JP2006198983A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect firmware when writing is interrupted for a certain reason such as power-off while a non-rewriting part of the firmware is being rewritten. <P>SOLUTION: The printer has: a means for partitioning the firmware into a non-rewriting part and a rewriting part; a means for writing the non-rewriting part into a backup area; a means for rewriting the non-rewriting part; a means for checking whether the non-rewriting part is changed; and a means for executing the non-rewriting part in the backup area when the non-rewriting part is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a printer, and relates to firmware rewriting of the device.

  Conventionally, in an electronic device such as a printer that receives recording data and records it on a recording medium, firmware that holds an execution program for operating the electronic device is stored in a rewritable storage element such as a flash ROM and rewritten. Some systems are capable of rewriting firmware. For example, there is a description of downloading a program from a host to an apparatus (Patent Document 1).

  Usually, for rewriting firmware, the firmware is separated into a non-rewritable part and a rewritten part. There are following cases in rewriting firmware.

  A. A rewrite request is issued to the firmware rewrite unit, and only the firmware rewrite unit is rewritten.

  B. A rewrite request is generated for the non-rewritable part of the firmware, and only the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten.

C. A rewrite request is generated for both the non-rewrite unit and the rewrite unit of the firmware, and both the non-rewrite unit and the rewrite unit of the firmware are rewritten.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-319737.

  However, the above technique has the following drawbacks.

  In the case of A, since only the firmware rewrite unit is rewritten, no problem arises if the firmware non-rewrite unit rewrites the firmware rewrite unit.

  In this case, even if writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off while rewriting the firmware rewrite unit, the firmware rewrite unit may be changed (destroyed) without permission. The non-rewritable part is not changed.

  Therefore, the firmware rewriting unit may be rewritten again.

  However, in the case of B and C, since the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten, the non-rewritable part of the firmware must rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  In this case, when writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off, during rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed, and the firmware cannot be rewritten again.

  Not only that, the printer itself often fails.

  If this happens, the firmware storage element itself must be replaced by hardware, resulting in cost and effort.

  Depending on the product, it is not possible to replace the hardware of the firmware storage element, and it may be necessary to replace the product, which further increases costs and labor.

  The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and solves the following problems.

  To rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware, to rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware, write the non-rewritable part of the firmware to the backup area before rewriting, and then change the non-rewritten part of the firmware. rewrite.

  When the firmware is activated, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. If the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed, the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is executed.

  Therefore, when writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off while rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware, even if the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed, the rewriting of the firmware cannot be executed again. .

  If the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten again, the changed non-rewritable part of the firmware can be restored.

  As described above, the purpose is to prevent the non-rewritable portion of the firmware from being changed when writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off, while the non-rewritable portion of the firmware is being rewritten. Is.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention is a printer that receives recording data and records it on a recording medium, a means for separating firmware into a non-rewriting unit and a rewriting unit, and a non-rewriting unit of firmware as a backup area. Means for rewriting the non-rewrite part of the firmware, means for checking whether the non-rewrite part of the firmware has been changed, and if the non-rewrite part of the firmware has been changed, It has a means for executing a non-rewritable part of a certain firmware.

  Another printer according to the present invention is a printer that receives recording data and records it on a recording medium. The printer separates the firmware into a non-rewritable part and a rewritable part. A means for transmitting a part of the rewrite part of the software to the host for backup, a backup area for the non-rewrite part of the firmware using a part of the rewrite part of the firmware transmitted to the host for backup, The means for writing the non-rewrite part of the firmware into the backup area, the means for rewriting the non-rewrite part of the firmware, and the non-rewrite part of the firmware that has been backed up by sending it to the host after rewriting the non-rewrite part of the firmware To receive and restore part of the A means for checking whether the non-rewritable portion of the firmware has been changed, and means for executing the non-rewritable portion of the firmware in the backup area if the firmware non-rewritable portion has been changed. And

  As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

When writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off, during rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware, even if the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed, the rewriting of the firmware cannot be executed again.
If the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten again, the changed non-rewritable part of the firmware can be restored.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the non-rewritable portion of the firmware from being changed when writing is interrupted for some reason, such as when the power is turned off, during rewriting of the non-rewritable portion of the firmware.

