JP2003330655A - Image forming device and method for controlling the same device and computer readable storage medium and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To load the latest control program to be updated without interrupting the operation of an image forming device during the execution of a control program to be updated, and to quickly complete rewriting for update. <P>SOLUTION: The latest control program for controlling image formation by communicating with a host computer 19 is received, and while the received latest control program is stored in an RAM 12, and the execution of the control program is continued, the held latest control program is written in a flash ROM 11, and the control program is updated into the latest version under the control of a CPU 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus by analyzing output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to control the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a method and a computer-readable storage medium and program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a firmware in an image forming apparatus generally uses a mask ROM, and an operator can replace the mask ROM to upgrade the firmware or correct a defect. It was being appreciated.

Further, in recent years, the firmware version is upgraded by flash ROM of a new firmware program without replacing hardware parts.
It has become possible to add functions and respond to defects simply by downloading to M.

[0004] Further, as the network of homes in the company has been advanced, the image forming apparatus is a standard network program (TCP / IP, NetWa) such as Ethernet (registered trademark).
Re, AppleTalk, etc.)
(Local Area Network) Connection devices are often used for connection.

[0005]

However, rewriting the program while the image forming apparatus is operating,
The activation of the rewritten program or the rewriting of the program via the network may affect the image forming process during the printing operation of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the image forming process must be interrupted. No
It has been pointed out that the program cannot be easily rewritten while responding to the image forming request from the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to receive the latest control program for controlling image formation by communicating with a host computer, and the received control program. With the latest control program held, and while the execution of the control program is continuing, by writing the latest control program held in the storage device to update the control program to the latest version, While executing the control program to be updated, without interrupting the operation of the image forming apparatus, while loading the latest control program to be updated,
An object of the present invention is to provide a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of completing rewriting for updating in a short time, and a computer-readable storage medium and program.

Further, the latest control program for controlling the image formation by communicating with the server device on the network is acquired, and the acquired latest control program is held, and the execution of the control program is continued. By writing the latest control program stored therein to the storage device and updating the control program to the latest version, the operation of the image forming apparatus is not performed while the control program to be updated is being executed. A control method for an image forming apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program that can complete rewriting for updating in a short time while loading the latest control program to be updated from a remote server device without interruption. Is to provide.

Further, the image forming apparatus is purposely stopped during the working time by setting the restart timing for activating the control program updated by the version upgrade as a holiday or a sleeping time zone other than the working time. A control method for an image forming apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program that can alleviate the effect of stopping the image forming apparatus by avoiding operations such as restarting the upgraded control program. It is to be.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, image formation is performed by analyzing output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image. The device is a device for receiving the latest control program for controlling image formation by communicating with a host computer (communication I / I shown in FIG. 1).
(Corresponding to F20) and holding means (RA shown in FIG. 1) for holding the latest control program received by the receiving means.
(Corresponding to M12) and the latest control program held in the holding means is written in the storage device (corresponding to the flash ROM 11 shown in FIG. 1) while the control program is being executed. Version upgrade means for updating to (CPU 10 shown in FIG. 1
Equivalent to) and.

A second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus which analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image, which is a network. An acquisition unit (LAN shown in FIG. 1) that acquires the latest control program from the server device (corresponding to the server 300 shown in FIG. 3) via
(Corresponding to I / F 26), holding means for holding the latest control program acquired by the acquisition means (corresponding to RAM 12 shown in FIG. 1), and held in the holding means during execution of the control program. The latest control program stored in the storage device (flash ROM 1 shown in FIG.
1) to update the control program to the latest version (CPU shown in FIG. 1
(Corresponding to 10) and.

A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the storage device is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile recording medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, setting means (corresponding to the CPU 10 shown in FIG. 1) for setting the restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade means, Timer means (corresponding to the timer unit 25 shown in FIG. 1) for timing the timing set by the setting means, and the setting means uses the version upgrade means based on the timing information input from the operation panel. It is characterized by setting the timing of restarting for making the updated control program effective.

