JP2017016453A - Printer, program update system, and control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a data amount of data to be transmitted to a printer in update processing of the printer for which plural models with different modules exist.SOLUTION: When an information request requesting module configuration information is received from a host device, the module configuration information of a printer is transmitted to the host device, update data of one or more modules selected from the plural modules on the basis of the transmitted module configuration information is received from the host device, and update processing of the device control program is performed on the basis of the received update data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus control method, a program update system, and a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a program update system (program management system) that includes a management device (program management device) and a printing device (printer) is known (see Patent Document 1). In this program update system, the management device transmits update data (update control program data, update firmware) to the printing device, and the printing device uses the update data to update the device control program (control program, firmware). ) Update process is executed.

JP 2010-198630 A

By the way, in recent years, there are increasing cases in which there are a plurality of types of models having different modules in an installed device control program.
In order to cope with this, the manufacturer has created one type of file containing update data for all modules that can be mounted. On the other hand, in the conventional program management system, it is conceivable that the management apparatus acquires the created file and transmits it to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus performs update processing using the file.
However, with such a configuration, the amount of data transmitted from the management apparatus to the printing apparatus increases. As a result, there are problems that it takes time to transmit data and that the risk that data transmission fails increases.

  The present invention relates to update processing of a printing apparatus in which a plurality of models with different modules are installed, and a printing apparatus control method, program update system, and printing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of data transmitted to the printing apparatus The purpose is to provide.

  A method for controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling a printing apparatus equipped with an apparatus control program. When an information request for requesting module configuration information is received from a management apparatus, the module configuration information of the printing apparatus is managed by the management apparatus. A module configuration transmitting step for transmitting to the control unit, an update data receiving step for receiving update data of one or more modules selected from a plurality of modules based on the transmitted module configuration information from the management device, and a basis for the received update data And a program update step for performing an update process of the device control program.

  The program update system according to the present invention is a program update system in which a printing apparatus loaded with a device control program and a management apparatus are connected. The management apparatus acquires module configuration information of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus. Based on the acquired module configuration information, a data selection unit for selecting update data of one or more modules from the update data of each module, and transmission data including the selected update data are generated based on the acquired module configuration information A transmission data generation unit; and a data transmission unit that transmits the generated transmission data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus controls the apparatus based on update data included in the transmission data received from the management apparatus. A program update unit for performing a program update process is provided.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention receives a request for module configuration information from the storage unit storing the apparatus control program and the management apparatus, transmits the module configuration information of the printing apparatus, and the module transmitted from the management apparatus A communication unit that receives update data of one or more modules selected from a plurality of modules based on the configuration information, and a control unit that performs update processing of the device control program based on the received update data. And

  According to these configurations, the printing apparatus transmits the configuration information of the modules constituting the apparatus control program to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus updates the data according to the module configuration installed in the printing apparatus based on the acquired module configuration. Are selected and transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus updates the apparatus control program based on the update data. As described above, since the configuration is such that necessary update data is received and updated in accordance with the module configuration of the printing apparatus, the management apparatus relates to the updating process of the printing apparatus in which a plurality of models with different installed modules exist. The amount of update data received by the printing apparatus can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, the time required for data reception can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce the risk of data reception failing due to an erroneous operation such as the influence of noise or turning off the printing apparatus by the user during reception.

  In the above-described printing apparatus control method, in the update data receiving step, it is preferable to receive the update data divided and transmitted within a predetermined data amount corresponding to the type of communication with the management apparatus.

  In this case, in the update data receiving step, it is preferable to receive the update data transmitted by being integrated or divided in units of modules so as to be within a predetermined amount of data according to the type of communication with the management apparatus.

  According to these configurations, the update data is divided and received, and the amount of received data per time is determined according to the type of communication. Therefore, for example, when the type of communication is slow, the communication time per time can be made constant or below a certain value by reducing the amount of received data. That is, even when the type of communication is a communication with a low communication speed, it is possible to shorten the one communication time to a predetermined communication time with a low risk of data reception failure. Therefore, the risk of data reception failure can be further reduced.

  In addition, in the update data receiving step, it is preferable to transmit reception confirmation information every time one division unit is received.

  According to this configuration, the update data is received by being integrated or divided in units of modules so that the amount of received data per time is within a predetermined amount of data according to the type of communication, and in units of one division. Each time it is received, the success or failure of the reception is confirmed. In this way, since it is configured to confirm the success or failure of reception every time a predetermined amount of data according to the type of communication is sent, for example, confirmation of the success or failure of reception is performed every time data is received for a certain or less than a certain communication time. Can do. As a result, when the data reception fails, the management apparatus can perform retransmission, further reduce the communication time for retransmission, and minimize the time required for retransmission.

  On the other hand, an update time calculation step for calculating an update time in the received update data, and a connection check for polling for a connection check with the management apparatus until the calculated update time is reached after the update data is received by the update data reception step. Preferably, the steps are further performed.

  According to this configuration, by setting the polling timeout time to the update time (total update time) in the selected update data, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the update has been completed by connection confirmation polling.

  In the update data receiving step, it is preferable that the update time added to the update data is received, and in the program update step, an update process based on the update data is performed at the update time added to the update data.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus to perform the update process at a desired time (for example, at the end of a job). As a result, the data transmission of the update data and the update process based on the update data can be performed at different times. Therefore, when the data transmission of the update data is completed, the printing apparatus is once returned to a printable state. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user gives an instruction to transmit the update data until the printing apparatus is ready to print, and the waiting time of the user can be reduced.

