Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce a time period required for a background process.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a background process management unit which determines whether to increase or decrease a CPU load to be used for a background process on the basis of a change of a CPU usage rate of one or more processes executed by the information processing device; and a background process execution unit which performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load on the basis of the result of the determination by the background process management unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an apparatus (for example, an image forming apparatus) that has an information processing terminal including a CPU separate from the apparatus main body as an operation unit. In such an operation unit, background processing is also executed as in a general information processing apparatus. When the CPU of the operation unit becomes highly loaded due to background processing, the responsiveness to user operations decreases. On the other hand, if the CPU resources allocated to background processing are uniformly limited, the required time for background processing becomes longer.

[0003] Note that Patent Document 1 aims to suppress the CPU usage rate of an operation device and prevent it from affecting the operation of the apparatus main body when an application of the operation device that communicates with the apparatus main body communicates with the apparatus main body using a communication path. A configuration is disclosed in which the number of applications permitted to communicate is changed based on the CPU usage rate of the operation device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the number of applications executing background processing is also limited by the CPU load, so there is a possibility that the required time for background processing becomes longer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to shorten the required time for background processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Therefore, to solve the above problems, It comprises an operating unit having a first CPU and a main unit having a second CPU. The information processing apparatus is Based on whether or not a specific process is executed using the second CPU in the main unit, the operation unit determines the background process being executed by the first CPU.The system includes a background processing management unit that determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load, and a background processing execution unit that performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load according to the result of the determination by the background processing management unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This can reduce the time required for background processing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example configuration of the load information storage unit 218. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has a main unit 10 and an operation unit 20. The main unit 10 is an information processing device that constitutes the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and is capable of realizing various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing. The operation unit 20 is an information processing device that receives input in response to the operation of the operator of the image forming apparatus 1. The main unit 10 and the operation unit 20 are interconnected via a dedicated communication channel 39. As the communication channel 39, for example, a USB standard can be used, but it does not matter whether it is wired or wireless. As shown in Figure 1, the main unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, a communication I / F (Interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, and an engine unit 17, which are interconnected via a system bus 18.

[0010] The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main unit 10. For example, the CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire main unit 10 by executing programs stored in the ROM 12 or HDD 14, etc., using the RAM 13 as a work area, thereby realizing the various functions such as the copy function, scanner function, fax function, and printer function mentioned above.

[0011] Communication I / F15 is an interface for connecting to a network. Connection I / F16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication channel 39.

[0012] The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and non-communication processing to realize copy, scan, fax, and printer functions. The engine unit 17 includes, for example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads images of documents, a printer (image forming unit) that prints on sheet materials such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. The engine unit 17 may further include certain options such as a finisher that sorts printed sheet materials and an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds documents.

[0013] The control unit 20 comprises a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, communication interface 25, connection interface 26, and control panel 27, which are interconnected via a system bus 28.

[0014] Users can utilize the functions of the main unit 10 by directly operating the control unit 20 and using the application.

[0015] The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the control unit 20. In other words, in addition to controlling the operation of the control unit 20, the CPU 21 uses the RAM 23 as a work area and implements various functions using programs stored in the ROM 22 or flash memory 24.

[0016] Communication I / F25 is an interface for connecting to a network. Connection I / F26 is an interface for communicating with the main unit 10 via communication channel 39.

[0017] The control panel 27 is a so-called touch panel, in which a touch detection unit and a liquid crystal display unit formed from transparent electrodes are integrally formed. The control panel 27 accepts various inputs from the operator via touch operation and displays various information (for example, information corresponding to the received input, information indicating the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1, information indicating the setting status, etc.).

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 has an application layer 31, a service layer 32, and an OS layer 33. The entities of the application layer 31, the service layer 32, and the OS layer 33 are various programs stored in the ROM 12 (or the HDD 14). The functions of the application layer 31, the service layer 32, and the OS layer 33 are realized by the processing executed by the CPU 11 for these programs.

[0019] The operation unit 20 has an application layer 35, a service layer 36, and an OS layer 37. The application layer 35, the service layer 36, and the OS layer 37 included in the operation unit 20 are also the same as those on the main body 10 side in terms of the hierarchical structure. The entities of the application layer 35, the service layer 36, and the OS layer 37 are various programs stored in the ROM 22 (or the flash memory 24). The functions of the application layer 35, the service layer 36, and the OS layer 37 are realized by the processing executed by the CPU 21 for these programs.

