JP2015198405A - Image processing apparatus and control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing using a circuit capable of dynamic partial reconfiguration, a technique for shortening the time from when a job execution is instructed to when the processing is started is provided. An image processing apparatus includes a dynamic reconfiguration unit as a reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring some circuit configurations. The ROM 104 stores in advance a plurality of circuit configuration data (configuration data) for reconfiguring the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 corresponding to different jobs. When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 determines configuration data corresponding to a job that is most likely to be instructed to be executed by the user from among a plurality of configuration data stored in the ROM 104. The configuration controller 130 is controlled so that the configuration data read out from the ROM 104 and the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  Reconfigurable circuits such as PLD (Programmable Logic Device) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) capable of changing the configuration of the logic circuit are well known. In general, when a logic circuit of a PLD or FPGA is changed, circuit configuration information (circuit configuration data) stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM is converted into a configuration memory that is a volatile memory inside the PLD or FPGA at the time of startup. Realized by writing to Since the information in the configuration memory is cleared when the power is turned off, it is necessary to write the circuit configuration information stored in the ROM again in the configuration memory when the power is turned on. In this way, a method of configuring a PLD or FPGA logic circuit only once while power is supplied is called static reconfiguration. On the other hand, an FPGA or the like that can dynamically change the configuration of a logic circuit while the logic circuit is operating has been developed, and such a method of dynamically changing a logic circuit is called dynamic reconfiguration.

  Some FPGAs can rewrite only the circuit configuration of a specific area, not the circuit configuration of the entire FPGA chip, and such rewriting is called partial reconfiguration. In particular, changing other circuit configurations without stopping the operation of the circuit in operation is called dynamic partial reconfiguration. In dynamic partial reconfiguration, it is possible to partially reconfigure the FPGA logic circuit by rewriting only a partial area of the configuration memory instead of rewriting the entire configuration memory at the time of dynamic reconfiguration. it can. By using such dynamic partial reconfiguration, for example, a plurality of logic circuits can be switched and mounted in a certain area of the FPGA in a time division manner. As a result, with a small amount of hardware resources, various functions can be flexibly realized while maintaining high-speed computing performance by hardware.

  In such an FPGA that can dynamically change (rewrite) the circuit configuration, generally, the time required for rewriting the circuit configuration is long, and the time is proportional to the size of the circuit configuration information written in the configuration memory. Therefore, conventionally, techniques for reducing the time required for rewriting the circuit configuration have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining an image feature of an image to be processed and reconfiguring a circuit configuration corresponding to the image feature on a reconfigurable circuit. In Patent Document 1, a circuit configuration that is more likely to be used is predicted based on the use history of the circuit configuration, and circuit configuration data corresponding to the predicted circuit configuration is loaded in advance in the circuit configuration memory. In addition, if circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the circuit configuration corresponding to the image characteristics determined for the image to be processed is loaded into the circuit configuration memory, the reconfigurable circuit is reconfigured using the circuit configuration data. Configure. As a result, the processing speed is increased compared with the case where the circuit configuration corresponding to the image feature is reconfigured on the reconfigurable circuit after determining the image feature of the image to be processed.

JP 2012-234337 A

  An image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer) executes image processing selected from a plurality of executable processes (copy job, print job, SEND job, etc.) in response to a user request. When the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to such an image processing apparatus, the timing for reconfiguring the circuit configuration of the reconfigurable circuit to a circuit configuration corresponding to necessary image processing is the image to be processed. After determining the characteristics of. In other words, even if the circuit configuration data to be used is pre-loaded into the memory based on the use history of the circuit configuration, the reconfiguration of the reconfigurable circuit is performed after the job execution is instructed. .

  However, in the image processing apparatus as described above, in order to shorten the waiting time of the user until the job execution is completed, it is necessary to be able to start the process at an earlier timing after the user instructs the job execution. It becomes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for shortening the time from when a job execution is instructed until processing is started in an image processing apparatus that performs image processing using a circuit capable of dynamic partial reconstruction. Yes.

  The present invention can be realized as an image processing apparatus, for example. An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring a part of a circuit configuration and a plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the part of the circuit configuration. The first storage means in which the plurality of circuit configuration data corresponding to different jobs are stored in advance, and when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus, the usage history of the plurality of circuit configuration data for the user is recorded. Based on the plurality of circuit configuration data, a determination unit that determines first circuit configuration data corresponding to a job that is most likely to be instructed to be executed by the user, and determined by the determination unit And control means for reading the first circuit configuration data from the first storage means and controlling to reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit.

  An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring a part of a circuit configuration, and a plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the part of the circuit configuration. In the image processing apparatus, the storage means in which the plurality of circuit configuration data corresponding to different jobs are stored in advance, and when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus, the execution of the job instructed by the user Limiting means for limiting the use of a part of the plurality of circuit configuration data stored in the storage means based on the usage history of expenses, and among the plurality of circuit configuration data, the limiting means is used by the limiting means. And control means for controlling to reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit by reading out unrestricted circuit configuration data from the storage means.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that performs image processing using a circuit capable of dynamic partial reconfiguration, it is possible to further shorten the time from when a job execution is instructed to when processing is started.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the database used for the reconstruction of a dynamic reconstruction part in an image processing apparatus. 3 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of an image processing unit for realizing an image processing function necessary for a job that can be executed by the image processing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for executing a job using a dynamic reconfiguration unit. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reconfiguration | reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration part in S104, S105, and S116 based on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on an operation part. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reconfiguration | reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration part in S104 based on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reconfiguration | reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration part in S104 based on 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reconfiguration | reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration part in S104 based on 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, an example in which the image processing apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral (multifunctional processing apparatus) having a scanner unit and a printer unit will be described.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 103 for a user using the image processing apparatus 100 to perform various operations, a scanner unit 109 that reads image information of a document, and a printer that prints an image on a sheet based on image data. Part 107. The scanner unit 109 includes a CPU (not shown) that controls the scanner unit 109, an illumination lamp for reading a document, a scanning mirror (all not shown), and the like. The printer unit 107 includes a CPU (not shown) that controls the printer unit 107, a photosensitive drum and a fixing device (none of which are shown), and the like for image formation (printing) and fixing.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an FPGA 140 including a dynamic reconfiguration unit as a controller that controls the image processing apparatus 100. In this example, the FPGA 140 includes a CPU 101 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 100. The CPU 101 executes a program for controlling the FPGA 140, the configuration controller 130 for controlling reconfiguration, and the like. Note that the FPGA 140 includes the CPU 101 is merely an example, and the CPU may be provided outside the FPGA 140.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes a ROM 104 and a RAM 111. The ROM 104 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 101 and circuit configuration data (configuration data) for configuring (configuring) the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. The RAM 111 is a system work memory for the CPU 101 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The CPU 101 can store the duplicated data of the circuit configuration data stored in the ROM 104 in the RAM 111 and can read out the circuit configuration data from the RAM 111 at high speed.

