JPH08228253A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] At the set time, after the main power was restored to ON after the main power was turned off and could not be executed.
An object is to provide an image processing device that can be executed promptly. [Structure] A nonvolatile first time storage unit that stores execution times of various processes, and a nonvolatile second time unit that stores time information that the main control unit periodically reads from a time unit that does not depend on a main power source. At the time when the voltage of the time storage unit and the main power supply became equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage and the initialization operation by the main control unit was completed, there was an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage unit. In this case, the time stored in the first time storage unit, the time stored in the second time storage unit, and the current time are compared, and the execution time of the process is determined based on the comparison result. With this configuration, the reliability is improved and the burden on the user is reduced.

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 having a non-volatile memory and a timer whose power source is backed up.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus having a non-volatile memory and a timer whose power source is backed up and capable of executing an operation based on the timer, the operation executed based on the timer is The operation was performed at the time stored in the nonvolatile memory when the operation was set.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional example, the main power supply is turned off between the time when the operation based on the timer is set and the time when the operation based on the timer is executed, and the main power supply is turned on after the set time has elapsed. After returning to the above, unless the user recognizes the power failure and recovers, the operation is not executed or is executed after one day.

An object of the first invention of the present application is to quickly execute an operation which cannot be executed because the main power supply is off at a set time after the main power supply is turned on again. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that improves reliability and reduces the burden on the user.

A second object of the present invention is to present a mode for more effectively realizing the object of the first invention.

A third object of the present invention is, in the case of an image processing apparatus having an image memory whose power source is backed up, in addition to the object of the first invention, the object is stored in the image memory. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device in which the use efficiency of the memory is improved by preventing the image data from being left unaccessed for a long time.

[0007]

The first invention of the present application is
A main control unit that controls the entire apparatus, a non-volatile first time storage unit that stores the time at which various processes are executed for each process, and a main power supply that is supplied to at least the main control unit. Clocking means capable of clocking in a predetermined time unit regardless of whether or not the main power source is supplied; and a non-volatile second time storage means for storing clocking information of the clocking means read out periodically by the main controller. In an image processing apparatus having time comparison means for comparing the time stored in the first and second time storage means with the current time, and voltage monitoring means for the main power supply, the voltage of the main power supply is predetermined. When the voltage exceeds the voltage and the initialization operation by the main control unit is completed,
When there is an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage means, the execution time of the process is determined based on the comparison result of the time comparison means.

A second invention of the present application is characterized in that it has a communication means in addition to each means of the first invention.

A third invention of the present application is, in addition to the respective means of the first and second inventions, an image data storage means for storing image data, a backup power source for the main power source, and the image data storage. The power supply switching means for supplying the main power supply or the backup power supply to the power supply terminal of the means, and the image data storage when the voltage monitoring means detects that the voltage of the main power supply drops below a predetermined voltage. The backup power supply is controlled to be supplied to the power supply terminal of the means, and when it is detected that the voltage of the main power supply rises above a predetermined voltage, the main power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the image data storage means. It is characterized by having control means for controlling so as to supply.

[0010]

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, when the voltage of the main power source becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage and the initialization operation by the main control unit is completed, the time stored in the first time storage means is set. If there is a corresponding incomplete process, this first
Comparing the time stored in the time storage means with the time stored in the second time storage means by the main control unit periodically reading from the time counting means independent of the main power supply and the current time. Since the execution time of the process is determined based on the result, the reliability can be improved and the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, in the third invention, in the image processing apparatus having the image memory whose power source is backed up, when the voltage of the main power source becomes a predetermined voltage or more and the initialization operation by the main control unit is completed, If there is an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage means, the time stored in the first time storage means, the time stored in the second time storage means, and the current time. It is configured to determine the execution time of the process based on the comparison result of the time comparison means with and to prevent the image data stored in the image memory from being left unaccessed for a long time. It is also possible to improve the memory usage efficiency.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The CPU 1 controls the entire apparatus, and executes control operations according to a control program stored in the ROM 2. The ROM 2 stores the control program of the CPU 1, user messages, and the like.

The operation section 3 is for inputting operation instructions of the apparatus and for inputting various kinds of information, and is composed of a plurality of key input switches and a drive circuit for the key input switches. The display unit 4 displays the internal state of the device, the operation mode, and the like, and includes an LCD, LEDs, and the like.

The recording unit 7 is a printer for recording image data, and records the image data transferred from the image memory 10 according to an instruction from the CPU 1. The reading unit 8 converts an original into an electric signal by optical means to create image data, has a line image sensor and an original conveying mechanism, and the created image data is stored in the image memory 10 according to an instruction from the CPU 1. Transferred to. The image memory 10 is
It is a memory for storing image data.

