JP2004230786A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device wherein analysis processing of data to form an image is extendable without changing a content of a program. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device outputs the data to form the image to a recording sheet as a print. The device is constituted of; an extended program registration processing part 16 to register an extended program for extending the function of the image forming; and a volatile memory area 7 to store the extended program to be registered by the extended program registration processing part 16 and to analytically process the data to form the image by executing the extended program. By this arrangement, the extended program is added without changing the basic program of the image forming device, and the image forming function is extended thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that inputs data for forming an image and prints out the data on recording paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become more sophisticated and multifunctional, and improvements of conventional functions and new function expansion program registration means are repeated within a short period of time.
[0003]
In addition, the program capacity is increased and the functions are complicated, and the version is frequently updated to a new program. Therefore, it is necessary to change or update the program each time.
[0004]
As a medium for storing a program for controlling the image forming apparatus, an inexpensive mask ROM that is not rewritable but inexpensive, an EPROM that can rewrite the contents of the program by irradiating ultraviolet rays, or an electrically rewritable program is used. Possible flash ROMs and the like are common.
[0005]
When a part of the control function of the image forming apparatus is changed or added, or a new function is extended to realize more advanced control, in the case of a mask ROM or an EPROM, a ROM in which the program contents have already been changed is prepared. Since it is necessary to remove the exterior of the device and replace the ROM itself, it is not easy for the user to perform, and even if it can be replaced, the device may be damaged, broken down, or malfunction. Also, providing a new ROM to each user and mounting it requires enormous costs.
[0006]
The flash ROM currently widely used can electrically rewrite the contents of the program, and can update the contents of the program without replacing the ROM by removing the exterior of the device. That is, from a panel of the apparatus or by using a dedicated tool or the like, a dedicated mode for updating the contents of the flash ROM is entered, and the program data to be updated is externally transferred via an interface or the like, and stored. The method of updating the program data that is used is adopted.
[0007]
In addition, the rewriting of the flash ROM is described in (Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-020400 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even in such a flash ROM in which the contents of a program can be electrically rewritten, the device must enter a rewrite-only mode from a normal operation mode in order to update the contents of the program. It is difficult to dynamically add or change when operating in the normal mode, and in some cases, restarting the apparatus is required to reflect the updated contents.
[0010]
In addition, there is a possibility that the program cannot be restored, for example, when the reliability of the program data to be written or when the power supply of the apparatus is shut down unexpectedly during the update of the program.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of extending the analysis of data forming an image without changing the contents of a program.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that prints out data for forming an image on a recording sheet, and registers an extension program for registering an extension program for extending an image forming function. Means and storage means for storing the extension program registered by the extension program registration means and for analyzing and processing data forming the image by executing the extension program.
[0013]
This makes it possible to add an extension program for analyzing data forming an image without changing the contents of the program of the image forming apparatus, thereby extending the image forming function.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for printing and outputting data for forming an image on a recording sheet, wherein an extension program registering means for registering an extension program for extending an image forming function; A storage unit that stores the extension program registered by the program registration unit and analyzes and processes data forming the image by executing the extension program. There is an effect that an extension program for analyzing and processing data for forming an image is added without any change, and the function of forming an image can be extended.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the extension program registering means determines a unique code of the extension program, and the storage means stores a plurality of pieces of data having different analysis processes based on the unique code. This is an image forming apparatus that stores the extension program of the first embodiment, and has an effect that the image forming function can be extended by a plurality of extension programs having different functions.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the storage means includes a non-volatile storage means in which an extension program is always stored, and a non-volatile storage means when the image forming apparatus is powered on. And a volatile storage unit on which the extension program stored in the unit is expanded. When the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on again, the expansion program from the nonvolatile storage unit expands the image. This has the effect that the forming function can be extended.
[0017]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. In these drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0018]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a registration and execution process of an extension program and a procedure of image forming means in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of data for forming an image in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a solid format in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of drawing a rectangular image, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an extension code in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for registering and deleting an extension program. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing data forming an image and extension in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory view showing a format of over de, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of a solid circular image drawing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a central processing unit (CPU) 1 executes a basic control program 4 stored in a program area (ROM) 3 via a general-purpose bus 2 to control the image forming apparatus.
