JP2002351687A - Updating system for firmware of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an updating system of the firmware of a printer updating the firmware safely in a short time. SOLUTION: In the updating system of the firmware (F) in charge of the control of the printer, the firmware is divided into a plurality of modules (M1 and M2) and the respective modules are stored respectively in the respective storage areas of a nonvolatile storage means partitioned by a plurality of partitions (partitions 1 to X). At the time of updating the firmware, the respective modules of an updating origin and an updating destination are compared with each other and only the module judged as being changed or corrected is downloaded from the program file of the updating origin and rewritten.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a firmware update method for controlling a printer, and more particularly to a technique capable of safely and quickly updating firmware.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printer stores a program for controlling the printer in a ROM as a non-volatile memory, configures firmware that functions integrally with hardware, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) provided in the printer. A predetermined print process is performed by activating the firmware and executing a program.

A printer control program is often stored in a non-volatile memory, and the non-volatile memory storing the program is a kind of hardware.
The combination of the program and the memory is called firmware.

In recent years, with the spread of electrically rewritable nonvolatile memories (for example, flash ROMs and the like), flash ROMs have been downloaded online or by downloading programs from IC cards or the like.
Printers capable of rewriting a printer control program stored in a printer or the like have been developed.

In the conventional printer, in order to change the control contents, that is, the firmware, the control board itself including the ROM mounted on the printer must be replaced, and the printer is brought to a factory or a service center. Although it was very time-consuming, such as the necessity of having to download the program, as described above, the printer that can download the program allows the user to update the firmware (upgrade the version) and correct the program's problems. In addition, new functions can be added with relatively simple operations.

[0006]

However, in the conventional firmware update method, the entire area of the storage area such as a flash ROM is uniformly rewritten. That is, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a boot program 100 of a printer is stored in a storage area 100 of a flash ROM.
a, an operating system kernel 100b, and various programs (objects) 100c such as a program for controlling updating of font data and firmware are successively stored.
All objects of c were rewritten all at once.

Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a relatively long time to complete the update of the entire firmware.

If the power of the printer is turned off during the updating operation, the program being written to a predetermined storage area such as a flash ROM may be destroyed.
In particular, when a core unit (for example, a boot program, a kernel, a restoration object, etc.) that constitutes a program supporting the update work is destroyed, there is a possibility that the user cannot perform the update work again, and the worst case may occur. In such a case, there has been a problem that the printer itself does not start up and normal print processing cannot be performed. Moreover, in order to return the flash ROM or the like to a normal state, a repair work or the like by a maker is required, and there is a problem that the burden on the user is large both in cost and time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer firmware update method capable of performing firmware update safely and in a short time. I do.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a firmware (F) updating system for controlling a printer, wherein the firmware is divided into a plurality of modules (M1, M2). Each module has a plurality of partitions (partitions 1 to 5).
X) are stored in the respective storage areas of the nonvolatile storage means partitioned by X), and at the time of updating the firmware, the respective modules of the update source and the update destination are compared with each other, and only the module determined to have been changed or corrected is determined. Download and rewrite from the update source program file.

As a result, it is not necessary to rewrite a module that has not been changed or modified, so that the time required for updating the firmware can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be improved. Further, by shortening the update time, it is possible to reduce the probability that the program content being updated is destroyed due to a power loss of the printer during the update.

Further, the module is divided into a module common to firmware and a non-common module, and the common module is preferably not rewritten at the time of updating. The common module may include a program for controlling updating of a printer boot program, an operating system kernel, font data, and firmware. As a result, the update time can be shortened, and even if the contents of the program being updated are destroyed due to a power loss of the printer during the update. Since the printer boot program, the operating system kernel, the font data, and the firmware update control program, which form the basis of printer control, are not subject to update, destruction can be avoided. Therefore, for example, by activating a program for controlling the firmware update, it is possible to perform the update process again and complete the firmware update normally, and it is necessary to perform a repair work by a maker or the like as in the past. In addition, since the user can perform the repair, the convenience can be greatly improved.

Further, the nonvolatile storage means may be constituted by a flash memory. This allows
An IC chip type flash memory mounted on a substrate or a commonly used card type flash memory can be used as a means for storing firmware, and the cost is reduced as compared with a case where a dedicated EPROM or the like is used. Can be.

