JP2006120179A - Program output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rewrite storage contents of a programmable ROM all at once by a single rewriting program. <P>SOLUTION: In a rewritable storage area 12a of the ROM, firmware 403, the rewriting program 404 rewriting the storage contents of the storage area 12a, and a control program 405 used for the following processing are stored (A). By the control program 405, the rewriting program 404 is copied onto a RAM 3 in receipt of new firmware (B). Then, processing based on the rewriting program 404 copied onto the RAM 3 is carried out for rewriting data stored in the storage area 12a, and then, processing is finished (C). Since the rewriting program 404 is duplicated (copied) once to the RAM 13 and the storage contents of the ROM are rewritten based on the duplicated rewriting program 404, the storage contents of the ROM can be rewritten all at once by a single rewriting program 404. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for rewriting a processing program stored in a storage area of a programmable ROM having a rewritable storage area. Specifically, the present invention is new to a processing apparatus having the programmable ROM. The present invention relates to a program output device that outputs a processing program.

  Conventionally, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores data exclusively for reading is known, and various control processing programs and the like are stored in the ROM. In recent years, a programmable ROM having a storage area that is normally used exclusively for reading data but whose memory contents can be rewritten when a special operation is performed has been developed (for example, a flash ROM). In order to rewrite the processing program stored in the rewritable storage area by software processing, a rewriting program is required. Conventionally, it has been considered to rewrite as follows.

  That is, when the rewriting program is stored in the programmable ROM, it is impossible to rewrite the storage area stored by the rewriting program due to the difference in electrical characteristics between reading and writing. Therefore, a method is conceivable in which two programmable ROMs are provided and the rewrite program is stored individually in each programmable ROM. In this case, when rewriting the storage area of one programmable ROM, the rewriting process can be executed by the rewriting program stored in the other programmable ROM.

  Another possible method is to divide one programmable ROM into the first and second half and store the rewrite program in each of the first and second half. In this case, when the first half or second half storage area is rewritten, the rewriting process can be executed by the rewriting program stored in the second half or first half storage area.

JP 09-237182 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-123678 JP 09-282170 A

  However, in the former case, it is necessary to provide two programmable ROMs, which complicates the mechanical configuration of a device including the programmable ROMs. In addition, it is necessary to maintain a certain degree of correlation between the two programmable ROMs, which complicates the configuration as a control system. Furthermore, in the latter case, since two rewriting programs must be stored in one programmable ROM, the storage capacity of the programmable ROM cannot be utilized sufficiently effectively. In addition, since the rewriting process must be executed individually for the first and second half of the programmable ROM, the processing time required for the rewriting becomes longer.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made for the purpose of providing a program output device that can rewrite the stored contents of the programmable ROM at once with one rewrite program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a programmable ROM having a storage area in which stored contents can be rewritten, a CPU for executing processing based on a processing program stored in the storage area, A program output device comprising an output means for outputting a new processing program to be stored in the storage area to a processing device comprising a RAM for temporarily storing data necessary for processing by the CPU. Rewriting for rewriting the stored information in the storage area storing the new processing program and the instruction information for instructing the processing apparatus to rewrite the processing program stored in the storage area Program, a rewrite program copy process for copying the rewrite program to the RAM, and the rewrite program copy process A software program for sequentially executing a processing program rewriting process for causing the CPU to execute the rewriting program copied to the RAM by rewriting the new processing program stored in the storage area with another processing program. And output to the processing device together with the new processing program.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the processing device as an output destination of the instruction information by the output means, the rewrite program, the software program, and the new processing program is provided. The image forming apparatus is built in, and storage position specifying information for specifying in which position of the storage area the program is stored is attached to the new processing program.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the output means outputs the next data together with a new processing program to be stored in the storage area to a processing apparatus having a programmable ROM having a storage area in which the storage contents can be rewritten. To do. That is, instruction information for instructing the processing device to rewrite the processing program stored in the storage area, a rewriting program for rewriting the storage contents of the storage area storing the new processing program, and the rewriting A rewrite program copy process for copying the program to the RAM, and a CPU for executing the rewrite program copied to the RAM by the rewrite program copy process, so that the new processing program stored in the storage area A software program that sequentially executes the processing program rewriting process to be rewritten to the processing program is output to the processing device together with the new processing program.

  Therefore, when the processing device stores the output data in the programmable ROM based on the instruction information, the rewriting program copying process corresponding to the rewriting program copying means and the processing program rewriting means are based on the software program. Corresponding processing program rewriting processing can be executed sequentially.

  The output means of the present invention may transmit the data via a communication line such as a network, and stores the data in an IC card or the like inserted into a card slot of a processing device. Further, other output forms may be used. Further, whether or not the processing device stores the data output by the output means may be selectable on the processing device side. Furthermore, the instruction information does not necessarily include a command or the like that causes the CPU of the processing device to execute processing. Depending on the form of the processing device (for example, when the processing device includes a program rewriting device, a new In the case of rewriting automatically when a correct processing program is received), it may simply indicate that the series of data to which the instruction information is added includes a new processing program.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the programmable ROM of the processing apparatus built in the image forming apparatus, what processing program is stored in which storage area is almost prescribed for each model. Therefore, in the present invention, the new processing program output to the processing apparatus built in the image forming apparatus is attached with storage location designation information for designating where in the storage area the program is stored. Yes. Therefore, the rewriting to the new processing program and the execution of the new processing program after the rewriting can be performed more smoothly. Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the above-described processing in the processing apparatus can be made smoother and the processing speed can be further improved.