  Further, when a destination information request for requesting destination information indicating the destination of the printing apparatus is received from the management apparatus, a destination information transmission step for transmitting the destination information to the management apparatus is further executed. In the update data reception step, the management apparatus The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving update data of one or more modules selected based on the transmitted destination information.

  According to this configuration, even for a printing apparatus in which a model for each destination exists, the amount of data received by the printing apparatus related to the update process can be reduced as much as possible.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing functional configurations of a host device and a printing device. It is the figure which showed the unit structure in the update data file. It is a figure for demonstrating the selection process of update data. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a first half of an update operation of the apparatus control program by the printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second half of the update operation of the apparatus control program by the printing system.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus control method, a program update system, and a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, a printing system to which the present invention is applied is exemplified. This printing system performs a printing process on a print medium to create a printed matter. The printing system also functions as a program update system that performs a process for updating a device control program for a printing device that is equipped with a device control program and includes a plurality of models with different modules to be mounted. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing system SY includes a host device 1 (management device) and a printing device 2 connected to the host device 1. The host device 1 and the printing device 2 may be connected by wired communication or may be connected by wireless communication. Further, the host device 1 and the printing device 2 may be directly connected or may be connected via a network (Internet or local area network).

  The host device 1 generates various commands and transmits the generated various commands to the printing device 2, a communication interface 6 that performs data communication with the printing device 2, and a control unit 7 that controls the communication interface 6. . In addition, the host device 1 includes a display 8 that displays various types of information.

  The communication interface 6 performs data communication with the printing apparatus 2. That is, the communication interface 6 transmits various data including the various commands described above to the printing apparatus 2 and receives various data from the printing apparatus 2.

  The control unit 7 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, a read only memory (ROM) 13, a hard disk drive 14, and the like, and performs overall control of the host device 1. The hard disk drive 14 stores a printer driver 16 and an update management tool 17. The host device 1 functions as a “management device” that manages the update processing by the printing device 2 by executing the update management tool 17 by the control unit 7.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives various commands from the host apparatus 1 and performs various processes based on the various commands. For example, print processing is performed on a print medium based on a print command. The printing apparatus 2 includes a plurality of models having different modules to be mounted, such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module mounting model and a network module mounting model. That is, the printing apparatus 2 is one in which one or more modules are selectively mounted from among a plurality of modules.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes a communication interface 21 (communication unit) that performs data communication with the host apparatus 1, a printer engine 22 that performs print processing on a print medium, and a printer controller 23 that controls the communication interface 21 and the printer engine 22. . The printing apparatus 2 receives various commands through the communication interface 21 under the control of the printer controller 23. If the received command is a print command, the printer engine 22 performs print processing on the print medium based on the print command. In this way, a printed material is created.

  The communication interface 21 communicates with the host device 1. That is, the communication interface 21 receives various data including the various commands from the host device 1 and transmits various data to the host device 1.

  The printer controller 23 includes a control unit 31 that performs overall control of the printing apparatus 2 and a storage unit 32 that stores various data. The storage unit 32 includes a flash ROM, and stores a device control program 36 for controlling the printing apparatus 2 and a boot program 37 for updating the device control program 36. The apparatus control program 36 includes firmware and setting information for each module installed in the printing apparatus 2.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, and the like, and performs overall control of the printing apparatus 2. The RAM 42 has a transmission / reception buffer 46. The transmission / reception buffer 46 temporarily stores data received from the host device 1 by the communication interface 21 and data transmitted to the host device 1 by the communication interface 21. The transmission / reception buffer 46 is a FIFO (First In First Out) buffer.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 performs a normal process including a printing process by executing the apparatus control program 36 by the control unit 31, and executes a boot program 37 by the control unit 31. 36 update processing is performed. That is, the printing apparatus 2 has a normal control mode in which the control unit 31 executes the apparatus control program 36 and a boot control mode in which the control unit 31 executes the boot program 37, and updates the apparatus control program 36. When performing, it is the structure which switches from normal control mode to boot control mode, and performs the said update process. In the normal control mode, normal commands and real-time commands can be executed. In the boot control mode, only real-time commands can be executed. The normal command is a command that is processed in the order in which the printing apparatus 2 stores it in the transmission / reception buffer 46, and the real-time command is a command that the printing apparatus 2 processes in preference to the normal command, and the printing apparatus 2 performs other processing. This command is executed with priority.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2, functional configurations of the host device 1 and the printing device 2 will be described. First, the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 2 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 2 includes a first data receiving unit 50, a first command analyzing unit 51, a print control unit 52, a first mode switching unit 53, a buffer erasing unit 54, The data receiving part 60, the 2nd command analysis part 55, the response transmission part 56, the apparatus information transmission part 57, the 2nd mode switching part 58, and the program update part 59 are provided. The first data receiving unit 50, the first command analyzing unit 51, the print control unit 52, and the first mode switching unit 53 are configured by the control unit 31 that executes the device control program 36. On the other hand, the buffer erasure unit 54, the second data reception unit 60, the second command analysis unit 55, the response transmission unit 56, the device information transmission unit 57, the second mode switching unit 58, and the program update unit 59 execute the boot program 37. It is comprised by the control part 31 which performs.

  The first data receiving unit 50 receives various data from the host device 1 by the communication interface 21 in the normal control mode. Specifically, the first data receiving unit 50 receives a print command and a mode switching command (described later) through the communication interface 21.

