JP2002278786A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resolve the nuisance of version up work by requiring only version up work of a main body CPU in the case that an operating part CPU other than the main body CPU is taken as an object. SOLUTION: An IC card is inserted into a card slot 24 provided for a main body control board 200, additional image data to be stored in a flash ROM 2 on an operating part control board 100 are read together with a program to the main body CPU 20, and an additional command including the additional image data is transmitted to the operating CPU 1 from the main body CPU 20 to a corresponding sector of the flash ROM 2 to be stored additionally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an LCD (Liquid
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a display element such as a crystal device and an operation unit having screen data to be displayed on the display element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent embedded devices (print function, FA
In a device in which a plurality of functions such as an X function and a scanner function are incorporated and integrated, a rewritable flash memory is often used as a memory for storing a control program. This tendency is due to the CP
U (hereinafter referred to as “main unit CPU”)
The operation unit of the image forming apparatus controlled by the PU is no exception, and the control system using the EP-ROM and the embedded system based on the screen data are not exceptional.
It is changing to an embedded system using flash memory. These image forming apparatuses are provided with a C
In addition to a control program that performs screen display, key switch input, LED lighting control, and the like on a control board (hereinafter, referred to as an “operation section control board”) on the operation section side on which a PU (hereinafter, referred to as an “operation section CPU”) is mounted, In many cases, screen data such as a character string or a bitmap image to be displayed on an operation screen is stored and mounted. When an operation screen on the operation unit is formed by displaying the screen data at coordinates designated by the main body CPU, screen data that can be used by the main body CPU in forming the operation screen includes the operation unit It is limited to those mounted on the control board in advance.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-219021 describes an image forming apparatus that receives a version upgrade program from the outside such as a host computer under specific conditions and rewrites an execution program. The version of the execution program of the main body CPU has been upgraded. Conversely, JP-A-8-3
As in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In some cases, an external storage device such as a CD-ROM is connected and font data and program data are downloaded thereto.

[0004]

However, since the display of the operation screen on the operation unit is often changed later due to the addition of a function, a user's request, or the like, the operation screen is mounted on the operation unit control board in advance. Is not enough screen data to form the added or changed operation screen,
There are many cases where it is necessary to add them separately. Then, it is necessary to upgrade not only the control program for the main body CPU but also the control program for the operation unit CPU. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the storage medium storing the program for the upgrade is required. A plurality of versions must be prepared and the version upgrade operation must be performed a plurality of times, resulting in duplicate operations. SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to add screen data to an operation unit control board in an image forming apparatus including a CPU independent of a main body CPU such as an operation unit CPU. As in the version upgrade, the version upgrade for a part different from the control board on the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the “main control board”) can be performed only by the version upgrade work on the main unit, which makes the upgrade work cumbersome. The purpose is to eliminate.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a screen data storage means having a plurality of individually erasable storage sections for storing screen data for displaying an operation screen. An operation unit control means for executing control independent of the apparatus main body, and a main body control means for controlling the apparatus main body, and according to the instruction information of the operation screen transmitted from the main body control means, An image forming apparatus in which an operation unit control means displays an operation screen based on screen data stored in the screen data storage means, wherein the screen data read by the main body control means is stored in the screen data storage means. Means for transmitting to the operation unit control means together with attribute information to be stored in a predetermined storage unit of the means, and identification by attribute information transmitted from the main body control means The storage portion of the serial picture data storage means,
Means for storing the transmitted screen data to constitute an image forming apparatus. According to this image forming apparatus, the screen data added on the operation unit control unit is transmitted from the main body control board side to the operation unit control board side together with the attribute information, and the operation unit control unit according to the attribute information,
The transmitted screen data can be additionally stored in a corresponding storage section of the screen data storage means, and the screen data held by the main body control means can be registered in the operation section control means as required.

The image forming apparatus is preferably provided with a history information holding means for holding history information in which the transmitted screen data is stored in the screen data storage means in the main body control means. This history information holding means can be constituted by a nonvolatile memory. Preferably, the main body control means includes means for transmitting information for switching whether or not the transmitted screen data is stored in the screen data storage means. In any of the image forming apparatuses, it is preferable that the screen data storage unit is constituted by a flash memory.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a digital multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. This digital multi-function peripheral has a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function integrated with each other, and its control unit includes a main body control unit having a main body CPU 20 for controlling the apparatus main body. In addition to the main body control board 200, an operation section control board 100, which is an operation section control means mounted with an operation section CPU1 for controlling an operation section unit 105 described later, is provided. 1
0 so that bidirectional data communication such as a drawing command and key input information can be performed.
The operation unit control board 100 includes an operation unit CPU1, a flash ROM 2, an SRAM 3, and an LCD controller 4.
, An SDRAM 5, an LCD module 6, a touch panel 7, a key switch and an LED board 8, a driver 9, and a card slot 11. The operation unit control board 100 receives instruction information from the main body control board 200 via the communication unit 10 and, in accordance with the instruction information,
An operation screen based on screen data stored in the flash ROM 2 is displayed on the LCD module 6.

