JP2004122596A - Printing device and function extension method for printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply extend a function even in a peripheral device not equipped with an exclusive memory slot. <P>SOLUTION: When a memory card 3 is connected via a USB cable to a USB port 21, a host controller 25 acquires a descriptor of the memory card 3 and stores the descriptor in a RAM 15. Information for the function extension stored in a memory 33 is acquired on the basis of information included in the descriptor, and is stored in the RAM 15. A CPU 13 executes a predetermined program on the basis of the information for the function extension stored in the RAM 15, thereby carrying out setting for the function extension. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for expanding a function of a printing apparatus or the like, and particularly to a technology for easily expanding a function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Peripheral devices such as printers can be operated by the user to extend the functions. When performing this function extension, it is necessary to supply predetermined data or a program from the outside and make settings. Conventionally, the data and the program are sent from the host computer to the printer to perform the setting.
[0003]
In addition, there is a device in which a memory card storing data of an extension function or the like is mounted on a peripheral device having a memory slot and is read at the time of booting to realize the function extension.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when sending extended data from the host computer, the host computer must be started and the user must operate the host computer, which is troublesome.
[0005]
Also, when a memory card is inserted into a memory slot and read at the time of booting, a dedicated memory slot must be provided in a printer or the like.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for easily expanding functions even in a peripheral device not having a dedicated memory slot.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connection unit for connecting to an external device having a storage medium, a unit configured to detect that the external device is connected to the connection unit, and the detection unit includes: A preferred embodiment comprising: means for acquiring information for a function extension stored in the storage medium when an external device is detected; and means for performing setting for a function extension based on the acquired information. In the aspect, the acquisition unit may acquire font information stored in the storage medium, and the setting unit may cause the printing apparatus to print using a font included in the acquired font information. Set to be able to.
[0008]
In a preferred embodiment, the acquisition unit acquires overlay information for overlay printing stored in the storage medium, and the setting unit includes the printing device included in the acquired overlay information. Set so that printing can be performed using the overlay data.
[0009]
In a preferred embodiment, the obtaining unit obtains program update information for updating a control program of the printing apparatus stored in the storage medium, and the setting unit performs a process based on the obtained program update information. Then, the control program of the printing apparatus is updated.
[0010]
A printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that when an external device having a storage medium is connected to the USB port via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a USB cable, the descriptor of the external device is connected to the USB port. Means for acquiring, based on information included in the descriptor, means for acquiring information for function expansion stored in the storage medium, based on the information for function acquisition obtained Means for making settings for function expansion.
[0011]
In a preferred embodiment, when the USB cable is connected to the USB port, whether the external device is a USB host or a USB device is determined based on voltage levels of an ID pin and a V _bus pin of the USB cable. The acquisition unit acquires the descriptor when the result of the determination is that the printing apparatus is a host.
[0012]
A function expansion method for a printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a step of detecting that the external device is connected to a connection unit for connecting the external device having a storage medium, and a step of detecting the connection of the external device. The method includes a step of acquiring information for a function extension stored in the storage medium when detected, and a step of performing setting for a function extension based on the acquired information for a function extension.
[0013]
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a function expansion method for a printing apparatus having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, wherein an external device having a storage medium is connected to the USB port via a USB cable. Acquiring a descriptor of the device; acquiring information for a function extension stored in the storage medium based on information included in the descriptor; and Making settings for function expansion based on the information.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer as an example of a peripheral device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a device having a recording medium is connected to a printer having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) as an external interface, and the information recorded on the recording medium is acquired by the printer.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment and a memory card 3 which is a device having a storage medium.
[0016]
The printer 1 has a printing mechanism 11 for actually performing printing, and a printing mechanism control unit 12 for controlling the printing mechanism 11. The printing mechanism control unit 12 further includes a CPU 13, an EEPROM 14 as a nonvolatile storage medium, a RAM 15 as a volatile storage medium, and an interface unit 16. The CPU 13, the EEPROM 14, the RAM 15, and the interface unit 16 are connected to the internal bus 17, respectively. A predetermined program stored in the EEPROM 14 and executed by the CPU 13 may be called firmware.
[0017]
The print mechanism 11 includes a print head, a paper feed mechanism, a control circuit for controlling these, a cartridge for an image forming medium such as ink and toner, and the like. To execute printing.
[0018]
The EEPROM 14 stores a predetermined program for controlling the printing mechanism 11 and data necessary for printing control. Further, as described later, information read from the memory card 3 is stored in the EEPROM 14.
[0019]
The CPU 13 reads a program stored in the EEPROM 14, executes predetermined processing according to the program, and controls the operation of the printer.
[0020]
The printer 1 according to the present embodiment employs USB as an interface. Therefore, the interface unit 16 has a USB configuration. In particular, an example will be described in which the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is a dual role device that can be a USB host (hereinafter, referred to as a host) and a USB device (hereinafter, referred to as a device). The interface unit 16 complies with the USB OTG (On-The-Go) standard.
[0021]
That is, the interface unit 16 has a USB port 21, a host transceiver 22, a device transceiver 23, an arbiter 24, a host controller 25, and a device controller 26.
[0022]
A plug attached to an end of a USB cable connected to an external device is inserted into the USB port 21. In this embodiment, since the USB interface mounted on the printer 1 is a dual-role device, the USB port 21 is a connector having a shape called mini-AB, and a mini-A or mini-B plug can be inserted. Shape. Then, the mini-A plug and mini-B plug, two signal lines conventional standard USB connector has _{(D +} and D _-) was added to the two power supply lines _{(V bus} and GND) In addition, one signal line called an ID pin is included.
[0023]
The arbiter 24 detects that a mini-A or mini-B plug has been connected to the USB port 21. For example, the arbiter 24 includes a detection circuit (not shown) for detecting the voltage level of the ID pin. The ID pin is pulled up by a resistor in the arbiter 24, and an ID pin detection circuit (not shown) determines whether the device connected to the printer 1 is a host or a device based on the voltage level. The determination method is as follows. That is, when the device connected to the printer 1 is a host, the mini-A plug is connected to the device. Since the ID pin in the mini-A plug is connected to GND, the ID pin detection circuit recognizes the level of the ID pin as “L” level.
On the other hand, when the device connected to the printer 1 is a device, a mini-B plug is connected to the device. Since the ID pin in the mini-B plug is open, the ID pin detection circuit recognizes the level of the ID pin as “H” level.
[0024]
Further, the arbiter 24 has a voltage level detection circuit (not shown) of the V _bus pin. Since the ID pin is normally pulled up as described above, the level of the ID pin detection circuit does not change even if a mini-B plug whose ID pin is open is inserted. Therefore, when the ID pin is at the “H” level, the V _bus pin detection circuit checks the level of the V _bus pin to determine that the host is connected, in order to detect that the mini-B plug is connected. be able to. For example, since the host supplies a voltage to the V _bus pin, when the ID pin is at the “H” level and the V _bus pin is at the “H” level, it can be determined that the host is connected.
[0025]
H / L determination of the voltage levels of the ID pin and the V _bus pin is performed by the respective detection circuits using a predetermined threshold value.
[0026]
Next, the arbiter 24 makes one of the host controller 25 and the device controller 26 operable based on the above determination result. For example, when it is determined that the connected device is a host, the arbiter 24 makes the device controller 26 operable to supply the current to V _bus in order to operate the printer 1 as a device. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connected device is a device, the arbiter 24 sets the host controller 25 in an operable state in order to operate the printer 1 as a host.
[0027]
When the host is connected to the port 21 (that is, the mini-B plug is inserted) and the device controller 26 is enabled, the device transceiver 23 pulls up the D ₊ signal to the H level, and the device is connected to the host. Notify that you are connected.
[0028]
The device controller 26 executes processing necessary for the printer 1 to communicate as a device with the host. For example, a communication path for data transmission / reception is established in accordance with an instruction from the host.
[0029]
When a device is connected to the port 21 (that is, a mini-A plug is inserted) and the host controller 25 is enabled, the host transceiver 22 confirms that the D ₊ signal is at the H level, and Check that the device is connected.
[0030]
The host controller 25 executes processing necessary for the printer 1 to perform communication as a host. For example, the host controller 25 performs management of a bus, management of a frame to be transferred, determination of a transfer order, error processing, and the like, and inputs and outputs signals via the host transceiver 22. For example, when the memory card 3 is connected as shown in FIG. 1, the host controller 25 controls communication with the memory card 3. Further, it controls writing data to and reading data from the memory 33 of the memory card 3 based on an instruction from the CPU 13. Data read from the memory card 3 by the host controller 25 is copied to the EEPROM 14 or temporarily copied to the RAM 15. Further, when the read data is temporarily copied to the RAM 15, the CPU 13 executes a predetermined program to process the data and stores the data in the EEPROM 14 as described later.
[0031]
For example, when data for expanding the function of the printer 1 is read from the memory card 3 and copied to the RAM 15, the CPU 13 reads a program for expanding the function using the data from the EEPROM 14, and Execute As a result, information necessary for function expansion is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 14, and the function of the printer 1 is expanded.
[0032]
The memory card 3 connected to the printer 1 operates as a USB device (storage class). Therefore, the memory card 3 includes the transceiver 31, the device controller 32, and the memory 33. The memory 33 can be realized by, for example, an EEPROM that is a nonvolatile storage medium. The memory 33 stores, for example, data for expanding the functions of the printer 3. In this embodiment, a version-up version of the program stored in the EEPROM 14, data for adding a font, overlay data for overlay printing, and the like are stored as data for function expansion.
[0033]
Further, the memory card 3 can include a descriptor set by a vendor that manufactures the memory card 3. FIG. 2 shows an example of a unique descriptor set by the vendor.
[0034]
In the descriptor 30, dwSignature indicates the type of the descriptor, and in the example of FIG. 2, indicates that the memory is a memory storing function extension data. The device type (bDeviceType) indicates the type of data stored in the memory 33. In the example of FIG. 2, information for identifying any one of the update program (Firmware), font data (Font), and overlay data (Overlay) of the EEPROM 14 is set.
[0035]
Next, a processing procedure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0036]
A detection circuit (not shown) of the arbiter 24 detects the level of the ID pin and the V _bus pin of the USB port 21 to detect that the connector is connected to the USB port 21, and determines whether the connected device is a host. Is determined (S11, S12).
[0037]
If the connected device is a host, the arbiter 24 sets the device controller 26 to an operable state in order to operate the printer 1 as a device (S13: No). Then, the printer 1 operates as a device (S20).
[0038]
On the other hand, if the connected device is a device, the arbiter 24 puts the host controller 25 into an operable state in order to operate the printer 1 as a host (S13: Yes).
[0039]
Then, the host controller 25 reads the descriptor from the connected device and stores it in the RAM 15 (S14). The host controller 25 knows from the read descriptor dwSignature that it is a memory storing the function extension data, so the host controller 25 reads the extension data file from the memory 33 and stores it in the RAM 15 (S15).
[0040]
At this time, the CPU 13 reads the program stored in the EEPROM 14 and performs a process for extending the functions of the printer using the extension data file. At this time, first, the CPU 13 determines the device type of the descriptor (S16). When the device type indicates that the program of the EEPROM 14 is to be updated, the program of the EEPROM 14 is updated based on the extension data file (S17).
[0041]
When the device type indicates addition of a font, the font data is registered in the EEPROM 14 based on the extension data file (S18).
[0042]
When the device type indicates registration of overlay data, the overlay data is registered in the EEPROM 14 based on the extension data file (S19).
[0043]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the memory card storing the function expansion data is inserted into the printer, the function can be automatically expanded. As a result, the functions can be easily extended without performing any operation or setting on the operation panel of the printer or the host computer.
[0044]
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are exemplifications for describing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, the USB is used for the interface between the printer and the memory card. However, for example, another serial interface such as IEEE1394 or a parallel interface such as SCSI can be used. The attribute information of the function extension data may be provided by using the function of the transport layer like the USB descriptor described above, or may be detected by other methods, for example, when a memory card is connected. Then, the printer can read the attribute file 40 describing the file name of the function extension data from the memory card as shown in FIG. Then, the extension data file described in the attribute file is read to extend the functions of the printer. This attribute file may be used in a general-purpose data description format such as XML (extensible Markup Language).
[0046]
In addition, the printer may read and print image data and the like stored in the memory card. Further, in this case, the memory card has a storage medium and can be replaced with another device such as a digital camera which can be a USB device.
[0047]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to electronic devices other than the printer.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even if the peripheral device does not have a dedicated memory slot, the function can be easily expanded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer and a memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a descriptor of a memory card.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when performing function expansion.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an attribute file.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 3 ... Memory card 11 ... Printing mechanism 12 ... Printing mechanism control part 13 ... CPU
14… EEPROM14
15 RAM
16 Interface unit 21 Port 22 Host transceiver 23 Device transceiver 24 Arbiter 25 Host controller 26 Device controller 30 Descriptor 31 Transceiver 32 Device controller 33 Memory 40 Attribute file

Claims (8)

A connection unit for connecting to an external device having a storage medium,
Means for detecting that the external device is connected to the connection unit,
Means for acquiring information for function expansion stored in the storage medium when the detection means detects the external device,
Means for making settings for function expansion based on the acquired information. The obtaining means obtains font information stored in the storage medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the printing apparatus so that printing can be performed using a font included in the acquired font information. The acquisition unit acquires overlay information for overlay printing stored in the storage medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the printing apparatus so that the printing apparatus can perform printing using overlay data included in the acquired overlay information. The acquisition unit acquires program update information for updating a control program of the printing apparatus stored in the storage medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit updates a control program of the printing apparatus based on the acquired program update information. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) port,
Means for acquiring a descriptor of the external device when an external device having a storage medium is connected to the USB port via a USB cable;
Based on the information contained in the descriptor, stored in the storage medium, means for acquiring information for function expansion,
Means for making settings for function expansion based on the acquired information for function expansion. Means for determining whether the external device is a USB host or a USB device based on voltage levels of an ID pin and a V _bus pin of the USB cable when the USB cable is connected to the USB port. Prepare,
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the obtaining unit obtains the descriptor when the printing apparatus is a host as a result of the determination. A method for extending the capabilities of a printing device, comprising:
Detecting that the external device is connected to a connection unit for connecting to an external device having a storage medium;
When detecting the connection of the external device, a step of acquiring information for function expansion stored in the storage medium,
Performing a setting for function expansion based on the acquired information for function expansion. A method for extending a function of a printing apparatus having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port,
Via a USB cable, when an external device having a storage medium is connected to the USB port, obtaining a descriptor of the external device;
Based on the information included in the descriptor, stored in the storage medium, obtaining information for function expansion,
Performing a setting for function expansion based on the acquired information for function expansion.

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