JP2005001218A - Printer device and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer device and a control method of the same capable of preventing the data such as a printer control program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium of the printer device from easily being rewritten to the data prepared by a third party and improving the reliability of the data such as a printer control program stored in the printer device. <P>SOLUTION: The status of the printer device during starting of the power supply thereof is detected to determine whether to use the data received from an external interface during starting of the power supply for rewriting the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means or to print it, based on the result of the detected status. When the received data is determined to be used for rewriting the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, the received data is verified whether it is right data or not. When the received data is judged to be right data, the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means is rewritten with the received data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, determines whether input data is to be printed or stored in a nonvolatile storage medium. The present invention relates to a printer apparatus and a control method therefor, in which input data is stored in a non-volatile storage medium when validity is determined and it is determined that the data is valid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when operating a printer device, the printer device is turned on, and a CPU (= Central Processing Unit) built in the printer device executes a control program for controlling the printer device, so that the control program operates. Based on this, the printer device operates normally and printing processing becomes possible.
[0003]
A control program for controlling the operation of the printer device is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory. When the printer device is turned on, the CPU of the printer device stores the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory in RAM (= The data is read into a temporary storage device such as Random Access Memory) and controlled according to the instruction procedure of the read control program.
[0004]
In a printer apparatus in which such a control program is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, if the control program is destroyed for some reason and a program error occurs, the printer apparatus can be turned on. The control program does not operate normally, and the printer device does not operate normally.
[0005]
If an abnormality occurs in the control program of the printer device, it is difficult for the printer device to operate normally even if the power is turned on again to attempt normal recovery. It is necessary to rewrite the control program data stored in the memory with correct data.
[0006]
However, in order to rewrite the control program data stored in the non-volatile memory with the correct data, the non-volatile memory in which the control program is stored is replaced or rewritten with the correct control program data using a dedicated jig. Work is necessary, and these work are very troublesome work.
[0007]
Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an initial control program for maintaining the initial operation state of the printer apparatus is provided separately from the print control program for executing printing, and the initial control is performed even when the print control program stops operating normally. There has been proposed a printer apparatus that can prevent the printer apparatus from becoming unresponsive due to the operation of the program and can maintain the minimum initial operation state of the printer apparatus.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-289077
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the proposed printer device can easily rewrite the program stored in the non-volatile memory by performing a predetermined operation after the initial operation state of the printer device, a print control program created by a third party is provided. And the like can be easily rewritten in the nonvolatile memory of the printer apparatus.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention prevents data such as a printer control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium of the printer device from being easily rewritten by data created by a third party, and is stored and stored in the printer device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer apparatus and a control method thereof that improve the reliability of data such as a printer control program.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a printer apparatus having a non-volatile storage means and printing data received from an external interface based on data stored in the non-volatile storage means. A determination means for detecting a state and determining whether to use data received from the external interface at the time of power-on activation for rewriting data stored in the nonvolatile storage means or to print based on the detection of the state; If it is determined that the data received from the external interface is used for rewriting the data stored in the non-volatile storage means, the verification means for verifying whether the data is valid data, and the verification If it is determined by the means that the data received from the external interface is valid data, Characterized by comprising a data rewriting means for rewriting the nonvolatile memory means to store the data.
[0011]
The invention of claim 2 further comprises a notifying means for notifying that while the data rewriting means is rewriting the data stored in the non-volatile storage means by the data rewriting means. It is characterized by that.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining means is a detection state of a sensor or a predetermined part for detecting an operation state of a predetermined switch or a predetermined operation or state at the time of power activation. The data received from the external interface is used to rewrite data stored in the non-volatile storage means or to print in accordance with the mounting state.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the verification means is that the data received from the external interface is valid data based on the specific information added to the data received from the external interface. It is characterized by verifying whether or not it exists.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the specifying information is information specifying a creation source of the data added to a header of data received from the external interface. .
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the data received from the external interface is encrypted.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a printer apparatus having a non-volatile storage means and printing data received from an external interface based on the data stored in the non-volatile storage means. And detecting whether the data received from the external interface at the time of power activation is used for rewriting the data stored in the non-volatile storage means or printing based on the detection of the state. If it is determined that the data received from the non-volatile storage means is used for rewriting the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, it is verified whether or not the data is legitimate data and received from the external interface by the verification. When it is determined that the data is valid data, the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means as the data is Characterized in that the rewriting in the data received from the part interface.
