JP2008282090A - Electronic equipment and firmware update method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment and the like equipped with a plurality of firmware, operating according to the electric equipment, and easily updating a plurality of firmware. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment having predetermined functions is provided with a controller controlling the whole equipment and one or more execution units for achieving the respective functions. The controller and the execution units are provided with firmware respectively, and the electronic equipment operates based on the firmware. The controller receives update data about a plurality of firmware among the equipped firmware from another equipment connected to the electronic equipment and shifts the electronic equipment to a firmware update mode after reception. In the firmware update mode, a plurality of firmware are updated based on the received update data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device or the like that includes a plurality of firmwares and operates according to them, and more particularly, to an electronic device or the like that can easily perform update processing of the plurality of firmwares.

  Generally, an electronic device such as a printer is provided with various types of firmware, and each operation is executed by the firmware. For example, in a printer including a controller unit and an engine unit, firmware is provided in each of the controller unit and the mechanical unit (mechanical controller) of the engine unit. In the controller unit, control of the entire printer is executed according to the firmware. Each operation control of the unit is executed according to the firmware.

  Regarding the firmware provided in such an electronic device, the processing content may be changed, and in such a case, firmware update processing is appropriately executed. For example, when the display panel of the printer is provided with a function for displaying the status of each consumable, the firmware is updated when the number of consumables for displaying the status is increased.

  In an electronic device such as a printer, firmware is provided at a plurality of locations in the device, and update processing needs to be performed on each of the plurality of firmware. For example, in a printer in which firmware is provided in the controller unit and the mechanical control, it may be necessary to perform update processing on both firmwares at two locations. Further, in a so-called multi-function printer having both functions of a copier and a scanner, firmware is provided in more parts, and update processing is performed for each of the firmware.

  Conventionally, when updating the firmware at a plurality of locations of such an electronic device, a maintenance man mainly goes to the place where the target device is installed, and first performs a predetermined operation on the device. The device is set to an operation mode for firmware update, and the update operation is sequentially performed on firmware at a plurality of locations.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes that an operation in a special mode including a firmware update mode is started when a predetermined procedure is performed on the cover on the printer side.
JP 2005-66985 A

  However, the firmware update mainly performed in the past as described above is changed to the firmware update mode on the machine side of the target device as in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, and thereafter, a plurality of firmware is updated. Since the update work is performed one by one, it is a relatively complicated work and difficult for general users to do. In addition, this method is inconvenient because it is necessary to go to the machine side of the target device.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that includes a plurality of firmwares and operates according to them, and that can easily perform update processing of the plurality of firmwares.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is an electronic apparatus having a predetermined function, comprising: a controller that controls the entire apparatus; and one or more execution units that realize each of the functions. The controller and each execution unit each having firmware, and in the electronic device that operates by the firmware, the controller may include a plurality of pieces of firmware provided from other devices connected to the electronic device. The update data is received for the firmware, the electronic device is shifted to the firmware update mode after the reception, and the update process is executed for the plurality of firmwares based on the received update data in the firmware update mode.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect is characterized in that the controller restarts the electronic device after executing the firmware update process.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect is characterized in that the controller displays on the display device provided in the electronic device that the firmware update process is being performed during the execution of the firmware update process. .

  In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device having a predetermined function, comprising a controller that controls the entire device and one or more execution units that realize each of the functions. A firmware update method for an electronic device that includes the controller and each execution unit, and the firmware is operated by the firmware, and the controller includes the firmware provided from another device connected to the electronic device. Update data is received for a plurality of firmware, and the electronic device is shifted to a firmware update mode after the reception, and an update process is executed for the plurality of firmware based on the received update data in the firmware update mode. That's it.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printer which is an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a printer to which the present invention is applied. The firmware update data for the controller 4 and the firmware update data for the mechanical controller 51 are collectively received from the host computer 1. It shifts to the firmware update mode, executes the firmware update process of the controller 4 and the mechanical control 51 based on the update data, and tries to easily perform the update process for a plurality of firmware.

  A host computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a host device that is connected to a printer 2 and makes a print request to the printer 2. At the time of a print request, print data including image data and control commands is sent to the printer 2 based on a user operation or the like. Send to. In addition, the host computer 1 is provided with a firmware update utility 3 and functions when the firmware included in the printer 2 is updated from the host computer 1 side. Specifically, a process for transmitting update data in a predetermined format to the printer 2 as one job based on a user operation and executing an update request is executed. The host computer 1 can be configured by a so-called personal computer, and the firmware update utility 3 includes a program for executing the update request process and a control device (not shown) of the host computer 1 that executes the process according to the program. Or the like. Although not shown, the host computer 1 is provided with various utilities having functions other than a printer driver for executing the print request processing and firmware update.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 is a so-called laser printer including a controller 4, an engine 5, an operation panel 6, and the like.

  The controller 4 is a part that controls the entire printer 2 and performs a process of issuing a print instruction to the engine 5 in response to a print request from the host computer 1 and a control process of the operation panel 6. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the controller 4 includes an I / F 41, a CPU 42, an NVRAM 43, a RAM 44, and an engine I / F 45.

  The I / F 41 is a part that receives the print data and update data transmitted from the host computer 1.

  The NVRAM 43 is a non-volatile memory that stores various types of firmware (programs and the like) for control performed by the controller 4, and when the firmware update request described above is received, the firmware stored therein is also updated. Done. Although NVRAM is used here, data can be rewritten, and other types of memory can be used as long as the data remains unerased even when the printer 2 is turned off. good.

  The RAM 44 is a memory that stores received print data and the like, and image data of each page on which print processing is performed by the engine 5 is delivered from here to the engine I / F 45.

  The CPU 42 controls various processes performed in the controller 4. In particular, the CPU 42 interprets the process of storing the image data included in the received print data in the RAM 44 and the control command included in the print data. It controls the process of instructing an appropriate print process, the process of controlling the operation panel 6 that forms an interface with the user, and the like. The printer 2 is characterized by the processing performed by the CPU 42 when receiving the firmware update request, and the specific contents thereof will be described later. The processing executed by the CPU 42 is mainly performed according to a program stored in the NVRAM 43.

  Next, when the engine 5 executes printing, the engine I / F 45 reads the image data stored in the RAM 44 described above at a predetermined timing, performs a predetermined process on the image data, and delivers the image data to the engine 5 side. This is the part that controls the interface between the controller 4 and the engine 5 side. Although not shown, the engine I / F 45 includes a memory for temporarily storing data, a decompression unit, a screen processing unit, and the like. The image data read from the RAM 44 is compressed data. Decompression and screen processing to convert to dot data. Further, the engine I / F 45 is specifically composed of an ASIC.

  Next, the engine 5 is a part that executes a print process on a print medium in accordance with a print instruction from the controller 4, and is an execution unit that realizes a function of the printer 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine 5 includes a mechanical controller 51 (mechanical controller) and a printing mechanism 52.

  The mechanical control 51 is an engine control unit that controls the operation and the like of the printing mechanism 52, and includes a CPU 511, an NVRAM 512, a RAM 513, and the like as shown in FIG. The NVRAM 512 is a non-volatile memory that stores various types of firmware (programs and the like) for control performed by the mechanical controller 51. When the firmware update request described above is received, the firmware stored therein is also updated. Done. Although NVRAM is used here, data can be rewritten, and other types of memory can be used as long as the data remains unerased even when the printer 2 is turned off. good. The RAM 513 is a memory that holds various data to be temporarily stored, and can hold status information indicating the state of each part of the engine 5 here. As the status information, for example, information such as the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge mounted on the printing mechanism 52 and the total number of printed sheets of the photosensitive member included in the printing mechanism 52 are held.

  The CPU 511 is a part that controls various processes performed in the mechanical control 51, and executes operation control of each part of the printing mechanism 52 at the time of printing, error detection in the printing mechanism 52, and the like. Further, when the controller 4 requests the provision of the status information, the status information held in the RAM 513 is read or the status information is acquired by accessing each part of the printing mechanism 52, and the information is transferred to the controller 4. Reply to The processing executed by the CPU 511 is mainly performed according to a program stored in the NVRAM 512.

  Next, although not shown, the printing mechanism 52 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing device, a transfer unit, and the like. When printing is performed, the photosensitive drum is charged by the charging unit, and the charged photosensitive drum is irradiated with a beam from a light source such as a laser or an LED array built in the exposure unit to form a latent image by static electricity. Thereafter, the latent image is developed into an image by the developing material by a developing device including a toner cartridge that accommodates the developing material (toner), and the toner image developed by the transfer unit is transferred to a printing medium such as paper, and is then It is fixed and discharged out of the printer 2.

  Next, the operation panel 6 is a part for the user to operate the printer 2 and includes a display panel, operation buttons, and the like. An operation menu, an error message, status information, and the like are displayed on the display panel. In the firmware update process, which is a feature of the printer 2, during the process, the firmware is being rewritten and the progress of the process is displayed on the display panel.

  The printer 2 according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration is characterized by the above-described firmware update processing and the like, and the contents thereof will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the firmware update process. The processing shown in FIG. 2 is performed by the CPU 42 of the controller 4, and the processing content will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, when updating the firmware included in the printer 2, the user or the maintenance man makes an update request using the firmware update utility 3 provided in the host computer 1 described above. Specifically, by specifying the current version and updated version of the firmware included in the printer 2 for the firmware update utility 3, update data suitable for the firmware is prepared, and the update data is stored as a job. It is transmitted from the firmware update utility 3 to the printer 2.