The operation unit CPU 1 is a CPU dedicated to the operation unit that executes control independent of the main unit CPU 20. The operation unit CPU 1 is connected to the main unit CPU 20 by the communication unit 10, and is electrically connected to other components such as the flash ROM 2 and the SRAM 3. It is connected to the. The flash ROM 2 is a screen data storage unit that stores screen data together with a control program, and includes a plurality of sectors which are individually writable / erasable storage units as described later. Some or all of the content is rewritable. Its storage capacity is, for example, about 2 Mbytes.
The SRAM 3 is used as a work area for temporarily storing data externally received by a printer function or a facsimile function, and has a storage capacity of about 256 Kbytes, for example. The LCD controller 4 includes an LCD module 6
Controls the liquid crystal display, backlight display, etc., refreshes the SDRAM 5,
The display data transfer (display signal output) from the AM 5 to the LCD module 6 is performed. The output P of the display signal can be suppressed by setting an internal register (not shown).

The SDRAM 5 stores display pixel data to the LCD module 6 via the LCD controller 4 and is readable and writable video RAM (also referred to as VRAM).
It is. Its storage capacity is about 4 Mbytes, for example. The LCD module 6 is a display element that displays an operation screen having a layout as shown in FIG. The touch panel 7 is a pressure-sensitive matrix touch switch that is arranged on the LCD module 6 and inputs an input control signal to the operation unit CPU 1 in accordance with an operator's input. The key switch and the LED board 8 switch functions mounted on the digital multi-function peripheral according to a signal input from the driver 9 in accordance with an operator's input. The driver 9 drives a key switch and each switch and each LED on the LED board 8 according to an operator's input. The communication unit 10 connects the operation unit CPU1 and the main body CPU 20, and executes bidirectional data communication by synchronous serial or the like. The card slot 11 is a connection unit for mounting an IC card and reading information such as programs and screen data stored therein, and writing information to the mounted IC card. This card slot 11
The attachment and non-attachment of the IC card to the IC card can be confirmed at the input port. In addition, a drive for reading and writing on an external storage medium different from the IC card may be mounted so that reading and writing of information can be performed.

The main body control board 200 includes a main body CPU 20
, Flash ROM 21, SRAM 22, NVR
It has an AM 23 and a card slot 24. The main body CPU 20 controls the entire apparatus main body.
The flash ROM 21 stores a control program for controlling the apparatus main body and permanent data, and a part or all of the stored contents can be rewritten. The SRAM 22 temporarily stores data that needs to be held during the processing execution operation. NVRAM2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a nonvolatile memory, which is an operation unit control board 100
The flash ROM 2 operates as a history information holding unit that holds history information when screen data is additionally stored. The card slot 24 is a connection unit for reading information such as a program and screen data stored by mounting an IC card. This card slot 2
The attachment and non-attachment of the IC card to the IC card 4 can be confirmed at the input port. In addition, a drive for reading and writing on an external storage medium different from the IC card may be mounted so that reading and writing of information can be performed.

Next, the operation unit CP of the operation unit control board 100
The operation unit 105 controlled by U1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation unit 105. This operation unit 105
Numeric keypad 31, start key 32, LED display unit 3
3, a clear / stop (C / S) key 34, an interrupt key 35, a preheat key 36, a reset key 37, an initial setting key 38, a language switching key 39, an application switching key 40, and an LCD display. And a part 45. Numeric keypad 3
A numeral 1 is used to input a numerical value for setting the number of prints and the magnification when copying or printing by the digital multi-function peripheral. The start key 32 is used to input an instruction for starting a print or copy operation. LED display section 33
Is provided on the start key 32 and includes, for example, green and red LEDs for changing colors and displaying the digital multifunction peripheral so as to be able to distinguish between a case where printing is possible and a case where operation is not possible. When the printing operation is possible, green is displayed, and when the printing operation is disabled, red is displayed. A clear / stop (C / S) key 34 is used to input an instruction to interrupt the printing operation or to clear the input result of the ten keys. The interrupt key 35 is used to enter an instruction for interrupting a print operation being executed and performing another print operation, thereby executing the shift / release of the interrupt mode. The preheating key 36 inputs an instruction to shift / cancel the preheating state. Note that the interrupt key 35 and the preheating key 36 are provided with LEDs 35a and 36a, respectively, for displaying a key selection state.
The reset key 37 is used to input an instruction for returning the set print mode to a default state.