[0017]
The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 7, the fact that the data stored in the non-volatile storage means is being rewritten by the data received from the external interface is notified. And
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, the operation state of a predetermined switch at the time of power activation, the detection state of a sensor that detects a predetermined operation or state, or the mounting state of a predetermined part And determining whether data received from the external interface is used for rewriting or printing data stored in the nonvolatile storage means.
[0019]
Further, in the invention of claim 10 according to the invention of claim 7 or 8, whether or not the data received from the external interface is valid data based on the specific information added to the data received from the external interface. It is characterized by performing verification.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the specifying information is information for specifying a creation source of the data added to a header of data received from the external interface. .
[0021]
The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 7 or 8, the data received from the external interface is encrypted.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a printer apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, the printer device 10 prints data input from the outside via the interface unit 13 based on a printer control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the storage unit 15 and controls the printer for some reason. When the program does not operate normally, data such as a printer control program can be rewritten to correct data.
[0025]
Data such as a printer control program is created by the data creation device 30 and is input to the printer device 10 via the computer 20.
[0026]
In this embodiment, data such as a printer control program created by the data creation device 30 is input to the computer 20 via the FD (= floppy (registered trademark) disk) 40, and the printer control program input to the computer 20. Are input to the interface unit 13 of the printer apparatus 10 through a cable such as the interface unit 23 of the computer 20 and the serial interface 50.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer device 10 includes an interface unit 13 and a printer control unit 14 that receive data from the outside. The printer control unit 14 receives the data received from the outside according to the state of the printer device. In addition to controlling the print processing unit 11 that prints the data, and storing the received data in the non-volatile storage medium 150, the overall control of the printer apparatus 10 is performed.
[0028]
When the printer control unit 14 performs predetermined operation control including printing processing of the printer device 10, a control program in which commands such as a predetermined control procedure are described is started, and control is performed according to the commands described in the control program. To do.
[0029]
This control program is stored in the rewritable nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the storage unit 15, and when the printer device 10 is turned on, the printer control unit 14 stores the control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150. Is controlled in accordance with instructions described in the control program.
[0030]
In addition, the storage unit 15 temporarily stores data so that the printer control unit 14 performs an execution operation in accordance with instructions described in the control program, or stores a variety of data, programs, and the like as auxiliary storage media 151. It has.
[0031]
As the nonvolatile storage medium 150, for example, a rewritable flash ROM (= Read Only Memory), a ferroelectric memory, or the like is used, and for example, a RAM (= Random Access Memory), a PROM (= Various storage media such as Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and EEPROM (= Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) are used.
[0032]
The control program of the printer device 10 is stored in a rewritable state in the nonvolatile storage medium 150, and can be rewritten by a predetermined operation as necessary.
[0033]
The control program read from the non-volatile storage medium 150 by the printer control unit 14 is temporarily stored in the storage medium 151, and is executed by referring to the control program temporarily stored in the storage medium 151 by the printer control unit 14. .
[0034]
The printer device 10 is provided with a control panel 16 and a writing switch unit 12. The control panel 16 displays input operations and various information of the printer device 10, and the writing switch unit 12 includes the printer device 10. The control program stored in the non-volatile storage medium 150 is detected by a sensor / switch (not shown) disposed in the printer device 10 such as the state, cover open / close state, toner cartridge presence / absence state, and optional component mounting state. Used when rewriting data.
[0035]
The data creation device 30 is a device capable of creating data such as a printer control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the printer device 10, and includes a control unit 34 that controls the operation of the data creation device 30, and a printer control program. Display input unit 37 for displaying various operations such as an input operation when creating data, a printer control program generating unit 31 for generating data such as a printer control program, and storing data such as the generated printer control program A generation data storage device 38 is provided.
[0036]
In order to create printer control program data, data input by the creator via the display input unit 37 is input to the printer control program generation unit 31 via the control unit 34, and the printer control program generation unit 31 inputs the data. Based on the generated data, the data is converted into printer control program data and generated. The generated printer control program data is compressed, and header information is added to the compressed printer control program data.