  The FPGA 140 includes a CPU 101, a network interface (network I / F) 102, a printer I / F 106, a scanner I / F 108, a memory controller 110, a ROM I / F 112, an operation unit I / F 113, a configuration controller 130, and a dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. A system bus 120 and an image bus 121. The CPU 101, the network I / F 102, the operation unit 103, the ROM I / F 112, the configuration controller 130, and the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 are connected to each other via the system bus 120. . Further, the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C, the scanner I / F 108, and the printer I / F 106 of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 are connected to each other via the image bus 121. The image bus 121 is used to transfer image data to be processed. Note that the memory controller 110 is connected to both the system bus 120 and the image bus 121.

  The dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is a reconfigurable circuit that can dynamically reconfigure (rewrite) a circuit configuration (configuration) and rewrite a part of the circuit configuration. That is, while a part of the circuit of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is operating, another circuit can be reconfigured in another part that does not overlap with the part occupied by the circuit. The dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 includes image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C that can partially reconfigure a logic circuit for performing various types of image processing. In the present embodiment, the case where the number of image processing units configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is three is shown, but the number of image processing units is not limited to three. The configuration controller 130 controls the circuit configuration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 and reconfigures the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 according to control by the CPU 101. Each of the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C is an example of a processing circuit that performs image processing and is provided in a part of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (reconfigurable circuit).

  The CPU 101 comprehensively controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 100. Further, the CPU 101 communicates (transmits / receives) with a general-purpose computer (not shown) on the network via the network I / F 102. The ROM I / F 112 controls access to the ROM 104 (data writing to the ROM 104 and data reading from the ROM 104). Further, the CPU 101 performs parameter setting for the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 via the system bus 120.

  The operation unit I / F 113 functions as an interface between the system bus 120 and the operation unit 103. The scanner I / F 108 receives image data from the scanner unit 109. The printer I / F 106 outputs image data to the printer unit 107. The memory controller 110 controls data writing to the RAM 111 and data reading from the RAM 111. The memory controller 110 is connected to the system bus 120 and the image bus 121. The memory controller 110 exclusively switches the access to the RAM 111 from the bus master connected to the image bus 121 and the access to the RAM 111 from the bus master connected to the system bus 120.

  The image processing apparatus 100 further includes an authentication unit 115 connected to the operation unit 103. The authentication unit 115 is used to input necessary information such as setting information and authentication information when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100. For example, when RFID is used, the authentication unit 115 is configured by an RFID reader for reading the information held in the RFID. The CPU 101 acquires setting information, authentication information, and the like input via the operation unit 103 or the authentication unit 115 via the operation unit I / F 113 and the system bus 120. Further, when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 authenticates the user based on the acquired authentication information.

<Usage history database>
FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage history database that stores information regarding the usage history of circuit configuration data (configuration data) for each user who uses the image processing apparatus 100. The image processing apparatus 100 holds information (history information) related to the usage history of configuration data for each user as a usage history database (DB) 200 as shown in FIG. The image processing apparatus 100 uses a user ID as identification information for each user, and uses a configuration data ID (hereinafter referred to as “configuration data”) as identification information for each configuration data (hereinafter abbreviated as “configuration data”). Abbreviated as “config ID”).

  The image processing apparatus 100 holds the configuration ID and the cumulative usage count of the configuration data used by each user as the usage history of the configuration data for each user in association with the user ID of each user. As shown in FIG. 2A, the usage history DB 200 includes a user ID field 201, a configuration ID field 202, and a cumulative usage count field 203. The user ID field 201 stores a user ID. The configuration ID field 202 and the cumulative usage count field 203 store the configuration ID and cumulative usage count of the configuration data associated with each user ID.

  The user ID stored in the user ID field 201 is assigned for each user. The configuration ID stored in the configuration ID field 202 is assigned for each configuration data stored in the ROM 105. The configuration data is stored in the ROM 104 and is used by the configuration controller 130 to reconfigure any of the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. In the present embodiment, the configuration data is a logic circuit (for example, image processing circuits 301 to 303 shown in FIG. 3A) that can execute image processing required for each job executed by the image processing apparatus 100. The data is stored in the ROM 104 in units of data for reconfiguration in a batch.

  Note that the data unit of the configuration data stored in the ROM 104 is not limited to the above example, and may be a smaller data unit. For example, configuration data corresponding to each of the image processing circuits 301 to 310 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E described later may be stored in the ROM 104, and a configuration ID may be assigned to each configuration data. The present embodiment can be similarly applied to such a case.

  The cumulative usage count stored in the cumulative usage count field 203 indicates the number of times that the configuration data corresponding to each configuration ID has been used in the image processing apparatus 100 so far by the user corresponding to each user ID. Note that the cumulative number of uses corresponds to the number of times configuration data has been used since the user ID was created in the image processing apparatus 100, and is incremented each time configuration data is used unless reset to 0 by a predetermined user operation or the like. Continue to be. The accumulated use count stored in the use history DB 200 represents the use frequency of each configuration data stored in the ROM 104 for each user.

  The usage history DB 200 is stored in the HDD 106 and is not deleted from the HDD 106 even when the image processing apparatus 100 is turned off unless it is deleted by a predetermined user operation or the like. The usage history DB 200 keeps the cumulative usage count (usage frequency) of each configuration data in association with the user ID and the configuration ID, so that the usage frequency of each configuration data is related to the configuration data usage history for each user ( (History information) can be kept.

