first interrupt is generated from the RTC 105, and the main CPU 101 performs the sleep transition process of shifting the image forming apparatus 1 from the standby state to the sleep state. Start. At that time, the main CPU 101 calculates the TRIM execution time (third designated time) at which the TRIM command issuance is started, and sets the RTC 105 so that a third interrupt is generated at the TRIM execution time. The TRIM execution time is calculated as a time (timing T33) between the sleep transition designated time (timing T31) and the sleep wakeup designated time (timing T35). For example, it is set to "3:00 AM", which is a time just between "23:00 PM" and "7:00 AM". However, it is not limited to this time. For example, "2:00 AM" or "4:00 AM" may be used.

The main CPU 101 may calculate the TRIM required time and determine the TRIM execution time so that the completion time of the TRIM issuance is before the sleep return designated time, as in the first embodiment. That is, the main CPU 101 may set the TRIM execution time to a time earlier than the sleep return designated time by the TRIM required time or more.

When the preparation for going to sleep is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 goes to sleep at timing T32. During sleep, the main CPU 101 waits for an interrupt from the RTC 105 to occur. Then, at the timing T33, when the TRIM execution time “3:00 AM” is reached, a third interrupt is generated from the RTC 105. When the third interrupt from the RTC 105 occurs, the main CPU 101 returns from the power saving state and executes TRIM.

When the TRIM is completed at the timing T34, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the sleep state again and waits for the occurrence of an interrupt from the RTC 105. Then, at the timing T35, when the designated time for returning to sleep is "8:00 AM", a second interrupt is generated from the RTC 105. Then, the main CPU 101 returns from the power saving state and shifts the image forming apparatus 1 from the sleep state to the standby state.

In this way, since the TRIM is executed in the time zone between the sleep transition designated time and the sleep wakeup designated time, it is not necessary to affect the performance of the user operation. Such a TRIM execution process will be further described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 in addition to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of standby processing. This process is realized by the main CPU 101 expanding the control program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it. This process is started when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the standby state.

In steps S401 to S403, the same processing as in steps S301 to S303 of FIG. 11 is executed. However, in step S401, the sleep transition instruction (first interrupt generation) by the auto sleep transition function is also included in the transition start instruction to the sleep state. Further, in step S402, if the current transition start instruction is not a sleep transition instruction by the auto sleep transition function, the main CPU 101 executes the same process as in step S103 of FIG. 8 in step S404. Then, in step S409, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the sleep state. After that, the main CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S403 that the implementation of TRIM is unnecessary, the main CPU 101 advances the process to step S404. On the other hand, when it is determined that the implementation of TRIM is necessary, the main CPU 101 confirms the storage area in which TRIM has not been completed in the storage device 104 in step S405. In step S406, the main CPU 101 calculates the TRIM execution time as described above. Then, in step S407, the main CPU 101 sets the RTC 105 so that a third interrupt is generated from the RTC 105 at the TRIM execution time so that the main CPU 101 can recover from the power saving state at the TRIM execution time.

In step S408, the main CPU 101 sets the TRIM execution flag to ON. Further, when the sleep transition process is completed, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the sleep state in step S409 (timing T32).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of sleep processing. This process is realized by the main CPU 101 expanding the control program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it. This process is started when the image forming apparatus 1 goes to sleep.

In step S501, the main CPU 101 waits until there is a sleep wakeup request for returning from the sleep state to the standby state. Here, the sleep wakeup request is roughly classified into the following three cases. That is, the sleep wakeup request is issued from the RTC 105 when the second interrupt (T35) is generated, when the third interrupt (T33) is generated, or when the operation unit 109 is operated by the user. To. When there is a sleep wakeup request, the main CPU 101 wakes up from the power saving state in step S502. That is, only the main CPU 101 wakes up from the sleep state.