An initial setting key 38 is used to input information for setting the digital multifunction peripheral in accordance with the convenience of an administrator or a user. The language switching key 39 is used to input an instruction for switching a language displayed on the LCD display unit 45 to a language different from the displayed language. The application switching key 40 is provided for selecting an application function to be executed in the digital multi-function peripheral, and includes a copy key 41,
It has a FAX key 42, a printer key 43, and a scanner key 44, and inputs an instruction for selecting each function of copy, FAX, printer, and scanner. LCD display 4
5 displays various information, for example, information such as "I can copy" and "Please wait". Next, a memory space accessible by the operation unit CPU1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the operation unit CP.
2 shows a configuration of a memory space accessible by U1.

This memory space is set so that the boot address of the operation CPU 1 is address 0, and is mapped into eight blocks M1 to M8. Block M1 has addresses H0-H1 (H '
0 to 200000), and a program area, that is, a flash ROM area is mapped. The block M2 has an address H1-H2 (H'20).
0000 to 240000), and an SRAM (256 Kbytes) is allocated as a work area. Block M3 has addresses H2-H3 (H'2
40000-400000).

The block M4 has addresses H3-H4 (H ').
400000-600000)
When an IC card is inserted into the card slot 11, it is mapped to a flash ROM area. This block M4
When an IC card is not mounted, the space becomes an unused space. However, when an IC card is mounted, the block M4 is replaced with the block M1 by hardware circuit control (not shown) and booted in a swapped state (after power-on, Operable state). As a result, a state is obtained in which the block M4 is mapped to the flash ROM area and the block M1 is mapped as the space of the IC card. Since the boot address is address 0 regardless of whether the IC card is mounted or not, the control program is activated by the program stored in the IC card when the IC card is mounted in the card slot 11. become.

The block M5 has addresses H4-H5 (H ').
600000-800000)
The LCD controller registers are set. Block M6 has addresses H5 to H6 (H'800000 to C ').
00000), and the SDRAM 5 as a VRAM is mapped. Block M7 has addresses H6-H7 (H'C0000-E0000).
0) unused space. The block M8 is assigned to addresses H7-H8 (H'E0000-FFFFFF), and a register group of the operation unit CPU1 and its internal RAM are mapped. Subsequently, an IC mounted in the card slot 11 or the card slot 24
The information stored in the card will be described. The IC card is configured so that information according to a prescribed format is stored at a certain address. As shown in FIG. 4, the IC card includes blocks M11 to M16.
Information is stored separately. Block M11 is address H10-H11 (H'00000-001000)
And the information of the interrupt vector table is stored. Block M12 has addresses H11-H2.
7 (H'001000 to 00103C), and card information is stored. This block M
Numeral 12 further stores information subdivided into sectors M20 to M35, each of which is assigned the following address.

The sector M20 has addresses H11-H12.
(H'001000-001002), and stores a model code for specifying the model to be mounted. Sector M21 has address H12-H
13 (H'001002 to 0010004), and a control program ID for determining which module the data is for is stored. Sector M22 has addresses H13-H14 (H'001004).
001008), and stores a card type ID for determining the use of the IC card such as for program, print data, or display data of the operation unit. Sector M23 has addresses H14-H15 (H '
001008-00100C)
The storage address of the program in the IC card is stored. Sector M24 has addresses H15-H16 (H'0
0100C to 001010), and stores a storage address of screen data commonly used for all functions independent of a language.

The sectors M25, M26 and M27 have addresses H16-H17 (H'001010-0010), respectively.
14), H17-H18 (H'001014-0010)
18), H18-H19 (H'001018-0010
1C), and stores the storage addresses of the screen data for the respective functions of copy, facsimile, and printer independent of the language. The sector M28 has addresses H19 to H20 (H'00101C to 00102).
0), and stores the storage address of the common screen data for the display language 1a. Sector M2
9, M30 and M31 are addresses H20-H21, respectively.
(H'001020-001024), H21-H22
(H'001024 to 001028), H22-H23
(H'001028 to 00102C), and stores the storage address of the screen data for each function of the copy, fax, and printer for the display language 1a.
Sector M32 has addresses H23-H24 (H'001).
02C to 001030), and stores the storage address of the common screen data for the display language 1b.

The sectors M33, M34 and M35 have addresses H24 to H25 (H'001030 to 0010, respectively).
34), H25-H26 (H'001034-0010
38), H26-H27 (H'001038-0010
3C) and stores the storage addresses of the screen data for each function of the copy language, the facsimile, and the printer for the display language 1b (this IC card has up to two display languages 1a and 1b at the same time). Is configured to be able to). In blocks M13 to M16, programs and actual data of screen data are stored at the positions indicated by the addresses indicated by the card information of block M12 described above. That is, the control program and the language-independent screen data (common, copy, FA
X, printer), screen data for language 1a (common, copy, FAX, printer), and screen data for language 1b (common, copy, FAX, printer) are stored in corresponding areas.

