JP4556104B2 - Data processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, and more particularly to a data processing apparatus that updates a control program stored in a memory of the apparatus itself with rewrite data of the control program received from the outside.

  In a data processing apparatus that needs to update a control program relatively frequently, its own control program is stored in a rewritable flash memory or the like, and the control program for the flash memory is rewritten to rewritten data received from the outside. Thus, the update process of the control program is performed.

  As an example of performing such an update process, there is a memory rewriting system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the memory rewriting system 40 of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 5, first, rewrite data read from a storage device 43 by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 42 of an external terminal device 41 is transferred to an I / O by a data transmission circuit 44. The data is transmitted from F45 to the data processing device 46. When the data receiving circuit 47 of the data processing device 46 receives the rewritten data input from the I / F 48, the rewritten data is temporarily stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 49, and the CPU 50 executes a control program for the flash memory 51. The control program is updated by rewriting the rewritten data stored in the RAM 49.

In this memory rewriting system 40, the power supply switching circuit 52 constantly monitors the power supply from the main body power supply 53 to each part of the data processing device 46, and the power supply switching circuit 52 receives data from the main body power supply 53 during the update process. When power supply to each part of the processing device 46 is interrupted, the power supply path is switched so that power is supplied from the backup power supply 54 of the external terminal device 41 via the transmission cable 55. Therefore, even if the power supply from the main power source 53 to each part of the data processing device 46 is interrupted due to a power failure or the like during the update of the control program, the data processing device 46 continues the update processing without being affected by it. It can be carried out.
JP-A-8-69346

  However, unlike the memory rewriting system 40 of Patent Document 1, in a system in which power supply is not backed up, for example, a system in which update processing is performed via a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like, a power failure occurs during control program update. In such a case, the control program of the flash memory of the data processing device becomes incomplete while being rewritten, and in the worst case, there is a problem that the system of the data processing device cannot be started.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in a data processing apparatus whose power supply is not backed up, even if a power failure or the like occurs during a control program update, there is a problem that the system does not start up. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing apparatus that can prevent this from happening.

In order to achieve the above object, the data processing device according to claim 1 comprises a selection means for selecting a storage location of a control program to be read and executed from a plurality of predetermined storage locations based on the identification information, and a specific character. A storage means storing a column and the number of characters; and when the control file is received from the outside, the file name stored in the control file includes the specific character string, and the number of characters of the file name is Means for determining that the data file sent from the outside later is rewritten data when the number of characters matches, and the data file sent from the outside by the means is judged to be rewritten data; after, if the rewriting data of the same control program and the control program being executed has been received from the outside, said predetermined plurality of storage Of place, in a different storage location and the storage location where the control program being executed has been read, is characterized by comprising a writing means for writing the rewriting data received, the.

The data processing device according to claim 2 is the data processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the control file is received from the outside, the specific character string is included in the file name stored in the control file. If the number of characters in the file name does not match the specific number of characters, it is determined that the data file sent later from the outside is print data, and the print data is received from the outside And a means for transferring the print data to a print processing module for recording an image of the print data on a sheet .

  In the data processing device according to claim 1, since the rewritten data received is written in a memory location different from the memory location from which the control program being executed is read, the rewrite data is being written to a different memory location. Even if a power failure or the like occurs and a control program in a different storage location becomes incomplete, the control program can be read again from the storage location from which the control program being executed is read and executed. Therefore, unlike the conventional data processing apparatus that rewrites the rewrite data received by the control program in one storage location, the system does not stop when a power failure occurs.

  Hereinafter, the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention transfers print data received from a client PC on a LAN (Local Area Network) based on an LPD (Line Printer Daemon) protocol to the print processing module of the multifunction peripheral. A case where the present invention is applied to a network interface controller having an LPD server function will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the data processing apparatus 1 is incorporated in a multi-function device 2 having a copy function, a facsimile function, a PC scanner function, a PC print function, and the like, and from a client PC 4 on the LAN 3 via the LAN 3. The print data transmitted in this way is transferred to the multifunction device 2, and conversely, the image data of the original read by the multifunction device 2 is transmitted to the client PC 4.

  A client PC 4 that transmits print data to the data processing apparatus 1 is a PC (Personal Computer) having a general function, and communicates with other client PCs 4 on the LAN 3 based on an LPR (Line Printer Remote) protocol. Or after making a print request for print data to the data processing apparatus 1, the print data is transmitted. Specifically, prior to transmission of the print data, a control file storing control data such as a file name of the print data is transmitted to the data processing apparatus 1 and then the print data is transmitted.