[0037]
The header information is, for example, data such as the name and device number of the data creation device 30, data creator information, data length (data length), and data checksum.
[0038]
By adding this header information to data such as the printer control program that has been generated, it is possible to specify the data creation source.
[0039]
The printer control program data to which the header information is added is stored in the FD (= floppy (registered trademark) disk) 40 via the control unit 34 and the generated data storage device 38.
[0040]
The generated data storage device 38 may be a magnetic recording device capable of recording on a magnetic recording medium such as an MD (= Mini Disk) or a magnetic tape, a writing device to a nonvolatile recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, and a LAN (= Local). A configuration may be adopted in which data is stored in a storage medium via a communication line such as an area network or a telephone.
[0041]
The computer 20 is connected to the printer device 10 via a USB (= Universal Serial Bus), and data such as a printer control program created by the data creation device 30 is input to the computer 20 via the FD 40. The generated data reading device 28, the CP control unit 24, the interface unit 23, and the USB 50 are input to the printer device 10.
[0042]
Note that data may be exchanged between the printer 10 and the computer 20 via a serial interface or an external storage medium (such as a flip disk, MD, solid memory, etc.) instead of the USB 50, such as a wireless LAN or telephone. Data may be exchanged via a communication line such as.
[0043]
The computer 20 includes a CP control unit 24 that performs overall control of the operation of the computer 20, a generated data reading device 28 that can exchange data with the data generating device 30, an input operation for generating print data, and the like. Data can be exchanged between the computer 20 and the printer 10, a display input unit 27 that displays information, a storage unit 25 that stores various programs and data, a print data generation unit 29 that generates print data, and the like. The interface unit 23 is provided.
[0044]
For example, the operation of the computer 20 and the printer device 10 when printing data such as a document created by the computer 20 is printed using the printer device 10 is as follows.
[0045]
Print data such as documents and image data created by the print data generation unit 20 of the computer 20 and a print instruction command are input to the printer device 10 via the CP control unit 24, the interface unit 23, and the USB 50.
[0046]
The print data input to the printer device 10 is input to the printer control unit 14 via the interface unit 13 of the printer device 10, the input print instruction command and print data are analyzed, and the print processing unit is based on the analysis result. 11 prints the print data on paper.
[0047]
As described above, the printing process until the print data input to the printer device 10 is printed on the paper is controlled by the execution operation of the printer control program among the control programs stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150.
[0048]
The printer device 10 is not limited to the computer 20, and even if the input print data is input from a computer or device other than the computer 20, the input print data is analyzed and the analysis result is obtained. Based on this, the printing process is performed.
[0049]
In this way, the printer control program stored in the non-volatile storage medium 150 of the printer apparatus 10 operates normally in order to analyze various print instruction commands and print data input by the printer apparatus 10 and perform printing processing. It is essential.
[0050]
However, as described above, the printer control program of the printer device 10 is rewritably stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150, and the printer control unit 14 controls from the nonvolatile storage medium 150 at the same time as the printer device 10 is turned on. Since the program is sequentially read out and expanded in the storage medium 151 (the control program and data necessary for the processing are temporarily stored and executed while referring to the program), the execution operation is performed. If the part is destroyed or does not operate normally, the printing process of the printer 10 will not operate normally.
[0051]
When an abnormality occurs in the printer control program of the printer device 10 as described above, the printer control program does not operate normally even if the printer device 10 is turned on again and attempts to return to normal, and the printing process of the printer device 10 is difficult. It becomes.
[0052]
Therefore, the printer device 10 according to the present invention is configured to be able to rewrite data such as the printer control program when an error occurs in the printer control program or the like of the printer device 10 due to some cause and does not operate normally. Yes.
[0053]
When data such as a printer control program is rewritten, it is determined whether the data input to the printer device 10 is valid data created by the valid data creation device 30 and is valid data. When it is determined, the data such as the printer control program stored in the data section 205 of the nonvolatile medium 150 is rewritten by the input data.
[0054]
For example, the printer control program data of the printer apparatus 10 is generated by the printer control program generation unit 31 of the data generation apparatus 30, and the data generation apparatus 30 can be specified in the header portion of the generated printer control program data. It is configured to add specific information.