  This update data has the same format as the print data job when a print request is made, and includes information that can be identified as firmware update data in the header part. The data relating to the update content (update content data) is included.

  Here, since the printer 2 is provided with firmware for the controller 4 and firmware for the mechanical control 51 (engine 5), update content data relating to both of them is included. Further, this update content data includes not only the part to be updated but the entire firmware. Therefore, the update content data contains all the content of all the firmware included in the printer 2. At this time, even if there is no part to be updated in one firmware, for example, the firmware for the controller 4, this firmware is also included in the update content data. In this way, in the update process to be described later, it is possible to perform the update by simply replacing the firmware at each location, and since the firmware is replaced for all locations, the update location is updated every time an update request is received. Therefore, it is always possible to perform the processing with the same operation.

  When the update data is transmitted, the printer 2 is assumed to be in the normal mode. The normal mode is an operation mode in which when a print request is received from the host computer 1 or the like, printing is executed according to the request.

  When the firmware update job based on the update data is transmitted and received by the printer 2 in this way, the CPU 42 interprets the information in the header portion as in the case of a normal print job, and as described above, the job Therefore, it is determined that the firmware update job has been received (Yes in step S1). The received update data is stored in the RAM 44.

  Next, the CPU 42 shifts the printer 2 to a print disabled state (offline) (step S2). That is, when a print request is made to the printer 2, such as when a print job is transmitted from the host computer 1, the request is not accepted.

  Thereafter, the CPU 42 acquires all the status information of the engine 5 and stores it in the RAM 44 (step S3). Specifically, the mechanical control 51 is requested to return the status information, and the status information returned by the mechanical control 51 is acquired and stored accordingly. As described above, the information returned from the mechanical controller 51 is obtained by the CPU 511 reading out the status information held in the RAM 513 or by accessing each part of the printing mechanism 52.

  Next, the CPU 42 turns on all status stored flags (step S4). This all status stored flag indicates whether or not all status information has been stored in step S3 and is provided in the firmware update processing program.

  Next, in order to update the requested firmware, the CPU 42 stops the normal communication with the mechanical controller 51 and shifts the printer 2 to the firmware update mode (step S5). In this firmware update mode, the above-described print-disabled state is established and normal communication with the mechanical control 51 is stopped. However, information can be provided for a status information provision request by the stored status information. It becomes a state. The printer 2 can provide status information to functions such as a status monitor of the host computer 1 even in the firmware update mode. Note that the normal communication with the mechanical control 51 is communication performed in the normal mode, and in the firmware update mode, communication with the mechanical control 51 is performed to update the firmware of the mechanical control 51.

  When the CPU 42 shifts to the firmware update mode in this way, the CPU 42 updates the firmware at each location based on the received update data (update content data) (step S6). First, for the firmware for the controller 4 stored in the NVRAM 43, the CPU 42 executes a process of rewriting the new contents, and for the firmware for the mechanical controller 51 stored in the NVRAM 512, the corresponding update content data is sent to the CPU 511. Execute processing to send and rewrite. As described above, in the printer 2, upon receiving one firmware update job, two firmware update processes are collectively executed.

  As described above, the update content data used for rewriting the firmware includes not only the part to be updated, but the entire firmware. Therefore, the rewriting can be performed simply by replacing the firmware. .

  Further, during the execution of the update, the CPU 42 displays on the display panel of the operation panel 6 that the firmware is being rewritten and the progress of the processing.

  Then, when the firmware update on the controller 4 side is completed, and the notification of the completion of the firmware update of the mechanical controller 51 is received from the mechanical controller 51 side, and the firmware update is completed, the CPU 42 reboots (restarts) the printer 2. (Step S7). Specifically, the same operation as when the printer 2 is turned on is executed. In this process, the above-mentioned all status stored flag is turned OFF. When this reboot is executed, the printer 2 enters the normal mode, and a normal process such as a print process based on the updated firmware is possible.

  As described above, the firmware update process in the printer 2 is executed.

  Next, processing when a communication request to the mechanical control 51 is made in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart exemplifying the processing contents when there is a communication request with the mechanical control 51. The process shown in FIG. 3 is performed by the CPU 42 of the controller 4.

  When receiving a communication request with the mechanical control 51, the CPU 42 first checks whether or not the above-described all status stored flag is ON (step S11). As a result, if the all status stored flag is ON (Yes in step S11), the CPU 42 checks whether or not the communication request is a status information inquiry (step S12). That is, when the all status stored flag is ON, since the printer 2 is in the firmware update mode described above, normal communication with such a mechanical control 51 is not accepted. Since this is possible, such a check is performed.