<Example 1>
Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is a communication system that includes a plurality of printers as terminal devices and includes a plurality of computers that perform print processing using each printer, and is used for controlling each printer. This is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a communication system that centrally executes management of firmware and the like.

  First, the structure of the communication system S of this Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system S includes a manager (management computer) G as a program output device and a program transmission device, a network W such as a telephone line or a LAN, a plurality of NICs 1 as interface devices, and a terminal Printers 10, 30 and 40 as apparatuses, a plurality of computers 20 connected to the printer 10, an image scanner 70 connected in parallel to the printer 40, and a paper sorter 80 connected in series to the printer 40. It is configured. Here, the printers 10, 30 and 40 are different types of printers.

  On the other hand, the manager G is a known personal computer that includes a CPU 50, ROM 51, and RAM 52 as first information processing means and is connected to a keyboard 53, a CRT 54, and the like.

  The NIC 1 also includes a transceiver 2 as a reply unit, a LAN controller 3, a shared memory 4, a CPU 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, and a bus 8. Here, the ROM 6 is configured by a programmable ROM such as a flash ROM, and has a storage area 6a in which stored contents can be rewritten. The RAM 7 includes a terminal information area 7a therein.

  On the other hand, the printer 10 includes a CPU 11 as a second information processing unit, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a bus 14, an output interface (output I / F) 15, an input interface (input I / F) 16, and a printing unit. 17. Here, the ROM 12 is configured by a programmable ROM such as a flash ROM, and has a storage area 12a in which stored contents can be rewritten. The RAM 13 includes an output buffer 13a and an input buffer 13b. The printer 10 is connected to the NIC 1 via a connection line 9 connected to the bus 14, and is connected to each computer 20 via an input interface 16. Next, an outline operation in the communication system S will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description of the outline operation, processing in the NIC 1 and the printer 10 will be described, but similar processing is executed between the other NIC 1 and the printers 30 and 40 and the like.

  The CPU 50 in the manager G generates data to be transmitted to the printer 10 or the NIC 1 connected thereto, and transmits the data to the transceiver 2 of the NIC 1 via the network W. At this time, the data to be transmitted is transmitted using the TFTP (trivial file transfer protocol) for data to be processed by the NIC 1 and LPR (line printer remote) for data to be processed by the printer 10. Data that does not need to be specified is executed by an appropriate protocol such as UDP (User Datagram Transfer Protocol). The transceiver 2 that has received the data demodulates the data and outputs it to the bus 8 via the LAN controller 3. Here, the LAN controller 3 controls data transmission / reception with the manager G via the network W.

  Next, when the data received by the NIC 1 is transmitted by the TFTP, the CPU 5 processes the data using information stored in the ROM 6. At this time, the RAM 7 temporarily stores information necessary for processing in the CPU 5 so as to be readable. Thereafter, the CPU 5 returns the processed result to the manager G via the bus 8, the LAN controller 3, the transceiver 2, and the network W.

  On the other hand, when the data received by the NIC 1 is transmitted by LPR, the CPU 5 transfers the data to the printer 10 via the shared memory 4 and the connection line 9. At this time, after writing data to the shared memory 4, the CPU 5 generates an interrupt (interrupt command) to the CPU 11 through a signal line (not shown), and executes processing of the data. A control program necessary for the processing of the CPU 5 for the data described above is stored in the ROM 6 in advance.

  Here, the shared memory 4 is a memory for temporarily storing information to be shared between the NIC 1 and the printer 10 during information processing.

  Next, when data to be processed by the printer 10 transferred from the NIC 1 (for example, data transmitted from the manager G by LPR) is input to the printer 10 via the connection line 9, the CPU 11 transfers the data to the bus. After being acquired via 14, the processing is performed using the information stored in the ROM 12. Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns the processed result to the NIC 1 via the bus 14, the connection line 9, and the shared memory 4. At this time, the RAM 13 temporarily stores information necessary for processing in the CPU 11 in a readable manner. A control program necessary for the CPU 11 to process this data is stored in the ROM 12 in advance.

  Further, the NIC 1 that receives the processing result for the data to be processed in the printer 10 from the printer 10 transfers the processing result to the manager G through the network W as it is.

  On the other hand, data such as an image to be printed out by the printer 10 output from each computer 20 is taken into the printer 10 via the input interface 16, stored in the input buffer 13b via the bus 14, and printed data. And temporarily stored in the output buffer 13a, the data is again output from the output interface 15 to the printing unit 17 via the bus 14, and the print output corresponding to the data is executed. On the other hand, when data such as an image to be printed out output from another computer (not shown) is output in the printer 10, the data is taken into the input buffer 13b of the printer 10 via the NIC 1 via the network W. Are output in the same manner as described above. The original print output process of the printer 10 is executed under the control of the CPU 11 based on the control program stored in the ROM 12.

