JP2016103160A - Image processing device and method of updating program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction device 100 capable of updating a program even when sufficient capacity of nonvolatile memory is not available.SOLUTION: A multifunction device 100 includes; download means 403 that stores a control program in a self-refresh area of a volatile memory when updating the control program; system resetting means 404 that resets a system once the control program is stored in the self-refresh area of the volatile memory; and updating means 402 that, upon resetting of the system, stores the control program stored in the self-refresh area of the volatile memory in a nonvolatile memory to update the control program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a program update method.

  The progress of software technology that makes image processing devices such as digital copying machines function is remarkable. Compared to the useful life of the image processing device itself, the software development speed is much faster. Since it is uneconomical to replace hardware every time new software is developed, the software is usually upgraded by re-installing a new program.

  As a method for upgrading the software that causes an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine to function, a non-volatile rewritable memory such as a flash memory is used to store the software of the image processing apparatus main body. New software was rewritten from a personal computer on-site using a parallel cable or the like.

  However, the conventional software upgrade method requires a service person to go to the site where the image processing apparatus that needs to upgrade the software is installed. In addition, in order to upgrade the software, it is necessary to set the image processing apparatus main body to a standby mode with special settings, and a reduction in the operating rate of the image processing apparatus is inevitable.

  Also, if a serviceman can develop a method or system for installing a new program in the serviceman's office without going to the site where the image processing apparatus for upgrading the software is installed, the economic effect is very good. It will be big. Also, if a new program that allows the image processing device to function is installed and a currently installed program is rewritten, a program rewriting method that does not require the image processing device operating in the current program to enter standby mode can be developed. In addition to avoiding a decrease in the operating rate of the image processing apparatus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in work efficiency. Furthermore, for the same type of image processing apparatus, new efficiency can be improved by rewriting a program all at once using a computer network.

  On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-84982 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method for installing a program for causing an image processing apparatus to function in the image processing apparatus using a computer network. In this method, a Web server is installed on the Internet, and when a service person designates an image processing apparatus and a program from a browser, the program is transferred as an attached file of an e-mail to a relay server in the domain where the program exists. When the relay server in the domain receives the e-mail, it transfers the program to a designated image processing apparatus using ftp or the like by automatic processing, and the image processing apparatus stores the program in a nonvolatile storage such as a hard disk. The data is stored in the device, and automatically written into a non-volatile rewritable memory such as a flash memory when the power is turned OFF / ON. Thereafter, the reboot unit updates the program to a new one by turning on the power.

  As a result, the service person must execute it at the office of the service person without going to the site where the image processing apparatus is installed in order to install a new program such as software upgrade in the image processing apparatus. The economic effect is extremely large.

JP 2003-84982 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a program downloaded from a Web server needs to be temporarily stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk. Here, if the non-volatile memory does not have enough storage capacity, it is necessary to install an external non-volatile memory to increase the free space or delete unnecessary data stored in the non-volatile memory. There is a problem that it takes time and effort for the user.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an image processing apparatus capable of executing a program update even when the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory is not sufficient, and the program update It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a volatile memory having a self-refresh unit and a nonvolatile memory, and has the following configuration. adopt.

  That is, according to the present invention, when the control program is updated, a download unit that stores the control program in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory, and the control program is stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory. And a system reset means for resetting the system, and when the system is reset, the control program stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory and the control program is updated. Means.

  In addition, the present invention can be provided as a program update method for an image processing apparatus having a volatile memory having a self-refresh unit and a nonvolatile memory.

  That is, according to the present invention, when the control program is updated, the control program is stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory, and the control program is stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory. A step of resetting the system; and a step of storing the control program stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory in the nonvolatile memory and updating the control program when the system is reset. It is characterized by that. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be provided as a program for causing a computer to circulate individually via a telecommunication line or the like. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) realizes the control operation in cooperation with each circuit other than the CPU according to the program of the present invention. Each means realized by using the program and the CPU can also be configured by using dedicated hardware. The program can also be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the program update method of the present invention, the program can be updated even when the nonvolatile memory does not have a sufficient storage capacity. It is also possible to execute program updates without using a non-volatile memory.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows an example of the storage form of the update program and the control program in the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6A), and FIG. 6B shows an example of the storage form of the control program in the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6B). ).

  In the following, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. Moreover, the alphabet S added before the number in a flowchart means a step.

<Image processing device>
The image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention corresponds to, for example, a multi-function peripheral having functions such as a copy, a scanner, and a printer, and functions as an image processing apparatus having a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like. To do.

  Hereinafter, for example, the operation of the MFP 100 (Multi Function Peripheral) when the user uses the copy function will be briefly described.

  First, when the user uses the multifunction machine 100, the document is placed on the document table 101 provided on the upper surface of the casing. Subsequently, the user uses the operation unit 102 (operation panel) provided in the vicinity of the document table 101 to input setting conditions related to image formation from the initial screen (operation screen) of the operation unit 102. . When the user selects a copy function corresponding to image formation and presses a start key provided in the operation unit 102, the multi-function device 100 starts a copy function corresponding to the setting condition.

