JP2009119823A - Control method of image formation device and this device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to suitably deal with the case that the power supply of an apparatus is cut off during data rewriting in a nonvolatile memory in an image formation device which equips the nonvolatile memory which memorizes and stores a control program and which can electrically rewrite the data and its control method. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation device equips a printing means for printing an image on recording material, the nonvolatile memory which memorizes the control program for controlling the printing means and which can electrically rewrites the data, and a control means for executing a control process for controlling the printing means based on the control program and a rewriting process for rewriting at least the part of the data memorized in the nonvolatile memory. The control means executes a finishing process for shifting the printing means to a finishing state capable of shutting off the power supply prior to the execution of the rewriting process when the rewriting process is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a nonvolatile memory capable of storing and saving a control program and electrically rewriting data, and a control method therefor.

  In an image forming apparatus that includes a printing unit that forms an image on a recording material and controls the operation of each unit by executing a control program by a control unit such as a microprocessor, the control program is installed for convenience of version upgrades. Some are stored in an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a control program to be executed by the CPU is stored in the flash ROM, and when the control program is downloaded and updated, a copy of the download program stored in the flash ROM is copied. Is created on another RAM, and the program on the flash ROM is rewritten by the CPU fetching and executing the program on the RAM. In this way, both the control program and other data can be stored in the same flash ROM.

JP 10-228373 A

  In a device capable of rewriting a ROM storing a control program as in the above-described prior art, the control program stored in the ROM cannot be read and executed while the ROM is being rewritten. For this reason, when an exceptional event occurs during data rewriting, it may not be possible to cope with this. This is because there are various exceptional events, and preparing a control program corresponding to all of them in advance outside the ROM is wasteful in cost and not practical. As a result, for example, when the power supply to the apparatus is stopped during data rewriting or the power switch is turned off by the user, the apparatus cannot be restored to the normal state even when the power is turned on again. There was a problem that occurred.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image forming apparatus including a nonvolatile memory that can store and save a control program and can electrically rewrite data, and a control method thereof. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of appropriately responding when the apparatus is turned off.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention stores a printing unit for printing an image on a recording material and a control program for controlling the printing unit, and can electrically rewrite data. A non-volatile memory, a control process for controlling the printing means based on the control program, and a control means for executing a rewrite process for rewriting data in a specified area of the storage area of the non-volatile memory, When executing the rewriting process, the control means executes an end process for shifting the printing means to an end state in which the power can be shut off prior to the execution.

  In the invention configured as described above, the ending process of the printing unit is performed prior to the rewriting of the nonvolatile memory. If the power of the apparatus is turned off during the rewriting process, the control unit cannot perform the power-off process that should be originally executed, and thus the power is turned off while the printing unit is in an operating state. As a result, there are cases where the apparatus cannot be returned to a normal state after the power supply is restored. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the termination process is performed in advance and the printing unit is shifted to a state where the power can be shut down, the power is restored even if the apparatus is turned off during the rewriting process. Later, the device can be returned to a normal state. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with a case where the power of the apparatus is turned off during data rewriting in the nonvolatile memory.

  Here, the apparatus further includes a storage unit capable of temporarily storing data, and a control program corresponding to the rewriting process is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and a writing operation to the nonvolatile memory in the rewriting process is performed. May be configured to be executed based on a control program copied from the nonvolatile memory onto the storage unit.

  When the nonvolatile memory is rewritten, the data including the control program cannot be read from the memory for a certain period, and as a result, the control unit cannot execute the process based on the control program on the nonvolatile memory. On the other hand, in the present invention, at least a part of the control program stored in the nonvolatile program is copied to another storage means, and the control means executes this to rewrite the data in the nonvolatile memory. Even during the operation, the control means can execute necessary processing. Further, by performing the end process in advance, it is not necessary to include a program corresponding to the end process in the control program to be copied to the storage means.