  The first command analysis unit 51 performs command analysis on the received data in the normal control mode. Specifically, the first command analysis unit 51 determines which command is the received data. The first command analysis unit 51 determines whether the received data is a normal command or a real-time command.

  If the received data is determined to be a print command as a result of command analysis by the first command analysis unit 51, the print control unit 52 performs print processing based on the print command. That is, the print control unit 52 controls the printer engine 22 and performs print processing on the print medium based on the print command.

  The first mode switching unit 53 switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the normal control mode to the boot control mode based on a mode switching request from the host device 1 in the normal control mode. Strictly speaking, the first mode switching unit 53 receives the mode switching command transmitted from the host apparatus 1 and switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 to the boot control mode. In addition, the boot control mode includes an information response mode in which various information is responded in response to a request from the host device 1 and a forced rewrite mode in which the update processing (rewrite processing) is performed using data from the host device 1. The first mode switching unit 53 switches to one of the information response mode and the forced rewriting mode in accordance with the mode switching command from the host device 1. In the present embodiment, since the host device 1 is configured to transmit a mode switching command for switching to the information response mode, the first mode switching unit 53 performs the mode of the printing device 2 according to the mode switching command. Is switched from the normal control mode to the information response mode.

  When receiving a mode switching command (mode switching request) for switching to the information response mode from the host device 1, the buffer erasing unit 54 erases the data in the transmission / reception buffer 46. That is, in the present embodiment, after the mode of the printing apparatus 2 is switched to the information response mode, the data in the transmission / reception buffer 46 is erased by the buffer erasure unit 54.

  The second data receiving unit 60 receives various data from the host device 1 by the communication interface 21 in the boot control mode. Specifically, the second data receiving unit 60 receives a response request command, an information request command, a mode switching command, and transmission data (all of which will be described later) by the communication interface 21. Although the details will be described later, the second data receiving unit 60 receives update data of one or more modules selected from a plurality of modules based on the module configuration information from the host device 1 by the communication interface 21.

  The second command analysis unit 55 performs command analysis on the received data in the information response mode, and determines which real-time command is the received data. In other words, in the present embodiment, the host device 1 is configured to transmit a command to the printing device 2 with a real-time command in a state in which the printing device 2 is in the boot control mode. The command analysis for the received data can be performed.

  In response to the response request command from the host device 1, the response transmission unit 56 transmits a response to the host device 1 through the communication interface 21 in the information response mode.

  When receiving an information request command (information request) for requesting device information from the host device 1 in the information response mode, the device information transmission unit 57 sends the device information of the printing device 2 to the host device 1 via the communication interface 21. Send with. In other words, when receiving an information request command from the host device 1, the device information transmission unit 57 transmits device information to the host device 1. The device information transmission unit 57 includes, as device information, the printer ID of the printing device 2, the module configuration information of the printing device 2 (information indicating the module configuration of the printing device 2), the version information of each firmware in each installed module, and the like. Are transmitted to the host device 1.

  In the boot control mode, the second mode switching unit 58 switches the mode of the printing device 2 between the information response mode and the forced rewriting mode based on the mode switching request from the host device 1. Strictly speaking, the second mode switching unit 58 switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 in response to the mode switching command transmitted from the host apparatus 1. That is, the second mode switching unit 58 receives a mode switching command for switching to the forced rewriting mode in the information response mode, and switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the information response mode to the forced rewriting mode. Further, the second mode switching unit 58 receives a mode switching command for switching to the information response mode in the forced rewriting mode, and switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the forced rewriting mode to the information response mode.

  The program update unit 59 performs update processing of the device control program 36 based on update data included in transmission data (described later) from the host device 1 in the forced rewrite mode. Specifically, the firmware and setting information of each module in the device control program 36 stored in the storage unit 32 are rewritten to those included in the transmission data. Thereby, the apparatus control program 36 is updated.

  Next, the functional configuration of the host device 1 will be described. The host device 1 includes a file acquisition unit 61, a file analysis unit 62, a mode switching request unit 63, a response confirmation unit 64, a device information acquisition unit 65 (module configuration acquisition unit), an ID confirmation unit 66, data Selection unit 67, transmission data generation unit 68, update time calculation unit 69, communication type acquisition unit 70, data transmission unit 71, connection confirmation unit 72, update success / failure determination unit 73, and recovery procedure display unit 74. Each of these units includes a control unit 7 that executes the update management tool 17.

  The file acquisition unit 61 acquires an update data file for performing the update process of the printing apparatus 2. One type of update data file is prepared for each model of the printing apparatus 2 by the manufacturer, and the update data file includes all models in one model. The file acquisition unit 61 acquires the update data file by downloading from a server prepared by the manufacturer via a network such as the Internet or by reading from the storage medium storing the update data file.

  The update data file stores a printer ID (protect ID) indicating the model and update data of each module that can be mounted on the model. As described above, in order to include each model in one model, the update data file stores the update data of each module for all of the plurality of modules that are selectively mounted on the printing apparatus 2 in each model. The

  The update data of each module is not only stored separately for each module but also stored in units of units. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a unit configuration (contents of each unit) in the update data file. As shown in FIG. 3, the update data file includes “IPL”, “Boot date (BTS)”, “Firmware data (Main / Wboot)”, “CG data”, “PC down image”, “voice” as units. "Guide data", "FPGA data (FPGA Configuration Data area)", "Microcomputer (Sub-CPU)", "MICR (Magnetic ink character recognition)", "Bluetooth module", "Network Firmware (NW Kernel / Root area)" , “Network Firmware (NW User area)”, “Network Firmware (NW Users 2 area)”, “writeable-region (Linux (registered trademark) setting value)” ", Bootstrap (registered trademark)", "u-boot", "u-boot (u-boot setting value)", "Cert type (certificate type)", "Cert Data (certificate actual data)", and It has “PKCS12 PASSWORD (certificate password)”.