[0020]
Here, input data 6 for forming an image is received by the interface 5 and stored in a reception buffer 8 of a volatile storage area (RAM) 7 which is storage means. Then, the input data 6 stored in the reception buffer 7 is analyzed by the reception data analysis processing unit 9, and the image formation intermediate unit 11 generates image image intermediate data 11 for forming an image. The image data intermediate data 11 is completed by repeatedly operating the input data 6 stored in the reception buffer 8 with the reception data analysis processing unit 9 and the image formation processing unit 10, and the image development processing unit 12 converts the image image output data 13. The image output data 13 is created and printed on recording paper by the recording paper printing unit 14 and output.
[0021]
The above is the basic function of image formation in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.
[0022]
Next, the procedure of registering an extension program for extending the function of image formation and executing the extension program will be described with reference to FIG.
[0023]
An extension code including an extension program for extending the function of the program from the input data 6 is stored in the reception buffer 8 via the interface 5. The extension code stored in the reception buffer 8 is analyzed by the reception data analysis processing unit 9, and the extension program analysis processing unit 15 executes the extension program registration processing unit (extension program registration unit) 16 to execute the volatile storage area 7. Is stored and registered as an extension program 18 in the extension program registration area 17. The registered extension program 18 is determined by the extension code analysis processing unit 15 and executed by the program execution processing unit 19.
[0024]
Next, an image forming process for analyzing input received data to form an image and a process for registering and executing an extension program will be described in further detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0025]
The input data is stored in the reception buffer from the interface by data reception (S1), and the stored input data is analyzed by data analysis (S2).
[0026]
The analyzed data is determined by the extended code determination (S3). If the analyzed data is determined to be data forming an image, a command analysis (S4) is performed, and an image forming process (S5) corresponding to the analysis result is executed. Image intermediate data is generated in a volatile storage area. If the data determined in S3 is an extension code, an extension program is registered (S6), and the extension program is registered in the extension program registration area of the volatile storage area.
[0027]
If it is determined in S4 that the extension process has been performed, it is determined in a registration determination (S7) whether the extension program has been registered. If the extension program has been registered, the program is executed by the extension program execution process (8).
[0028]
Next, an example of a format of data forming an image analyzed in S4 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
FIGS. 3A to 3F show a data group for drawing a rectangular image of a specified size in a specified color at a specified coordinate position.
[0030]
In FIG. 3A, a coordinate position of 100 dots in the main operation direction is specified, and in FIG. 3B, a coordinate position of 200 dots in the sub operation direction is specified. Then, black is designated in FIG. 3 (c), an image size of 300 dots in the main operation direction is designated in FIG. 3 (d), and an image size of 200 dots in the sub operation direction is designated in FIG. 3 (e). I do. Finally, by specifying a solid image in FIG. 3F, a black solid rectangular image as shown in FIG. 4 is drawn. As described above, data for forming an image is designated by one or a plurality of combinations, and a complicated image is drawn.
[0031]
Next, a format of an extension code determined in S3 of FIG. 2 and registered in the volatile storage area as an extension program in S6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 5A shows a header portion of the extension code. When the ESC code continues twice consecutively, it is determined that the extension code is an extension code. The following program version indicates the program version of the basic control program 4 stored in the program area 3 shown in FIG. 1. A unique program version is registered for each basic control program 4, and the version of the program in which the extension program can be registered is shown. Show. The “CIR1” code described in the ESC code from the subsequent ESC code is used for analyzing a command to be extended by the command analysis shown in S4 of FIG. 2 and when the extension program is registered by the registration determination in S7. The extended program execution process of S8 is performed, and if the extended program is not registered, the process is not performed.
[0033]
FIG. 5B shows the data part of the extension code, which is the data size of the program to be registered and the program data which is the substance of the program. If the data size is double (zero), the extension program is not registered. If the extension program has already been registered, the registered extension program is deleted.
[0034]
The above-described program registration and deletion processing will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0035]
It is determined whether the basic control program 4 shown in FIG. 1 matches the program version shown in FIG. 5A (S9), and it is determined that the data size shown in FIG. 5B is zero and the extension program is already registered. If (S10), the program is deleted from the extended program storage area in the volatile storage area (S11). Subsequently, in the program registration determination (S12), the program is registered in the extended program storage area of the volatile storage area based on the format of the extension code header section and the extension code data section shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The process (S13) is executed, and the extension program is registered.