  The client PC 4 transmits rewrite data for updating the control program (firmware) to the data processing apparatus 1 by the same procedure as the above-described procedure for transmitting print data to the data processing apparatus 1. . That is, prior to transmission of a data file that is either print data or rewrite data, the client PC 4 first transmits a control file in which the file name of the data file is stored to the data processing apparatus 1, and then the data file Send the file. In addition to this data file, document image data for facsimile transmission from the multifunction device 2 is transmitted from the client PC 4.

  On the other hand, the data processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 5, an interface circuit 6, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 7, and an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 8, as shown in the figure. Yes, the respective units 5 to 8 are connected by a bus 9 so as to be communicable. The data processing device 1 is connected to the multifunction device 2 so as to be communicable.

  The control unit 5 controls each unit constituting the data processing device 1 according to a control program stored in the flash ROM 7. The interface circuit 6 receives rewrite data of the same control program as the control program being executed by the control unit 5 from the outside, and receives rewrite data transmitted from the client PC 4 here. The interface circuit 6 receives print data transmitted from the client PC 4 in addition to the rewrite data, and transmits image data output from the multi-function device 2 to the client PC 4 on the LAN 3. Further, when receiving a data file that is print data or rewrite data from the client PC 4, the interface circuit 6 first receives the control file transmitted from the client PC 4, and then receives the data file.

  The flash ROM 7 is a flash memory that stores a control program for controlling each unit of the data processing device 1 by the control unit 5. The SDRAM 8 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 5 and temporarily stores rewrite data received from the outside by the interface circuit 6. FIG. 2 logically shows the storage areas of the flash ROM 7 and the SDRAM 8. The flash ROM 7 is logically divided into a boot area 11, an identification area 12, a primary program area 13, and a secondary program area 14. ing. On the other hand, the SDRAM 8 is logically divided into a program area 15 and a data area 16.

  The boot area 11 of the flash ROM 7 stores a basic program that is executed when the system is started. The primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14 are storage locations for control programs to be read and executed, and are configured in the same size. In the embodiment of the present invention, the flash ROM 7 includes two storage locations (hereinafter also referred to as “areas”) of the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14 as a plurality of predetermined storage locations. Will be described.

  The control program stored in the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14 is a communication processing program for performing predetermined communication processing with the client PC 4 based on the LPD protocol, and the control of the device 1 by the received rewrite data. A rewrite processing program for updating the program, a transfer processing program for transferring the received print data to the print processing module of the multifunction peripheral 2, and the like. These control programs are stored in either one or both of the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14.

  The identification area 12 loads and executes the control program from any one of the two areas of the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14, that is, reads the control program from any of the two areas. Identification information indicating whether or not to execute. The control unit 5 functions as a selection unit that selects a storage location of a control program to be read and executed from a plurality of predetermined storage locations based on the identification information. Here, the control unit 5 selects a control program area to be read and executed from the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14 based on the identification information stored in the identification area 12. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the predetermined plural storage locations are the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14, for example, “1” or “2” is included in the identification area 12 as identification information. It is remembered.

  The program area 15 of the SDRAM 8 is an area in which a control program to be read and executed from the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14 of the flash ROM 7 is stored. The data area 16 is an area in which rewrite data, print data, etc. received by the data processing device 1 are temporarily stored. Although not shown, a specific character string and the number of characters are stored in a predetermined area of the program area 15. When the control unit 5 receives a control file from the client PC 4, the file name stored in the control file includes this specific character string, and the number of characters in the file name matches the specific number of characters. In addition, it is determined that the data file sent later is rewrite data, and in other cases, it is determined that the data file is print data. Therefore, the control unit 5 can determine whether the data file sent is print data or rewrite data before receiving the data file from the client PC 4. Based on the determination result, when the interface circuit 6 receives print data from the client PC 4, the control unit 5 temporarily stores the print data in the SDRAM 8 and then transfers the print data to the print processing module of the multifunction device 2. . On the other hand, when the interface circuit 6 receives rewrite data from the client PC 4, it updates the control program of the own device 1 with the rewrite data.

