JP3560122B2 - Option board update method and its components - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an update method for updating an option board that provides a printing device with a new function without using a special jig or protocol.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In some printing apparatuses, various option boards, for example, an interface board serving as an interface of various networks are mounted in an expansion slot to improve the function.
[0003]
For example, FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram of a conventional printing apparatus having an interface board. The printing apparatus includes a data receiving unit A21 for receiving a print request from a host computer, and a data receiving unit for receiving a print request from an external interface input through a data transmitting unit 81 in the interface board 80. B22. The data receiving unit A21 is connected to a Centronics interface (parallel interface adopted by Centronics), which is a general interface when a personal computer is used.
[0004]
Outputs of the data receiving unit A21 and the data receiving unit B22 are switched by the input data switching processing unit ICH and transmitted to the print data processing unit 11. Thus, the print data processing unit 11 can execute the print processing based on either the print request from the host computer or the print request from the external interface.
[0005]
A method of inputting data by the two data receiving units 21 and 22 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the input data switching processing unit ICH is connected to the data receiving unit A21 in the initial state.
[0006]
First, when there is data in the data receiving unit A21, the data is received (step S401: Yes, S402), and transmitted to the print processing unit 11 (step S403). As a result, a printing process is executed based on a print request from the host computer. This process is repeated as long as there is data in the data receiving unit A21 or until the specified time is reached (steps S404 and S405).
[0007]
On the other hand, when there is no data in the data receiving unit A21, the input data switching processing unit ICH is switched to the data receiving unit B side (Step S401: No). If there is data in the data receiving unit B22 (S406: Yes), the data is received, transmitted to the print processing unit 11, and used for print processing (steps S407 and S408). This process is repeated as long as there is data in the data receiving unit B22 or until the specified time is reached (steps S409 and S410). When there is no data in the data receiving unit B22, the data receiving unit B22 enters a standby state (step S406: No).
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, by using the interface board, it becomes possible to execute print processing based on print requests from various external networks as well as the host computer.
[0009]
By the way, it is common to experience a change in the data reception environment due to a version upgrade of a printing apparatus model or a change in a component of a network. In this case, it is important for the user whether or not the already mounted interface board can support a new data reception environment. This is the general sentiment of users who want to keep the interface board used under the previous model or environment, even if the model of the printing device is new or the data reception environment changes, This is because if all the interface boards are newly purchased in accordance with the replacement of the printing apparatus, a serious problem of increasing the cost arises. Such a problem occurs not only with the interface board but also with other option boards.
[0010]
Therefore, it is conceivable to appropriately update the option board. Many current option boards can be easily updated by updating firmware data recorded in their own memory. The above-mentioned interface board is one of them.
[0011]
However, conventionally, when an option board is updated, it is necessary to remove the option board from a printing apparatus on which the option board is mounted, and to read new firmware data using a dedicated jig. Also, depending on the option board, it is necessary to send firmware data using a special protocol. For this reason, it was not possible to reduce the cost, and it was extremely difficult for a general user to update by himself.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved update method and an apparatus that makes it possible to easily update an option board without using a dedicated jig.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The update method provided by the present invention is realized by sending firmware data from the update device to a standard input interface provided for taking in print data in a state where the option board is mounted on the print device.
[0014]
In this case, the printing apparatus includes output destination switching means for selectively switching the output destination of the input data taken into the input interface to one of the option board and the print processing means in response to a predetermined instruction input. The switching means guides the firmware data fetched through the input interface to the option board after inputting a predetermined instruction and receiving an update completion notification from the option board.
[0015]
The instruction input to the output destination switching means is performed, for example, as follows.
[0016]
(1) Separate command analysis means for analyzing input data taken in through the input interface and detecting a predetermined switching command is provided. When a switching command is detected, the input data is guided to the option board, and the switching command is not detected. In some cases, the input data is guided to print processing means.
[0017]
(2) Switching signal generating means for selectively outputting the first signal and the second signal of different levels is provided, and when the first signal is output, the input data is changed until an update completion notification is received from the option board. The input data is led to the option board, and when the second signal is output, the input data is led to the print processing means. The switch signal generating means may be a two-state switch provided on the housing of the printing apparatus, or may be a switch means provided on an option board.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
The update method of the present invention can be implemented by connecting the update device 2 with the cable C to the input interface 20 of the printing device 1 on which the option board 30 is mounted, as shown in FIG. The input interface 20 is a Centronics interface (parallel interface), which is provided in advance in a general-purpose printing device as a standard, and a host computer is normally connected instead of the update device 2.
[0020]
The update device 2 has a function of a firmware data creating unit that is executed by causing a personal computer to read a predetermined program, and a firmware rewriting command (or an output path switching command) prepared as necessary. And a function of a command creation unit for generating
[0021]
The type of the option board 30 mounted on the printing apparatus 1 is not limited as long as the option board 30 has a function of performing an update when firmware data is received by setting up an environment for updating. In the following description, an interface board that receives input from various networks will be described as an example for convenience.
