JP2003330746A - Processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processor in which existing firmware will not be erased by a wrong operation. <P>SOLUTION: When an instruction for updating the firmware is given from an operator (S102), a download instruction for a new firmware from a host computer is waited (S103, S105), and when the download instruction is given, the firmware is updated (S104). <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 a processing device such as a printer equipped with firmware, and more particularly to a firmware updating technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a processing device typified by a computer peripheral device such as a printer, firmware is usually stored in a memory such as a flash ROM, and each process is executed in accordance with this firmware. Here, when upgrading the firmware, the update is required. When updating the firmware, for example, by operating a specific switch provided in the processing device, the existing firmware is erased, and then new firmware is downloaded from the host computer to the processing device. Is proposed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional firmware updating method, even if the specific switch provided in the processing device is operated by mistake, the firmware is not intended to be updated. There is a problem that the existing firmware will be erased.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a processing device in which existing firmware is not erased by an erroneous operation.

[0005]

According to the present invention, storage means in which firmware is stored, instruction means for instructing updating of the firmware stored in the storage means, and processing for executing predetermined processing Means for determining whether the update of the firmware is instructed by the instructing means, and the host if the update is instructed in the determining step. A standby step of waiting for a firmware download instruction from a computer, and a step of updating the firmware stored in the storage means when there is the download instruction from the host computer in the standby step are executed. There is provided a processing device characterized by the above.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mode in which a printer 2 and a host computer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printer 2. In the present embodiment, the printer 2 will be described as an example of the processing device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various processing devices.

In FIG. 1, the host computer 1 is
It is a computer for downloading firmware executed by the printer 2, and is communicably connected to the printer 2 in the USB format. In the present embodiment, the host computer 1 and the printer 2 are connected in the USB format, but it goes without saying that other connection methods can be used.

In FIG. 2, the CPU 21 executes a predetermined process according to a software program stored in the flash ROM 23. RAM22 is CPU21
It is a memory that functions as a work area for processing. The flash ROM 23 is a memory that stores at least firmware and an initial setting program. The initial setting program is executed when the printer 2 is powered on. The firmware is a program for executing the printing operation of the printer 2 and the like. The memory for storing the firmware is not limited to the flash ROM, and various memories can be adopted. Further, the memory storing the firmware and the memory storing the initial setting program may be separate.

The power supply unit 24 is composed of a circuit for generating electric power necessary for each component of the printer 2, and converts an AC voltage supplied via an outlet into a DC voltage. Power supply 2
Reference numeral 4 includes the power switch 24a shown in FIG. 1, and the printer 2 is turned on and off by this switch.

The USB interface 25 functions as a communication interface with the host computer 1 via a USB cable. The I / O interface 26 includes an instruction unit 27, a drive unit 28, and a display unit 29.
Interfaces data input / output with the CPU 21.

The instruction unit 27 is used by the operator of the printer 2 to give various instructions such as settings to the printer 2, and includes the instruction switch 27a shown in FIG. The operator
Various instructions can be issued by operating the instruction switch 27a. In the case of the present embodiment, the operator can instruct to update the firmware stored in the flash ROM 23 by using the instruction switch 27a.

The drive unit 28 includes a circuit for driving each component necessary for the printing process, such as driving of a printing paper transporting mechanism (for example, a motor), driving of a printing device typified by a thermal head, an ink jet, or the like. Including. Display unit 29
Is a configuration for displaying various information such as an error, and includes the LCD 29 shown in FIG. 1 and a circuit for driving the LCD 29. Besides the LCD, an LED or the like can be adopted.

Next, a firmware update procedure in the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU 21 when the printer 2 is powered on. When the power switch 24a is turned on, the initial setting program stored in the flash ROM 23 is activated and the following processing is performed.

In S101, each component of the printer 2 is initialized. In S102, it is determined whether or not the operator has instructed to update the firmware. Whether or not there is an instruction to update the firmware is determined by whether or not a predetermined instruction switch 27a is turned on. For example, when the operator turns on the instruction switch 27a and turns on the power switch 24a to turn on the power, it is determined that the update is instructed.

If it is determined in S102 that the firmware update is instructed, the process proceeds to S103. If it is determined that the firmware update is not instructed, the process proceeds to S106, and the firmware stored in the flash ROM 23 is executed. Becomes

In S103, it is determined whether or not there is a firmware download instruction from the host computer 1. Normally, the operator of the printer 2 operates the host computer 1 to send a download command.
If it is determined that there is a download instruction, the process proceeds to S104 and firmware update processing is performed. Here, the existing firmware stored in the flash ROM 23 is erased, and the new firmware downloaded from the host computer 1 is stored in the flash ROM 23. This completes the firmware update and ends the process. However, new firmware may be executed after this.

If it is determined in S103 that there is no download command, the process proceeds to S105, in which it is determined whether the firmware update instruction has been canceled by the operator. The update instruction can be canceled, for example, by the operator turning on a predetermined instruction switch 27a. This process is a process performed to cancel the firmware if the operator mistakenly gives an instruction to update the firmware. If the update instruction is canceled, the process ends. However, after that, the process may proceed to S106 to execute the firmware.

If it is determined in S105 that the firmware update instruction has not been released, the process returns to S103, it is determined again whether or not there is a download instruction from the host computer 1, and the above procedure is repeated.

Here, in the printer 2 of the present embodiment, when the operator gives an instruction to update the firmware, S is executed until a download instruction is given from the host computer 1.
Since the process from 103 to S105 is looped, the download command is awaited. That is, the firmware stored in the flash ROM 23 is not erased until there is a download command from the host computer 1.

Therefore, for example, even if the operator mistakenly gives an instruction to update the download, the flash ROM 23
The existing firmware stored in will not be erased. At the same time, in order to update the firmware, it is necessary to send a download command from the host computer 1, and the operator of the printer 2 or a substitute thereof needs to operate the host computer 1 as well. Avoided.

As described above, in this embodiment, the existing firmware is not erased by the operator's erroneous operation. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous operation, for example,
It is not necessary to provide a switch or the like for instructing the update of the firmware at a special position that is not normally operated, and the switch (instruction switch 27a) or the like that can be normally operated as in the above embodiment is used to instruct the update of the firmware. It is also possible.

In the present embodiment, the processing related to the firmware update is performed before the firmware is executed. However, for example, a predetermined operation is performed on the instruction switch 27a during the firmware execution. In this case, the processing regarding the firmware update may be interrupted.

However, when updating the firmware in a situation where the existing firmware has a bug and runs out of control, it may be possible that the processing for updating the firmware is not executed. Before executing the firmware, it is preferable to perform the processing related to updating the firmware.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the standby state for the download command from the host computer 1 is set until the update instruction is canceled in S105.
Instead of this, for example, the standby state may be kept until a predetermined time elapses.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to prevent the existing firmware from being erased by mistake.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mode in which a printer 2 and a host computer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of a CPU 21 when the printer 2 is powered on.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host computer 2 printer 21 CPU 23 Flash ROM 24 power supply 24 27 Indicator

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage means storing firmware, an instruction means for instructing an update of the firmware stored in the storage means, and a processing means for executing a predetermined process, the processing means. A determining step of determining whether or not the update of the firmware is instructed by the instructing means, and waiting for a firmware download instruction from the host computer when determining that the update is instructed in the determining step And a step of updating the firmware stored in the storage when the host computer issues the download instruction in the standby step. 2. The determination step is a step of determining whether or not updating of the firmware program is instructed by the instructing unit when the processing device is powered on, and when the update is not instructed, the processing is performed. The processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit executes the firmware stored in the storage unit.