Next, the configuration of the memory space of the flash ROM 2 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a memory space on the flash ROM 2, and shows a sector configuration and information stored in each sector. This memory space is
The block is divided into four blocks M40, M60, M70 and M80, and each block is composed of a plurality of sectors capable of independently erasing and writing data. The block M40 is used as a program storage area, and has a boot address “0” as shown in FIG.
The vicinity is the address H40-H41 (000000H-00
3FFFH), H41-H42 (004000H-00)
5FFFH), H42-H43 (006000H-00)
7FFFH), H43-H44 (008000H-00)
FFFFH), sectors M41, M42, M4
3 and M44. Also,
Subsequent to the sector M44, sectors M45, M46, M47, M48 and M4 whose address intervals are subdivided into equal intervals.
There are seven sectors of 9, M50 and M51,
Each sector has an address H44-H45 (010
000H to 01FFFFH), H45-H46 (020
000H-02FFFFH), H46-H47 (030
000H to 03FFFFH), H47-H48 (040
000H to 04FFFFH), H48-H49 (050
000H-05FFFFH), H49-H50 (060
000H to 06FFFFH), H50-H51 (070
000H to 07FFFFH).

The block M60 is used as a storage area for screen data independent of language, and includes sectors M61 and M6.
2, M63 and M64, each of which stores common screen data, copy screen data, FAX screen data, and printer screen data. The sectors M61 to M64 have addresses H51 to H5, respectively.
2 (080000H-08FFFFH) and H52-H5
3 (090000H to 09FFFFH), H53-H5
4 (0A0000H to 0AFFFFH) and H54-H5
5 (0B0000H to 0BFFFFH), H55-H5
6 (0C0000H to 0CFFFFH) and H56-H5
7 (0D0000H to 0DFFFFH), H57-H5
8 (0E0000H-0EFFFFH) and H58-H5
9 (0F0000H to 0FFFFFH).

A block M70 is used as a storage area for the screen data for the language 1a, and includes sectors M71, M72, M
The screen data is subdivided into four sectors 73 and M74, each of which stores common screen data, copy screen data, FAX screen data, and printer screen data. Each sector M
71 to M74 are addresses H59 to H60 (1
00000H to 10FFFFH) and H60-H61 (1
10,000H to 11FFFFH), H61-H62 (1
20000H-12FFFFH) and H62-H63 (1
30,000H to 13FFFFH), H63-H64 (1
40000H-14FFFFH) and H64-H65 (1
50,000H to 15FFFFH), H65-H66 (1
60000H-16FFFFH) and H66-H67 (1
70000H to 17FFFFH).

The block M80 is used as a storage area for screen data for language 1b, and includes sectors M81, M82, M
The data is divided into four sectors 83 and M84, and common screen data, copy screen data, FAX screen data, and printer screen data are stored. Each sector M
81 to M84 are addresses H67 to H68 (1
80000H-18FFFFH) and H68-H69 (1
90000H-19FFFFH), H69-H70 (1
A0000H-1AFFFFH) and H70-H71 (1
B0000H to 1BFFFFH), H71-H72 (1
C0000H-1CFFFFH) and H72-H73 (1
D0000H to 1DFFFFH), H73-H74 (1
E0000H-1EFFFFH) and H74-H75 (1
F0000H to 1FFFFFFH). The configuration in each sector will be described later in detail.

Next, taking screen data for a printer application (printer function) as an example, the operation unit control board 10
0, an operation for additionally storing the screen data held on the operation unit control board 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the screen data to be added for the printer application is stored in blocks M14 to M16 of the IC card, and the screen data of the printer of each block (hatched portion in the figure) is targeted. 7
Is performed, the respective screen data are written into the corresponding sectors (M64, M74, M84 in order) of the flash ROM 2.

First, when the IC card storing the screen data for the printer application is inserted into the card slot 11 on the operation unit control board 100, the space of the IC card is mapped to the boot area and stored in the block M13 of the IC card. The running control program starts, and FIG.
The processing according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step 1 to determine whether or not to install the screen data of the printer. If so, the process proceeds to step 2. In step 2, the address where each screen data of the printer is stored is read by referring to the card information of the block M12, and each screen data stored in the corresponding sector of each block is sequentially read. When reading of all the screen data is completed, the process proceeds to step 3, where each screen data read in step 2 is stored in a corresponding predetermined sector (M64, M74,
M84), the process ends. Before writing to the flash ROM 2, the corresponding sectors must be individually erased.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed configuration of a sector to which the screen data is written in the memory space of the flash ROM 2 as described above. Although FIG. 9 illustrates the sector M64, the same applies to the sectors M61 to M84 including the sectors M74 and M84. The sector M64 has three areas M90, M100, and M110.
Information is stored separately. The area M90 is further subdivided into three areas M91, M92, and M93, in which free space information is stored. The storage number (data NO) of the screen data to be allocated next, the start address of the free table space, and the start address of the free data space are stored.