[0055]
In addition, as specific information, various information, such as the name of a data creation apparatus 30, a serial number, and information of a data creator, can be added, and encrypted information may be used.
[0056]
On the other hand, the printer 10 determines whether the input data is to be printed or stored in the non-volatile medium 150. If it is determined that the input data is to be stored, the printer device 10 verifies the validity of the specific information of the input data. When it is determined that the input data is valid data to be stored in the non-volatile medium 150, the input data is stored in the non-volatile medium 150.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, an example in which data such as a printer control program created by the data creation device 30 is input to the printer device 30 via the computer 20 is shown. However, data such as a printer control program may be input from the data creation device 30 to the printer device 10 via a network such as a LAN or a telephone line without going through the computer 20, and an external device such as an FD or MD may be used. You may enable it to input via a storage medium.
[0058]
The computer 20 having both functions of the data creation device 30 and the computer 20 may create data such as a printer control program using another computer and input the data to the printer device 10.
[0059]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an area in which data such as a program for executing each process among the control programs stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the printer apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is stored.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 2, the non-volatile storage medium 150 has a printer control program that analyzes an input print instruction command and print data, and controls an operation to print the print data on paper based on the analysis result. A data unit 205 storing data such as a data storage unit, and a data storage unit such as a printer control program stored in the data unit 205 stored in a storage medium 151 and data such as a development processing program stored therein are stored. Section 204, a data rewrite processing section 203 storing data such as a data rewrite processing program for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the data section 205, and the power supply of the printer apparatus 10. After the input and boot processing, the printer device state determination processing program that checks and determines the state of the printer device 10 The printer apparatus state determination processing unit 202 in which data such as RAM is stored and data such as a boot processing program for reading and booting an IPL (= Initial Program Loader) after the printer apparatus 10 is turned on and stored Each area of the boot processing unit 201 is allocated and configured.
[0061]
As described above, data such as a program for executing each process is stored in each area of the boot processing unit 201, the printer apparatus state determination processing unit 202, the data rewrite processing unit 203, the expansion unit 204, and the data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150. After the printer device 10 is turned on, the printer control unit 14 reads and executes each processing program stored and stored in each area according to a predetermined procedure, thereby realizing normal operation of the printer device 10.
[0062]
FIG. 3 shows the process until the printer control program operates normally after data such as a program stored in each area of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 shown in FIG. 2 is executed after the printer 10 according to the present invention is powered on. It is a figure which shows the flow of control of.
[0063]
With reference to FIG. 3, the flow of control from the power-on of the printer 10 to the normal operation of the printer control program will be described.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the printer apparatus 10 is turned on (= ON) (step 300), the printer control unit 14 performs boot processing of the boot processing unit 201 stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the storage unit 15. The program is read and activated to initialize the printer device 10 (step 301).
[0065]
When the initialization of the printer device 10 is normally executed and operated, the printer control unit 14 reads and activates the printer device state determination processing program of the printer device state determination processing unit 202 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 and checks the state of the printer device 10. I do.
[0066]
For checking the status of the printer device 10, for example, the cover open / close state of the printer device 10, the presence / absence of a toner cartridge, the mounting status of optional parts, and the like are detected by a sensor (not shown) disposed in the printer device 10 and the like. Process.
[0067]
For example, if the cover of the printer apparatus 10 is open, a message such as “Cover is open” is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 to close the cover of the printer apparatus 10 to the user. Prompt.
[0068]
When it is confirmed that all of the states of the printer device 10 are normal, the state of the writing switch unit 12 is checked next (step 302), or the cover open / close state of the printer device 10 and the toner cartridge are checked. The presence / absence state and the optional component mounting state may be detected by a sensor (not shown) or the like provided in the printer apparatus 10 and the state of the writing switch unit 12 may be determined by a combination of detection result information (step 302). .
[0069]
When the printer device 10 according to this embodiment rewrites data such as a printer control program stored in the data unit 205 of the non-volatile storage medium 150, the printer switch 10 is set to the “write” side or It is configured so that it can be rewritten by switching to one of the “printing” sides.
