JPH10287001A - Data rewriting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to rewrite data on an option board easily. SOLUTION: When a program is to be downloaded onto a LAN board 4, a floppy disk or an optical disk, in which a program for the LAN board 4 is stored, is set on a host computer 1, the program for the LAN board 4 is sent to the main board 3 of a printer 2 via a Centronics interface and a command is sent to the LAN board 4, a flash memory 4b is released from the control of an MPU 4a, and the program sent from the host computer 1 is sent to the data supply section 4c of the LAN board 4 via a data transfer part 3d. Thus the program sent from the main board 3 can be written on the flash memory 4b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data rewriting device, and more particularly, to a data rewriting device suitable for downloading a program of an option board provided in a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, a main board for providing a printing function is mounted, and an option board for expanding the function can be mounted. Here, the option board includes a LAN (Local Area).
Network) board and USB (Universal)
Serial Bus) board and the like. In these main boards and option boards, an EEPROM (electrically erasable and erasable non-volatile memory) and a flash memory (batch erasable non-volatile memory) are used as a storage unit for storing programs. The program could be rewritten in response to the change. Here, since the EEPROM has a large package and requires a large mounting space, the flash memory has been used more and more with the downsizing of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional printing apparatus. In FIG. 9, the host computer 41
And the printer 42 are connected via a Centro interface. The printer 42 has a main board 43 for providing a printing function and a LAN board 44 and a USB board 45 for providing additional functions. .

The main board 43 is provided with an MPU (microprocessor) 43a and a flash memory 43b, and a Prog connector 43c for downloading a program to be written in the flash memory 43b. The LAN board 44 is provided with an MPU 44a and a flash memory. 44b, and a Prog connector 44c for downloading a program to be written to the flash memory 44b.
5 is provided with an MPU 45a and a flash memory 45b, and a Prog connector 45c for downloading a program to be written to the flash memory 45b.
Is provided. Here, the Prog connector 43c,
Special connectors are used for 44c and 45c.
g In order to prevent the connection of a commercially available serial cable to the connectors 43c, 44c and 45c,
The programs written in 3b, 44b, and 45b are protected.

When downloading a program to the main board 43, the LAN board 44, and the USB board 45, the Prog connectors 43c, 44c, 45c are connected to the RS232C (serial port) of the host computer 41, and the Prog connectors 43c, 44c, 45c are connected. The write data is supplied to the flash memories 43b, 44b, and 45b via the memory. When downloading a program to the flash memory 43b, it is also possible to supply write data from the host computer 41 to the main board 43 via the Centro interface. Here, different MPUs 43 are used for the main board 43, the LAN board 44, and the USB board 45, respectively.
Since a, a, and 45a are used, a download program is created for each of the boards 43, 44, and 45, and stored in the flash memories 43b, 44b, and 45b. And MPUs 43a, 44a, 45a
Rewrites the programs in the flash memories 43b, 44b, and 45b based on the download programs that each of the boards 43 to 45 has.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the main board 43 includes an MPU 51, a RAM 52, a flash memory 53, an ASIC (application specific IC) 54, Pr
An OG connector 55, an input / output port 56, a Centro interface 57, and a print engine interface 58 are provided. AD terminal of MPU51 is ASIC
54, and connected to the DATA terminals of the RAM 52 and the flash memory 53.
The R / W terminal of the MPU 51 is connected to the R / W terminal of the RAM 52 and the flash memory 53, and the ALE terminal of the MPU 51 is connected to the ASIC terminal.
It is connected to IC54. ASIC54 is Prog
Connector 55, input / output port 56, centro interface 57, and print engine interface 58
And the ADDR terminal of the ASIC 54 is connected to the ADDR terminals of the RAM 52 and the flash memory 53. The input / output port 56 is connected to an option board such as the LAN board 44 and the USB board 45, the Centro interface 57 is connected to the host computer 41, and the print engine interface 58 is connected to the print engine of the printer 42.

When downloading a program to the main board 43, write data to the flash memory 53 is supplied from the Prog connector 55 or the Centro interface 57 to the ASIC 54. The MPU 51
The writing of data to the flash memory 53 is controlled based on a download program stored in the flash memory 53. That is, the MPU 51 outputs a write signal to the R / W terminal of the flash memory 53 to put the flash memory 53 in a write state,
An address signal is output from the AD terminal and an address latch signal is output from the ALE terminal, and the ASIC 54 latches the address signal. The ASIC 54 outputs the latched address signal to the ADDR terminal of the flash memory 53, and outputs the write data input from the Prog connector 55 or the centro interface 57 to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 53. As a result,
The data supplied to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 53 is stored in the flash memory 53 specified by the address signal.
Is written to the address.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the LAN board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, LA
The N board 44 includes an MPU 61, a RAM 62, a flash memory 63, an ASIC 64, a latch circuit 65, a LAN connector 66, a Prog connector 67, and an input / output port 6.
8 is provided. The MPU 61 has a LAN connector 66,
The AD terminal of the MPU 61 is connected to the DATA terminal of the RAM 62 and the flash memory 63 and is connected to the ADDR terminal of the RAM 62 and the flash memory 63 via the latch circuit 65. And R of MPU61
The / W terminal is connected to the R of the RAM 62 and the flash memory 63.
/ W terminal, and the ALE terminal of the MPU 61 is connected to the latch terminal of the latch circuit 65. ASIC6
4 is connected to the B1 terminal and B2 terminal of the input / output port 68, the B1 terminal of the input / output port 68 is connected to the A1 terminal of the input / output port 56 of the main board 43, and the B2 terminal is connected to the input / output port 56 of the main board 43. A2 terminal.

When downloading a program to the LAN board 44, data to be written to the flash memory 63 is supplied from the Prog connector 67 to the MPU 61.
The MPU 61 controls writing of data to the flash memory 63 based on a download program stored in the flash memory 63. That is, MP
The U61 outputs a write signal to the R / W terminal of the flash memory 63 to put the flash memory 63 in a write state, outputs an address signal from the AD terminal, outputs an address latch signal from the ALE terminal, and outputs the latch circuit 65. To latch the address signal. The latch circuit 65 outputs the latched address signal to the ADDR terminal of the flash memory 63, and the MPU 61
The write data input from the connector 67 is output to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 63. As a result, data supplied to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 63 is written to the address of the flash memory 63 specified by the address signal.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the USB board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, US
The B board 45 includes an MPU 71, a RAM 72, a flash memory 73, a latch circuit 74, a USB connector 75,
A log connector 76 and an input / output port 77 are provided. The MPU 71 is connected to the USB connector 75, the Prog connector 76, and the input / output port 77, and
Is connected to the DATA terminal of the RAM 72 and the flash memory 73, and is connected to the ADDR terminal of the RAM 72 and the flash memory 73 via the latch circuit 74. The R / W terminal of the MPU 71 is connected to the RAM 72.
And the R / W terminal of the flash memory 73,
The ALE terminal of the PU 71 is connected to the latch terminal of the latch circuit 74. The C1 terminal of the I / O port 77 is connected to the A1 terminal of the I / O port 56 of the main board 43, and the C2 terminal is connected to the A2 terminal of the I / O port 56 of the main board 43.

When downloading a program to the USB board 45, write data to the flash memory 73 is supplied from the Prog connector 76 to the MPU 71.
The MPU 71 controls writing of data to the flash memory 73 based on a download program stored in the flash memory 73. That is, MP
U71 outputs a write signal to the R / W terminal of the flash memory 73 to put the flash memory 73 in a write state, outputs an address signal from the AD terminal, outputs an address latch signal from the ALE terminal, and outputs a latch circuit 74. To latch the address signal. The latch circuit 74 outputs the latched address signal to the ADDR terminal of the flash memory 73, and the MPU 71
The write data input from the connector 76 is output to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 73. As a result, the data supplied to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 73 is written to the address of the flash memory 73 specified by the address signal.

[0012]

However, in a conventional printing apparatus, when rewriting a program of an option board such as the LAN board 44 or the USB board 45,
It is necessary to download a program from the Prog connectors 67 and 76. However, Prog connector 6
Since special connectors are used for the connectors 7 and 76 and a commercially available serial cable cannot be connected, the user cannot rewrite the program of the option board.
Therefore, when it is necessary to rewrite the program of the option board in response to a change in specifications or standards, it is necessary for a service person to visit the user or for the maker to collect the option board.

The rewriting of the program in each of the boards 44 to 46 is performed by the MPU 11 of each of the boards 44 to 46,
It is performed independently by 21 and 31, and it is necessary to hold a download program for each board. Therefore, the download program is stored in the flash memory 53,
63, 73, then the main board 43, LA
The flash memory 53, 63, 73 in which the download program is written must be mounted on the N board 44 and the USB board 45. It was necessary to distinguish between the flash memories 53, 63, and 73 in which the download program was not written. Further, when the specifications and standards of the program of the option board are changed, it is necessary to rewrite the programs of the flash memories 53, 63 and 73 stored as inventory.

Further, the flash memories 53, 63, 7
In order to prevent the download program of No. 3 from being destroyed during the download of the program, the download of the program is executed while protecting the download program. However, since the protection of the download program can be canceled by software, the download is not performed. The program could not be completely protected. Also, the flash memories 53, 63, 73
In such a case, since data is erased at the same time when data is rewritten, the download program may be destroyed if a communication failure occurs during the download of the program or the power is cut off.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data rewriting device capable of easily rewriting data of an option board.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a signal line to a storage means provided on an auxiliary substrate is released based on control from a main substrate. By outputting data from the main board to the signal line, the data in the storage means provided on the auxiliary board is rewritten.

This makes it possible to rewrite data on the auxiliary board without providing a special connector for rewriting data on the auxiliary board, and to control rewriting of data on the auxiliary board from the main board side. Accordingly, the data in the storage means provided on the auxiliary board can be rewritten based on the download program provided on the main board side, and it is necessary to provide a download program for controlling the data rewriting on the auxiliary board. Therefore, the protection of the download program at the time of data rewriting is not required.

According to one aspect of the present invention, when the version of the main board is older than the version of the auxiliary board, the data in the storage means provided on the main board is rewritten, and the version of the auxiliary board is changed to the main board. If the version is older than the version, the data in the storage means provided on the auxiliary board is rewritten.

This makes it possible to update the version of the main board and the version of the auxiliary board to the newer version, and to eliminate the inconsistency between the version of the main board and the version of the auxiliary board. Can be used in an optimal state.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, when writing the control data of the first processor to the first storage means, the control data of the second processor is stored in the first storage means. When writing the control data of the second processor into the second storage means, the control data is transferred from the first storage means to the second storage means.

This makes it possible to automatically store the program for controlling the second processor in the auxiliary board when the auxiliary board is mounted on the printing apparatus or when the program of the auxiliary board is upgraded. Therefore, the operation of storing the program on the auxiliary board can be eliminated, and the user's labor when operating the auxiliary board can be reduced.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a host computer 1 and a printer 2 are connected via a Centro interface. The printer 2 has a main board 3 for providing a printing function and an L for providing an additional function.
Optional boards such as the AN board 4 and the USB board 5 can be mounted.

The main board 3 has an MPU 3a, a flash memory 3b, and a Pro for downloading a program.
g connector 3c and a data transfer unit 3d are provided.
The N board 4 includes an MPU 4a, a flash memory 4b, and a data supply unit 4c.
MPU 5a, flash memory 5b, and data supply unit 5
c is provided. The data transfer unit 3d outputs the data input to the main board 3 to an option board such as the LAN board 4 and the USB board 5. The data supply units 4c and 5c input the data output from the main board 3 to the flash memories 4b and 5b. Note that the flash memories 3b, 4b, 5b may be EEPROMs, and may be anything as long as they are writable and erasable nonvolatile storage media.

When downloading a program to the LAN board 4, a floppy disk or optical disk storing the program of the LAN board 4 is set in the host computer 1. Then, the program of the LAN board 4 is sent to the main board 3 of the printer 2 via the Centro interface. The main board 3 sends a command to the LAN board 4 to store the flash memory 4b in the MPU 4
a) and release the program sent from the host computer 1 through the data transfer unit 3d.
The data is sent to the data supply unit 4c of the N board 4. LAN board 4
Is controlled by the MPU 3a of the main board 3, and writes the program sent from the main board 3 to the flash memory 4b.

When downloading a program to the USB board 5, a floppy disk or optical disk storing the program of the USB board 5 is set in the host computer 1. Then, the program of the USB board 5 is sent to the main board 3 of the printer 2 via the Centro interface. The main board 3 sends a command to the USB board 5 to store the flash memory 5b in the MPU 5
a) and release the program sent from the host computer 1 via the data transfer unit 3d to the US
The data is sent to the data supply unit 5c of the B board 5. USB board 5
Is controlled by the MPU 3a of the main board 3, and writes the program sent from the main board 3 to the flash memory 5b.

As described above, the rewriting of the data in the flash memory 4b of the LAN board 4 and the rewriting of the data of the flash memory 5b of the USB board 5 are performed based on the download program stored in the flash memory 3b of the main board 3. This can be performed under the control of the MPU 3a, and it is not necessary to hold the download program in the flash memories 4b and 5b. In addition, since the download program stored in the flash memory 3b of the main board 3 is not erased by rewriting the data of the LAN board 4 or the USB board 5, the protection of the download program becomes unnecessary and the data is not erased. Even if the data rewriting fails due to a power shutdown or the like during the rewriting, the data rewriting can be easily restarted from the beginning. Further, the flash memory 4b,
Since there is no need to write a download program to the flash memory 5b, the LAN board 4 and the USB board 5 can be shipped without data being written to the flash memories 4b and 5b. For this reason, it is not necessary to attach a label or the like to the flash memories 4b, 5b in order to distinguish them from the flash memories 4b, 5b in which data is written, and the management of the flash memories 4b, 5b can be performed easily.

Furthermore, a special connector for downloading a program to the LAN board 4 or the USB board 5 is not required, and the user can use the LAN board 4 or the USB board 5
Can easily be rewritten, even if the standard of the LAN board 4 or the USB board 5 is upgraded or a bug is corrected, the data for the upgrade is stored on a floppy disk or the Internet. It is only necessary to supply to the user, and there is no need for the serviceman to visit the user or for the manufacturer to collect the LAN board 4 and the USB board 5.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the main board 3 includes an MPU 11, a RAM 12, a flash memory 13, an ASIC 14, a Prog connector 15, an input / output port 16, a centro interface 17, a print engine interface 18, a buffer 19, and a data transfer line 20. Here, the data transfer line 20
Is for transferring data input to the Centro interface 17 to the input / output port 16. Note that MP
U11 is, for example, a 32-bit i96 manufactured by Intel.
0, the RAM 12 has a memory capacity of 8 MB, for example, and the flash memory 13 has a memory capacity of 2 MB, for example.

The AD terminal of the MPU 11 is connected to the AD terminal of the ASIC 14 and the DATA terminal of the RAM 12 and the flash memory 13. The R / W terminal of the MPU 11 is connected to the R / W terminal of the ASIC 14 and the RAM 12. And R / W of flash memory 13
ALE terminal of MPU11 is ASIC1
4 is connected. The ASIC 14 includes a Prog connector 15, an A1 terminal and an A2 terminal of the input / output port 16,
Connected to the Centro interface 17 and the print engine interface 18 and the ADD of the ASIC 14
The R terminal is connected to the AD of the RAM 12 and the flash memory 13.
Connected to DR terminal. Further, the ASIC 14
It is connected to the A3 terminal of the input / output port 16 via the buffer 19 and supplies an EN signal to the buffer 19. The input / output port 16 is connected to an optional board such as the LAN board 4 or the USB board 5, and the Centro interface 1
7 is connected to the host computer 1, and the print engine interface 8 is connected to the print engine of the printer 2.

When downloading a program to the option board, the main board 3 disables the buffer 19 and sends an address data signal, an address latch signal and a read / write signal to the input / output port 16 via the data transfer line 20. A3 terminal can be output. On the other hand, when the program is not downloaded to the option board, the buffer 19 is enabled and the address data signal, the address latch signal, and the read / write signal are transmitted to the A / O port 16 via the data transfer line 20.
Disable output to 3 terminals. For this reason, by switching the buffer 19, control of data writing of the option board can be performed from the main board 3.

The main board 3 releases the option board from the control by the MPU of the option board when controlling the writing of the data of the option board from the main board 3. For example, when the MPU of the option board releases the address bus and the data bus only by resetting, it outputs a reset signal from the A1 terminal of the input / output port 16. The MPU of the option board, such as 82930A manufactured by Intel Corporation, etc.
If there is a bus mode and a one-chip mode (a mode in which the internal ROM operates and the bus can be used as an input / output port), the mode is switched to the one-chip mode and reset is performed. When the MPU of the option board does not release the address bus and the data bus, a three-state buffer or the like is added to the option board so that the address bus and the data bus can be released. When the MPU of the option board has a DMA (direct memory access) function such as Intel's i386A, a Hold signal is sent from the main board 3 to the MPU of the option board, and the MPU of the option board sends a H signal.
An oldACK signal is received.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the LAN board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the LAN board 4 includes an MPU 21, a RAM 22, a flash memory 23, an ASIC 24, a latch circuit 25, a LAN connector 26, a Prog connector 27, an input / output port 28, and a data supply line 29. Here, the data supply line 2
9 supplies the data input to the input / output port 28 to the flash memory 23 and
3 is performed from the main board 3. The MPU 21 is, for example, a 16-bit Int.
i386 manufactured by El Corporation, and the RAM 22 is, for example, 512
The flash memory 23 has a memory capacity of 512 KB, for example.

The MPU 21 includes an ASIC 24, a LAN connector 26, a Prog connector 27, and an input / output port 28.
, And the AD terminal of the MPU 21
It is connected to the M22 and the DATA terminal of the flash memory 23, connected to the RAM 22 and the ADDR terminal of the flash memory 23 via the latch circuit 25, and further connected to the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28. M
The R / W terminal of the PU 21 is connected to the R / W terminals of the RAM 22 and the flash memory 23 and to the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28, and the ALE terminal of the MPU 21 is connected to the latch terminal of the latch circuit 25. Also connected to the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28. ASI
C24 is connected to the B1 terminal and B2 terminal of the input / output port 28. The B1 terminal of the I / O port 28 is connected to the A1 terminal of the I / O port 16 of the main board 3,
The two terminals are connected to the A2 terminal of the input / output port 16 of the main board 3, and the B3 terminal is connected to the A3 terminal of the input / output port 16 of the main board 3.

When downloading a program to the LAN board 4, the main board 3 sends a reset signal to the MPU 21 via the B1 terminal of the input / output port 28, and the address data bus, the address latch line and the read / write line are transmitted by the MPU 21. Release from control. The main board 3 sends a Hold signal to the MPU 21 via the B1 terminal of the input / output port 28, and the MPU 21 sends the Hold signal to the MPU 21.
By receiving the ACK signal, the address data bus, the address latch line and the read / write line are set to MPU2.
1 may be released.

Next, the main board 3 sends the write signal to the data supply line 29 via the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28 to put the flash memory 23 into the write state, and then sends the address latch signal to the input / output port 28. , And the latch circuit 25 latches the address signal sent from the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28. The address signal latched by the latch circuit 25 is the AD signal of the flash memory 23.
When data supplied to the DR terminal and transmitted from the B3 terminal of the input / output port 28 is output to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 23 via the data supply line 29, the address of the flash memory 23 specified by the address signal Data is written to

As described above, the writing of data to the flash memory 23 of the LAN board 4 can be performed under the control of the MPU 11 of the main board 3 based on the download program stored in the flash memory 13 of the main board 3. This makes it unnecessary to store a download program for controlling the MPU 21 in the flash memory 23.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the USB board of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the USB board 5 includes an MPU 31, a RAM 32, a flash memory 33, a latch circuit 34, a USB connector 35, an input / output port 36, and a data supply line 37. here,
The data supply line 37 supplies data input to the input / output port 36 to the flash memory 33 and controls writing of the flash memory 33 from the main board 3. The MPU 31 is, for example, 8 bi
t is 82930A manufactured by Intel Corporation, and the RAM 32 is
For example, it is assumed that the flash memory 33 has a memory capacity of 512 KB and the flash memory 33 has a memory capacity of 64 KB, for example.

The MPU 31 is connected to the C1 terminal and the C2 terminal of the USB connector 35 and the input / output port 36.
The AD terminal of U31 is connected to the DATA terminal of the RAM 32 and the flash memory 33, and the latch circuit 3
4 through the AD of the RAM 32 and the flash memory 33.
DR terminal, and C3 of the input / output port 36
Connected to terminal. R / W terminal of MPU31 is R
The AM 32 and the R / W terminal of the flash memory 33 are connected to the C3 terminal of the input / output port 36. The ALE terminal of the MPU 31 is connected to the latch terminal of the latch circuit 34 and the C3 terminal of the input / output port 36. It is connected to the. The C1 terminal of the input / output port 36 is connected to the A1 terminal of the input / output port 16 of the main board 3, and the C2 terminal is connected to the A1 terminal of the input / output port 16 of the main board 3.
The terminal C3 is connected to the terminal A3 of the input / output port 16 of the main board 3.

When downloading a program to the USB board 5, the main board 3 sends a reset signal to the MPU 31 via the C1 terminal of the input / output port 36, and sends the address data bus, the address latch line and the read / write line to the MPU 31. Release from control.

Next, the main board 3 sends the write signal to the data supply line 37 via the C3 terminal of the input / output port 36 to put the flash memory 33 in the write state, and then sends the address latch signal to the input / output port 36. And the latch circuit 34 latches the address signal sent from the C3 terminal of the input / output port 36. The address signal latched by the latch circuit 34 is the AD signal of the flash memory 33.
When data supplied to the DR terminal and transmitted from the C3 terminal of the input / output port 36 is output to the DATA terminal of the flash memory 33 via the data supply line 37, the address of the flash memory 33 specified by the address signal Data is written to

As described above, the writing of data to the flash memory 33 of the USB board 5 can be performed under the control of the MPU 11 of the main board 3 based on the download program stored in the flash memory 13 of the main board 3. This makes it unnecessary to store the download program for controlling the MPU 31 in the flash memory 33.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for rewriting an option board according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, preparation for changing the program of the option board is performed (step S1), and a magnetic disk or an optical disk storing the program of the option board is set in the host computer 1 (step S2).
Here, the program of the option board may be stored in a magnetic disk or an optical disk after data compression.

Next, by operating the keyboard and mouse, the host computer 1 is instructed to rewrite the program on the option board (step S3), and the program read from the magnetic disk or optical disk is sent to the main board via the Centro interface. Send to 3. Here, when the program of the option board is compressed, the host computer 1 may decompress the compressed data before sending it to the main board 3. The main board 3 stores the option board program sent from the host computer 1 in the RAM 12 (step S4). Here, when the main board 3 is sent from the host computer 1 while the program of the option board is compressed,
The compressed data is decompressed and stored in the RAM 12. It should be noted that whether or not data has been normally received
RC (Cyclic Redundancy Chec)
k: periodic redundancy check) or the like, and if an error occurs, data transmission from the host computer 1 is retried.

Next, the main board 3 changes the mode of the option board, and releases the address data bus, address latch line and read / write line of the option board from the control by the MPU of the option board (step S5). Then, by enabling the buffer 19, the ASIC 14 of the main board 3 is connected to the address data bus, the address latch line, and the read / write line of the option board (step S6).

Next, the main board 3 controls the data flow on the address data bus, the address latch line and the read / write line of the option board so that the data stored in the RAM 12 of the Writing to the flash memory of the board (step S7). It should be noted that whether or not the data has been normally received is determined by a CRC or the like, and in the case of an error, the data transmission from the main board 3 is performed again.

When the writing of the program on the option board is completed, the magnetic disk or optical disk storing the program of the option board is removed from the host computer 1, and the power of the printer 2 is turned on again (step S8). Here, the buffer 19 may be disabled to cancel the reset of the option board.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a board rewriting method at the time of version upgrade according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, when the power of the printer is turned on, it is determined whether or not the option board is mounted on the printer (step S11). If the option board is not mounted on the printer, normal processing is performed (step S12). If the option board is mounted on the printer, the version of the option board is read (step S13). Then, it is determined whether the version of the option board matches the version of the main board (step S14). If the versions match each other, a normal process is performed (step S15), and the version of the option board is changed to the main board. If the version of the option board is older than the version of the main board, "Insert the upgrade disk of the main board" is displayed. It is displayed (step S16). Based on this display, the user determines whether or not the version of the main board or the option board needs to be upgraded, sets the version-up disk according to the display in step S16, and executes rewriting (step S17). Here, the upgrade of the option board can be easily performed by the user himself by the method of FIG.

If the option board version is older than the main board version as a result of the main board version upgrade, the option board version upgrade data is stored in the main board flash memory when the main board version upgrade is performed. It may be stored. As a result, the upgrade of the option board can be automatically performed in accordance with the version upgrade of the main board, and the labor required for upgrading the option board can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of installing a printer driver according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, when the printer driver is installed, it is determined whether or not the option board is upgraded (step S21). When the option board is upgraded, the printer driver is installed and the option board version is updated. The updater is stored on the hard disk of the host computer (step S22). If the option board has not been upgraded, only the printer driver is installed (step S23).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for installing an option board according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, when an option board is detected (step S31), the version of the option board is read (step S32). Then, it is determined whether the version of the option board matches the version of the main board (step S33). If the versions match, the data file of the option board stored in the hard disk is erased (step S33). If the option board version is older than the main board version, a search is made as to whether the option board data file is stored on the hard disk (step S34). If the data file of the option board is not retrieved from the hard disk, the message "Please insert the upgrade disk for the option board" is displayed (step S
35) If the option board data file is retrieved from the hard disk, the host computer sends the option board program to the main board.

The main board stores the option board program sent from the host computer in the RAM (step S36). Next, the main board
The mode of the option board is changed, and the address data bus, address latch line, and read / write line of the option board are released from control by the MPU of the option board (step S37). Then, by enabling the buffer, the address data bus, the address latch line, and the read / write line between the main board and the option board are connected (step S38).

Next, the data stored in the RAM of the main board is controlled by controlling the flow of data on the address data bus, address latch lines and read / write lines of the option board from the main board. Write to flash memory (step S3
9), delete the data file of the option board stored in the hard disk.

As described above, when installing the printer driver, by storing the upgrade data of the option board in the hard disk of the host computer, the upgrade of the option board can be performed by the procedure for inserting the printer driver. At the same time, when the upgrade of the option board is completed, the data file of the option board stored in the hard disk is deleted, so that the capacity of the hard disk is not affected. Also, if the versions of the option boards match, the initials can be ended early because the download to the option boards is not performed.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications can be made within the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the LAN board 4 and the USB board 5 have been described as examples of option boards, but other boards may be used. Also, the case has been described where the download of the programs of the LAN board 4 and the USB board 5 is controlled from the main board 3, but the host computer 1
Alternatively, the download of the program of the USB board 5 may be controlled.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By outputting data from the main board side to the signal lines on the auxiliary board, it is possible to rewrite the data on the auxiliary board without providing a special connector for rewriting data on the auxiliary board, and to download the download program. It is not necessary to provide the auxiliary substrate.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, by updating the version of the main board and the version of the auxiliary board to the newer version, it is possible to eliminate the inconsistency between the version of the main board and the version of the auxiliary board. Can,
The main board and the auxiliary board can be used in an optimally adapted state.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control data of the second processor on the auxiliary board is stored in the first storage means on the main board, so that the auxiliary board is mounted on the printing apparatus. When the program of the auxiliary board is upgraded or when the program of the auxiliary board is upgraded, the program for controlling the second processor can be automatically stored in the auxiliary board, and the operation of storing the program in the auxiliary board can be unnecessary. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a USB board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for rewriting an option board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a board rewriting method at the time of version upgrade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for installing a printer driver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for installing an option board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional printing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a USB board of the printing apparatus in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host Computer 2 Printer 3 Main Board 4 LAN Board 5 USB Board 3a, 4a, 5a, 11, 21, 31 MPU 3b, 4b, 5b, 13, 23, 33 Flash Memory 3c Connector 3d Data Transfer Unit 4c, 5c Data Supply Units 12, 22, 32 RAM 14, 24 ASIC 15, 27 Prog connector 16, 28, 36 Input / output port 17 Centro interface 18 Print engine interface 20 Data transfer line 25, 34 Latch circuit 26 LAN connector 29, 37 Data supply Wire 35 USB connector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a main board for providing a function of controlling the printing apparatus; and an auxiliary board for providing an additional function, wherein the printing apparatus is provided on the auxiliary board based on control from the main board. A data line of the storage means provided on the auxiliary substrate is rewritten by releasing a signal line to the storage means provided and outputting data to the signal line from the main board side. Device data rewriting device. And a version judging means for judging a version of the main board and the auxiliary board. The version judging means is provided on the main board when a version of the main board is older than a version of the auxiliary board. And rewriting data in the storage means provided in the auxiliary board, and rewriting data in the storage means provided in the auxiliary board when the version of the auxiliary board is older than the version of the main board. A data rewriting device for a printing device according to claim 1. 3. A main board provided with first storage means for storing control data of a first processor for providing a printing function, and storing control data for a second processor for providing an additional function. In a printing apparatus capable of mounting an auxiliary board provided with a second storage unit, the control data of the second processor is written into the first storage unit when the control data of the first processor is written into the first storage unit. And storing the control data of the second processor in the second storage means, wherein the control data is transferred from the first storage means to the second storage means. A data rewriting device for a printing device.