  In such an image forming apparatus, for example, the printing unit can print a composite image formed by combining image data provided from an external medium and image material data stored in the nonvolatile memory on the recording material. On the other hand, the control means may rewrite the image material data stored in the nonvolatile memory by the rewriting process.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, by storing the image material data in the same nonvolatile memory as the control program, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated memory for each, and the apparatus can be configured at low cost. In addition, by making the image material data rewritable, various composite images can be provided to the user.

  The control unit may execute the end process including a process of storing and storing setting information regarding the printing conditions of the printing unit set by the user, for example. In this way, even if the apparatus is turned off during the rewriting process, the original setting state can be restored when the power is restored. Such setting information can include, for example, information relating to the layout and size of images, the number of printed sheets, and the like. In addition to the setting information, information regarding the remaining amount of ink or toner (colorant) for image formation may be stored and saved.

  When the printing unit has a print head that moves while printing an image on the recording material, the control unit includes the process of positioning the print head at a predetermined end position. Processing may be executed. By doing so, troubles that may occur in the print head when the power is turned off can be avoided.

  Further, the apparatus further includes a receiving unit that receives a power-off instruction operation input from a user and notifies the control unit, and the control unit stops power supply to the printing unit when receiving a notification from the receiving unit. In addition, the control means divides the data to be rewritten in the rewriting process into a plurality of sectors, writes the data into the nonvolatile memory for each sector, and informs the receiving means during the data writing of one sector. On the other hand, after the writing to one sector is completed, the notification from the receiving means may be received until the writing to the next sector is started.

  In this way, while avoiding an uncertain operation due to receiving notification from the receiving means during the writing process, the apparatus power supply is stopped in response to an operation input from the user without delay. It becomes possible.

  The apparatus further comprises flag holding means capable of holding the flag state even when the power of the apparatus is cut off, and the control means sets the flag after execution of the end process and before execution of the rewrite process. The flag may be cleared after completion of the rewriting process. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the power has been turned off during the rewriting process by looking at the state of the flag when the power is turned on, and to optimize the subsequent processing according to the determination result Can do.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on a recording material; and a control program for controlling the printing unit. In order to achieve the above object, a control method for controlling the printing unit based on the control program, and a method for controlling a designated area of the storage area of the nonvolatile memory A rewrite process for rewriting data is selectively executed, and when the rewrite process is executed, an end process for shifting the printing unit to an end state is executed prior to the execution.

  In the invention configured as described above, as in the case of the image forming apparatus described above, the apparatus is properly handled even when the apparatus is turned off during the rewriting process. It can be returned to the state.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a photo printer which is an embodiment of the data processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the photo printer. In the photo printer 10, a printing mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) is built in the printer main body 12, and a sheet is supplied in accordance with an operation command from a controller 70 (see FIG. 2) that controls the printing mechanism 50. Print to P. Then, the printed paper P is discharged to the front surface of the printer main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a front door 14 is attached to the front surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The front door 14 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12. In the open state, it functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving the paper P discharged from the print mechanism 50. In addition, various memory card slots 16 provided on the front surface of the printer main body 12 can be used by the user. That is, in this state, the user can insert the memory card M storing the image file to be printed into the memory card slot 16. Further, in this embodiment, a disc such as a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) or a video DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be used as a recording medium in addition to a memory card. Yes. In other words, an optical disc drive 13 is provided in the base portion of the printer main body 12.

  An operation panel 20 is provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, and a cover 30 is attached to an inner side of the upper surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The cover 30 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover the upper surface of the printer main body 12, and exposes the surface of the operation panel 20 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the cover 30 is closed, the entire operation panel 20 is covered.

