JPH04233020A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To present the electronic equipment to set a lot of use environments with the simple configuration of combining a reloadable non-volatile memory and a switch in the manner of a hardware. CONSTITUTION:In order to set the use environment of the electronic equipment for realizing this equipment, the ON/OFF of 8 bits is set by a data switch 4, and the address of the write destination is designated by a select switch 5. By pushing down a write switch 6, data set by the data switch 4 are written to the address position of an NVRAM 10 designated by the select switch.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device that, when its usage environment is reset, stores the settings and starts up based on the stored settings.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a recording device has a hardware switch (dip switch) to specify the operating environment (for example, the paper feed pitch of the recording device, whether automatic line feed is enabled or disabled, etc.) when the device is powered on. switch, etc.). Usually, these switches are provided at positions that can be operated by the user, and in a number that corresponds to the type of setting. Users turn these switches on and off to adapt to their usage environment.

[0003] Another method for specifying the initial state is to have an LCD display and several switches (selection switch, setting switch, etc.) on the key panel, and press the switches according to the message displayed on the display. There is a method to specify. In this case, the settings are stored in non-volatile memory (NVR).
AM) to retain the memory.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the former case of the above-mentioned conventional example, that is, when using dip switches, it is necessary to set the required number of functions (as few as several, as many as several tens, etc.). ), and problems remain in terms of space savings and the cost of the switches themselves. This is especially true in recent years, as devices of this type have become increasingly rich in functionality.

[0005] In the latter case, although the user's operability is improved, there remains a cost problem because the LCD display unit itself is expensive. The present invention has been made in view of such prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that has a simple configuration that combines a rewritable non-volatile memory and a hardware switch, and is capable of setting many usage environments. That is.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] An electronic device of the present invention that solves this problem has the configuration shown below. In other words, when you reset your usage environment, an electronic device that remembers the settings and starts up based on the stored settings has a writable non-volatile memory and a hard on/off switch. A first hard switch for input, a second hard switch for generating a write address for the non-volatile memory, and an on/off state set by the first hard switch for the second hard switch for the non-volatile memory.
and writing means for writing to the address position generated by the hard switch.

[0007]

[Operation] In the configuration of the present invention, information for setting the user's usage environment is set as follows. That is, the settings made by the first hard switch are written to the address location specified by the second hard switch in the nonvolatile memory. This allows the same type of usage environment settings to be made with the first hard switch as in the case where the first hard switch has as many settings as the second hard switch.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a CPU that controls the entire device, 2 is a ROM that stores the processing contents of the CPU, and 3 is a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU 1. It should be noted that within this RAM 3, a receiving buffer area and the like are secured for storing data input from an external host computer. 4 is a data switch consisting of a DIP switch (consisting of 8 bit switches), 5 is a select switch consisting of a switch for 4 bits, and 6 is a write switch that turns on/off in response to pressing/opening. be. Furthermore, these data switches 4
, the select switch 5, and the write switch 6 will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 7 represents an interface (I/F) for receiving data from an external host computer, etc., and 8 represents a font ROM that stores character patterns corresponding to character codes. Reference numeral 9 denotes an operation unit for the user to perform various operations, and as shown in FIG.
and an LED group 9b that lights up when each key is in the energized state. The key group includes keys for specifying whether or not to set the recording speed to high-speed mode, keys for switching whether to enable data reception from the host computer, and the like. Reference numeral 10 denotes a data-writable NVRAM (non-volatile memory such as EEPROM), which is used to store and hold information for determining the usage environment of this device. Reference numeral 11 denotes a printing mechanism section that actually records images, and in this embodiment, an inkjet system is used in which thermal energy causes a state change in the ink, and this state change causes the ink to be ejected from an ejection port to form flying droplets. Printing is performed on the recording material using this method.

In the configuration of the embodiment described above, the NVRA
A data switch 4, a select switch 5, and a write switch 6 are used to cause the M10 to hold data for specifying the usage environment. Data switch 4 is NVRA
It is used to set the on/off state of each bit constituting one byte of a specific address in M10. The select switch 5 is used to specify the write destination address of the data set by the data switch 4. In order to actually write the data set by the data switch 4 to the address position selected by the select switch 5, the write switch 6 is pressed. In the case of the embodiment, the select switch 5 is composed of dip switches for 4 bits, so it is possible to generate 16 addresses. In other words, if the individual switches of the select switch 5 are represented by [s3, s2, s1, s0], then [
OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF ] to [ON, ON
, ON, ON ]. FIG. 3 shows the correspondence between the memory map of the NVRAM 10 and the select switch 5 of the embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the addresses set by the select switch 5 are associated with addresses "010H" to "01FH" (H indicates hexadecimal) of the NVRAM 10. Now, use the data switch 4 to convert “01110001B” (B indicates a binary number) to N.
Let us assume a case where data is written to address "011H" of VRAM10. In this case, operate the data switch 4 to set each bit switch [b7 to b0] in this order to [01110001] (“1” is on, “0” is off)
(Step 1) Next, each bit switch of the select switch 5 is set to [0001], that is, [OF
F, OFF, OFF, ON] (Step 2). After this, the write switch 6 is pressed once (step 3). CPU
The operation process 1 is a simple process of writing the state (8-bit data) set by the data switch 4 to the address position set by the select switch 5 when the write switch 6 is pressed. . In other words, only after the write switch 6 is pressed is the NVRAM 10
Since writing is executed for the data, there is no problem even if the order of steps 1 and 2 before that is reversed. However, it is necessary to constantly monitor whether or not the write switch 6 is pressed, but this can be solved by using the write switch 6 press signal as an interrupt signal.