  The printers 10, 30, and 40 included in the communication system S are provided with a common NIC 1 but include printers of different models. Specifically, device information (to be described later) is stored in the ROM 12 of each printer in response to differences in printing mechanism and handling data, but the device information differs for each printer. Yes. In addition, another printer (not shown) is connected to the network W via a NIC of a model different from that of the NIC 1.

  Next, since the storage areas 6a and 12a of the ROMs 6 and 12 are configured to be rewritable as described above, the function of the printer 10 is upgraded by rewriting the processing program such as firmware stored in this part. be able to. Next, processing related to this version upgrade will be described.

  First, when a predetermined upgrade application is launched in the manager G, the CPU 50 executes the upgrade process shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, when the process is started, the CPU 50 first sends a broadcast packet for requesting device information to all the devices connected via the network W in S1 (S represents a step: the same applies hereinafter). Send it to the printer via UDP. In subsequent S3, a timer capable of timing for at least 3 seconds is started. Further, in subsequent S5, device information is received from each printer via the network W, and the received device information is displayed on the screen of the CRT 54. Then, the process of S5 is repeated until 3 seconds have elapsed from the start of the timer (S7), and when 3 seconds have elapsed (S7: YES), the process proceeds to S11.

  Here, when the printer 10 or the like receives the broadcast packet, the printer 10 or the like starts a routine (not shown), and from the NIC 1 to which the printer 10 is connected, the NIC 1 device name, the NIC 1 firmware version (NIC device name, NIC firmware version), etc. Get device information for. Subsequently, a random number is generated, and a number of msec. After waiting, the NIC1 device information is returned to the manager G together with device information such as the device class, device name, device status, and firmware version of the printer 10 itself. Note that the printer 10 or the like may acquire device information of the NIC 1 in advance when the power of the printer 10 is turned on, or acquire device information of other printers or NICs connected via the network W. Alternatively, it may be returned together with the device information. For this reason, device information from each printer is sent back to the manager G via the network W at a timing that depends on the random number. Therefore, in the process of S5 by the manager G, the following display is performed on the CRT 54 based on the received device information. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the form of the device information 100 returned from the printer 10, and FIG. 8 is a display screen (hereinafter referred to as a device list screen) 200 of the CRT 54 corresponding to the device information 100 or the like. It is explanatory drawing showing an example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the device information 100 includes a device class 101 indicating the type of a device such as a laser printer or a color printer, a device name 102 assigned to each device model, a status 103 indicating the status of the printer 10, and The device information on the printer 10 side including the printer version 104 representing the firmware version, the NIC device name 105 and NIC version 106 as device information on the NIC 1 side, and the IP address 107 assigned to the printer 10 are listed. Configured. In addition, device class 101, device name 102, status 103, printer version 104, NIC device name 105, and NIC version 106 have data class length 111, device name length 112 indicating the length of each data at the head thereof. , Status length 113, printer version length 114, NIC device name length 115, and NIC version length 116 are attached.

  The CPU 50 having received such device information 100, in the process of S5, represents the device class 101, device name 102, status 103, printer version 104, NIC device name 105, NIC version 106, and IP address data. (Device class, device name, device status, main body firmware version, NIC device name, NIC firmware version, and IP address) are arranged on the right side of the icon corresponding to the device class 101, and the device list 201 listed is displayed. .

  In the device list 201 illustrated in FIG. 8, a scanner is displayed in addition to the printer, and the printer, the scanner, and the like are collectively referred to as a device. This is why the notation corresponding to the printer version 104 of the device information 100 returned from the printer 10 is displayed in the item “main body firmware version”. In the following description, it is assumed that NICs of the same model correspond to devices of the same model.

  The device list screen 200 includes a main body firmware update button 202 that is pressed when the device is upgraded, a NIC firmware update button 203 that is pressed when the NIC is upgraded, The same model all selection button 204 that is pressed when devices of the same model are collectively selected as the upgrade target, and the end button 205 that is pressed when the upgrade process is completed are displayed side by side. Each device displayed in the device list 201 is also a button whose icon responds to a click, for example.

  After displaying the device list screen 200 by the process of S5, the CPU 50 executes the processes after S11 in response to pressing of each button. That is, first, in S11, it is determined whether or not a device displayed in the device list 201 has been clicked. If it has not been clicked, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, it is determined whether or not the same model selection button 204 has been pressed. If not, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to S15. Similarly, it is determined whether or not the main body firmware update button 202 has been pressed (S15). If not, the process proceeds to S17 to determine whether or not the NIC firmware update button 203 has been pressed ( If not pressed, the process proceeds to S19, and it is determined whether the end button 205 is pressed (S19). If not pressed, the process proceeds to S11. That is, after displaying the device list screen 200, the CPU 50 stands by in a loop process of S11 to S19 until any of the above operations is performed.

  When the device list screen 200 is displayed, usually, the user first selects a device to be upgraded. In this case, the device is clicked first, an affirmative determination is made in S11, and the process proceeds to S21. In S21, it is determined whether a device of a different model from the already selected model is clicked. When the device is clicked for the first time, since there is no model already selected, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to S23. In S23, the display unit related to the clicked device is highlighted. For example, when a laser printer (device name: 1660, NIC device name: 2010) displayed at the top of the device list 201 is clicked, the device list screen 200 changes as illustrated in FIG. After the reverse display (S23), the process returns to the loop process of S11 to S19. As will be described later, in this version upgrade process, the highlighted device is subjected to version upgrade. Subsequently, when the same model selection button 204 is pressed, an affirmative determination is made in S13 and the process proceeds to S25. In S25, after all the devices of the same model as the highlighted display are highlighted, the process returns to the loop processing of S11 to S19. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the same model selection button 204 is pressed while the laser printer (device name: 1660, NIC device name: 2010) displayed at the top of the device list 201 is highlighted. As shown in FIG. 10, all laser printers of the same model as the laser printer are displayed in reverse video. Accordingly, by depressing the same model selection button 204, devices of the same model can be collectively designated as targets for version upgrade.

  Also, in this version upgrade process, devices can be designated individually for upgrade. When designating one device, the user may click on one desired device as described above. However, when a plurality of devices are individually designated, the device click is repeated a plurality of times.

  Therefore, when the second and subsequent devices are clicked, the CPU 50 determines whether or not a device of a different model from the already selected model is clicked in S21 described above. As will be described later, in this version upgrade process, when a device is selected, the firmware is transmitted to the device to upgrade the device. However, in general, compatible models are limited in firmware. For this reason, when a plurality of devices of different models are selected, problems arise in the determination of the compatibility of the firmware and the processing corresponding to the pressing of the above-mentioned all models selection button 204. Therefore, when a device of a different model from the already selected model is clicked (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S27 and subsequent steps.

  In S 27, the selected model change dialog 220 shown in FIG. 11 is opened and displayed over the device list screen 200. As shown in FIG. 11, in the selected model change dialog 220, a message “A model different from the already selected model has been selected. Do you want to validate the new selection?”, A YES button 221 and A NO button 222 is displayed. If the YES button 221 is pressed (S29: YES), the process proceeds to S31 to cancel the reverse display of the already selected device, and then the newly clicked device is the above-mentioned S23. After the reverse display, the process proceeds to the loop process of S11 to S19.

  By this process, it is possible to invalidate the previous selection and validate only the newly clicked device selection. If the NO button 222 is pressed in the selected model change dialog 220 (S29: NO), the process proceeds to the loop process of S11 to S19 without doing anything. This process enables the previous selection as it is and invalidates the selection of the newly clicked device. When the YES button 221 or the NO button 222 is pressed, the CPU 50 deletes the selected model change dialog 220 and displays the entire device list screen 200.

  On the other hand, if the newly clicked device is the same model as the already selected device (S21: NO), the process proceeds to S23 as it is, and the clicked device is highlighted together with the already selected device. With this process, it is possible to select a plurality of devices of the same model displayed in the device list 201 that are to be upgraded.

  After selecting a desired device to be upgraded by the above processing, the user presses the main body firmware update button 202 or the NIC firmware update button 203. When the main body firmware update button 202 is pressed, an affirmative determination is made in S15 and the process proceeds to S33. In S33, the file name designation dialog 230 illustrated in FIG. 12 is opened and displayed over the device list screen 200. As shown in FIG. 12, in the file name designation dialog 230, the model name of the selected device is displayed, and a file name input field 231, an OK button 232, and a reference button 233 are displayed. When the file name designation dialog 230 is opened (S33), the CPU 50 executes the file name input / selection process of S35 and repeats this process until the OK button 232 of the file name designation dialog 230 is pressed (S37). In the file name input / selection process of S35, the CPU 50 executes the following series of processes. That is, when a firmware file name is directly input from the keyboard 53, the file name is displayed in the file name input field 231. When the reference button 233 is pressed, other storage means (for example, various servers) connected to the manager G so as to be communicable or firmware stored in the ROM 51 is listed by opening a new dialog (not shown). When the firmware is selected by a cursor key or the like of the keyboard 53, the file name of the firmware is displayed in the file name input field 231.

  When a desired file name is displayed in the file name input field 231 by the above file name input / selection process (S35), the user presses the OK button 232; Then, the CPU 50 makes an affirmative determination in S37 and proceeds to S39. In S39, a firmware transmission process, which will be described later, is executed, and the firmware having the input file name is transmitted to the network W so as to be processed by the LPR, that is, only by a device such as the printer 10. Further, after the end of S39, the file name designation dialog 230 is deleted, the entire surface of the device list screen 200 is displayed, and the process proceeds to the loop process of S11 to S19.

  The same applies when the NIC firmware update button 203 is pressed. In this case, an affirmative determination is made in S17, and the process proceeds to S43. In S43, a file name designation dialog 230 substantially similar to that illustrated in FIG. 12 is opened, and subsequently, a file name input / selection process (S43) substantially similar to the above is performed, and an OK button of the file name designation dialog 230 is displayed. The process is repeated until 232 is pressed (S47). However, the file name designation dialog 230 displayed in S43 is different from FIG. 12 in that the NIC model name (2010 in the above example) is displayed as the model name. When a desired file name is displayed by the file name input / selection process (S45) and the OK button 232 is pressed, the CPU 50 makes an affirmative determination in S47 and proceeds to S49. In S49, a firmware transmission process is executed, and the firmware having the input file name is transmitted to the network W so as to be processed only by the TFTP, that is, by the NIC. Further, after the end of S49, the file name designation dialog 230 is deleted and the process proceeds to the loop process of S11 to S19. Further, when the end button 205 is pressed during the loop process, the version upgrade process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the firmware transmission process. As shown in FIG. 6, when the process is started, first, in S51, the device name is read from the transmission firmware file. Here, the firmware handled in the version upgrade process has a transmission firmware file 300 illustrated in FIG. 13A corresponding to each firmware. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, a transmission firmware file 300 includes a device name 301 to which the firmware is compatible, and an address 302 of a ROM (ROM 12 of the printer 10, ROM 6 of NIC1, etc.) to store the firmware. The firmware processing program itself (firmware 303), the rewriting program 304 for rewriting the storage areas 6a and 12a such as the ROMs 6 and 12 storing the firmware 303, and the processing for copying the rewriting program 304 as will be described later Etc., and a control program 305 for executing the above.

  In S51, the device name 301 is read from the transmission firmware file 300 corresponding to the file name selected in S35 or S45. In the subsequent S53, the total number of devices displayed in the device list 201 is detected and substituted into the variable N, and the variable i is reset to 0 in S55. Subsequently, after adding 1 to i in S57, it is determined in S59 whether or not the i-th device from the device list 201 is selected and highlighted. If the display is reversed (S59: YES), the process proceeds to S61, and whether or not the device name of the i-th device displayed in the device list 201 matches the device name 301 of the firmware read in S51. Judging.

  If they match (S61: YES), the IP address of the device is read from the device list 201 (S63), and the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted to the IP address via the network W (S65). Here, in S65, as described above, the transmission firmware file 300 having the firmware 303 to be rewritten in the storage area 6a of the ROM 6 of the NIC 1 is TFT, and for transmission having the firmware 303 to be rewritten in the storage area 12a of the ROM 12 of the printer 10. The firmware file 300 is transmitted by LPR.

  As is well known, the TFTP transfer parameters include a parameter indicating PUT or GET (transmission or reception), a destination IP address, a path name of the source firmware file, and a destination firmware file. There is a path name. However, since NIC1 generally does not have a file system, the path name of the destination firmware file has little meaning. Therefore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, a password unique to the manager G is attached instead of this path name. The effect of this password will be described in detail later.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after transmitting the transmission firmware file 300, the process proceeds to S <b> 67, and it is determined whether or not i = N has been completed for all devices. If i = N is not satisfied (S67: NO), the process proceeds to S57 described above, 1 is added to i, and the same process is performed for the next device. At this time, if the i-th device is not highlighted (S59: NO), the process proceeds to S67 and it is determined whether i = N. If i = N, the process proceeds to S57, and the same process is performed for the next device. This process is repeated, and when the above process is completed for all devices and i = N, an affirmative determination is made in S67, the process is terminated, and the process returns to the process of FIG.

  Through the above processing, the transmission firmware file 300 having the firmware 303 selected in S35 or S45 can be transmitted to all devices (or NICs connected thereto) highlighted in the device list 201. . On the other hand, if it is determined in S61 that the device name of the i-th device does not match the firmware device name 301 read in S51 (S61: NO), the process proceeds to S69. Then, the warning message 240 illustrated in FIG. 14 is displayed on the file name designation dialog 230 that is still being displayed. In this case, the process directly proceeds to 67 without transmitting the transmission firmware file 300 in S63 and S65. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent the transmission firmware file 300 from being transmitted to a device that does not conform to the firmware 303.

  As described above, the manager G can list up and display devices that can transmit the transmission firmware file 300 in the device list 201. In addition, the devices to which the transmission firmware file 300 should be transmitted can be individually selected from the displayed devices, or the same model can be selected at once. For this reason, the device to be upgraded can be selected very easily, and the workability of the communication system S can be greatly improved. In addition, when the selected device and the firmware 303 do not match, a warning message 240 is displayed, so that the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted to a device that does not match, causing malfunction or generating other error messages. It can be prevented well.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 10 will be described. In the rewritable storage area 12a of the ROM 12, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, a firmware 403 as a small processing program related to control of the printing unit 17 and the like, and a storage area 12a storing the firmware 403 and the like. A rewriting program 404 for rewriting the stored contents of the above and a control program 405 for later-described processing such as copying (copying) the rewriting program 404 to the RAM 13 are stored. Then, the CPU 11 executes the following processing based on the control program 405. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a version up process executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 16, when the process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission firmware file 300 has been received in S81. If not, the normal process is executed in S83 and the process returns to S81. . That is, until the printer 10 receives the transmission firmware file 300 from the manager G via the network W (S81: NO), the firmware 403 stored in the storage area 12a or other rewritable memory stored in the ROM 12 Based on the processing program, normal processing as the printer 10 is executed (S83).

  The normal processing includes processing for returning the device information 100 in response to the device information request (S1) transmitted by the manager G in addition to known processing such as driving of the printing unit 17. The transmission firmware file 300 is attached with instruction information indicating that the data is the transmission firmware file 300 in a header or the like (not shown), and the CPU 11 detects the instruction information in S81. Make an affirmative decision.

  When the printer 10 receives the transmission firmware file 300 (S81: YES), the process proceeds to S87, and the rewrite program 404 is copied onto the RAM 3 as schematically illustrated in FIG. In subsequent S91 to S99, processing based on the rewrite program 404 copied onto the RAM 3 is executed as follows, and the data stored in the storage area 12a is stored as schematically illustrated in FIG. Rewrite and finish the process.

  That is, in S91, the data in the storage area 12a of the ROM 12 is erased, and in the subsequent S93, the received data of the firmware file 300 for transmission (firmware 303, rewrite program 304, and control program 305) is stored in the storage area 12a of the ROM 12. Write. In S95, it is determined whether or not the writing is completed. The writing process in S93 is repeated until the writing is completed (S95: YES), and then the process proceeds to S99. In S99, the process of the CPU 11 is shifted to the process on the ROM 12 (for example, the process of resetting the printer 10), and the process is temporarily terminated. Then, normal processing as the printer 10 can be executed based on the firmware 303 newly stored in the storage area 12 a and other processing programs stored in the ROM 12 so as not to be rewritten.

  As described above, in the printer 10, the rewriting program 404 is temporarily copied (copied) to the RAM 13, and the storage contents of the ROM 12 are rewritten based on the rewriting program 404 after the copying. The contents can be rewritten at once. Therefore, the mechanical configuration of the printer 10 and the configuration as a control system can be simplified, the storage capacity of the ROM 12 can be used sufficiently effectively, and the processing time required for rewriting can be shortened. The rewritten ROM 12 stores the rewriting program 304 and the control program 305 in the same manner. Therefore, when the printer 10 receives another transmission firmware file, the same processing as described above is performed. Rewriting can be performed.

  When the CPU 11 receives the transmission firmware file 300 (S81: YES), the CPU 11 automatically executes the processes of S87 to S95 to rewrite the storage area 12a. The process can be automatically transferred to. Therefore, rewriting of the storage area 12a can be performed very easily, and normal control can be restored very quickly after the rewriting. Therefore, the operability of the printer 10 is greatly improved.

  Similarly, firmware, a rewrite program, and a control program are stored in the storage area 6a of the ROM 6 of the NIC 1, and the storage contents of the ROM 6 can be rewritten at once by the same processing. In addition, the start of rewriting and the return to normal processing can be automatically performed as described above. However, the processing in the NIC 1 is different in that the following distribution is performed depending on whether the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted by TFTP or LPR.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a version up process executed by the CPU 5 of the NIC 1. As shown in FIG. 17, this process is substantially the same as the process of FIG. 16, and is different in that the following process is provided between S81 and S87 described above. That is, when the transmission firmware file 300 is received and an affirmative determination is made in S81, the process proceeds to S84 to determine whether or not the transmission firmware file 300 has been transmitted by the TFTP. When the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted by the TFTP (S84: YES), the process proceeds to S85, and whether or not the password attached to the transmission firmware file 300 is appropriate, that is, it is unique to the manager G. Judge whether there is. When the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted by TFTP and an appropriate password is attached instead of the path name of the transfer parameter (S84, S85: YES), the process proceeds to S87 and subsequent steps, as described above. The stored contents of the ROM 6 are rewritten.

  On the other hand, when the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted by another protocol (in this case, LPR) (S84: NO), the process proceeds to S86. In S86, the transmission firmware file 300 is transferred to the printer 10 as it is, and the process proceeds to the loop processing of S81 and S83 again and waits until another transmission firmware file 300 is received. If the password attached to the transmission firmware file 300 is not appropriate (S85: NO), the process proceeds to the loop processing of S81 and S83 as it is, and the transmission firmware file 300 received in S81 is discarded.

  In the manager G, as described in relation to S65 of FIG. 6, the transmission firmware file 300 to be rewritten to the storage area 6a of the ROM 6 of the NIC 1 is TFT, and the transmission firmware to be rewritten to the storage area 12a of the ROM 12 of the printer 10. Each file 300 is transmitted by LPR. Therefore, the NIC 1 distributes the transmission firmware file 300 depending on whether the transmission firmware file 300 is transmitted by TFTP or LPR. Then, the transmission firmware file 300 transferred to the printer 10 is rewritten to the storage area 12a by the processing of FIG. For this reason, the following effects occur in the present embodiment.

  That is, since it is determined by the protocol whether the firmware 303 is to be rewritten to NIC1 or to the device, data (for example, an identifier or the like) indicating which one is to be transmitted is used as the transmission firmware file 300. There is no need to attach it. For this reason, the transmission process can be simplified, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the processing speed can be improved.

  In addition, since rewriting of the ROM 6 of the NIC 1 is permitted only when the password attached to the transmission firmware file 300 is appropriate, it is possible to satisfactorily write firmware or the like sent from a computer other than the manager G into the ROM 6. Can be prevented. In particular, in the NIC 1, when abnormal firmware is received from another computer and written in the ROM 6, there is a possibility that data cannot be transmitted / received to / from the manager G at all. Generation | occurrence | production can be prevented favorably. In addition, in the present embodiment, such an effect can be obtained by a simple data system in which a password is attached instead of a TFTP path name, so that the reliability of the communication system can be simplified while simplifying the configuration. Can be increased.

  As described above in detail, in the communication system S according to the present embodiment, the NIC 1 and the printer 10 can rewrite the storage contents of the ROM 6 or the ROM 12 at a stretch by one rewriting program. For this reason, the mechanical configuration of the apparatus and the configuration as the control system can be simplified, the storage capacity of the ROMs 6 and 12 can be utilized sufficiently effectively, and the processing time required for rewriting can be shortened. In addition, the device (processing device) to be rewritten can be selected very easily on the device list screen 200.

  In the above description, the case where the printer 10 is connected to the NIC 1 on a one-to-one basis has been mainly described. However, as shown in FIG. 1, a printer 40 is connected to the NIC 1 and in parallel therewith, for example, an image scanner 70 can be connected. Further, an intelligent paper sorter 80 (having a unique CPU) can be connected to the printer 40. In this case, the printer 40 also acquires the device information of the paper sorter 80 together with the device information of the NIC1, attaches it to the device information 100 of FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the process of S87 corresponds to the rewrite program copy process, the process of S91 to S95 corresponds to the process program rewrite process, and the process of S99 corresponds to the reset process. Alternatively, the CPU 5 or 11 that executes the reset process and the storage area of the ROM 6 or 12 that stores these processes correspond to a rewrite program copy unit, a process program rewrite unit, or a reset unit. Further, the transceiver 2 and the connection line 9 are the receiving means, the output port (not shown) directed to the network W of the manager G is the output means and the transmitting means, the device list 201 is the list-up means, the icon of the device list 201 and the same All model selection buttons 204 correspond to transmission destination designation means.

  Further, a process of S69, a process of reading the device name 102 and the NIC device name 105 from the device information 100 in S5, and a process of selecting a device of the same model when the select all models button 204 is pressed in S35 or 45. Corresponding to the alarm process, model information acquisition process, and model classification process, the CPU 50 for executing the alarm process, model information acquisition process, or model classification process, and the storage area of the ROM 51 storing the process are model information acquisition means. And model classification means.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a device is selected by clicking a device displayed in the device list 201 (S11), but it is also possible to select a device by directly inputting the model name from the keyboard 53. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, when the transmission firmware file 300 is received, the ROM 12 is rewritten uniformly (S87 to 95). However, it may be determined whether or not rewriting is necessary before that. For example, identification information indicating the version of the firmware 303 is attached to the header of the transmission firmware file 300, and if the version is the same as the firmware 403 stored in the ROM 12, the received program data for upgrading is received. It may be discarded (from the reception buffer) and returned to the loop processing of S81 and S83 as it is. Similarly, management information such as a password may be added to restrict execution of version upgrade. In this case, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the CPU 11 by satisfactorily preventing the rewriting process for the same firmware 303 and 403 from being executed. This also applies to NIC1.

  In this case, the processing for determining the difference between the firmware, the CPU 11 that executes the processing, and the storage area of the ROM 12 that stores the processing correspond to the identification means. Further, whether or not to execute the rewriting (S87 to S95) may be individually set by the operation panel of the printer 10 or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the same model NIC is described as being supported by the same model device, but a communication system in which the correspondence between the device and the NIC can be freely set is also conceivable. In such a communication system, as shown in FIG. 18, the same model main body selection button 204a for selecting all devices of the same model at once, and a device having the same model NIC as shown in FIG. It is desirable to divide into the same model NIC selection button 204b which selects collectively. In this case, if it is desired to upgrade the version of the NIC of the same model by rewriting the ROM 6, after clicking on the device having the NIC, the same model NIC selection button 204b may be pressed. In this case, even devices having different device classes can be upgraded in a batch if the NIC is the same model.

  A rewriting program 404 for rewriting the firmware 403 stored in advance in the ROM 12 may be attached to the transmission firmware file 300 instead of the rewriting program 304. In this case, if the process of S87 in the CPU 11 is a process of copying the rewrite program 404 from the received transmission firmware file 300 to the RAM 12, the same operations and effects as described above are produced. In this case, since the rewriting program 404 is not required after the rewriting is completed, it is only necessary to write the firmware 303 and the control program 305 in S93. As described above, when a rewrite program for rewriting the current storage contents of the ROM 12 (the same can be said for the ROM 6) is transmitted together with data (firmware or the like) to be newly stored via the network W, the ROM 12 It is not necessary to store a rewrite program in advance, and the storage capacity of the ROM 12 can be used more effectively.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the firmware file name is input after the device is selected. However, a configuration in which the firmware file name is input first is also conceivable. In this case, when the device list 201 is displayed, the device name (for example, the device name 102 or the NIC device name 105 of the device information 100) can be referred to, and only the devices that match the firmware can be listed. In this case, since any device displayed in the device list 201 is compatible with the firmware, any processing in S59 and S69 is not required and the operability is further improved. However, since it is necessary to check the compatibility with the firmware for all devices, it takes time to display the device list 201 when the number of devices is extremely large. Therefore, the display processing of the device list 201 can be performed more quickly in the above embodiment.

  In addition, the effect of enabling selection of a device to be upgraded on the device list screen 200 is also exhibited when applied to various systems other than those described above. For example, even when the present invention is applied to a conventional system in which the content stored in the programmable ROM is rewritten by a rewriting program stored in another ROM, the above-described effect of the device list screen 200 is sufficiently exhibited.

  Furthermore, the configuration in which the rewrite program is copied to the RAM and the stored contents of the programmable ROM are rewritten can produce an effect even when applied to a device having a plurality of programmable ROMs, and the storage capacity of the programmable ROM can be effectively utilized. It becomes possible. In particular, when an image forming apparatus such as the printer 10 includes a plurality of programmable ROMs, which firmware 303 is written in which programmable ROM is determined. Therefore, a command may be attached to the header of the transmission firmware file 300, and it may be specified which programmable ROM is rewritten by the command.

  In addition to elements such as ROM and RAM, various forms are conceivable as storage media for storing the above-described rewrite program copy process, process program rewrite process, and the like. For example, it may be a CD-ROM, floppy disk, etc., a program cartridge that can be inserted into a card slot, or a file server on the Internet. That is, the output means of the present invention includes those that output data such as the transmission firmware file 300 to these various storage media, and the reception means of the present invention includes data such as the transmission firmware file 300 from the various storage media. It includes those that receive. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the communication system centering on the image forming apparatus such as the printer 10, but can be applied to other various communication systems such as a communication karaoke system. However, in the programmable ROM built in the image forming apparatus, what processing program is stored in which storage area is almost prescribed for each model. For this reason, as in the above embodiment, the address 302 as storage location designation information for designating where in the storage area 12a the firmware 303 should be stored can be attached to the transmission firmware file 300. Therefore, the rewriting process can be performed more smoothly, and the processing speed can be further improved.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the communication system to which this invention was applied. It is a flowchart showing the upgrade process by a manager. It is a flowchart showing the continuation of the upgrade process. It is a flowchart showing the further continuation of the version upgrade process. It is a flowchart showing the further continuation of the version upgrade process. It is a flowchart showing the firmware transmission process in the process. It is explanatory drawing which represents typically the device information which a printer returns. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the device list screen corresponding to the device information. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the device list screen from which one device was selected. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the device list screen at the time of device selection of the same model. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the selection model change dialog. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of a file name designation | designated dialog. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates typically the form of the firmware file for transmission. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of a warning message. It is explanatory drawing which represents typically the version upgrade process by a printer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating version upgrade processing by a printer. It is a flowchart showing the version upgrade process by NIC. It is explanatory drawing showing the other form of a device list screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... NIC 2 ... transceiver 5,11 ... CPU 6,12 ... ROM
7, 13 ... RAM 6a, 12a ... storage area 9 ... connection lines 10, 30, 40 ... printer 17 ... printing section 53 ... keyboard 70 ... image scanner 80 .. Paper sorter 100 ... Device information 101 ... Device class 102 ... Device name 103 ... Status 104 ... Printer version 105 ... NIC device name 106 ... NIC version 107 ... IP Address 200 ... Device list screen 201 ... Device list 202 ... Main body firmware update button 203 ... NIC firmware update button 204 ... Select all buttons of the same model 205 ... End button 220 ... Select Model change dialog 230 ... File name specification dialog 240 ... Warning message 300 ... Transmission firmware file 301 ... Device name 302 ... Address 3 03, 403 ... Firmware 304, 404 ... Rewrite program 305, 405 ... Control program G ... Manager W ... Network

Claims (2)

Programmable ROM having a storage area in which stored contents can be rewritten,
A CPU for executing processing based on the processing program stored in the storage area; a RAM for temporarily storing data necessary for processing by the CPU;
A program output device comprising output means for outputting a new processing program to be stored in the storage area.
The output means is
Instruction information for instructing the processing device to rewrite the processing program stored in the storage area;
A rewriting program for rewriting the storage contents of the storage area storing the new processing program;
Rewriting program copying process for copying the rewriting program to the RAM, and the new processing program stored in the storage area by causing the CPU to execute the rewriting program copied to the RAM by the rewriting program copying process. A software program that sequentially executes a processing program rewriting process for rewriting a program to another processing program;
Is output to the processing device together with the new processing program. The processing device as an output destination of the instruction information, the rewriting program, the software program, and the new processing program by the output means is built in the image forming apparatus, and the new processing program includes 3. The program output device according to claim 2, further comprising storage location designation information for designating in which location in the storage area the program is stored.

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