JP2004048696A - Image forming apparatus and data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a data processing method wherein various kinds of data stored in a recording medium which can be inserted and removed can be processed easily. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a program for performing process by using hardware resource, and a slot 125 wherein the recording medium 126 can be inserted and removed. The image forming apparatus is also provided with status monitoring means 123, 124 for monitoring inserting and removing the recording medium 126 into and from the slot 125, a recording medium starting means 121 for starting the recording medium 126 inserted into the slot 125 into a state in which the recording medium 126 is accessible, and an application means 31 which reads a setting file and data from the recording medium 126 started into the accessible state and processes the data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a data processing method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and a data processing method for processing various data recorded on a recording medium based on insertion of the recording medium into a slot.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one housing has become known. This multifunction machine includes a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one housing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. It operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner. Patent Literature 1 describes an example of the above-described fusion machine.
[0003]
After turning on the power of such a multifunction peripheral, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and a boot loader (Boot Loader) are activated. The boot loader expands a kernel (Kernel) and a root file system on a RAM (Random Access Memory) to activate the kernel. Then the kernel mounts the root file system. Here, mounting means starting the file system, peripheral devices, and the like in an accessible state.
[0004]
After the kernel is started, an application / service starting program for starting an application (hereinafter referred to as an application) and various services is started. The application / service startup program is a process that is first started in the MFP, mounts a file system according to a predetermined setting file, and starts a service layer and an application process required for the operation of the MFP according to the predetermined setting file. I was
[0005]
In such a conventional multifunction peripheral, it is necessary to record a program of an application to be started in a hard disk device, a ROM, or the like. Patent Literature 2 discloses an example of an image processing apparatus that adds a program of an application to be started to a hard disk device, a ROM, or the like.
[0006]
Various data (for example, image data) used by the application is recorded on, for example, an SD card as an example of a recording medium and supplied to the MFP. When the application processes the various data recorded on the SD card, the operator inserts the SD card on which the various data is recorded into the slot of the multi-function device, and instructs the application from the operation panel, whereby the application records the data on the SD card. The application was processing the various data that was generated.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-84383
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-76125 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the application processes the various data recorded on the SD card, the operator needs to determine the application to process the various data recorded on the SD card and instruct the application from the operation panel.
[0010]
That is, in the conventional multifunction machine, when the application processes various data recorded on the SD card, there is a problem that an operator must determine an application to process various data.
[0011]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a data processing method that can easily process various data recorded on a removable recording medium.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources, and a slot in which a recording medium can be inserted and removed. State monitoring means for monitoring the insertion / removal of a medium, recording medium activation means for activating a recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and reading a setting file and data from the recording medium activated to the accessible state Application means for processing data according to the description of the setting file.
[0013]
The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources, and a slot in which a recording medium can be inserted and removed, wherein a state in which the recording medium is inserted into and removed from the slot is monitored. Monitoring means, recording medium activation means for activating a recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and reading one or more data from the recording medium activated to the accessible state to create a data list Application means for displaying the data list on an operation panel, allowing the operator to select the data list, and processing the data selected by the operator.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is a data processing method of an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing relating to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed, wherein the recording medium is inserted into the slot. An insertion detection step of detecting insertion, a recording medium activation step of activating the recording medium inserted into the slot to an accessible state, and reading a setting file and data from the recording medium activated to the accessible state, And a data processing step of processing data according to the description of the setting file.
[0015]
Further, the present invention is a data processing method of an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing relating to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed, wherein the recording medium is inserted into the slot. An insertion detection step of detecting insertion, a recording medium activation step of activating a recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and reading one or more data from the recording medium activated to the accessible state. The method includes a data list display step of creating a data list and displaying the data list on an operation panel, and a data processing step of processing data selected by an operator on the operation panel.
[0016]
According to the present invention, it is possible to monitor the insertion / removal of a recording medium into / from a slot, activate the recording medium inserted into the slot to an accessible state, and read and process data from the activated recording medium to the accessible state. it can.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The multifunction device 1 includes a black-and-white laser printer (B & W LP) 11, a color laser printer (ColorLP) 12, hardware resources 13 such as a scanner and a facsimile, a software group 20, and a multifunction device starting unit 50. Further, the software group 20 has an application 30 and a platform 40.
[0019]
The application 30 performs processing unique to user services related to image forming processing such as printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner.
[0020]
The application 30 includes a printer application 31 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL, PCL) and postscript (PS), a copy application 32 that is a copy application, and a fax application 33 that is a facsimile application. And a scanner application 34 as a scanner application, a network file application 35 as a network file application, and a process inspection application 36 as a process inspection application.