<Example of reconfiguration of image processing unit>
3A to 3E are diagrams illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the image processing unit 132 for realizing an image processing function necessary for a job that can be executed by the image processing apparatus 100. FIG. 3A to 3E show circuit configuration examples corresponding to a color copy job, a SEND job, a color print job, a monochrome copy job, and a monochrome print job, respectively. Note that the (color or monochrome) copy job is a job for reading and copying an original with the scanner unit 109. The (color or monochrome) print job is a job for printing by the printer unit 107 based on print data received from a printer driver such as a PC on the network. The SEND job is a job for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document with the scanner unit 109 to a desired location on the network (external file server, mail server, etc.).

  The image processing unit 132 illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3E is a circuit configuration unit corresponding to any of the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C. The image processing unit 132 is configured using configuration data stored in the ROM 104 so as to have a logic circuit corresponding to each circuit configuration illustrated in FIGS. The ROM 104 stores in advance a plurality of configuration data (circuit configuration data) for reconfiguring the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (image processing unit 132). Each configuration data is data for mounting, in the image processing unit 132, a logic circuit (which can execute image processing) that realizes an image processing function described below that is necessary for each job. The plurality of configuration data stored in the ROM 104 correspond to different jobs, and the image processing unit 132 is reconfigured to have a circuit configuration capable of executing different jobs as shown in FIGS. Data for configuring. Note that each of the image processing circuits 301 to 310 mounted on the image processing unit 132 by reconfiguration using configuration data can transfer image data via the image bus 121.

(Color copy job)
As shown in FIG. 3A, the image processing unit 132 corresponding to a color copy job includes a 600 dpi color scanner image processing circuit 301, a 600 dpi color image processing circuit 302, and a 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303.
The 600 dpi color scanner image processing circuit 301 includes a plurality of image processing circuits that perform image processing such as filter processing and color conversion processing. In the last stage in the 600 dpi color scanner image processing circuit 301, a JPEG lossless compression circuit that performs JPEG lossless compression on the image data after the scanner image processing is arranged in order to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the image data after the scanner image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JPEG lossless compression.
The 600 dpi color image processing circuit 302 decompresses the compressed image data and converts it to the original image data, and then performs various color image processes on the image data. The 600 dpi color image processing circuit 302 includes a plurality of image processing circuits that perform image processing such as rotation processing and tint block addition processing, for example. At the last stage in the 600 dpi color image processing circuit 302, a JPEG lossless compression circuit that performs JPEG lossless compression on the image data after color image processing is arranged in order to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the image data after color image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JPEG lossless compression.
The 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303 decompresses the compressed image data and converts it to the original image data, and then performs various types of printer image processing on the image data. The 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303 includes a plurality of image processing circuits that perform image processing such as resolution conversion processing and output gamma conversion processing.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 executes a color copy job, image data obtained by reading an original with the scanner unit 109 is stored in the RAM 111 via the scanner I / F 108. The image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the 600 dpi color scanner image processing circuit 301, subjected to scanner image processing, and stored again in the RAM 111. Next, the image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the 600 dpi color image processing circuit 302, subjected to various color image processing, and then stored again in the RAM 111. The image data is finally transferred from the RAM 111 to the 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303, subjected to printer image processing such as resolution conversion, and then transferred to the printer unit 107 via the printer I / F 106. The printer unit 107 prints an image on a sheet based on the transferred image data.

(SEND job)
As shown in FIG. 3B, the image processing unit 132 corresponding to the SEND job includes a 300 dpi scanner image processing circuit 304 and a SEND image processing circuit 305.
The 300 dpi scanner image processing circuit 304 includes a plurality of image processing circuits such as filter processing and color conversion processing. The 300 dpi scanner image processing circuit 304 further performs JPEG compression on the image data after the scanner image processing in order to secure a bandwidth on the image bus 121 and a resolution conversion circuit for outputting the image data at 300 dpi. JPEG compression circuit. Thereby, the image data after the scanner image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JPEG compression.
The SEND image processing circuit 305 decompresses the compressed image data and converts it into original image data, and then performs various image processing for 300 dpi resolution on the image data. The SEND image processing circuit 305 includes, for example, a plurality of image processing circuits such as an area determination circuit that determines a character area and an image area, and a circuit that performs filter processing according to each determination result. At the final stage in the SEND image processing circuit 305, a JPEG compression circuit that performs JPEG compression on the image data after the SEND image processing is arranged in order to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the image data after the SEND image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JPEG compression.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 executes a SEND job, image data obtained by reading a document with the scanner unit 109 is stored in the RAM 111 via the scanner I / F 108. The image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the 300 dpi scanner image processing circuit 304, subjected to scanner image processing, and then stored in the RAM 111 again. Next, the image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the SEND image processing circuit 305, subjected to SEND image processing, and then stored again in the RAM 111. The image data is finally transferred from the RAM 111 to the network via the network I / F 102.

(Color print job)
As shown in FIG. 3C, the image processing unit 132 corresponding to a color print job includes a color RIP processing circuit 306 and a 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303.
The color RIP processing circuit 306 includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) circuit for converting the received color print data into color raster image data. At the last stage in the color RIP processing circuit 306, a JPEG lossless compression circuit is arranged to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the color raster image data can be transferred in a compressed state by JPEG lossless compression.
The 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 executes a color print job, print data received from the network is stored in the RAM 111 via the network I / F 102. The image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the color RIP processing circuit 306, converted into raster image data, and the raster image data is stored again in the RAM 111. The image data is then transferred from the RAM 111 to the 1200 dpi color printer image processing circuit 303, subjected to printer image processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 107 via the printer I / F 106. The printer unit 107 prints an image on a sheet based on the transferred image data.

(Monochrome copy job)
As shown in FIG. 3D, the image processing unit 132 corresponding to the monochrome copy job includes a 600 dpi monochrome scanner image processing circuit 307, a 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 308, and a 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309.
The 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 307 includes a plurality of image processing circuits that perform image processing such as monochrome filter processing and MTF correction. In the last stage in the 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 307, a JBIG compression circuit is arranged to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the image data after the scanner image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JBIG compression.
The 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 308 decompresses the compressed image data and converts it to the original image data, and then performs various monochrome image processing on the image data. The 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 308 includes a plurality of monochrome image processing circuits that perform image processing such as density conversion. In the last stage in the 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 308, a JBIG compression circuit is arranged to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, the image data after monochrome image processing can be transferred in a compressed state by JBIG compression.
A 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309 decompresses the compressed image data, converts it to original image data, and then performs various types of printer image processing on the image data. The 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309 includes a plurality of image processing circuits that perform image processing such as resolution conversion processing and output density conversion processing.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 executes a monochrome copy job, image data obtained by reading a document with the scanner unit 109 is stored in the RAM 111 via the scanner I / F 108. The image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the 600 dpi monochrome scanner image processing circuit 307, subjected to scanner image processing, and stored again in the RAM 111. Next, the image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the 600 dpi monochrome image processing circuit 308, subjected to image processing such as color / monochrome conversion, and then stored again in the RAM 111. The image data is finally transferred from the RAM 111 to the 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309, subjected to printer image processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 107 via the printer I / F 106. The printer unit 107 prints an image on a sheet based on the transferred image data.