  The operation panel 20 includes a display unit 22 configured by, for example, an LCD for displaying characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, and a button group 24 arranged around the display unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the button group 24 includes a power button 24a for turning on / off the power, a menu button 24b for calling the main menu screen, canceling the operation in the middle, and interrupting the printing on the paper P in the middle. A cancel button 24c for printing, a print button 24d for instructing execution of printing on the paper P, a save button 24e for saving an edited image in the memory card M inserted in the memory card slot 16, a display unit Each of the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 24f to 24i operated when selecting a desired option from the plurality of options displayed on the screen 22 or moving the cursor, and the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 24f to 24i. An OK button for instructing that the option selected by the arrow buttons 24f to 24i arranged in the center is selected. 24j, a display switching button 24k for switching the screen display on the display unit 22, a left guide selection button 24l for selecting the left guide displayed on the display unit 22, and a right for selecting the right guide displayed on the display unit 22. It includes a guide selection button 24m, a paper discharge tray open button 24n for opening the front door 14 having a function as a paper discharge tray, and the like.

  Further, in order to confirm the display content of the display unit 22, the cover 30 is provided with a window 32 having the same size as the display unit 22. That is, when the cover 30 is in the closed state, the user can check the display content of the display unit 22 through the window 32. On the other hand, when the cover 30 is in the open state, the display unit 22 can be adjusted to a desired angle as shown in FIG.

  Thus, when the cover 30 is in the open state, the cover 30 is held while being inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 and can be used as a tray for supplying the paper P to the print mechanism 50. . Further, at the back of the operation panel 20, a paper feed port 58 of the print mechanism 50 is provided, and a pair of paper guides 59 that are slid in the left-right direction so that the guide width matches the paper width are provided. .

  Then, the paper P is sent to the print mechanism 50 through the paper supply port 58 and printing is executed. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 53 is driven by a timing belt 51 spanned in a loop shape in the left-right direction and reciprocates left and right along the guide 52. The carriage 53 is provided with a sensor 57 that detects the left and right ends and the upper and lower ends of the paper P. In other words, the sensor 57 detects the left and right edges of the paper when the carriage 53 scans in the left-right direction before printing with respect to the paper set in the paper feed port 58, and enables recognition of the paper width. The trailing edge of the paper is detected in the middle, and the paper length can be recognized.

  The carriage 53 is mounted with an ink cartridge 54 that individually accommodates ink of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each of these ink cartridges 54 is connected to a print head 55. The print head 55 applies pressure to the ink from the ink cartridge 54 and ejects the ink from the nozzle (not shown) toward the paper P. In this embodiment, the print head 55 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. However, a voltage is applied to the heating resistor (for example, a heater) to apply the ink. You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes ink with the bubble generated by heating. The printed paper P is sent out to the opened front door (paper discharge tray) 14 by the transport roller 56. For image formation, toner or developer may be used instead of ink.

  A cap 58 is provided at a position facing the print head 55 when the carriage 53 shown in FIG. 2 is moved to the rightmost cap position within the movable range. The cap 58 covers the nozzles of the print head 55 when the printing operation is not performed for a long time, thereby preventing clogging of the nozzles due to drying of the ink. Even when the apparatus is in the power-off state, the carriage 53 is positioned at the cap position and the nozzle is capped.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the photo printer of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 70 includes a system bus 700. The system bus 700 includes a CPU 701, a flash ROM 702, a RAM 703, an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface 704, a VRAM 705, an EEPROM 711, a card interface 706, and the like. An image processing unit 707 and the like are connected. The CPU 701 performs arithmetic processing for executing operation control of the print mechanism 50.

  The flash ROM 702 is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically rewritten repeatedly, and stores a program (firmware) necessary for the control of the CPU 701 and various data and tables necessary for the control. The RAM 703 temporarily stores data necessary for the operation of the CPU 701, and the VRAM 705 stores image data to be drawn on the display unit 22. The EEPROM 711 is also an electrically rewritable memory, and stores and saves data to be saved even when the apparatus is turned off. The card interface 706 communicates with the memory card slot 16 and reads image data of an external storage medium such as the memory card M inserted into the memory card slot 16. The card interface 706 writes image data to the memory card M in order to save an edited image or the like. The IDE interface 704 controls transmission / reception of data to / from the optical disk drive 13.