The area M100 is a table space, and the areas M101, M102, M103, M104,
It has an area indicated by M105, and the storage addresses of the numbered screen data are tabulated and stored. The address of the screen data of No. 1, the address of the screen data of No. 2, the address of the screen data of No. 3, and the address of the screen data of No. n are stored in the order of the numbers and the area indicated by the area M 105 is an empty table. It is a space. The storage number assigned to each screen data is a serial number, and the storage number assigned to the screen data indicates an offset in the table space (area M100), whereby the address of each screen data can be searched. I have. The area M110 is a data space, and the areas M111, M112, M113,
It has areas indicated by M114 and M115, and the actual data of the screen data corresponding to the storage numbers are stored, respectively, and the area indicated by the area M115 is an empty data space. As will be described later, additional screen data is stored in the free table space of the area M105 and the free data space of the area M115.

On the other hand, the main body CPU on the main body control board 200
At 20, the main body control program is updated as shown in FIG. The main body control program is stored in a block M40 corresponding to the flash ROM 2 of the flash ROM 21. The main body control program to be updated is stored in the area M of the block M13 of the IC card.
13a. In this block M13, screen data to be added to the operation unit control board 100 (hereinafter referred to as “additional screen data”) is stored in the area M13b. The area M13c is a free data space. Then, the main body control program stored in the IC card is stored in the area M40a of the block M40 in the same manner as in the case of the screen data described above, whereby the main body CPU 20 updates the main body control program.

Next, a feature of the present invention for storing and registering the additional screen data stored on the IC card in the flash ROM 2 of the operation unit control board 100 together with updating of the main body control program in the main body control board 200. Will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by the main body CPU 20 in that case, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process also executed by the operation unit CPU1. First, in FIG. 12, when the processing is started on the main body control board 200 side, the process proceeds to step 11, where the main body CPU 20 determines whether or not the read program includes additional screen data ad. If the existence is recognized, the process proceeds to step 12 to check an application using the additional screen data ad, and further to a step 13 to check the language dependency (common to the language or one of the languages 1a and 1b). Then, the process proceeds to step 14, where an additional command is issued and transmitted to the operation unit CPU 1 via the communication unit 10. The issuance of the additional command is to notify the existence of the additional screen data ad and the contents of the entity from the main body CPU 20 to the operation unit CPU 1.
Adding the screen data, information for specifying an application using the additional screen data ad, and specifying the sector for storing the additional screen data ad including information for specifying the language dependency of the additional screen data ad. It is assumed that attribute information and information indicating the substance of the additional screen data ad are included.

After the command is issued, the process proceeds to step 15 and waits until a number to be added to the additional screen data ad is notified from the operation unit control board 100. The presence or absence of the notification is determined in step 16, and if there is the notification, the process proceeds to step 17,
The result notified via the communication means 10 is stored in the SRAM 22 so as to prepare for use in displaying a screen. On the other hand, FIG.
In the operation unit control board 100 side, the operation unit CPU
When 1 starts processing, it waits until an additional command is received via the communication means 10 in step 21, and proceeds to step 22 when it receives it. In this step 22, as shown in FIG. 11, from among the data included in the received additional command, in order to add the screen data including the entity data of the additional screen data ad, its use application, and language-dependent data. Necessary data (hereinafter referred to as “reception additional data”) is temporarily stored in the area M131 of the SRAM 3 and saved. In a succeeding step 23, the flash ROM 2 for storing the additional screen data ad included in the reception additional data from the use application and the language-dependent data included in the saved reception additional data.
The upper sector (sector M62 in the figure) is specified, and in step 24, data previously stored in the sector M62 (hereinafter referred to as "pre-stored data") is stored in the SRAM 3
Is copied to the area M132.

Here, an example is described in which data independent of the language used by the copy application is added. Then, the process proceeds to step 25, where the additional screen data ad saved in the area M131 is merged with the pre-stored data copied to the area M132 (this merge will be described later), and the process proceeds to step 26, where the merged data as a result of the merge is merged. Flash RO
The pre-stored data is updated by newly writing to the sector M62 on M2. Further, the process proceeds to step 27, where the storage number added to the additional screen data ad is notified to the main body CPU 20 via the communication means 10.

