Image forming apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing an error caused by using a defective sector from occurring again.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a storage medium and a controller configured to execute a process of writing data into the storage medium. When the controller cannot read the data from the storage medium, the controller executes a process of making an area in the storage medium into which the data has been written unusable again.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that, when saving image data to a hard disk, determines whether to check writing or save backup image data based on settings such as paper type. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-015195 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if an error does not occur during writing but an error occurs during reading, there is a risk that image data will be stored in an area containing a bad sector. Therefore, in the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if image data is deleted from an area containing a bad sector, there is a risk that the bad sector will be used again. Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide an image forming device and a control method thereof that can prevent errors caused by using bad sectors from occurring again. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage medium and a control unit that executes a process of writing data to the storage medium, and if the data cannot be read from the storage medium, the control unit executes a process of making the area of ​​the storage medium to which the data has been written unusable again.

[0006] A control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for an image forming device equipped with a storage medium, and includes the steps of: executing a process to write data to the storage medium; and, if the data cannot be read from the storage medium, executing a process to make the area of ​​the storage medium to which the data has been written unusable again. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for writing data constituting a print job file to an HDD, and a first deletion process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment when an error occurs when reading a print job file. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining a cause of an error. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second deletion process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a notification determination process. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for writing data that constitutes a print job file to an HDD, and a second deletion process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, a display unit 104, an acquisition unit 105, an image forming unit 106, an image output unit 107, and a control unit 108.

[0010] The communication unit 101 is an interface for connecting to a network.

[0011] The storage unit 102 is a storage medium capable of storing programs, various data, etc. The storage unit 102 is configured by one or more ROMs (Read Only Memories) 111, one or more RAMs (Random Access Memories) 112, one or more HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) 113, or a combination of these. The ROM 111 is used as an area for storing programs. The HDD 113 is a non-volatile storage medium. The RAM 112 is used as an area for temporarily storing data. For example, data read from the RAM 112 is written to the HDD 113. Also, for example, data read from the HDD 113 is stored in the RAM 112.

[0012] The operation unit 103 accepts operations by a user. For example, the operation unit 103 is configured with a touch panel or the like. The display unit 104 displays information to be presented to the user. For example, the display unit 104 is configured with a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like. Note that the operation unit 103 and the display unit 104 may be integrated into a touch panel display.

[0013] The acquiring unit 105 acquires a print job file, which is a file indicating a print job. For example, the acquiring unit 105 acquires the print job file by receiving a print job file transmitted from an information processing device (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network. Alternatively, the acquiring unit 105 may read a document placed on a document tray (not shown) and acquire a print job file indicating the read document. Alternatively, the acquiring unit 105 may acquire the print job file by reading a print job file stored in an external storage medium.

[0014] The image forming unit 106 forms an image on paper based on the data that constitutes the print job file. Specifically, the image forming unit 106 applies coloring material to a recording medium to form an image on paper based on the data that constitutes the print job file. For example, the image forming unit 106 can be configured as a laser printer that uses an electrophotographic method, or an inkjet printer that uses an inkjet method. If the image forming unit 106 is configured as a laser printer, it applies toner, which is a coloring material, to paper to form an image on paper. If the image forming unit 106 is configured as an inkjet printer, it applies ink, which is a coloring material, to paper to form an image on paper.

[0015] The image output unit 107 outputs the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 106 from a paper discharge outlet (not shown).

[0016] The control unit 108 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 111 or the HDD 113. For example, the control unit 108 is configured by one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0017] The control unit 108 executes a process of writing data to a storage medium. Specifically, the control unit 108 executes a process of writing data to the HDD 113. For example, the control unit 108 executes a process of writing data that constitutes a print job file to the HDD 113.

[0018] Furthermore, control unit 108 executes processing to read data from the storage medium. If control unit 108 cannot read data from the storage medium, it executes processing to make the area of ​​the storage medium where the data has been written unavailable again. Specifically, if control unit 108 cannot read data from the storage medium and the usage status of the storage medium satisfies a condition, it executes processing to make the area of ​​the storage medium where the unreadable data has been written unavailable again. More specifically, if control unit 108 cannot read data from HDD 113 and the usage status of HDD 113 satisfies a condition, it executes processing to make the area of ​​HDD 113 where the data has been written unavailable again.