The external equipment interface 30 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from equipment outside the apparatus.
For example, it is based on the well-known RS-232C. R
The AM 11 is used as a work area of the CPU 1 and is used for storing data that can be set by a user, management information of image data stored in the image memory 10, and the like.

With respect to various operations executed by the present apparatus, upon receipt of an instruction from an operator, the contents of the processing and the execution time (current time in the case of immediate execution) of each operation are stored in the RAM 11 as management information. , Deleted when the action is performed.

The timer 12 updates the time in units of, for example, 1 second, and the CPU 1 writes the time information read from the timer 12 into the predetermined area of the RAM 11 every one minute.

The power supply terminal 20 is connected to the CPU 1 and RO.
M2 is a power supply terminal of the operation unit 3, the display unit 4, the recording unit 7, the reading unit 8, the image memory 10 and the external device interface 30, and is connected to the output of the main power supply 22.
The power supply terminal 21 includes the RAM 11 and the timer 12
Power supply terminal of the main power source 22 by the switch 24.
Output or the output of the backup power supply 23 is connected.

The main power source 22 normally outputs 5V (volt). The backup power supply 23 is a backup power supply with an output of 5V.

The switch 24 connects the output of the main power supply 22 to the power supply terminal 21 or the backup power supply 2
3 is a switch for switching whether to connect the output of No. 3 and is usually connected to the output of the main power supply 22.

The power supply monitoring IC 25 monitors the output of the main power supply 22 and, for example, when the output of the main power supply becomes 4.7 V or less, the output is inverted and the switch 24 is switched to the backup power supply to the power supply terminal 21. The output of 23 is connected.

Next, the main operation modes in the above configuration will be described.

First, at the time of copying, a document is set in the reading unit 8 and reading of the document is started by inputting a copy start instruction key (not shown) of the operation unit 3, and the created image data is an image. It is transferred to the memory 10. When a predetermined amount of image data is transferred, the recording unit 7 is activated and the image data output from the image memory 10 is sequentially recorded.

When data is output to an external device, an image read by the reading unit 8 or transferred from another device and stored in the image memory 10 or various data stored in the RAM 11 is processed in a predetermined procedure. According to the above, the data is output through the external device interface 30. When data is input from an external device, an image or various data input through the external device interface 30 is stored in the image memory 10 or the RAM 11 according to a predetermined procedure, or the recording unit 7 is used.
Or output to. In addition, the various operations described above are performed by the timer 1.
It is also possible to start it by 2.

Next, the operation characteristic of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this device, when the main power supply is turned on and the output becomes 5V, the switch 24 is switched by the voltage monitoring IC 25, the output of the main power supply 22 is connected to the power supply terminal 21, and the power supply terminal 20 is also connected. Since 5V is supplied, the CPU 1 performs the initial operation of the device (S
201).

Next, in S202, the management information stored in the RAM 11 is searched to check whether there is any uncompleted process even though the instruction has been accepted. . Further, in S202, when there is an uncompleted process despite receiving the instruction, in S203, the execution time in the management information corresponding to the corresponding process and the time stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 11 are compared. The current time read from the timer 12 is compared, and the corresponding process is executed according to the criteria shown in FIG.

More specifically, the time information read by the CPU 1 from the timer 12 and written in a predetermined area of the RAM 11 every minute is designated as T1, and the execution time of the operation (current time in the case of immediate execution) is designated by the operator. Assuming that the time stored in the RAM 11 is T2 and the current time is T3, the result is as follows. In addition, the time shall be measured by the 24-hour method,
As for T1 and T2, it is assumed that only hours and minutes are stored.

In FIG. 3, when T1 to T3 are arranged in ascending order of time, first, Case 1 is the case of T1 → T2 → T3, and it can be assumed that T1 indicates the time immediately before the power failure of the main power supply. Therefore, it can be assumed that a power failure occurred at time T1 on the day and the main power supply was restored at current time T3 after the time T2.

Therefore, it is considered that the corresponding process should have been executed at time T2, but could not be executed due to the power failure of the main power supply. Therefore, for recovery, the corresponding processing is immediately performed, and then the standby state is entered.

Next, Case 2 is T1 → T3 → T2, and it can be assumed that a power failure occurred at time T1 of the day and the main power supply was restored at current time T3 before time T2.

Therefore, the corresponding process may be carried out at time T2, and the process temporarily shifts to the standby state.

Next, Case 3 is T2 → T3 → T1, and it can be assumed that a power failure occurred at time T1 on the previous day and the main power supply was restored at current time T3 after time T2.

Therefore, it can be assumed that the corresponding processing should have been originally executed at time T2 but could not be executed due to the power failure of the main power supply. Therefore, for recovery, the corresponding processing is immediately performed, and then the standby state is entered.