[0021]
Further, the platform 40 interprets a processing request from the application 30 to generate a hardware resource acquisition request, and arbitrates an acquisition request from the control service by managing one or more hardware resources. It is configured to include a system resource manager (hereinafter, referred to as SRM) 43 and an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) 41.
[0022]
The control services include a system control service (hereinafter, referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter, referred to as ECS) 44, a memory control service (hereinafter, referred to as MCS) 45, an operation panel control service (hereinafter, referred to as OCS) 46, and a fax machine. It is configured to have one or more service modules such as a control service (hereinafter, referred to as FCS) 47 and a network control service (hereinafter, referred to as NCS) 48.
[0023]
Note that the platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter, referred to as an API) that enables a processing request from the application 30 to be received by a predefined function. The OS 41 is, for example, Unix (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 40 and the application 30 in parallel as processes.
[0024]
The process of the SRM 43, together with the SCS 42, controls the system and manages hardware resources. For example, the process of the SRM 43 is performed by an upper layer using hardware resources such as an engine, a memory, an HDD file, and host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE1394 I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request, and execution is controlled.
[0025]
Specifically, the SRM 43 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is available. To the upper layer. Further, the SRM 43 performs scheduling for using hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes the contents of the request (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by a printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.). ing.
[0026]
The SCS process performs processes such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt application control. The process of the ECS 44 controls the engines of the black and white laser printer 11, the color laser printer 12, the hardware resources 13, and the like.
[0027]
The process of the MCS 45 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of an image memory, use of an HDD, and compression and decompression of image data. The process of the OCS 46 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.
[0028]
The FCS 47 process performs facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN or ISDN from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed in a backup memory, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, fusion transmission / reception. API for the application.
[0029]
The process of the NCS 48 provides a service that can be used in common to applications that require network I / O, and distributes the data received from the network by each protocol to each application, and the data from each application. Mediation when sending to the network side.
[0030]
For example, the NCS 48 controls data communication with a network device connected via a network by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon) by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
[0031]
The multifunction device 1 can perform processing required in common by each application on the platform 40 in a unified manner. Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The MFP 1 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 80, an FCU 81, and an engine unit 82. The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory 62, a north bridge (NB) 63, a south bridge (SB) 64, an ASIC 66, a local memory 67, an HDD 68, a network interface card (NIC) 69, and an SD card. , A USB device 71, an IEEE 1394 device 72, and a Centronics 73.
[0033]
The operation panel 80 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. The FCU 81 and the engine unit 82 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 via a PCI bus 83.
[0034]
In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. The controller 60 connects the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 via the NB 63 to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed. The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65.
[0035]
As described above, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application 30 and the platform 40 of FIG. 1, the performance degradation is reduced by connecting the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 via the AGP 65 instead of the low-speed PCI bus. I'm preventing.
[0036]
The CPU 61 performs overall control of the multifunction peripheral 1. The CPU 61 activates and executes the SCS 42, the SRM 43, the ECS 44, the MCS 45, the OCS 46, the FCS 47, and the NCS 48 as processes on the OS 41, and the printer application 31, the copy application 32, the fax application 33, and the scanner application 34 which form the application 30. , The net file application 35 and the process inspection application 36 are activated and executed.
[0037]
The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 62, the SB 64, the ASIC 66, the NIC 69, the SD card slot 70, the USB device 71, the IEEE 1394 device 72, and the Centronics 73.
[0038]
The SB 64, NIC 69, SD card slot 70, USB device 71, IEEE 1394 device 72, and Centronics 73 are connected to the NB 63 via a PCI bus 74. The SB 64 is a bridge for connecting the PCI bus 74 to a ROM, peripheral devices, and the like.
[0039]
The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the multifunction peripheral 1. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
[0040]
The ASIC 66 is an IC for image processing having hardware components for image processing. The HDD 68 is an example of a storage (auxiliary storage device) that stores image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like.
[0041]
The NIC 69 is an interface device that connects the MFP 1 to a network. The SD card slot 70 is capable of inserting and removing an SD card, and performs an interrupt corresponding to insertion or removal of the SD card to an SD card access driver described later. The USB device 71, the IEEE 1394 device 72, and the Centronics 73 are interfaces conforming to respective standards.
[0042]
The operation panel 80 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the operator and performs display for the operator. The FCU 81 has a memory. The memory of the FCU 81 is used, for example, to temporarily store facsimile data received when the power of the MFP 1 is OFF.
[0043]
The MFP starter 50 in FIG. 1 is first executed when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on, and starts the platform 40 and the application 30. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of the multifunction peripheral starting unit. The multifunction peripheral starting unit 50 has a ROM monitor 51 and a program starting unit 52.
[0044]
The BIOS and the ROM monitor 51 as a boot loader are executed when the power is turned on, and perform initialization of hardware, diagnosis of the controller 60, initialization of software, and the like. The ROM monitor 51 expands the kernel and the root file system on the system memory 62 and activates the kernel. Then the kernel mounts the root file system.
[0045]
The program starting unit 52 as an application / service starting program is called from the kernel, and secures a memory area on the system memory 62 and the local memory 67. The program starting unit 52 is a process that is started first in the MFP 1, and mounts a file system according to a predetermined setting file.
[0046]
The program starting unit 52 reads the application 30 and the platform 40 programs necessary for the operation of the multi-function peripheral 1 from a ROM or the like according to a predetermined setting file, and stores the read programs in the system memory 62 and the local memory 67. And activates the processes of the application 30 and the platform 40.
[0047]
Further, the processing of the program starting unit 52 will be described. The program starting unit 52 reads a predetermined master setting file at the time of starting, and mounts a file system and starts a process according to the read master setting file. For example, in the case of a file tree as shown in FIG. 4, the program starting unit 52 reads “/etc/init.conf” as a master setting file at the time of starting. FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree.
[0048]
If a description of the mount exists in the read master setting file, the program activation unit 52 executes a mount process according to the description of the mount. For example, in the case of a master setting file as shown in FIG. 5, the program starting unit 52 mounts a file system on the SD cards 0 to 3 according to the description of the mount. FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the master setting file.
[0049]
Also, when a predetermined setting file exists at the root of the mounted file system, or when a predetermined directory including a file having a predetermined extension exists at the root of the mounted file system, the program starting unit 52 executes the predetermined setting. A file or a file having a predetermined extension is read and a file system is mounted.
[0050]
For example, when the setting file “init.conf” or “init.cnf” as shown in FIG. 6 exists at the root of the mounted SD card file system, the program starting unit 52 performs the mounting process according to the description of the mount existing in the setting file. Execute. FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the setting file.
[0051]
If the directory “init.d” as shown in FIG. 7 exists at the root of the mounted SD card file system and the directory includes files with the extensions “conf” and “cnf”, Execute the mount process according to the description of the mount existing in. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree of the SD card.
[0052]
Note that the file system that can be mounted by the program activation unit 52 includes “gzromfs” as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The file system “gzromfs” expands the gzip-compressed ROMFS format file on the RAM and mounts it.
[0053]
Hereinafter, an example will be described in which an SD card in which various data is recorded is inserted into the SD card slot of the multifunction device 1 and an application processes various data recorded in the SD card.
[0054]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the data processing method according to the present invention. In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 8, among the configurations of the multifunction machine 1, components necessary for description are shown, and components not required for description are omitted. FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which image data as an example of various data recorded on an SD card is processed by a printer application 31 as an example of an application.
[0055]
The SD card 126 stores a printer application setting file, one or more image data, and the like as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an image diagram of an example of files and data recorded on the SD card. In the example of FIG. 9, “printer.cnf” represents a setting file for a printer application, and “0001.jpg” to “0012.jpg” represent image data. The SD card 126 can be so-called hot-swap while the power of the multifunction machine 1 is turned on.
[0056]
The SD card slot 125 allows the insertion or removal of the SD card 126, and performs an interrupt to the SD card access driver 124 in accordance with the insertion or removal of the SD card 126.
[0057]
The SD card access driver 124 controls access to the SD card 126, and notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 of insertion or removal of the SD card 126 in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125.
[0058]
The SD card status monitor driver 123 manages status information of the SD card 126 such as insertion, removal, mounting, and unmounting of the SD card 126, and notifies the printer application 31 of the status information of the SD card 126.
[0059]
The printer application 31 activates the SD card check program 121 according to insertion or removal of the SD card 126. The printer application 31 processes the image data in the SD card 126 according to the status information of the SD card 126 from the SD card status monitor driver 123.
[0060]
The SD card check program 121 checks whether the partition of the SD card 126 is correct and the state of the file system is correct, and makes the SD system 126 usable as the file system 122. The SD card check program 121 has, for example, a check function of the SD card 126, a mount function, an unmount function, a status notification function, and the like.
[0061]
Next, the processing procedure of the data processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts. After the power is turned on, the program starting unit 52 starts the processes of the application 30 and the platform 40 of the MFP 1. After being activated by the program activation unit 52, the printer application 31 enters an event waiting state.
[0062]
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example of the event waiting process. In FIG. 10, in step S1, the printer application 31 determines whether an event has occurred. If it is determined that no event has occurred (NO in S1), the printer application 31 repeats the processing in step S1. If it is determined that an event has occurred (YES in S1), the printer application 31 proceeds to step S2.
[0063]
For example, when the SD card 126 is inserted into the SD card slot 125, the SD card access driver 124 notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 of the insertion of the SD card 126 in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125. Then, the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the printer application 31 that the SD card 126 has been inserted. The printer application 31 determines that an event has occurred when the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the SD card 126 of insertion.
[0064]
When the SD card 126 is removed from the SD card slot 125, the SD card access driver 124 notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been removed in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125. Then, the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the printer application 31 that the SD card 126 has been removed. The printer application 31 determines that an event has occurred when the removal of the SD card 126 is notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123.
[0065]
In step S2, the printer application 31 determines the content of the event. If the content of the event is detection of insertion of the SD card 126, the printer application 31 proceeds to step S3. In step S3, an SD card insertion detection process described later is performed. On the other hand, if the content of the event is detection of removal of the SD card 126, the printer application 31 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, an SD card removal detection process described later is performed.
[0066]
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example of the SD card insertion detection process. In step S11, the printer application 31 activates the SD card check program 121. In step S12, the SD card check program 121 mounts the SD card 126, notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, and stops the processing.
[0067]
In step S13, when the printer application 31 is notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, the printer application 31 reads a printer application setting file as shown in FIG. To analyze.
[0068]
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printer application setting file. The printer application setting file in FIG. 12 represents a process for printing image data “0003.jpg” and “0007.jpg”.
[0069]
Proceeding to step S14, the printer application 31 performs processing according to the description of the printer application setting file. For example, in the case of a printer application setting file as shown in FIG. 12, the printer application 31 prints image data “0003.jpg” and “0007.jpg”.
[0070]
Therefore, even if the SD card 126 is inserted while the power is turned on in the multifunction peripheral 1, the image data recorded on the SD card 126 is written according to the description of the printer application setting file recorded on the SD card 126. Can be printed.
[0071]
In the above data processing method, the image data to be printed needs to be described in advance in a printer application setting file as shown in FIG. 12 recorded in the SD card 126. You may make it select.
[0072]
FIG. 13 is an image diagram of another example of data recorded on the SD card. In the example of FIG. 13, “0001.jpg” to “0012.jpg” represent image data.
[0073]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the SD card insertion detection process. In step S21, the printer application 31 activates the SD card check program 121. In step S22, the SD card check program 121 mounts the SD card 126, notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, and stops the processing.
[0074]
Proceeding to step S23, when the printer application 31 is notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, the printer application 31 searches for image data from the mounted SD card 126.
[0075]
Proceeding to step S24, the printer application 31 displays an image data list as shown in FIG. 15 on the operation panel. The image data list is a list of the image data searched in step S23.
[0076]
FIG. 15 is an image diagram of an example of the image data list displayed on the operation panel. The image data list in FIG. 15 includes buttons for selecting image data “0001.jpg” to “0012.jpg” recorded on the SD card 126 and an “all” button 131 for selecting all image data. , An “OK” button 132 for printing the selected image data.
[0077]
When the operator selects image data to be printed from the image data list displayed on the operation panel and presses an “OK” button 132, the printer application 31 proceeds to step S25, and prints the selected image data.
[0078]
Therefore, in the MFP 1, after the operator selects the image data recorded on the SD card 126 on the operation panel, the image data selected by the operator can be printed.
[0079]
When the SD card 126 is suddenly removed, the SD card 126 needs to be unmounted. Therefore, the printer application 31 activates the SD card check program 121 to cause the SD card 126 to be unmounted.
[0080]
FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of an example of the SD card removal detection processing. In step S31, the printer application 31 queries the SD card status monitor driver 123 about the status information of the SD card 126, and checks the mounting state of the SD card 126.
[0081]
Proceeding to step S32, the printer application 31 determines whether or not the SD card 126 is mounted according to the result of the check of the mounting state in step S31. If the printer application 31 determines that the SD card 126 is mounted based on the mounting status check result (YES in S32), the printer application 31 proceeds to step S33 and activates the SD card check program 121. If it is determined that the SD card 126 is not mounted from the result of checking the mounting state (NO in S32), the printer application 31 ends the processing.
[0082]
In step S34, the SD card check program 121 unmounts the SD card 126, notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been unmounted, and stops the processing.
[0083]
Accordingly, even if the SD card 126 is pulled out while the power is turned on in the multifunction machine 1, the unmounting process of the SD card 126 can be automatically performed.
