JPH0596818A - Record storing method of image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] In an image processing device composed of a combination of a plurality of functional blocks, the history information is continuously recorded without replacing the memory device storing the history of the device when the functional blocks are replaced with a new block. It is an object of the present invention to enable maintenance of the data, omit complicated memory device transfer work, and prevent loss of valuable data due to memory damage during work. In an image processing apparatus configured by combining a plurality of functional blocks having a memory for storing history,
A non-volatile memory is provided in the host control block that controls the plurality of functional blocks, and when any of the functional blocks is replaced, the memory content of the block is stored in the memory of the host control block, and the new replaced The storage contents are transferred from the memory of the host control block to the memory of the functional block.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for storing the history information of the apparatus in each of a plurality of functional blocks. When the functional blocks are replaced, the history storage memory is reattached to a new block. The present invention relates to a history storage method of an image processing apparatus that enables continuous maintenance of history information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine, a word processor, a computer system, or other image processing apparatus is generally constructed by combining a large number of functional blocks, each of which is equipped with a non-volatile memory. The operation history such as the number of times of use and the usage time is stored for convenience of maintenance and maintenance. Particularly, in the engine board of a copying machine such as a laser printer, the total number of sheets passed is stored as useful information for setting the replacement time of each component.

Generally, a writable and readable RAM used to have this function is rewritable, but it is rewritable because of the trouble of having a backup power supply for holding the stored contents and the fact that writing is not required so often. ROMs are often used. This is generally an EEPROM (electricallyer-sa).
ble and programmable ROM)
It is a storage means that is electrically rewritable and does not lose its memory even when the power is turned off.

However, even if a memory for storing the history of such an apparatus is installed, when the functional block fails and is replaced with a normal functional block, the memory of the image processing apparatus or the like is stored in the memory of the block of the machine. Since the part related to the history is often stored, it is necessary to remove the memory from the defective block and mount it in a new block. However, recent memory ICs and the like often have a large number of pins and a fine pin size, which not only makes the removal and installation work extremely complicated but also may damage the memory IC and lose valuable history information. there were.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a history storage memory mounted in each functional block of an image processing apparatus can be removed or replaced when the block is replaced. An object of the present invention is to provide a history storage method of an image processing apparatus configured so that history information of the apparatus can be continuously stored without performing complicated work such as transfer work such as mounting on a block. ..

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the image output apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus comprising a combination of a plurality of functional blocks having a memory for storing history,
A non-volatile memory is provided in the host control block that controls the plurality of functional blocks, and when any of the functional blocks is replaced, the memory content of the block is stored in the memory of the host control block, and the new replaced It is characterized in that the memory content of the host control block is transferred to the memory of the functional block. Further, the image processing apparatus configured as described above is characterized in that the functional block or the host block is provided with a protector so that the history information stored in the memory is not erased by an erroneous operation of the operation panel.

Hereinafter, based on the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings,
The image output device of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied. In this example, an engine board (E board) as a functional block for controlling the main part of the laser printer is shown. ) Is shown as an example. In this figure, reference numeral 11 is an engine board, 12 is a control board (CTL board) connected to the engine board, and 13 is a PSU.
(Power supply unit), 14 is an optical control system, and 15 is an image transfer unit. In this structure, a special difference from the conventional laser printer is not shown in the drawing, but the engine board 11 is an EEPROM and the control lab 12 is a static RAM (SRAM). It is installed and stores a function block as described below, in this example, a history of a portion controlled by the engine board. As is well known, a RAM includes a dynamic RAM (DRAM) that records information in the form of charges accumulated in a capacitor and a static RAM (SRAM) that records information using two states of a bistable circuit. Exist.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the engine board 11 and the control board 12. The engine board 11 has a memory ROM1 centering on the CPU1 and storing control programs and the like. And a memory RAM1 for temporarily storing data during control and the history of the portion controlled by the engine board, such as the total amount of paper passing, the number of errors, and the replacement time of the photosensitive drum. A memory EEPROM is provided, and a part PA1 of the CPU1 is connected with a terminal pulled up by a power supply voltage and a means for dropping it to a low potential with a jumper wire or the like for the purpose described later. Has been done. ..