[0019] The control unit 108 executes a process to make the area where the unreadable data has been written unusable again, thereby making the file formed by that data unusable again. For example, the control unit 108 makes the print job file formed by the unreadable data unusable again.

[0020] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of image forming apparatus 100. It is assumed that data constituting a print job file has been written to HDD 113 when control unit 108 starts the process of step S201.

[0021] In step S201, control unit 108 determines whether an instruction to execute a print job has been received. For example, when operation unit 103 receives an instruction to display a file list on display unit 104, control unit 108 causes display unit 104 to display the file list. The file list indicates a list of print job files. When operation unit 103 receives an instruction to execute a print job indicated by a print job file selected from the file list, control unit 108 determines that an instruction to execute a print job has been received.

[0022] If it is determined in step S201 that the instruction to execute the print job has not been accepted, control unit 108 returns the process to step S201. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the instruction to execute the print job has been accepted, control unit 108 executes a process in step S202 to read a print job file indicating the print job specified in the execution instruction from HDD 113. That is, control unit 108 executes a process to read data constituting the print job file from HDD 113.

[0023] In step S203, control unit 108 determines whether an error occurred when reading the print job file. For example, if an error occurs while executing the process of decoding the data that constitutes the print job file, control unit 108 determines that an error occurred when reading the print job file. On the other hand, if all the data that constitutes the print job file was successfully read, control unit 108 determines that no error occurred when reading the print job file.

[0024] If no error occurs when reading the print job file in step S203, control unit 108 executes the print job indicated by the read print job file in step S204. When control unit 108 executes the print job, image forming unit 106 forms an image on paper based on the data constituting the print job file. Image output unit 107 then outputs the paper on which the image has been formed by image forming unit 106 from the paper output slot.

[0025] On the other hand, if an error occurs when reading the print job file in step S203, the control unit 108 proceeds to step S401 shown in FIG.

[0026] Next, a process for writing data constituting a print job file to HDD 113 and a first deletion process for deleting a print job file will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a process for writing data constituting a print job file to HDD 113 and a first deletion process.

[0027] When the acquisition unit 105 acquires a print job file, it writes the data constituting the acquired print job file to area 301, which is the outermost area of ​​the HDD 113. Then, in step S201 illustrated in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the control unit 108 determines that an instruction to execute a print job has been received for the print job file composed of the data written to area 301. In this case, in step S204 illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 108 executes the print job. Then, when the control unit 108 completes the process of executing the print job, it executes a first deletion process to free sectors indicating the print job file that indicates the executed print job. Through the first deletion process, the control unit 108 deletes the data constituting the print job file, thereby freeing the sectors indicating the print job file. This enables the control unit 108 to write new data to area 301.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of image forming apparatus 100 when an error occurs when reading a print job file.

[0029] In step S401, the control unit 108 executes a process for determining the cause of the error. The process for determining the cause of the error is to determine whether the usage status of the HDD 113 satisfies a condition. The usage status of the HDD 113 is indicated by at least one selected from the group consisting of the number of loads / unloads, the operating time, and the sectors for which replacement processing is pending.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining the cause of an error.

[0031] In step S501, the control unit 108 determines whether the number of times the HDD 113 is loaded / unloaded exceeds a threshold number.

[0032] If the number of times HDD 113 has been loaded / unloaded does not exceed the threshold number, there is a possibility that the magnetic head constituting HDD 113 is not in a deteriorated state. Therefore, if the number of times HDD 113 has been loaded / unloaded does not exceed the threshold number in step S501, control unit 108 proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, if the number of times HDD 113 has been loaded / unloaded exceeds the threshold number, there is a possibility that the magnetic head is in a deteriorated state. Therefore, if the number of times HDD 113 has been loaded / unloaded exceeds the threshold number in step S501, control unit 108 proceeds to step S502.