  Here, in the image reading unit 103, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected by the document placed on the document table 101. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108, and image data corresponding to the original is generated.

  Here, a part for forming a toner image based on the image data is an image forming unit 109. The image forming unit 109 is provided with a photosensitive drum 110. The photosensitive drum 110 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum 111, the exposure unit 112, the developing unit 113, the transfer unit 114, the cleaning unit 115, and the like in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The exposure unit 112 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 113 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the formed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, paper, sheet) by the transfer device 114. The cleaning unit 115 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 110.

  The sheets are conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 116 provided in the multi function peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 116 to the conveyance path by the pickup roller 117. Each sheet cassette 116 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on setting conditions relating to image formation.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer device 114 by the conveyance roller 118 and the registration roller 119. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 114 and conveyed to the fixing device 120.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between a heating roller and a pressure roller provided in the fixing device 120, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed on the sheet. The The amount of heat of the heating roller is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet and the image formation is completed, and the sheet is discharged by a conveyance roller 118 to a cylinder tray 122 provided in the cylinder of the casing unit via a sheet discharge port 121. Is done. The sheets are stacked and stored on the in-body tray 122. Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides an image forming function to the user.

  The multi-function device 100 includes a communication unit 200 that can communicate with the network 300, and the communication unit 200 can exchange data and the like from other terminal devices via the network 300. . The multi-function device 100 can be connected to an external storage medium (for example, a USB memory) 400, and data can be exchanged from the external storage medium 400.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 201 (operation panel), a touch pen 202, and operation keys 203 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing a key in the screen displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting condition corresponding to the pressed key is input.

  A display unit (not shown) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on the back surface of the touch panel 201, and the display unit displays an operation screen such as the initial screen, for example. A touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201. When the user touches the touch pen 201 with the tip of the touch pen 202, a sensor provided under the touch panel 201 detects the touch destination.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 203 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and for example, a ten key 204, a start key 205, a clear key 206, a stop key 207, a reset key 208, and a power key 209 are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit, and a touch panel. 201 and operation keys 203 are connected by an internal bus 306.

  For example, the CPU 301 uses the RAM 303 as a work area, executes programs stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like, and corresponds to data and instructions from the driver 305 and the touch panel 201, and operation keys 203 based on the execution results. Signals, commands, etc. are exchanged to control the operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 301 receives and transmits data from the terminal device of the network 300 and the external storage medium 400 via the communication unit 200.

  Also, each means described later (shown in FIG. 4) other than the drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing a program, as described above. The ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like store programs and data that implement each unit described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configuration and execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction machine of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the multifunction device 100, the display accepting unit 401 of the multifunction device 100 displays an initial screen on the touch panel 201 and accepts an instruction input from the user.

  Here, the user thinks that he / she wants to update (version upgrade, update) a control program (for example, firmware) for controlling each function of the multifunction peripheral 100, shifts from the initial screen to the system screen, and sets an update key. When the button is pressed, the display receiving unit 401 receives the pressing of the update key and notifies the updating unit 402 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the update unit 402 starts updating the control program (FIG. 5: S101).

  Any method may be used for the updating unit 402 to start updating the control program. For example, the updating unit 402 is first stored in a predetermined terminal device via the network 300 according to a user's selection. And a method of downloading an update program via an external storage medium such as the USB memory 400. By executing the update program, the control program designated by the update program is downloaded, and the control program is updated.

  For example, the update unit 402 downloads a predetermined update program from a specific terminal device (server device, firmware program download server, etc.) via the network 300, and stores the update program in a nonvolatile memory, for example, FIG. ), The data is stored in the memory unit 601 of the flash memory 600 (FIG. 5: S102).

  Here, the flash memory is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that is rewritable and does not lose data even when the power is turned off (also referred to as flash EEPROM or flash ROM).

  When the update program is stored in the flash memory 600, the update unit 402 activates the update program and determines whether or not the control program designated by the update program has been downloaded (FIG. 5: S103).

  The update unit 402 may determine whether the control program has been downloaded by any method. For example, the download unit refers to the download history information of the control program related to the update program, and the download history This is done by confirming whether or not the flag “1” indicating that the download has been completed exists in the information.

  In the download history information, information “0” indicating non-download is stored in advance, and the flag “1” is added to indicate that the download has been completed.

  As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the control program has not been downloaded (FIG. 5: S103 NO), that is, when the flag “1” does not exist in the download history information, the updating unit 402 notifies the fact. The download unit 403 is notified. Upon receiving the notification, the download unit 403 downloads the control program designated by the update program (FIG. 5: S104).

  Then, the download unit 403 sequentially stores the downloaded control program in a volatile memory, for example, a self-refresh unit 603 of an SDRAM 602 (Synchronous DRAM) as shown in FIG. 6A (FIG. 5: S105). ).