  The image processing unit 707 performs necessary image processing on image data provided from an external storage medium such as a memory card M read by the card interface 706. For example, composite image data obtained by combining image data read from the memory card M and image frame data read from the flash ROM 702 is created and sent to the print data generation unit 708 and the LCD controller 709.

  The print data generation unit 708 generates a print control signal based on the image data created by the image processing unit 707 and outputs the print control signal to the print mechanism 50. The printing mechanism 50 executes a printing operation based on the printing control signal, and forms an image corresponding to the image file on the paper. The LCD controller 709 generates a video signal based on the image data created by the image processing unit 707 and outputs the video signal to the display unit 22. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data is displayed on the display unit 22.

  In addition, the CPU 701 performs polling to check whether or not each operation button constituting the button group 24 has been pressed by the user at a constant cycle, for example, at an interval of 200 msec, and the user has operated any of the operation buttons. When is detected, a reception process corresponding to the operated button is executed. For example, when the power button 24a is pressed by the user while the apparatus is powered on, the power supply to each part of the apparatus is stopped. For example, when the print button 24d is pressed, the image processing unit 707 generates a print control signal and causes the print mechanism 50 to perform a print operation.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of the flash ROM. The flash ROM 702 stores both a control program executed by the CPU 701 and various data. More specifically, the memory space of the flash ROM 702 is divided into an interrupt processing program area, a normal processing program area, and a data area, and data stored in each area can be individually rewritten. More specifically, data can be rewritten by flushing (data erasing) a designated area in units of sectors and writing new data in the sectors. The interrupt processing program area stores a control program that is executed as interrupt processing when the CPU 701 receives an interrupt request from a peripheral device. The normal processing program area stores a control program that is executed when the CPU 701 performs normal processing. When there is an interrupt request from a peripheral device during execution of a processing operation based on a control program stored in the normal processing program area, the CPU 701 stores the interrupt request in the interrupt processing program area at a preset address according to the interrupt factor. The interrupt process is performed by executing the control program. The association between the interrupt factor and the start address of the interrupt processing program corresponding to the interrupt factor is predetermined as the CPU specification and is not changed. This is because, in the case of a normal electronic device embedded program, changing this is complicated and unrealistic.

  The normal processing program area stores a PIF data update processing program that describes processing contents for rewriting a specified area of a flash ROM, which will be described later, as a part of the control program. The PIF data update processing program is a control program for rewriting data stored in the following PIF data area in the data area of the flash ROM 702. Data rewriting by the PIF data update processing program covers the entire PIF data area, and the above-described flash (data erasure) and data rewriting are performed for all sectors in the PIF data area.

  Various data can be stored in the data area. In this embodiment, a frame, a symbol mark, or the like that can be added as a decoration to a photographic image or the like read from the memory card M in this embodiment. Is saved. Hereinafter, these data are referred to as PIF (Print Image Framer) data. The PIF data includes image data representing the contents of each frame and the like, and index table data in which the head address and data size of each image data are tabulated.

  FIG. 5 is a memory map showing details of the PIF data area. The memory space of the flash ROM 702 is provided with a PIF data area having a predetermined capacity (for example, 8 MB) in order to store the PIF data. In this PIF data area, PIF data corresponding to decorative images such as a plurality of types of frames and symbol marks can be stored, but the data size varies depending on the contents of the image. Therefore, each frame is expressed and stored separately as index table data and frame data, so that necessary frame data can be read correctly.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the PIF data area is divided into an index table area and a frame data area, and frame data representing the image content of each frame is stored in the frame data area. Further, the head position of each frame data in the flash ROM 702 and its data size are stored in the index table area. 5 shows a state in which data of a total of N types of frames of the first frame (Fr.1), the second frame (Fr.2),..., The Nth frame (Fr.N) is stored. Show. By storing the PIF data separately in index table data and frame data, the size of each frame data and the arrangement order in the flash ROM 702 can be made arbitrary within the range of the memory capacity.

