JP2012063888A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, in updating with an external memory, if there is processing being received, necessary processing is held or suspended, which prevents an update at appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A printer main body 300, when detecting that an external memory 316 is connected thereto by notification from an external memory I/F 313, determines whether the printer state is in receiving an update request via an USB or a network. And if it is the receiving state, the printer main body 300 cancels the processing being received before executing an request processing (update) from the external memory 316.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

  When updating (updating) the version of the system installed in the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus (for example, PC: personal computer) on the host side and the information processing apparatus that performs the update (this is referred to as “target information processing apparatus”) .) Are connected by USB or network communication, communicated, and implemented by using a dedicated update tool. There is also known a method of executing update by storing update data in an external memory (such as an SD card) and connecting it to a target information processing apparatus (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-071287 A

  However, in the conventional information processing apparatus, even when an external memory is connected, if there is a process being received, the process is waited for, or the process being received is interrupted, so that the user desires There is a problem that the update is not executed at the timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to enable updating at a more appropriate timing.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Detection means for detecting connection of an external memory storing update data;
Means for obtaining update data in the external memory and executing the update;
Means for receiving data by at least one of USB and network communication, and executing processing by the received data,
The means for performing the update comprises:
When the detection means detects that the external memory is connected, when data received from at least one of the USB and network communication is being processed or data is being received, according to a predetermined processing priority order The update is performed by the update data in the external memory.

  Here, when the data from at least one of the USB and the network communication is update data, it is compared with the update data in the external memory. When the update data in the external memory is new, the external memory is updated. Can be configured to prioritize the update based on the data for use.

  Further, it is possible to cancel the processing of data from at least one of the USB and network communication, and to preferentially execute the update using the update data in the external memory.

  In addition, when the data from at least one of the USB and network communication is data other than the update data, priority is given to processing of data from at least one of the USB and network communication, and at least the USB and network communication. When the data from any of them is update data, the processing by the update data is canceled and the update by the update data in the external memory can be preferentially executed.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Detection means for detecting connection of an external memory storing update data;
Means for obtaining update data in the external memory and executing the update;
Means for receiving data by at least one of USB and network communication, and executing processing by the received data,
The means for performing the update comprises:
When the detecting means detects that the external memory is connected, and when data received from at least one of the USB and network communication is being processed or data is being received, the update data in the external memory is used. Output to let the user choose whether to give priority to update,
When the user gives an instruction to give priority to the update by the update data of the external memory, the processing of the data from at least one of the USB and the network communication is canceled and the update by the update data of the external memory is executed. The configuration.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the update request by the external memory and the processing of data from at least one of USB and network communication compete, according to a predetermined priority or a priority selected by the user, Since the update is performed using the update data acquired from the external memory, the update can be performed at a more appropriate timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a control unit of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of an example of the priority determination of the version comparison and process execution of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of another example similarly. FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view for explaining a mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus. Similarly it is principal part plane explanatory drawing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a control unit of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG.
The image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) main body 300 includes a controller unit 315 that controls the entire printer, an operation panel 308 that allows the user to operate the printer on the panel, and outputs and prints image data. The printer engine 310 is configured.

  The controller unit 315 includes an external I / F unit (USB I / F 311, network I / F 312, memory I / F 313), input / output buffer 301, program ROM 302, RAM 303, NVRAM 304, HDD 305, CPU 306, panel I / F unit 307, An engine I / F unit 309 is provided. These are connected by a system bar 314 and can exchange data.

  An external I / F unit (USB I / F 311, network I / F 312) exchanges data with another device (host 400) via a communication medium such as USB or network communication. The external I / F unit (memory I / F 313) detects connection of the external memory 316 (removable media such as an SD card) and exchanges data. The external memory 316 is a storage memory that is used as print data, data for setting main device information of the printer main body 300, data for update, or for storing data of the printer main body 300 and data input from the outside.

  The input / output buffer 301 transmits / receives control codes and various data related to printing, control codes related to communication media, and data of the printer main body 300 input from other devices.

  The CPU 306 controls the entire printer main body 300 such as arithmetic processing of various data.

  The program ROM 302 stores a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 306 and managing and controlling data of each module.

  A RAM 303 is used as a work memory of the CPU 306, a buffer that manages and stores image data in units of pages, and a bitmap memory that stores video data obtained by converting buffer data into a print data pattern.

  The NVRAM 304 is a storage memory for storing data to be retained even when the apparatus main body power supply is shut off. The HDD 305 is a storage memory for storing large-capacity data such as image data. Panel I / F unit 307 exchanges data between controller unit 315 and operation panel 308.

  The engine I / F unit 309 exchanges data between the controller unit 315 and the printer engine 310. The printer engine 310 controls operations in the printing process.

