JP2005111932A - Electronic instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic instrument capable of quickly and easily corresponding to the same kind of a component with a different specification and an external instrument. <P>SOLUTION: A non-contact type recording medium such as a wireless tag is mounted on the component such as a thermal head for a printer and the external instrument, and information necessary to re-construction of an interface circuit with the component and the external instrument are recorded on the wireless tag. The information are read from the wireless tag through an antenna, and the interface circuit is re-constructed on the basis of the information. The interface circuit is composed of a device which can be re-constructed such as an FPGA. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment, and in particular, belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment that can use the same type of parts and external equipment having different specifications.

  In electronic equipment, the specifications of the same type of parts often differ depending on the manufacturer. For example, in the case of a thermal head used in a printer, the data transfer sequence and control method differ depending on the manufacturer. If you want to use a head with different specifications on the printer side, mount multiple circuits corresponding to the interface of each company on the board and switch according to the head, or leave the board for a specific company, They are replaced depending on the head.

On the other hand, an apparatus using a recording medium such as an IC tag or a wireless tag is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP 2002-132446 A JP 2000-24269 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-96318

  However, as described above, dealing with parts having different specifications and standards on the device main body side is a complicated operation requiring cost and labor, and an error in operation is likely to occur. Furthermore, there is a fear that the device itself cannot be manufactured or used because parts of a specific specification or standard cannot be procured.

  Also, when an electronic device such as a printer is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, similar problems may occur due to differences in data transfer specifications and standards.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can quickly and easily cope with the same type of parts and external devices having different specifications.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to claim 1 is an electronic device capable of using the same type of parts having different specifications, and means for inputting / outputting data to / from the parts according to a predetermined interface; A reading means for reading data necessary for reconstructing the predetermined interface from a recording medium mounted on a component, and means for automatically reconstructing the interface based on the read data Yes.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, the interface circuit according to the component specifications is automatically reconstructed, so that it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated circuit or board for each specification or replace them. , It can respond quickly and easily to similar parts with different specifications.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, the data required for reconstructing the interface circuit is recorded in a recording medium in advance, whereby the configuration of the electronic device main body can be simplified.

  An electronic apparatus according to a second aspect is the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the reading unit reads data from the component in a non-contact manner.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to claim 3 is an electronic device capable of using the same type of parts having different specifications, and means for inputting / outputting data according to a predetermined interface with the parts, Storage means for preliminarily associating and storing part identification information and data necessary for reconstructing the predetermined interface, reading means for reading identification information of the part from a recording medium mounted on the part, and the reading And reconstructing means for automatically reconstructing the interface based on the identification information and the storage means.

  In the electronic device according to the third aspect, the interface circuit according to the component specifications is automatically reconstructed. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a dedicated circuit or board for each specification or replace them. , It can respond quickly and easily to similar parts with different specifications.

  In the electronic device according to the third aspect, since the identification information of the component only needs to be recorded on the recording medium mounted on the component, there are few restrictions on the recording medium, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the third aspect, the storage means is configured to be able to edit the reconstructed data.

  In the electronic device according to the fourth aspect, by enabling the editing of the reconstructed data, it is possible to easily cope with a part having a new specification.

  The electronic device according to a fifth aspect is the electronic device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the reading unit reads data from the component in a non-contact manner.

  To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to claim 6 is an electronic device capable of using the same type of external device having different specifications, and means for inputting / outputting data to / from the external device according to a predetermined interface. And means for reading data necessary for reconstructing the predetermined interface from a recording medium attached to the external device, and means for automatically reconstructing the interface based on the read data. It is a feature.

  In the electronic device according to the sixth aspect, since the interface circuit according to the specifications of the external device is automatically reconstructed, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated circuit or board for each specification or replace them. In addition, it can respond quickly and easily to the same type of external equipment with different specifications.

  In the electronic device according to the sixth aspect, the data required for reconstructing the interface circuit is recorded in advance on the recording medium, so that the configuration of the electronic device main body can be simplified.

  To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to claim 7 is an electronic device capable of using the same type of external device having different specifications, and means for inputting / outputting data to / from the external device according to a predetermined interface. Storage means for preliminarily associating and storing the identification information of the external device and data necessary for the reconstruction of the predetermined interface, and means for reading the identification information of the component from a recording medium mounted on the external device; And means for automatically reconstructing the interface based on the read identification information and the storage means.

  In the electronic device according to the seventh aspect, since the interface circuit according to the specifications of the external device is automatically reconstructed, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated circuit or board for each specification or replace them. In addition, it can respond quickly and easily to the same type of external equipment with different specifications.

  In the electronic device according to the seventh aspect, the identification information only needs to be recorded on the recording medium mounted on the external device. Therefore, there are few restrictions on the recording medium, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. .