A fifth invention according to the present invention is setting means (corresponding to the CPU 10 shown in FIG. 1) for setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade means, Timer means (corresponding to the timer unit 25 shown in FIG. 1) for timing the timing set by the setting means, the setting means based on the timing information acquired from the server device. It is characterized by setting the restart timing for activating the control program updated by.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a control method for an image forming apparatus, which analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image. And a receiving step of receiving the latest control program for controlling image formation by communicating with the host computer (step (2
01)) and a holding step of holding the latest control program received by the receiving step in the memory (FIG. 2).
(201)) and a version upgrade step of updating the control program to the latest version by writing the latest control program held in the memory into the storage device during execution of the control program (Fig. 2 and steps (202) and (203)).

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a control method of an image forming apparatus, which analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image. And an acquisition step (step (401) shown in FIG. 4) of acquiring the latest control program from the server device via the network,
A holding step (step (401) shown in FIG. 4) of holding the latest control program acquired by the acquisition step in the memory, and the latest control held in the memory while the control program is continuously executed. It is characterized by including a version upgrade step (steps (402) and (403) shown in FIG. 4) of writing the program in the storage device and updating the control program to the latest version.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the storage device is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile recording medium.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is a setting step (not shown) for setting a restart timing for activating the control program updated by the version upgrade step, and setting by the setting step. Timing step (not shown) for timing the timing
And the setting step sets a restart timing for activating the control program updated by the version upgrade step, based on timing information input from the operation panel.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a setting step (not shown) for setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrading step, and setting by the setting step. A timing step (not shown) for timing the timing to be performed, and the setting step to restart the control program that is updated by the version upgrade step to be effective based on the timing information acquired from the server device. It is characterized by setting the timing of.

The eleventh invention according to the present invention is the sixth to first inventions.
The invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program that realizes the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of the above-mentioned inventions.

The twelfth invention of the present invention is the sixth to first inventions.
It is a program for realizing the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, 11 is a flash ROM capable of rewriting the contents of the printer, and stores a program for operating the CPU 10.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work by the program and stores a program for version upgrade. Reference numeral 13 denotes an SDRAM, which loads a program stored in the flash ROM 11. The CPU 10 controls the device by reading the program loaded in the SDRAM 13.

A head cartridge 15 has a recording head and a tank integrally formed. 16 is a head I / F circuit (head I / F), which is a head cartridge 15 and CP.
Connect with U-bus. A drive system 17 moves a mechanism such as a carriage and rollers (not shown).

Reference numeral 18 denotes a drive system I / F circuit (drive system I / F)
Then, the drive system 17 and the CPU bus are connected. A host computer 19 sends image data. 20 is for communication
The / F circuit (communication I / F) connects to the host computer 19. Reference numeral 21 denotes a panel operation unit, which is an LED (not shown),
It is composed of a buzzer, key switch, etc., and gives instructions such as head cleaning by the operator.

22 is a panel I / F circuit (panel I / F)
Then, the panel operation unit 21 is connected. A reception buffer 23 stores the data sent from the host computer 19. A print buffer 24 stores data to be printed by the head cartridge 15.

A timer unit 25 detects the time. 26 is a LAN I / F, Ethernet (registered trademark)
It communicates with the communication network 27. It should be noted that a standard network protocol such as TCP / IP is often used as a protocol for communication with the LAN interface 26, but a generally popular protocol such as AppleTalk or NetWare may be used. .

However, the LAN interface 26 is not essential in order to realize a function that does not require the use of a network. Further, when using a network, the host computer 19 and the communication interface 20 are not essential.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied to a laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., in addition to the above-mentioned inkjet printer.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The flash ROM shown in FIG.
11 corresponds to the update processing procedure of the control program stored in 11. Note that S201 to S203 indicate each step.
It should be noted that each step is performed in parallel while the image forming apparatus is performing some operation.

When the version upgrade is started, as shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S201, the new program is downloaded from the host computer 19 to a predetermined version upgrade program storage area of the RAM 12.

Next, in step S202, the downloaded new program is written in the flash ROM 11.