The update source program file may be downloaded from a host computer connected to the printer, or may be downloaded via a network connected to the printer. Thereby, the firmware can be easily updated.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire printer.
It is. Each unit described below, including this CPU 1, is a bus B
Connected to each other.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a flash memory for storing firmware F. The flash memory 2 has a capacity of, for example, 8 Mbytes, and its storage area includes a plurality of partitions 1 as shown in FIG.
To N (N is an integer of 2 or more). The firmware F includes a printer boot program A, an operating system kernel B, and firmware update (upgrade) as a common module M1.
, A repair object C that supports renewal when a failure occurs, vector font data D, and an object group X as a non-common module M2.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, “partition 1” contains “printer boot program A”, partition 2 contains “operating system kernel B”, and partition 3 contains “repair object C”.
However, the partition 4 stores “vector font data D”. The modules stored in these partitions 1 to 4 are all programs indispensable for starting the printer and programs indispensable for repairing data or firmware.
When the firmware F is updated, it is excluded from the update target. With this, the update process (version upgrade process)
Can be completed in a short period of time, and these important programs and data can be protected from destruction of program data which may be caused by the influence of power loss during updating or the like.

On the other hand, each of the partitions N-4 to N stores one of the object groups X such as various control programs and data to be updated when the firmware F is updated.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM constituting a work area of the CPU 1 and the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a network I / F connected to an external host device (host computer or the like) H via a line. In the present embodiment, the file for updating the firmware F is stored in the network I /
The program is downloaded from the host device H via F4. The network referred to here is not limited to a LAN connecting a personal computer or the like and a printer, but also includes a WAN, the Internet, and the like. That is, the present invention is not limited to the case where the update file of the firmware F is downloaded using a personal computer or the like as a host device, and the update file may be downloaded from a site operated on the Internet.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a printer engine I / F for connecting the printer engine P. As the printer engine P, engines of various printing systems such as an ink jet system and a thermal system can be connected. Needless to say, firmware F stored in the flash memory 2 is prepared for each printing method or model.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 3, of a process for upgrading the firmware F performed by the printer having the above configuration. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the firmware F version upgrade processing.

When the upgrade process is started, first, in step S1, the host device H connects to the printer via the FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Note that the FTP connection is a protocol for file transfer that is widespread on the Internet and the like, but the present invention is not limited to this, and connection may be made using a dedicated protocol.

Next, the process proceeds to step S2, where an image file for upgrading is received from the host device H, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the CRC (Cyclic Re-use) of the image file for version upgrade
(dundancy check: cyclic redundancy check), and determines whether or not the data is normal. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that there is an error, the process proceeds to step S4, where "version upgrade failed" is notified to the host device H, and the process ends. Accordingly, the operator can take measures such as retrying the version upgrade process based on the content of the notification to the host device H.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the version-up image file is normal, the process proceeds to step S5, where the modules of the partitions N-4 to N to which the flash memory 2 is updated are updated. When,
Compare with the image file for version upgrade,
It is determined whether there is a module group X to be updated. As described above, in the updating method according to the present invention, when the update (version upgrade) of the printer boot program A, the operating system kernel B, and the firmware as the common module M1 fails, the update is performed again. The restoration object C and the vector font data D that support the update are excluded in advance from the update targets. Therefore, even in this processing, the processing speed of the common module M1 can be improved since the comparison processing with the update destination does not need to be performed.

If it is determined in step S5 that there is no module to be updated, that is, the image file for version upgrade and partitions N-4 to
If the contents of the N modules are completely the same, the process proceeds to step S6, in which "version upgrade is unnecessary" is notified to the host device H, and the process ends. Thus, the operator can confirm, based on the content of the notification to the host device H, that the current firmware of the printer is the latest version, and that no version upgrade is necessary.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that there is a module to be updated, that is, the image file for version upgrade and partitions N-4 to N-4
If there is a difference in the contents of the module, the process proceeds to step S7. In addition, the above-mentioned determination, for example,
This is performed by comparing the version of the corresponding partition for version upgrade with the versions of the partitions N-4 to N.

In step S7, the image file for upgrading is written over the partition to be updated by overwriting. At this time, the whole of the partitions N-4 to N may be rewritten, or a partition to be updated may be specified and only that partition may be rewritten.