  Since the non-rewritable portion of the firmware is not changed, the firmware storage element itself does not have to be replaced by hardware, and there is an effect that unnecessary costs and labor are not generated.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The carriage 101 has a recording head 102 and a cartridge guide 103 mounted thereon, and can scan along the guide shafts 104 and 105. The drive mechanism of the carriage 101 is not shown. The recording medium 106 is fed into the main body by a paper feed roller 107, and is sent to the front surface of the recording head 102 while being sandwiched by a paper feed roller 108, a pinch roller (not shown), and a paper presser plate 109 for recording. Is done. A yellow ink tank 110 containing yellow ink, a magenta ink tank 111 containing magenta ink, a cyan ink tank 112 containing cyan ink, and a black ink tank 113 containing black ink are respectively separate. Are inserted into the cartridge guide 103 and communicated with the recording head 102. The yellow ink remaining amount detection sensor 114 can identify whether or not the yellow ink in the yellow ink tank 110 is empty. The magenta ink remaining amount detection sensor 115 can identify whether or not the magenta ink in the magenta ink tank 111 is empty. The cyan ink remaining amount detection sensor 116 can identify whether or not the cyan ink in the cyan ink tank 112 is empty. The black ink remaining amount detection sensor 117 can identify whether or not the black ink in the black ink tank 113 is empty.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the recording apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1101 denotes a host (PC) which transmits recording data to a recording apparatus as a host device. Reference numeral 1102 denotes an interface which receives recording data from the host device. 1103 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), 1104 is FlashROM (rewritable ROM), 1105 is RAM, and 1106 is EEPROM. Reference numeral 1107 denotes a controller (GA) which is a custom controller for controlling the I / F unit, CR motor control, LF motor control, recording medium sensor 1 control, recording medium sensor 2 control, and recording head drive control. IC (gate array). A CR motor driver 1108 controls the CR motor, 1109 a CR motor, 1110 an LF motor driver that controls the LF motor, and 1111 an LF motor. Reference numeral 1112 denotes a yellow ink remaining amount detection sensor that can identify whether or not the yellow ink in the yellow ink tank 1113 is empty. 1114 denotes a magenta ink remaining amount detection sensor that can identify whether or not the magenta ink in the magenta ink tank 1115 is empty. Reference numeral 1116 denotes a cyan ink remaining amount detection sensor that can identify whether or not the cyan ink in the cyan ink tank 1117 is empty. Reference numeral 1118 denotes a black ink remaining amount detection sensor that can identify whether or not the black ink in the black ink tank 1119 is empty. is there. Reference numeral 1120 denotes a flexible cable connecting the recording head. Reference numeral 1121 denotes a carriage terminal pad, which forms a contact point at a coupling portion with the recording head. Reference numeral 1122 denotes a recording head, 1123 denotes a driving unit of the recording head, and 1124 denotes a heating element of the recording head. The recording apparatus performs recording by the recording head scanning with a CR motor.

  FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Firmware that holds the execution program of the printer (including the execution program) is stored in a rewritable storage element such as FlashROM, and the firmware can be rewritten.

  Firmware rewriting is used to increase printer throughput, improve print quality, or add new functions. In some cases, the firmware of the printer may be corrected.

  The firmware is separated into a non-rewritable part and a rewritten part.

  This case is a case where the firmware rewrite unit is rewritten by the firmware non-rewrite unit.

  FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten by the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  First, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is written in the backup area by the procedure (1).

  Rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the procedure (2).

  FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram 3 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This case is a case where the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten by the non-rewritable part of the firmware, and further, the rewritten part of the firmware is rewritten by the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  First, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is written in the backup area by the procedure (1).

  Rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the procedure (2).

  Further, the firmware rewriting unit is rewritten.

  FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the case of FIG. 4, this is a case where the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed (illegally changed: destroyed).

  First, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed.

  Since the non-rewritable portion of the firmware has been changed, the non-rewritable portion of the firmware in the backup area is executed to rewrite the non-rewritable portion of the firmware.

  FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This is also the case where the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed in the case of FIG.

  First, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed.

  Since the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed, the backup area of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is restored to the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the procedure (1).

  The firmware non-rewriting unit is executed in the procedure (2) to rewrite the firmware non-rewriting unit.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart shows the operation of rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  First, in step S3101, preparation processing for rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware is performed.

  In step S3102, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is written in the backup area. In step S3103, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part.

  Finally, in step S3104, rewriting completion processing of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is performed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart shows the operation when the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed.

  First, in step S3201, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. In step S3202, it is determined whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. If it is determined in step S3202 that the non-rewritable portion of the firmware has been changed, the non-rewritable portion of the firmware in the backup area is executed in step S3203 to rewrite the non-rewritable portion of the firmware. During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area, the host or printer confirms that the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is being rewritten. indicate.

  If it is determined in step S3202 that the firmware non-rewritable portion has not been changed, the firmware non-rewritable portion is executed in step S3204 to rewrite the firmware non-rewritable portion. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart 3 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart also shows the operation when the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed.

  First, in step S3301, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. In step S3302, it is determined whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. If it is determined in step S3302 that the firmware non-rewritable portion has been changed, the firmware non-rewritable portion in the backup area is restored to the firmware non-rewritable portion in step S3303. In step S3304, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten. During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area, the host or printer confirms that the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is being rewritten. indicate.

  If it is determined in step S3302 that the firmware non-rewritable part has not been changed, the firmware non-rewritable part is rewritten in step S3304. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part.

(Second embodiment)
The overall perspective view of the recording apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the overall perspective view of the recording apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The circuit block diagram of the recording apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the circuit block diagram of the recording apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten by the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  First, in step (1), a part of the firmware rewrite unit is transmitted to the host for backup.

  FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Following FIG. 8, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is written in the backup area in the procedure (2).

  Rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the procedure of (3).

  FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram 3 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Following FIG. 9, a part of the non-rewritable part of the firmware that has been transmitted to the host and backed up in the procedure (4) is restored.

  FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram 4 of the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a case where the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed (destroyed).