Next, Case 4 is the case of T2 → T1 → T3, where a power failure occurs at time T1 of the day and time T2 of the next day.
It can be assumed that the main power supply was restored at the previous current time T3.

Therefore, the corresponding processing may be carried out at the time T2, and the processing temporarily shifts to the standby state.

Further, Case 5 is a case of T3 → T1 → T2, where a power failure occurs at time T1 of the previous day and time T1 of the previous day occurs.
It can be assumed that the main power supply is restored at the current time T3 after the elapse of two.

Therefore, it can be assumed that the corresponding process should have been originally executed at time T2 but could not be executed due to the power failure of the main power supply. Therefore, for recovery, the corresponding processing is immediately performed, and then the standby state is entered.

Case 6 is the case of T3 → T2 → T1,
It can be assumed that a power failure occurred at time T1 on the previous day and the main power supply was restored at current time T3 before time T2. Therefore, the corresponding process may be performed at the time T2, and the process temporarily shifts to the standby state.

As a concrete example, the present time T3 = 7: 30
Minutes, if the management information stored in the RAM 11 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, and if T1 = 6: 30, process 4
01 corresponds to case 1, and process 402 corresponds to case 2.

If T1 = 7: 20, process 4
01 corresponds to case 4. If T1 = 19: 30, the process 402 corresponds to case 5.

Further, if T1 = 23: 00, the process 401 corresponds to case 3, and the process 402 corresponds to case 6.

In the present embodiment, cases 1, 3,
In the case of 5, the operation is not actually executed at the time instructed by the user. Therefore, it is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 4 that the execution time has been shifted due to the power failure, or the recording unit 7
The message may be output as a message to notify the user.

In Cases 1, 3, and 5, if the time designated by the user and the time at which the operation is actually performed are significantly different, the recovery operation may be meaningless or inconvenient. If the difference between the time designated by the user and the time when the operation is actually executed is a certain time (for example, 2 hours) or more, recovery is not performed and the fact is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 4, The user may be notified by outputting a message from the recording unit 7.

By the way, it is assumed that the user instructs a process to be executed immediately and a power failure occurs for a short time while temporarily leaving the place. At this time, the execution time of the management information in the RAM 11 is the time when the user instructs the processing. Taking the process 403 of FIG. 4 as an example, T2 = 8: 0
At 0 minutes, there is a power outage at T1 = 8: 03 during processing execution,
If the main power supply is restored at T3 = 8: 05, this corresponds to Case 4, and the processing is executed at 8:00 the next day.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a start flag indicating that the processing has started is prepared, and as shown in the flowchart of FIG. If there is a process of
In S501, whether or not the process has been started is checked by the start flag, and if the start flag is set, it is considered that a power failure has occurred during the process execution.
In S502, the process is immediately performed for recovery, and then the process shifts to the standby state.

If the start flag is not set in S501, the process proceeds to S203, and the processing based on the above-described determination criteria of FIG. 3 is performed.

By doing so, in the case where there is a short-term power outage while the user instructs the processing to be executed immediately and is temporarily away from the place, the main power supply is promptly restored after the power is restored. To be recovered.

The operation of S201 to S203 in FIG. 5 is the same as that described in FIG. In addition, if a process to be executed immediately is instructed, if T1 is not updated until the process is completed, even if the power failure occurs for a short time as described above, the main power supply Since this corresponds to case 1 when returning, this method is also effective.

By the operation described above, firstly, even if the main power supply is temporarily turned off at a preset execution time, the corresponding processing can be automatically and promptly executed after the main power supply is restored. it can. Secondly, even if the main power supply is temporarily turned off during execution, the corresponding processing can be automatically and promptly executed after the main power supply is restored.

Next, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 1 with a modem 5, a line controller 6 and a communication line 9 shown below added as communication means.

The modem 5 is for modulating and demodulating image communication data and transmitting and receiving communication control signals and DTMF signals. The line control unit 6 connects the modem 5 and the communication line 9, performs the operation of calling and receiving, captures and releases the communication line, and notifies the CPU 1 whether the communication line is available. are doing.

Next, the communication operation mode in such a configuration will be described. First, at the time of transmission, a document is set in the reading unit 8, the reading resolution, density and time designation, a transmission mode such as broadcast and a number for identifying a communication partner are input by the operation unit 3, and the transmission is started. When the key for instructing is input, the reading of the document is started and the created image data is transferred to the image memory 10.

