JP2002157139A - Electronic device, image reader, and rewriting method for nonvolatile memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely rewrite a control program for an electronic device without mounting another additional program memory in an electronic device using a rewritable nonvolatile memory. SOLUTION: This method is used to rewrite the contents of the nonvolatile memory in the electronic device performing control by executing the control program stored in the rewritable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is rewritable independently for each prescribed area. While the contents of the nonvolatile memory are being rewritten (S54 to S57), a flag is set up showing that the contents of the nonvolatile memory are being rewritten (S51 and S58).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control program stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an image reading device for converting optical image information of a photographic film into an electric image signal and outputting the same to a host computer or the like. And a method for rewriting a nonvolatile memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a film is fed to an image input unit,
There is a film scanner that converts optical image information recorded on a film into an electric image signal and outputs the signal to a host computer or the like. In such a film scanner,
Image reading control and communication control with the host computer are performed by a central processing unit (CPU).
It operates based on a control program fixedly stored in a Only Memory (ROM).

[0003] However, there is a possibility that the control program is changed due to a change in product specifications, an improvement in functions, various adjustments, a defect in the program, or the like. For this reason, the ROM is mounted on the IC socket, and the use of the IC socket makes it easy to replace the ROM.

However, when a ROM is inserted into an IC socket, a contact failure often occurs, and the price of a product has been increased by adding an IC socket. In addition, more space was needed on the printed board to use the IC socket.

[0005] In order to solve these problems, an electrically erasable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) has been developed and used instead of a ROM. EEP
The ROM has the advantage that the contents are not erased even when the power is turned off, and the contents can be rewritten while being mounted on the printed board by soldering. This eliminates the need to use an IC socket. Among them, Flash EEP
A so-called ROM is a large-capacity and low-cost device, and does not require an additional circuit to rewrite data, and can be normally performed like a RAM. Therefore, it is generally used for storing a control program.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Flash
Before rewriting data, the EEPROM can only be rewritten after erasing an old data portion to be rewritten. However, a program storage device in which the contents are not erased even when the power is turned off in the device is a flash E.
If there is only one EPROM, it is necessary to store the CPU initialization program, the interrupt table, the communication program with the host computer, and the data rewrite control program all in this single Flash EEPROM.

During the Flash EEPROM data rewriting operation, various powers such as a power off of the device by mistake, a communication failure during data transmission, a loss of the data file itself, a hang of the host computer, a power off of the host computer, etc. If the data rewriting is interrupted for a reason, part of the program data is erased or the data is incomplete, so even if the power is turned on again, the initialization of the CPU is not performed properly, Or the CPU goes out of control, causing the device to stop operating altogether rather than rewriting data.

[0008] To repair this, Flash EEPR
There was no other way but to remove the OM solder and replace it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a flash EEPROM in a control program memory.
It is an object of the present invention to safely rewrite a control program of an electronic device in an electronic device using a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an OM without mounting another additional program memory.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in an electronic device according to the present invention for performing control by executing a control program stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory has a predetermined area. A flag is set which indicates that the content of the nonvolatile memory is being rewritten while the content of the nonvolatile memory is being rewritten.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a judging means for judging whether or not the flag is set, and the operation of the interrupt processing is performed according to the judgment result of the judging means. And the method of rewriting the nonvolatile memory further includes a determining step of determining whether or not the flag is set, and performing an interrupt processing operation in the electronic device according to a determination result in the determining step. change.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-volatile memory has a predetermined area in which rewriting is not performed, and the control program and the control program required at least when the electronic device is started up in the predetermined area. Holds a rewrite program for the control program.

Preferably, when it is determined that the flag is set, the rewriting program is executed, and when it is determined that the flag is not set, the control program is executed.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on, the judgment by the judgment means and the judgment step are performed prior to other operations.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the flag is set in the nonvolatile memory.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flag is set in a nonvolatile memory other than the nonvolatile memory.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the electronic device is an image reading device.

According to the above configuration, particularly, rewriting of the control program is opened to the general user, and various troubles that occur when the version of the program can be freely upgraded cause fatal damage to the electronic device. It is possible to prevent giving.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, an image reading apparatus for reading a long film housed in a cartridge will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to electronic devices that use a rewritable nonvolatile memory for various purposes.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a system controller 111 for controlling the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) comprising a microcomputer. A random access memory (RAM) 2 is used as a working memory of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a Flash EE in which an initialization program of the CPU 1, an interrupt processing table, an image reading control program, a communication control program with a host computer, a data rewriting control program, and the like are stored.
A PROM in which the control program is written in advance, and the CPU 1
Control operation is performed by the program of M3. Also, Fla
The sh EEPROM 3 is configured to be rewritable by the CPU 1, and its contents are not erased even when the power is turned off.

Reference numeral 110 denotes an interface circuit for communicating with the host computer 114.
Here, it is assumed to be realized by a SCSI controller, but any device that conforms to a general communication protocol may be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of an image reading system using the image reading apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 100 denotes a film scanner, which is the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, and includes the system controller 111 described with reference to FIG. 114 is a host computer, and 300 is a monitor.

In the film scanner 100, 101
Is an illumination light source, for example, a cold cathode tube. Reference numeral 102 denotes a film adapter that holds a cartridge 141 containing a film, and is movable in the Y direction on the paper. Reference numeral 115 denotes a sub-scanning motor for moving the film adapter 102 in the sub-scanning direction, and here, a stepping motor. Reference numeral 116 denotes a sub-scanning motor driver for driving the sub-scanning motor 115 according to a command from the system controller 111.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a sub-scanning position detecting means for detecting a sub-scanning reference position, and detects a projection shape of the film adapter 102 by using a photo interrupter.
Reference numeral 103 denotes an imaging lens system, and reference numeral 104 denotes a CCD linear image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a “linear image sensor”). Here, the linear image sensor 104 is arranged so that the Z direction on the paper surface is the longitudinal direction.
Due to this positional relationship, the main scanning direction Z, which is the longitudinal direction of the linear image sensor 104, and the sub-scanning direction Y, which is the moving direction of the film adapter 102, are at right angles.

In the image reading (main scan), a specified frame is searched from the film of the cartridge 141 held in the film adapter 102, and then the film adapter 1 is searched.
02 is moved by the sub-scanning motor 115 in the sub-scanning direction Y.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a focus fixing member which holds the linear image sensor 104 near the image plane of the imaging lens system 103 and integrally moves the linear image sensor 104 in the optical axis direction, that is, in the X direction on the paper. 106 is a black level correction circuit,
The black level of the analog image signal output from the linear image sensor 104 is adjusted. An A / D converter 107 converts an analog signal processed by the black level correction circuit 106 into a digital signal. An image processing unit 108 performs image processing and processing such as CCD drive pulse control. It is composed of a gate array and can perform various processes at high speed. A line buffer 109 temporarily stores image data. It is realized by a general-purpose random access memory.

Reference numeral 110 denotes the interface circuit described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 111 denotes a system controller 111 that controls the processing sequence of the entire film scanner 100 described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 112 denotes a D / A converter that outputs a reference voltage of the black level correction circuit 106. Reference numeral 113 denotes a CPU bus that connects the system controller 111, the image processing unit 108, the line buffer 109, and the interface circuit 110, and is configured by an address bus and a data bus. Reference numeral 118 denotes a light source lighting circuit for lighting the light source 101, which is a so-called inverter circuit. Reference numeral 120 denotes a signal line for supplying a drive signal for driving the linear image sensor 104;
Reference numeral 1 denotes a signal line for supplying a sample and hold control signal for sampling and holding an input signal.

Reference numeral 122 denotes an offset RAM, which is a RAM serving as a working area when performing image processing, and temporarily stores various data such as shading correction and color data synthesis and image data. 123 is a focus fixing member 105
Is a focus motor that supplies a drive signal to the focus motor 123, and 125 is a focus position detection unit that detects the initial position of the focus fixing member 105. 130 is a gamma RAM for storing a gamma curve and performing gamma correction
It is.

The film adapter 102 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. Reference numeral 140 denotes a motor for winding and rewinding the film stored in the film cartridge. The motor 140 is engaged with the spool 200 of the film cartridge 141, and drives the stored film forward and reverse. The motor 140 is used for high-speed driving of the film for designated frame advancement, reduction reading of all frames, reading of magnetic information and optical information, and prescan processing for obtaining reading conditions of frame images. Reference numeral 142 denotes a controller, which is a communication line 1 from the system controller 111.
A command is received and a status is transmitted via 43, and the motor 140 is controlled according to the content of the command.
Reference numeral 144 denotes an optical sensor that optically detects a perforation hole in the film, and reference numeral 145 denotes an optical sensor that detects optical information such as optical information written on an edge of the film. Reference numeral 146 denotes a magnetic information recording / detecting unit for detecting magnetic information written on the edge of the film or recording magnetic information, and more specifically, a magnetic head for recording / reproducing. Reference numeral 143 denotes a communication line for exchanging information between the system controller 111 and the controller 142 of the film adapter 102, and here is serial communication.

In FIG. 2, A is a winding direction, that is, a direction in which the film 201 is unwound from the cartridge 141. B is the rewind direction, that is, the direction in which the film 201 is stored in the cartridge 141. The film 201 is transferred from the cartridge 141 to the spool 200.
Is sent by the rotation of. The film is held at a film take-up unit for taking up the delivered film, a capstan and a pinch roller arranged in a film transport path between the film cartridge and the take-up unit, and fed at a constant speed. These operations are processed by the controller 142 of the film adapter 102.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, Flash EEP
The configuration of the ROM 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the whole is roughly classified into four parts.

An area 31 stores an interrupt vector table, in which various interrupt processing addresses are described. When a reset signal or an interrupt signal is input to the CPU 1, a jump is made with reference to the address described in this table. Assuming that the capacity of the Flash EEPROM 3 is, for example, 4 Mbits, a capacity of 8 KB is used.

An area 32 stores a rewrite mode flag. The capacity of the flash EEPROM 3 is, for example, 4
Assuming M bits, a capacity of 8 KB is used. The rewrite mode flag itself is composed of 2 bytes,
When the value is 65535 (FFFF in hexadecimal), it indicates that it is in the rewrite mode, and when it is 0, it indicates that it is in the normal operation mode.

An area 33 stores a rewrite control program. Here, a minimum CPU initialization program, a minimum SCSI interface initialization program, a minimum download communication program with a host computer, an interrupt processing program in a rewrite mode, and a Flash EEPROM rewrite program are included. Assuming that the capacity of the Flash EEPROM 3 is, for example, 4 Mbits, a capacity of 48 KBytes is used.

The areas 31 and 33 are fixed areas where no rewriting is performed.

Reference numeral 34 denotes an area for storing a scanner control program.
e (65536 Bytes). An operation control program of the scanner, a communication program with the host computer, and the like are stored therein, and are areas to be rewritten in the present embodiment.

Blocks 1 to 7 in the areas 31, 32, 33 and 34 can be independently erased and rewritten. It is also possible to electrically protect the area in advance like the areas 31 and 33 so that the desired area cannot be erased or written.

Hereinafter, the flash according to the present embodiment will be described.
The program rewriting operation of the EEPROM 3 will be described.

First, a sequence for setting the rewrite mode flag 32 will be described with reference to FIG.

Generally, in order to write data into a Flash EEPROM, first, the entire block to be rewritten must be erased. Also, during the erasing and writing process,
Since the program cannot be read, the erase / write program must be operated in a program memory other than the Flash EEPROM. In the present embodiment, the RAM 2 is used as a program memory other than the Flash EEPROM.

First, the CP of the system controller 111
When U1 receives a program rewrite command from the host computer 114, the CPU 1 sends the Flash E
Rewrite scanner control program area 3 in EPROM 3
3 is copied to the RAM 2 (step S41).

After the copying, the CPU 1 disables the interrupt (step S42), jumps to the top of the rewriting program copied to the RAM 2, and executes the program. The rewrite program first erases the entire area 32 with the rewrite mode flag (step S43).
Next, 65535 indicating that it is in the rewrite mode
(FFFF in hexadecimal) is written in the area 32 (step S44). Further, the CPU 1 checks whether the rewrite mode flag has been correctly written in the area 32 (step S45). If written correctly, CP
U1 releases the interrupt prohibition (step S46).
Thereafter, the scanner enters the rewrite mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that the data has not been correctly written, error processing such as displaying an error message on the monitor 300 is performed (step S47), and the process proceeds to step S46.

In each interrupt processing routine, the rewrite mode flag is checked at the beginning of the program, and the value is set to FF.
If it is FF, it jumps to the interrupt processing routine of the rewrite control program 33, and if it is 0, it jumps to the interrupt processing routine of the scanner control program 34.

Therefore, all subsequent interrupts are processed by the interrupt processing routine in the rewrite control program 33. The rewrite control program copied to the RAM 2 is also used in the following processing as it is.

Next, the rewriting sequence of the scanner control program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as described in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the rewrite mode flag in the area 32 is set to rewrite (FFFF) (step S51).

Next, the host computer 114 downloads a new scanner control program to be written into the block 1 to the offset RAM 122 via the interface 110 of the scanner 100 (step S5).
2). Since the scanner control program has a large capacity, the offset RAM 12 normally used as an image buffer is used.
2 is temporarily used for downloading the scanner control program.

Next, the CPU 1 obtains the checksum of the scanner control program downloaded to the offset RAM 122 and compares it with the checksum value transmitted together with the scanner control program from the host computer 114 (step S53). If these match, CP
U1 erases the entire contents of the block 1 of the Flash EEPROM 3 (step S54). On the other hand, if they do not match (NO in step S53), an error process such as displaying an error message on monitor 300 is performed (step S59), and the process proceeds to step S58.

In step S55, the CPU 1 sets R
Based on the rewrite control program copied to AM2, the scanner control program downloaded to the offset RAM 122 is written to the corresponding block of the Flash EEPROM3. First, the data is written into the block 1 (step S55). When the writing is completed, the CPU 1 obtains the checksum of the new scanner control program written in the block 1 of the Flash EEPROM 3 and compares it again with the checksum value sent together with the scanner control program from the host computer 114 (step S56). If they match, rewriting of block 1 is completed, and step S5
Go to 7. On the other hand, if the checksums do not match in step 56, error processing such as displaying an error message on the monitor is performed (step S59), and step S5 is performed.
Proceed to 8.

In step S57, it is checked whether or not the writing of all blocks has been completed, and if there are any remaining blocks, the flow returns to step S52 to write the next block.

As described above, steps S52 to S57 are repeated, and the rewriting process of blocks 2 to 7 is performed.

If all blocks can be normally written (YES in step S57), CPU 1 rewrites the rewrite mode flag in area 32 to 0 indicating the normal mode (step S58), and ends the processing.

The rewriting process in step S58 is performed in the following manner.
In the method of changing the rewrite mode flag in FIG. 4 during the rewrite mode, 0 may be written to the area 32 as the rewrite mode flag in step S44.

If the newly rewritten interrupt processing routine is switched to immediately execute the interrupt processing, the operation becomes abnormal depending on the state of the stack.

Then, the host computer 114 sends a message indicating that the rewriting has been completed and the scanner 100
Is displayed on the monitor 300, prompting the user to restart.
The operator sees this and once turns off the power of the scanner 100 and turns it on again. Only when the power is turned on, the scanner 100 recognizes that the rewrite mode flag has been set to the normal mode.
Start in normal mode.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing sequence at the time of turning on the power will be described.

First, the scanner 100 sets the rewrite mode flag to F at power-on or initialization by reset.
Read from the flash EEPROM 3 (step S6).
1) Write the read rewrite mode flag into an internal variable “Run_Mode” (not shown) (step S6)
2). In step S63, it is checked whether the rewrite mode flag is being rewritten (FFFF). Each interrupt processing routine sets the value of this internal variable “Run_Mode” to F
If it is FFF, it jumps to the interrupt processing routine of the rewrite control program 33 to execute initialization processing in the rewrite control program (step S64). It is configured to execute an initialization process in the control program (Step S65).

When the flash EEPROM 3 is rewritten, when transitioning from the normal mode to the rewrite mode, there is no problem on the stack. Therefore, FF is set in both the rewrite mode flag 32 and the internal variable “Run_Mode”.
The FF is written, and the mode immediately shifts to the rewrite mode. However, when shifting from the rewrite mode to the normal mode, only the rewrite mode flag 32 is set to 0. Therefore, at this stage, the interrupt process executes the interrupt routine in the rewrite control program 33.

When the scanner 100 is restarted, 0 of the rewrite mode flag 32 is set to the internal variable “Run_Mod” for the first time.
e ", and thereafter, the interrupt processing routine in the scanner control program 34 can be executed.

While rewriting the data in the Flash EEPROM 3, various errors such as erroneous shutting down of the power supply of the scanner, communication failure during data transmission, loss of the data file itself, hang-up of the host computer 114, power-off of the host computer 114, etc. For that reason, the rewriting operation may be interrupted. Next, processing in this case will be described.

If the power of the scanner is cut off by mistake and the operation is interrupted during data rewriting, the rewriting mode flag in the area 32 remains in the rewriting mode. Therefore, when the CPU 1 is initialized when the power is turned on again, the internal variable “Run_Mode” is also stored in the FFF in the rewrite mode.
F is written. If the program is started up in the rewrite mode, the rewrite control program that has not been destroyed is executed. Thereafter, the rewrite sequence described with reference to FIG. Can write.

Next, a processing sequence at the time of interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Here, a description will be given of a SCSI interrupt process as an example.

First, an internal variable "Run_Mode" is read (step S71), and it is checked whether or not this value is a rewrite mode (step S72).

In the rewrite mode (FFFF), a SCSI interrupt process in the rewrite control program is executed (step S73). On the other hand, if the mode is not the rewrite mode in step S72, S in the scanner control program
A CSI interrupt process is executed (step S74).

Other timer interrupts, port interrupts, etc. are executed in a similar sequence.

In the above embodiment, the rewrite mode flag 32 is configured in the flash EEPROM 3,
Since a small size of 2 bytes is sufficient for this flag, a small-capacity, inexpensive, small, electrically rewritable non-volatile memory (EEPROM) other than the Flash EEPROM 3 may be used. Such EEP
The ROM has been often used for a long time to store a device serial number and various adjustment parameters. The data is C
The data is written from the serial port of the PU as serial data in word units.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the flash EEPROM is stored in the control program memory.
By providing a non-volatile flag area to indicate that the program data is being rewritten,
It is possible to safely rewrite the control program of the film scanner without mounting any additional program memory.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an electronic device such as a film scanner using a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash EEPROM as a control program memory, a control program of the electronic device can be safely rewritten without mounting any additional program memory.

In particular, it is possible to prevent a serious damage to an electronic device due to various troubles that occur when a control program is rewritten to a general user and a program can be freely upgraded. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image reading system using the image reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows Flash EE according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PROM.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence for setting a rewrite mode flag according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a rewrite sequence of a scanner control program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence when power is turned on in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence at the time of interrupt processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Central processing part 2 Random access memory 3 Flash EEPROM 110 Interface circuit 111 System controller 114 Host computer 300 Monitor

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device for performing control by executing a control program stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, wherein the nonvolatile memory is independently rewritable for each predetermined area, and An electronic device, wherein a flag indicating that the content of the nonvolatile memory is being rewritten is set while the content of the memory is being rewritten. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the flag is set, wherein an operation of an interrupt process is changed according to a determination result of the determination unit. Electronic devices. 3. The non-volatile memory has a predetermined area in which rewriting is not performed, and the predetermined area holds at least a control program and a control program rewriting program that are required at least when the electronic device is started. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein 4. When the determining means determines that the flag is set, the rewriting program is executed, and when it is determined that the flag is not set,
The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the control program is executed. 5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the power is turned on, the determination by the determination unit is performed prior to another operation. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flag is set in the nonvolatile memory. 7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flag is set in a nonvolatile memory other than the nonvolatile memory. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an image reading device. 9. A method for rewriting a nonvolatile memory in an electronic device which performs control by executing a control program stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, wherein the nonvolatile memory is independently provided for each predetermined area. Rewritable, while rewriting the contents of the non-volatile memory,
A method for rewriting a nonvolatile memory, comprising setting a flag indicating that the content of the nonvolatile memory is being rewritten. 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determining step of determining whether or not the flag is set, wherein an operation of interrupt processing in the electronic device is changed according to a result of the determination in the determining step. A method for rewriting a nonvolatile memory according to claim 9. 11. The non-volatile memory has a predetermined area in which rewriting is not performed. The predetermined area holds at least a control program and a rewriting program of a control program which are required at least at the time of starting the electronic device. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the rewriting program is executed when it is determined that the flag is set, and the control program is executed when it is determined that the flag is not set. Non-volatile memory rewriting method. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the determining step is performed prior to another operation when the power is turned on. 13. The non-volatile memory rewriting method according to claim 9, wherein the flag is set in the non-volatile memory. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the flag is set in a nonvolatile memory other than the nonvolatile memory. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is an image reading device.