[0033] In step S502, control unit 108 determines whether the operating time of HDD 113 exceeds a threshold time. On the other hand, if the operating time of HDD 113 does not exceed the threshold time, the magnetic material coated on the surface of the data recording surface of HDD 113 may not be in a state of aged deterioration. If the operating time of HDD 113 does not exceed the threshold time in step S502, control unit 108 proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, if the operating time of HDD 113 exceeds the threshold time, the magnetic material may be in a state of aged deterioration. Therefore, if the operating time of HDD 113 exceeds the threshold time in step S502, control unit 108 proceeds to step S503.

[0034] In step S503, control unit 108 determines whether a Current Pending Sector (hereinafter referred to as a "sector pending replacement processing") has occurred. A sector pending replacement processing is a sector from which control unit 108 has determined that data cannot be read normally. If a sector pending replacement processing has occurred in step S503, control unit 108 proceeds to step S504. On the other hand, if control unit 108 can read data normally, no sector pending replacement processing has occurred. If a sector pending replacement processing has not occurred in step S503, control unit 108 proceeds to step S505.

[0035] If the number of loads / unloads of HDD 113 exceeds the threshold number, the operating time of HDD 113 exceeds the threshold time, and there are sectors pending replacement processing, the magnetic head may be in a deteriorated state, the magnetic material may be in a deteriorated state over time, and data may not be read correctly. In this case, in step S504, control unit 108 sets error cause information indicating that the cause of the error is a write failure due to end of life. Then, control unit 108 proceeds to step S402 shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] On the other hand, if the number of loads / unloads of the HDD 113 does not exceed the threshold number of times, if the operating time of the HDD 113 does not exceed the threshold time, or if there is no sector pending replacement processing, the control unit 108 sets error cause information indicating that the cause of the error is a write failure not due to the lifespan in step S505. Then, the control unit 108 proceeds to step S402 shown in FIG.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 4, the operation of image forming apparatus 100 when an error occurs during reading of the print job file will be further described.

[0038] In step S402, the control unit 108 determines whether the cause of the error determined in step S401 indicates a write failure due to the end of life.

[0039] If HDD 113 has not yet reached the end of its life, there is a possibility that an accidental error occurred when reading the print job file. Therefore, if the cause of the error in step S402 indicates that HDD 113 has a write error that is not due to the end of its life, in step S403, control unit 108 performs a first deletion process to free the sector indicating the print job file for which an error occurred when it was read. This allows control unit 108 to write new data to the freed sector. Then, control unit 108 ends the process of reading the print job file.

[0040] If the cause of the error in step S402 indicates that HDD 113 has reached the end of its life, control unit 108 executes a second deletion process in step S404. The second deletion process is to make the area in HDD 113 where the data that cannot be read has been written unusable again. Specifically, the second deletion process is to overwrite the print job file in which the error occurred when reading it with data to be deleted.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second deletion process.

[0042] In step S601, control unit 108 sets a print job file for which an error occurred during reading to not be displayed from the file list. That is, when control unit 108 determines that the cause of the error is a writing failure due to the end of life of HDD 113, control unit 108 sets a print job file for which an error occurred during reading to not be displayed from the file list. As a result, when control unit 108 executes the second deletion process, control unit 108 makes a print job file for which an error occurred during reading unavailable for selection by a user operation. As a result, image forming apparatus 100 can prevent a print job file for which an error occurred during reading from being selected by a user operation when HDD 113 has reached the end of its life.

[0043] In step S602, the control unit 108 determines whether or not it is set to execute overwrite deletion. If it is not set to execute overwrite deletion in step S602, the control unit 108 proceeds to step S604. On the other hand, if it is set to execute overwrite deletion in step S602, the control unit 108 in step S603 overwrites and deletes all data constituting the print job file for which an error occurred during reading. For example, overwriting and deleting all data means overwriting all data with random numbers.

[0044] 5, if it is determined that the cause of the error is a writing failure due to the end of life based on the usage status of HDD 113, control unit 108 overwrites and erases all data constituting the print job file for which an error occurred when reading in step S603. This allows image forming apparatus 100 to prevent data constituting the print job file for which an error occurred when reading from remaining in HDD 113, and thus prevents the data from leaking out.