  The PIF data can be rewritten to data acquired from a memory card, a CD-ROM or a predetermined website according to the user's preference. That is, by rewriting the PIF data stored in the flash ROM 702 with the PIF data acquired from these media, the user can use a new frame. In order to make this possible, in this embodiment, the flash ROM 702 is rewritten as follows.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flash ROM rewriting process in this embodiment. In this embodiment, when a user performs a predetermined operation input on the operation panel 20 to select a PIF data update process, a rewrite process (PIF data update process) shown in FIG. 6 is executed. First, image data of a frame read from a memory card, CD-R, website, etc. is temporarily stored in the RAM 703, and the PIF data for update consisting of index table data and image data is processed by processing the data. Create (step S101).

  When the reading of the image data from the outside is completed successfully and the creation of the update PIF data is completed (step S102), the power-off handling process described below is subsequently executed (step S103). On the other hand, when the reading of the image data has failed or the creation of the update PIF data has not been completed due to a lack of data, the update of the PIF data is canceled and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the power-off handling process. This process is originally performed as an interrupt process using an interrupt factor when the power supply voltage supplied to the apparatus is reduced or when the user presses the power button 24a, and includes the print mechanism 50. This is an end operation for shifting the entire apparatus to a state where no problem occurs even if the power supply is cut off. A control program for performing this processing is stored in the interrupt processing program area (FIG. 4) of the flash ROM 702.

  First, the carriage 53 is moved to a cap position facing the cap 58, and the nozzle is provided on the print head 55 to cover the cap (step S201). This prevents nozzle clogging due to ink drying. Further, information regarding the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 54 at that time is stored and saved in the EEPROM 711 (step S202). As a result, when the power is turned on next time, the information regarding the current ink remaining amount is taken over, and the ink remaining amount can be appropriately managed. Further, the print setting information by the user is also stored and saved in the EEPROM 711 (step S203). Here, the print setting information includes information on a user-selected image file stored in the memory card M, information on the size and type of the paper P, information on the layout of the image on the paper, and the number of prints. At least one of them can be used. By storing the print setting information in this way, it is possible to restore the setting state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again.

  It is desirable that these processes are always executed when the apparatus is turned off in order to prevent the apparatus from malfunctioning and unnecessary wear and to improve the convenience of the user. This is the same not only when the user himself operates the power button 24a to turn off the apparatus but also when a power cord (not shown) is accidentally disconnected or a power failure occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the apparatus is in any operating condition, when it is detected that the power supply voltage supplied to the apparatus has decreased, or when the power button 24a is pressed by the user, this is a factor. The above process is executed as an interrupt process. In this way, when the power is turned on again, the apparatus can be immediately restored to the state before the power is turned off.

  There are various other processes that should be performed when the power is turned off. For example, if the power cord is disconnected or a power failure occurs, the power supply voltage in the device will drop rapidly. It is difficult to process. Therefore, it is preferable to perform only the minimum processing necessary for protecting the device and restoring it later. In this embodiment, in order to avoid hindering the operation after restoration, the operation for protecting the print head 55 (step S201) and the operation for continuous ink remaining amount management (step S202) are given the highest priority. Like to do.

  As will be described later, the CPU 701 does not accept an interrupt while the data in the flash ROM 702 is being rewritten. Therefore, if the power of the apparatus is turned off during this time, the power may be turned off without performing the above-described termination operation, which may hinder subsequent recovery. Therefore, in this embodiment, the power-off handling process (FIG. 7) is performed before the data in the flash ROM 702 is rewritten.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the description of the rewriting process of the flash ROM 702 is continued. After performing the power-off response processing (step S103) as described above, the “writing flag” provided in the EEPROM 711 is set. The writing flag is set immediately before the data rewriting of the flash ROM 702 is started, and is cleared when the data rewriting of the flash ROM 702 is completed as will be described later. One bit in the storage area of the EEPROM 711 is assigned to the flag. It has been. The writing flag holds the state even when the apparatus is not turned on. Then, all interrupt factors are masked in order to prohibit the generation of interrupts during data rewriting (step S105).