(Monochrome print job)
As shown in FIG. 3E, the image processing unit 132 corresponding to a monochrome print job includes a monochrome RIP processing circuit 310 and a 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309.
The monochrome RIP processing circuit 310 includes a RIP circuit for converting received monochrome print data into monochrome raster image data. In the last stage of the monochrome RIP processing circuit 310, a JBIG compression circuit is arranged to secure a band on the image bus 121. Thereby, monochrome raster image data can be transferred in a compressed state by JBIG compression.
The 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 executes a monochrome print job, print data received from the network is stored in the RAM 111 via the network I / F 102. The image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to the monochrome RIP processing circuit 310, converted into raster image data, and the raster image data is stored again in the RAM 111. Thereafter, the image data is transferred from the RAM 111 to a 1200 dpi monochrome printer image processing circuit 309, subjected to printer image processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 107 via the printer I / F 106. The printer unit 107 prints an image on a sheet based on the transferred image data.

  As described above, the image processing circuits 301 to 310 illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3E can each be configured by a plurality of image processing circuits. When each image processing circuit is composed of a plurality of image processing circuits, the above-described combination of the plurality of image processing circuits is merely an example, and can be arbitrarily changed according to a required function.

  The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs the following processing in order to shorten the time from when the user instructs the execution of the job until the processing is started. First, when a user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 reconfigures the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (image processing unit 132) based on the usage history of a plurality of configuration data stored in the ROM 104 for the user. Determine the configuration data used for the configuration. Specifically, the CPU 101 determines configuration data (first circuit configuration data) corresponding to a job that is most likely to be instructed to be executed by the user among the plurality of configuration data. Further, the CPU 101 controls the configuration controller 130 so as to read the determined configuration data from the ROM 104 and reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the possibility of being executed by a logged-in user for a plurality of configuration data stored in the ROM 104 is determined based on the frequency of use by the user. Specifically, the CPU 101 stores, as configuration data used for reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, configuration data that is stored in the ROM 104 and has the highest use frequency by the logged-in user among a plurality of configuration data. decide. In the following, the cumulative use count held in the above-described use history DB 200 is used as the use frequency of the configuration data.

  In the present embodiment, the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured with configuration data corresponding to a job that is most likely to be instructed to be executed by the user in response to the login of the user. As a result, it is possible to increase the possibility that the time required to start processing according to the job can be shortened, compared with the case where the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured after receiving a job execution instruction from the user. is there. This is the circuit configuration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 reconfigured in response to the user login, and if the job that the user has actually instructed can be executed, the processing according to the job is started quickly. This is because it can be done.

  For this reason, by reconfiguring the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the determined configuration data before the execution of the job is instructed by the logged-in user, the time required to start processing according to the job is shortened. The possibility of being able to be increased can be increased more reliably.

<Job execution procedure using the dynamic reconfiguration unit>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for executing a job using the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 reading out a control program stored in advance in the ROM 104 or the like to the RAM 111 and executing it.

  In step S <b> 101, the CPU 101 determines whether the user has logged into the image processing apparatus 100. As described above, the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100 is performed based on the authentication information input via the authentication unit 115. When the user authentication is successful, the CPU 101 sets the image processing apparatus 100 in an operable state. As a result, the user is logged in to the image processing apparatus 100. In step S <b> 101, when the CPU 101 determines that the user has logged in to the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S <b> 102.

  In step S102, the CPU 101 acquires user ID information from the authentication information used for user authentication. For example, when the RFID is used for user authentication, the CPU 101 acquires user ID information read from the RFID by the authentication unit 115. Thereafter, in S103, the CPU 101 determines whether or not information (history information) regarding the configuration data usage history of the user corresponding to the user ID information acquired in S102 (that is, the logged-in user) exists in the image processing apparatus 100. Determine whether. The presence / absence of history information can be determined by referring to the user ID field 201 of the usage history DB 200 stored in the HDD 106.

  If the CPU 101 determines in S103 that history information exists, the process proceeds to S104. If the CPU 101 determines that history information does not exist, the CPU 101 proceeds to S105. If there is no history information, the dynamic reconfiguration 131 using the history information cannot be reconfigured. Therefore, in step S105, the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 performs as necessary according to the function (job) selection by the user. Reconfiguration is performed.

(Circuit reconfiguration when using history information)
In step S104, the CPU 101 uses the history information stored in the usage history DB 200 stored in the HDD 106 according to the procedure shown in FIG. Reconfigure. Specifically, first, in S111, the CPU 101 refers to the usage history DB 200 using the user ID information acquired in S102. In step S112, the CPU 101 determines configuration data having the highest use frequency by the user corresponding to the user ID information being used. The configuration data having the highest use frequency corresponds to configuration data (first circuit configuration data) corresponding to a job that is most likely to be instructed to be executed by a logged-in user.

  Here, the CPU 101 refers to the configuration ID stored in the usage history DB 200 in association with the user ID and the cumulative usage count, and the configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID with the highest cumulative usage count is used most frequently. Determine high configuration data. For example, when the user ID of the logged-in user is “1”, the configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID “2” with the cumulative usage count “85” is the configuration data with the highest usage frequency from the usage history DB 200. It is determined.

  In step S <b> 113, the CPU 101 determines whether the image processing circuit reconfigured based on the configuration data determined in step S <b> 112 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the CPU 101 stores information related to the reconfiguration history of the circuit configuration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 in the HDD 106. The CPU 101 can make the determination in S113 by referring to such information in the HDD 106.