  “IPL”, “Boot date (BTS)”, “Firmware data (Main / Wboot)”, “CG data”, “PC down image”, “FPGA data (FPGA Configuration Data area)” are update data of the main module It is. “IPL”, “Boot date (BTS)”, and “Firmware data (Main / Wboot)” are the firmware of the main module, and “CG data”, “PC down image”, “FPGA data (FPGA Configuration Data)”. "Area)" is setting information of the main module. The “PC down image” is print data to be overwritten on the printed material so that the failed printed material can be recognized as “failed printed material” when printing fails.

  The “voice guide data” is update data of the speaker module. “Microcomputer (Sub-CPU)” is update data of the sub CPU module and is firmware of the sub CPU. “MICR” is MICR module update data and is MICR module firmware. The “Bluetooth module” is update data of the Bluetooth module, and is firmware of the Bluetooth module.

  “Network Firmware (NW Kernel / Root area)”, “Network Farmware (NW User area)”, “Network Firmware (NW Users2 area)”, “write-region (t u, u”) “boot”, “u-boot (u-boot setting value)”, “Cert type (certificate type)”, “Cert Data (certificate actual data)” and “PKCS12 PASSWARD (certificate password)” are network modules. Update data. Then, “Network Firmware (NW Kernel / Root area)”, “Network Firmware (NW User area)”, “Network Farmware (NW Users2 area)”, “Bootstrap and firmware” Yes, "writeable-region (Linux setting value)", "u-boot (u-boot setting value)", "Cert type (certificate type)", "Cert Data (certificate actual data)" and "PKCS12 PASWARD “(Certificate Password)” is setting information of the network module.

  In addition to the printer ID and update data of each module, the update data file includes the unit configuration (number and type of units), the update time (rewrite time) of each unit, the version information of each firmware, Is memorized.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the file analysis unit 62 analyzes the acquired update data file, and from the update data file, the printer ID, unit configuration (number and type of units), update time of each unit, and version information of each firmware To extract. As a result, these pieces of information are acquired. The file analysis unit 62 acquires each update time of the update data of each module by acquiring the update time of each unit.

  The mode switching request unit 63 makes a mode switching request to the printing apparatus 2 with a real-time command. That is, the mode switching request unit 63 transmits a mode switching command (mode switching request) configured with a real-time command to the printing apparatus 2 to cause the printing apparatus 2 to switch modes. Although details will be described later, in the update operation of the device control program 36, first, the printing device 2 is switched to the information response mode, the device information of the printing device 2 is acquired, and then the printing device 2 is switched to the forced rewriting mode. Thus, the update process of the device control program 36 is performed. After that, it is switched again to the information response mode, and it is determined whether or not the update process has been performed normally. Note that the host device 1 performs a command transmission to the printing device 2 with a real-time command in a state where the printing device 2 is switched to the boot control mode.

  The response confirmation unit 64 confirms the response to the printing apparatus 2 with a real-time command. That is, the response confirmation unit 64 transmits a response request command composed of a real-time command, and receives a response from the printing apparatus 2 (the response transmission unit 56) which is a response to the response request command.

  The device information acquisition unit 65 acquires device information of the printing device 2 from the printing device 2 using a real-time command. That is, the device information acquisition unit 65 transmits an information request command (information request) composed of a real-time command, and receives device information from the printing device 2 (the device information transmission unit 57) as a reply to the information request command. That is, the device information acquisition unit 65 acquires the printer ID, module configuration information, and version information of each firmware in each module from the printing device 2.

  The ID confirmation unit 66 compares the printer ID acquired by the device information acquisition unit 65 with the printer ID acquired by the file analysis unit 62, and determines whether or not both printer IDs match. That is, it is determined whether or not the printer ID of the update data file to be updated matches the printer ID of the printing apparatus 2 to be updated.

  The data sorting unit 67 sorts update data (unit) necessary for the printing apparatus 2 from the update data stored in the update data file. Specifically, the data selection unit 67 is based on the module configuration information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 65, and from the update data of all the modules stored in the update data file, one or more installed in the printing apparatus 2 Sort update data of modules. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the printing apparatus 2 is a model that does not include a Bluetooth module, update data of the Bluetooth module is excluded. If the printing apparatus 2 is a model that does not include a network module, network module update data is excluded.

  The transmission data generation unit 68 generates transmission data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 based on the selected update data (unit). That is, the transmission data generation unit 68 extracts the selected update data from the update data file and generates transmission data including the extracted update data.

  The update time calculation unit 69 calculates the update time (total update time) in the selected update data based on the update time of each unit acquired by the file analysis unit 62. That is, the update time calculation unit 69 calculates the total update time in the selected update data by adding up the update times of the units in the selected update data. The total update time is used for connection confirmation performed after transmission data is transmitted. Therefore, it is preferable to add the total update time to the transmission data.

  The communication type acquisition unit 70 acquires the type of communication for communication for transmitting transmission data to the printing apparatus 2. Specifically, the communication type acquisition unit 70 acquires information on whether the communication type is USB communication, Ethernet (registered trademark) communication, or Bluetooth communication. “USB” is an abbreviation for “Universal Serial Bus”.