  If the result of the check is an inquiry about status information, such as a status information request from the status monitor function of the host computer 1 (Yes in step S12), the CPU 42 proceeds to step S3 described above. The status information that has been queried is read from the status information stored in (Step S13), and the value is returned as the value of the status that has been queried (Step S14).

  On the other hand, when the communication request is not a status information inquiry, such as when the print request is a print request or a setting request to the mechanical controller 51 (No in step S12), the CPU 42 does not execute anything in response to the request ( Step S15), a normal end is returned (Step S16).

  If the all status stored flag is OFF in step S11 (No in step S11), since the printer 2 is in the normal mode, communication with the mechanical controller 51 is executed (step S17). A reply is made based on the result (step S18). For example, if the communication request is due to an inquiry about status information, status information is acquired from the mechanical control 51 by executing communication with the mechanical control 51, and the acquired information is returned.

  In this way, in any case, a response is made to the communication request, and the processing when there is the communication request ends.

  As described above, the printer 2 according to the present embodiment receives the update data for the firmware provided at two locations in a lump, and shifts to the firmware update mode without performing a manual change operation. Update the firmware at the location. Therefore, the firmware can be updated only by an operation on the host computer 1, and the firmware update operation becomes easier than before, and the user can also perform the operation. In addition, since the firmware update operation can be performed remotely, it is not necessary to go to the place where the printer 2 is installed for the update operation.

  In the printer 2, since the printer is automatically rebooted and ready for printing after the firmware update process, there is no need to perform a restart operation manually. Can be done remotely.

  In the printer 2, during the firmware update process, a display indicating that the firmware is being rewritten is displayed on the display panel. As a result, the user can easily understand the state of the printer 2 even if the above-described remote update process is performed.

  Further, since the printer 2 holds the status information acquired immediately before the firmware update process, the status information can be provided using the information.

  In the above embodiment, the update content data contains all the contents for all the firmware included in the printer 2, but only the firmware that has a part to be updated may be included in the update content data. Alternatively, only the updated part may be stored in the update content data. Even in these cases, the printer 2 that has received the update data can execute the update process for all the update targets by using the update content data of the above-described content included therein.

  In addition, the update content data stores all the contents of all the firmware included in the printer 2, and the firmware version included in the update content data is compared with the current firmware version included in the printer 2. It is also possible to appropriately execute update processing only for firmware.

  Further, even when the printer is a so-called multi-function machine having a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function, and the firmware is provided in each of the controller that performs overall control and each execution unit that realizes each of the above functions. Similarly, firmware update processing can be performed. In this case, the update data transmitted to the printer includes update content data for the four locations, and the update is executed for the four firmware in a batch by receiving this update data. Also in this case, the update content data may be sent only for the firmware at the location that needs to be updated. For example, if update is required for two of the four locations, update content data can be sent for the two locations.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 2 is a laser printer. However, the present invention can be applied to printers of other printing methods.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic device to be updated by firmware is a printer. However, the present invention can also be applied to other electronic devices such as copying machines and facsimiles.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printer to which the present invention is applied. FIG. It is the flowchart which illustrated the procedure of the firmware update process. It is the flowchart which illustrated the processing content when there exists a communication request | requirement with the mechanical control 51. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 host computer, 2 printer, 3 firmware update utility, 4 controller, 5 engine, 6 operation panel, 41 I / F, 42 CPU, 43 NVRAM, 44 RAM, 45 engine I / F, 51 mechanical control, 52 printing mechanism, 511 CPU, 512 NVRAM, 513 RAM

Claims (4)

An electronic device having a predetermined function, comprising: a controller that controls the entire device; and one or more execution units that realize each of the functions. The controller and the execution units each include firmware, In electronic devices that operate with firmware,
The controller receives update data for a plurality of firmware of the provided firmware from another device connected to the electronic device, and after the reception, shifts the electronic device to a firmware update mode, An electronic device, wherein update processing is executed for the plurality of firmwares based on the received update data in an update mode. In claim 1,
The electronic device is characterized in that the controller restarts the electronic device after executing the firmware update process. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The electronic device displays that the firmware is being updated on a display device included in the electronic device while the firmware is being updated. An electronic device having a predetermined function, comprising: a controller that controls the entire device; and one or more execution units that realize each of the functions. The controller and the execution units each include firmware, A method for updating firmware in an electronic device operated by firmware,
The controller receives update data for a plurality of firmware of the provided firmware from another device connected to the electronic device, and after the reception, shifts the electronic device to a firmware update mode, A firmware update method, comprising: performing an update process on the plurality of firmware based on the received update data in an update mode.

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