  If the CPU 101 determines in step S113 that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in step S112 does not exist in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S112 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 does not execute the process of S114. The process proceeds to S115. This is because it is not necessary to repeat the reconfiguration with the same configuration data if the image processing circuit reconfigured with the configuration data determined in S112 already exists. As described above, if the circuit configuration corresponding to the configuration data determined in S112 has already been configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 does not execute the reconfiguration using the configuration data, and the job is set by the user. Wait until execution is instructed.

  In S114, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to perform circuit reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration data determined in S112. The CPU 101 designates one of the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 as a target region for reconfiguration based on the determined configuration data. Note that the CPU 101 may designate an image processing unit that is not operating among the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C as a region to be reconfigured.

  In S <b> 114, the CPU 101 notifies the configuration controller 130 of the configuration ID corresponding to the configuration data determined in S <b> 112 and instructs reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration ID. The configuration controller 130 reads configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID notified from the CPU 101 from the ROM 105, and writes the configuration data in the reconfiguration target area of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. In this way, the configuration controller 130 reconfigures the target area of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131.

  For example, when the configuration ID notified from the CPU 101 is “2”, the configuration controller 130 reads configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID “2” from the ROM 105. Here, it is assumed that the configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID “2” is data corresponding to a logic circuit capable of executing image processing required for the SEND job. In this case, the image processing circuit 132 shown in FIG. 3B is mounted on the image processing unit 132 by reconfiguration of the image processing unit 132 based on the configuration data.

  Next, in step S115, the CPU 101 determines whether the circuit that already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (has been reconfigured) or the circuit reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 in step S114 is a job to be executed. Determine whether it will be used. This determination is equivalent to determining whether or not the circuit is a circuit to be used in a user's desired job (that is, whether or not the circuit is a desired circuit for the user). In the present embodiment, the CPU 101 performs the determination in S <b> 115 based on the user's operation content using the operation unit 103. The CPU 101 displays an operation screen as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C on the operation unit 103, thereby accepting a job execution instruction from the logged-in user via the operation unit 103.

  Here, FIGS. 6A to 6C are examples of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 103. FIG. 6A shows a function selection screen 600, which includes buttons 601 to 604 for selecting a color copy function, a monochrome copy function, a secure print function, and a SEND function. The buttons 601 to 604 are used for the user to select a function to be used (i.e., a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus 100) among the functions of the image processing apparatus 100. When the user presses the button 601 on the function selection screen 600 displayed on the operation unit 103, for example, the display screen of the operation unit 103 is switched to the color copy function screen 610 shown in FIG. When the button 604 is pressed by the user, the display screen of the operation unit 103 is switched to the SEND function screen 620 shown in FIG. When a user presses a cancel button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 103 while displaying a function screen corresponding to each function such as the color copy function screen 610 or the SEND function screen 620, the display screen is displayed. Returns to the function selection screen 600. Such a cancel button may be provided in a function screen corresponding to each function.

  When the process proceeds from S113 or S114 to S115, the CPU 101 displays a function screen corresponding to the configuration data determined in S112 on the operation unit 103. That is, the CPU 101 displays on the operation unit 103 a function screen corresponding to a job that uses a circuit reconfigured (or already exists) in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 in S114 by the configuration data. For example, when the configuration data determined in S112 corresponds to a color copy job, the CPU 101 automatically displays a color copy function screen 610 shown in FIG. In this manner, in S115, the CPU 101 displays a function screen for instructing the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 to execute a job corresponding to the circuit configuration already configured using the configuration data determined in S112. 103.

  When the user gives an instruction to execute a job using the function screen displayed on the operation unit 103, the circuit reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is a circuit used in the job desired by the user. Can be determined. That is, it can be determined that the job corresponding to the execution instruction can be executed with the circuit configuration configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 using the configuration data determined in S112. In this case, the CPU 101 determines that the circuit reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is used in the job to be executed, ends the processing in S104 shown in FIG. 5A, and performs the processing in S106. Proceed to

  On the other hand, when the user presses the cancel button in a state where the function screen is displayed on the operation unit 103, the circuit mounted in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is a circuit that is used for a user's desired job. It can be determined that it is not. That is, it can be determined that the job corresponding to the execution instruction is not executable in the circuit configuration configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 using the configuration data determined in S112. In this case, the CPU 101 determines that the circuit reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is not used in the job scheduled to be executed, and advances the process from S115 to S116. In response to pressing of the cancel button, the CPU 101 displays a function selection screen 600 (FIG. 6A) on the operation unit 103, and accepts a function (job) selection by the user (FIG. 5B). S121).

  When a user selects a desired function (job) using the function selection screen 600, it is necessary to reconfigure an image processing circuit necessary for the selected job in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 as necessary. is there. For this reason, in step S116, the CPU 101 dynamically selects a circuit capable of executing image processing required for the function (job) selected using the function selection screen 600 without using history information. Reconfiguration is performed by the reconfiguration unit 131. That is, the CPU 101 controls the configuration controller 130 so that the configuration data corresponding to the circuit configuration for executing the job is read from the ROM 104 and the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured as necessary. Note that the process of S116 is executed in the same manner as S105 (FIG. 5B) described later. When the process of S116 is completed, the CPU 101 ends the process in S104 shown in FIG. 5A and advances the process to S106.

(Circuit reconfiguration when history information is not used)
In S105 or S116, the CPU 101 reconfigures the circuit configuration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5B without using history information as necessary. Specifically, first, in step S121, the CPU 101 displays a function selection screen 600 (FIG. 6A) on the operation unit 103, and accepts a function (job) selection by the user. When a user selects a function (that is, a job execution instruction), in step S122, the CPU 101 determines configuration data corresponding to the selected function as configuration data to be used.

  Next, in S123, the CPU 101 determines whether the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S122 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, as in S113. If the CPU 101 determines that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S122 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 executes the process without executing the process of S124. To S106. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S122 does not exist in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 proceeds to S124.

  In S124, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration data determined in S122, as in S114. Accordingly, the configuration controller 130 reconfigures the target area (any one of the image processing units 132A, 132B, and 132C) of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration data determined in S122. Thereafter, the CPU 101 advances the process to S106.