[0045] Furthermore, by overwriting and erasing all data constituting the print job file in which an error occurred during reading, image forming apparatus 100 can prevent new data from being written to a bad sector from which data cannot be read from HDD 113. This allows image forming apparatus 100 to prevent errors caused by using bad sectors from reoccurring. As a result, image forming apparatus 100 can prevent errors from reoccurring during printing.

[0046] In step S604, the control unit 108 determines whether or not suppressing storage consumption is enabled. If suppressing storage consumption is not enabled in step S604, the control unit 108 ends the second deletion process and ends the process of reading the print job file. On the other hand, if suppressing storage consumption is enabled in step S604, the control unit 108 releases, in step S605, sectors that do not cause errors when read from among the sectors representing the print job file that caused an error when read. In other words, the control unit 108 releases sectors that do not cause errors when read from among all sectors representing the print job file that caused an error when read. Therefore, by performing the processes in steps S602 to S604, the image forming apparatus 100 can use areas that do not cause errors when read while preventing the reuse of bad sectors, thereby suppressing storage consumption. Then, the control unit 108 executes a notification determination process in step S405, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the notification determination process.

[0048] In step S701, the control unit 108 determines whether the number of hidden files exceeds a first threshold value. The number of hidden files is the number of print job files that were set to be hidden in step S601 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0049] If the number of hidden files does not exceed the first threshold in step S701, control unit 108 ends the notification determination process and ends the process of reading print job files. On the other hand, if the number of hidden files exceeds the first threshold in step S701, control unit 108 determines in step S702 whether the hidden file capacity exceeds a second threshold. The hidden file capacity is the total file size of the print job files set to hidden in step S601.

[0050] If the non-display file size does not exceed the second threshold in step S702, the control unit 108 ends the notification determination process and ends the process of reading the print job file. On the other hand, if the non-display file size exceeds the second threshold in step S702, the control unit 108 determines in step S703 whether the number of sectors pending replacement processing exceeds a third threshold.

[0051] If the number of sectors pending replacement processing does not exceed the third threshold in step S703, control unit 108 ends the notification determination process and ends the process of reading the print job file. On the other hand, if the number of sectors pending replacement processing exceeds the third threshold in step S703, control unit 108 causes display unit 104 to display a message prompting the user to take action in step S704. Specifically, if the number of hidden files exceeds the first threshold, the hidden file capacity exceeds the second threshold, and the number of sectors pending replacement processing exceeds the third threshold, control unit 108 causes display unit 104 to display a message prompting the user to take action. In other words, if the total amount of data that cannot be read from the storage medium exceeds a threshold, control unit 108 executes a process of outputting a message prompting the user to take action. For example, the output message indicates that the HDD 113 is nearing the end of its life and that action is required.

[0052] If the number of hidden files exceeds the first threshold, the hidden file capacity exceeds the second threshold, and the number of sectors pending substitution processing exceeds the third threshold, there is a risk that the usable area on HDD 113 is being restricted by print job files to which new data cannot be written. Therefore, if the number of hidden files exceeds the first threshold, the hidden file capacity exceeds the second threshold, and the number of sectors pending substitution processing exceeds the third threshold, there is a possibility that HDD 113 needs to be replaced. Therefore, image forming apparatus 100 displays a message on display unit 104 urging the user to take action to resolve the state in which usable area is restricted when HDD 113 has reached the end of its life.

[0053] Next, a comparative example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In the comparative example shown in Fig. 8, it is assumed that the control unit 108 does not execute the second deletion process.

[0055] For example, if acquisition unit 105 acquires a print job file in a state where bad sector 801 is present, control unit 108 executes a process of writing the data that constitutes the acquired print job file to area 802 that includes bad sector 801. However, because a writing error occurs in bad sector 801, control unit 108 is unable to successfully write the data that constitutes the acquired print job file.

[0056] 2, it is assumed that the control unit 108 determines that it has received an instruction to execute a print job for a print job file composed of data written to a sector included in area 802. In this case, the control unit 108 executes the print job in step S204, which is also shown in FIG. 2. In this case, due to the presence of bad sector 801, an error occurs when the control unit 108 reads the print job file composed of the data stored in bad sector 801, and the control unit 108 fails to execute the print job. Thereafter, the control unit 108 releases the sector included in area 802 by deleting the data that constitutes the print job file indicating the print job that failed to be executed. As a result, the control unit 108 becomes able to write new data to area 802.