[0084]
As described above, by using the data processing method according to the present invention, for example, by inserting the SD card 126 in which various data are recorded into the SD card slot 125, the application can process various data recorded in the SD card. Is possible.
[0085]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the image data recorded on the SD card 126 is processed by the printer application 31 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the image data and the printer application 31. For example, the image data recorded on the SD card 126 can be processed by the fax application 33.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily process various data recorded on a removable recording medium.
[0087]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of a multifunction peripheral starting unit.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of a master setting file.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of a setting file.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree of an SD card.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a data processing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an image diagram of an example of a file and data recorded on an SD card.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example of an event waiting process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an SD card insertion detection process.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printer application setting file.
FIG. 13 is an image diagram of another example of data recorded on an SD card.
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of another example of the SD card insertion detection process.
FIG. 15 is an image diagram of an example of an image data list displayed on the operation panel.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an SD card removal detection process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Multifunction machine 11 Black and white laser printer 12 Color laser printer 13 Hardware resources 20 Software group 30 Application 31 Printer application 32 Copy application 33 Fax application 34 Scanner application 35 Net file application 36 Process inspection application 40 Platform 41 Operating system (OS)
42 System Control Service (SCS)
43 System Resource Manager (SRM)
44 Engine Control Service (ECS)
45 Memory Control Service (MCS)
46 Operation Panel Control Service (OCS)
47 Fax Control Service (FCS)
48 Network Control Service (NCS)
50 multifunction machine starting unit 51 ROM monitor 52 program starting unit 62 system memory 67 local memory 68 hard disk drive (HDD)
70, 125 SD card slot 80 Operation panel 82 Engine section 121 SD card check program 122 File system 123 SD card status monitor driver 124 SD card access driver 126 SD card

Claims (20)

An image forming apparatus having a program for performing a process related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
State monitoring means for monitoring insertion and removal of the recording medium with respect to the slot,
Recording medium activation means for activating the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state,
Application means for reading a setting file and data from the recording medium activated in the accessible state, and processing the data in accordance with the description of the setting file. An image forming apparatus having a program for performing a process related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
State monitoring means for monitoring insertion and removal of the recording medium with respect to the slot,
Recording medium activation means for activating the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state,
One or more data is read from the recording medium activated in the accessible state to create a data list, and the data list is displayed on an operation panel to be selected by an operator, and the data selected by the operator is selected. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an application unit that processes an image. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status monitoring unit is notified of insertion / removal information of a recording medium with respect to the slot, and notifies the application unit of the insertion / extraction information. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the application unit activates the recording medium activation unit when notified of insertion of the recording medium into the slot from the state monitoring unit. The recording medium activation unit activates the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and notifies the state monitoring unit that the recording medium is in an accessible state. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the application unit is notified from the state monitoring unit that the recording medium is in an accessible state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application unit processes data read from the recording medium in accordance with a processing command included in the setting file. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application unit reads out image data from the recording medium as the data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application unit selects data according to a description of the setting file and processes the selected data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the application unit displays a data list provided with a mechanism for allowing an operator to select the one or more data on the operation panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the application unit processes data selected by the operator from a data list provided with a mechanism for allowing the operator to select the one or more data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein active insertion and removal of the recording medium is possible. A data processing method for an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
An insertion detection step of detecting insertion of a recording medium into the slot,
A recording medium activation step of activating the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state,
A data processing step of reading a setting file and data from the recording medium activated in the accessible state, and processing the data according to the description of the setting file. A data processing method for an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
An insertion detection step of detecting insertion of a recording medium into the slot,
A recording medium activation step of activating the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state,
A data list displaying step of reading one or more data from the recording medium activated in the accessible state to create a data list, and displaying the data list on an operation panel;
A data processing step of processing data selected by an operator on the operation panel. 14. The data processing method according to claim 13, wherein in the data processing step, data read from the recording medium activated in the accessible state is processed according to a processing command included in the setting file. 15. The data processing method according to claim 14, wherein in the data list displaying step, a data list provided with a mechanism for allowing an operator to select the one or more data is displayed on the operation panel. 17. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein the data processing step processes data selected by the operator from a data list provided with a mechanism for allowing the operator to select the one or more data. 15. The data processing method according to claim 14, wherein in the data list displaying step, the image data is read from a recording medium as the one or more data. 14. The data processing method according to claim 13, wherein in the data processing step, data is selected according to a description of the setting file, and the selected data is processed. 20. The data processing method according to claim 13, wherein active insertion and removal of the recording medium is possible.

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