The details of the merge processing performed in step 25 are as follows. As shown in FIG. 11, the storage area n141 of the data to be added next is stored in the head area M141 of the area M132 secured in the SRAM 3 (the pre-stored data is stored in the area M132. The memory space of the area M132 is common to that in FIG. 9), and the storage number n + 1 is added to the additional screen data ad (the data was stored up to the storage number n before storing the additional screen data ad). At the same time, area M141
The storage number stored in is stored in n for the next additional storage.
Update to +2. As described above, the added storage number n + 1
Is notified to the main body CPU 20. Also, area M143
, The received additional screen data ad is stored in the area M163 corresponding to the head address of the free data space (the hatched portion in FIG. 11), and the address of the area M164 next to the area M163 storing the additional screen data ad is stored. The data is stored in the area M143 as the head address of the free data space, and the storage content of the area M143 is updated. And
The address of the area M163 storing the additional screen data ad is written in the area M153, and the start address of the next free data space area M154 is stored in the area M1.
43, and each is updated.

As described above, the top area M153 of the empty table space before the additional screen data ad is added.
And the storage number n in the first area M163 of the free data space
By embedding the +1 additional screen data ad, the additional screen data ad is additionally stored, and the head address of the free table space and the head address of the free data space are updated and stored for the next registration. The number is n + 2. As described above, the screen data added on the operation unit control board 100 is transmitted to the main unit CPU 20 via data communication between the main unit CPU 20 and the operation unit CPU 1.
Is transmitted to the operation unit CPU 1 as an additional command, and is additionally stored in a corresponding area of the flash ROM 2. Therefore, screen data held by the main body control board 200 can be registered on the operation unit control board 100 as necessary. Can be. Issuance of the additional command is performed by the main control board 20.
Since it can be executed together with the update (version upgrade) operation of the control program of the operation unit CPU 1 on the 0 side, addition or change of screen data necessary for addition or change of the operation screen has occurred on the operation unit control board 100. Even in such a case, it is not necessary to perform a version upgrade operation for adding screen data necessary for that purpose on the operation unit control board 100 side. Therefore, the work involved in the version upgrade and the trouble caused by the duplication of time can be reduced and the usability of the digital MFP can be improved.

Next, information (hereinafter referred to as “registration history information”) indicating a history when the additional screen data is registered from the main body control board 200 to the operation section control board 100 is stored in the NVRAM 23.
The operation in the case where the data is held in the memory will be described. The registration history information is generated for each registration of the additional screen data, and the content thereof is, as shown in FIG. And a registration number notified from the operation unit control board 100 side. The registration history information is NV every time one screen data is additionally registered.
It is stored and held in an area M200 in the memory space of the RAM 23. Each area M200 includes an area M201 storing a management number and an area M2 storing a registration number.
02 are paired, and this area M200 is N
A plurality of VRAMs are secured in the memory space. The management numbers added on the main body control board 200 side may be in the storage order or the size order, and may be assigned in any manner as long as they are linked to each screen data in a one-to-one relationship. The procedure for storing the management number and the registration number is performed as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

This process is executed when the IC card is inserted and the presence of additional screen data is recognized as described above. That is, on the main body control board 200 side, when the main body CPU 20 starts the processing, the post-start step
Then, the main body CPU 20 determines whether or not the additional screen data exists, and executes the subsequent processing when detecting the presence of the additional screen data. Then, when the process proceeds to step 32, the management number for the additional screen data is determined. In a succeeding step 33, it is checked whether or not the registration history information of the management number determined in the step 32 exists in the NVRAM 23.
If it is determined that the registration history information exists, step 40
To check if there is additional screen data. If there is no additional screen data, the process ends. If it is determined in step 33 that there is no registration history information, the flow advances to step 34 to check for an application that uses the additional screen data.
In step S5, the language dependence of the additional screen data is checked. In step S36, an additional command for additional screen data is issued to the operation unit CPU1 via the communication unit 10. In the same manner as described above, the additional command includes adding screen data, information specifying an application that uses the additional screen data, attribute information including information specifying language dependency of the additional screen data, and additional information. It is assumed that information indicating the substance of the screen data is included.

After the issuance of the additional command, the flow advances to step 37 to wait for a notification of the storage number from the operation unit CPU1. The operation unit CPU1 flashes the additional screen data in the flash RO.
This is the storage number (n + 1 in the above description) that is notified when registered in addition to M2. In the following step 38, it is determined whether or not there is a number notification. If it is determined that there is a number notification, the process proceeds to step 39. If it is determined that there is no number notification, the process returns to step 37. In step 39, the notified storage number and the management number added on the main body control board 200 side together with the NVRAM
23 is stored in the corresponding area.
The process proceeds to 0, and if it is checked whether or not there is another additional screen data, the process returns to step 32, but if not, the process ends.