In step S503, it is determined whether or not the sleep wakeup request received in step S501 is an automatic wakeup by specifying a time, that is, an interrupt from the RTC105. When the sleep wakeup request is not due to an interrupt from the RTC 105, it is a sleep wakeup request due to an operation of the operation unit 109 by the user. In this case, the main CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the standby state in step S508 without executing TRIM, and ends the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the sleep wakeup request received in step S501 is due to an interrupt from RTC 105, in step S504, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the TRIM execution flag is ON. When the TRIM execution flag is OFF, it means that the sleep wakeup request is due to the second interrupt from the RTC105. Therefore, the main CPU 101 proceeds to step S508 without executing TRIM. However, when the TRIM execution flag is ON, it means that the sleep wakeup request is due to the third interrupt from the RTC105. Therefore, the main CPU 101 advances the process to step S505 in order to carry out TRIM.

In step S505, the main CPU 101 starts issuing a TRIM command as in step S205 of FIG. 9 (T33). The storage area for performing TRIM is a storage area determined before the sleep transition. Then, when the issuance of the TRIM command is completed, the main CPU 101 sets the TRIM execution flag to OFF in step S506, as in step S206 of FIG. In step S507, the main CPU 101 puts the image forming apparatus 1 into the sleep state again, and returns the process to step S501. Therefore, it is in a state of waiting for the sleep wakeup request again.

In step S504 after passing through steps S505 to S507, the TRIM execution flag is OFF, so step S508 is executed in response to the reception of the second interrupt (T35).

According to the present embodiment, the issuance of the TRIM command is started after the sleep transition designated time and before the sleep wakeup designated time. In other words, the issuance of the TRIM command is started after the image forming apparatus 1 shifts from the standby state to the sleep state and before returning to the standby state. That is, the main CPU 101 sets the RTC 105 so that when the first interrupt occurs, the third interrupt occurs at the TRIM execution time (T33) before the sleep wakeup designated time (T35). Then, the main CPU 101 starts issuing the TRIM command when the third interrupt occurs, and then returns the image forming apparatus 1 to the standby state when the second interrupt occurs. In other words, the TRIM command is issued after the image forming apparatus 1 has transitioned from the standby state to the sleep state and before returning from the sleep state to the standby state. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment with respect to suppressing the deterioration of the performance of the storage device 104 while reducing the influence on the performance of the user operation.

In each of the above embodiments, the "sleep state" refers to a state in which power is saved relative to the normal operating state. For example, in an image forming apparatus in which the power is automatically turned on / off, if the "power off state" is the same power state as the "sleep state", the "sleep state" is read as the "power off state" and the present invention is applied. It is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can be applied to various information processing devices including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.

Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Some of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

101 main CPU
104 Storage device 105 RTC
203-207 Storage area

Claims (19)