[0036]
Next, an example of a format of data for forming an image by registering an extension program using the extension code shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0037]
FIGS. 7A to 7E have the same specification as the data format shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E, and are a data group for specifying a coordinate position, a color, and an image size. By specifying the “CIR1” code registered in FIG. 5A according to FIG. 7F, a black solid circular image as in FIG. 8 is drawn. In the program data shown in FIG. 5B, program data for drawing a circular image with a specified image size starting from a specified coordinate position is described, and the image is drawn by registering and executing the extended program. Do.
[0038]
According to the above-described image forming apparatus, an extension program for extending an image forming function is registered in a volatile storage area as a storage unit, and data for forming an image by executing the extension program registered in the volatile storage area. , The extension function for analyzing the data forming the image can be added without changing the basic control program in the program area, and the image forming function can be extended.
[0039]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an extension code in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a volatile storage area in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering and deleting an extension program having a unique code in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing an extension program having codes.
[0040]
FIG. 9 is the same as the format of the extension code shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the code described in the ESC code from the ESC code following the program version of FIG. And a unique unique code for each.
[0041]
When registering the program data shown in FIG. 9B as an extension program, a plurality of extension programs are registered by storing them in a volatile storage area together with a unique unique code for each extension code shown in FIG. 9A. .
[0042]
FIG. 10 shows a volatile storage area for registering a plurality of extension programs stored together with a unique unique code, and an extension program along with a unique code 21 is stored in an extension program registration area 21 in a volatile storage area 20 which is storage means. Register 23.
[0043]
Registration and deletion of an extension program having a unique unique code for each extension code shown in FIG. 9 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
When the extension code shown in FIG. 9 is registered and deleted as an extension program, the unique code specified in FIG. 9A is compared with the unique code 22 registered in the extension program registration area 21 of the volatile recording area 20. If it is determined (S14) that the extension program 23 having the designated unique code 22 already exists, the unique code 22 and the extension program 23 registered in the extension program registration area 21 are deleted (S15). Next, in S16, the data size shown in FIG. 9B is determined, and if the size has been designated, the data is stored in the extension program registration area 21 of the volatile storage area for each extension code designated by FIG. 9A. The extension program 23 is registered together with the unique code 22 unique to.
[0045]
Next, the execution process of the plurality of extension programs 23 registered together with the unique unique code 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0046]
As in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the received data is data to form an image by analyzing the received data, an image forming process (S19) corresponding to the analysis result is executed in the command analysis (S18). Image intermediate data is generated in a volatile storage area.
[0047]
If the extension processing is determined in S18, whether the extension program 23 having the unique code 22 specified in the Koyu code registration determination (S20) is registered in the extension program registration area 21 of the volatile storage area 20. Is determined. If there is an extension program 23 that matches the specified unique code 22, the extension program 23 corresponding to the unique code 22 specified by the extension program setting (S21) is executed by the extension program execution process (S22). I do.
[0048]
According to the image forming apparatus described above, the extension program has a unique unique code, registers a plurality of extension programs together with the unique code in the extension program registration area of the volatile storage area that is a storage unit, and registers the registered extension program. Since the specific code is specified and executed, the image forming function can be extended by a plurality of extension programs having different functions.
[0049]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a nonvolatile storage area in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing registration and extension of an extension program having a unique code in the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a deletion processing procedure, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an extension program registration procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0050]
FIG. 13 shows a configuration in which contents equivalent to the extension program registration area 21 of the volatile storage area 20 in FIG. 10 of the second embodiment are stored in the nonvolatile storage area 24 as storage means. Here, a unique code 26 and an extension program 27 equivalent to the unique code 22 and the extension program 23 shown in FIG. 10 are stored.
[0051]
The procedure for registering and deleting the unique code 26 and the extension program 27 stored in the extension program registration area 25 of the nonvolatile storage area 24 shown in FIG. 13 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0052]
First, it is determined whether or not a non-volatile storage area (non-volatile storage means) 24 as a storage means exists in the apparatus (S23). If the area does not exist, registration and deletion in the non-volatile storage area 24 are not performed. . When the non-volatile storage area 24 exists, the same processing as registration and deletion of the extension program having the unique code 22 shown in FIG. 10 of the second embodiment is executed in the non-volatile storage area 24.
[0053]
When the extension code shown in FIG. 9 is registered and deleted as an extension program in the extension program registration area 25 of the nonvolatile storage area 24 of FIG. 13, the unique code specified in FIG. A comparison is made with the unique code 26 registered in the extension program registration area 25 (S24). If there is a registration of the extension program 27 having the already designated unique code 26, it is registered in the extension program registration area 25. The unique code 26 and the extension program 27 are deleted (S25). Next, in S26, the data size shown in FIG. 9B is determined, and if the size has been designated, the extension designated by the extension program registration area 25 in the nonvolatile storage area 24 as shown in FIG. An extension program 27 is registered together with a unique code 26 unique to each code.
[0054]
Next, the operation of registering an extension program having a unique unique code from the nonvolatile storage area 24 in the volatile storage area (volatile storage means) 20 when the power of the apparatus is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It will be described using FIG.
[0055]
When the power of the apparatus is turned on (S28), it is determined whether the nonvolatile storage area 24 exists in the apparatus (S29). If the area does not exist, registration from the nonvolatile storage area 24 is not performed. If the non-volatile storage area 24 exists, it is determined whether the extension program 27 is registered together with the unique code 26 in the extension program registration area 25 (S30). The unique code 26 and the extension program 27 are read from the storage area 24 (S31), and the registration processing to the volatile storage area 20 (S32) is executed. As a result, the unique code 26 and the extension program 27 registered in the extension program area 25 of the nonvolatile storage area shown in FIG. 13 are transferred to the extension program registration area 21 of the volatile storage area 20 shown in FIG. Registered as program 23.
[0056]
According to the image forming apparatus described above, when the power of the apparatus is turned off and the extension program registered in the volatile storage area as the storage unit is discarded, when the power of the apparatus is turned on again, The extension program registered in the non-volatile storage area, which is the storage means that is always stored, is read and registered in the volatile storage area. It is possible to execute the extension processing by the extended program.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the extension program for extending the image forming function is registered in the storage unit, and the data for forming the image is analyzed by executing the extension program registered in the storage unit. In addition, an effective effect is obtained in that an image forming function can be expanded by adding an expansion program for analyzing and processing data forming an image without changing the basic control program in the program area.
[0058]
According to the present invention, the extension program has a unique unique code, registers a plurality of extension programs together with the unique code in the extension program registration area of the storage unit, and executes the registered extension program by designating the unique code. Thus, an effective effect that the image forming function can be extended by a plurality of extension programs having different functions can be obtained.
[0059]
Further, according to the present invention, when the power of the device is turned off and the extension program registered in the volatile storage means is discarded, the extension program registered in the nonvolatile storage means when the power of the device is turned on again And registering this in the volatile storage means, it is possible to obtain an effective effect that the extension processing by the previously registered extension program can be executed without the necessity of registering the program by the extension code again. .
[0060]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to register input data as an extension program in a state where the apparatus is powered on and in operation, and to execute the extension program registered during operation to extend functions. An effective effect that can be obtained is obtained.
[0061]
Further, according to the present invention, an advantageous effect is obtained in that the function of the extension program can be updated and registered again by registering the extension program by specifying the previously registered unique unique code.
[0062]
Further, according to the present invention, the function of the extension program can be deleted by specifying the previously registered unique unique code. If the operation panel is provided in the device, the extension program can be operated by the operation panel. Can be deleted.
[0063]
Further, according to the present invention, there is obtained an effective effect that when only the extension program is not registered, the process can be executed only by the basic program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating registration and execution processing of an extension program and image forming processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of data for forming an image in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of drawing a rectangular image. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an extension code in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering and deleting an extension program in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a code format. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of drawing a solid circular image in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an extension code in FIG. 10 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a volatile storage area in an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention FIG. 11 is an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering and deleting an extension program having a unique code in the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing an extension program having a unique code in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a nonvolatile storage area in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering and deleting an extension program having a unique code in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering an extension program in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. ]
7 Volatile storage area (RAM)
16 Extension program registration processing unit (extension program registration means)
20 volatile storage area (RAM)
24 Non-volatile storage area (storage means)

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus that prints out data for forming an image on recording paper,
Extension program registration means for registering an extension program for extending an image forming function;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store the extension program registered by the extension program registration unit and to analyze the data forming the image by executing the extension program. The extension program registration means determines a unique code of the extension program,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of extension programs having different analysis processes based on the unique code. The storage means,
A nonvolatile storage unit in which the extension program is always stored;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a volatile storage unit that expands the extension program stored in the nonvolatile storage unit when the image forming apparatus is powered on. 4.

Images