  Here, the download unit 403 may download the control program by any method. For example, if the download unit 403 is via the network 300, the predetermined control program is downloaded from the server device. In addition, when the USB memory 400 is used, the download unit 403 downloads a predetermined control program from the USB memory 400 connected to the multifunction device 100.

  The SDRAM 602 is a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) in which an external bus interface operates in synchronization with a clock signal having a fixed period. The DRAM is a RAM that can be freely read and written, and charges are charged by a capacitor and a transistor. It is a volatile memory that uses a storage circuit as a storage element. In order to hold data, the DRAM needs to update the data at a constant cycle (refresh operation). Usually, the refresh operation is performed by an external circuit, but the SDRAM 602 has a circuit for performing the refresh operation. It is built-in and automatically refreshes (self-refresh) and retains data when given instructions and power are applied. The memory unit that performs this self-refresh functions as a non-volatile memory although it is a volatile memory. Such a memory portion of the SDRAM 602 is referred to as a self-refresh portion 603.

  In the present invention, the control program is stored not in the flash memory 600 but in the self-refresh unit 603 of the SDRAM 602, so that the control program can be appropriately downloaded even when the storage capacity of the flash memory 600 is small. It becomes possible.

  When the download unit 403 stores the control program in the self-refresh unit 603, the download unit 403 notifies the update unit 402 of the fact, and the update unit 402 that has received the notification determines that the download of the control program is complete, and downloads the download history. A flag “1” indicating that the download has been completed is added to the information (FIG. 5: S106). Thereby, it is not necessary to download the control program again, and the process can proceed to the next process.

  When the updating unit 402 adds the flag “1”, the system reset unit 404 is notified of the fact, and the system reset unit 404 that has received the notification resets the entire system of the multifunction peripheral 100 (FIG. 5: S107). .

  Here, when the system is reset, the power supply to each unit of the multifunction peripheral 100 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, all the data stored in the volatile memory described above is erased. However, in the present invention, since the control program is stored in the self-refresh unit 603 of the volatile memory without being stored in the nonvolatile memory, even if the system is reset, the control stored in the self-refresh unit 603 is stored. The program (data) is never lost.

  When the system reset unit 404 completes resetting the system, the system reset unit 404 notifies the update unit 402 to that effect, and the update unit 402 that receives the notification returns to S103 and determines whether the control program has been downloaded. (FIG. 5: S103).

  Here, the downloaded control program remains stored in the self-refresh unit 603, and the flag “1” exists in the download history information of the update program. Therefore, as a result of the determination, it is determined that the control program has been downloaded (FIG. 5: S103 YES).

  Then, the update unit 402 activates the update program, extracts the control program stored in the self-refresh unit 603 according to the update program, and extracts the control program as shown in FIG. Is stored in the memory unit 601 of the flash memory 600 of the nonvolatile memory, and the control program is updated (FIG. 5: S108). Thereby, the update of the control program by the update program is completed.

  As described above, the control program is temporarily stored in the self-refresh unit 603 of the volatile memory before the system reset, and the update is completed by storing the control program in the nonvolatile memory after the system reset. For example, the update process can be performed without using a non-volatile memory even when the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory such as an HDD is insufficient.

  When the storage of the control program is completed, the updating unit 402 turns off the entire multifunction device 100 and completes the update of the control program.

  Thus, according to the present invention, when the control program is updated, the download unit 403 stores the control program in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory, and the control program is stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory. When stored, the system reset means 404 for resetting the system, and when the system is reset, the control program stored in the self-refresh unit of the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the control program is stored. And updating means 402 for updating.

  As a result, the program can be updated without using the non-volatile memory. An image processing apparatus that does not have an HDD is particularly effective because the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory may be insufficient.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the program is updated without using the non-volatile memory. However, when the capacity of the control program is large and exceeds the storage capacity of the self-refresh unit 603 of the SDRAM 602, the non-volatile memory is used. If there is a predetermined free space in the memory, the excess program may be stored in the memory unit 601 of the flash memory 600 to update the program.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In this configuration, the multifunction device 100 reads the program, and the multifunction device 100 implements the respective units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus and the program update method according to the present invention are useful not only for multifunction machines but also for copying machines, printers, image forming apparatuses, image processing apparatuses, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Operation part 401 Display reception means 402 Update means 403 Download means 404 System reset means

Claims (2)

An image processing apparatus having a volatile memory having a self-refresh unit and a nonvolatile memory,
Download means for storing the control program in a self-refresh unit of the volatile memory when the control program is updated;
System reset means for resetting the system when the control program is stored in the self-refresh section of the volatile memory;
An image processing system comprising: an update unit configured to store a control program stored in a self-refresh unit of the volatile memory when the system is reset in a nonvolatile memory and update the control program. apparatus. A method for updating a program of an image processing apparatus having a volatile memory having a self-refresh unit and a nonvolatile memory,
Storing the control program in a self-refresh portion of the volatile memory when the control program is updated;
Resetting the system when the control program is stored in a self-refresh portion of the volatile memory;
And updating the control program by storing the control program stored in the self-refresh section of the volatile memory in the nonvolatile memory when the system is reset.

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