  Note that the control means for detecting the connection of the external memory according to the present invention, the means for acquiring update data in the external memory and executing the update, the data is received by at least one of USB and network communication, and the update is executed. Means, when an update request is received from the external memory, the update data acquired from the external memory and the USB are received when request data by USB and / or network communication is being received or when data is being received simultaneously. The means for determining the processing priority of the data received by at least one of the network communication and the means for prioritizing the execution of the update by the means for executing the update based on the determination result are stored in the ROM 302 described above. Program Consisting of CPU302 to the execution.

Next, the outline of the present invention will be described.
By connecting the external memory 316 to the printer main body 300 and configuring an interface circuit that performs access control, data transmission / reception through the external memory can be performed simultaneously with data transmission / reception processing via USB or a network. Here, it is assumed that the printer main body 300 receives a print request or update request data via USB or a network and simultaneously receives an update request from an external memory.

  Here, priorities of processes currently being received are set so that necessary processes are not waited or interrupted when an update request is made by an external memory. The prioritization may be based on a predetermined fixed order, user selection, and automatic setting (which is also a fixed order because priority processing is uniquely determined according to conditions).

  In the following, different embodiments depending on which process is prioritized when request processing (printing, updating, device main body information setting / acquisition, etc.) via USB and network competes with request processing (update) by external memory Will be described.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the printer main body 300 detects that the external memory 316 is connected to the printer main body 300 by a notification from the external memory I / F 313 (step S1201, hereinafter referred to as “S1201”).

  Then, the printer main body 300 inquires the controller I / F about the operation currently being received or being processed, and confirms the status (confirmation of the job reception status of the printer: S1202). Then, it is determined whether or not the printer status is receiving an update request via the USB or the network (there is a job being received: S1203).

  At this time, if there is a job being received, the processing being received (printing, updating, main body information setting / acquisition, etc.) is canceled (S1204). Request processing (update) by the memory 316 is executed (S1205).

  Here, as an example, the update request processing by the external memory 316 is executed with the highest priority. That is, the update request by the external memory is pre-ordered as having a higher priority than the update request via the USB or the network. The request processing by the external memory can be applied even when the request is other than update (printing, main body information setting / acquisition, etc.).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the printer main body 300 detects that the external memory 316 is connected to the printer main body 300 by a notification from the external memory I / F 313 (S1301).

  Then, the printer main body 300 inquires the controller I / F about the operation currently being received or being processed, and confirms the status (confirmation of the job reception status of the printer: S1302). Then, it is determined whether or not the printer status is receiving processing via the USB or the network (there is a job being received: S1303).

  At this time, if there is a job being received, it is determined whether or not the job being received is a process (printing, main body information setting / acquisition, etc.) other than USB or network update (S1304).

  If the receiving job is receiving a process other than update via USB or network, the process waits until a process end notification is received.

  On the other hand, if the received job is not a process other than the update via the USB or the network, it is determined whether the received job is an update request via the USB or the network (S1305).

  At this time, if the received job is an update request via USB or network, the process (update) being received is canceled (S1306).

  Thereafter, when there is no job being received in S1303, or when the job being received is not an update request via USB or network in S1305, request processing (update) by the external memory 316 is executed (S1307).

  In other words, in this embodiment, when an update request is received from the external memory, if the data from the USB or the network is not update data, the processing of the data from the USB or the network is given priority, and the data from the USB or the network is used. If the data is update data, the update request from the external memory is prioritized.

  As a result, in this embodiment, when an update request is received from the external memory, if a print request has already been received via USB or a network, the update can be executed in the free time after the end of printing. If the update request has already been received, the update process being received can be canceled and the update process by the external memory can be reflected with priority.

  Note that the processing order other than the above can also be applied by changing the processing order.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This embodiment is an example in which prioritization is performed according to a user's selection instruction.
First, the printer main body 300 detects that the external memory 316 is connected to the printer main body 300 based on a notification from the external memory I / F 313 (S1401).

  Then, the printer main body 300 inquires the controller I / F about the operation currently being received or being processed, and confirms the status (confirmation of the job reception status of the printer: S1402). Then, it is determined whether or not the printer status is receiving processing via the USB or the network (there is a job being received: S1403).

  At this time, if there is a job being received, the process proceeds to the user selection process, and the user is made to select whether to execute or not execute the interrupt process from the external memory 316. That is, the user is prompted to select whether or not to execute interrupt processing from the external memory 316 (S1404). Note that the selection notification means to the user can be performed by display on the operation panel of the printer main body or display on the monitor of the host side information processing apparatus (PC).

  Then, it is determined whether or not execution of interrupt processing from the external memory has been selected (S1405).

  At this time, if execution of interrupt processing from the external memory is selected, the printer main body 300 cancels processing (printing, update request) being received via the USB or the network (S1406).