  In order to update the flash ROM 702 safely, it is desirable not to accept interrupt processing other than emergency ones during the update operation. Interrupt processing that should be accepted during the update operation includes user power-off operation, interruption due to power cord being disconnected or power failure (hereinafter referred to as “power failure, etc.”), and user rewriting cancellation operation. However, interrupts other than these are not accepted until the update process is completed.

  Unexpected situations that may occur during operation, such as power cord being disconnected or power failure, such as power supply voltage drop, will affect all operations of the device. It should be prepared as a non-maskable interrupt (NMI). However, even when the flash ROM 702 storing the interrupt processing program itself to be executed by the CPU 701 is being rewritten, even the NMI cannot be accepted. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent an interrupt caused by a power failure or the like that should be processed as an NMI during the rewriting of the flash ROM 702. For this reason, for example, when a power supply voltage detection sensor is used to detect a power failure or the like, the sensor output is not directly connected to the NMI terminal of the CPU 701, but an element that can mask the sensor output in hardware ( For example, it is desirable to connect to the NMI terminal of the CPU 701 via an AND circuit element). In step S105, when the interrupt is masked, the sensor output is also masked by hardware so that the sensor output is not transmitted to the CPU 701.

  Next, the CPU 701 switches the reading source of the control program from the flash ROM 702 to the RAM 703 (step S106). In the RAM 703, among the PIF data update processing programs stored in the flash ROM 702, a control program corresponding to a process for actually accessing the flash ROM 702 is duplicated and stored in advance. The CPU 701 executes the control program stored in the RAM 703 to erase data stored in one sector (e.g., 120 kB equivalent) of the flash ROM 702, and one sector of the update PIF data created earlier. The data is updated by writing the minute in the sector (step S107). In a general flash ROM, it takes about 2 seconds to update data for one sector. When the writing is completed, the program reading source is returned to the flash ROM 702 again (step S108).

  Subsequently, all the interrupt factors are restored to the state immediately before step S104 in which the interrupt mask was previously stored (step S109). At the time of step S104, an interrupt caused by a power-off operation, a power failure, etc., and an interrupt caused by a rewrite processing canceling operation are permitted, and the state is returned to this state. Therefore, at this time, if there is an interrupt due to, for example, a power-off operation or a power failure, it is accepted. After restoring the interrupt mask state in this way, display processing on the display unit 22 is performed (step S110). This process is a process for displaying a predetermined message to notify the user of the data update status. For example, the number of sectors that have been updated and the percentage of all sectors to be updated The message can be understood.

  Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the data of the sector has been correctly updated (step S111). That is, the data read from the sector is compared with the data to be written to the sector. If they match, it can be said that the update has succeeded, but if they do not match, the update has failed. . Processing when the update fails will be described later. If the update of the sector has succeeded (step S112), if there remains data to be updated, the process returns to step S105 and the above process is repeated to update all the data sequentially (step S112). S111). During this time, all interrupts are prohibited when the program on the RAM 703 is executed, while interrupts corresponding to a power-off operation and a power failure are allowed when the program on the flash ROM 702 is executed.

  When the update of all data to be updated is completed (step S112), the writing flag is cleared (step S113), a return process for returning the apparatus to the normal operation state is performed (step S114), and the process is terminated. This restoration process is a process for shifting the apparatus to a state before starting the rewriting process of the flash ROM 702. For example, a process for moving the print head 55 to a predetermined home position in order to be able to execute a printing operation in accordance with a user instruction, or to accept all button operations by the user is included. The content may be the same as the startup process executed immediately after the input.

  If it is determined in step S111 that the data update in units of sectors has failed, the return process (step S114) is performed without clearing the writing flag (step S113). As a result, the apparatus becomes ready for printing, but the writing flag remains set.