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and easily cope with the same type of parts and external devices having different specifications.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. The printer 10 includes a CPU 20, and the CPU 20 performs a reconstruction process, a print process, and the like described in detail below. In processing, the RAM 26 is used for temporary storage of data. The ROM 24 stores thermal head identification information and interface circuit reconstruction data in association with each other. The ROM 24 is configured by a device such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), and reconstructed data can be rewritten, deleted, and added. For this reason, even when a thermal head having a new specification in which the reconstruction data is not stored in the ROM 24 is mounted, the reconstruction of the interface circuit can be performed by adding the reconstruction data to the ROM 24.

  In addition, a thermal head 12 is connected to the printer 10, and a wireless tag 14 is attached to the thermal head 12. Identification information such as the manufacturer and product name of the thermal head 12 is recorded in the wireless tag 14 in advance.

  The printer 10 also includes an antenna 16, an encoding / decoding circuit 18, an interface circuit 22 composed of devices such as a reconfigurable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a printer interface 28 for connecting external devices. These components are configured such that data and instructions can be input and output with each other via a data bus.

  Next, interface circuit reconstruction in the printer 10 will be described. When the thermal head 12 is attached, the identification information of the thermal head 12 stored in the wireless tag 14 is read out wirelessly via the antenna 16 and the encoding / decoding circuit 18. This reading is performed before power is supplied to the thermal head 12.

  When the identification information is read, the reconstruction data corresponding to the identification information is read from the ROM 24, and the interface circuit 22 is automatically reconstructed according to the reconstruction data. The reconstructed data read from the ROM 24 includes data such as the number of heating elements of the thermal head 12, a clock signal, an enable / disable signal, and a strobe signal.

  When the interface circuit 22 is reconstructed, power is supplied to the thermal head 12 to perform print processing.

  The above processing can be repeated when using thermal heads with different specifications.

  As described above, in the printer 10 according to the first embodiment, since the interface circuit 22 is automatically reconstructed based on the identification information of the thermal head 12, a dedicated circuit corresponding to the thermal head having different specifications is prepared in advance. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace or replace the substrate, and it is possible to quickly and easily cope with thermal heads having different specifications.

In the first embodiment, the case where the identification information of the thermal head 12 is recorded in the wireless tag 14 and the reconstruction data of the interface circuit 22 is stored in the ROM 24 is described. All the reconstructed data of the interface circuit 22 may be recorded in the wireless tag 14.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the printer 30 according to the second embodiment. The printer 30 includes a CPU 44. The CPU 44 uses the ROM 32 and the RAM 36 to perform reconstruction processing, print processing, and the like, which will be described in detail below. A wireless tag 34 is attached to the ROM 32 and a wireless tag 38 is attached to the RAM 36. Data necessary for reconstructing the interface circuit 46 in the ROM 32 is recorded in the wireless tag 34, and data necessary for reconstructing the interface circuit 46 ′ in the RAM 36 is recorded in advance in the wireless tag 38.

  In addition, the printer 30 includes an interface circuit 46 and an interface circuit 46 ′ configured by devices such as a thermal head 48, an antenna 40, an encoding / decoding circuit 42, a reconfigurable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a thermal head. Interface circuit 50 and a printer interface 52 for connecting an external device. These components are configured to be able to input and output data and instructions to each other via an address bus, a data bus, and an access bus. Yes.

  Next, interface circuit reconstruction in the printer 30 will be described. When the ROM 32 and the RAM 36 are mounted, the reconstructed data stored in the wireless tag 34 and the wireless tag 38 is read out wirelessly via the antenna 40 and the encoding / decoding circuit 42. Then, the interface circuit 46 and the interface circuit 46 'are automatically reconfigured according to the read reconstructed data. The reconstructed data includes information such as access timing and access sequence of the ROM 32 and RAM 36.

  The above processing can be repeatedly performed when using ROMs or RAMs having different specifications.

  As described above, in the printer 30 according to the second embodiment, the interface circuit 46 and the interface circuit 46 ′ are automatically reconstructed based on the information recorded in the wireless tag 34 and the wireless tag 38. It is not necessary to prepare a dedicated circuit corresponding to the ROM or RAM, and to replace it or replace the substrate, so that it is possible to quickly and easily cope with ROMs and RAMs having different specifications.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the reconstructed data of the ROM 32 and the RAM 36 is recorded in the wireless tag 34 and the wireless tag 38 is described. However, the wireless tag 34 and the wireless tag 38 include the ROM 32 and the RAM 36. The identification information may be recorded and the identification information and the reconstructed data may be recorded in association with each other, and the interface circuit may be reconstructed based on the identification information read from the wireless tag and the reconstructed data. .

