JP2006127105A - Method of installing firmware into electronic apparatus and printed circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the productivity of an electronic apparatus or printed circuit board by enhancing the common availability of the printed circuit board, and also to correctly install necessary firmware when replacing the printed circuit board in maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: A method of installing the firmware in the electronic apparatus 1 constituted by including a removable printed circuit board 11 is arranged as follows: a boot program, which can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board 11, is stored in a memory element 24 mounted on the printed circuit board 11; an identification element 14, which stores a model ID for use in identifying the model, is attached to the electronic apparatus 1; and the firmware for the model is selected and installed in a memory 21 using the model ID acquired from the identification element 14 by executing the boot program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board, a printed circuit board used for the method, and an electronic device.

  In general, various printed circuit boards are mounted on electronic devices such as a display device and a printer. Various functions of the electronic device are realized by the CPU or MPU mounted on the printed circuit board executing the program. Such a program executed by a CPU or the like is generally called firmware or a control program, and is installed in advance in a storage medium such as a nonvolatile RAM such as a flash memory, a ROM, or a magnetic storage device (hard disk). Has been.

  As the functions of electronic devices diversify and become more sophisticated, the types of electronic devices of the same type have been expanded, and the number of types of firmware has increased. Even in the same type of model, different firmware is generally used depending on the destination. In addition, there are various types of data that are uniquely used for each electronic device.

  On the other hand, it is advantageous to use a printed circuit board as a hardware component in common as much as possible with respect to these electronic devices for the sake of ease of design and manufacture, and improvement of productivity.

  In other words, even if there are many types of electronic devices, it is better to make the printed circuit boards that are parts of the electronic devices available in common, and to manufacture and manage the common printed circuit boards for all models together. It is efficient and effective from the viewpoint of reducing manufacturing costs.

  Conventionally, in the manufacturing process of these electronic devices and printed circuit boards, a storage medium in which firmware and data are written is attached to the printed circuit board, and after the storage medium is mounted on the printed circuit board, the firmware and data are Writing to a storage medium is performed.

  In any case, the firmware or data to be written (installed) needs to match the printed circuit board and the electronic device. For this purpose, it is necessary to identify which model the storage medium or printed circuit board to be installed is used for.

Conventionally, various methods for installing various programs such as firmware from a network have been proposed (Patent Document 1). However, in firmware installation, such identification information is often displayed on a printed circuit board or a storage medium itself in a state where it can be visually recognized using a model name, model number, or the like. The person in charge of manufacturing checks the consistency between the printed circuit board and the firmware to be installed by looking at the identification display.
JP2004-171470

  As described above, conventionally, in order to determine whether the firmware or data to be installed matches the electronic device or the printed circuit board, identification information is held on the printed circuit board itself, Consistency is confirmed by comparing them.

  In other words, in the past, the type of printed circuit board has already been determined before the firmware is installed, and even if the same printed circuit board is used as a hardware component, it cannot be used in common among the models.

  Therefore, it is necessary to stock a large number of printed circuit boards for a large number of models, which is not efficient in productivity and has a problem in terms of manufacturing cost.

  Also, in the maintenance of electronic equipment, it is often necessary to replace the printed circuit board. In that case, conventionally, it is a normal method to prepare a printed circuit board on which firmware and data are written. That is, according to the model of the electronic device that requires maintenance, a printed circuit board on which firmware is installed is prepared. Therefore, preparatory work before going out for maintenance takes time, and if the model name is wrong, the prepared printed circuit board cannot be used, and much time and labor are required for re-preparation. Result. In addition, if a printed circuit board that does not match without noticing the mistake of the model is used, the worst situation such as damage to the electronic device is expected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and improves the productivity of electronic devices or printed circuit boards by increasing the common usability of printed circuit boards, and is necessary when replacing printed circuit boards during maintenance. The purpose is to enable correct installation of firmware.

  The method according to the present invention is a method of installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board, and is used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board. A boot program capable of being stored in a memory device mounted on the printed circuit board, and an identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model is attached to the electronic device, and the boot program is executed By doing so, using the model ID acquired from the identification element, the firmware for the model is selected and installed.

  Also, it is possible to store a boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board in a memory element mounted on the printed circuit board, and mount the printed circuit board. An identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model of each electronic device is attached to each electronic device, and the memory of the printed circuit board is mounted when the printed circuit board is mounted on one electronic device. The boot program stored in the element selects and installs the firmware for the model using the model ID stored in the identification element attached to the electronic device.

  Preferably, the identification element is an IC tag that can exchange data by wireless communication. The IC tag is attached integrally with a name plate attached to the electronic device. The server stores firmware for a plurality of models and a management program for managing the firmware, and when the electronic device can communicate with the server, the electronic device The device boot program installs the corresponding firmware from the server via the management program.

