JP4160020B2 - Electronic equipment and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of host interfaces.

In recent years, multifunctional image forming apparatuses have come out in accordance with diversification of users and diversification of usage environments. However, in order to prepare products according to diversification of needs, there is a problem that the types of products increase and the manufacturing cost increases. In particular, since products such as image forming apparatuses have many types of connected host computers, it is not practical to prepare products for each type of host computer. In order to solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus that supports a plurality of interfaces is known in order to achieve a configuration that can be applied to all users and usage environments.
In addition, in a device provided with a resource for executing an application, when the application is started, resource state information indicating a resource state in the device is acquired, and this resource information and resource usage information regarding resources used by the application Based on the above, there is known a technique including means for transmitting a message related to activation determination to an application (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for switching between a non-contact type interface and a contact type interface is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-122458 A JP 11-282976 A

  However, even if a plurality of interfaces are provided, only one interface is actually used in an environment where the interfaces are actually used. When starting up an image forming apparatus having multiple interfaces, all interfaces must be initialized and resources must be allocated. This increases the startup time and uses resources efficiently. There is a problem that can not be. Further, in order to be able to use only a desired interface from among a plurality, there is a problem that a user has to perform a complicated operation and a setting operation is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a control program that can efficiently use resources in the apparatus and optimize the startup process.

The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of host interfaces, an operation information storage unit that stores operation information of the host interface, and an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. An activation information storage unit that stores information, an operation state acquisition unit that acquires operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period, and stores the operation information in the operation information storage unit, and the operation stored in the operation information storage unit Referring to information, identifying a host interface that has not been operated among the host interfaces within the predetermined period , and storing an identification name of the host interface in the activation information storage unit; and the activation Hosts other than the host interface having the identification name stored in the information storage means Characterized in that a control means for allocating resources for bets interface.

The present invention is characterized in that the control means controls the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage means not to be activated when the electronic device is activated .

The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of host interfaces, an operation information storage unit that stores operation information of the host interface, and an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. An activation information storage unit that stores information, an operation state acquisition unit that acquires operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period, and stores the operation information in the operation information storage unit, and the operation stored in the operation information storage unit Referring to information, identifying a host interface that has not been operated among the host interfaces within the predetermined period , and storing an identification name of the host interface in the activation information storage unit; and the activation A host interface having the identification name stored in the information storage means, Characterized in that a control means for controlling so as not to start at the start of the child devices.

The present invention includes a command input unit for inputting an operation command for one of the host interface, further comprising a determining means for determining whether or not each of the host interface is active, the control means, said operation commands Is a command for a host interface that is determined not to be activated by the determination means, the operation command is executed after the host interface that is the target of the operation command is activated.

The present invention includes a plurality of host interfaces , operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface, and activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. A control program for controlling the operation of the electronic apparatus comprising: an operation state acquisition process for acquiring operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period and storing the operation information in the operation information storage means; and the operation information storage By referring to the operation information stored in the means, a host interface that has not been operated among the host interfaces within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is stored in the activation information storage means. the specific process of storing, the identification name stored in the activation information memory means One characterized in that to perform a control process for allocating resources to the computer to the host interface, except for the host interface.

The present invention is characterized in that the control processing controls the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage means not to be activated when the electronic device is activated .

The present invention includes a plurality of host interfaces , operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface, and activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. A control program for controlling the operation of the electronic apparatus comprising: an operation state acquisition process for acquiring operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period and storing the operation information in the operation information storage means; and the operation information storage By referring to the operation information stored in the means, a host interface that has not been operated among the host interfaces within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is stored in the activation information storage means. the specific process of storing, the identification name stored in the activation information memory means One host interface, characterized in that to perform the electronic equipment of a computer and a control process for controlling so as not to start at startup.

The present invention, the a command input processing for inputting an operation command for one of the host interface, further a computer execute a determination processing for determining whether or not each of the host interface is active, the control process, When the operation command is a command for a host interface that is determined not to be activated by the determination process, the operation command is executed after the host interface that is the target of the operation command is activated.