  Hereinafter, the control program update process performed by the control unit 5 will be described by taking as an example the case where the interface circuit 6 receives rewrite data while executing the control program read from the primary program area 13. When the control unit 5 determines that the interface circuit 6 has received the rewrite data while executing the control program read from the primary program area 13 and stored in the program area 15 of the SDRAM 8, the received rewrite data is stored in the data area of the SDRAM 8. 16 is temporarily stored.

  Then, the control unit 5 first determines whether the identification information is “1” or “2” according to the rewrite processing program that has been read from the primary program area 13 and stored in the program area 15 when the system is started. Judging. That is, it is determined whether the area (storage location) from which the control program being executed is read is the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14. In this case, since the identification information is “1”, the area from which the control program being executed is read is the primary program area 13, and the control program starts from the secondary program area 14 corresponding to the identification information “2”. It can be determined that is not read out.

  Subsequently, the control unit 5 updates the control program by writing the received rewrite data in an area different from the area where the control program being executed is read, that is, the secondary program area 14. The process of writing in the present invention is a process of writing rewrite data to the storage location when the control program is not stored in the storage location. If the control program is stored, the control program is This is a process of rewriting to rewritten data. That is, here, when the control program is not stored in the secondary program area 14, the rewrite data is written in the secondary program area 14, and when the control program is stored, the stored control program is rewritten. Rewrite to data. Accordingly, when the control unit 5 receives rewrite data of the same control program as the control program being executed from the outside, the control unit 5 is different from the storage location from which the control program being executed is read out of a plurality of predetermined storage locations. It functions as a writing means for writing the received rewrite data in the storage location.

  In this way, when the control program update process is completed, the MFP 2 performs a restart process. At that time, the control unit 5 of the data processing device 1 changes the identification information of the identification area 12 to “2”. Thereby, when the system is started next time, the control unit 5 reads the control program from the secondary program area 14 corresponding to the identification information “2”, and can execute the latest updated control program. it can. Therefore, when the rewrite data is written in different storage locations, the control unit 5 functions as a changing unit that changes the identification information so as to select a different storage location as the storage location of the control program to be read and executed. . Even when rewrite data is received while the control program read from the secondary program area 14 is being executed, the update process of the control program to the primary program area 13 is performed in the same manner as described above.

  On the other hand, the multifunction device 2 that performs print processing of print data transferred from the data processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU) 18, a ROM 19, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a document reading unit 21, a codec (CODER). Decoder) 22, image memory 23, operation unit 24, display unit 25, recording unit 26, and communication unit 27, and each unit 18 to 27 is communicably connected by a bus 28.

  The control unit 18 controls each unit constituting the multifunction device 2 according to a program stored in the ROM 19. The ROM 19 stores the program. The RAM 20 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 18 and stores various setting information registered in advance such as a facsimile number. The document reading unit 21 reads image data of a document with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

  The codec 22 performs encoding (decoding) and decoding (decoding) of image data, and converts the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 21 into MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), and MMR ( Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Group) method, etc., and decodes the encoded image data. The image memory 23 stores document image data encoded by the codec 22, document image data received by facsimile from an external device (not shown), print data transferred from the data processing device 1, and the like.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 24 includes a display unit such as a start key for instructing the document reading unit 21 to start reading a document, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, a facsimile number, and the like, and a cursor key for performing various settings. Various operation keys linked to 25 are provided. The display unit 25 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays various setting states and operation states of the multifunction device 2 with characters, graphics, and the like, and an LED lamp that is turned on or off. .

  The recording unit (print processing module) 26 records the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 21, the image data of the document received by facsimile, and the image of the print data transferred from the data processing device 1 on a sheet. It is. That is, when the print data transmitted from the client PC 4 is transferred by the data processing apparatus 1, the transferred print data is temporarily stored in the image memory 23 and then transferred to the recording unit 26, and the image is recorded on a sheet. Is done. As a recording method in the recording unit 26, for example, an electrophotographic method can be used.

  The communication unit 27 includes a modem 29 and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 30. The modem 29 is, for example, a recommendation V.16 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). The transmission and reception data are modulated and demodulated in accordance with the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 30 is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a call, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 31.

  Hereinafter, processing operations performed in the data processing apparatus 1 at the time of system startup will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing operation of the data processing apparatus 1 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 5 based on a basic program stored in the boot area 11.