[0070]
For example, when the write switch unit 12 is switched to the “write” side, a data rewriting process for rewriting the data in the data unit 205 is executed, and when the switch operation is switched to the “print” side, a print process for printing the print data is executed. .
[0071]
When the write switch unit 12 is switched to the “print” side in the state confirmation of the write switch unit 12 (step 302) (“print” in step 303), the printer control unit 14 is non-volatile. The printer control program stored in the data section 205 of the volatile storage medium 150 is read and activated (steps 305 and 306).
[0072]
When the printer control program is activated, data such as print data and a print instruction command input according to a command procedure described in the printer control program is analyzed, and the print data is printed on a sheet based on the analysis result.
[0073]
On the other hand, when the data rewriting process for rewriting data such as the printer control program stored in the data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 is performed for some reason, the write switch unit 12 is switched to the “write” side. After the operation, the printer apparatus 10 is turned on.
[0074]
Then, in the above-described state confirmation of the write switch unit 12 (step 302), the printer control unit 14 of the printer apparatus 10 confirms that the switching operation position of the write switch unit 12 is on the “write” side, and the data Data rewriting processing for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the unit 205 is executed ("write" in step 303, step 304).
[0075]
In the printer device 10 according to the present invention, data such as a printer control program stored in the data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the printer device 10 can be rewritten. When rewriting data, The data is rewritten when the validity of the input data is verified and it is determined that the data is valid.
[0076]
4 and 5 are diagrams showing a control flow of data rewriting processing for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the printer apparatus 10 shown in FIG. .
[0077]
The flow of control of the data rewriting process will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 3 described above, when a data rewriting process for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the data unit 205 is performed for some reason, the write switch unit 12 of the printer device 10 is set to “ The printer 10 is turned on by switching to the “writing” side.
[0079]
When the power of the printer 10 is turned on, data rewriting processing of data such as a printer control program is executed (step 303) in the state confirmation (step 302) of the writing switch unit 12 shown in FIG. “Write”, step 304).
[0080]
The execution of the data rewriting process is executed, for example, by the printer control unit 14 reading out and starting data such as a data rewriting processing program stored and stored in the data rewriting processing unit 203 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150.
[0081]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the data rewrite process is executed (step 400), the printer control unit 14 initializes the storage medium 151 of the storage unit 15 based on the data rewrite process program (step 401), and the nonvolatile storage Data such as each program stored in the expansion unit 204 and the data unit 205 of the medium 150 is expanded and executed on the storage medium 151 (step 402).
[0082]
When each of these programs is executed, the interface unit 13 of the printer apparatus 10 is initialized (step 403) and enters a state of waiting to receive data from the interface unit 13.
[0083]
The data reception waiting state of the printer device 10 is notified to the user by displaying a message such as “Waiting for data reception” on a display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 provided in the printer device 10 (step 404). .
[0084]
Note that a TFT (= Thin Film Transistor) panel, an LED (= Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (= Liquid Crystal Display), or the like is used for the display unit.
[0085]
When data is input via the interface unit 13 (step 405), a message such as “data is being received” is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 to the effect that the printer 10 is receiving data. To the user (step 406).
[0086]
Data sequentially input via the interface unit 13 is composed of a header unit and a data unit (not shown). Information such as a data length (data length) is recorded in the header unit, and various data are stored in the data unit. Data is recorded.
[0087]
In the header portion of the data created by the data creation device 30, in addition to information such as the data length value (LD) and checksum, data creation such as the name of the data creation device 30 and the serial number, information of the data creator, etc. Specific information that can identify the origin is recorded.
[0088]
The data input to the printer 30 includes the length data value (LD) recorded in the header of the data input by the printer control unit 14 as the work A of the storage medium 151 and the checksum value as the checksum value of the storage medium 151. The work B and the specific information are saved and stored in the memory of the storage medium 151 (steps 407, 408, and 409).
[0089]
The length data and checksum values and specific information include whether or not the data amount to be received by the printer 10 has been received, whether or not the data has been received correctly, and received data, as will be described later. This is reference data for determining whether or not the creation source is valid.