Then, in step S203, a flag indicating that the program has been updated is set, and the update of the program is completed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to an example of a network connection form.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this system, image forming apparatuses (printers) 301, 302, 303, 30 are used.
4, 305 are connected to the server 300 via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network 27. In addition, each printer 3
01, 302, 303, 304, and 305 are assumed to have the hardware resources shown in FIG.

The server 300 includes printers 301, 302, 303, 304, 30 connected to the network.
5, remote instruction and report data collection, data file classification and management, new data file creation,
This is a management device for editing and the like.

The server 300 also prints a binary image of the new program to be upgraded to the printers 301 and 30 via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network 27.
2, 303, 304, 305 has a transfer means for transferring.

A standard LAN is used as the transfer means. TCP is used as a data transfer method by LAN.
It is easy to use / IP socket I / F or FTP (file transfer protocol) and is generally used. However, any original protocol or method may be adopted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A version upgrade processing procedure in which a program is loaded from the server 300 shown in FIG. Corresponding to. Note that S401 to S403 indicate each step. The difference from the first embodiment is that the part for transferring the new program is changed from the host computer to the server.

When the version upgrade is started, as shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S401, the new program is downloaded from the server 300 to a predetermined version upgrade program storage area of the RAM 12.

Next, in step S402, the downloaded new program is written in the flash ROM 11. Then, in step S403, a flag indicating that the program has been updated is set, the update of the program is completed, and the process ends.

[Third Embodiment] First and Second Embodiments
In the embodiment, the case has been described in which the printer is newly updated even during the operation of the image forming apparatus. However, in order to validate the updated new program (load it in the memory and operate it as an actual program), It is necessary to restart (reboot) the device.

Note that the restart was manually performed by the operator, but it cannot be restarted at any time zone that does not affect the user's business work, such as holidays and bedtime. The problem occurs.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the panel operation unit 21 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to specify the reboot timing at an arbitrary time such as a holiday or a bedtime by specifying a timer of the image forming apparatus. May be.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the case where the reboot is directly instructed by the panel operation unit 21 has been described. However, a remote instruction can be made from the server 300 shown in FIG. Good. Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described in which the version-updated new program is enabled at a time without rebooting the printer one by one.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to a processing procedure for remotely instructing reboot from the server 300 shown in FIG. Note that S501 to S501
Reference numeral 509 represents each step.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a reboot instruction is issued from the server 300, first, in step S501, a remote instruction is received. In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception of the remote instruction between the server 300 and each printer can be realized by a communication means using a standard protocol such as TCP / IP.

Next, in step S502, it is determined whether the received instruction is a reboot instruction for updating the program. If it is determined that the instruction is a reboot instruction for updating the program, the process proceeds to step S503 to update the program. If it is determined that it is not the reboot instruction, the process returns to the idle state.

Then, in step S503, it is determined whether or not the printer is in a rebootable state, and if it is determined that the printer is in a non-rebootable state, step S50.
At 8, the server 300 is notified that the reboot is impossible (busy state), and the process returns to the idle state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the printer is in the rebootable state (idle state), the process proceeds to step S504 to restrict new operation-related operations of the printer so that the printer will not enter the busy state thereafter. To

Next, in step S504, it is determined whether or not the new program rewriting flag is set (the new program rewriting flag is set when the new program is updated) by referring to the new program rewriting flag. If it is determined that the new program rewriting flag is set, the process proceeds to step S505, the new program rewriting flag is reset, and the program rewriting rebooting flag is set in step S506.

Finally, in step S507, the system is shut down (fallen down) and a reboot execution state is entered.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (504) that the new program rewriting flag is not set, the process advances to step S509 to notify the server 300 that there is no program to be validated by rebooting. , Go back to idle.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to the operation procedure in the reboot execution state.
Note that S601 to S603 indicate each step.

When the reboot of the system for controlling the image forming apparatus is started, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned program rewriting and rebooting flag is set. If it is determined that the flag is set, The process proceeds to step S602, and if it is determined that it is not set, the process proceeds to step S603.

Then, in step S602, the program rewriting in-reboot flag is reset.