  First, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed.

  Since the non-rewritable portion of the firmware has been changed, the non-rewritable portion of the firmware in the backup area is executed to rewrite the non-rewritable portion of the firmware.

  Subsequently, it is transmitted to the host for backup, and a part of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is deleted.

  FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This case is also a case where the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed.

  First, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed.

  Since the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed, the backup area of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is restored to the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the procedure (1).

  The firmware non-rewriting unit is executed in the procedure (2).

  Subsequently, it is transmitted to the host for backup, and a part of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is deleted.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart shows the operation of rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware.

  First, in step S3401, preparation processing for rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware is performed.

  In step S3402, a part of the firmware rewrite unit is transmitted to the host for backup. In step S3403, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is written in the backup area. In step S3404, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part. After that, a part of the firmware rewriting unit transmitted to the host and backed up in step S3405 is received and restored.

  Finally, in step S3407, rewriting completion processing of the non-rewritable part of the firmware is performed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart shows the operation when the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed.

  First, in step S3501, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. In step S3502, it is determined whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. If it is determined in step S3502 that the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed, the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is executed in step S3503 to rewrite the non-rewritable part of the firmware. During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area, the host or printer confirms that the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is being rewritten. indicate.

  If it is determined in step S3502 that the non-rewritable part of firmware has not been changed, the non-rewritable part of firmware is executed in step S3504 to rewrite the non-rewritable part of firmware. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart 3 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This flowchart also shows the operation when the non-rewritable part of the firmware is changed.

  First, in step S3601, it is checked whether the non-rewritable part of firmware has been changed. In step S3602, it is determined whether the non-rewritable part of the firmware has been changed. If it is determined in step S3602 that the firmware non-rewritable part has been changed, the firmware non-rewritable part in the backup area is restored to the firmware non-rewritable part in step S3603. In step S3604, the non-rewritable part of the firmware is rewritten. During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area, the host or printer confirms that the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is being rewritten. indicate.

  If it is determined in step S3602 that the firmware non-rewritable portion has not been changed, the firmware non-rewritable portion is rewritten in step S3604. While the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part, the host or printer indicates that the firmware non-rewritable part is being rewritten by the firmware non-rewritable part.

1 is an overall perspective view of a recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. System configuration diagram 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention System configuration diagram 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 shows the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. System configuration diagram of first embodiment of the present invention FIG. System configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention 1 System configuration diagram 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. System configuration diagram 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention Flowchart 1 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart 2 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart 3 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart 1 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart 2 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart 3 showing the operation of the recording apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Carriage 102 Recording head 103 Cartridge guide 104 Guide shaft 105 Guide shaft 106 Recording medium 107 Paper feed roller 108 Paper feed roller 109 Paper holding plate 110 Yellow ink tank 111 Magenta ink tank 112 Cyan ink tank 113 Black ink tank 114 Yellow ink remaining amount Detection sensor 115 Magenta ink remaining amount detection sensor 116 Cyan ink remaining amount detection sensor 117 Black ink remaining amount detection sensor 1101 Host (PC)
1102 interface 1103 CPU
1104 FlashROM
1105 RAM
1106 EEPROM
1107 Controller (GA)
1108 CR motor driver 1109 CR motor 1110 LF motor driver 1111 LF motor 1112 yellow ink remaining amount detection sensor 1113 yellow ink tank 1114 magenta ink remaining amount detection sensor 1115 magenta ink tank 1116 cyan ink remaining amount detection sensor 1117 cyan ink tank 1118 black ink Remaining amount detection sensor 1119 Black ink tank 1120 Head flex 1121 Carriage terminal pad 1122 Recording head 1123 Recording head drive unit 1124 Heating element of recording head

Claims (4)

  In a printer that receives recording data and records it on a recording medium, means for separating the firmware into a non-rewritable part and a rewritable part, means for writing the firmware non-rewritable part into the backup area, and rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware Means for checking whether the non-rewrite part of the firmware has been changed, and means for executing the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area if the firmware non-rewrite part has been changed. A printer characterized by that.   In a printer that receives recording data and records it on a recording medium, means for separating the firmware into a non-rewritable part and a rewritable part, and when rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware, a part of the firmware rewritable part is used as a host. The means for sending and backing up and the backup area of the non-rewriting part of the firmware are the means for using a part of the firmware rewriting part sent and backed up to the host, and the non-rewriting part of the firmware as the backup area. Means for writing, means for rewriting the non-rewritable part of the firmware, and means for receiving and restoring a part of the non-rewritten part of the firmware backed up and sent to the host after rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware The non-rewrite part of the firmware has been changed Means for checking whether, when the non-rewriting of the firmware has changed, the printer characterized in that it comprises means for performing non-rewriting of the firmware in the backup area.   During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware by the non-rewritable part of the firmware, it has means for displaying on the host or printer that the non-rewritable part of the firmware is being rewritten by the non-rewritable part of the firmware The printer according to claim 1 or 2.   During rewriting of the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the non-rewrite part of the firmware in the backup area, the host or printer confirms that the non-rewritable part of the firmware in the backup area is being rewritten. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit.

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