Storage apparatus, image forming apparatus, abnormality detecting method for instantaneous power failure of hard disk, and abnormality recovery method thereof

Provided is a storage apparatus that detects abnormalities of a hard disk caused by the instantaneous power failure of a low voltage power supply. An effective value reduction detecting circuit transmits a detection signal, when the voltage of a low voltage power supply is lower than specific voltage. CPU memorizes time t1 to a flash memory. Also, CPU memorizes time t2, when recovering low voltage power supply 13 on proper voltage. Then, CPU computes period of time T, which is time between time t1 and t2. If the computed period of time T is within a range from first period of time T1 to the second period of time T2, CPU operates a voltage switch and re-supply the power supply to the hard disk. If not within the range, CPU does not re-supply power to the hard disk.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-038151 filed on Feb. 28, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related with the detecting method of the abnormalities by the instantaneous power failure of a hard disk.

Following shows typical examples as technology for solving a problem that happens in a hard disk in an instantaneous power failure.

First, in one example, if reduction of an AC input voltage provided to a printer is detected, it will be notified to a controller part and an access operation to the hard disk drive will be stopped.

In another example, a control unit resets a state of the disk interface part by interruption at the time of AC power off. Further, the disk controller of an external storage identifies the reset state of an interface and writes data of one access unit under writing to a hard disk with adding error check code within DC voltage guarantee time.

Also, in the other example, when a digital value of output voltage is less than a desired value, it is determined that AC power supply is intercepted, an input DC voltage of a converter declines, and output voltage will lower soon. In this case, new data to nonvolatile memory is not written in.

Also, in the other example, when a digital value of momentary voltage of an alternating voltage source is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, it outputs. In this case, if the period from falling to rising exceeds a first time limit value for this output wave, it determines as the instantaneous power failure. Thereby, main work is interrupted.

SUMMARY

The storage apparatus of the present disclosure is a storage apparatus including a CPU, hard disk that communicates with the CPU, and voltage is supplied to the hard disk from the low voltage power supply. The storage apparatus includes a voltage detecting part, a voltage drop time measuring part, and a hard disk abnormality determining part. The voltage detecting part detects the voltage of the low voltage power supply. The voltage drop time measuring part memorizes time when the voltage detected by the voltage detecting part is less than specified voltage, which is higher than reset voltage of the CPU. The voltage recovery time measuring part memorizes time recovered the voltage of the low voltage power supply to proper voltage. The hard disk abnormality determining part determines the hard disk is abnormal when period from the time memorized in the voltage drop time measuring part to the time memorized in the voltage recovery time measuring part is within the range from a first threshold determined previously to a second threshold determined previously.

An abnormality detecting method by an instantaneous power failure of a hard disk in the present disclosure is a detecting method of the abnormalities by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disk that communicates with a CPU. The detecting method of the abnormalities includes a voltage detection step, a voltage drop time measurement step, and a hard disk abnormality determining step. In the voltage detection step, it detects the voltage of a low voltage power supply provided to the hard disk. In the voltage drop time measurement step, it memorizes time when the voltage detected by the voltage detection step is less than specific voltage, which is higher than reset voltage of the CPU. In the voltage recovery time measurement step, it memorizes time recovered voltage of the low voltage power supply to proper voltage. In the hard disk abnormality determining step, it determines the hard disk is abnormal when period from the time memorized in the voltage drop time measuring part to the time memorized in the voltage recovery time measuring part is within the range from a first threshold determined previously to a second threshold determined previously.

An abnormality recovery method by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disk of the present disclosure is an abnormality recovery method by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disk that communicates with a CPU. The abnormality recovery method comprises a voltage detection step, a voltage drop time measurement step, a hard disk abnormality determining step, and a power supply re-supply step. In the voltage detection step, it detects the voltage of a low voltage power supply provided to the hard disk. In the voltage drop time measurement step, it memorizes time when the voltage detected by the voltage detection step is less than specific voltage, which is higher than reset voltage of the CPU. In the voltage recovery time measurement step, it memorizes time recovered voltage of the low voltage power supply to proper voltage. In the hard disk abnormality determining step, it determines the hard disk is abnormal when period from the time memorized in the voltage drop time measuring part to the time memorized in the voltage recovery time measuring part is within the range from a first threshold determined previously to a second threshold determined previously. In the power supply re-supply step, it supplies the power supply to the hard disk again if determining the hard disk is abnormal by the hard disk abnormality determining step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiment

[The Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus1]

Firstly, as refer toFIG. 1, the configuration of image forming apparatus1related to the embodiment of the present disclosure is explained in detail.

According toFIG. 1, image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment includes manuscript reading part2, manuscript feeding part3, body part4, stack tray5, and operation panel part6(input part).

Manuscript reading part2is allocated above body part4. Manuscript feeding part3is allocated above manuscript reading part2. Stack tray5is allocated in a side of discharge opening41for a recording paper provided in body part4, and operation panel part6is allocated in a front-side of body part4.