A control board 12 connected to the engine board 11 via bus lines 21 and 22 such as an address bus and a data bus also has a program storage memory ROM2 and a CPU2 as a center. A memory RAM2 for storing static data and a static memory SRAM which is a non-volatile memory are provided. The engine board 11 has a conveyance sensor 23 for monitoring the conveyance state of recording paper, a paper ejection sensor 24, and an optical system control. It is connected to the unit 25, the image transfer unit and the like, and these controls are continued. An operation panel 27 is connected to the controller 12 and the operation result of the operator is displayed on the bus lines 21 and 22.
Is transmitted to the engine board 11 via. In this configuration, in the normal operation, the delivery sensor 23 and the paper discharge sensor 2 are
The amount of recording paper conveyed during operation, that is, the total number of transfer papers or the number of various errors, and the result of calculating the photosensitive drum replacement time from the cumulative amount of recording papers Stored in the EEPROM. At the same time, EEPRO
When the memory contents of M are updated, the contents are controlled.
The data is also transferred to and stored in the SRAM of the laboratory 12.

Next, when the engine board 12 fails, when the engine board is replaced with a new engine board, the EEPROM in which the history information of the apparatus up to that time is stored is removed and replaced with a new board. As described above, the transfer work was necessary. According to the present invention, the same contents as the EEPROM of the engine board are stored in the memory SRAM of the control board. There is no. That is, a new engine board to be replaced is attached, and the history data transfer process as described below is executed to execute the control.
If the information in the SRAM of the board is ported to the EEPROM of the newly mounted engine board, the history information can be maintained continuously.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are flow charts showing an embodiment of the procedure of the above processing, (a) showing a normal operation and (b) showing a procedure at the time of exchanging a function board. Is shown. In FIG. 3A, when the history contents are changed, the EEPROM rewriting routine is started, and it is judged whether or not the rewriting signal is transmitted from the operation panel (ST1). When the rewriting signal is received, The contents to be stored in the engine board are controlled by the control board.
Transfer to the SRAM of the engine board (ST2), and then transfer writing to the EEPROM of the engine board (ST).
3). The transfer order of the engine board and the control board is not limited to the above example, and the reverse operation is also possible.

FIG. 3B shows a processing procedure when the engine board is replaced, and in the EEPROM rewriting routine, FIG.
The power supply pull-up terminal PA1 provided in the CPU of the engine board 11 shown in (1) is set to a low potential by installing it by a jumper wire or the like. The reason for doing this is that if an erroneous write command is issued due to an erroneous operation on the operation panel, valuable history data will be erased or changed, so to provide a kind of protect function to prevent this. Is.

When this processing is carried out, the terminal PA1 becomes a low potential, and the CPU 1 detects this and confirms that it is in the EEPROM rewriting mode (ST11). Next, when a rewrite signal is issued from the operation panel, the rewrite signal is received (ST12), and the SRAM of the control laboratory 12 is received.
Contents of the CPU via the CPU2 CPU of the engine board 11
1 and further transferred to and stored in the EEPROM (S
T13, 14).

In this way, the history information can be maintained without changing the memory storing the history information each time the functional block is replaced.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus configured by combining a plurality of functional blocks, each functional block is provided with a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM to store history information of the apparatus, Further, the mainboard is provided with a memory for storing the history information of these plural functional blocks, and when the functional blocks are exchanged, the history information stored in the mainboard is transferred to the memory of the newly installed functional block. Therefore, there is no need to remount the memory storing the history when the functional block is replaced, and there is no fear of losing valuable data due to memory damage at that time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a relationship between an engine board and a controller board.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a control procedure of the present invention, (a) shows a processing procedure at the time of normal operation, and (b) a functional block replacement.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 engine board, 12 controller board, 1
3 PSU, 14 Optical system part, 15 Image transfer part, 2
1, 22 Bus line, 23 Conveyance sensor, 24 Paper ejection sensor, 25 Optical control unit, 26 Image transfer unit, 27
control panel,

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising a combination of a plurality of functional blocks having a memory for storing history, wherein a host control block for integrally controlling the plurality of functional blocks is provided with a non-volatile memory, and the functional blocks are provided. When any one of the above is replaced, the memory content of the block is stored in the memory of the host control block, and the stored content is transferred from the memory of the host control block to the memory of the new replaced functional block. A method for storing history of an image processing apparatus, comprising: 2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein when the history is transferred to the memory of the exchanged functional block, the transfer is made possible by performing a process of canceling a protect means. Device history storage method.