JP2000200193A - Data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely rewrite an initial load program while guaranteeing the activation of the initial load program. SOLUTION: An initial load program 2 is constituted of two sequences, a rewrite program is activated in the case that the rewrite is requested from the outside, the initial load program stored in a second initial load program is made rewritable and also write completion 1 is made storable and holdable in a rewrite completion flag (IPL2F) after the complete rewrite end of the initial load program. Then, when the rewrite completion 1 is stored and held in the rewrite completion flag (IPL2F) at the time of supplying power, the initial load program stored in the second initial load program part is made activatable. In the case that the rewrite completion 1 is not stored and held in the rewrite completion flag (IPL2F), the initial load program stored in a first initial load program part is made activatable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention has an initial load program section and an application program section, and can rewrite an initial load program stored in the initial load program section in response to an external initial program rewrite request. The present invention relates to a data processing device formed in the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, some data processing apparatuses used as printers, copiers, image forming apparatuses, POS system terminals (for example, electronic cash registers), and the like include:
In some cases, various programs can be rewritten from the outside.

For example, a data processing device 20 shown in FIG.
The (drive control unit 30, operation unit 50) stores an application program in an application program unit (APL unit) in the drive control unit 30, and stores an initial load program for activating the application program in an initial load program unit (IPL). Part)
The reload program is started in response to a rewrite request (download command or the like) from the outside (the control system host computer 10), and the initial load program is rewritten.

That is, in the data processing apparatus 20, an initial load program is started first, and then an application program is started to perform data processing (controls an operation unit). Here, outside (1
When the reload request of the initial load program is downloaded from 0), the drive control unit 30 starts the download program (rewrite execution program) and rewrites a part of the initial load program. For example,
This is rewriting for reversing the execution order of the routine A and the routine B in the initial load program.

[0005]

If the initial load program runs away or hangs up for some reason at the time of startup, the application program cannot be started. That is, the device does not start. If the power is turned off or the power is interrupted during the rewriting of the initial load program after the start, the initial load program is incomplete and cannot be restarted. In rare cases, bugs may be found. In either case, for example, the download program (rewrite program) stored in the application program unit cannot be started. Therefore, even if a request for rewriting the initial load program is issued from the outside (10), the initial load program cannot be rewritten, so that there is a problem that data processing with the latest version cannot be performed forever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing apparatus capable of reliably rewriting an initial load program while guaranteeing activation of the initial load program.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an initial load program having an initial load program section and an application program section, and activating a rewrite program in response to an external initial program rewrite request. In the data processing device formed such that the initial load program stored in the unit is rewritable, the initial load program unit is configured in two lines, and when there is a rewrite request from the outside, the rewrite program is started and The initial load program stored in the second initial load program section is rewritable while the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section is kept as it is and the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section The rewrite completion flag can be stored and held after the completion of the complete rewrite, and the initial load program stored in the second initial load program unit can be started when it is determined that the rewrite completion flag is stored and held when the power is turned on. In the data processing device, when it is determined that the initial load program is not stored and held, the initial load program stored in the first initial load program unit can be started.

According to this invention, for example, the same initial load program is stored in the first initial load program section and the second initial load program section. When the power is turned on for the first time, the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section is started, and the application program is started. Thereby, data processing is performed.

Here, when there is a rewriting request from outside, the rewriting program is started, and the initial loading program stored in the first initial loading program section is left as it is, and the initial loading program stored in the second initial loading program section is kept. Rewrite the load program. Then, when complete rewriting of the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section is completed, the rewriting completion flag is stored and held. At the end of data processing, turn off the power.

When the power is turned on for the second time, it is determined whether or not the rewrite completion flag is stored. Next time,
Since the rewrite completion flag is stored and held, the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section is started. As a result, the application program is activated to perform data processing.

During this startup, if there is a rewrite request from the outside, the rewrite program is started and the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section is stored in the second initial load program section as it is. Rewrite the initial load program. When complete rewriting of the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section is completed, the rewriting completion flag is stored and held again. At the end of data processing, turn off the power.

In both the first and second (-N) times, if there is a power failure or the like during rewriting of the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section, the initial load program is completely rewritten. Since the rewriting cannot be completed, the rewriting completion flag is not stored and held.

Therefore, when the power is turned on thereafter, it is determined that the rewrite completion flag is not stored and held.
Activate the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section and perform data processing.
The initial load program stored in the first initial load program section is not rewritten since the initial load program remains as it is, but the start itself can be reliably performed. Thus, the apparatus can be started by activating the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section, and rewriting the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section to the latest version.

Therefore, the rewriting of the initial load program can be reliably performed while guaranteeing the activation of the initial load program.

[0015] The invention of claim 2 is a data processing device in which the rewriting program is stored in the application program section.

In this invention, the rewriting program stores the first program.
Since the initial load program stored in the initial load program section and the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section are stored in an application program section common to the first and second initial load program sections, the same as in the first aspect of the present invention. In addition to providing the effect, the memory capacity can be halved as compared with the case where the rewrite program is stored in each of the initial load program units.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a data processing apparatus wherein the outside is a host computer and the rewrite request is inputted via a data communication line.

In this invention, the rewrite request and data are input from the host computer through the data communication line. Therefore, in addition to providing the same effects as those of the first and second aspects of the invention, the initial load program can be easily rewritten at any time.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is a data processing apparatus wherein the outside is a storage medium and the rewrite request is input via a data reading device capable of reading data from the storage medium.

In this invention, a rewrite request and data can be input using a storage medium (eg, a floppy disk). Therefore, in addition to providing the same operation and effect as in each of the first and second aspects of the present invention, rewriting can be performed immediately even if a power failure occurs during rewriting.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The data processing apparatus 20 has a basic configuration similar to that of the conventional example (FIG. 5) as shown in FIG. 1, but further includes two initial load program sections (34B, 34C) as shown in FIG. ), The rewriting program is started when there is a rewriting request from the outside (10), and the second initial load program stored in the first initial load program section (34B) is left as it is. The initial load program stored in the first load program section (34C) can be rewritten, and the complete rewrite of the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section (34C) can be stored and retained after the complete rewrite, and the power is turned on. At the time when the rewrite completion flag is stored and held, Program unit initial loading program stored in the (34C) can be activated, the first initial loading program portion in case where it is determined not to be stored and held (34
The initial load program stored in B) can be started.

Parts common to those in the conventional example (FIG. 5) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

In FIG. 1, a drive control unit 30 includes a control unit 31 and a key switch 36, a graphical display 37, a buzzer 38, a HDD 39,
The entire device (20) can be driven and controlled, including the FDD 40, the control system host computer interface 45, the operation unit interface 55, and the like.

The drive control unit 30 includes a CPU 32, a RAM 3
3, Flash ROM 34 and EEPROM ROM 35
The flash ROM 34 includes the components 34 shown in FIG.
A to 34E are provided.

When the power supply (PWR) shown in FIG. 3 is turned on (ON), the start common unit 34A shown in FIG.
12 is stored. IPL1
The area 34B forms a first initial load program section, and the IPL2 area 34C forms a second initial load program section. Initially, for example, the FDD 40 (Floppy (registered trademark)) is provided in each of the areas 34B and 34C.
For example, the same initial load program (IPL) is installed using the disk FD).

An application program (APL) for controlling each operation unit 50 (data processing) is stored in the APL area 34D of FIG. A rewrite program area 34E for storing a rewrite program is provided in a part of the APL area 34D. The memory capacity can be reduced by half as compared with the case where the rewrite program is stored in each of the initial load program sections (34B, 34C).

The state of the rewrite completion flag IPL2F ("1"... Rewrite completed, "0"... Rewrite incomplete) is stored and retained in the EEPROM 35 of FIG.

The outside that requests the rewriting of the initial load program is the host computer 10 and inputs (downloads) the rewriting request and data to the control unit 31 via the data communication line 15. Therefore, the initial load program can be easily rewritten at any time.

However, a storage medium (for example, a floppy disk FD) may be used as an external device, and data may be read from the storage medium via a data reading device (FDD 40) capable of reading the data. Thus, even if a power failure occurs during the rewriting of the initial load program, rewriting can be performed immediately after the power is restored. The case where the outside is the host computer 10 will be described below.

Here, when the first power supply is turned on (FIG. 3), the activation control means (CPU 32, Flash)
The start common unit 34A) in the ROM 34 is an EEPROM
With reference to 35, it is determined whether or not (“1”) is stored and held in the rewrite completion flag IPL2F (ST10), and it is determined that it is not (“0”) (NO in ST10).
I do. In this case, the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) is activated (ST12), and the application program APL is activated (ST13). Thereby, data processing is performed.

If the command input (YES in ST131) is a normal command (NO in ST132) while the application program APL is running (FIG. 4),
The normal process (ST138) is executed.

However, if the command is a rewrite request command from the outside (10) (YES in ST132), the rewrite program stored in the rewrite program area 34E is started, and the rewrite completion flag stored in the EEPROM 35 is stored. IPL2F is changed from “1” to “0” (ST13)
3). Note that the initial value is “0”. At this stage,
It is "0".

After that, the second initial load is received by receiving the rewrite request data from the outside (10) (ST134) and leaving the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) as it is. Rewrite the initial load program IPL2 stored in the program section (34C) (ST1)
35).

Then, the rewriting of the initial load program IPL2 stored in the second initial load program section (34C) is completely completed (YES in ST136).
Then, the rewriting completion flag ("1") is stored and held (S
T137). Return to data processing again (N in ST139)
O). When the data processing is completed (YES in ST139), the power is turned off.

When the power is turned on for the second time (FIG. 3), the activation control means (31, 34A) issues a rewrite completion flag IPL.
It is determined whether ("1") is stored and held in 2F (ST10). This time, since “1” is stored in the rewrite completion flag IPL2F, the initial load program IPL2 stored in the second initial load program section (34C) is started (ST11). As a result, the application program APL is started (ST13), and data processing (FIG. 4) is performed.

During this startup, there is a rewrite request from the outside (10) (YES in ST131, YES in ST132).
After the rewriting program is started, the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) is left as it is, and the rewrite completion flag is reset from “1” to “0” (ST133). , Second initial load program section (34C)
Is rewritten (ST134, ST135).

When complete rewriting of the initial load program IPL2 stored in the second initial load program section (34C) is completed (YES in ST136), (“1”) is stored and held in the rewrite completion flag IPL2F again (step S136). “0” → “1”) is performed (ST137). When the data processing is completed (YES in ST139), the power is turned off.

In each of the first and second (-N) times, the second initial load program section (34)
Initial load program IPL2 stored in C)
If a power failure or the like occurs during rewriting (NO in ST134 to ST136), the complete rewriting of the initial load program IPL2 cannot be completed, so that the rewriting completion flag (“1”) is not stored and held. That is, ST
Since the process does not proceed to 137, the flag remains at "0" meaning rewriting has not been completed (incomplete).

Therefore, when the power is turned on thereafter, it is determined that the rewrite completion flag is not stored and held (S in FIG. 3).
Since the result is NO in T10), the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) is started (ST12) and data is processed (ST13, FIG. 4).

That is, the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) remains as it was at the beginning. In other words, subsequent rewriting (version upgrading) is not performed, and therefore, activation (ST12) itself can be reliably performed.

Thus, the initial load program IPL1 stored in the first initial load program section (34B) is started and started up, and the initial load program IPL2 stored in the second initial load program section (34C) is Thereafter, it can be rewritten to the latest version in response to a rewrite request from the outside (10) (YES in ST134 to ST136 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the initial load program (IPL2, IPL
The initial load program (IPL2) can be reliably rewritten while guaranteeing the activation of 1).

Since the initial value of the rewrite completion flag IPL2F is "0", IPL1 is selected unconditionally before the rewrite request command. That is, the second initial load program area (IPL2 area 3
It is not necessary to install the initial load program in 4C). Therefore, it is only necessary to install the initial initial load program in one of the initial load program sections (34B) as in the conventional example, so that the function can be expanded without requiring extra labor and time.

[0043]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the initial load program section is composed of two lines, and when an external rewrite request is made, the rewrite program is started and stored in the first initial load program section. The initial load program stored in the second initial load program section can be rewritten while the initial load program remains unchanged, and a rewrite complete flag can be stored and held after the complete rewrite of the initial load program is completed. Is stored and held, the initial load program stored in the second initial load program unit can be started, and if not stored, the initial load program stored in the first initial load program unit is started. Data processing device formed to be possible Therefore, the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section can be rewritten to the latest version, and the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section contains an incomplete rewrite. Can be backed up by the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section. Therefore, it is possible to reliably rewrite the initial load program while guaranteeing activation of the initial load program.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the rewriting program is stored in the application program section, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained. The memory capacity can be reduced by half as compared with the case where the rewriting program is stored in each of the program sections.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the external device is a host computer, and the rewrite request is formed so as to be input via a data communication line. In addition to providing the same effect as in the case, the initial load program can be easily rewritten at any time.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the external device is a storage medium, the rewrite request can be input through a data reading device capable of reading data from the storage medium. In addition to the effects similar to those of the inventions of the second aspect, even if a power failure occurs during rewriting, rewriting can be performed immediately after power is restored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a diagram for explaining a first and a second initial load program section and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of turning on the power.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an initial load program rewriting operation and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 host computer (external) 20 data processing device 30 drive control unit 31 control unit 32 CPU 33 RAM 34 Flash ROM 34A start common unit 34B IPL1 area (first initial load program unit) 34C IPL2 area (second initial load program) Part) 34D APL area (application program part) 34E rewriting program area 39 HDD 40 FDD (data reading device) FD floppy disk (storage medium ... external) 50 operation unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] An initial load program section and an application program section are provided, and a rewrite program is started in response to an external initial load program rewrite request to rewrite an initial load program stored in the initial load program section. In the data processing device formed in the above, the initial load program unit is configured in two lines,
When the rewriting request is received from the outside, the rewriting program is started, and the initial load program stored in the second initial load program unit is left as it is, while the initial load program stored in the first initial load program unit remains unchanged. When it is determined that the rewrite completion flag can be stored after the complete rewriting of the initial load program stored in the second initial load program unit is completed and the rewrite completion flag is stored and held when the power is turned on. Is capable of starting the initial load program stored in the second initial load program section, and forming the initial load program stored in the first initial load program section to be startable when it is determined that the initial load program is not stored. Data processing equipment . 2. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting program is stored in the application program unit. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a host computer, and the rewrite request is input via a data communication line. 4. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a storage medium, and the rewrite request is input via a data reading device capable of reading data from the storage medium.