(Job execution)
As described above, when a circuit required for a job is reconfigured (implemented) in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 executes a job using the circuit in S106. When the execution of the job is completed, the CPU 101 updates the usage history DB 200 in S107. Specifically, it corresponds to the user ID and the configuration ID in the usage history DB 200 based on the user ID of the user who is using the image processing apparatus 100 and the configuration ID of the configuration data corresponding to the circuit used in S106. Increases the cumulative number of times used by 1. That is, the CPU 101 increments the cumulative number of times configuration data used by the user corresponding to the user ID is incremented by one. Thereafter, the CPU 101 ends the process.

  As described above, when a user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment automatically determines configuration data having the highest use frequency based on history information about the user. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 100 performs partial reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (reconfiguration of the image processing unit 132) based on the determined configuration data. Accordingly, an image processing circuit that is most likely to be used in a job instructed to be executed by the user can be configured (implemented) in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 prior to the job execution instruction. As a result, it is possible to increase the possibility that the timing of starting the image processing will be earlier after execution of the job after the user logs in.

  Note that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. For example, in S103, even when there is history information about a user who has logged into the image processing apparatus 100, the sum of the cumulative number of uses of all configuration data that has been used is below a predetermined threshold. The process may be advanced to S105. Accordingly, the CPU 101 waits until the job execution is instructed by the logged-in user without executing the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 by the configuration data prior to the job execution instruction. If the total number of cumulative usages is small, there is a possibility that the usage frequency is not sufficient to determine that the usage frequency of specific configuration data is high, and the configuration corresponding to the circuit used in the job scheduled to be executed. Data may not be determined properly. In order to avoid delaying the timing for starting image processing after the user logs in due to failure to determine appropriate configuration data, the above-described processing may be performed.

  When the reconfiguration by the determined configuration data has already been performed as in the above-described embodiment, it may be avoided to repeat the reconfiguration by the configuration data. As a result, the time required for reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 can be saved, and the timing for starting image processing after the user logs in can be further advanced.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, among the configuration data stored in the ROM 104, the circuit reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is controlled using the configuration data that is most frequently used by the user who has logged into the image processing apparatus 100. ing. In the second embodiment, an example of controlling the circuit reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 using not only the configuration data with the highest usage frequency by the logged-in user but also the configuration data with the second highest usage frequency. explain. For simplification of description, description of the same configuration and control as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In this embodiment, in S104 of FIG. 4, the CPU 101 uses the history information stored in the usage history DB 200 stored in the HDD 106 according to the procedure shown in FIG. Reconfigure as needed. S111 to S114 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 5A).

  When the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 with the configuration data having the highest use frequency is completed in S114, the CPU 101 advances the process to S211. In step S211, the CPU 101 determines configuration data having the second highest usage frequency by the logged-in user. The configuration data having the second highest possibility of being used is the configuration data corresponding to the circuit configuration for executing the job having the second highest possibility of being instructed by the logged-in user (second circuit configuration data). ). For example, when the user ID of the logged-in user is “1”, the configuration data corresponding to the configuration ID “3” having the cumulative usage count “41” from the usage history DB 200 is the configuration with the second highest usage frequency. Decided on the data. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 101 determines configuration data having the second highest usage frequency in addition to the configuration data having the highest usage frequency by the logged-in user (S112 and S211).

  In step S <b> 212, the CPU 101 stores the copy data of the configuration data determined in step S <b> 211 in the RAM 111 that can read out the stored data faster than the ROM 104. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S115. In S115, as in the first embodiment (FIG. 5A), the CPU 101 has already existed in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 (has been reconfigured), or the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 receives S114. It is determined whether or not the circuit reconfigured in step (b) is used in a job scheduled to be executed. If the CPU 101 determines that the circuit configured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is used in a job scheduled to be executed, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S106. If the CPU 101 determines that the circuit is not used, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S213.

  In S213 to S215, the CPU 101 performs the same processing as S121 to S123 (FIG. 5B) in the first embodiment. In S215, as in S113 and S213, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S214 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. If the CPU 101 determines that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S214 already exists in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 does not execute the processing of S216 to S218. The process proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the image processing circuit reconfigured by the configuration data determined in S214 does not exist in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131, the CPU 101 advances the processing to S216.

  In step S216, the CPU 101 determines whether the configuration data determined in step S214 (that is, configuration data corresponding to a circuit configuration for executing a job corresponding to the execution instruction from the user) is stored in the RAM 111. . If the CPU 101 determines that the configuration data determined in S214 is stored, the CPU 101 advances the process to S217. In this case, in step S217, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration data stored in the RAM 111 and determined in step S214. That is, the CPU 101 controls the configuration controller 130 so as to read the configuration data stored in the RAM 111 and reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. It is possible to read configuration data from the RAM 111 at a higher speed than when reading configuration data from the ROM 104. For this reason, in S217, the configuration controller 130 can execute the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 more quickly.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S216 that the configuration data determined in step S214 is not stored, the process proceeds to step S218. In this case, in S218, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 based on the configuration data determined in S214, which is stored in the ROM 104, as in S124.

  When the process of S217 or S218 is completed, the CPU 101 advances the process to S106 (FIG. 4). S106 and S107 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the job corresponding to the execution instruction is not executable with the circuit configuration reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 prior to the job execution instruction by the logged-in user, the job is executed. Along with this, it is aimed to start the image processing. Specifically, in order to prepare for such a case, configuration data having the second highest usage frequency is stored in the RAM 111 in advance. If the circuit configuration capable of executing the job corresponding to the execution instruction by the logged-in user can be reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 by the configuration data having the second highest usage frequency, the configuration data can be faster than when the configuration data is read from the ROM 104. Reconfiguration can be completed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility that the timing of starting image processing will be earlier with the execution of the job after the user logs in.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which configuration data having the second highest usage frequency by the logged-in user is stored in the RAM 111 in advance. However, more configuration data may be stored in the RAM 111 in advance according to the limitation of the storage capacity of the RAM 111. That is, the configuration data corresponding to each job may be stored in the RAM 111 in the order in which execution is instructed by the logged-in user (in the descending order of use frequency by the user). As a result, it is possible to further increase the possibility that the timing of starting the image processing is advanced as the job is executed.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the circuit reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is controlled using not only the configuration data with the highest usage frequency by the logged-in user but also the configuration data with the second highest usage frequency. . In the third embodiment, as a modification of the first and second embodiments, control when the usage frequency of two configuration data determined to be the highest and second highest is the same An example will be described. For simplification of description, description of the same configuration and control as those of the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  In this embodiment, in S104 of FIG. 4, the CPU 101 uses the history information stored in the usage history DB 200 stored in the HDD 106 according to the procedure shown in FIG. Reconfigure as needed. S111 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 5A). In step S <b> 311, the CPU 101 specifies configuration data having the highest usage frequency and second highest configuration data by the user corresponding to the user ID information being used. Further, the CPU 101 obtains a difference in the usage frequency of the configuration data, and determines whether or not the obtained difference value is below a predetermined threshold value. In the present embodiment, this difference value can be obtained by calculating the difference between the largest and second largest accumulated usage counts associated with the user ID of the login user in the usage history DB 200.

  If the CPU 101 determines in S311 that the obtained difference is below a predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to S112. In this case, the processes after S112 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 5A). On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the obtained difference is not less than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S312.

  In S <b> 312, the CPU 101 compares the circuit scales for the configuration data having the first and second highest usage frequencies by the logged-in user. In this embodiment, a circuit scale DB 210 as shown in FIG. 2B is stored in the ROM 104 in advance. The circuit scale DB 210 stores the circuit scale (number of gates) of a circuit realized when the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured by each configuration data in association with the configuration ID of each configuration data. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, “2” and “3” are used as the configuration IDs of the configuration data with the first and second highest usage frequency for the user with the user ID “1”. Is identified. Further, 500,000 gates are specified as the circuit scale corresponding to the configuration ID “2”, and 1.7 million gates are specified as the circuit scale corresponding to the configuration ID “3”.

  In S313, as a result of the comparison between the two specified circuit scales, the CPU 101 reconfigures the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 before the job execution is instructed by the user for the configuration data corresponding to the larger circuit scale. Determine the configuration data to be used. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S113. In the above example, the configuration data with the configuration ID “3” is determined as the configuration data used for the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. That is, instead of the configuration data having the highest usage frequency, the configuration data having the second highest usage frequency is determined as the configuration data used for the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. The processes after S113 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 5A).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the difference in the usage frequency is small for the first and second highest usage frequency by the logged-in user, the circuit scales of the circuits realized by the configuration data are compared. . Furthermore, configuration data corresponding to a larger circuit scale is used to reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 prior to job execution instructions. As a result, when a job corresponding to the execution instruction cannot be executed with the circuit configuration reconfigured in the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 prior to the job execution instruction, a circuit having a small circuit scale is dynamically added at the start of execution of the job. The possibility of reconfiguration in the reconfiguration unit 131 increases. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in such a case, it is possible to increase the possibility that the timing of starting the image processing is advanced with the execution of the job.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the circuit scales of circuits realized when the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured by each configuration data are compared. However, instead of comparing the circuit scales, for example, comparison of the data size of the configuration data itself may be used. Further, the difference value obtained in S311 may not be a difference value of the usage frequency (cumulative usage count) but may be a difference value of a ratio of the usage frequency (cumulative usage count), for example. Also by such a modification, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the present embodiment.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, the processes of S213 to S218 (FIG. 7) in the second embodiment may be executed instead of S116 of FIG. That is, this embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is controlled based on the usage history of expenses by the logged-in user instead of the usage history of configuration data in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. . For simplification of description, description of the same configuration and control as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In this embodiment, in S104 of FIG. 4, the CPU 101 reconfigures the circuit configuration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 according to the procedure illustrated in FIG. In the present embodiment, in S103, the CPU 101 has information (history information) related to expense usage history of the user corresponding to the user ID information acquired in S102 (that is, the logged-in user) in the image processing apparatus 100. It is determined whether or not to do. In the present embodiment, the CPU 101 uses a usage history DB 220 for expenses as shown in FIG. Note that the usage history DB 220 is stored in advance in the HDD 106.

  In S <b> 102, when the history information of the logged-in user exists in the usage history DB 220, the CPU 101 advances the process to S <b> 104 and executes the process according to the procedure shown in FIG. 9. First, in S411, the CPU 101 refers to the usage history DB 220 using the user ID information acquired in S102. Further, in S412, the CPU 101 determines the accumulated usage cost for the logged-in user based on the reference result of the usage history DB 220. In the example shown in FIG. 2C, for example, when the user with the user ID “1” is logged in, the accumulated use cost is determined to be 1255 yen.

  The usage history DB 220 stores the accumulated usage cost (field 222) of each user in association with the user ID (field 221) of each user. The usage history DB 220 is reset, for example, at a predetermined date and time. For example, when resetting to 5:00 am on the first day of every month, the accumulated usage expenses for each month are held in the usage history DB 220. Each time a job is executed in the image processing apparatus 100 (S106), for example, 50 yen / sheet for color copying, 10 yen / sheet for monochrome copying, 10 yen / sheet for color printing, 5 yen / sheet for monochrome printing, for example. Like a sheet, a predetermined value is added to the accumulated use cost (S107). In the following, for the sake of simplicity, only functions (jobs) that use the printer unit 107 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 101 restricts the use of some of the plurality of configuration data stored in the ROM 104 based on the usage history of expenses. Further, the CPU 101 controls the configuration controller 130 so as to read out any configuration data whose use is not restricted from the ROM 104 and reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131.

  Specifically, in S413, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the determined cumulative usage cost exceeds a predetermined threshold value. If the CPU 101 determines that the accumulated usage cost exceeds a predetermined threshold, the CPU 101 proceeds to S414. If the CPU 101 determines that the accumulated usage cost does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the CPU 101 proceeds to S417. The processes of S417 and S418 are executed by the same processes as S121 and S124 described in the first embodiment. That is, in S418, the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured using configuration data corresponding to the job selected by the user in S417.

  In S <b> 414 to S <b> 416, the CPU 101 executes a process for restricting the use of configuration data that has a relatively large use cost. Specifically, in step S <b> 414, the CPU 101 determines whether a print job of the logged-in user exists in the image processing apparatus 100. For example, when a user inputs a print job related to secure printing that performs print processing after login to the image processing apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 100 before login, the print job is spooled in the HDD 106. In such a case, the CPU 101 determines that the print job of the logged-in user exists in the image processing apparatus 100. If the CPU 101 determines that the print job of the logged-in user exists in the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S <b> 415. If the CPU 101 determines that the print job does not exist, the process proceeds to step S <b> 416.

  In step S415, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to reconfigure the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 using the monochrome print configuration data. On the other hand, in S416, the CPU 101 instructs the configuration controller 130 to perform circuit reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 using the configuration data for monochrome copying. In S415 or S416, the use of the configuration data corresponding to the color print and color copy functions is restricted, and the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is reconfigured by using the configuration data corresponding to the monochrome print or monochrome copy function. Show.

  When the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 in S415, S416, or S418 is completed, the CPU 101 advances the process to S106 and executes the job using the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131. Further, in S107, the CPU 101 updates the usage history DB 220 as described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reconfiguration of the dynamic reconfiguration unit 131 is controlled based on the usage history of expenses by the logged-in user. Specifically, when the usage cost (cumulative usage cost) by the logged-in user exceeds a predetermined threshold, the use of the configuration data that increases the usage cost is limited. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately control the use cost in the image forming apparatus 100 and to prevent the use cost from increasing without limit.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

100: Image processing device, 131: Dynamic reconfiguration unit, 132 (132A, 132B, 132C): Image processing unit, 101: CPU, 104: ROM, 111: RAM, 140: FPGA

Claims (14)

An image processing apparatus,
A reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring some circuit configurations;
A plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the partial circuit configuration, wherein the plurality of circuit configuration data corresponding to different jobs are stored in advance;
When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus, the execution is most likely to be instructed by the user out of the plurality of circuit configuration data based on the use history of the plurality of circuit configuration data for the user. Determining means for determining first circuit configuration data corresponding to the job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: control means for reading the first circuit configuration data determined by the determination means from the first storage means and controlling the reconfigurable circuit to be reconfigured. The control means reads out the first circuit configuration data determined by the determination means from the first storage means before the execution of a job is instructed by the logged-in user and reads the reconfigurable circuit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is controlled to be reconfigured. An instruction means for receiving a job execution instruction from the logged-in user;
The control means is configured to execute a job corresponding to the execution instruction unless the job corresponding to the execution instruction can be executed with the circuit configuration configured in the reconfigurable circuit using the first circuit configuration data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein circuit configuration data corresponding to a circuit configuration is read from the first storage unit and control is performed to reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit. The determination unit determines circuit configuration data that is most frequently used by the logged-in user among the plurality of circuit configuration data as the first circuit configuration data. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. Instruction means for receiving a job execution instruction from the logged-in user;
Second storage means capable of reading stored data faster than the first storage means; and
The determining means includes the first circuit configuration data and second circuit configuration data corresponding to a circuit configuration for executing a job having the second highest possibility of being instructed to be executed by the logged-in user. Determining, storing the duplicate data of the second circuit configuration data stored in the first storage means in the second storage means,
A circuit for executing the job corresponding to the execution instruction when the job corresponding to the execution instruction is not executable with the circuit configuration configured in the reconfigurable circuit using the first circuit configuration data; When circuit configuration data corresponding to the configuration is stored in the second storage unit, the second storage unit is used. When the circuit configuration data is not stored in the second storage unit, the first storage unit is used. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit configuration data is read from the storage unit and control is performed to reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit. The determination means determines the first and second circuit configuration data as the first and second circuit configuration data, respectively, among the plurality of circuit configuration data, the circuit configuration data having the highest usage frequency and the second highest usage frequency by the logged-in user. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. If the circuit configuration corresponding to the first circuit configuration data determined by the determination unit is already configured in the reconfigurable circuit, the control unit can perform the reconfiguration based on the first circuit configuration data. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image processing apparatus waits until execution of a job is instructed by the logged-in user without executing circuit reconfiguration. The control means reconfigures the reconfigurable circuit based on the first circuit configuration data if the sum of the frequency of use of each of the plurality of circuit configuration data by the logged-in user is less than a predetermined threshold. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image processing apparatus waits until execution of a job is instructed by the logged-in user without executing the configuration. The determining means includes the first circuit configuration data and second circuit configuration data corresponding to a circuit configuration for executing a job having the second highest possibility of being instructed to be executed by the logged-in user. Decide
The control means includes
A circuit configuration having a large circuit scale among the first and second circuit configuration data if the difference in use frequency of the first and second circuit configuration data by the logged-in user is below a predetermined threshold. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable circuit is controlled to be reconfigured by circuit configuration data corresponding to the image data. An image processing apparatus,
A reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring some circuit configurations;
A plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the partial circuit configuration, wherein the plurality of circuit configuration data corresponding to different jobs are stored in advance;
When a user logs in to the image processing apparatus, a part of the plurality of circuit configuration data stored in the storage unit based on a usage history of expenses in the image processing apparatus by execution of a job instructed by the user Limiting means to limit the use of
Control means for reading out circuit configuration data, of which the use is not restricted by the restriction means, from the storage means and reconfiguring the reconfigurable circuit among the plurality of circuit configuration data. An image processing apparatus.   The restricting means restricts the use of circuit configuration data that relatively increases the use cost if the use cost of the image processing apparatus by the logged-in user exceeds a predetermined threshold. The image processing apparatus according to 10. A reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring a part of the circuit configuration, and a plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the part of the circuit configuration, each of the plurality of circuits corresponding to different jobs A storage unit storing configuration data in advance, and a control method for the image processing apparatus,
When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus, the execution is most likely to be instructed by the user out of the plurality of circuit configuration data based on the use history of the plurality of circuit configuration data for the user. A determining step for determining first circuit configuration data corresponding to the job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a control step of reading the first circuit configuration data determined in the determination step from the first storage unit and controlling to reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit. Control method. A reconfigurable circuit capable of dynamically reconfiguring a part of the circuit configuration, and a plurality of circuit configuration data for reconfiguring the part of the circuit configuration, each of the plurality of circuits corresponding to different jobs A storage unit storing configuration data in advance, and a control method for the image processing apparatus,
When a user logs in to the image processing apparatus, a part of the plurality of circuit configuration data stored in the storage unit based on a usage history of expenses in the image processing apparatus by execution of a job instructed by the user A restriction process that restricts the use of
A control step of controlling to read out the circuit configuration data whose use is not restricted in the restriction step from the storage means and reconfigure the reconfigurable circuit among the plurality of circuit configuration data. A control method of the image processing apparatus.   The program for functioning a computer as an image processing apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 11.

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