  For example, when power is supplied to each unit of the data processing device 1 by turning on the power of the multifunction device 2, the control unit 5 first executes the basic program of the boot area 11 (S1), and the identification area. It is determined whether the identification information 12 is “1” or “2” (S2). If it is determined that the identification information is “1” (S2: identification information “1”), the control program is read from the primary program area 13 (S3) and stored in the program area 15 of the SDRAM 8. On the other hand, when it is determined that the identification information is “2” (S2: identification information “2”), the control program is read from the secondary program area 14 (S4) and stored in the program area 15 of the SDRAM 8.

  Thus, in the data processing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, all control programs are read from either the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14 based on the identification information of the identification area 12. And is executed by the control unit 5 as necessary.

  FIG. 4 shows processing operations performed in the data processing apparatus 1 when a data file is received from the client PC 4 while the control program read from the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14 is being executed as described above. This will be described based on a flowchart. The processing operation of the data processing device 1 described in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed based on the control program read from either the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14 based on the identification information of the identification area 12. Is performed according to the instructions issued by

  The control unit 5 of the data processing apparatus 1 determines that the interface circuit 6 has received the data file transmitted from the client PC 4 on the LAN 3 while executing the control program read from the primary program area 13 or the secondary program area 14. In the case (S6: YES), the received data file is stored in the data area 16 of the SDRAM 8, and it is determined whether or not the data file is rewritten data (S7). In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing device 1 uses the file name of the data file stored in the control file received before receiving the data file as described above, so that the data file is rewritten data. Since the determination process of S7 has already been performed before the determination process of S6, the subsequent processes are performed based on the determination result. In addition, when information indicating whether the data file is rewritten data is stored in the data file instead of the control file, the data file is the rewritten data based on the information after receiving the data file. Determine whether or not.

  When the data file is rewritten data (S7: YES), the controller 5 determines whether the identification information in the identification area 12 is “1” or “2” (S8). Here, when it is determined that the identification information of the identification area 12 is “1” (S8: identification information “1”), that is, when the control program is read from the primary program area 13 and is being executed, the secondary program area The received rewrite data is written in 14 (S9). Specifically, when no control program is stored in the secondary program area 14, the rewrite data is written, and when the control program is stored, the stored control program is rewritten to the rewrite data.

  If a power failure or the like occurs during the writing of S9 and the power supply to each unit of the data processing device 1 is interrupted, the control unit 5 cannot perform the subsequent processing, and the secondary program area The control program 14 is incomplete because it is being written. When the system is started after such a failure occurs, the control unit 5 executes the basic program of the boot area as described with reference to FIG. 3 (S1), and the identification information is “1” or It is determined whether it is “2” (S2). Here, since the identification information is “1” (S2: identification information “1”), the control program can be read and executed from the same primary program area 13 as before the failure occurred. Therefore, the rewrite data can be received again from the outside and rewritten to the secondary program area 14 can be rewritten.

  When the writing process in S9 is performed without occurrence of such a failure such as a power failure, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the writing process in S9 is successful (S10). This determination process can be performed, for example, by comparing the rewrite data written in the secondary program area 14 with the rewrite data in the data area 16 of the SDRAM 8. If it is determined that the writing process is not successful (S10: NO), the process of S9 is continued until the writing process is successful. If it is determined that the writing process is successful (S10: YES), the identification information in the identification area 12 is changed to “2” (S11). Therefore, at the next system startup, the control unit 5 can read and execute the updated new control program from the secondary program area 14 corresponding to the identification information “2”.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 5 determines that the identification information of the identification area 12 is “2” (S8: identification information “2”), that is, when the control program is read from the secondary program area 14 and is being executed. The received rewrite data is written in the primary program area 13 (S12). Specifically, when no control program is stored in the primary program area 13, rewrite data is written, and when a control program is stored, the stored control program is rewritten to rewrite data.

  If a power failure or the like occurs during the writing of S12 and power supply to each unit of the data processing device 1 is interrupted, the control unit 5 cannot perform subsequent processing, and the primary program area The control program 13 is incomplete because it is being written. When the system is started after such a failure occurs, the control unit 5 executes the basic program of the boot area as described with reference to FIG. 3 (S1), and the identification information is “1” or It is determined whether it is “2” (S2). Here, since the identification information is “2” (S2: identification information “2”), the control program can be read and executed from the same secondary program area 14 as before the failure. Therefore, the rewrite data can be received again from the outside and rewritten to the primary program area 13 can be rewritten.