With the above configuration, the data switch 4 can be used as a switch that exists in the same number of cases as the select switch 5. In this embodiment, since there are 16 different cases for the select switch 5, it is possible to treat it as if there are 16 data switches 4. In other words, since the data switch 4 uses an eight-circuit deep switch, in this embodiment,
It can be used as a 128-bit (=8×16) deep switch. Further, the number of circuits of the select switch 5 and the data switch 4, and the internal memory map of the NVRAM 10 do not necessarily have to follow this embodiment.

In the internal memory map of the NVRAM 10 shown in FIG. 3, area 31 is used in the embodiment as an area for storing factory setting information. Furthermore, the data in area 31 is copied as is into area 32 (memory area which can be set arbitrarily by the user) at the time of shipment from the factory. The user operates the data switch 4, select switch 5, and write switch 6 as necessary to change (rewrite) the information in the area 32 in the memory map of the NVRAM 10 and use it. It is also possible to initialize the data in area 32 with the data in area 31 (factory data). The reason why the contents of area 32 can be rewritten with the contents of area 31 is as follows.

For example, when a user changes the host computer connected to the recording apparatus, or changes the software on the host computer, it is necessary to re-initialize the recording apparatus. In such a case, returning all switch information on the recording device to the factory settings will make resetting easier and prevent setting errors.

Specifically, the information in the area 32 of the NVRAM 10 that has been rewritten by the data switch 4, select switch 5, and write switch 6 is written by setting the data switch 4 and select switch 5 to the ON side. It is initialized when switch 6 is operated. When the CPU 1 detects that each switch is in the above-mentioned state, the CPU 1 transfers the data in area 31 to area 3.
What is necessary is to perform the rewriting (transfer) process to 2.

Now, as for the operation of the entire recording apparatus, the CP
After power is turned on, U1 changes the initial settings of the recording device (automatic line feed disabled/enabled, high-speed printing or normal printing, ASF enabled/disabled, page length 12 inches) based on the data written in area 32 of NVRAM 10. (or 11 inches, cut paper feed position, etc.). If the user wants to change the initial settings of the recording device, as described above, operate the data switch 4, select switch 5, and write switch 6 to change the memory map (area 3) of the NVRAM 10.
Just change the information in 2). Naturally, the user does not have to worry about technical matters such as that the address specified by the select switch 5 corresponds to addresses 10H to 1FH of the NVRAM 10. When changing certain usage environments of the device,
All you need to know is which select switch 5 to turn on.

[0016] Furthermore, information that has been rewritten once is stored in NVRAM.
10, even if the power of the recording apparatus is turned off, it is retained and used as initial setting data when the power is turned on again. <Description of other embodiments> Information that can be changed using the operation unit 9 in FIG. 1 (or FIG. (switching, etc.) are all set to their initial values after the power is turned on again. Therefore, it must be set each time. For example, when the power is turned on, the printer is in the normal speed printing mode, and for those who always use the high speed printing mode, they must press a switch on the operation unit 9 each time. Therefore, in the second embodiment, even if the power is turned off, the state of the operating section 9 that was set immediately before is maintained, and when the power is turned on, the operating section 9 is started in the maintained state.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, NVRAM1
0, the area 33 after address "020H" is vacant. Therefore, in this empty area, when a predetermined operation is performed on only the switch state that affects the printing state among the contents operated in the switch group of the operation section 9 (in the embodiment, the switches provided in the operation section 9 (when the online key switch is pressed while pressing the shift key switch (not shown)). Note that the switch that influences the printing state here refers to, for example, whether or not the printing mode is high-speed printing mode, and naturally does not include states such as whether or not to go online.

When the power is turned on, the device initializes itself based on the contents of area 32 in NVRAM 9. Thereafter, the corresponding data is read from the area storing the state of the operation unit 9, and the usage environment is determined. In this case, as in the previous embodiment, the area after address "020H" may also be returned to the factory-shipped state.

In addition to the above-mentioned functions, the embodiment also has a function of printing the contents of the NVRAM 10 (areas 32, 33) on recording paper during test printing. However, even if information such as "1" or "0" for each bit is printed as is, it may be difficult for the user to understand, so it is printed in a format that is easy for humans to understand, such as in "high speed mode."

It is assumed that the test printing is executed by, for example, turning on the power while pressing down a specific key switch provided on the operation unit 9. As explained above, according to this embodiment, by combining a rewritable non-volatile memory (NVRAM10) and hardware switches (data switch and select switch), more initial state settings can be made with fewer parts. It becomes possible to provide an image recording device that can store and retain information.

In the embodiment, an example was explained in which the invention was applied to an image recording apparatus, but it goes without saying that the idea of the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set many usage environments with a simple configuration that combines a rewritable nonvolatile memory and a hardware switch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image recording apparatus in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operating section 9 of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the NVRAM 10 and the select switch 5 in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 Data switch 5 Select switch 6 Write switch 7 I/F 8 Font ROM 9 Operation section 10 NVRAM 11 Printing mechanism section

Claims (3)

[Claims] [Claim 1] An electronic device that stores and retains the setting contents when its usage environment is reset and starts up based on the stored contents, which includes a writable non-volatile memory and an on/off switch. A first hard switch that inputs hardware, a second hard switch that generates a write address for the nonvolatile memory, and an on/off state set by the first hard switch of the nonvolatile memory. An electronic device comprising: writing means for writing to an address position generated by the second hard switch. 2. The non-volatile memory device according to claim 1, further comprising initialization means for initializing the contents of the non-volatile memory to the state at the time of factory shipment by the first and second hard switches and writing means. The electronic device according to item 1. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for printing out the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory.