JP2001117779A - Electronic instrument and program rewriting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely rewrite a firmware program stored in a ROM mounted on a substrate of an electronic instrument by a simple work. SOLUTION: In a computer system 1 to store an ID intrinsic to a computer system 1 and a version of the firmware program in a flash ROM 4, rewrite of firmware in the flash ROM 4 is executed when the ID intrinsic to the computer system 1 and the version of the firmware program to be updated are proper by connecting a recording medium 10 to store an instruction to instruct rewrite of the firmware program, information to indicate the ID intrinsic to the computer system 1 and information to indicate the version of the firmware program to be updated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of updating a firmware program in a storage medium mounted on a board by a simple operation, and a program rewriting method in the electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a computer system operates, a basic control program called a firmware program is executed, and an OS (Operating System) is started.

[0003] The firmware program depends on the hardware constituting the computer system. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-260842, a boot file system corresponding to each hardware is read before the OS is started. After that, the common O
A method for activating S is disclosed.

A firmware program is generally stored in a semiconductor memory device mounted on a board. A storage medium for storing different firmware is externally connected to the board, and the firmware in the storage medium is executed. There are cases.

For example, JP-A-63-244231 discloses a firmware program in an externally connected memory card and a ROM (Read Only) in a computer device.
A method of automatically executing a new revision of firmware among the firmware programs stored in the (y Memory) is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-283173, in order to write a firmware program in a ROM on a board, a boot program for writing a firmware program from an externally connected device to the ROM is written in the ROM on the board. A technique for storing the information is disclosed. According to this method, on a newly manufactured board, the operation of writing the firmware after mounting the ROM on the board becomes easy.

[0007]

However, the above method is a method for executing firmware or writing firmware at the time of manufacturing a board.
When updating the firmware in the storage element on the board, it could not be applied as it is.

That is, even firmware that is already functioning may be rewritten for function expansion or other purposes. The work in this case has been performed by externally connecting a storage medium storing the new firmware to the board and executing a firmware update program.

However, if the update of the firmware fails, it takes a lot of trouble to repair the computer system. Therefore, the operator must carefully check the firmware version and whether the firmware is suitable for the computer system. It was necessary to work while.

An object of the present invention is to provide an RO device on a substrate of an electronic device.
The purpose is to allow the firmware program stored in M to be easily and reliably rewritten by a simple operation.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes a storage medium (for example, a flash ROM 4) storing a program and an external storage device (for example, a recording medium 10). In an electronic device (for example, the computer system 1) to which can be connected, header information (for example, a firmware rewrite instruction 11) for instructing rewriting of a program in the storage medium is stored in the connected external storage device. Determining means (for example, CPU 2 for performing the processing shown in step S3 of FIG. 4), and determining whether the header information is stored in the external storage device by the determining means. Rewriting means for rewriting the program in the storage medium (for example, step S6 in FIG. 4)
And a CPU 2) for performing the processing shown in FIG.

Here, the header information is information that is stored in an external storage device and specifies processing that can be executed by an electronic device. For example, a command that specifies a specific program and instructs execution of the program is specified. Code.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an electronic device which includes a storage medium storing a program and to which an external storage device can be connected, the electronic device connected to the external storage device stores the program in the storage medium in the connected external storage device. A determination unit determines whether or not header information instructing rewriting is stored. If the determination unit determines that the header information is stored in the external storage device, the program in the storage medium is rewritten by the rewriting unit. rewrite.

Therefore, when rewriting the program in the storage medium storing the program, an external storage device storing header information instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium may be connected. Thus, for example, in the operation of rewriting the firmware program in the flash ROM mounted on the board, the program can be easily rewritten without performing a complicated operation. For this reason, while reducing the burden on the workers,
Even workers who are not familiar with the program can work without errors.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the storage medium stores ID information (for example, a platform ID 42) unique to the electronic device, and the determination unit includes: The rewriting means determines whether or not the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device, and the rewriting means compares the ID information stored in the storage medium with the identification information. The program is rewritten only when it is determined that the same ID information is stored in the external storage device.

Here, the ID information is a number or a symbol given to the electronic device based on the specification, model, serial number, etc. of the electronic device. A number shall be assigned.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the storage medium stores ID information unique to the electronic apparatus, and the determining means stores the ID information in the storage medium. It is determined whether or not the same ID information as the ID information is stored in the external storage device, and the rewriting means determines the same ID as the ID information stored in the storage medium by the determining means.
The program is rewritten only when it is determined that the information is stored in the external storage device.

Therefore, the program is rewritten only when an external storage device storing unique ID information is connected to the electronic device. For this reason, when an optimal external storage device is prepared for each hardware configuration,
Since the plurality of external storage devices are identified for each hardware configuration of each electronic device by the ID information, they cannot be used confusedly. Thus, even if an external storage device for rewriting the program is erroneously connected to another electronic device, the program is not rewritten, and the reliability of the operation can be further improved.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the electronic device according to the aspect, the determining unit determines whether a newer version of the program than the program stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. When it is determined that a newer version of the program than the program stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device, rewriting the program in the storage medium to a program in the external storage device, Features.

Here, a program of a new version refers to a program created more recently among a plurality of programs for performing substantially the same control corresponding to the same hardware, for example, a number indicating the version. And can be identified by symbols.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first or second aspect, the determining means includes:
It is determined whether or not a newer version of the program than the program stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device, and the rewriting means determines whether the program has a newer version than the program stored in the storage medium by the determination means. Is determined to be stored in the external storage device, the program in the storage medium is rewritten to the program in the external storage device.

Therefore, even when an external storage device is connected, the state where the latest program is stored in the storage medium is not rewritten to an older program. Accordingly, the worker can perform the work with peace of mind without checking the version of the program, and the reliability of the work can be further improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program rewriting method for rewriting a program in a storage medium in an electronic device having a storage medium storing a program and being connectable to an external storage device. Is stored in the storage medium, and it is determined whether or not header information instructing rewriting of a program in the storage medium is stored in the connected external storage device. It is determined whether or not the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage medium is stored in the device, and a newer version of the program than the program in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. It is determined whether or not has been performed, in the external storage device,
It is assumed that header information instructing rewriting of a program in the storage medium, ID information that is the same as ID information stored in the storage medium, and a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium are stored. When the determination is made, the program in the storage medium is rewritten.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program rewriting method for rewriting a program in a storage medium in an electronic device having a storage medium storing a program and being connectable to an external storage device. An ID unique to the device is stored in the storage medium, and it is determined whether or not header information instructing rewriting of a program in the storage medium is stored in the connected external storage device. And the ID stored in the storage medium
Determine whether the same ID information as the information is stored,
Determining whether or not a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device; and, in the external storage device, header information for instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium; When it is determined that the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage medium and a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium are stored, the program in the storage medium is rewritten.

Therefore, in an electronic device which includes a storage medium storing a program and to which an external storage device can be connected, header information instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium, ID information stored in the storage medium, When an external storage device storing the same ID information and a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium is connected, the program in the storage medium is rewritten. But the work can be done easily. Also, header information, appropriate ID information,
In addition, since the program is rewritten only when an external storage device storing all the new programs is connected, there is no possibility that the program is rewritten to a program that is not compatible with the electronic device, and a more reliable operation can be performed.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 1 includes a CPU (Ce
ntral Processing Unit) 2, RAM (Random Access)
Memory) 3, Flash ROM (Read Only Memory)
4, a media reading device 5, an input device 6, and an I / O interface 7; a recording medium 10 is externally connected to the computer system 1 via the media reading device 5.

The arrangement of each part of the computer system 1 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the computer system 1 may be a built-in microcomputer board in which each part is provided on the same board. Can be changed to

The CPU 2 determines whether or not the recording medium 10 is connected when the computer system 1 is started. If the recording medium 10 is not connected, or if the recording medium 10 has header information for instructing the recording medium 10 to rewrite firmware. If 10a is not stored,
The firmware program 44 stored in the flash ROM 4 is read and executed to drive and control the computer system 1. After the firmware program 44 is started, the OS stored in the recording medium 10 is
(Operating System) is read and executed, and the input device 6
In accordance with the instruction input from, various parts of the computer system 1 and various external devices connected to the I / O interface 7 are controlled.

When the recording medium 10 is connected at the time of starting and the header information 10 a for instructing the firmware rewriting is stored in the recording medium 10, the CPU 2 executes the firmware rewriting program 41 stored in the flash ROM 4. And executes a rewriting process of the firmware program 44 in the flash ROM 4.

The RAM 3 forms a work area for temporarily storing programs and data executed by the CPU 2.

The flash ROM 4 is composed of a semiconductor memory element or the like capable of holding data even when the operation of the computer system 1 is stopped. The flash ROM 4 is used to control the computer system 1 and to rewrite the firmware stored in the flash ROM 4. Firmware rewriting program.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the flash ROM 4, and as shown in FIG.
The M4 stores various programs and data such as a firmware rewriting program 41, a platform ID 42, firmware version information 43, and a firmware program 44.

Firmware rewriting program 41
Is a program for executing rewriting of the firmware program 44 in the flash ROM 4. The platform ID 42 is a unique ID assigned to the computer system 1 based on the specifications, model, serial number, and the like of the computer system 1. The firmware version information 43 is information indicating the version of the firmware program 44 currently stored in the flash ROM 4.

The media reading device 5 (FIG. 1) is an interface for externally connecting the recording medium 10 to the computer system 1. When the recording medium 10 is connected, the program and data stored in the recording medium 10 are sent to the CPU 2. Transmit.

The input device 6 is an input device provided with various switches and keys for inputting various instructions to the CPU 2.

The I / O interface 7 is an interface for connecting an external device controlled by the computer system 1 and has a connector for connecting various cables and the like.

The recording medium 10 includes a magnetic or optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory element, or the like, and is read and executed by the CPU 2 after the computer system 1 is started in accordance with the firmware program 44 (FIG. 2). Various programs and data are stored. Further, the recording medium 10 for rewriting the firmware includes:
The header information 10a instructing rewriting of the firmware program 44 is stored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of the header information 10a stored in the recording medium 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the header information 10a includes a firmware rewrite instruction 11, a platform ID 12, firmware version information 13, and error correction information 14.
And an update firmware 15.

The firmware rewrite instruction 11 is composed of the CP
This is information that instructs U2 to rewrite the firmware program 44 stored in the flash ROM 4. For example, the firmware rewriting program 41
Is the code to specify. The CPU 2 executes the flash ROM specified by the firmware rewrite instruction 11
4 is read and executed.

The platform ID 12 indicates a unique ID assigned to the computer system 1 and includes a CPU 2
The firmware rewriting program 4 is stored only when the firmware version information 43 stored in the flash ROM 4 matches the platform ID 12.
Execute 1.

The firmware version information 13 is information indicating the version of the update firmware 15 for which the header information 10a instructs rewriting. CPU2
Only when the version indicated by the firmware version information 13 is newer than the firmware version information 43, the firmware rewriting program 41 is executed.

The error correction information 14 is information for correcting a reading error when the CPU 2 reads the firmware rewrite instruction code 11, the platform ID 12, and the firmware version information 13.

The update firmware 15 is a firmware program newly stored in the flash ROM 4 after the execution of the firmware rewriting program 41 by the CPU 2.

The operation of the computer system 1 configured as described above will be described.

When performing processing other than rewriting the firmware, the recording medium 10 storing the OS is connected to the computer system 1. The computer system 1 is activated by the firmware program 44 and then stored in the recording medium 10. The I / O interface 7 reads the executed OS and executes it to control an external device connected to the I / O interface 7.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of startup in the computer system 1.

First, in step S1, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the recording medium 10 is connected to the media reading device 5. If the recording medium 10 is not connected, the CPU 2 continues until the recording medium 10 is connected. stand by.

Subsequently, in step S2, the CPU 2 reads information in the recording medium 10 connected to the medium reading device 5 and analyzes the presence or absence of the header information 10a.

If it is determined that the firmware rewrite instruction 11 is stored in the header information 10a in the recording medium 10 (step S3; Yes), the process proceeds to step S4, where the platform ID 12 in the header information 10a is stored. Is determined to match with the platform ID 42 in the flash ROM 4.

When the header information 10a is not stored in the recording medium 10 connected to the medium reading device 5 (step S3; No), the CPU 2 proceeds to step S7, where the firmware program 44 of the flash ROM 4 is read. And executes various processes such as running the OS in the recording medium 10 by operating the computer system 1.

If the platform ID 12 and the platform ID 42 match, the CPU 2 proceeds to step S5. Also, platform ID 12
If the ID does not match the platform ID 42, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S5, the firmware version information 13 is compared with the firmware version information 43 in the flash ROM 4 to determine whether the firmware version information 13 is newer.

If it is determined that the firmware version information 13 is newer than the firmware version information 43 (step S5; Yes), the CPU 2 proceeds to step S6, executes the firmware rewriting program 41, and executes the firmware rewriting program 41. Is updated to the update firmware 15.

The firmware version information 13
If the firmware version information 43 is newer than the firmware version information (step S5; No), the process proceeds to step S7.

As described above, according to the computer system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the header information 10a including the firmware rewrite instruction 11, the platform ID 12, the firmware version information 13, and the update firmware 15 is stored. The recording medium 10 is connected, and the platform ID 12 and the firmware version information 13
If the firmware rewrite program 41 is appropriate as compared with D42 and the firmware version information 43, the firmware rewrite program 41 is read and executed, and the firmware program 44 in the flash ROM 4 is updated to the update firmware 15. If the platform ID 12 and the firmware version information 13 are not appropriate, the firmware is started according to the firmware program 44 in the flash ROM 4.

Thus, the recording medium 10 storing the header information 10a suitable for the computer system 1
The firmware program 44 can be updated to the update firmware 15 simply by connecting the firmware program 44 to the media reading device 5. Further, since the firmware program 44 is updated only when the platform ID 12 and the firmware version information 13 are appropriate, the recording medium 10 for another computer system is mistakenly connected, or the firmware program is rewritten to an old version. Even if the recording medium 10 is connected, the firmware program in the flash ROM 4 is not rewritten.

As a result, the burden on the operator can be greatly reduced, and the firmware in the flash ROM 4 can be surely updated without errors.
Even a worker who is not familiar with the work can work without mistakes, and can perform highly reliable work.

In the computer system 1 according to the above embodiment, the OS in the recording medium 10 is started after the firmware in the flash ROM 4 is started. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that an external device connected to the I / O interface 7 can be controlled only by executing the firmware program. Further, the computer system 1 includes a microcomputer board in which each unit and an external device connected to the I / O interface 7 are mounted on the same board, but may have another configuration.

Further, in the computer system 1, in step S5 (FIG. 4), only rewriting to the latest firmware program is performed, but rewriting to an older version may be performed depending on special circumstances. . In this case, a program for forcibly rewriting the firmware program even in the old version is stored in the flash ROM 4, and an instruction code designating this program is included in the header information 10a. Can be rewritten. In addition, in the computer system 1 described above, it is needless to say that a detailed configuration corresponding to a design matter can be appropriately changed.

[0060]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when rewriting a program in a storage medium storing a program, an external storage device storing header information instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium is connected. do it. Thus, for example, the flash RO mounted on the substrate
In the operation of rewriting the firmware program in M, the program can be easily rewritten without performing a complicated operation. Therefore, the burden on the worker can be reduced, and even a worker who is not familiar with the program can work without error.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the program is rewritten only when an external storage device storing unique ID information is connected to the electronic device. For this reason, when an optimal external storage device is prepared for each hardware configuration, the plurality of external storage devices have IDs.
Since the information is distinguished for each hardware configuration of each electronic device, it cannot be confused. Thus, even if an external storage device for rewriting the program is erroneously connected to another electronic device, the program is not rewritten, and the reliability of the operation can be further improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, even when an external storage device is connected, the state in which the latest program is stored in the storage medium is rewritten to an older program. There is no. Accordingly, the worker can perform the work with peace of mind without checking the version of the program, and the reliability of the work can be further improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in an electronic apparatus having a storage medium storing a program and being connectable to an external storage device, header information instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium, When an external storage device storing the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage device and a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium is connected, the program in the storage medium is rewritten. By operation, even an unskilled worker can easily work. Further, since the program is rewritten only when an external storage device storing all of the header information, the appropriate ID information, and the new program is connected, there is no possibility that the program is rewritten to a program incompatible with the electronic device. Work can be performed with higher reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer system 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration in a flash ROM 4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of header information 10a stored in a recording medium 10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of startup in the computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 2 CPU 3 RAM 4 Flash ROM 41 Firmware rewriting program 42 Platform ID 43 Firmware version information 44 Firmware program 5 Media reader 6 Input device 7 I / O interface 10 Recording media 11 Firmware rewriting instruction 12 Platform ID 13 Firmware version information 14 Error correction information 15 Update firmware

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device comprising a storage medium storing a program and having an external storage device connectable, wherein in the connected external storage device, header information instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. Determination means for determining whether or not the header information is stored; and rewriting means for rewriting a program in the storage medium when the determination means determines that the header information is stored in the external storage device. An electronic device, comprising: 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an I / O device.
D information is stored. The determining means determines whether or not the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program is rewritten only when the determination unit determines that the same ID information as the ID information stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. . 3. The discriminating means discriminates whether or not a program of a newer version than the program stored on the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. Rewriting the program in the storage medium to a program in the external storage device when it is determined that a newer version of the program than the program stored in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. An electronic device having a storage medium storing a program and being connectable to an external storage device.
A program rewriting method for rewriting a program in the storage medium, wherein an ID unique to the electronic device is stored in the storage medium, and the program in the storage medium is rewritten in the connected external storage device. It is determined whether or not the header information to be instructed is stored, and in the external storage device, the I information stored in the storage medium is stored.
Determining whether the same ID information as the D information is stored; determining whether a newer version of the program than the program in the storage medium is stored in the external storage device; In the device, header information for instructing rewriting of the program in the storage medium, ID information identical to the ID information stored in the storage medium, and a program of a newer version than the program in the storage medium are stored. Rewriting the program in the storage medium when it is determined that the program has been performed.