JPH0296854A - Memory capacity measuring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm memory capacity, and to detect trouble in advance by reading out the memory capacity set in a device, and comparing the number of written words at the time when overflow is detected in the course to write specified data in said memory with the read out memory capacity. CONSTITUTION:A capacity setting part 21 in which information related to the capacity of an add-in memory 22 can be recorded is provided, when in a laser printer 2, for instance, a customer engineer (CE) increases a memory print plate 22. Besides, after information set in the capacity setting part 21 is read out according to a specified inquiry command, coincidence is confirmed by writing specified data actually in the add-in memory 22 and comparing the number of the written words at the time when the overflow of write is detected with the capacity set in the capacity setting part 21. Thus, even at the time of the absence of the CE, the confirming operation of the memory capacity can be performed at real time, and in addition, the trouble, etc., can be detected in advance of operation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A device having a memory equipped with an overflow reporting mechanism, for example, a method for measuring the capacity of a memory that stores image data such as printed characters added to a laser blink. Memory installed in the device for the purpose of checking the capacity of the configured memory in real time and easily detecting failures that occur during the memory configuration process, even if there is no one who configured the memory. For example, from a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the device by providing means for setting the capacity of the device and a mechanism for reading the set memory capacity,
The memory capacity set in the device is read out, and then, in the process of actually writing data, the number of words to be written when the overflow is detected is compared with the memory capacity read from the memory capacity setting means. Configure to measure the amount of memory configured on the device.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the capacity of a memory for storing image data such as printed characters added to an apparatus having a memory equipped with an overflow reporting mechanism, such as a laser printer.

With the recent spread of data processing in Japanese, Japanese line printers such as laser printers are increasingly being used in computer systems.

In this case, depending on the user's request, Gothic characters or characters created by the user may be used in addition to normal Mincho characters, and the customer engineer ( The memory for storing the image data of the various characters is set by the customer engineer (CE), but it is important to check whether the memory is set correctly by the customer engineer (CE) and whether the set memory operates normally. This is an important issue for users.

However, when the computer system is actually operated, the customer engineer (CE) who configured the memory may not be present, and even if the customer engineer (CE) is present, the configured memory may not operate normally. whether,
Alternatively, there is a problem in that it is not immediately obvious whether the settings are as specified by the user, and an effective method for measuring memory capacity has been required.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional memory capacity measurement method.

As mentioned above, when a computer system handles Japanese, a laser printer (Ilo) that prints the Japanese
2 are connected.

Here, if the user wishes to print in Gothic characters, etc. in addition to the conventional printing typeface (usually Mincho typeface), for example, the customer engineer (CE)
A memory for storing image data of Gothic characters is installed in the printer. Specifically, the temporary memory print 22 is inserted into a predetermined position in the device τ(Ilo)2.

The capacities of the various memories built into the laser printer ([10) 2] are determined by the configurator (customer engineer (CE)).
Since the user and user are different, it is necessary to contact the setter to confirm the capacity of the added memory 22, which requires person-to-person communication and cannot be confirmed in real time. There was a problem.

Further, there is a problem in that the user cannot know whether the built-in memory operates normally until it is used in actual data processing.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention provides a device having a memory equipped with an overflow reporting mechanism, for example, a device for measuring the capacity of a memory for storing image data of printed characters added to a laser printer. Even if there is no one who has configured the memory, the capacity of the configured memory can be confirmed in real time, and any failures that occur during the memory configuration process can be checked in real time.
The agreement is to provide a memory capacity measurement method that can be easily detected in advance.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above problems are solved by a memory capacity measurement method configured as follows.

A control device that controls a device having a memory equipped with a mechanism for reporting overflows, which is provided with means for setting a memory capacity set in the device, and a mechanism for reading the set memory capacity. (CPIJ), read the memory capacity set in the above device, write the number of written words when the above overflow is detected in the process of writing specific data to the installed memory, and the memory read from the above memory capacity setting means. The device is configured to measure the capacity of the memory set in the device by comparing it with the capacity.

[Effect]

That is, according to the present invention, in a device having a memory equipped with an overflow reporting mechanism, such as a laser printer, a customer engineer (CE) stores image data such as printed characters in response to a request from a user. When a memory printed board is added, a capacity setting section is provided that can record information regarding the capacity of the added memory, and after reading out the information set in the capacity setting section using a specific inquiry command, it is possible to actually install the added memory. Write specific data to the memory that has been written, and compare the number of words to be written when an overflow is detected in the write with the capacity set in the capacity setting section above to confirm that they match. , it is possible to check the memory capacity in real time without the need for a person installing the memory, that is, a customer engineer (CE), and display the response information 1 judgment results etc. during the confirmation process. By doing so, mistakes in the expansion work,
It is possible to detect failures in the expanded memory printed board prior to actual operation, and after confirmation, the system can be used with peace of mind.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which the capacity setting section 21. The means (3) for reading out the contents of the capacity setting section 21 is a means necessary for carrying out the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

Hereinafter, the memory capacity measuring method of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, a laser printer Cl10)2 to which the present invention is applied
, there is a memory 22 that stores image data such as printed characters, and when a central processing unit (CPU) I issues a load command to the memory 22, the main memory (MS) 3 Any data is written from , and each time the writing is completed, an end interrupt is generated, the channel status word (C5II) is reported, and the unit check bit in the channel status word (CSW) is set to 1''. It is assumed that the configuration is such that normal input/output processing can be performed by issuing a sense command to read the sense byte and read the detailed information of the unit check.

Furthermore, in the present invention, an acid laser printer (Ilo)
2, when the customer engineer (CE) expands the memory (printed board) 22, the capacity of the expanded memory 22 is determined by the capacity setting unit 2, which is configured with a specific register.
1, from the keyboard (KB) not shown or from the short circuit (S) provided on the printer board 22.
C) etc., the capacity of the memory 22 can be set, and the contents of the capacity setting section 22 can be read by, for example, an inquiry command issued by the central processing unit (CPU) 1. .

Here, the operator issues the above-mentioned inquiry command by starting a specific test program 31.
The contents of the capacity setting section 21 are stored in the main storage device (MS) 3.
The data is read into the reading area 32 of.

This value is information set in advance according to the capacity of the memory (printed board) 22 added by the customer engineer (CE).

Next, using a load command issued by the test program 31, the counter 33 is updated while writing as much data as possible into the memory 22. The reason for writing a large amount of data (for example, data of several dozen characters) is to reduce the number of responses from the laser printer (Ilo) 2 and shorten test time.

When data writing by the load command is completed, a completion interrupt is generated from the laser printer (Ilo) 2, and a channel status word (C5W) is reported.

The test program 31 executes the channel status word (
C5W) was analyzed and the unit check was fired by 7 degrees.
” is not set.

If it is recognized that the unit check bit is 1", issue a sense command, read the sense byte in which the detailed information of the unit check is recorded, and check whether the overflow focus is 1". When an overflow is detected in the above judgment process, the setting value read from the capacity setting section 21 is compared with the value of the counter 33 (indicating the number of written words) at the time of the above overflow, and the allowable number of words is determined. When it is recognized that the error is within the range, the set value of the capacity setting section 21, the value of the counter (ie, the measured value), and the determination result are displayed on the display device 4 or the output device.

If the above comparison process exceeds the allowable error, or if there is an abnormal response (so-called abnormal end interrupt) due to a failure in the memory 22 while writing the data, the test is performed. By canceling the process and displaying the measured values and abnormal responses, troubleshooting can be started, and countermeasures can be taken prior to actual operation.

In the above embodiment, a laser printer (Ilo
) In 2, the image memory 22 that stores the format of characters to be printed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a memory that stores image data such as image data. Needless to say, this is a good thing.

As described above, the present invention provides a device including a memory equipped with a mechanism for reporting an overflow when performing input/output processing;
For example, the memory (printed board) attached to a laser printer that stores image data of printed characters, etc.
means for setting the capacity of the additional memory when the customer engineer (CE) adds the memory to change the form of the printed characters, etc.;

A mechanism is provided to read the set value, and before actual operation, the memory capacity set by the customer engineer (CE) is first read out, and then arbitrary data is written to the additional memory to detect overflow. The feature is that the capacity of the additional memory is measured in real time by comparing the counter value (number of written data words) at the time of writing with the above set value.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above in detail, the memory capacity measuring method of the present invention stores image data such as printed characters added to a device, such as a laser printer, that has a memory equipped with a mechanism for reporting overflow. To measure the memory capacity of the device, a means for setting the memory capacity set in the device and a mechanism for reading the set memory capacity are provided, and a central processing unit (for example, a central processing unit) that controls the device is provided. C.P.
In the process of writing specific data to the set memory (printed board), the number of written words when the above overflow is detected and the number of words read from the above setting means are read from the IJ). Since it is designed to measure the memory capacity set in the device by comparing it with the capacity of the additional memory, it is possible to measure the memory capacity in real time without the need for the person installing the memory, that is, the customer engineer (CI). By being able to confirm the capacity and displaying the response information 1 judgment results during the confirmation process, errors in expansion work, failures in the expanded memory printed board, etc. can be detected and confirmed prior to actual operation. After that, it is effective and can be used with peace of mind.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional memory capacity measurement method.

In the drawing, 1 is a central processing unit or a control unit (C1) tl).

2 is a laser printer, an input/output device, or simply a device (Ilo).

21 is the capacity setting section 22 is a memory or a memory printed board.

3 is a main storage device (113).

31 is a test program, or program 32 is a reading area, 33 is a counter 4 is a display device (display).

are shown respectively.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A device (2) having a memory (22) equipped with an overflow reporting mechanism, means (21) for setting the capacity of the memory (22) installed in the device, and a means (21) for setting the capacity of the memory (22) installed in the device; Mechanism to read memory capacity (
[1]) to read the memory capacity set in the device (2) from the control device (CPU) (1) that controls the device (2),
In the process of writing specific data into the installed memory (22), compare the number of written words (33) when the overflow is detected with the memory capacity (32) read from the memory capacity setting means (21). Then, the device (2)
A memory capacity measurement method characterized by measuring the capacity of a memory (22) set to .