[0020] Note that the functions provided by the applications in the application layer 35 and the types of operation requests that the service layer 36 can accept are different from those on the main body 10 side. The application in the application layer 35 may be software for operating the hardware resources included in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function, but mainly includes software for providing the function of a UI (user interface) for performing operations and displays related to the functions (copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function) included in the main body 10.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the operation unit 20 has an operation reception unit 211, an operation processing unit 212, an operation unit task execution unit 213, a CPU usage rate measurement unit 214, a background processing management unit 215, and a background processing execution unit 216. Each of these units is realized by the processing executed by the CPU 21 for one or more programs that function the CPU 21 as the application layer 35, the service layer 36, or the OS layer 37.

[0022] The operation reception unit 211 receives an operation from the user and notifies the operation processing unit 212 of information indicating the content of the operation (operation information).

[0023] The operation processing unit 212 requests the operation task execution unit 213 to execute a task corresponding to the operation information notified by the operation reception unit 211. A task is defined as a unit of processing that consumes CPU usage. For example, a task may be a process.

[0024] The operation unit task execution unit 213 executes the task requested by the operation processing unit 212 (foreground task in the operation unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as "operation unit task")). The operation unit task execution unit 213 also monitors the CPU usage rate of the operation unit 20 (CPU utilization rate).

[0025] The CPU usage measurement unit 214 periodically queries the operation unit task execution unit 213 for the total CPU usage resulting from one or more processes executed by the operation unit 20, and notifies the registered listener of the CPU usage obtained as a response. A listener is identification information of the recipient of CPU usage notification, which is registered in advance by the source requesting the notification of CPU usage. In the first embodiment, CPU usage refers to the usage of CPU 21.

[0026] The background processing management unit 215 manages and controls tasks executed in the background (hereinafter referred to as "background processing"). For example, the background processing management unit 215 requests the background processing execution unit 216 to execute background processing. The background processing management unit 215 also determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing among the one or more tasks (processes) executed by the operation unit 20, based on changes in CPU usage notified by the CPU usage measurement unit 214. For example, the background processing management unit 215 determines to decrease the CPU load used for background processing if the CPU usage is above a threshold.

[0027] The background processing execution unit 216 executes processing in response to instructions from the background processing management unit 215. For example, the background processing execution unit 216 controls the CPU load to be used for background processing, increasing or decreasing it, based on the result of the determination made by the background processing management unit 215 regarding the CPU load used for background processing.

[0028] The following describes the processing procedures performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the processing procedures performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. Figure 4 shows an example of the processing procedure when the user instructs the execution of a CPU-intensive operation unit task while background processing is being performed.

[0029] In step S100, before executing background processing, the background processing management unit 215 registers a listener with the CPU usage measurement unit 214 to receive notification of the CPU usage of the operation unit 20 from the CPU usage measurement unit 214.

[0030] Subsequently, the CPU usage measurement unit 214 queries the operation unit task execution unit 213 for the CPU usage (S101), and the operation unit task execution unit 213 responds to the CPU usage measurement unit 214 with the CPU usage (S102). This CPU usage is the sum of the CPU usage of tasks running in the foreground (operation unit tasks) and the CPU usage of tasks running in the background. In other words, the CPU usage here is the sum of the CPU usage of the CPU 21 by one or more tasks (processes) executed by the operation unit 20. However, this CPU usage may also be the sum of the CPU usage of the operation unit tasks.

[0031] Next, the CPU usage measurement unit 214 notifies the background processing management unit 215 of the CPU usage via a registered listener (S103). Steps S101 to S103 are executed periodically (for example, every second).

[0032] Next, the background processing management unit 215 requests the background processing execution unit 216 to execute background processing (S104). The background processing to be executed may be identified based on, for example, the task schedule or the status of the operation unit 20. The background processing execution unit 216 executes the requested background processing (S105). At this time, since no operation unit tasks with high CPU usage are being executed (because the CPU usage is not above the threshold), no particular restrictions are specified on the CPU load used for background processing. Therefore, there are no particular restrictions on CPU load here, and background processing is executed at a high load.

[0033] Next, when the user performs an operation equivalent to an instruction to execute an operation unit task (S110), the operation reception unit 211 notifies the operation processing unit 212 of operation information indicating the said operation (S111). Based on the said operation information, the operation processing unit 212 notifies the operation unit task execution unit 213 of an execution request for an operation unit task (S112). The operation unit task execution unit 213 executes the operation unit task in response to the execution request (S113).

[0034] Subsequently, the CPU usage measurement unit 214 queries the operation unit task execution unit 213 for the CPU usage (S114), and the operation unit task execution unit 213 responds to the CPU usage measurement unit 214 with the CPU usage, similar to step S103 (S115). However, in this case, the CPU usage has increased due to background processing and the execution of operation unit tasks. Next, the CPU usage measurement unit 214 notifies the background processing management unit 215 of the CPU usage via the registered listener (S116).