On the other hand, when the program rewriting in-reboot flag is set, the program on the flash ROM 11 has been updated, but since the reboot has not been performed, the program loaded on the SDRAM 13 is not valid. It is shown that. Therefore,
In this case, in step S603, the new program is SDR.
It is loaded on AM13, the new program is valid,
Continue the reboot process.

The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator information, etc., and information depending on the OS and the like on the program reading side, such as the program, are stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

Further, the data dependent on various programs are also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in a computer, or a program for decompressing the program to be installed when it is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside.
In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

[0068]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the twelfth invention, the latest control program for controlling image formation by communicating with the host computer is received,
With the latest received control program being held, and while the control program is continuously executed, the latest held control program is written in the storage device to update the control program to the latest version. While the control program to be updated is being executed, the latest control program to be updated can be loaded and the rewriting for update can be completed in a short time without interrupting the operation of the image forming apparatus. You can

Further, the latest control program for controlling the image formation by communicating with the server device on the network is acquired, and the acquired latest control program is held, and the execution of the control program is continued. Since the latest control program stored therein is written in the storage device to update the control program to the latest version,
While the control program to be updated is being executed, the latest control program to be updated is loaded from the remote server device without interrupting the operation of the image forming apparatus, and rewriting for update is performed for a short time. Can be completed.

Further, it is possible to avoid the work of re-starting the upgraded control program by purposely stopping the restart timing for making the control program updated by the version upgrade valid during the working time. Thus, it is possible to freely construct a version upgrade processing environment with excellent operability that can reduce the influence of stopping the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration of an image forming apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applicable.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 CPU 11 Flash ROM 12 RAM 13 SDRAM 15 head cartridge 16 head I / F 17 Drive system 18 Drive system I / F 19 Host computer 20 Communication I / F 21 Panel operation section 22 panel I / F 23 Receive buffer 24 print buffer 25 timer unit 26 LAN I / F 27 Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus that analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image, and communicates with the host computer to form the image. A receiving unit that receives the latest control program to be controlled, a holding unit that holds the latest control program received by the receiving unit, and a latest unit that is held in the holding unit during execution of the control program. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control program written in the storage device to update the control program to the latest version. 2. An image forming apparatus that analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image, the latest information being transmitted from a server device via a network. Acquiring means for acquiring the control program, holding means for holding the latest control program acquired by the acquiring means, and the latest control program held in the holding means while continuing execution of the control program. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a version upgrade unit that writes the control program to the latest version and updates the control program to the latest version. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile recording medium. 4. A setting means for setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade means, and a timer means for timing the timing set by the setting means. The setting means sets a restart timing for activating a control program updated by the version upgrade means based on timing information input from an operation panel. Image forming device. 5. A setting means for setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade means, and a timer means for timing the timing set by the setting means. 3. The setting means sets the restart timing for activating the control program updated by the version upgrade means, based on the timing information acquired from the server device. The image forming apparatus described. 6. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, which analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image, the method comprising communicating with a host computer. A receiving step of receiving the latest control program for controlling image formation, a holding step of holding the latest control program received by the receiving step in a memory, and a holding step in the memory while the execution of the control program is continued. A method for updating the control program to the latest version by writing the latest control program stored in the storage device to the storage device, and controlling the image forming apparatus. 7. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which analyzes output information input from a host computer by executing a control program stored in a storage device to form an image, the server apparatus via a network. From the acquisition step of acquiring the latest control program from, a holding step of holding the latest control program acquired by the acquisition step in the memory, while the execution of the control program is continuing, the latest held in the memory And a version upgrade step of updating the control program to the latest version by writing the control program of 1. in the storage device. 8. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage device is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile recording medium. 9. A setting step of setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade step, a clocking step of timing the timing set by the setting step, and the setting. 8. The image forming according to claim 7, wherein the step sets a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade step based on timing information input from an operation panel. Device control method. 10. A setting step for setting a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade step, a clocking step for timing the timing set by the setting step, and the setting. 8. The step sets a restart timing for validating the control program updated by the version upgrade step, based on timing information acquired from the server device.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus as described. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 6. 12. A program for realizing the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 6.