  In the above processing, the operation when the user performs a power-off operation or a power failure during the rewriting process of the flash ROM 702 is as follows. First, the case where the user performs a power-off operation will be described. The presence or absence of the power-off operation can be detected by polling the presence or absence of the power button 24a by the CPU 701. Even if it is detected that the power button 24a is pressed, during the update operation of the flash ROM 702 and during which interruption is prohibited (steps S105 to S108), no response processing is performed. When an interrupt due to a power-off operation is permitted in step S109, the CPU 701 stops the data update process, performs all operations necessary for power-off including the power-off process described above, and then performs the device Turn off the power.

  In addition, when the cancel button 24c is pressed by the user during the data update, an interrupt due to the pressing operation is accepted during the interrupt permission period, so that the update process being executed is stopped. In other words, the interruption related to the cancellation of the update work caused by the user operation is not performed immediately when the operation is performed, but is accepted and processed as a valid interruption request after the interruption is permitted (step S109). The

  On the other hand, a power outage or the like, that is, an event such as a power cord being unplugged or a power outage may occur even during the interrupt prohibited period. In a normal operation, the minimum end process can be performed by executing an interrupt process such as the above-described power-off handling process immediately after the occurrence of a power failure or the like is detected. However, since the CPU 701 cannot accept an interrupt while rewriting the flash ROM 702, even if the end process is executed after waiting for the interrupt to be permitted, the process may not be in time. As a result, for example, the nozzles of the print head 55 are left uncapped and the nozzles are clogged, or the information regarding the remaining amount of ink at that time is lost and the remaining ink management cannot be performed properly thereafter. To do. Further, if the user's setting contents regarding the printing conditions are lost, the user has to make the setting again.

  In order to deal with such a problem, in this embodiment, the power-off handling process (step S103) is performed before the flash ROM 702 is rewritten. For this reason, even if the power supply voltage applied to the device suddenly drops, the minimum end processing such as putting a cap on the nozzle or storing the remaining ink amount or setting information is performed. Can be restored to its original state.

  Further, in this embodiment, there is no timing for clearing the writing flag other than immediately after all the data updates are completed (step S113). Therefore, when the process is stopped without completing the update of the flash ROM 702, the writing flag remains set. This state is maintained even when the apparatus is turned off. This writing flag is used as follows.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to update the PIF data area in the storage area of the flash ROM 702, but if the update is not completed, the reliability of the data stored in the PIF data area is lost. . PIF data is data used to decorate an image, and lacking this does not mean that the device will not operate. Further, it is data that can be updated again to restore reliability if the user desires. Therefore, it is preferable for the user not to use such data rather than forcibly using data whose reliability is lost.

  In view of such circumstances, in this embodiment, when the reliability of the PIF data is lost, that is, when the writing flag is set, the PIF data cannot be used in the normal operation. To. That is, the user cannot select a frame or generate a composite image of a photographic image and a frame. By doing so, it is possible to avoid problems based on data whose reliability has been lost.

  It is desirable to notify the user that the PIF data is not normal. For example, a message “Current frame is not available” is displayed on the initial screen displayed on the display unit 22 immediately after the power is turned on, or notification is performed by a method such as deleting or highlighting a frame selection item on the menu screen. be able to. On the other hand, in order to be able to update the PIF data to the correct one, it is necessary to leave the PIF data update process in the menu. When the update process is instructed again by the user and the data update is completed, the writing flag is cleared and PIF data can be used in subsequent operations.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of devices used is reduced by storing the control program to be executed by the CPU 701 and the PIF data used for image decoration in the same flash ROM 702. In addition, since the minimum end processing such as moving the print head 55 to the cap position is performed before the flash ROM 702 is rewritten, even if a power failure or the like occurs during the rewriting of the PIF data, the subsequent recovery operation is hindered. The device can be restored to its original state without having to In addition, a writing flag indicating that data is being rewritten is provided, and it is determined whether rewriting has been completed depending on the state of the flag, thus preventing the use of data whose reliability has been lost. Can do.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 701 and the flash ROM 702 function as the “control unit” and “nonvolatile memory” of the present invention, respectively. In the above embodiment, the print mechanism 50 functions as “printing means” of the present invention, and the PIF data corresponds to “image material data” of the present invention. The memory card M corresponds to the “external medium” of the present invention, and the RAM 703 functions as the “storage unit” of the present invention. In this embodiment, the power button 24a and the EEPROM 711 function as the “accepting unit” and “flag holding unit” of the present invention, respectively. In this embodiment, the power stage handling process shown in FIG. 7 and the PIF data update process shown in FIG. 6 correspond to the “end process” and “rewrite process” of the present invention, respectively.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the PIF data update process of the above embodiment, the interrupt mask is partially canceled to accept an operation such as a power-off operation every time writing of data to the flash ROM 702 is completed for one sector. Until the data update is completed, the interrupt disabled state may be maintained. This is because, in this embodiment, the power-off handling process is performed in advance, so that the minimum end process has been completed.