[0035] The background processing management unit 215 determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on the CPU usage rate. Specifically, the background processing management unit 215 determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load by comparing the CPU usage rate with a threshold. Here, it is assumed that the CPU usage rate is above the threshold due to the execution of a high-load operation unit task. In this case, it is determined that the CPU load used for background processing should be reduced, and the background processing execution unit 216 is requested to reduce the CPU load (S117).

[0036] The background processing execution unit 216 performs control to reduce (lower) the CPU load (e.g., CPU usage rate) of the background processing in response to a request from the background processing management unit 215 (S118). For example, the background processing execution unit 216 may set an upper limit on the CPU usage rate of the background processing so that the CPU usage rate of the background processing does not exceed that limit. Alternatively, the background processing execution unit 216 may lower the CPU usage rate on average (so that it does not exceed a preset upper limit) by introducing a sleep period into the background processing. The CPU load used for background processing may also be reduced by other known methods. In addition, a known indicator other than CPU usage rate may be used as the CPU load.

[0037] Subsequently, after the operation unit task is completed (S119), the CPU usage measurement unit 214 queries the operation unit task execution unit 213 for the CPU usage (S120), and the operation unit task execution unit 213 responds to the CPU usage measurement unit 214 with the CPU usage, similar to step S103 (S121). At this point, since the operation unit task has been completed, the CPU usage has decreased. Next, the CPU usage measurement unit 214 notifies the background processing management unit 215 of the CPU usage via the registered listener (S122).

[0038] The background processing management unit 215 determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on the CPU usage rate. Here, it is assumed that the CPU usage rate falls below a threshold due to the termination of a high-load operation unit task. In this case, the background processing management unit 215 determines that the CPU load used for background processing should be increased and requests the background processing execution unit 216 to increase the CPU load (S123).

[0039] The background processing execution unit 216 performs control to increase the CPU load used for background processing in response to a request from the background processing management unit 215 (S124). For example, the background processing execution unit 216 increases the CPU load used for background processing by ending the control to decrease the CPU load used for background processing, which was started in step S118 (S124). For example, background processing is permitted to use the entire remaining CPU usage at the current time.

[0040] Subsequently, when the background processing is completed, the background processing execution unit 216 notifies the background processing execution unit 216 that the background processing has finished (S125).

[0041] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the CPU usage rate of the operation unit 20 is relatively high, the CPU load used for background processing is reduced, while when the CPU usage rate of the operation unit 20 is relatively low, the CPU load used for background processing is increased. Therefore, the time required for background processing can be shortened.

[0042] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, points not specifically mentioned may be the same as in the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 5 shows an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. In Figure 5, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or corresponding to those in Figure 3, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In Figure 5, the operation unit 20 includes an operation reception unit 211, an operation processing unit 212, a background processing management unit 215, a background processing execution unit, and a communication unit 217. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs that cause the CPU 21 to function as an application layer 35, a service layer 36, or an OS layer 37 cause the CPU 21 to execute.

[0044] The operation unit 20 also utilizes a load information storage unit 218. The load information storage unit 218 can be implemented using a flash memory 24 or a storage device connected to the operation unit 20 via a network.

[0045] In the second embodiment, the operation processing unit 212 requests the job execution unit 111 of the main unit 10 to execute a job that the main unit 10 is to perform. For example, if a user instructs the execution of a scan, the operation processing unit 212 notifies the job execution unit 111 of the request to execute the scan. A job refers to a series of processes performed in the main unit 10 until an output corresponding to user input is obtained.

[0046] The background processing management unit 215 manages and controls background processing. In contrast to the first embodiment, the background processing management unit 215 determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing among one or more tasks (processes) executed by the operation unit 20, based on whether a specific job (process) is being executed in the main unit 10. For example, the background processing management unit 215 determines to decrease the CPU load used for background processing if a specific job is being executed in the main unit 10. The specific job is a job that is pre-registered as a job that places a high load on the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20.

[0047] The load information storage unit 218 stores information (hereinafter referred to as "load information") in advance for each job indicating whether or not to put a high load on the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20. The load information is used to determine whether or not a job being executed in the main unit 10 is a job that requires control of the background processing load.

[0048] The main unit 10 includes a job execution unit 111 and a communication unit 112. Each of these units is realized by one or more programs that cause the CPU 11 to function as an application layer 31, a service layer 32, or an OS layer 33, and the processes that the CPU 11 executes.

[0049] The job execution unit 111 executes the jobs in the main unit 10.

[0050] The communication unit 112 controls communication with the operation unit 20 via the communication channel 39.