[0022]
The interface board 30 includes a connection interface 50 with a network, a unit for autonomously recording firmware data upon reception of a “firmware transmission start command” described later, and completion of recording (or updating) of the firmware data. A means for transmitting an “update complete command” at times is provided. A means for transmitting the “firmware transmission start command” by itself may be provided. However, this is not an essential function when the “firmware transmission start command” is transmitted from the printing apparatus 1.
[0023]
The printing apparatus 1 includes, in addition to the input interface 20 and the interface board 30, a print processing unit 11 for performing a printing process, and an input for selectively outputting data from the input interface 20 and data from the interface board 30. A data switching processing unit ICH, an output destination switching processing unit OCH that switches an output destination of data output from the input data switching processing unit ICH to one of the print processing unit 11 and the interface board 30, and a switching operation of an output destination switching process And switching means 40 for generating switching information to be used.
[0024]
The procedure for actually performing the update in the printing apparatus 1 is as follows. First, the input data switching processing unit ICH determines a destination of input data. Assuming that firmware data is taken in from the update device 2 through the input interface 20, the input data switching processing unit ICH outputs the data from the input interface 20 to the output destination switching processing unit OCH. The output destination switching processing unit OCH guides the firmware data to the interface board 30 in response to an instruction input from the switching unit 40. The interface board 30 records (updates) the firmware data in its own memory, and updates the firmware autonomously. After the update is completed, the update completion notification is sent to the output destination switching processing unit OCH. The switching destination switching processing unit OCH switches the data output destination to the print processing unit 11 upon receiving this notification.
[0025]
The above is an example in which the firmware data is fetched from the input interface 20. However, the firmware data may be fetched from the connection interface 50 on the interface board 30 side.
[0026]
【Example】
Next, an embodiment of the update method of the present invention will be specifically described. In the following example, it is assumed that the option board is the interface board described in the above embodiment.
[0027]
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described. Here, an example will be described in which input data from the input interface 20 is analyzed and an output path is switched when there is an output destination switching command. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the printing apparatus 1 in this case.
[0028]
In FIG. 2, the interface board 30 includes a data transmission unit 31 having the same function as that of the conventional type, a command transmission unit F32 for transmitting an update completion command, and an external “when the interface board 30 does not autonomously construct an update environment”. A command receiving unit F33 for receiving a "firmware transmission start command" and a data receiving unit F34 for receiving firmware data from the outside.
[0029]
Also, on the printing apparatus 1 side, a command analyzing unit 23 functioning as the switching unit 40, a data receiving unit A21 for receiving data input through the input interface 30, and a data receiving unit B22 for receiving data input through the interface board 30. , A command receiving unit P25 for receiving an update completion command and transferring it to the output destination switching processing unit OCH, a command transmitting unit P26 for transmitting a “firmware transmission start command” to prompt the interface board 30 for an update environment, and the interface board 30. And a data transmission unit P27 for transmitting firmware data from the outside.
[0030]
FIG. 3 shows the processing on the printing apparatus 1 side configured as described above. Note that, in FIG. 3, a portion indicated by a thick line indicates a state in which the output destination switching unit OCH functions.
[0031]
In FIG. 3, first, the input data switching processing unit ICH is connected to the data receiving unit A21, and when there is data, the data is received (step S101: Yes, S102). The command analyzing unit 23 constantly monitors whether or not the output destination switching command is included in the received data. If the output destination switching command is not detected from the received data, the command analyzing unit 23 determines the output destination of the output destination switching processing unit OCH. The initial state, that is, the print processing unit 11 remains. As a result, the data from the input data switching processing unit ICH is transmitted as it is to the print processing unit 11 and used for the print processing (step S103: No, S104). This process is repeated as long as there is data in the data receiving unit A21 or until the specified time is reached (steps S105 and S106).
[0032]
When there is no data in the data receiving unit A21, the input data switching processing unit ICH is switched to the data receiving unit B side (Step S101: No). If there is data in the data receiving unit B22 (S107: Yes), the data is received, transmitted to the print processing unit 11, and used for print processing (steps S108 and S109). This process is repeated as long as there is data in the data receiving unit B22 or until the specified time is reached (steps S110 and S111). If there is no data in any of the data receiving sections 21 and 22, the apparatus enters a standby state (step S107: No).
[0033]
In step S103, when the output destination switching command is detected, that is, when the firmware data is to be received through the data receiving unit A21 (step S103: Yes), the output destination switching processing unit OCH sets the output destination to the command transmitting unit. Switch to P26. The command transmission unit P26 transmits the “firmware transmission start command” to the interface board 30 (command reception unit P33), and prepares an environment for rewriting the firmware data on the interface board 30 (step S112). After that, the firmware data received from the data receiving unit A21 is transmitted to the interface board 30 (data receiving unit F34) via the data transmitting unit P27 (steps S113 to S115, S116: No). When the command receiving unit P25 receives the “update completion command” from the interface board 30 (command transmitting unit F32), the process returns to step S101 (step S116: Yes). In this way, the interface board 30 is updated.