  When the writing process of S12 is performed without occurrence of such a failure such as a power failure, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the writing process of S12 is successful as in the process of S10 (S13). If it is determined that the writing process is not successful (S13: NO), the process of S12 is continued until the writing process is successful. If it is determined that the writing process is successful (S13: YES), the identification information in the identification area 12 is changed to “1” (S14). Therefore, at the next system startup, the control unit 5 can read and execute the updated new control program from the primary program area 13 corresponding to the identification information “1”.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 5 determines in S7 that the data file is not rewritten data (S7: NO), it executes another process (S15). For example, if the data file determined not to be rewritten data in S 7 is print data, the received print data is temporarily stored in the data area 16 of the SDRAM 8 and then transferred to the print processing module of the multifunction device 2. The print data transferred in this way is temporarily stored in the image memory 23 of the multifunction device 2 and then the image is recorded on the paper in the recording unit 26.

  As described above, in this data processing device 1, the control program for controlling each part of the device 1 is stored in the two storage locations of the flash ROM 7, the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14. Even if a power failure occurs during the update of rewrite data to one storage location and the control program becomes incomplete, the complete control program is read from the other storage location and executed. be able to. That is, a serious problem arises that the control program becomes incomplete and the system cannot be started up like a conventional data processing apparatus having a flash ROM in which the storage location for storing the control program is not divided. Can be prevented. In addition, after the system is restarted, rewrite data can be received from the outside and the update process can be performed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the control program is stored in two storage locations of the primary program area 13 and the secondary program area 14 has been described, but the control program is stored in three or more storage locations. Of course, it is possible. However, as the number of storage locations where the control program is stored increases, the required memory capacity increases, resulting in an increase in cost. Therefore, as in the embodiment of the present invention, two storage locations are provided. It is preferable to store the control program. Further, a plurality of flash ROMs may be provided side by side, and a flash ROM that loads a control program may be switched according to identification information.

  Further, the method of receiving the rewrite data from the outside is not limited to the method of receiving from the client PC 4 via the LAN 3 based on the LPD protocol. For example, rewrite data is received from the client PC 4 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) using a unique protocol, or the multi-function device 2 receives rewrite data from an external facsimile device such as a service center according to a facsimile communication procedure via the PSTN 31. It may be received and transferred to the data processing apparatus 1. In addition, a router for connecting to the Internet is installed on the LAN 3, and rewritten data is received via the Internet based on HTTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). You may make it do.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing device 1 incorporated in the multifunction machine 2 as a network interface controller has been described. However, the rewrite data can be received from the outside, and a rewritable memory such as a flash memory can be received. The apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the data processing apparatus 1. For example, the ROM 19 of the multi-function device 2 is configured by a flash memory having two program areas (storage locations), and the rewrite data transmitted from the client PC 4 is transferred to the data processing device 1 to the own device 2 and temporarily stored in the RAM 20 After that, the rewrite data may be updated in any area of the ROM 19.

  The present invention can be applied to various data processing apparatuses that update their own control program with rewrite data received from the outside.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the data processor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the storage area of Flash ROM and SDRAM. It is the flowchart which showed the processing operation performed in a data processor at the time of system starting. It is the flowchart which showed the processing operation performed in a data processor, when a data file is received from client PC. It is the figure which showed the conventional memory rewriting system which consists of a data processor and the external terminal device which transmits rewrite data to this data processor.

Explanation of symbols

1 Data processing device 5 Control unit (MPU)
6 Interface circuit 7 Flash ROM
8 SDRAM
11 Boot area 12 Identification area 13 Primary program area 14 Secondary program area 15 Program area

Claims (2)

Selection means for selecting a storage location of the control program to be read and executed from a plurality of predetermined storage locations based on the identification information;
Storage means for storing a specific character string and the number of characters;
When the control file is received from the outside and the specific character string is included in the file name stored in the control file and the number of characters of the file name matches the specific number of characters, the external file is later Means for determining that the data file sent from is rewritten data,
When it is determined by the means that the data file sent from the outside is rewrite data, the rewrite data of the same control program as the control program being executed is received from the outside, and the predetermined plurality of storages A data processing apparatus comprising: writing means for writing the received rewrite data to a storage location different from the storage location from which the control program being executed is read. When the control file is received from the outside, the file name stored in the control file does not include the specific character string, or the number of characters in the file name does not match the specific character number Determines that the data file sent later from the outside is print data, and when print data is received from the outside, print processing is performed on the print data in order to record an image of the print data on paper. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring to a module .

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