[0051] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. Figure 6 shows an example of a processing procedure for controlling the background processing of the operation unit 20 when a job that places a high load on the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 is executed in the main unit 10 while background processing is being performed in the operation unit 20.

[0052] In step S200, the background processing management unit 215 requests the background processing execution unit 216 to execute background processing. Subsequently, the background processing execution unit 216 executes the requested background processing using the CPU 21 (S201).

[0053] When the operation unit 20 is performing background processing, if the user performs an operation equivalent to a job execution instruction on the main unit 10 (S210), the operation reception unit 211 notifies the operation processing unit 212 of operation information indicating the said operation (S211). Based on the said operation information, the operation processing unit 212 notifies the job execution unit 111 of the main unit 10 of a job execution request (S212). The job execution unit 111 executes the job requested in the execution request.

[0054] Here, at the start of job execution, the job execution unit 111 notifies the background processing management unit 215 of the identification information of the type of job to be executed (hereinafter referred to as the "target job") (hereinafter referred to as the "job name") at the start of job execution (S213).

[0055] The background processing management unit 215, upon receiving notification of the start of execution of the target job, determines whether or not it is a high-load job (a job that places a high load on the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20). Specifically, the background processing management unit 215 determines whether or not the target job is a high-load job by referring to the information stored in the load information storage unit 218 for the job name of the target job (S214, S215).

[0056] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the load information storage unit 218. As shown in Figure 7, the load information storage unit 218 stores load information for each job name, indicating whether the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 will be heavily loaded due to the execution of the job related to that job name. The value of the load information is either Yes or No. Yes indicates that the job will be heavily loaded on the CPU 21. No indicates that the job will not be heavily loaded on the CPU 21. Whether or not the load is heavy may be determined, for example, by comparing the increase in CPU usage with a threshold.

[0057] For example, if the job name of the target job is "scanner" or "fax," the background processing management unit 215 determines that the target job is a high-load job.

[0058] The background processing management unit 215 determines that if the target job is a high-load job, it will reduce the CPU load used for background processing. Therefore, the background processing management unit 215 requests the background processing execution unit 216 to reduce the CPU load (S216). The background processing execution unit 216 responds to the request from the background processing management unit 215 and performs control to reduce the CPU load of the background processing (S217). The method of such control may be the same as in the first embodiment.

[0059] Subsequently, when the target job is completed, the job execution unit 111 of the main unit 10 notifies the background processing management unit 215 of the completion of the target job execution (S218).

[0060] The background processing management unit 215, upon receiving notification of the completion of the target job's execution, determines that it should increase the CPU load used for background processing. Therefore, the background processing management unit 215 requests the background processing execution unit 216 to increase the CPU load (S219). The background processing execution unit 216, in response to the request from the background processing management unit 215, releases the control to increase the CPU load used for background processing (S220).

[0061] If the target job is not a high-load job, steps S230 to S232 will be executed instead of steps S213 to S216.

[0062] Steps S230 to S232 have the same processing procedure as steps S213 to S215. However, in step S232, load information indicating a low load is obtained. In this case, the background processing management unit 215 does not execute the processing corresponding to step S216. Therefore, no control is performed to reduce the CPU load used for background processing.

[0063] After that, the background processing finishes (S233).

[0064] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the CPU load used for background processing of the operation unit 20 is reduced only when a specific job that causes a high load on the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 is executed in the main unit 10. Therefore, the time required for background processing can be shortened.

[0065] Furthermore, even if CPU usage cannot be obtained, the CPU load used for background processing can be controlled.

[0066] The above example shows how to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing in conjunction with the start and end of execution of a specific job. However, the CPU load may also be increased or decreased in conjunction with the execution of some processes of a specific job or the display of a screen for a specific job. In this case, the load information can be set for each screen or for each part of a process, rather than for each job. The job execution unit 111 should notify the background processing management unit 215 of the start or end of screen display or the start or end of some processes. The background processing management unit 215 should then execute the processes described above in response to the notification.

[0067] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. Therefore, points not specifically mentioned may be the same as in the second embodiment.

[0068] In addition to the conditions under which the CPU load of background processing was reduced when a specific job was performed in the second embodiment, the CPU usage of the background processing may also be reduced when the CPU usage of the background processing is high.

[0069] Specifically, in step S217 of Figure 6, the background processing execution unit 216 measures the CPU usage rate of the background processing in response to a request from the background processing management unit 215, and if the CPU usage rate is above a threshold, it performs control to reduce the CPU usage rate of the background processing.

[0070] This allows for control over the CPU usage of the control unit 20, such as reducing the CPU usage of background processing only during the period when a scanner job is executed and the preview is displayed, because the CPU usage of the control unit 20 will be high during that time.

[0071] Furthermore, each of the above embodiments may be applied to information processing devices other than the image forming apparatus 1. For example, each of the above embodiments may be applied to information processing devices such as PJ (Projector), IWB (Interactive White Board: a whiteboard with electronic blackboard functionality that enables mutual communication), digital signage, HUD (Head Up Display) devices, industrial machinery, imaging devices, sound collection devices, medical equipment, network home appliances, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, game consoles, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, wearable PCs, or desktop PCs.

[0072] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0073] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> An information processing device, A background processing management unit determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on changes in CPU usage caused by one or more processes performed by the information processing device, A background processing execution unit performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load according to the result of the determination by the background processing management unit, An information processing device characterized by having the following features. <2> The background processing management unit determines that the CPU load should be reduced if the CPU usage rate is above a threshold. Characterized by <1> The information processing device described. <3> The aforementioned information processing device has an operating unit having a CPU separate from the main unit, The background processing management unit determines that when a specific process is executed in the main unit, it will reduce the CPU load used for background processing for the CPU. Characterized by <1> or <2> The information processing device described. <4> The aforementioned specific process is a process that is pre-registered as a process that places a high load on the CPU. Characterized by <3> The information processing device described. <5> The background processing execution unit, when the background processing management unit determines that the CPU load should be reduced, performs control to reduce the CPU load according to the CPU usage rate of the background processing. Characterized by <3> or <4> The information processing device described. <6> An image forming apparatus, A background processing management unit determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on changes in CPU usage caused by one or more processes performed by the image forming apparatus, A background processing execution unit performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load according to the result of the determination by the background processing management unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features. <7> Information processing device, A background processing management procedure that determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on changes in CPU usage caused by one or more processes performed by the information processing device, A background processing execution procedure that controls the CPU load to increase or decrease it according to the result of the determination by the background processing management procedure, An information processing method characterized by performing the following. <8> In an information processing device, A background processing management procedure that determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load used for background processing based on changes in CPU usage caused by one or more processes performed by the information processing device, A background processing execution procedure that controls the CPU load to increase or decrease it according to the result of the determination by the background processing management procedure, A program characterized by causing the execution of a specific action. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1. Image forming apparatus 10 Main body 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 HDD 15 Communication I / F 16 Connection Interfaces 17 Engine section 18 System bus 20 Control section 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 flash memory 25 Communication I / F 26 Connection Interfaces 27 Control Panel 28 System bus 31. Application Layer 32 Service Layers 33 OS Layer 35. App Layer 36 Service Layers 37 OS Layer 111 Job Execution Unit 112 Communications Department 211 Operation Reception Section 212 Operation Processing Unit 213 Operation Unit Task Execution Unit 214 CPU usage measurement section 215 Background Processing Management Unit 216 Background Processing Execution Unit 217 Communications Department 218 Load information storage unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0075] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-117243

Claims

1. An information processing device having an operating unit having a first CPU and a main unit having a second CPU, A background processing management unit determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load of the background processing being performed by the first CPU in the operation unit, based on whether or not a specific process is being performed using the second CPU in the main unit. A background processing execution unit performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load according to the result of the determination by the background processing management unit, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. The background processing management unit determines that the CPU load should be reduced when the specific processing is executed and the usage rate of the first CPU is equal to or greater than a threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a product of the present invention.

3. The aforementioned specific process is a process that is pre-registered as a process that places a high load on the first CPU. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a product of the present invention.

4. An image forming apparatus having an operating unit having a first CPU and a main unit having a second CPU, A background processing management unit determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load of the background processing being performed by the first CPU in the operation unit, based on whether or not a specific process is being performed using the second CPU in the main unit. A background processing execution unit performs control to increase or decrease the CPU load according to the result of the determination by the background processing management unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features.

5. An information processing device having an operating unit having a first CPU and a main unit having a second CPU, A background processing management procedure that determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load of the background processing being performed by the first CPU in the operation unit, based on whether or not a specific process is being performed using the second CPU in the main unit, A background processing execution procedure that controls the CPU load to increase or decrease it according to the result of the determination by the background processing management procedure, An information processing method characterized by performing the following.

6. An information processing device having an operating unit having a first CPU and a main unit having a second CPU, A background processing management procedure that determines whether to increase or decrease the CPU load of the background processing being performed by the first CPU in the operation unit, based on whether or not a specific process is being performed using the second CPU in the main unit, A background processing execution procedure that controls the CPU load to increase or decrease it according to the result of the determination by the background processing management procedure, A program characterized by causing the execution of a specific action.

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