JP2005327102A - Information processing equipment, control method for information processing equipment, and program for information processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information processing equipment such as a printer or a scanner wherein a W boot can be executed in time of a normal start, and to provide a start method for the information processing equipment and a start program for the information processing equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This printer 1 has a basic boot program executing a basic boot process in time of power supply, and two W boot programs executing a start process after execution of the basic boot program inside a flash ROM 11 as a boot program for starting. In the printer 1, after one of the W boot programs is selected by a DIP switch 14 and is executed, a main program is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device such as a printer or a scanner.

  Information processing devices such as printers, scanners, etc. have firmware stored in the internal flash ROM, and are configured to operate while communicating with the host computer by performing startup processing by executing this firmware. It is common that Normally, the firmware is composed of a boot program that performs initial startup processing and a main program that performs various processing after execution of the boot program, and each is stored in the flash ROM.

  When operating an information processing device such as a printer or a scanner, first, a boot program is executed to execute basic boot processing. In this basic boot process, the CPU is initialized after the power is turned on, the stack is initialized, the RAM is checked, and the gate array register is checked.

  When the basic boot process is executed, if not in the memory rewrite mode, the checksum of the main sector in the flash ROM in which the main program is stored is verified. If the checksum is normal, the main program is executed and operations as a printer and a scanner are established.

  On the other hand, in the memory rewrite mode, the program for the memory rewrite mode is executed after the checksum of the sector in which the program for the memory rewrite mode is stored is confirmed. Here, in some information processing devices such as a printer and a scanner, a program for memory rewriting mode is stored independently in two sectors in the flash ROM (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Information processing devices such as printers and scanners capable of so-called W boot processing, in which a program for the memory rewrite mode is stored in each of these two sectors, the most recently updated sector of the two W boot sectors When the memory rewrite mode is started and the program such as the main program is rewritten and the program for the memory rewrite mode is rewritten, the program that has not been executed among the two W boot sectors is executed. A new program is written in the stored W boot sector.
When a flash ROM having at least three boot sectors is used as described above, a predetermined sector of the flash ROM can be rewritten by one download operation, and the flash ROM can be updated efficiently. Can do.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-13854

  However, the W boot method described in Patent Document 1 is executed in the processing in the memory rewrite mode. Therefore, in the start-up operation in the normal mode other than the memory rewrite mode, the program in the most recently updated sector of the two W boot sectors is executed after the basic boot process, and the main program is executed. No particular boot sector could be selected from the two W boot sectors. Therefore, the conventional printer is not improved at all by the W boot process at the normal startup, and the function expansion or the like cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above. An information processing device such as a printer or a scanner, an information processing apparatus, and the like that expands the W boot process executed in the memory rewrite mode so that the W boot can be executed even during normal startup. An object is to provide a device activation method and an information processing device activation program.

(1) a flash ROM storing a boot program for startup and a main program for executing various processes in the normal mode after startup;
A CPU for executing the boot program and the main program in the flash ROM;
The boot program for starting is
A basic boot program that executes basic boot processing at power-on,
Two W boot programs for executing startup processing after execution of the basic boot program,
An information processing apparatus, wherein the main program is executed after any one of the W boot programs is selected and executed.
(2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), further including a DIP switch that selects any one of the W boot programs, wherein startup processing is performed by the W boot program selected by the DIP switch. .
(3) The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes that are the same or substantially equivalent to each other.
(4) The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the two W boot programs execute start-up processes in different modes.
(5) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the information processing apparatus is a printer.
(6) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the information processing apparatus is a scanner.
(7) executing basic boot processing after power-on;
Selecting one of the two W boot programs after execution of the basic boot process;
Executing one of the W boot programs;
And a step of executing a main program after one of the W boot programs is executed.
(8) The information processing apparatus control method according to (7), wherein one of the W boot programs is selected by a DIP switch.
(9) The method for controlling an information processing device according to (7) or (8), wherein the two W boot programs execute the same or substantially equivalent startup processing.
(10) The information processing apparatus control method according to (7) or (8), wherein the two W boot programs execute start-up processes in different modes.
(11) executing basic boot processing after power-on;
Selecting one of the two W boot programs after execution of the basic boot process;
Performing a startup process by executing one of the W boot programs;
A program for an information processing device, wherein the main program executes a normal mode after one of the W boot programs is executed, and causes the computer to execute the program.
(12) The information processing apparatus program according to (11), wherein one of the W boot programs is selected by a DIP switch.
(13) The information processing apparatus program according to (11) or (12), wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes that are the same or substantially equivalent to each other.
(14) The information processing apparatus program according to (11) or (12), wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes in different modes.