As described above, since the history of the addition and registration of the additional screen data used by the operation unit control board 100 is stored in the NVRAM 23, the existence of the additional screen data is determined by mounting the IC card. NVRA when recognized
By searching for M23 and checking whether or not its management number matches the stored registration history information, the operation of adding the same additional screen data can be prevented from being performed in the main body control board 200. . As a result, unnecessary registration work of the additional screen data already registered on the operation control board 100 side can be avoided. In this case, the process of additionally registering the screen data held on the main body control board 200 side on the operation control board 100 side is performed only once, and the redundant process is not executed. It does not occur unnecessarily, and the usability of the digital MFP can be further improved.

Next, the additional screen data is transferred to the operation unit control board 1.
In the case where whether or not to write to the flash ROM 2 of 00 is switchable from the main body control board 200 side, the operation when the additional screen data of the main body control board 200 side is stored and registered in the operation section control board 100 side, This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation, FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by the main body CPU 20 in that case, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process also executed by the operation unit CPU1. First, in FIG.
When the processing is started on the 0 side, the process proceeds to step 41, where the main body CPU 20 determines whether or not the additional screen data ad exists in the read program.
When the existence of the additional screen data ad is recognized, the process proceeds to step 42 to check an application that uses the additional screen data ad. Then, in a subsequent step 43, the language dependency (whether the language is common or the language 1a or 1b) is checked. Then, in step 44, it is determined whether the additional screen data ad is used temporarily or permanently. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 45, where an additional command is issued and transmitted to the operation unit CPU1 via the communication unit 10.

The issuance of this additional command is to notify the existence and content of the additional screen data ad from the main body CPU 20 to the operation unit CPU 1 in the same manner as described above. Information for specifying an application that uses the additional screen data ad, attribute information for specifying a sector for storing the additional screen data including information for specifying language dependency of the additional screen data ad, and additional screen data Information for discriminating whether ad is temporary use or permanent use, and additional screen data a
It is assumed that information indicating the entity of d is included. After the issuance of the additional command, the process proceeds to step 46 and waits until the storage number added to the additional screen data ad is notified from the operation unit control board 100. The presence or absence of the notification is determined in step 47, and if there is the notification, the process proceeds to step 48, and the result notified via the communication unit 10 is stored in the SRAM 22 to prepare for use in displaying a screen. If it is determined that the process is not the step 47, the process returns to the step 46.

On the other hand, in FIG.
On the 00 side, when the operation unit CPU1 starts processing, it waits in step 51 until an additional command is received from the main body CPU 20 via the communication means 10, and upon receiving it, proceeds to step 52. In this step 52, as shown in FIG. 16, from among the data included in the received additional command, the use application including the data of the substance of the additional screen data ad, language-dependent data, permanent use or temporary use Data (reception additional data) for identifying use is temporarily stored in the area M133 of the SRAM 3 and saved. In the subsequent step 53, the process branches between permanent use and temporary use with reference to the received additional data.
Execute 57 and 58. If it is not a permanent use (in the case of a temporary use), the process proceeds to step 59, where the screen data for the temporary use is prepared in advance in the SRAM 3 to store the screen data of the temporary use, or is secured in the SRAM 3 as necessary. In the area M134, the received additional data similarly saved on the SRAM 3 is merged as described later. Steps 55, 56, 57, and 58 are the same as steps 23, 24, 25, and 26, and will not be described. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 60, where the number added to the additional screen data ad is transmitted to the main unit CP via the communication unit 10.
Notify U20.

The details of the merge processing performed in step 59 are as follows. As shown in FIG. 16, the top area M141 of the area M134 secured on the SRAM 3
Stores the storage number n + 1 of the data to be added next, and stores this storage number n + 1 in the additional screen data a.
Append to d. At the same time, the storage number stored in the area M141 is updated to n + 2. As described above, the storage number n + 1 added to the additional screen data ad is notified to the main CPU 20. At this time, it is assumed that the storage number added to the additional screen data is screen data for temporary use, and the screen data for permanent use, that is, flash RO
The storage number to be added to the additional screen data stored on M2 and the number band (number range to be added) are separated. For example, 0 to 1000 is the storage number to be added to the additional screen data ad on the flash ROM 2, and 1001 and subsequent are S
As the storage number to be added to the additional screen data ad stored in the RAM 3, it is preferable to be able to determine whether the additional screen data is on the flash ROM 2 or on the SRAM 3 from the storage number.

Next, the received additional screen data ad is stored in an area M163 (hatched portion in FIG. 16) indicated by the head address of the free data space stored in the area M143, and the area M163 in which the additional screen data ad is stored. Then, the address of the next area M164 is stored in the area M143 as the head address of the free data space, and the stored content is updated. Then, the address of the area M163 storing the additional screen data ad is written in the area M153, and the head address of the next free data space area M164 is stored in the area M143 to update each of them. As described above, the additional screen data ad with the storage number n + 1 is additionally stored by being embedded in the first area of the free table space and the first area of the free data space before the additional screen data ad is added.
The head address of the free table space and the head address of the free data space are updated for the next registration, and the storage number is set to n + 2.