  In the above embodiment, a flash ROM (flash memory) is used as the “nonvolatile memory” of the present invention, but the “nonvolatile memory” of the present invention is electrically rewritten in addition to such a flash memory. It is possible to use a general memory having a function of retaining data even when the power is off.

  Further, the above embodiment is a photo printer that reads out image data stored in the memory card M or the like, and displays or prints an image corresponding to the image data, but the scope of application of the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the present invention can be applied to electronic devices such as various image forming apparatuses that are electrically rewritable and include a nonvolatile memory that stores at least a part of a control program.

1 is a perspective view showing a photo printer which is an embodiment of a data processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a photo printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the photo printer of FIG. 1. The figure which shows the memory map of flash ROM. A memory map showing details of the PIF data area. The flowchart which shows the rewriting process of flash ROM. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing power-off handling processing.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Photo printer (image forming apparatus) 16 ... Memory card slot 22 ... Display part 24a ... Power button (accepting means) 50 ... Print mechanism (printing means) 701 ... CPU (control means) 702 ... Flash ROM (nonvolatile memory), 703 ... RAM (storage means), 711 ... EEPROM (flag holding means), M ... memory card (external medium)

Claims (8)

Printing means for printing an image on a recording material;
A non-volatile memory capable of electrically rewriting data, storing a control program for controlling the printing means;
Control means for controlling the printing means based on the control program, and control means for executing rewriting processing for rewriting data in a specified area of the storage area of the nonvolatile memory,
The control unit, when executing the rewriting process, executes an end process for shifting the printing unit to an end state in which power can be shut off prior to the execution. Further comprising storage means capable of temporarily storing data, and a control program corresponding to the rewriting process is stored in the nonvolatile memory,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the rewriting process including a writing operation to the nonvolatile memory is executed based on a control program copied from the nonvolatile memory onto the storage unit. . The printing unit is configured to be able to print a composite image formed by combining image data given from an external medium and image material data stored in the nonvolatile memory on the recording material,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit rewrites the image material data stored in the nonvolatile memory by the rewriting process.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the termination process including a process of storing and storing setting information regarding printing conditions of the printing unit set by a user. 5. The printing means has a print head that moves while printing an image on the recording material,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the end process including a process of positioning the print head at a predetermined end position. In addition to receiving a power-off instruction operation input from a user and notifying the control means, the control means stops power supply to the printing means upon receiving a notification from the receiving means, and ,
The control means divides the data to be rewritten in the rewriting process into a plurality of sectors and writes the data to the nonvolatile memory for each sector, and does not accept the notification from the accepting means during the data writing of one sector. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification from the receiving unit is received after the writing to one sector is completed until the writing to the next sector is started. It further comprises flag holding means capable of holding the state of the flag even when the power of the device is shut off,
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit sets the flag after the completion of the rewrite process after the completion of the end process, and clears the flag after the completion of the rewrite process. Forming equipment. In a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on a recording material; and a non-volatile memory that electrically stores data and stores a control program for controlling the printing unit.
Selectively executing a control process for controlling the printing means based on the control program and a rewrite process for rewriting data in a specified area of the storage area of the nonvolatile memory;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein when executing the rewriting process, an end process for shifting the printing unit to an end state is executed prior to the execution.

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