[0090]
The printer control unit 14 sequentially stores data sequentially input via the interface unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as “reception data”) in the storage medium 151 and each time the reception data is sequentially stored in the storage medium 151. 1 is subtracted from the length data value (LD) stored in A (NO in step 410, step 411, step 412). When the length data value (LD) becomes 0, it is determined that the reception of data has ended. (YES in step 410), a message such as “end of data reception” is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 to notify the user that the data reception has ended (step 413).
[0091]
When the data reception is completed, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is correctly received.
[0092]
For example, the printer control unit 14 calculates the checksum of the received data based on the received data, the checksum value calculated in the work B, and the checksum value stored in the work B. Judgment is made according to whether or not.
[0093]
If the calculated checksum value does not match the checksum value stored in the work B (NO in step 415), the fact that the data reception has failed is indicated on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16, for example “ A message such as “data reception failure” is displayed and notified to the user (step 417), and an error state is set until some action is taken by the user (step 428).
[0094]
If the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value stored in the work B (YES in step 415), the printer control unit 14 determines that the received data has been correctly received, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the validity of the received data is determined (steps 416 and 417).
[0095]
For example, the validity of the received data is determined based on the specific information of the received data stored in the storage medium 151.
[0096]
In the identification information, for example, the name and production number of the data creation device 30 that can identify the data creation device 30 that created the data are recorded, and the printer control unit 14 stores these names and production numbers. With reference to a table A (not shown) stored in the unit 15, it is confirmed whether or not the data is created by a valid data creation device.
[0097]
In the table A, the name, serial number, etc. of the data creation device 30 that is permitted to create data such as the printer control program of the printer device 10 are created and stored in advance, and the printer control unit 14 If the specific information recorded in the header portion of the received data based on this table A exists in the table A, it is determined that the data is a valid data generating device. Otherwise, it is determined that the data is an illegal data generating device. It is configured.
[0098]
Then, the data to which the specific information of the legitimate data creation device is added is determined as the legitimate data, and the data to which the specific information of the illegal data creation device is added is determined as the fraudulent data.
[0099]
As shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined in step 417 that the data creation device for received data is checked to determine the validity of the received data (NO in step 417), the received data is determined to be invalid. A message such as “illegal data” is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 that the received data is invalid, and the user is notified (step 418) until some action is taken by the user. An error state is set (step 428).
[0100]
In step 417 for determining the validity of the received data, if it is determined that the received data is valid (YES in step 417), the printer stored in the data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 is used. A process of rewriting data such as a control program with received data temporarily stored in the storage medium 151 is performed.
[0101]
When data such as a printer control program in the data unit 205 is rewritten, first, the data unit 205 of the non-volatile storage medium 150 is erased on a display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 such as “Data unit data deletion”. A message such as “medium” is displayed to notify the user (step 419), and the printer control unit 14 erases the data in the data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 (step 420).
[0102]
When erasing the data in the data part 205, if the data erasure in the data part 205 does not end normally for some reason (NO in step 421), the control panel 16 indicates that the data erasure in the data part 205 has failed. For example, a message such as “data part data erasure failure” is displayed on the display unit (not shown) and notified to the user (step 422), and an error state is set until some action is taken by the user (step 428).
[0103]
When all the data in the data section 205 is erased (YES in step 421), for example, “data” is displayed on the display section (not shown) of the control panel 16 that data is being written to the data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150. A message such as “Writing” is displayed (step 423), and the reception data temporarily stored in the storage medium 151 is written to the data portion 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 (step 424).
[0104]
When the writing to the data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 is completed, the printer control section 14 receives the reception data temporarily stored in the storage medium 151 and the data written to the data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150. (Step 425) and confirm that the received data temporarily stored in the storage medium 151 has been correctly written in the data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 (YES in step 425). A message such as “END” is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16 (step 427), or the data rewriting process is ended, or the process returns to step 300 shown in FIG. Also good.
[0105]
If the received data is not correctly written to the nonvolatile storage medium 150 (NO in step 425), the fact that the data writing to the data unit 205 has failed is indicated on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 16, for example, “Data writing”. A message such as “failure” is displayed to notify the user (step 426), and an error state is set until some action is taken by the user (step 428).