As described above, information for discriminating whether the additional screen data ad is permanent use or temporary use is obtained by operating the additional screen data ad on the operation unit control board 100 added from the main body control board 200. This is information for switching on the main body control board 200 whether or not to write to the flash memory 2 on the unit control board 100.
By transmitting the data from 00 to the operation unit control board 100, the main body control board 200 side can selectively use the screen data that is to be permanently mounted on the operation unit control board 100 and the screen data that can be used temporarily. It becomes possible. As a result, the screen data that can be used temporarily is limited to being stored in the SRAM 3, and the flash R
Since it is possible to prevent writing to the OM2, not only can screen data to be permanently mounted and screen data that only needs to be used temporarily be used,
The processing time required to write screen data sufficient for temporary use on the flash ROM 2 can be reduced. Therefore, usability of the digital multifunction peripheral can be further improved.

[0043]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, even if screen data necessary for adding an operation screen or the like is generated on the operation unit control board, the image forming apparatus can perform the same.
The addition of the screen data and the like can be performed together with the version upgrade work of the program of the main body CPU on the main body control board side, so that the version upgrade work for that need not be performed on the operation section control board side. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the trouble caused by the duplication of the version-up work and to improve the usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a digital multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory space accessible by an operation unit CPU.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory space inside an IC card.

FIG. 5 is a flash ROM mounted on an operation unit control board.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory space of FIG.

6 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a memory space of a block M40 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reading screen data for a printer application from an IC card and storing the screen data in a flash ROM.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram in a case where screen data for a printer application is read from an IC card and stored in a flash ROM.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory space of a sector that stores screen data for a printer application read from an IC card.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram when the main body control program is updated.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram for registering additional screen data from the main body control board side to the flash ROM of the operation section control board;

FIG. 12 illustrates a main body CP when registering additional screen data from the main body control board to the flash ROM of the operation section control board.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process performed by U.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by the operation unit CPU.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory space of NVRAM for holding registration history information on a main body control board.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the management number and the registration number are set to N on the main body control board.
5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for storing the data in a VRAM.

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram in a case where the additional screen data is registered in the operation unit control board when the necessity of writing the additional screen data to the flash ROM can be switched.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process executed by a main body CPU to register additional screen data on the operation unit control board side when the necessity of writing additional screen data to the flash ROM can be switched.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process executed by the operation unit CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Operation unit CPU 3, 22: SRAM 2, 21: Flash ROM 4: LCD controller 5: SDRAM 6: LCD module 7: Touch panel 8: Key switch and LED board 9: Driver 10: Communication means 11, 24: Card slot 20: Main body CPU 23: NVRAM 31: Numeric keypad 32: Start key 33: LED display 35: Interrupt key 34: Clear / Stop key 36: Preheat key 37: Reset key 38: Initial setting key 39: Language switching key 40: Application switching key 45: LCD display unit 100: Operation unit control board 105: Operation unit unit 200: Main body control board M1 to M8: Block M11 to M16: Block M40, M60, M70, M80: Block M61 to M64, M71 to M74 : Sectors M81 to M84: sector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 B41J 29/00 T 5B076 G09G 5/00 G09G 5/00 555D 5C082 F term (Reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 CQ04 CQ24 CQ31 2C087 AA03 AB01 AB05 BA01 BA02 BA05 BA09 BA14 BB03 BC15 BD53 CB17 CB18 2C187 AD03 AE01 CD15 5B021 AA02 BB01 BB08 CC06 5B058 CA24 KA02 KA04 KA06 YA20 5A076 EA01 A02 EA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit control comprising a screen data storage unit having a plurality of individually erasable storage units for storing screen data for displaying an operation screen, and executing control independent of the apparatus main body. Means, and main body control means for controlling the apparatus main body, wherein the operation unit control means stores the screen data stored in the screen data storage means in accordance with the instruction information of the operation screen transmitted from the main body control means. An image forming apparatus configured to display an operation screen according to claim 1, wherein the screen data read by the main body control unit is stored together with attribute information for storing the screen data in a predetermined storage unit of the screen data storage unit. Means for transmitting to the unit control means; and the screen transmitted to the storage unit of the screen data storage means specified by the attribute information transmitted from the main body control means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a means for storing a over data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a history information holding unit for holding history information in which the transmitted screen data is stored in the screen data storage unit is provided in the main body control unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said history information holding means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information for switching whether or not to store the transmitted screen data in the screen data storage unit is transmitted. An image forming apparatus comprising: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said screen data storage means is constituted by a flash memory.