  According to the present invention, the boot process is completed through one of the two W boot programs, and then the main program is executed. Therefore, even if one W boot program is broken, the other By switching to and executing the W boot program, it is possible to operate the printer normally in the normal mode. Therefore, even if one of the two W boot programs does not start for some reason at the time of rewriting or the like, the printer is not disabled. Therefore, it is possible to attempt to update the firmware of the printer without considering the worst situation such that the printer becomes unusable.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to switch both W boot programs using, for example, a DIP switch.

  In addition, when the first W boot program and the second W boot program are exactly the same program, when one W boot program is rewritten by updating, the other W boot program remains as the program before rewriting, so the update is completed. The operation check after the update can be performed while comparing the operation before and after the rewrite later.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a functional difference between the two W boot programs and to expand the range of functions of the printer. Therefore, it becomes easier to adapt to the needs of a wider range of users, and the versatility of the printer can be further enhanced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, a printer is taken as an example of information processing equipment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printer according to the present embodiment.
The printer 1 of this embodiment is a type of printer that performs printing on roll paper P, for example. Although FIG. 1 shows a printer in which the printed roll paper P is discharged from the roll paper discharge port 3, the printer is not limited to this, and is a printer that prints on slip paper such as a check. It doesn't matter. Hereinafter, the roll paper P, slip paper, and the like are collectively referred to simply as paper.

  The printer 1 is communicably connected to the host computer 100 via a communication cable 110. An example of the host computer 100 is a computer in which a main body 101 and a display 102 including a touch panel 103 serving as an input unit and a display unit are integrated. The host computer 100 transmits various commands to the printer 1 to control various operations of the printer 1 and transmits print data in a command format to cause the printer 1 to execute printing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main part of the control circuit of the printer 1.
Inside the printer 1 of the present embodiment, there are a flash ROM 11 that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory having a plurality of sectors that can be erased at once, a RAM 12 that is a volatile memory that can be read and written, and the printer 1. And a DIP switch 14 that is provided so as to be able to be switched on / off by the user and that is executed during W boot processing, which will be described later, and is electrically connected to each other. It is configured to be able to send.

  When the printer 1 is activated, the firmware in the flash ROM 11 is read and executed by the CPU 13 to perform activation processing, whereby the printer 1 can communicate with the host computer 100 and various functions as a printer can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the sector in the flash ROM 11 and the state of the program stored in the sector.
As shown in FIG. 3, the flash ROM 11 includes a basic boot area 21, a first W boot area 22, a second W boot area 23, a main program area 24, a data storage area 25, and an unused area 26. ing. These areas are composed of a single sector or a plurality of sectors, and data can be collectively erased in units of sectors.

  In the flash ROM 11 of the present embodiment, the “basic boot program” stored in the basic boot area 21, the “first W boot program” stored in the first W boot area 22, and the second W boot area 23 are stored as firmware. The stored “second W boot program” and the “main program” stored in the main program area 24 are configured. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, for simplification of description, description of the memory rewrite mode is omitted, and description will be made focusing on the normal mode in which the normal operation as the printer is executed.

  The basic boot program stored in the basic boot area 21 is a boot program that executes a minimum function for starting up the printer 1. For example, a minimum necessary function for starting up the printer 1 is executed. The necessary optimum source function performed here includes various initializations such as initialization of the CPU 13 and various initializations such as stack initialization, various checks such as the RAM 12 check and gate array register check, and the activation mode determination. Judgment etc. are mentioned. The basic boot process is executed by executing this basic boot program.

  The first W boot program stored in the first W boot area 22 is a program for executing a boot process that is an intermediate process after the basic boot program is executed and before the main program is executed. Examples of processing executed as the intermediate processing include, for example, processing at the time of startup other than the minimum function for starting up the printer 1, determination of the type of communication interface, processing corresponding to each communication interface, various types For example, processing corresponding to the status command.

  On the other hand, the second W boot program stored in the second W boot area 23 is a program for executing a boot process that is an intermediate process between the execution of the basic boot program and the execution of the main program. In the present embodiment, the second W boot program stored in the second W boot area 23 is the same as the first W boot program stored in the first W boot area 22, or one of the new versions is basically the same purpose. This is a program for executing an operation.

  In the present embodiment, the first W boot program stored in the first boot area 22 and the second W boot program stored in the second boot area 23 are selectively executed according to ON / OFF of the DIP switch 14. It is configured as follows.

  As an example, when the DIP switch 14 is on, the CPU 13 executes the first W boot program after the basic boot process, while when the DIP switch 14 is off, the CPU 13 executes the second W boot program after the basic boot process. The remaining boot processing after the basic boot processing is executed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, three boot programs are provided as programs for executing the entire boot process including the basic boot process and the subsequent boot process. After the basic boot process is executed, the first W boot is performed. Either the program or the second W boot program is selectively executed.

  After one of the first W boot program and the second W boot program is selectively executed, the main program stored in the main program area 24 is executed. The main program is a program for controlling the printer 1 through communication with the host computer 100. The main program controls the printing operation by the printer 1 and communicates with the host computer 100 while referring to various setting values stored in the data storage area 25.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart summarizing the flow of activation processing of the printer 1 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the flow of the activation process will be summarized again using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the power source 1 of the printer 1 is turned on, the basic boot program stored in the basic boot area in the flash ROM 11 is read and executed, for example, the minimum necessary for starting up the printer 1. As functions, various initializations such as initialization of the CPU 13 and initialization of the stack, various checks such as a check of the RAM 12 and a check of the gate array register, various determinations such as a determination of the start mode, etc. are executed (step S1) .

  Next, the state of the DIP switch 14 is confirmed, and it is confirmed whether the DIP switch 14 is on (step S2). If the DIP switch 14 is on, the process proceeds to step S3, where the first W boot program is read and executed. When the execution of the first W boot program is finished, the startup process is finished, and then the main program is executed.

On the other hand, if the DIP switch 14 is off, the process proceeds to step S4, where the second W boot program is read and executed. When the execution of the second W boot program is finished, the startup process is finished, and then the main program is executed.
As described above, according to this embodiment, after the basic boot process is executed, either the first W boot program or the second W boot program is selectively executed, and the first W boot program is executed. Even if the second W boot program is executed, the main program is finally executed, and the printer 1 becomes operable in response to an instruction from the host computer 100.

  In the present embodiment, since the boot process is completed through one of the first W boot program and the second W boot program and then the main program is executed, one of the W boot programs is broken. However, by switching the DIP switch, it is possible to execute the other W boot program so that the printer 1 operates normally in the normal mode. Therefore, even if one W boot program is not activated for some reason when rewriting one of the first W boot program and the second W boot program, the printer 1 is not disabled. Therefore, it is possible to attempt to update the firmware of the printer 1 without considering the worst situation in which the printer 1 becomes unusable.

  In addition, when the first W boot program and the second W boot program are exactly the same program, when one W boot program is rewritten by updating, the other W boot program remains as the program before rewriting, so the update is completed. The operation check after the update can be performed while comparing the operation before and after the rewrite later.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that one of the first W boot program and the second W boot program is executed by looking at the state of the DIP switch 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The update history of the program and the second W boot program may be confirmed, and the most recently updated W boot program may be preferentially executed. Even in this case, depending on the setting of the DIP switch 14, it may be forcibly started by the W boot program designated by the DIP switch 14 out of the first W boot program and the second W boot program.

Next, a modified example of the process of the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when switching between the first W boot program and the second W boot program while referring to the checksum. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a case where the flow of the startup process of the printer 1 in the present embodiment is configured to be switchable with reference to a checksum.

  A checksum is stored in each of the first W boot area 22 and the second W boot area 23. This checksum is a value for confirming the reliability of data in the first W boot area 22 and the second W boot area 23. If this checksum is used, the printer 1 can be started up without switching the DIP switch if a problem has occurred.

  First, when the power source 1 of the printer 1 is turned on, the basic boot program stored in the basic boot area in the flash ROM 11 is read and executed, for example, the minimum necessary for starting up the printer 1. As functions, various initializations such as initialization of the CPU 13 and initialization of the stack, various checks such as a check of the RAM 12 and a check of the gate array register, various determinations such as a determination of the start mode, and the like are executed (step S11). .

  Next, the state of the DIP switch 14 is confirmed, and it is confirmed whether the DIP switch 14 is on (step S12). Here, if the DIP switch 14 is on, the process proceeds to step S3, where the sum of the data of the first W boot program is calculated and collated with the checksum stored in advance (step S13). Here, if the data sum and the checksum match, the first W boot program is executed and the startup process is continued (step S14). Then, when the execution of the first W boot program is finished, the start-up process is finished, and then the main program is executed.

On the other hand, if there is no checksum verification result in step S13, step S13 is executed.
The process proceeds to step 16 to calculate the data sum of the second W boot program and check whether it is the same as the checksum stored in advance. Here, if the data sum and the checksum match, the second W boot program is executed and the startup process is continued (step S17). Then, when the execution of the second W boot program is finished, the startup process is finished, and then the main program is executed.

  On the other hand, if the DIP switch 14 is off in step S12, the process proceeds to step S15, where the sum of the data of the second W boot program is calculated and checked whether it is the same as the checksum stored in advance. Here, if the data sum and the checksum match, the second W boot program is executed and the startup process is continued (step S18). Then, when the execution of the second W boot program is finished, the startup process is finished, and then the main program is executed.

On the other hand, if there is no checksum verification result in step S15, step S15 is executed.
The process shifts to 19, and the sum of the data of the first W boot program is calculated, and it is verified whether it is the same as the checksum stored in advance. Here, if the data sum and the checksum match, the first W boot program is executed and the startup process is continued (step S20). Then, when the execution of the first W boot program is finished, the start-up process is finished, and then the main program is executed.

  If there is no checksum verification result in step S16 or step S19, it is considered that there is some error in both the first W boot program and the second W boot program. In this case, the continuation of processing by the first W boot program or the second W boot program is interrupted, and the process ends with an error.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, after the basic boot process is executed, one of the first W boot program and the second W boot program is selectively executed, and the first W boot program or the second W boot program is executed. If there is any problem, the boot process is continued by automatically executing the other W boot program. Finally, the main program is executed, and the printer 1 becomes operable according to an instruction from the host computer 100. With this configuration, it is possible to normally start the printer 1 with a very high probability without any trouble of the user.

  In the above description, the first W boot program stored in the first W boot area 22 is the same as the second W boot program stored in the second W boot area 23, or one of them is basically the same as the new version. Although it has been described that it is a program for executing the target operation, the present invention is not limited to this, and a function difference is positively provided in the program stored in each W boot area, and these Ws are set according to needs. You may comprise so that a user may select one of the boot programs.

  Examples of such functional disparities include the following.

1) High-speed startup mode and normal startup mode One W-boot program for high-speed startup omits a check operation (external RAM check or the like) that is considered unnecessary. As a result, the processing time of the entire boot process is shortened compared with the other W boot program for normal activation, and the system is activated promptly. For users who need quick start-up, start up in high-speed mode using the W-boot program for high-speed start-up, and for users who want to eliminate problems in the operating environment as much as possible, the W-boot program for normal start-up that does not omit the check operation Run in normal mode by running.

2) Debug mode and normal startup program A maintenance debug mode is prepared for one W boot program. With this configuration, if any trouble occurs in the printer 1, the printer can be operated in the debug mode by being started by one of the W boot programs, and the operator can check the detailed status of the printer 1. Provide such an environment.

3) Function Restriction Mode and Normal Startup Program By executing one W boot program, the printer 1 is activated in a function restriction mode in which functions that can be executed are limited compared to the normal activation program. By configuring in this way, a specific switch is disabled to prevent unauthorized operation, or a function that is planned to be used in the future but is not used at present is prevented from being executed, thereby preventing malfunction of the printer 1. To do. In this case, the normal activation program has no function restriction.

4) Function expansion mode and normal startup program By executing one W boot program, non-standard high-speed printing mode, special decoration printing function, etc. are realized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the two W boot programs are stored in the first W boot area 22 and the second W boot area 23, the first W boot program stored in the first W boot area 22 and the second W boot program A function difference is provided between the second W boot program stored in the boot area 23 and the function range of the printer 1 can be expanded. Therefore, it becomes easy to adapt to the needs of a wider range of users, and the versatility of the printer 1 can be further enhanced.

  In the above description, the printer is described as an example. However, the application range of the W boot program is not limited to the printer, and can be applied to, for example, a scanner.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a printer control circuit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state of the program memorize | stored in the sector in a flash ROM and a sector. 6 is a flowchart summarizing the flow of printer activation processing. 10 is a flowchart summarizing a flow of a modified example of printer activation processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 11 ... Flash memory 12 ... RAM 13 ... CPU 14 ... DIP switch 100 ... Host computer 101 ... Main part 102 ... Display

Claims (14)

A flash ROM storing a boot program for startup and a main program for executing various processes in the normal mode after startup;
A CPU for executing the boot program and the main program in the flash ROM;
The boot program for starting is
A basic boot program that executes basic boot processing at power-on,
Two W boot programs for executing startup processing after execution of the basic boot program,
An information processing apparatus, wherein the main program is executed after any one of the W boot programs is selected and executed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a DIP switch that selects any one of the W boot programs, wherein startup processing is performed by the W boot program selected by the DIP switch.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes that are the same or substantially equivalent to each other.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes in different modes.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a printer.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a scanner. A step of performing basic boot processing after power-on;
Selecting one of the two W boot programs after execution of the basic boot process;
Executing one of the W boot programs;
And a step of executing a main program after one of the W boot programs is executed.   8. The method of controlling an information processing device according to claim 7, wherein one of the W boot programs is selected by a DIP switch.   9. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 7, wherein the two W boot programs execute the same or substantially equivalent start-up processes.   9. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 7, wherein the two W boot programs execute start-up processes in different modes. A step of performing basic boot processing after power-on;
Selecting one of the two W boot programs after execution of the basic boot process;
Performing a startup process by executing one of the W boot programs;
A program for an information processing device, wherein the main program executes a normal mode after one of the W boot programs is executed, and causes the computer to execute the program.   12. The information processing apparatus program according to claim 11, wherein one of the W boot programs is selected by a DIP switch.   The information processing apparatus program according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the two W boot programs execute the same or substantially equivalent start-up processes.   The information processing apparatus program according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the two W boot programs execute startup processes in different modes.

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