According to the present invention, since an interface that has not been used at all within a predetermined period is specified and the function of this interface is stopped, it is possible to efficiently use resources in the electronic device. It is done. In addition, since resources are allocated to host interfaces excluding interfaces that are not used at all within a predetermined period, it is possible to efficiently use resources in the electronic device.
In addition, since interfaces that were not used at all within a specified period were identified and the interfaces that were not used were not activated when the electronic device was activated, resources can be used efficiently and the electronic device can be activated. The effect that processing time can be shortened is obtained.
In addition, when the input operation command is a command for an interface that is stopped, the target interface is started before the command is executed. The effect that it becomes possible to use is acquired.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit that performs overall control of processing operations of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image forming unit that performs processing such as printing, image reading, and copying. Reference numerals 3 to 5 are host interfaces provided for each type of host, and receive print data from the host computer, receive processing for setting commands of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Here, description will be given assuming that the interface 3 for the A host, the interface 4 for the B host, and the interface 5 for the C host are provided, but four or more host interfaces may be provided. Reference numeral 6 denotes a timer that outputs a date and time. Reference numeral 7 denotes an operation data storage unit that stores operation state data of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 8 denotes an activation control unit that performs activation control processing of the interfaces 3 to 5 based on the information on the operation state stored in the operation data storage unit 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes an activation information storage unit that stores activation information for performing activation control of the three interfaces 3 to 5. Reference numeral 10 denotes an input / output unit including a touch panel, a liquid crystal display, a numeric keypad, and the like.

  Next, a basic operation when the image forming apparatus is activated will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the image forming apparatus is powered on, the main control unit 1 requests the activation control unit 8 to notify the identification name of the interface that needs to be activated. In response to this, the activation control unit 8 reads the interface identification name stored in the activation information storage unit 9 and notifies the main control unit 1 of the read identification name as a response to the request. The main control unit 1 initializes the interfaces 3 to 5 and allocates resources, except for the interface having the identification name notified from the activation control unit 8. For example, when the same identification name as the host name is assigned to each of the three interfaces 3 to 5 shown in FIG. 1, if “A, B” is stored in the activation information storage unit 9, The main control unit 1 does not activate the interface 3 for the A host and the interface 4 for the B host, but initializes and activates only the interface 5 for the C host.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an operation of specifying an interface that is not to be activated according to the operating state and writing the identification name of this interface to the activation information storage unit 9 will be described. First, the main control unit 1 always stores operation data in the operation data storage unit 7 during operation (step S1). The operation data here is the operation data of the three interfaces 3, 4, and 5, and the relationship between the occurrence of an interrupt for these interfaces or the data processing size, the interface identification name, and the date / time data obtained from the timer 6 is related. It is attached data.

  Next, the main control unit 1 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the operation data storage start date and time stored therein (step S2). The predetermined period is determined in advance and set in the main control unit 1, and is, for example, one day, one week, or one month. As a result of this determination, if the predetermined period has not elapsed, the operation data collection operation is continued (step S1). On the other hand, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the main control unit 1 notifies the activation control unit 8 that the predetermined period has elapsed. In response to this, the activation control unit 8 reads out and sums up the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit 7 (step S3). This aggregation is performed by obtaining the number of interrupt occurrences or the total processing data size for each interface identification name.

  The activation control unit 8 refers to the data obtained as a result of totaling the operation data, specifies all the interfaces that have not been used (the operation data does not exist), and obtains the identification name of the specified interface. Then, the activation control unit 8 determines whether there is an interface that has not been used (step S4). If there is no unused interface (all interfaces are used), the activation control unit 8 clears the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit 7 and sets the operation data storage start date and time from the timer 6. Replace with the date and time obtained. Thereby, accumulation of new operation data starts.

  On the other hand, when there is an unused interface, the activation control unit 8 notifies the main control unit 1 of the identification name of the unused interface. Receiving this, the main control unit 1 stops the processing of the interface notified from the activation control unit 8 (step S5). Further, the activation control unit 8 stores the identification name of the unused interface in the activation information storage unit 9 in order to exclude the unused interface from the activation target (step S6). Then, the activation control unit 8 clears the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit 7 and replaces the operation data storage start date and time with the date and time obtained from the timer 6.

  In this way, an interface that has not been used at all within a predetermined period is specified, the function of this interface is stopped, and the identification name of the interface that has not been used is stored. Since the interface in which is stored is not activated, resources can be used efficiently. Also, since the unused interface is not activated, the activation process time of the image forming apparatus can be shortened.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an operation for starting a stopped interface in accordance with a user operation state will be described. First, the main control unit 1 reads an operation command input from the input / output unit 10 (step S11), and determines whether or not the read operation command is a command for the currently stopped interface (step S12). . As a result of the determination, if the input operation command is not a command for the stopped interface, the main control unit 1 executes the input operation command.

  On the other hand, if the input operation command is a command for the stopped interface, the main control unit 1 activates the interface targeted by the operation command before executing the input operation command (step S13). At the same time, the activation control unit 1 is notified of the identification name of the activated interface to the activation control unit 8. Then, the main control unit 1 executes the input operation command. Upon receiving the identification name of the activated interface, the activation control unit 8 receives from the main control unit 1 out of the interface identification names stored in the activation information storage unit 9 in order to target the interface that has been stopped. The notified identification name is deleted (step S14).

  As described above, when the input operation command is a command for the stopped interface, the target interface is started before the command is executed, so that the user is stopped without performing the startup operation in advance. It is possible to use this interface. In addition, among the identification names of the interfaces stored in the activation information storage unit 9, the identification name notified from the main control unit 1 is deleted, so that the user does not perform a setting operation at the next activation time. This interface can be activated.

  In the above description, the image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, the activation control process according to the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an electronic apparatus having a plurality of host interfaces. .

  Further, the program for realizing the function of the processing unit in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer system and executed to execute the startup control process. You may go. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 2 ... Image formation part, 3-5 ... Interface, 6 ... Timer, 7 ... Operation data storage part, 8 ... Start-up control part, 9 ...・ Starting information storage unit, 10 ... Input / output unit

Claims (8)

An electronic device having a plurality of host interfaces,
Operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface;
Activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated;
Obtaining an operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period, and storing the operation information in the operation information storage means ;
With reference to the operation information stored in the operation information storage means, a host interface that does not operate within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is activated. Specific means for storing in the information storage means ;
An electronic device comprising: control means for allocating resources to host interfaces excluding the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage means . The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage unit not to be activated when the electronic device is activated. An electronic device having a plurality of host interfaces,
Operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface;
Activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated;
Obtaining an operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period, and storing the operation information in the operation information storage means ;
With reference to the operation information stored in the operation information storage means, a host interface that does not operate within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is activated. Specific means for storing in the information storage means ;
An electronic apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage means so as not to be activated when the electronic apparatus is activated . A command input means for inputting an operation command for one of the host interface,
Determination means for determining whether or not each of the host interfaces is activated ,
The control means executes the operation command after starting the host interface that is the target of the operation command when the operation command is a command for the host interface that is determined not to be started by the determination means. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: An electronic device comprising: a plurality of host interfaces ; operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface; and activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. A control program for controlling the operation of a device,
An operation state acquisition process of acquiring operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period and storing the operation information in the operation information storage unit ;
With reference to the operation information stored in the operation information storage means, a host interface that does not operate within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is activated. Specific processing stored in the information storage means ;
A control program for causing a computer to perform control processing for allocating resources to host interfaces other than the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage unit . 6. The control program according to claim 5, wherein the control process controls the host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage unit not to be activated when the electronic device is activated. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of host interfaces ; operation information storage means for storing operation information of the host interface; and activation information storage means for storing an identification name of the host interface that performs activation control when the electronic device is activated. A control program for controlling the operation of a device,
An operation state acquisition process of acquiring operation information of each of the host interfaces within a predetermined period and storing the operation information in the operation information storage unit ;
With reference to the operation information stored in the operation information storage means, a host interface that does not operate within the predetermined period is specified , and an identification name of the host interface is activated. Specific processing stored in the information storage means ;
A control program for causing a computer to perform a control process for controlling a host interface having the identification name stored in the activation information storage means not to be activated when the electronic device is activated . A command input processing for inputting an operation command for one of the host interface,
Further causing the computer to perform a determination process for determining whether or not each of the host interfaces is activated ,
The control process executes the operation command after starting the host interface that is the target of the operation command when the operation command is a command for the host interface that is determined not to be started by the determination process. The control program according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized by the above .

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