Manuscript reading part2includes scanner21, platen glass22, and manuscript reading slit23. Scanner21has an exposure lamp, imaging sensors, or the like, and is movable transportation direction of the manuscript by manuscript feeding part3. Platen glass22is manuscript stand having transparent members, such as glass. Manuscript reading slit23has a slit formed in the transportation direction and orthogonal orientation of the manuscript by manuscript feeding part3.

When reading the manuscript placed in platen glass22, scanner21is moved to a position that faces platen glass22. Scanner21scans the manuscript placed in platen glass22, reads a manuscript, and acquires image data. Scanner21outputs the acquired image data to image formation part7in body part4.

Also, when reading the manuscript conveyed by manuscript feeding part3, scanner21is moved to a position that faces manuscript reading slit23. Scanner21reads a manuscript thorough manuscript reading slit23with synchronizing conveying action of the manuscript by manuscript feeding part3and acquires image data. Scanner21outputs the acquired image data to image formation part7.

Manuscript feeding part3includes manuscript mounting part31, manuscript discharge part32, and manuscript transport mechanism33. Manuscript placed in manuscript mounting part31is fed out one at a time in order by manuscript transport mechanism33. A manuscript is conveyed in a position that faces manuscript reading slit23and is discharged by manuscript discharge part32after that. Manuscript feeding part3is configured to be retractable. By lifting up manuscript feeding part3, the upper surface of platen glass22can be opened.

Body part4has image formation part7. Also, body part4includes feeding part42, paper sheet conveying path43, conveying roller pair44, and ejection roller pair45. Feeding part42has a plurality of sheet paper cassettes421and feed roller422. Sheet paper cassette421contains recording papers with which size and direction differs from, respectively, in cases where a plurality of the cassettes are mounted. Feed roller422feed outs one sheet of the recording paper at a time from sheet paper cassette421to paper sheet conveying path43.

Feed roller422, conveying roller pair44, and ejection roller pair45operate as a conveyance part. The recording paper is conveyed by the conveyance part. The recording paper fed out to paper sheet conveying path43with feed roller422is conveyed to image formation part7by conveying roller pair44. Then, the recording paper recorded by image formation part7is discharged to stack tray5by ejection roller pair45.

Operation panel part6includes display panel61and the input part. The input part has switching buttons of operational mode, buttons for instructions, a start key, a numeric keypad, a touch panel, or the like. As operational mode, operation of a copy, FAX transmission, a scanner, or the like, can be specified. Also, the button for instructions of an input part acquires instructions about printing, transmission, reception, storage, or record. That is, operation panel part6accepts the indicating input of these various jobs for image forming apparatus1by a user.

Also, operation panel part6accepts authentication inputs, such as a password by a user.

Image formation part7includes photo conductor drum71, exposure part72, developing part73, transfer part74, and fixing device8. Exposure part72is an optical unit having a laser device, a mirror, a lens, or the like. Exposure part72outputs light based on image data, exposes photo conductor drum71, and forms an electrostatic latent image on a front surface of photo conductor drum71. Developing part73is a development unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on photo conductor drum71with using toner. Developing part73makes the toner image based on the electrostatic latent image form on photo conductor drum71.

Transfer part74makes a recording paper transfer the toner image formed on photo conductor drum71by developing part73. Fixing device8heats the recording paper with which the toner image is transferred by transfer part74and makes the toner image fix to the recording paper.

Then, the circuit configuration of image forming apparatus1is explained.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing the circuit configuration of image forming apparatus1.

Image forming apparatus1includes main substrate11, hard disk12, and low voltage power supply13. Main substrate11has CPU10that controls operation of image forming apparatus1. Hard disk12communicates with CPU10. Low voltage power supply13supplies power supply to circuit mounted in main substrate11, and hard disk12. Flash memory14and voltage switch15are mounted in main substrate11. In flash memory14, CPU10memorizes data. Voltage switch15intercepts the power supply supplied to hard disk12. Low voltage power supply13has effective value reduction detecting circuit16. In addition, it can be configured that, for the circuit mounted in main substrate11, a low voltage power is supplied from power supply other than low voltage power supply13.

CPU10executes abnormal recovery process by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disks12with effective value reduction detecting circuit16as follows. Also, CPU10detects the abnormalities of hard disk12by the instantaneous power failure. Also, CPU10recovers the detected abnormalities.

In addition, CPU10and effective value reduction detecting circuit16operate as a voltage detecting part in the present disclosure, a voltage drop time measuring part, and a hard disk abnormality determining part. Also, CPU10and effective value reduction detecting circuit16serve as hardware resources that execute the abnormality detecting method and an abnormality recovery method by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disk in the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the abnormal recovery process of hard disk12by the instantaneous power failure executed with image forming apparatus1is explained.

In this process, when an instantaneous power failure happens in low voltage power supply13, the voltage of low voltage power supply13starts reduction, and further the voltage of low voltage power supply13is less than first voltage as shown inFIG. 3A, effective value reduction detecting circuit16transmits a detection signal to main substrate11. For example, the first voltage is set as voltage, which is higher than the reset voltage (for example, 4.2V) of CPU10and lower than proper voltage (for example, 5V.)