In the second embodiment, the case where the wireless tag is attached to the ROM 32 and the RAM 36 and the interface circuit 46 and the interface circuit 46 ′ are reconstructed has been described. Similarly to the embodiment, a wireless tag may be attached to the thermal head 48 and the interface circuit 50 may be reconstructed.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the printer 60 according to the third embodiment. The printer 60 includes a CPU 66, and the CPU 66 performs a reconstruction process, a print process, and the like described in detail below. In processing, the RAM 74 is used for temporary storage of data.
An external device 90 (not shown) is connected to the printer 60 via a cable 92. The external device 90 may be a server, a computer, a data recording device, or the like, for example. For example, when the external device is a computer, the interface with the printer 60 may be a standard such as Centronics, RS-232C, GPIB, SCSI, or USB. Note that a wireless tag 94 is attached to the cable 92, and information for identifying the interface of the external device 90 is recorded in the wireless tag 94 in advance.

The printer 60 includes a thermal head 78, an interface circuit 76 for the thermal head, an antenna 62, an encoding / decoding circuit 64, a printer interface 70 for connecting an external device, and a reconfigurable analog programmable ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). ) And the like, and these components are configured such that data and instructions can be input and output with each other via a system bus.
Further, the ROM 72 stores the interface identification information of the external device and the reconstruction data of the interface circuit in association with each other. The ROM 72 is constituted by a device such as an EEPROM, and reconstructed data can be rewritten, deleted, and added. For this reason, even when an external device having a new specification in which the reconstruction data is not stored in the ROM 72 is connected, the reconstruction of the interface can be performed by adding the reconstruction data to the ROM 72.

  Next, interface circuit reconstruction in the printer 60 will be described. When the cable 92 is connected, the identification information stored in the wireless tag 94 is read out wirelessly via the antenna 62 and the encoding / decoding circuit 64. When the identification information is read, the reconstruction data corresponding to the identification information is read from the ROM 72, and the interface circuit 68 is automatically reconstructed according to the reconstruction data.

  The above processing can be repeatedly performed when using external devices having different specifications.

  As described above, in the printer 30 according to the third embodiment, the interface circuit 68 is automatically reconstructed based on the information recorded in the wireless tag 94. Therefore, a dedicated circuit corresponding to an external device having a different specification is provided. There is no need to prepare and replace the board or replace the board, and it is possible to respond quickly and easily to external devices with different specifications.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the identification information of the external device 90 is recorded in the wireless tag 94 and the reconstruction data of the interface circuit 68 is recorded in the ROM 72 is described. All the reconstructed data of the interface circuit 68 may be recorded in the wireless tag 94.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the wireless tag 94 is attached to the external device 90 and the interface circuit 68 is reconstructed is described. However, the first and second implementations are also performed in this embodiment. Similarly to the embodiment, a wireless tag may be attached to the thermal head 78 and the interface circuit 76 may be reconstructed.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the electronic device is described as a printer. However, the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to a printer, and other electronic devices such as a copier, It may be a facsimile, a personal computer, or the like.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the printer which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the printer which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 30, 60 ... printer, 12, 48, 78 ... thermal head, 14, 34, 38, 94 ... wireless tag, 16, 40, 62 ... antenna, 18, 42, 64 ..Encoding / decoding circuit, 22, 50, 68, 76 ... interface circuit

Claims (7)

In electronic devices that can use the same type of parts with different specifications,
Means for inputting / outputting data according to a predetermined interface with the component;
Reading means for reading out data necessary for the reconstruction of the predetermined interface from the recording medium mounted on the component;
Means for automatically reconfiguring the interface based on the read data;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads data from the component in a non-contact manner. In electronic devices that can use the same type of parts with different specifications,
Means for inputting / outputting data according to a predetermined interface with the component;
Storage means for preliminarily correlating and storing the identification information of the component and data necessary for the reconstruction of the predetermined interface;
Reading means for reading identification information of the part from the recording medium mounted on the part;
Rebuilding means for automatically rebuilding the interface based on the read identification information and the storage means;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit is configured to be able to edit the reconstructed data.   5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading unit reads data from the component in a non-contact manner. In electronic equipment that can use the same type of external equipment with different specifications,
Means for inputting / outputting data to / from the external device according to a predetermined interface;
Means for reading out data necessary for reconstructing the predetermined interface from a recording medium attached to the external device;
Means for automatically reconfiguring the interface based on the read data;
An electronic device comprising: In electronic equipment that can use the same type of external equipment with different specifications,
Means for inputting / outputting data to / from the external device according to a predetermined interface;
Storage means for storing the identification information of the external device and the data necessary for the reconstruction of the predetermined interface in association with each other;
Means for reading identification information of the component from a recording medium mounted on the external device;
Means for automatically reconstructing the interface based on the read identification information and the storage means;
An electronic device comprising:

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