[0057] The outer periphery of HDD 113 has higher R / W (Read / Write) performance than the inner periphery of HDD 113. Therefore, because R / W performance is required for data constituting a print job file, control unit 108 writes the data constituting the print job file from the outer periphery of HDD 113 in the same partition set in HDD 113. Here, because bad sector 801 exists on the outermost periphery of HDD 113, control unit 108 executes a process of writing new data to bad sector 801. Furthermore, the higher the access frequency of the same area on HDD 113, the higher the frequency of write failures in that same area. As a result, the frequency of occurrence of bad sector 801 increases on the outermost periphery of HDD 113. Therefore, if image forming apparatus 100 deletes data constituting a print job file indicating a print job that has failed to be executed, there is a risk that the image forming apparatus 100 will repeatedly fail to execute the print job.

[0058] Next, the second deletion process executed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the process of writing data constituting a print job file to the HDD 113 and the second deletion process.

[0059] For example, suppose that bad sector 901 exists on the outermost side of HDD 113. In this state, when acquisition unit 105 acquires a print job file, it writes the data that constitutes the acquired print job file to a sector included in area 902, which is on the outermost side of HDD 113, as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, area 902 includes bad sector 901. Because a writing error occurs in bad sector 901, control unit 108 cannot successfully write the data that constitutes the acquired print job file.

[0060] Therefore, as in the comparative example illustrated in Fig. 8, an error occurs when the control unit 108 reads the bad sector 901, and the control unit 108 fails to execute the print job. In this case, in step S603 illustrated in Fig. 6, the control unit 108 overwrites and erases all sectors included in the area 902. This prevents the control unit 108 from writing new data to the area 902. As a result, the control unit 108 can prevent the error from reoccurring by using the bad sector 901.

[0061] When acquisition unit 105 acquires a new print job file, control unit 108 writes the data constituting the acquired print job file to sectors included in area 903, which is the outermost area among the areas on the inner side of area 902. In other words, image forming apparatus 100 can use the outer side of HDD 113 without using bad sector 901. Furthermore, because control unit 108 does not use bad sector 901, it can successfully write the data constituting the newly acquired print job file. As a result, image forming apparatus 100 can prevent errors caused by bad sector 901 from reoccurring during reading.

[0062] The processes executed in the above embodiments are not limited to the processing modes exemplified in the above embodiments. The above-described functional blocks may be realized using either a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit or the like, or software using a CPU. The processes executed in the above embodiments may be executed by multiple computers. For example, some of the processes executed in each functional block of image forming apparatus 100 may be executed by another computer, or all of the processes may be shared and executed by multiple computers.

[0063] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that achieves the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. The present disclosure also includes within its technical scope embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100 image forming apparatus, 101 communication unit, 102 storage unit, 103 operation unit, 104 display unit, 105 acquisition unit, 106 image forming unit, 107 image output unit, 108 control unit, 301 area, 801 bad sector, 802 area, 901 bad sector, 902 area, 903 area

Claims

1. A storage medium; a control unit that executes a process of writing data to the storage medium; Equipped with When the data cannot be read from the storage medium, the control unit executes a process of making the area of ​​the storage medium where the data has been written unusable again. Image forming device.

2. The control unit executes the process when the usage status of the storage medium satisfies a condition and the data cannot be read from the storage medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit executes the process to make the file configured by the data unusable again.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the process is executed, the control unit makes the file unselectable by a user operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. The usage status is indicated by at least one selected from the group consisting of the number of load / unload times, the operating time, and the sectors pending replacement processing.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The process is to overwrite the file with erasure data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

7. The control unit executes a process of outputting a message urging a user to take action when the total amount of data that cannot be read from the storage medium exceeds a threshold.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The storage medium is a HDD.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The file represents a print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

10. A control method for an image forming apparatus including a storage medium, comprising: performing a process of writing data to the storage medium; a step of executing a process of making the area of ​​the storage medium where the data has been written unusable again if the data cannot be read from the storage medium; Contains Control method.

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