When the reading is completed, the line controller 6 confirms that the communication line 9 is available,
Make a call. Next, when the call is established, after the procedure signal is exchanged, the image data is sequentially read from the image memory 10, encoded by the CPU 1, transferred to the modem 5, and the modulated image data is transmitted through the line controller 6. It is output to the communication line 9. It should be noted that at the time designated transmission, the calling operation is performed at the designated time.

In addition, at the time of reception, when the line control unit 6 detects an incoming call, the communication line 9 is captured, and after the communication of the procedure signal, the image data sent from the communication line 9 through the line control unit 6 is received. Demodulated by the modem 5,
The image data decoded by the CPU 1 is stored in the image memory 1
Transfer to 0. When a predetermined amount of image data is transferred, the recording unit 7 is activated and the image data output from the image memory 10 is sequentially recorded.

When the recording section 7 is unusable due to lack of recording paper or the like, the received image data is stored in the image memory 10.

In the image processing apparatus thus configured, information can be collected and transferred periodically via the communication line 9 using the timer 12.

By operating the image processing apparatus of this embodiment according to FIG. 2 or FIG. 5, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, regarding the processing performed using the communication line, if the operation is not executed due to a power failure, not only the user of this device but also the communication partner will be affected, so there is no effect that automatic recovery is possible. It will be very large.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the connection destination of the power supply terminal of the image memory 10 is changed from 20 to 21. According to this configuration, even if the output of the main power supply 22 is lowered, the image data in the image memory 10 switches the switch 24 by the voltage monitoring IC 25 and connects the output of the backup power supply 23 to the power supply terminal 21. Therefore, it is held together with the information of the RAM 11 and the timer 12.

By operating the image processing apparatus of this embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2 or 5 described above, in addition to the effects obtained in the first and second embodiments, the recoverable operation can be expanded. it can. That is, since the power source of the image memory 10 is backed up, the operation of transmitting information in the image memory 10 can be recovered. Further, even if a power failure occurs while the information in the image memory 10 is being output, the output can be continued or re-executed after the main power supply 22 is restored.

By the operation described above, in addition to the effects described in the first and second embodiments, the data stored in the image memory 10 is not left unaccessed, and the use efficiency of the image memory 10 is improved. Can be increased.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first and second inventions of the present application, the non-volatile first time storage unit for storing the execution time of various processes, and the time keeping independent of the main power supply A non-volatile second time storage unit that stores time information that the main control unit periodically reads from the control unit, and when the voltage of the main power supply becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage and the initialization operation by the main control unit ends, When there is an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage unit, the time stored in the first time storage unit and the time stored in the second time storage unit, By comparing with the current time and determining the execution time of the process based on the comparison result,
The reliability can be improved and the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application, in the image processing apparatus having the image memory whose power source is backed up, the voltage of the main power source becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage, and the initialization operation by the main control unit is completed. At that time, if there is an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage means, the time stored in the first time storage means and the time stored in the second time storage means. By configuring the execution time of the process based on the comparison result with the current time, it is possible to prevent the image data stored in the image memory from being left unaccessed for a long time. It is also possible to improve the memory usage efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a criterion for determining an execution time of an unexecuted process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing management information of processing executed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when a part of the first embodiment is changed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Modem, 6 ... Line control part, 7 ... Recording part, 8 ... Reading part, 9 ... Communication line, 10 ... Image memory, 11 ... RAM, 12 ... Timer, 20, 21 ... Power supply terminal, 22 ... Main power supply, 23 ... Backup power supply, 24 ... Switch, 25 ... Voltage monitoring IC, 30 ... External device interface.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A main control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, a non-volatile first time storage unit for storing the time at which various processes are executed for each process, and at least the main control unit. A main power source, a time measuring means capable of measuring time in a predetermined time unit regardless of whether or not the main power source is supplied, and a non-volatile second means for storing time measuring information of the time measuring means which is periodically read by the main control section. In the image processing device, the time storage means, the time comparison means for comparing the time stored in the first and second time storage means with the current time, and the voltage monitoring means for the main power supply are provided. When there is an uncompleted process corresponding to the time stored in the first time storage means at the time when the voltage of the power supply becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage and the initialization operation by the main control unit ends, the time Comparison result of comparison means The image processing apparatus characterized by determining the execution time of the processing based. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit in addition to the above units. 3. The image data storage means for storing image data, a backup power supply for the main power supply, and a power supply terminal of the image data storage means for providing the main signal in addition to the above respective means. The power supply switching means for supplying the power supply or the backup power supply, and the voltage monitoring means, when the voltage of the main power supply is detected to drop to a predetermined voltage or less, the backup to the power supply terminal of the image data storage means. Control means for controlling to supply power and controlling to supply the main power to the power supply terminal of the image data storage means when it is detected that the voltage of the main power has risen above a predetermined voltage. An image processing apparatus comprising: