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

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus for suppressing degradation of processing performance of foreground processing due to use of file IO.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus is provided with: a processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing having a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel; a storage accessed as a file IO by the processor; a utilization acquisition unit for acquiring IO utilization indicating an access status of the storage; a background processing management unit for deciding whether or not to limit processor utilization in the background processing based on the IO utilization acquired by the utilization acquisition unit; and a background processing execution unit for executing the background processing with limited processor utilization when the limitation of the processor utilization in the background processing is decided by the background processing management unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[[Technical Field]]

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

[0002] In computing apparatuses such as information processing apparatuses, a technique is known that changes the CPU usage rate of background processing in accordance with a change in the CPU usage rate of foreground processing executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, the CPU usage rate of background processing is set to a high value when the CPU usage rate of foreground processing is low, and is set to a low value when the CPU usage rate of foreground processing is high. [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0003] When foreground processing and background processing include file IO processing, the file IO usage rate may be high even if the CPU usage rate of the foreground processing is low. If the CPU usage rate of the background processing is increased in this state, there has been a problem that the processing performance of file IO for the foreground processing decreases, resulting in processing waiting.

[0004] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in processing performance of foreground processing due to the file IO usage rate when changing the processor usage rate of background processing in accordance with the processor usage rate of foreground processing. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] To solve the above technical problem, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing having a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel; as file I / O by the processorThe foreground processing and background processing described above The storage to be accessed, the usage rate acquisition unit that acquires the I / O usage rate indicating the access status of the storage, and the I / O usage rate acquired by the usage rate acquisition unit When the acquired I / O usage exceeds a pre-set threshold, it is decided to limit the processor usage in the background process, and when the acquired I / O usage is below the threshold, the processor usage in the background process is not limited. The system is characterized by having a background processing management unit that determines the limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, and a background processing execution unit that executes the background processing with the limited processor usage rate when the limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing is determined by the background processing management unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] When the CPU usage of background processes is changed according to the CPU usage of foreground processes, it is possible to suppress the degradation of foreground processing performance caused by file I / O usage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the background task management unit. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operating state of the control unit before and after management by the background task management unit. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the control panel. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a smartphone according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, digital multifunction printers (image forming apparatuses) and smartphones will be described as devices (systems) to which the present invention is applicable. However, the present invention is applicable to image forming apparatuses having a single function, such as scanners, printers, or facsimile machines. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to electronic devices (systems) such as projectors, electronic whiteboards, digital signage, imaging devices, PCs (personal computers), and tablet terminals.

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a digital multifunction printer (MFP) having functions such as copying, printing, scanning, and facsimile.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 has a main unit 10 and an operating unit 20. The main unit 10 has a CPU 11, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, communication I / F (Interface) 15, connection I / F 16, engine unit 17, and system bus 18. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, HDD 14, communication I / F 15, connection I / F 16, and engine unit 17 are interconnected by the system bus 18.

[0011] The operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, communication interface 25, connection interface 26, operation panel 27, and system bus 28. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, communication interface 25, connection interface 26, and operation panel 27 are interconnected via the system bus 28. The CPU 21 is an example of a processor, and the flash memory 24 is an example of storage. The CPU usage rate, which is the utilization rate of the CPU 21, is an example of processor usage rate.

[0012] Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to systems other than the image forming apparatus 1 (projector, electronic whiteboard, digital signage, imaging device, PC, tablet terminal, etc.), the respective functions are installed in place of the engine unit 17 of the main unit 10. The operation unit 20 has the same or similar configuration as that shown in Figure 1. For example, the main unit 10 of a projector has an image projection unit.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 can switch between operating modes that realize the copy function, print function, scanner function, and facsimile function, respectively, using application switching keys on the operation unit 20. When the copy function is selected, the image forming apparatus 1 enters copy mode; when the print function is selected, it enters print mode; when the scanner function is selected, it enters scanner mode; and when the facsimile function is selected, it enters facsimile mode.

[0014] The operation unit 20 is an example of an information processing device that receives user input from outside the image forming apparatus 1 and controls the operation of the main unit 10 based on the received input. The connection interface 16 of the main unit 10 and the connection interface 26 of the operation unit 20 are interconnected via a communication channel 39. The communication channel 39 may be wired or wireless, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface may be used.

[0015] In the main unit 10, the CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the main unit 10. For example, the CPU 11, which is an example of a processor, controls the operation of the engine unit 17, etc., by executing a control program stored in the RAM 13, and controls scanner operation, printer operation, copy operation, facsimile operation, etc.

[0016] ROM12 stores the boot program and various parameters used by the main unit 10. RAM13 stores the control program extracted from ROM12 or HDD14 and CPU11 work data. HDD14, an example of storage, stores the control program or image data. Communication I / F15 is connected to a network, etc.

[0017] For example, the main body portion 10 includes an automatic document feeder, an image reading device, a writing unit, a printer unit, a control device, a power supply device, and the like. The printer unit corresponds to the engine portion 17, and includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a conveying belt, a fixing device, and the like. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, HDD 14, communication I / F 15, and connection I / F 16 are mounted on a control board of the control device. The engine portion 17 is an example of an image forming portion that forms an image.

[0018] In the operation unit 20, a CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the operation unit 20. For example, the CPU 21 receives user operations and the like via an operation panel 27 or a communication IF 25. The ROM 22 stores a boot program and various parameters used in the operation unit 20. The RAM 23 stores a control program expanded from the ROM 22 or a flash memory 24, work data of the CPU 21, and the like.

[0019] The flash memory 24 stores a control program or various rewritable parameters and the like. The flash memory 24 is accessed as a file IO for inputting and outputting these various parameters and the like, and the access status of the flash memory 24 can be expressed as an IO usage rate. The communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to a network.

[0020] The operation panel 27 receives various inputs in accordance with user operations, and displays the received information, the operating status or setting status of the image forming apparatus 1 on a display section of the operation panel 27. For example, the operation panel 27 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch detection section formed of a transparent electrode and a liquid crystal display section are integrally formed. A user can use various applications such as printing, scanning, or facsimile by directly operating the operation unit 20.

[0021] For example, the operation panel 27 is arranged on the upper side of the main body 10, which is easy for a user operating the image forming apparatus 1 to operate. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, communication I / F 25, and connection I / F 26 are mounted on a control board of the operation unit 20.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the operation unit 20 of FIG. 1. The operation unit 20 includes an operation reception unit 211, an operation processing unit 212, an operation unit task execution unit 213, a CPU / IO usage rate measurement unit 214, a background task management unit 215, and a background task execution unit 216.

[0023] The CPU / IO usage rate measurement unit 214 is an example of a usage rate acquisition unit, and acquires a CPU usage rate and an IO usage rate by executing a usage rate acquisition procedure. The background task management unit 215 is an example of a background processing management unit, executes a background processing management procedure, and determines whether to limit a processor usage rate in background processing. The background task execution unit 216 is an example of a background processing execution unit. The background task execution unit 216 executes a background processing execution procedure, and when it is determined to limit the CPU usage rate in background processing, executes the background processing BG with the limited CPU usage rate.

[0024] For example, the operation reception unit 211, the operation processing unit 212, the operation unit task execution unit 213, the CPU / IO usage rate measurement unit 214, the background task management unit 215, and the background task execution unit 216 are implemented by the CPU 21 executing a control program. Note that at least part of the operation reception unit 211, the operation processing unit 212, the operation unit task execution unit 213, the CPU / IO usage rate measurement unit 214, the background task management unit 215, and the background task execution unit 216 may be implemented by hardware.

[0025] The operation reception unit 211 receives operations from the user and notifies the operation processing unit 212 of operation information indicating the content of the received operation. The operation processing unit 212 requests the operation unit task execution unit 213 to execute a task corresponding to the operation information notified by the operation reception unit 211. For example, a task is an execution unit of processing performed by the operation unit 20, and each task consumes CPU usage of the CPU 21.

[0026] The operation unit task execution unit 213 executes tasks requested by the operation processing unit 212. Tasks executed by the operation unit task execution unit 213 are executed as foreground processes (FG), which are tasks executed in the foreground, or as background processes (BG), which are tasks executed in the background.

[0027] The foreground processing unit (FG) handles tasks with relatively high processing priority, while the background processing unit (BG) handles tasks with relatively low processing priority. Priorities are assigned to these tasks, and it is possible to set, change, or select task priorities. The operation unit task execution unit 213 can execute the foreground processing unit (FG) and background processing unit (BG) in parallel. The operation unit task execution unit 213 may periodically acquire the CPU usage of the CPU 21, which is measured by the CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214.

[0028] The CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214 measures the CPU usage of the CPU 21 and notifies the background task management unit 215 of the measured CPU usage. The CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214 also measures the I / O usage, which indicates the access status of the flash memory 24, and notifies the background task management unit 215 of the measured I / O usage. Here, the CPU usage and I / O usage increase or decrease independently depending on the task executed by the operation unit task execution unit 213.

[0029] The background task management unit 215 manages the background processing BG. The background task management unit 215 requests the background task execution unit 216 to execute tasks in the background processing BG, along with restriction information indicating whether or not to limit CPU usage.

[0030] The background task management unit 215 decides whether or not to restrict background processing BG based on the CPU usage and IO usage measured by the CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214. Here, restricting background processing BG means reducing the CPU usage 21 used for background processing BG compared to when it is not restricted.

[0031] The background task execution unit 216 executes background processing BG for tasks in response to requests from the background task management unit 215. At this time, the background task management unit 215 executes background processing BG at a CPU usage rate corresponding to the restriction information notified by the background task management unit 215.

[0032] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the background task management unit 215 in Figure 2. In the following, CPU usage refers to the CPU usage of CPU 21, and IO usage refers to the access status of flash memory 24. FG processing refers to foreground processing FG, and BG processing refers to background processing BG. The background task management unit 215 determines whether or not to limit background processing BG according to the CPU usage and IO usage. Note that the CPU usage of background processing BG in Figure 3 represents the maximum available CPU usage.

[0033] For example, the background task management unit 215 decides not to restrict the background process BG when the CPU usage of the foreground process FG is less than the CPU usage of the background process BG, and the I / O usage is low. In this case, the background task management unit 215 adjusts the CPU usage of the background process BG based on the CPU usage of the foreground process FG.

[0034] The background task management unit 215 determines that it will not restrict the background process BG if the CPU usage rate of the foreground process FG is greater than or equal to the CPU usage rate of the background process BG, and the I / O usage rate is low. In this case, the background task management unit 215 adjusts the CPU usage rate of the background process BG based on the CPU usage rate of the foreground process FG.

[0035] The background task management unit 215 determines to restrict the background process BG if the CPU usage of the foreground process FG is less than the CPU usage of the background process BG, and the I / O usage is high in state 3. In this case, the background task management unit 215 limits the CPU usage of the background process BG to a predetermined value, regardless of the CPU usage and I / O usage of the foreground process FG.

[0036] The background task management unit 215 determines to restrict the background process BG if the CPU usage rate of the foreground process FG is greater than or equal to the CPU usage rate of the background process BG, and the I / O usage rate is high in state 4. In this case, the background task management unit 215 limits the CPU usage rate of the background process BG to a predetermined value, regardless of the CPU usage rate and I / O usage rate of the foreground process FG.

[0037] While not particularly limited, in the following, the background task management unit 215 determines that the IO usage rate is low if it is less than 50%, and that the IO usage rate is high if it is 50% or higher. In other words, the threshold for determining whether the IO usage rate is high or low is 50%. The threshold for the IO usage rate used as the criterion for determination can be determined according to the system specifications of the image forming apparatus 1, and may be, for example, 40% or 60%.

[0038] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of the operating state of the operation unit 20 before and after management by the background task management unit 215 in Figure 2. Figure 4(A) shows a case where the background processing BG is not limited based on the I / O usage rate by the background task management unit 215. In Figure 4(A), the background task management unit 215 controls the CPU usage rate of the background processing BG based on the CPU usage rate of the foreground processing FG.

[0039] Figure 4(B) shows a case where the background task management unit 215 limits the background processing BG based on the I / O usage rate. In Figure 4(B), the background task management unit 215 controls the CPU usage of the background processing BG based on the CPU usage rate and I / O usage rate of the foreground processing FG. In Figure 4(B), the limit value for the CPU usage rate of the background processing BG is, for example, 15%, and is preset.

[0040] In period T1 in Figure 4(A), the foreground process FG is not executed (CPU usage = 0%). The background task management unit 215 causes the background process BG to run at 100% CPU usage. In period T2 in Figure 4(A), the foreground process FG runs at 85% CPU usage. The background task management unit 215 causes the background process BG to run at the maximum possible CPU usage (15%).

[0041] In period T3 shown in Figure 4(A), the foreground process FG is executed at a CPU usage of 20%. The background task management unit 215 causes the background process BG to be executed at the maximum possible CPU usage (80%). File I / O may be used by both the foreground process FG and the background process BG. If file I / O in the foreground process FG and file I / O in the background process BG conflict, the file I / O are processed sequentially.

[0042] Therefore, even if the CPU usage of the foreground processing FG is low, if the I / O usage of the foreground processing FG is high, increasing the CPU usage of the background processing BG may cause delays in file I / O processing for the foreground processing FG. If delays occur in file I / O processing for the foreground processing FG, the processing performance of the foreground processing FG, which has a higher processing priority than the background processing BG, will decrease. For example, the response processing to instructions from the user's control panel 27 may be delayed.

[0043] In period T4 shown in Figure 4(A), the foreground process FG is executed at 85% CPU utilization. The background task management unit 215 causes the background process BG to be executed at the maximum possible CPU utilization (15%).

[0044] In period T1 in Figure 4(B), the foreground process FG is not executed, and the I / O utilization is below the threshold (50%), so the state of the CPU 21 is state 1 in Figure 3. The background task management unit 215 does not restrict the execution of the background process BG, and the background process BG is executed at 100% CPU utilization. The operation in period T1 in Figure 4(B) is the same as the operation in period T1 in Figure 4(A).

[0045] In period T2 of Figure 4(B), the foreground process FG runs at 85% CPU utilization, and the I / O utilization is below the threshold. Since the maximum CPU utilization available for the background process BG is 15%, the state of CPU 21 is state 2 in Figure 3. The background task management unit 215 does not restrict the execution of the background process BG, and the background process BG runs at 15% CPU utilization. The operation in period T2 of Figure 4(B) is the same as the operation in period T2 of Figure 4(A), except that the change in I / O utilization is different.

[0046] In Figure 4(B), during periods T1 and T2, the CPU usage of the background process BG is set to a range that does not exceed the difference between the CPU usage limit (100% in this example) and the CPU usage of the foreground process FG. This allows the surplus CPU usage to be allocated to the CPU usage of the background process BG. As a result, the processing performance of the background process BG can be maximized without degrading the processing performance of the foreground process FG.

[0047] In period T3 shown in Figure 4(B), the foreground process FG is running at 20% CPU utilization, and the I / O utilization is above the threshold. The maximum CPU utilization available for the background process BG is 80%, and the state of CPU 21 is state 3 in Figure 3. In this case, regardless of the CPU utilization of the foreground process FG, the background task management unit 215 limits the CPU utilization of the background process BG to a preset limit of 15%.

[0048] Therefore, when I / O usage is high, the probability that file I / O processing in the foreground process FG will be delayed by file I / O processing in the background process BG can be reduced compared to period T3 in Figure 4(A). As a result, delays in file I / O processing in the foreground process FG can be suppressed, and a decrease in the processing performance of the foreground process FG can be suppressed. In other words, when the CPU usage of the background process is changed according to the CPU usage of the foreground process, a decrease in the processing performance of the foreground process can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, by pre-setting a limit on the CPU usage of background processing (BG), the CPU usage of background processing (BG) can be set independently of the CPU usage of foreground processing (FG). This simplifies the control of CPU usage using a limit.

[0050] If the CPU usage of background processing (BG) is not limited, the CPU usage of background processing (BG) will be set to a range that does not exceed the difference between the upper limit of CPU usage and the CPU usage of foreground processing (FG). This allows the surplus CPU usage to be allocated to the CPU usage of background processing (BG). As a result, the processing performance of background processing (BG) can be maximized without degrading the processing performance of foreground processing (FG).

[0051] In period T4 of Figure 4(B), the foreground process FG is running at 85% CPU utilization, and the I / O utilization is above the threshold. Since the maximum CPU utilization available for the background process BG is 15%, the state of CPU 21 is state 4 in Figure 3. In this case, the background task management unit 215 limits the execution of the background process BG to 15% CPU utilization. The operation in period T4 of Figure 4(B) is ultimately the same as the operation in period T2 of Figure 4(A), except that the change in I / O utilization is different.

[0052] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the control unit 20 in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows an example of an information processing method by the control unit 20 operating as an information processing device, and an example of an information processing program executed by the control unit 20. Figure 5 mainly explains the control of background processing BG considering CPU usage and I / O usage.

[0053] First, the operation reception unit 211 receives an operation from the user on the operation unit 20 (operation panel 27) and notifies the operation processing unit 212 of a task execution request corresponding to the received operation (Figures 5(a), (b)). Based on the notification from the operation reception unit 211, the operation processing unit 212 issues a task execution request to the operation unit task execution unit 213 (Figure 5(c)).

[0054] The operation unit task execution unit 213 executes a task in response to a task execution request (Figure 5(d)). After this, the operation unit task execution unit 213 completes the task (Figure 5(e)).

[0055] The CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214 periodically acquires (measures) the CPU usage and IO usage (Figure 5(f), (g)). The CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214 notifies the background task management unit 215 of the acquired CPU usage and IO usage (Figure 5(h)).

[0056] The background task management unit 215 requests the background task execution unit 216 to execute background processing (Figure 5(i)). The background task execution unit 216 executes the background processing requested by the background task management unit 215 (Figure 5(j)).

[0057] Furthermore, the background task management unit 215 determines the state of the CPU 21 shown in Figure 3 based on the CPU usage and IO usage notified by the CPU / IO usage measurement unit 214. Depending on the determined state of the CPU 21, the background task management unit 215 decides whether or not to limit the CPU usage of the background processing BG.

[0058] The background task management unit 215 requests the background task execution unit 216 to execute background processing, along with the determined content (to restrict or not to restrict) (Figure 5(k)). The background task execution unit 216 executes background processing based on the request from the background task management unit 215 (Figure 5(l)).

[0059] In this case, if the background task execution unit 216 receives a request for background processing BG from the background task management unit 215 along with information indicating a CPU usage limit, it executes background processing BG with the CPU usage limited to the limit value. If the background task execution unit 216 does not receive information indicating a CPU usage limit from the background task management unit 215, it sets the CPU usage of background processing BG within a range where the total CPU usage of CPU 21 does not exceed 100%.

[0060] When the background task execution unit 216 finishes a task in background processing BG, it notifies the background task management unit 215 of the completion of background processing BG (Figure 5(m)). The background task execution unit 216 then completes the task in background processing BG (Figure 5(n)).

[0061] In this embodiment, when the I / O usage rate is high, the probability that the file I / O processing of the foreground process FG will be delayed by the file I / O processing of the background process BG can be reduced compared to period T3 in Figure 4(A). As a result, delays in the file I / O processing of the foreground process FG can be suppressed, and a decrease in the processing performance of the foreground process FG can be suppressed. In other words, when the CPU usage rate of the background process is changed according to the CPU usage rate of the foreground process, a decrease in the processing performance of the foreground process can be suppressed.

[0062] By pre-setting a limit on the CPU usage of background processing (BG), the background task management unit 215 can set the CPU usage of background processing (BG) independently of the CPU usage of foreground processing (FG). This simplifies the control of CPU usage using a limit.

[0063] If the CPU usage of the background process BG is not limited, the background task management unit 215 can allocate the surplus CPU usage to the CPU usage of the background process BG. As a result, the processing performance of the background process BG can be maximized without reducing the processing performance of the foreground process FG.

[0064] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a smartphone according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements identical or similar to those in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0065] The smartphone 1A shown in Figure 6 has a main unit 10A and an operating unit 20A. For example, the main unit 10A has the functions of telephone, camera, and application execution in the smartphone 1A.

[0066] The control unit 20A includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, connection I / F 26, control panel 27, and system bus 28. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, flash memory 24, connection I / F 26, and control panel 27 are interconnected via the system bus 28. The configuration of the control unit 20A is the same as that of the control unit 20 in Figure 1, except that it does not have the communication IF 25 shown in Figure 1.

[0067] The functional configuration of the control unit 20A is the same as or similar to that of the control unit 20 shown in Figure 2. The operation of the background task management unit 215 (Figure 2) of the control unit 20A is the same as or similar to that in Figure 3. An example of the operating state of the control unit 20A managed by the background task management unit 215 of the control unit 20A is the same as or similar to that in Figure 4(B). An example of the operation of the control unit 20A is the same as or similar to that in Figure 5. Furthermore, the operation of the control unit 20A in Figure 6 may be performed integrally with the main unit 10A without using the same communication path as in Figure 1, or it may be performed using either or both of the CPU and storage on the main unit 10A side.

[0068] As described above, the same effects as those of the embodiments described can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

[0069] Although the present invention has been described above based on various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These points can be modified as long as they do not impair the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to their application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. Image forming apparatus 1A Smartphone 10, 10A Main Unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 HDD 15 Communication I / F 16 Connection Interfaces 17 Engine section 18 System bus 20, 20A operation unit 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 flash memory 25 Communication I / F 26 Connection Interfaces 27 Control Panel 28 System bus 211 Operation Reception Section 212 Operation Processing Unit 213 Operation Unit Task Execution Unit 214 CPU / IO Usage Measurement Unit 215 Background Task Management Department 216 Background Task Execution Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0071] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2013-522787

Claims

1. A processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing with a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel, The storage accessed by the processor as file I / O through the foreground processing and the background processing, A usage rate acquisition unit that acquires the I / O usage rate indicating the access status of the aforementioned storage, A background processing management unit determines to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the I / O usage acquired by the usage acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determines not to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the acquired I / O usage is less than the threshold. When the background processing management unit determines a limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, a background processing execution unit executes the background processing with the limited processor usage rate. An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. The background processing execution unit, when the background processing management unit determines a limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, executes the background processing at a predetermined limit on the processor usage rate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The background processing execution unit shall, if the background processing management unit does not determine a limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, execute the background processing at a processor usage rate that does not exceed the difference between the upper limit of the processor usage rate and the processor usage rate for the foreground processing. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. When the background processing execution unit determines a limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, the background processing execution unit shall execute the background processing at the limited processor usage rate, regardless of the processor usage rate for the foreground processing. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. An operating unit that accepts operations from the outside, It includes an image forming unit that forms an image, and a main body that operates based on an operation received by the operation unit, The aforementioned operating unit is A processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing with a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel, The storage accessed by the processor as file I / O through the foreground processing and the background processing, A usage rate acquisition unit that acquires the I / O usage rate indicating the access status of the aforementioned storage, A background processing management unit determines to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the I / O usage acquired by the usage acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determines not to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the acquired I / O usage is less than the threshold. When the background processing management unit determines a limit on the processor usage rate for the background processing, a background processing execution unit executes the background processing with the limited processor usage rate. An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features.

6. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus having a processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing with a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel, and storage accessed by the processor as file I / O by the foreground processing and the background processing, The aforementioned information processing device A procedure for obtaining the I / O usage rate that indicates the access status of the aforementioned storage, A background processing management procedure which determines to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the I / O usage obtained by the usage rate acquisition procedure is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determines not to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the acquired I / O usage is less than the threshold, If the background processing management procedure determines the limit on the processor usage for the background processing, a background processing execution procedure is performed to execute the background processing with the limited processor usage. An information processing method characterized by performing the following.

7. An information processing program executed by an information processing device having a processor capable of executing foreground processing and background processing with a lower priority than the foreground processing in parallel, and storage accessed by the processor as file I / O by the foreground processing and the background processing, The aforementioned information processing device, A procedure for obtaining the I / O usage rate that indicates the access status of the aforementioned storage, A background processing management procedure which determines to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the I / O usage obtained by the usage rate acquisition procedure is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determines not to limit the processor usage in the background processing when the acquired I / O usage is less than the threshold, If the background processing management procedure determines the limit on the processor usage for the background processing, a background processing execution procedure is performed to execute the background processing with the limited processor usage. An information processing program characterized by causing the execution of [a specific action].

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