  The data transmission unit 71 transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit 68 to the printing apparatus 2. At this time, the data transmission unit 71 divides and transmits the transmission data so that the transmission data amount per time becomes a predetermined data amount corresponding to the type of communication acquired by the communication type acquisition unit 70. . Specifically, when the type of communication is USB communication or Ethernet communication, the transmission data amount per time is divided so as to be 2 megabytes. When the communication type is Bluetooth communication, the transmission data amount per time is divided so as to be 512 kilobytes.

  In the present embodiment, the data transmission unit 71 transmits the transmission data to the printing device 2 in the state where the printing device 2 is switched to the forced rewriting mode by the mode switching request unit 63, thereby transmitting the transmission data to the printing device 2. The update processing of the device control program 36 based on the above is performed. When the response confirmation unit 64 does not confirm the response confirmation, the module configuration information cannot be acquired from the printing apparatus 2, the selection process by the data selection unit 67 and the generation of transmission data by the transmission data generation unit 68. Processing cannot be performed. Therefore, instead of the data transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit 68, all of the update data (each unit) of each module is extracted from the update data file and transmitted as transmission data. In such a case, the extracted update data is converted into the mot format, and the address (sector) of the write destination (rewrite destination) of each update data in the storage unit 32 of the printing apparatus 2 is added and transmitted to the printing apparatus 2. This mot format is a data format in units of sectors of the flash ROM, and can be stored in the storage unit 32 as it is.

The connection confirmation unit 72 confirms the connection with the printing apparatus 2 after the transmission data is transmitted by the data transmission unit 71, and determines whether or not the update process by the printing apparatus 2 has been completed normally. That is, the printing apparatus 2 is in a state where connection from the host apparatus 1 is not possible during the update process, and is in a state where connection is possible from the host apparatus 1 when the update process is completed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the update process has been completed normally by performing a connection check with the printing apparatus 2.
Specifically, the connection confirmation unit 72 polls the connection confirmation with the printing apparatus 2 until the total update time calculated by the update time calculation unit 69 is reached after the transmission data is transmitted. That is, the connection confirmation with the printing apparatus 2 is repeatedly performed at regular time intervals (every few seconds) from when the transmission data is transmitted until the total update time calculated by the update time calculation unit 69 is reached. Thus, it is determined whether or not the update process by the printing apparatus 2 has been normally completed.

  The update success / failure determination unit 73 determines whether or not the update process by the printing apparatus 2 has been normally performed. In the present embodiment, the version information after the update process and the version information of the update data file are compared in each firmware of each module, and it is determined whether or not both version information matches in each firmware of each module. . Thus, it is determined whether or not the update process by the printing apparatus 2 has been normally performed. The version information after the update process is obtained by the apparatus information obtaining unit 65 after the update process, and the version information of the update data file is obtained by the file analyzing part 62.

  The recovery procedure display unit 74 displays the recovery procedure on the display 8 when the update success / failure determination unit 73 determines that the update process by the printing apparatus 2 has not been performed normally. For example, a message such as “Please retry updating the device control program” is displayed on the display 8 to prompt the user to retry the update operation.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the update operation of the apparatus control program 36 by the printing system SY will be described. In the update operation, the printing device 2 stores the device control program 36 and the boot program 37 in the storage unit 32, and the host device 1 acquires the update data file by the file acquisition unit 61. It is executed when the update data file is designated on the host device 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when an update data file is designated by a user operation (S1: Yes), the file analysis unit 62 uses the specified update data file to specify the printer ID, unit configuration (unit Number and type), update time of each unit, and version information of each firmware are acquired (S2).

  When these pieces of information are acquired, the mode switching request unit 63 makes a mode switching request for switching to the information response mode to the printing apparatus 2 with a real-time command. That is, the mode switching request unit 63 transmits to the printing apparatus 2 a mode switching command for switching to the information response mode, which is configured with a real-time command (S3). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the mode switching command from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 by the first data receiving unit 50 (S4), and the first command analysis unit 51 performs a command for the received data. Analysis is performed and it is determined that the received data is a mode switching command and a real-time command (S5). Then, the first mode switching unit 53 switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the normal control mode to the information response mode based on the mode switching command (S6). Thereafter, the buffer erasure unit 54 erases the data in the transmission / reception buffer 46 (S7).

  Thereafter, the host device 1 confirms the response to the printing device 2 by the response confirmation unit 64 using a real-time command. That is, the response confirmation unit 64 transmits a response request command composed of real-time commands to the printing apparatus 2 (S8). In response to this, the printing apparatus 2 receives the response request command (response request) from the host apparatus 1 by the second data reception unit 60 at the communication interface 21 (S9), and receives it by the second command analysis unit 55. Command analysis is performed on the data, and it is determined that the received data is a response request command (S10). Then, the response transmitter 56 transmits (replies) a response to the response request command to the host device 1 via the communication interface 21 (S11). The host device 1 receives this and confirms the response.

  In the response confirmation by the response confirmation unit 64, when the response from the printing apparatus 2 is not confirmed (S12: No), update data (all data) of all modules stored in the update data file are updated from the update data file. Unit) is extracted, and the extracted update data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 as transmission data (S13). At this time, each update data is converted into the mot format, and the update data write destination address is added to each update data for transmission. On the other hand, since the printing apparatus 2 is in the forced rewriting mode, the second data reception unit 60 receives the transmission data (update data of all modules) from the host apparatus 1 by the communication interface 21 (S14). Then, the program update unit 59 updates the device control program 36 based on the received transmission data (S15). That is, the firmware and setting information of each module are rewritten according to the write destination address. Thereby, this update process is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, in the response confirmation by the response confirmation unit 64, when the response from the printing apparatus 2 is confirmed (S12: Yes), the apparatus information acquisition unit 65 uses the real-time command from the printing apparatus 2 to the printing apparatus 2. Get device information. That is, the device information acquisition unit 65 transmits an information request command composed of real-time commands to the printing device 2 (S16). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the information request command (information request) from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S17), and receives it by the second command analyzing unit 55. Command analysis is performed on the data, and it is determined that the received data is an information request command (S18). Then, the device information transmission unit 57 transmits (replies) the device information (printer ID, module configuration information, and version information of each firmware) of the printing device 2 to the host device 1 via the communication interface 21 (S19) (module configuration transmission). Step). The host apparatus 1 receives this and acquires apparatus information of the printing apparatus 2.

  After acquiring the device information of the printing device 2, the host device 1 determines whether or not the printer ID of the update data file matches the printer ID of the printing device 2 by the ID confirmation unit 66 (S20). That is, the printer ID acquired by the file analysis unit 62 and the printer ID acquired by the device information acquisition unit 65 are compared to determine whether or not both printer IDs match. If the two printer IDs do not match (S20: No), it is determined as an error and the updating operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if both printer IDs match (S20: Yes), the mode switching request unit 63 makes a mode switching request to the printing apparatus 2 to switch to the forced rewriting mode by a real time command. That is, the mode switching request unit 63 transmits a mode switching command, which is composed of real-time commands, for switching to the forced rewriting mode to the printing apparatus 2 (S21). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the mode switching command from the host apparatus 1 by the communication interface 21 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S22), and the second command analyzing unit 55 receives the command for the received data. Analysis is performed and it is determined that the received data is a mode switching command (S23). Then, the second mode switching unit 58 switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the information response mode to the forced rewriting mode according to the mode switching command (S24).

  Thereafter, based on the module configuration information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 65 by the data selection unit 67, the update data of all the modules stored in the update data file is used to determine one or more modules installed in the printing apparatus 2. Update data is selected (S25). When the update data is selected, the update time calculation unit 69 calculates the total update time in the selected update data (S26). Thereafter, the transmission data generating unit 68 generates transmission data based on the selected update data (S27).

When the transmission data is generated, the communication type acquisition unit 70 acquires the type of communication for transmitting the transmission data to the printing apparatus 2 (S28). Then, the data transmission unit 71 divides and transmits the transmission data so that the transmission data amount per time becomes a predetermined data amount corresponding to the acquired type of communication (S29). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the transmission data from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S30) (update data receiving step), and receives it by the program update unit 59. Based on the transmission data, the device control program 36 is updated (S31) (program update step). That is, the firmware and the setting information in the device control program 36 stored in the storage unit 32 are rewritten to those stored in the transmission data.
That is, in the update data reception step, update data of one or more modules selected from a plurality of modules based on the transmitted module configuration information is received from the host device 1. As a result, in the update data receiving step, the update data transmitted by being divided into a predetermined amount of data corresponding to the type of communication with the host device 1 is received.

  When the transmission data is transmitted, the host device 1 polls the connection confirmation unit 72 for confirmation of connection with the printing device 2 (S32). If the connection with the printing apparatus 2 is not confirmed even when the total update time calculated by the update time calculation unit 69 is reached (S33: No), the response was not confirmed in the response confirmation process. As in the case, update data (all units) of all modules stored in the update data file are extracted from the update data file, and the extracted update data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 as transmission data (S34). . On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the transmission data (update data of all modules) from the host apparatus 1 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S35), and the program update unit 59 Based on the received data for transmission, the device control program 36 is updated (S36). Thereby, this update process is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if the connection with the printing apparatus 2 is confirmed before the total update time is reached (S33: Yes), first, the mode switching request unit 63 sends an information response mode to the printing apparatus 2 by a real-time command. A mode switching request for switching to is made. That is, the mode switching request unit 63 transmits to the printing apparatus 2 a mode switching command for switching to the information response mode, which is configured with a real-time command (S37). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the mode switching command from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S38), and the second command analyzing unit 55 receives a command for the received data. Analysis is performed and it is determined that the received data is a mode switching command (S39). Then, the second mode switching unit 58 switches the mode of the printing apparatus 2 from the forced rewriting mode to the information response mode based on the mode switching command (S40). Thereafter, the data in the transmission / reception buffer 46 is erased by the buffer erasure unit 54 (S41).

  Thereafter, the host device 1 confirms the response to the printing device 2 by the response confirmation unit 64 using a real-time command. That is, the response confirmation unit 64 transmits a response request command composed of real-time commands to the printing apparatus 2 (S42). In response to this, the printing apparatus 2 receives the response request command from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 using the second data receiving unit 60 (S43), and the second command analyzing unit 55 executes a command for the received data. Analysis is performed and it is determined that the received data is a response request command (S44). Then, the response transmission unit 56 transmits (replies) a response to the response request command to the host device 1 via the communication interface 21 (S45). The host apparatus 1 receives this and confirms the response.

  When the response from the printing apparatus 2 is confirmed, the apparatus information acquisition unit 65 acquires the apparatus information of the printing apparatus 2 from the printing apparatus 2 using a real-time command. That is, the apparatus information acquisition unit 65 transmits an information request command composed of real-time commands to the printing apparatus 2 (S46). On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the information request command from the host apparatus 1 through the communication interface 21 by the second data receiving unit 60 (S47), and the second command analyzing unit 55 receives a command for the received data. Analysis is performed and it is determined that the received data is an information request command (S48). Then, the device information transmitting unit 57 transmits (replies) the device information (printer ID, module configuration information, and version information of each firmware) of the printing device 2 to the host device 1 via the communication interface 21 (S49). The host apparatus 1 receives this and acquires apparatus information of the printing apparatus 2.

  When the device information is acquired, the version information after the update and the version information of the update data file are compared for each firmware, and it is determined for each firmware whether or not the two version information matches (S50). ). For any firmware, if it is determined that the version information matches (S50: Yes), it is determined that the update process of the device control program 36 has been normally performed, and the update operation is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the version information does not match for either firmware (S50: No), the recovery procedure is displayed on the display 8 by the recovery procedure display unit 74 (S51), and this update operation is performed. Exit.

  According to the configuration as described above, in the printing apparatus 2, the module configuration information is transmitted to the host apparatus 1, and the host apparatus 1 acquires the module configuration information of the printing apparatus 2, and prints based on the acquired module configuration information. The update data of the modules installed in the apparatus 2 is selected and transmitted to the printing apparatus 2, and the printing apparatus 2 performs the update process of the apparatus control program 36 based on the update data. As described above, since the configuration is such that necessary update data is received and updated in accordance with the module configuration of the printing apparatus 2, the update processing of the printing apparatus 2 in which a plurality of models with different installed modules exists, The amount of update data received by the printing apparatus 2 from the host apparatus 1 can be reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the time required for data transmission can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce a risk that data reception fails due to an erroneous operation such as an influence of noise or a user turning off the power of the printing apparatus 2 during reception.

  In addition, the transmission data (update data) is divided and received, and the amount of received data per time is determined according to the type of communication. For example, when the type of communication is low in communication speed In addition, by reducing the amount of received data per time, the communication time per time can be made constant or constant. That is, even when the type of communication is a communication with a low communication speed, it is possible to shorten the one communication time to a predetermined communication time with a low risk of data reception failure. Therefore, the risk of data reception failure can be further reduced.

  Further, by setting the time-out time for polling for connection confirmation as the total update time for the selected update data, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the update has been completed by polling for connection confirmation. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid unnecessary time for the determination process for determining whether or not the update process is completed, and to reduce the time required for the update operation.

In the above embodiment, the host device 1 may add the update time and transmit the transmission data, and the update processing by the printing device 2 may be performed at a desired time. That is, the host device 1 adds the update time and transmits the transmission data. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 receives the update time added to the transmission data (update data reception step) and stores it in the storage unit 32. Then, an update process based on the transmission data is performed at the stored update time (program update step). Thus, the printing apparatus 2 receives the update time added to the update data in the update data receiving step (S30), and the update data is added to the update time added to the update data in the program update step (S31). Update process based on. According to such a configuration, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 2 to perform an update process at a desired time (for example, at the end of business). As a result, update data data transmission and update processing based on the update data can be performed at different times. Therefore, once the update data data transmission is completed, the printing apparatus 2 is once returned to a printable state. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user gives an instruction to transmit the update data until the printing apparatus 2 is ready to print, and the waiting time of the user can be reduced.
A configuration may be employed in which update data is added (set) for each module update data, transmission data is transmitted, and update processing based on each update data by the printing apparatus 2 is performed at each update time.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which confirms the success or failure of transmission may be sufficient by the data transmission part 71 every time of transmission of 1 division unit. In other words, the host device 1 transmits an inquiry command each time transmission is performed in one division unit. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 2 stores the data amount of the received data, receives the inquiry command, and returns the stored data amount (confirmation information) every time it is received in one division unit. Then, the host device 1 confirms the success or failure of transmission based on the amount of data returned from the printing device 2. As described above, the printing apparatus 2 transmits the reception confirmation information (stored data amount) each time reception is performed in one division unit in the update data reception step (S30). According to such a configuration, the reception success / failure confirmation is performed each time a predetermined amount of data corresponding to the type of communication is sent. For example, the reception success / failure confirmation is performed each time data reception is performed for a certain or less than a certain communication time. It can be carried out. As a result, when the data reception fails, the host device 1 can perform retransmission, further reduce the communication time for retransmission, and minimize the time required for retransmission.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the update data for each module is transmitted by integrating or dividing the selected update data according to the predetermined data amount according to the type of communication, and the printing apparatus 2 receives the update data. The structure to do may be sufficient. In other words, in the update data receiving step (S30), the printing device 2 is integrated or divided in units of modules so as to be within a predetermined data amount according to the type of communication with the host device 1. Receive the sent update data. In this case, when the update data for each module is larger than the predetermined data amount, the update data is divided and transmitted, and when the update data for each module is smaller than the predetermined data amount, two or more Integrate and send update data.

  In the above embodiment, the update data necessary for the printing apparatus 2 is selected based on the module configuration information. However, in addition to the module configuration information, the printing is performed based on the version information of each firmware in each module. A configuration in which update data necessary for the device 2 is selected may be employed. That is, the update data selected based on the module configuration information is selected so that the version information of each firmware acquired by the file analysis unit 62 and the version information of each firmware acquired by the device information acquisition unit 65 do not match. However, a configuration in which both version information matches may be excluded.