  Thereafter, if there is no job being received in S1403, request processing (update) by the external memory 316 is executed (S1407).

  On the other hand, if non-execution of interrupt processing from the external memory is selected in S1405, the request processing (update) by the external memory is put into a waiting state, and the operation of the job currently being received is returned.

  That is, here, the user selects whether to give priority to the update request by the external memory or the data processing via the USB or the network, and when the priority of the update request by the external memory is instructed, the update by the external memory is executed. .

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This embodiment is an example in which more appropriate prioritization is performed in accordance with the received request data information.
First, the printer main body 300 detects that the external memory 316 is connected to the printer main body 300 by a notification from the external memory I / F 313 (S1501).

  The printer main body 300 inquires of the controller I / F about the operation currently being received or being processed, and confirms the status (confirmation of the job reception status of the printer: S1502). Then, it is determined whether or not the printer status is receiving processing via USB or a network (there is a job being received: S1503).

  At this time, if there is a job being received, it is determined whether or not the job being received is a process (printing, main body information setting / acquisition, etc.) other than update via USB or network (S1504).

  If the receiving job is receiving a process other than update via USB or network, the process waits until a process end notification is received.

  On the other hand, if the received job is not a process other than update via USB or network, it is determined whether or not the received job is receiving update data via USB or network (S1505).

  At this time, if update data is being received via the USB or network, the version comparison of the update request data with the external memory 316 is performed (S1506), and the update request process for the selected data is executed (S1507).

  On the other hand, when there is no receiving job in S1503, and when the receiving job is not receiving update data via USB or network in S1505, a request process (update) by the external memory 316 is executed (S1508).

Here, an example of determining priority of version comparison / process execution will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, when there are update requests in order from the host PC 2000 and the external memory 3000, the printer 1000 displays the update request versions (host PC: ver. 2.0 and external memory: ver 3.0) of both. Compare. As a result of the comparison, since the update request version from the external memory 3000 is newer (ver.2.0 <ver.3.0), the printer 1000 issues an update request for the old version (host PC: ver.2.0). Cancel and execute an update request for a new version (external memory: ver3.0).

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, when there are update requests in order from the host PC 2000 and the external memory 3000, the printer 1000 displays the update request versions (host PC: ver. 3.0 and external memory: ver 3.0) of both. Compare. As a result of comparison, since the update request version of the host PC and the external memory is the same (ver.3.0 = ver.3.0), the printer 1000 cancels the update (external memory: ver3.0) received later. The previously received update request (host PC: ver. 3.0) is executed.

  The version information of each device defined in these examples is ver. 1.0 <ver. 2.0 <ver. New versions are defined in the order of 3.0.

  That is, here, the update request by the external memory is compared with the update request via the USB or the network, and when the version of the update request by the external memory is new, the update request by the external memory is preferentially executed.

Next, an example of a mechanism unit (printer engine 310) of the image forming apparatus as the information processing apparatus in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view for explaining the overall structure of the mechanism part of the apparatus, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the mechanism part.
This image forming apparatus is a serial type image forming apparatus, and holds a carriage 233 slidably in a main scanning direction by main and sub guide rods 231 and 232 which are guide members horizontally mounted on left and right side plates 221A and 221B. The main scanning motor (not shown) moves and scans in the direction indicated by the arrow (carriage main scanning direction) via the timing belt.

  The carriage 233 includes a liquid discharge head for discharging ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), and a tank for storing ink supplied to the head. A recording head 234 composed of an integrated liquid ejection head unit is mounted with a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the ink droplet ejection direction facing downward.

  The recording head 234 is configured by attaching liquid discharge head units 234a and 234b each having two nozzle rows to one base member, and one nozzle row of one head 234a receives black (K) droplets. The other nozzle row ejects cyan (C) droplets, the other nozzle row of the other head 234b ejects magenta (M) droplets, and the other nozzle row ejects yellow (Y) droplets. To do. Here, a configuration in which droplets of four colors are ejected in a two-head configuration is used, but it is also possible to arrange four nozzle rows per head and eject each of the four colors with one head.

  Further, the ink of each color is replenished and supplied from the ink cartridge 210 of each color to the tank 235 of the recording head 234 via the supply tube 236 of each color.

  On the other hand, as a paper feeding unit for feeding the paper 242 stacked on the paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 241 of the paper feed tray 202, a half-moon roller (feeding) that separates and feeds the paper 242 one by one from the paper stacking unit 241. A separation pad 244 made of a material having a large coefficient of friction is provided opposite to the sheet roller 243 and the sheet feeding roller 243, and the separation pad 244 is urged toward the sheet feeding roller 243 side.

  In order to feed the sheet 242 fed from the sheet feeding unit to the lower side of the recording head 234, a guide member 245 for guiding the sheet 242, a counter roller 246, a conveyance guide member 247, and a tip pressure roller. And a conveying belt 251 which is a conveying means for electrostatically attracting the fed paper 242 and conveying it at a position facing the recording head 234.