In main substrate11, when a detection signal is transmitted from effective value reduction detecting circuit16, CPU10memorizes the time t1to flash memory14. Then, the voltage supplied to low voltage power supply13is less than the reset voltage (4.2V) of CPU10, and if the voltage of low voltage power supply13rises as shown inFIG. 3Aafter that, CPU10performs initial operation. In image forming apparatus1, if supplying less than or equal to reset voltage to CPU10, CPU10will be reset. On this voltage, hard disk12is not reset, but hard disk12will stop operation if it becomes operation stop voltage, which is lower than 4V, for example,

In this case, initial operation will be performed at the time of voltage recovery. If voltage reduces to about 4V, operation of hard disk12will be unstable.

When the voltage of the low voltage power supply turns into proper voltage (5V) after that, CPU10memorize time t2at that time in flash memory14. CPU10computes period of time T, which is period from time t1to time t2memorized in flash memory14. Then, CPU10determines whether or not computed period of time T is longer than the first period of time T1and shorter than the second period of time T2. They are configured as specified values defined previously, and, for example, the first period of time T1is about several 10 msec, and the second period of time T2is about several 100 msec.

If period of time T between time t1and time t2is shorter than the first period of time T1, CPU10does not supply the power supply to hard disk12again, but it ends the process as it is. This means, as shown inFIG. 3A, since the voltage of low voltage power supply13may not reduce about 4V, possibility is low that operation of hard disk12is unstable. Here, as for hard disk12in the present embodiment, normal operation may not be secured if low voltage power supply13becomes less than 4V, for example.

If computed period of time T is longer than the first time (the first threshold) T1and shorter than the second time (the second threshold) T2, as shown inFIG. 3B, low voltage power supply13may be fallen about 4V. However, possibility is high that hard disk12does not stop operation but operation of hard disk12is in the unstable state. Therefore, CPU10determines that hard disk12is abnormal. CPU10operates voltage switch15and supply power to hard disk12again (re-supply.) By being performed re-supply power to hard disk12, unstable operation of hard disk12can be returned to normal.

If computed period of time T is longer than the second period of time T2, as shown inFIG. 3C, low voltage power supply13may be much lower than 4V and may be lower than operation stop voltage.

In this case, a possibility is high that hard disk12stops operation and is a state where hard disk12will perform initial operation after instantaneous power failure recovery. Therefore, CPU10does not re-supply power to hard disk12, but it ends a process as it is.

The following effects can be acquired with configuring as mentioned above.

In the example of typical technology, if an instantaneous power failure happens in the low voltage power supply that supplies power supply to CPU and hard disk, the voltage of the low voltage power supply will reduce gradually. If the voltage of the low voltage power supply reduces about 4V, operation will become unstable, and the hard disk will stop operation if much less than 4V. When operation of the hard disk stops, initial operation is performed at the time of recovery of the instantaneous power failure. In this case, initial operation is not performed in the state that operation is unstable, and there is a possibility unable to communicate with CPU.

In the typical technology, since access to the hard disk is only stopped at the time of a voltage drop and operation of the hard disk does not stop, operation of the hard disk is unstable after voltage recovery. Also, even in other typical technologies, a physical sector is protected from power off during data write to the hard disk, and data loss is suppressed only. In this case, a possibility that operation of the hard disk may become unstable after the voltage drop. Also, with the other typical technology, to prevent the oscillation that happens at the time of power failure detection, corresponding to the length of time when absolute value of an instantaneous value of alternating voltage turned into less than or equal to set value, the instantaneous power failure and power failure are only detected. Therefore, it cannot be prevented unstable operation of the hard disk by the power failure.

In contrast for the above, according to the present disclosure, detection of the abnormalities by the instantaneous power failure of the hard disk and recovery of the hard disk that abnormalities is happen are performed automatically. Therefore, it can prevent being impossible to access the hard disk by an instantaneous power failure.

In detail, according to the present embodiment, detection of the abnormalities by the instantaneous power failure of hard disk12is performed automatically, when the abnormality is detected, a compulsory re-supply of power-supply is performed, automatically. Thus, it can prevent a situation that CPU10becomes unable to access hard disk12by an instantaneous power failure.

Also, according to the present embodiment, also in cases where the voltage of low voltage power supply13reduces by causes other than instantaneous power failures, such as rush current of other apparatus, it can prevent that CPU10becomes unable to access hard disk12.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although it explains a case where low voltage power supply13has effective value reduction detecting circuit16, it may be mounted in main substrate11. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case where the first time is defined about several 10 msec, and the second time is defined about several 100 msec is explained. However, since these time is set according to voltage to which operation of hard disk12becomes unstable or the how to change the voltage of low voltage power supply13, it is not limited to the time in the above-mentioned embodiment.

Also, the configuration and operation of the above-mentioned embodiment are an example, it cannot be overemphasized that it can change suitably and can perform in the range that does not deviate from the aim of the present disclosure.