  In the above-described embodiment, the host device 1 calculates the total update time in the selected update data, and uses the calculated total update time to check the connection with the printing device 2. The printing apparatus 2 may calculate the total update time in the selected update data and check the connection with the host apparatus 1 using the calculated total update time. That is, after the printing apparatus 2 receives the update data (transmission data) in the update time calculation step for calculating the total update time in the received update data (transmission data) and the update data reception step (S30), A connection confirmation step of polling for confirmation of connection with the host device 1 is executed until the calculated total update time is reached. According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the update has been completed by polling for connection confirmation by setting the polling timeout time to the total update time in the selected update data.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the module configuration information of the printing apparatus 2 is acquired, and the update data for each module is selected based on the module configuration information. However, the printing apparatus 2 has a model for each destination. In this case, the configuration may be such that destination information indicating the destination of the printing apparatus 2 is acquired, and update data for each destination is selected based on the acquired information.
That is, update data for each destination is stored in the update data file. On the other hand, the host device 1 acquires the update data file by the file acquisition unit 61 and acquires update data for each destination. Thereafter, the host apparatus 1 transmits a destination information request for requesting destination information to the printing apparatus 2. On the other hand, when receiving the destination information request from the host apparatus 1, the printing apparatus 2 transmits the destination information to the host apparatus 1 (a destination information transmission step). In response to this, the host device 1 acquires the destination information of the printing device 2. After that, the host device 1 uses the data sorting unit 67 to sort update data necessary for the printing device 2 from the obtained update data for each destination based on the obtained destination information. Then, the transmission data generation unit 68 generates transmission data based on the update data selected here, and the data transmission unit 71 transmits the generated transmission data. In response to this, the printing apparatus 2 receives the transmission data by the second data receiving unit 60 (update data receiving step), and the program update unit 59 executes the apparatus control program 36 based on the transmission data. Update.
As described above, when the printing apparatus 2 receives the destination information request from the host apparatus 1, the destination information transmission step of transmitting the destination information to the host apparatus 1 is further executed. In the update data reception step (S30), the host Update data of one or more modules selected based on the transmitted destination information is received from the device 1. According to such a configuration, the amount of data received by the printing apparatus 2 related to the update process can be reduced as much as possible even for the printing apparatus 2 in which a model for each destination exists.

  In the above embodiment, the update success / failure determination unit 73 (update success / failure determination step (S40)) compares the version information and determines the success or failure of the update process. However, using the checksum, A configuration for determining success or failure of the update process may be used. In other words, after the update process by the printing apparatus 2 is completed, checksum information may be acquired from the printing apparatus 2 and the success / failure determination of the update process may be performed based on the checksum information.

  In the above embodiment, the device information acquisition unit 65 (device information acquisition step) acquires the printer ID, the module configuration information of the printing device, and the version information of each firmware in each module. In addition, the printing apparatus 2 may be configured to acquire specification information such as an interface, font type, head resolution, and paper width.

  1: host device, 2: printing device, 21: communication interface, 31: control unit, 32: storage unit, 36: device control program, 59: program update unit, 65: device information acquisition unit, 67: data selection unit, 68: Transmission data generation unit 71: Data transmission unit SY: Printing system

Claims (9)

A method for controlling a printing apparatus equipped with a device control program,
When receiving an information request for requesting module configuration information from the management device, a module configuration transmission step of transmitting module configuration information of the printing device to the management device;
An update data receiving step of receiving update data of one or more modules selected from a plurality of modules based on the transmitted module configuration information from the management device;
And a program update step of performing an update process of the apparatus control program based on the received update data.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the update data receiving step, the update data transmitted by being divided into a predetermined data amount corresponding to a type of communication with the management apparatus is received. Control method.   In the update data receiving step, the update data transmitted by being integrated or divided in units of modules so as to be within a predetermined amount of data according to the type of communication with the management device is received. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 2.   The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in the update data reception step, reception confirmation information is transmitted every time a division unit is received. An update time calculating step for calculating an update time in the received update data;
The connection confirmation step of polling the connection confirmation with the management device is further executed after the update data is received in the update data reception step until the calculated update time is reached. The control method of the printing apparatus as described in any one of 1 thru | or 4. In the update data receiving step, the update time added to the update data is received,
6. The printing apparatus control according to claim 1, wherein, in the program update step, the update process based on the update data is performed at the update time added to the update data. 7. Method. When receiving a destination information request for requesting destination information indicating the destination of the printing device from the management device, further executing a destination information transmission step of transmitting the destination information to the management device,
The update data reception step receives the update data of one or more modules selected based on the transmitted destination information from the management device. Method for controlling the printing apparatus. A program update system in which a printing device loaded with a device control program and a management device are connected,
The management device
A module configuration acquisition unit that acquires module configuration information of the printing device from the printing device;
A data selection unit for selecting update data of one or more modules from update data of each module based on the acquired module configuration information;
A transmission data generation unit for generating transmission data including the selected update data;
A data transmission unit that transmits the generated data for transmission to the printing apparatus;
The printing apparatus includes:
A program update system comprising: a program update unit that performs an update process of the device control program based on the update data included in the transmission data received from the management device. A storage unit storing a device control program;
An information request for requesting module configuration information is received from the management device, the module configuration information of the printing device is transmitted, and one or more selected from a plurality of modules based on the transmitted module configuration information from the management device A communication unit that receives module update data;
And a control unit that performs update processing of the device control program based on the received update data.

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