[0106]
In the example of this embodiment, the changeover switch 12 determines whether data input to the printer device 10 is used for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150 or is printed. However, when the printer 10 is turned on, for example, it is detected whether a recording medium storing input data is loaded, and the recording medium is loaded. If detected, the data input may be determined to be used for rewriting data such as a printer control program stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 150.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the state of the printer device when the power is turned on is detected, and the data received from the external interface when the power is turned on based on the result of the detected state is stored in the nonvolatile storage means. If it is determined whether the received data is used for rewriting data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, it is verified whether the data is valid data or not. When it is determined that the data is valid data, the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means is rewritten with the data, so that the data is stored in the nonvolatile storage medium of the printer device as necessary. A printer control program that can rewrite data such as a printer control program and is stored in a non-volatile storage medium of the printer device. The data such as the printer control program stored in the non-volatile storage medium of the printer device can be improved by preventing the data such as the printer from being easily rewritten by the data created by a third party. There is an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a printer apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an area in which data of a nonvolatile storage medium 150 of the printer apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is stored.
3 is a diagram illustrating a control flow from power-on of the printer apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 to normal operation of a printer control program.
4 is a diagram showing a control flow of a rewrite process for rewriting data stored and stored in a data section 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
5 is a diagram showing a control flow of a rewrite process for rewriting data stored and stored in a data unit 205 of the nonvolatile storage medium 150 shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer device
11 Print processing section
12 Write switch
13 Interface unit (printer device)
14 Printer control unit
15 Storage unit
150 Nonvolatile storage medium
151 storage media
16 Control panel
20 computers
23 Interface section (computer)
24 CP controller
25 storage unit
27 Display input section
28 Generated data reader
29 Print data generator
30 Data creation device
31 Printer control program generator
34 Control unit
37 Display input unit (data creation device)
38 Generated data storage device
40 FD (= floppy (registered trademark) disk)
50 USB (= Universal Serial Bus)

Claims (12)

In a printer having a non-volatile storage means and printing data received from an external interface based on data stored in the non-volatile storage means,
Discriminating means for detecting a state at the time of power activation and determining whether data received from the external interface at the time of power activation is used for rewriting data stored in the nonvolatile storage means or printing based on the detection of the state When,
If it is determined that the data received from the external interface by the determination means is used for rewriting data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, verification means for verifying whether the data is valid data;
And a data rewriting means for rewriting data stored in the nonvolatile storage means with the data when the verification means determines that the data received from the external interface is valid data. apparatus. 2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that while the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means is being rewritten by the data rewriting means. The discrimination means includes
Data received from the external interface is stored in the non-volatile storage means in accordance with the operation state of a predetermined switch at the time of power activation or a detection state of a sensor for detecting a predetermined operation or state or a mounting state of a predetermined component 3. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus determines whether the data is used for rewriting or printing. The verification means includes
3. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus verifies whether the data received from the external interface is valid data based on specific information added to the data received from the external interface. The specific information is
The printer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printer apparatus is information specifying a creation source of the data added to a header of data received from the external interface. The data received from the external interface is
3. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus is encrypted. In a control method of a printer apparatus having a non-volatile storage means, and printing data received from an external interface based on data stored in the non-volatile storage means,
Detecting the state at the time of power activation, and determining whether to use the data received from the external interface at the time of power activation based on the detection of the state to be used for rewriting or printing the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means;
If it is determined that the data received from the external interface is used for rewriting the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means by the determination, it is verified whether or not the data is valid data.
When the verification determines that the data received from the external interface is valid data, the printer stores the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means with the data received from the external interface. Control method of the device. 8. The method of controlling a printer device according to claim 7, wherein the fact that the data stored in the nonvolatile storage means is being rewritten by the data received from the external interface is notified. Data received from the external interface is stored in the non-volatile storage means in accordance with the operation state of a predetermined switch at the time of power activation or a detection state of a sensor for detecting a predetermined operation or state or a mounting state of a predetermined component 9. The method of controlling a printer device according to claim 7, wherein whether the data is used for rewriting or printing is determined. 9. The printer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein verification is made as to whether or not the data received from the external interface is valid data based on specific information added to the data received from the external interface. Control method. The specific information is
11. The method of controlling a printer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the information is information specifying a creation source of the data added to a header of data received from the external interface. 9. The method for controlling a printer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data received from the external interface is encrypted.

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