[0034]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the switching means 40 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, as the switching means 40, a switch 28 for switching between two states (on state / off state) provided on the housing or the like of the printing apparatus 1 and an operation state of the switch 28 are detected and detected. A switch detector 29 that generates a signal of a different level according to the result, that is, a first signal and a second signal, is provided. FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure on the printing apparatus 1 side in this case. Note that, in FIG. 5, the portion indicated by the thick line is a state in which the output destination switching unit OCH functions.
[0035]
In FIG. 5, the process of inputting data used for the printing process is the same as in the first embodiment (steps S201 to S210). Here, when the switch detector 29 detects that the switch 28 is turned on and the first signal is output (step S211: Yes), the output destination switching processing unit OCH transmits a command to the output destination. Switch to section P26. The command transmitting unit P26 transmits a “firmware transmission start command” to the interface board 30 (command receiving unit F33), and prepares an environment for rewriting the firmware data on the interface board 30 (step S212).
[0036]
After that, the firmware data received from the data receiving unit A21 is transmitted to the interface board 30 (data receiving unit F34) via the data transmitting unit P27 (Steps S213 to S115, S216: No). Returning to the initial state when the "update complete command" is transmitted from the interface board 30 (command transmitting unit F32) is the same as in the first embodiment (step S216: Yes).
[0037]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, as the switching means 40, the above-described command is used to automatically construct an update environment and transmit a “firmware transmission request command” within the interface board 30 when the switch is on, and to construct an environment for print processing when the switch is off. An example in which a switching processing unit 35 that suspends transmission of a message is provided will be described.
[0038]
More specifically, when the power is turned on, the CPU (not shown) of the interface board 30 goes to check the state of the switching processing unit 35, and when the power is on, the command transmission unit F32 sends the command reception unit P25 a “firmware transmission request”. Command ". FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure on the printing apparatus 1 side in this case. Note that, in FIG. 7, the portion indicated by the thick line is a state in which the output destination switching unit OCH functions.
[0039]
In FIG. 7, the process of inputting data used for the printing process is the same as in the first and second embodiments (steps S301 to S310). Here, when the “firmware transmission request command” from the interface board 30 (command transmission unit F32) is received through the command reception unit P25 (step S311: Yes), the output destination switching processing unit OCH sets the output destination to the data Switch to transmitting section P27.
[0040]
Thereafter, the firmware data received from the data receiving unit A21 is transmitted to the interface board 30 (data receiving unit F34) via the data transmitting unit P27 (Steps S312 to S314, S216: No). Returning to the initial state when the "update complete command" is transmitted from the interface board 30 (command transmitting unit F32) is the same as in the first and second embodiments (step S315: Yes).
[0041]
As described above, according to the update method of the present invention, a highly versatile parallel interface can be used as the input interface 20 of the printing apparatus 1, so that an update service to a wide range of users is possible. In addition, only by providing the output destination switching processing unit OCH and the switching unit 40 in the printing apparatus 1, the other standard mechanisms can be used as they are, so that a special jig is not required.
[0042]
This method has high practicality because updating is possible even when firmware data cannot be received via the interface board 30 due to a failure caused by communication using the interface board 30, for example.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the option board can be easily updated without using a dedicated jig as in the related art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an update method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram of a printing apparatus used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an update processing procedure according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram of a printing apparatus used in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an update processing procedure according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram of a printing apparatus used in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an update processing procedure according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a conventional printing apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of a data receiving process performed by a conventional printing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 printing device 2 update device ICH input data switching processing unit OCH output destination switching processing unit 11 signal processing unit 20 input interface (shared input interface)
21, 22, 34 Data receiving unit 23 Command analyzing unit 25, 33 Command receiving unit 26, 32 Command transmitting unit 27 Data transmitting unit 28 Switch for switching output destination 29 Switch detecting unit 30 Interface board (option board)
40 switching means 50 interface board connection interface

Claims (3)

Print processing means for performing print processing, an input interface for receiving input data including print data from the printer host to the print processing means, and firmware data for capturing print data from the external network to the print processing means. In a printing apparatus having a network interface board that can be updated by recording ,
Command analysis means for analyzing input data taken in through the input interface and detecting a predetermined switching command,
When the switching command is detected, the input data is guided to the network interface board, and when the switching command is not detected, output destination switching means for guiding the input data to the print processing means is provided.
A printing apparatus, wherein the input interface is a common input interface for the switching command, the firmware data, and the print data. The printing device according to claim 1,
The output destination switching means, when the switching command is detected printing apparatus characterized by guiding the input data until it receives an update completion notification from the network interface board to the network interface board. An update apparatus comprising: means for transmitting the firmware data to the network interface board through an input interface of the printing apparatus according to claim 1.

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