  The conveyor belt 251 is an endless belt, and is configured to wrap around the conveyor roller 252 and the tension roller 253 so as to circulate in the belt conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). In addition, a charging roller 256 that is a charging unit for charging the surface of the transport belt 251 is provided. The charging roller 256 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the conveyor belt 251 and to rotate following the rotation of the conveyor belt 251. The transport belt 251 rotates in the belt transport direction when the transport roller 252 is rotationally driven through timing by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 242 recorded by the recording head 234, a separation claw 261 for separating the paper 242 from the transport belt 251, a paper discharge roller 262, and a paper discharge roller 263 are provided. A paper discharge tray 203 is provided below the paper discharge roller 262.

  A double-sided unit 271 is detachably attached to the back surface of the apparatus main body. The duplex unit 271 takes in the paper 242 returned by the reverse rotation of the transport belt 251, reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 246 and the transport belt 251. The upper surface of the duplex unit 271 is a manual feed tray 272.

  Further, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 281 including a recovery means for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 234 is disposed in the non-printing area on one side in the scanning direction of the carriage 233. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 281 includes cap members (hereinafter referred to as “caps”) 282a and 282b (hereinafter referred to as “caps 282” when not distinguished) for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head 234, and nozzle surfaces. A wiper blade 283 that is a blade member for wiping the ink, and an empty discharge receiver 284 that receives liquid droplets for discharging the liquid droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge the thickened recording liquid. ing.

  Further, in the non-printing area on the other side in the scanning direction of the carriage 233, there is an empty space for receiving a liquid droplet when performing an empty discharge for discharging a liquid droplet that does not contribute to the recording in order to discharge the recording liquid thickened during the recording. A discharge receiver 288 is disposed, and the idle discharge receiver 288 is provided with an opening 289 along the nozzle row direction of the recording head 234 and the like.

  In this image forming apparatus configured as described above, the sheets 242 are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding tray 202, and the sheet 242 fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide 245, and is conveyed to the conveyor belt 251 and the counter. It is sandwiched between the rollers 246 and conveyed, and further, the leading end is guided by the conveying guide 237 and pressed against the conveying belt 251 by the leading end pressing roller 249, and the conveying direction is changed by approximately 90 °.

  At this time, a positive output and a negative output are alternately applied to the charging roller 256, that is, an alternating voltage is applied, and a charging voltage pattern in which the conveying belt 251 alternates, that is, in the sub-scanning direction that is the circumferential direction. , Plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width. When the sheet 242 is fed onto the conveyance belt 251 charged alternately with plus and minus, the sheet 242 is attracted to the conveyance belt 251, and the sheet 242 is conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the conveyance belt 251.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 234 according to the image signal while moving the carriage 233, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 242 to record one line, and after the paper 242 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, Record the next line. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper 242 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is finished and the paper 242 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 203.

  The above-described processing can be performed by a computer by a program, and this program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium, or can be provided by downloading through a network such as the Internet. The image forming system can also be configured by combining the image forming apparatus described in the above embodiment and the host side (information processing apparatus).

300 Information processing device (printer body)
316 External memory 310 Printer engine 400 Host

Claims (5)

Detection means for detecting connection of an external memory storing update data;
Means for obtaining update data in the external memory and executing the update;
Means for receiving data by at least one of USB and network communication, and executing processing by the received data,
The means for performing the update comprises:
When the detection means detects that the external memory is connected, when data received from at least one of the USB and network communication is being processed or data is being received, according to a predetermined processing priority order An information processing apparatus that executes an update using update data in the external memory.   When the data from at least one of the USB and the network communication is update data, it is compared with the update data in the external memory, and when the update data in the external memory is new, the update data in the external memory is used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update is executed with priority.   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing of data from at least one of the USB and network communication is canceled, and update by update data in the external memory is preferentially executed.   When data from at least one of the USB and network communication is data other than update data, priority is given to processing of data from at least one of the USB and network communication, and at least one of the USB and network communication 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the data from the update data is update data, the processing by the update data is canceled and the update by the update data in the external memory is preferentially executed. Detection means for detecting connection of an external memory storing update data;
Means for obtaining update data in the external memory and executing the update;
Means for receiving data by at least one of USB and network communication, and executing processing by the received data,
The means for performing the update comprises:
When the detecting means detects that the external memory is connected, and when data received from at least one of the USB and network communication is being processed or data is being received, the update data in the external memory is used. Output to let the user choose whether to give priority to update,
When the user gives an instruction to give priority to the update by the update data of the external memory, the processing of the data from at least one of the USB and the network communication is canceled and the update by the update data of the external memory is executed. An information processing apparatus characterized by that.

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