An image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
A transition means for returning the image forming apparatus from the power saving state to the normal power state at a designated time, and
It has an issuing means for issuing a TRIM command notifying a storage area that is no longer used in the storage device.
The issuing means is characterized in that when the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state and it is necessary to issue the TRIM command, the TRIM command is issued before the designated time. Forming device. When the issuing means needs to issue the TRIM command when the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state, the issuing means issues the TRIM command before the image forming apparatus returns to the normal power state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is issued in 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the issuing means starts issuing the TRIM command at a time equal to or longer than the time required for issuing the TRIM command. .. It has a generating means for generating an interrupt for returning to the normal power state at the designated time.
The transition means returns the image forming apparatus from the power saving state to the normal power state in response to the occurrence of the interrupt by the generating means.
When the issuing means needs to issue the TRIM command, the issuing means changes the time at which the interrupt by the generating means occurs to a time before the designated time at the time of transition to the power saving state. ,
When an interrupt is generated by the generating means after the time at which the interrupt is generated is changed, the issuing means starts issuing the TRIM command, and the transition means receives the image after the issuance of the TRIM command is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming apparatus is returned from the power saving state to the normal power state. When the issuing means needs to issue the TRIM command, the issuing means issues the TRIM command at a time when an interrupt by the generating means occurs at the time of transition to the power saving state, rather than the designated time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time is changed to a time earlier than the required time of the above. An image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
A transition means for shifting the image forming apparatus from a normal power state to a power saving state at a specified time, and
It has an issuing means for issuing a TRIM command notifying a storage area that is no longer used in the storage device.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the issuing means issues the TRIM command after the designated time when it is necessary to issue the TRIM command. The image forming according to claim 6, wherein the issuing means issues the TRIM command after the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state when it is necessary to issue the TRIM command. apparatus. It has a generating means for generating an interrupt for shifting to the power saving state at the designated time.
The transition means shifts the image forming apparatus to the power saving state in response to the generation of the interrupt by the generation means.
When it is necessary to issue the TRIM command and the interrupt is generated by the generating means, the issuing means starts issuing the TRIM command after the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the transition means shifts the image forming apparatus to the power saving state after the issuance of the TRIM command is completed. An image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
The image forming apparatus is shifted from the normal power state to the power saving state at the first designated time, and the image forming apparatus is moved from the power saving state to the normal power saving state at the second designated time after the first designated time. A transitional means to return to the power state,
It has an issuing means for issuing a TRIM command notifying a storage area that is no longer used in the storage device.
The image forming means is characterized in that, when it is necessary to issue the TRIM command, the issuing means issues the TRIM command after the first designated time and before the second designated time. apparatus. When the issuing means needs to issue the TRIM command, after the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal power state to the power saving state and the image forming apparatus shifts from the power saving state to the normal power state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the TRIM command is issued before returning to the state. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the issuing means starts issuing the TRIM command at a time equal to or longer than the time required for issuing the TRIM command from the second designated time. Image forming device. A generating means for generating a first interrupt for shifting to the power saving state at the first designated time and a second interrupt for returning to the normal power state at the second designated time. Have,
The transition means shifts the image forming apparatus from the normal power state to the power saving state in response to the generation of the first interrupt by the generation means, and the second interrupt by the generation means. The image forming apparatus is returned from the power saving state to the normal power state in response to the occurrence of the above.
When the issuing means needs to issue the TRIM command, when the first interrupt is generated, the third interrupt is generated at the third designated time before the second designated time. The generation means is set so as to
When the third interrupt is generated by the generating means, the issuing means starts issuing the TRIM command, and then when the second interrupt is generated by the generating means, the transition means causes the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state to the normal power state. When it is necessary to issue the TRIM command, the issuing means sets the third designated time at which the third interrupt by the generating means is generated at the time of transition to the power saving state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the time is set to a time equal to or longer than the time required for issuing the TRIM command. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein power is not supplied to the user interface during the period from the start of issuance of the TRIM command by the issuing means to the completion of issuance. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising means for prohibiting the issuance of the TRIM command by the issuing means in accordance with a user's instruction. The issuing means does not need to issue the TRIM command when the image forming apparatus has not been used since the last issue of the TRIM command or when the issuance of the TRIM command is prohibited. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
The image forming apparatus is returned from the power saving state to the normal power state at a specified time, and then the image forming apparatus is returned to the normal power state.
When the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state and it is necessary to issue a TRIM command notifying the storage area that is no longer used in the storage device, the TRIM command is issued before the designated time. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises performing. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
The image forming apparatus is shifted from the normal power state to the power saving state at a specified time, and then the image forming apparatus is changed to the power saving state.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, which comprises issuing a TRIM command after a designated time when it is necessary to issue a TRIM command for notifying a storage area that is no longer used in the storage device. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus including a storage device having a storage area divided into a plurality of parts.
The image forming apparatus is shifted from the normal power state to the power saving state at the first designated time, and the image forming apparatus is moved from the power saving state to the normal power saving state at the second designated time after the first designated time. Return to power state,
When it is necessary to issue a TRIM command notifying the storage area that is no longer used in the storage device, the TRIM command is issued after the first designated time and before the second designated time. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus.

Images