  A printed circuit board according to the present invention is a printed circuit board that can be attached to and detached from a plurality of electronic devices of different models, and the printed circuit board stores a boot program that can be commonly used for a plurality of models. A memory element is mounted, and the printed circuit board is accessible to an identification element that stores a model ID for identifying a model of the electronic device when the printed circuit board is mounted on one electronic device. By executing the boot program stored in the memory element, the model ID acquired from the identification element is used to select and install the firmware for the model in the electronic device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the common usability of the printed circuit board, thereby improving the productivity of the electronic device or the printed circuit board. Also, it is possible to correctly install the firmware necessary for replacing the printed circuit board during maintenance.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for installing firmware in an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the electronic device 1.

  In FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 is provided with a printed circuit board 11, a flash memory 12, a hard disk 13, an ID holding unit 14, and the like. Although not shown, an interface for connecting to the network NW, an operation unit for operation, a display unit, and the like are provided as necessary.

  The printed board 11 can be inserted into and removed from a socket attached to the electronic device 1. It is mounted on the electronic device 1 by being inserted into the socket, and is removed from the electronic device 1 by being pulled out from the socket.

  The printed circuit board 11 can be used in common for many types of electronic devices 1. In other words, the printed circuit board 11 can be physically and dimensionally attached to and detached from each model of the electronic device 1, and when it is attached, electrical connection is completely performed. In contrast, necessary functions can be provided. However, after the firmware corresponding to the model is installed in the memory 21 or the like, the firmware functions for the model. In other words, the printed circuit board 11 can be applied to various models by selecting the firmware to be installed.

  The printed circuit board 11 is provided with a memory 21, an ID acquisition unit 22, and a boot processing unit 23.

  The memory 21 is a non-volatile readable / writable memory and is mounted on the printed circuit board 11. Firmware (program) and necessary data for realizing all or part of the functions of the electronic device 1 are installed in the memory 21. As the memory 21, a rewritable ROM (EPROM) such as a flash memory, a RAM backed up by a battery, a magnetic storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, a flexible disk, and other various storage media are used.

  The ID acquisition unit 22 accesses the ID holding unit 14 and acquires the model ID when the printed circuit board 11 is mounted on the electronic device 1. The ID acquisition unit 22 can be realized by an appropriate hardware circuit, or instead of or together with the CPU executing an appropriate program.

  The boot processing unit 23 is provided with a memory element 24 that stores a boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models, and a CPU (not shown) mounted on the printed circuit board 11 executes the boot program. The boot process is performed. In the boot process, the firmware corresponding to the model of the electronic device 1 is installed in the electronic device 1 using the model ID acquired from the ID holding unit 14. The installation is performed by downloading the corresponding firmware or data from an external database or file server and storing it in the memory 21. Details will be described later. As the memory element 24, a rewritable ROM such as a flash memory, another ROM, a RAM backed up by a battery, a magnetic storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, and other various storage devices are used.

  The flash memory 12 and the hard disk 13 are provided in the casing (housing) 10 of the electronic device 1 or are detachable from the outside, and are directly connected to the printed circuit board 11 or indirectly via a bus circuit or the like. Connected by. Similar to the memory 21, the flash memory 12 and the hard disk 13 are used for storing downloaded firmware, data, and the like, and store various other programs, data, and the like. Note that firmware, data, and the like may be stored in any storage medium selected from among the memory 21, the flash memory 12, and the hard disk 13. Therefore, in this case, only one of them may be used for firmware installation. The firmware may be distributed and stored in these storage media.

  The ID holding unit 14 is a memory that stores a model ID for identifying the device type and model of the electronic device 1. The model ID is, for example, an identification code including a number, a code, a symbol, etc., and these are stored in the ID holding unit 14 as data. The model ID may be encrypted and stored. In that case, for example, the decoding may be performed in the boot processing unit 23. As the ID holding unit 14, for example, an IC chip, an IC tag, a non-volatile memory with a socket, another memory, or a digital switch is used. The model ID stored in the ID holding unit 14 is read by the ID acquisition unit 22, and various methods can be applied as the reading method.

  For example, wireless communication using radio waves or infrared rays is performed between them, and the model ID is read wirelessly. In this case, for example, a wireless tag is used as the ID holding unit 14, and the ID acquisition unit 22 is provided with a function such as wireless communication or infrared communication. Also, normal wired communication is performed between them, and the model ID is read. In that case, for example, the printed circuit board 11 and the ID holding unit 14 are connected by an electric wire directly or indirectly via a bus circuit or the like.

  Such an ID holding unit 14 is fixedly attached to the electronic device 1 at a portion unrelated to the maintenance replacement part of the electronic device 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 is attached to the casing 10 of the electronic device 1 together with a name plate (device seal) 15 for visually displaying the device name and model.

  Next, a method for installing firmware in the electronic apparatus 1 will be described.

  In FIG. 1, the terminal device 3 is used for installing firmware and the like. The terminal device 3 includes a database DB1 storing various types of firmware PR1, 2, 3,... For the A model, the B model, the C model, and the designated or selected firmware PR1, 2,. A management processing unit 41 is provided for managing the database DB1 by reading and updating 3. The management processing unit 41 includes a management program and a CPU that executes the management program. For example, the management processing unit 41 selects firmware and data to be read based on a model ID designated from the outside, and actually reads the firmware and data to be read out. Send to.

  First, the printed circuit board 11 is mounted on the electronic device 1, the power is turned on, the network NW is connected, and communication with the terminal device 3 is established. When an appropriate command for installing firmware is given to the electronic device 1, in the electronic device 1, the ID acquisition unit 22 reads the model ID from the ID holding unit 14 and transmits the model ID to the boot processing unit 23. The boot processing unit 23 notifies the terminal device 3 of the model ID.

  In the terminal device 3, the management processing unit 41 automatically selects firmware and data corresponding to the model ID, or their version based on the notified model ID, reads out from the database DB 1, and the electronic device 1. Send to.

  The boot processing unit 23 that has received the firmware and data writes it in the memory 21. Also, processing such as decompression and decompression is performed as necessary. As a result, necessary firmware is installed in the electronic device 1. Instead of writing to the memory 21, writing to the flash memory 12 or the hard disk 13 may be performed.

  As described above, in the electronic device 1, the model ID is acquired from the ID holding unit 14, and thereby firmware and data suitable for the model of the electronic device 1 can be automatically installed. The terminal device 3 can also automatically select and transmit firmware corresponding to the designated model ID. Therefore, the work for installation is simple.

  In addition, since the model ID for selecting the firmware is obtained from the ID holding unit 14 fixedly attached to the electronic device 1, the correct model ID can be obtained with certainty. The specified firmware is not specified.

  The printed circuit board 11 can be applied to many models by selecting the firmware to be installed, and the versatility of the printed circuit board 11 is high. Therefore, the same printed circuit board 11 can be used in common for a large number of models, and a large number of the same printed circuit board 11 can be produced and stocked to support a large number of models.

  Thus, the common usability of the printed circuit board 11 is high, and thereby the productivity of the electronic device 1 and the printed circuit board 11 can be improved.

  Next, a procedure for replacing the printed circuit board 11 at the time of maintenance of the electronic device 1 in the field will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure for replacing the printed circuit board 11 when the electronic device 1 is out of order.

  In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the electronic device 1A, which is the A model of the electronic device 1 described above, is notified that a failure has occurred. The electronic device 1A is attached with a printed circuit board 11j which is the same as the printed circuit board 11 described above and in which firmware for the A model is installed.

  Therefore, the person in charge of maintenance prepares a printed circuit board 11s that is the same as the printed circuit board 11, and heads to the site. At the site, the failed printed board 11j is removed, and a new printed board 11s that has been prepared is attached. Then, the terminal device 3 is connected via the network NW, and the firmware is installed by the method described above. Thus, the new printed board 11s becomes a printed board for the A model, and the installed firmware is updated to the latest version. As a result, the electronic device 1A can be returned to the use state, the power is turned on, and the electronic device 1A can be used as before the failure.

  In this way, necessary firmware can be correctly and quickly installed when replacing a printed circuit board during maintenance. Even if the models are different, the same printed circuit board 11 can be used in the same electronic device 1, so that the inventory of the printed circuit boards 11 is greatly reduced and the prepared printed circuit board 11 is not mistaken. Therefore, when the person in charge of maintenance always carries a small number of printed circuit boards 11, all models of the electronic device 1 can be maintained, and the maintenance can be performed quickly and easily.

  In installing the firmware, the firmware is downloaded from the terminal device 3 via the network NW. However, the server corresponding to the terminal device 3 is brought to the site and directly connected to the electronic device 1 to download the firmware. May be installed. In addition, the installation is automatically performed based on the model ID read from the ID holding unit 14. For example, the model ID is displayed on the screen, and the person in charge inputs the operation while viewing the displayed model ID. The firmware model to be installed may be designated.

  Next, firmware installation and maintenance of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a firmware installation method, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a maintenance procedure of the electronic device.

  In FIG. 4, the ID acquisition unit 22 acquires the model ID from the ID holding unit 14 (# 11). Based on the acquired model ID, firmware suitable for the model of the electronic device 1 is selected (# 12), and the selected firmware is installed (# 13).

  In FIG. 5, a printed circuit board 11s that can be shared with the electronic apparatus 1 is prepared (# 21), and replaced with a failed printed circuit board 11j (# 22). The ID acquisition unit 22 acquires the model ID from the ID holding unit 14 (# 23), and based on the acquired model ID, the firmware suitable for the model of the electronic device 1 is selected and installed (# 24). .

  In the embodiment described above, the printed circuit board 11 may be composed of one sheet or a plurality of sheets. The electronic device 1 can be applied to a display device, a printer, a personal computer, and other various devices or devices.

In addition, the configuration, structure, shape, dimensions, number, content or order of processing, processing timing, and the like of the entire printed circuit board 11 and electronic device 1 or each part can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.
(Appendix 1) A method of installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board,
A boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board is stored in a memory device mounted on the printed circuit board,
An identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model is attached to the electronic device,
When the boot program is executed, the model ID acquired from the identification element is used to select and install firmware for the model.
A method of installing firmware in an electronic device.
(Appendix 2) A method for installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board,
A boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board is stored in a memory device mounted on the printed circuit board,
An identification element storing a model ID for identifying a model of each electronic device is attached to each electronic device on which the printed circuit board can be mounted,
When the printed circuit board is attached to one electronic device, the boot program stored in the memory element of the printed circuit board is used by using the model ID stored in the identification element attached to the electronic device. Select and install firmware for
A method of installing firmware in an electronic device.
(Supplementary note 3) The identification element is an IC tag capable of transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication.
A method of installing firmware in the electronic device according to appendix 1 or 2.
(Additional remark 4) The said IC tag is attached integrally with the name plate affixed on the said electronic device,
A method for installing firmware in the electronic device according to attachment 3.
(Appendix 5) The server stores firmware for a plurality of models and a management program for managing the firmware,
When the electronic device can communicate with the server, the boot program of the electronic device installs the corresponding firmware from the server via the management program,
A method for installing firmware in the electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.
(Appendix 6) A printed circuit board that can be attached to and detached from a plurality of electronic devices of different models,
The printed circuit board is mounted with a memory element storing a boot program that can be commonly used for a plurality of models,
The printed circuit board is accessible to an identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model of the electronic device when mounted on one electronic device,
When the boot program stored in the memory element is executed, the firmware for the model is selected and installed in the electronic device using the model ID acquired from the identification element. Yes,
A printed circuit board characterized by that.
(Appendix 7) A printed circuit board according to Appendix 6,
A device to which the identification element is attached;
Electronic equipment having

  The present invention can be used for manufacturing and maintaining printed circuit boards of display devices, printers, personal computers, and other electronic devices.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example for installing firmware. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of an electronic device. It is a figure which shows the procedure of replacement | exchange of a printed circuit board at the time of failure of an electronic device. It is a flowchart which shows the installation method of firmware. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the maintenance of an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic device 3 Terminal device (server)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Casing 11 Printed circuit board 12 Flash memory 13 Hard disk 14 ID holding | maintenance part (identification element)
15 Name plate 21 Memory 22 ID acquisition unit 23 Boot processing unit 24 Memory element 41 Management processing unit (management program)

Claims (5)

A method of installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board,
A boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board is stored in a memory device mounted on the printed circuit board,
An identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model is attached to the electronic device,
When the boot program is executed, the model ID acquired from the identification element is used to select and install firmware for the model.
A method of installing firmware in an electronic device. A method of installing firmware in an electronic device including a detachable printed circuit board,
A boot program that can be used in common for a plurality of models capable of mounting the printed circuit board is stored in a memory device mounted on the printed circuit board,
An identification element storing a model ID for identifying a model of each electronic device is attached to each electronic device on which the printed circuit board can be mounted,
When the printed circuit board is attached to one electronic device, the boot program stored in the memory element of the printed circuit board is used by using the model ID stored in the identification element attached to the electronic device. Select and install firmware for
A method of installing firmware in an electronic device. The server stores firmware for multiple models and a management program for managing those firmware.
When the electronic device can communicate with the server, the boot program of the electronic device installs the corresponding firmware from the server via the management program,
A method for installing firmware in the electronic apparatus according to claim 1. A printed circuit board that can be attached to and detached from multiple electronic devices of different models,
The printed circuit board is mounted with a memory element storing a boot program that can be commonly used for a plurality of models,
The printed circuit board is accessible to an identification element storing a model ID for identifying the model of the electronic device when mounted on one electronic device,
When the boot program stored in the memory element is executed, the firmware for the model is selected and installed in the electronic device using the model ID acquired from the identification element. Yes,
A printed circuit board characterized by that. A printed circuit board according to claim 4,
A device to which the identification element is attached;
Electronic equipment having

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