Then, the process proceeds to step S8 to determine whether or not the writing result is normal. If it is determined that the writing result is not normal, the process proceeds to step S9, and the host apparatus is notified that "upgrade failed". H is notified and the process ends. Thus, the operator can take measures such as retrying the version upgrade process or inquiring of the manufacturer's support based on the content of the notification to the host device H.

If it is determined in step S8 that the writing is normal, the process proceeds to step S10.
The host device H is notified that "the version upgrade has been completed normally", and the process ends.

As described above, according to the updating method according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to rewrite a module that has not been changed or modified, so that the time required for updating the firmware can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be reduced. Performance can be improved. Further, by shortening the update time, it is possible to reduce the probability that program contents (firmware) being updated are destroyed due to a power loss of the printer during the update.

Even in the event that the contents of the program being updated are destroyed due to a power loss of the printer during the update, the boot program of the printer and the operating The program that controls the updating of the system kernel, font data, and firmware is not subject to the update, and thus can be prevented from being destroyed. Therefore, for example, by activating a program for controlling the firmware update, it is possible to perform the update process again and complete the firmware update normally, and it is necessary to perform a repair work by a maker or the like as in the past. In addition, since the user can perform the repair, the convenience can be greatly improved.

Here, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 4, of a process of restoring the firmware when the program contents are destroyed during the update as described above. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the firmware restoration processing.

In this process, first, when the power of the printer is turned on in step S100, the kernel of the operating system is started in step S101. Next, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether the CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) of each module of each of the partitions 1 to X in FIG. 2 is normal under the control of the operating system. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the state is normal, it is determined in step S4 or S
Assuming that the contents of the program have not been destroyed by the version upgrade failure in step 9, the process shifts to the normal printer start-up processing in step S103, and the restoration processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that there is an abnormality in the CRC of the module in any partition, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the restoration object C of the partition 3 shown in FIG. 2 is loaded into the memory (RAM3), and the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the printer is activated in the restoration mode by the restoration object C as the restoration program, the process proceeds to step S106, and the fact that the printer is being activated in the restoration mode is displayed on the display panel of the printer, and the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the firmware F is updated again in the restoration mode, and the restoration process is terminated. The specific procedure of the re-version upgrading process conforms to the procedure of steps S1 to S10 shown in FIG.

Thus, even in the event that the contents of the program being updated are destroyed due to a power loss of the printer or the like during the update, the restoration object C for controlling the firmware update is activated. By doing so, it is possible to perform the update process again and complete the firmware update normally, and the repair can be performed on the user side without requiring the repair work by the manufacturer etc. as in the past, and Therefore, the convenience can be greatly improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a file for updating the firmware F is downloaded using a personal computer or the like as a host device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer itself is connected to a network such as the Internet. The update file may be downloaded from a site operated on the above.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is not necessary to rewrite a module that has not been changed or modified, the time required for updating the firmware can be reduced, and the user's convenience can be improved. Further, by shortening the update time, there is an effect that the probability that the contents of the program being updated is destroyed due to a power loss of the printer during the update can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a partition configuration of a flash memory storing firmware F and modules stored in each partition.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a version upgrade process of firmware F;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of restoring firmware F;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a storage area of a conventional flash ROM for storing firmware.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Flash memory 3 RAM 4 Network I / F 5 Printer engine I / FP Printer engine H Host device F Firmware M1 Common module M2 Non-common module

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A firmware update method for controlling a printer, wherein the firmware is divided into a plurality of modules, and each of the modules is stored in a respective storage area of a nonvolatile storage unit partitioned by a plurality of partitions. Each of them is stored, and when updating the firmware, the update source and the update destination modules are compared with each other, and only the modules determined to have been changed or modified are downloaded from the update source program file and rewritten. Printer firmware update method. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the module is divided into a module common to firmware and a non-common module, and the common module is not rewritten at the time of updating. Firmware update method. 3. The printer firmware updating method according to claim 2, wherein the common module includes a program for controlling updating of a printer boot program, an operating system kernel, font data, and firmware. . 4. The printer firmware updating method according to claim 1, wherein said nonvolatile storage means comprises a flash memory. 5. The printer firmware update method according to claim 1, wherein the update source program file is downloaded from a host computer connected to the printer. 6. The printer firmware updating method according to claim 1, wherein the update source program file is downloaded via a network connected to the printer.