JPH0470768A - Image forming controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily change a control program by successively describing reception data in a nonvolatile memory by a basic program stored in a read-only memory. CONSTITUTION:A control for a normal copying action is accomplished by performing a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. And, in the case of changing the control program, a signal is received by a serial communication control unit 106 from a public network (a) through a modem (modulator-demodulator), and the reception data is successively described in the nonvolatile memory 104 by a microprocessor 100 by the basic program stored in the ROM 102 based on the signal. After the end of the description of the reception data in the nonvolatile memory 104, the control is transferred to the nonvolatile memory 104 gain by the basic program so that the following copying action can be controlled. Thus, the control program for the image forming device which is delivered to each user is changed in a short time in the state where the machine is not used, such as the time after the end of work, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming control device in a copying apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, the importance of software in copying machines has increased, and the size of control programs has become dramatically larger. This has led to an increase in the number of times the machines have to be upgraded or changed in design after being delivered to a user.

In addition, the ways in which users use copying machines have diversified, and the need for individual use, so-called custom-made machines, has become an important issue.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventionally, the control program that executes the copying operation is stored in read-only memory, so when the above-mentioned version upgrades, design changes, or individual use by the user are applied to the machine delivered by the user, the control program that executes the copying operation is stored in the machine. The existing read-only memory must be replaced with a newly created read-only memory, resulting in a problem that a large amount of design time and cost are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming control device that allows easy modification of a control program.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The above object is to provide an image forming control device equipped with a microprocessor that executes a copying operation based on a control program, and a read/write non-volatile memory that stores the control program, and a public access via a modem. This is achieved by comprising a serial communication control unit connected to the line, and a read-only memory storing a basic program for writing transmission data from the public line into the nonvolatile memory.

[Operation] The control program stored in the nonvolatile memory receives a signal from the public line to the serial communication control unit via the modem, and sequentially writes the received data in the nonvolatile memory using the basic program stored in the read-only memory. Changes may occur.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a main body of the copying machine, 2 is a large-capacity paper feeder, and 3 is a finisher which is a transfer sheet post-processing device.This finisher 3 has a function of aligning transfer sheets and a binding function using a stapler.

4 is an ADF (automatic document feeder).

Next, to briefly explain the internal structure of the copying machine main body 1, 11, 12, 13 are paper feed trays, 14 is a photoreceptor belt, 15 is a charger, 16 is an optical system, 17 is a developing device, and 18 is a transfer/transfer tray. Separation section, 19 cleaning section, 20 fixing section, 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a paper discharge tray for stacking discharged transfer paper.

In such a configuration, the image of the original sent by the ADF 4 is projected onto the photoreceptor heald 14 by the optical system 16. As a result, the photoreceptor heald 14 is uniformly charged in advance.
A charge image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the developing device 1.
7 to create a toner image. This toner image is transferred onto transfer paper fed by paper feed trays 11-13. The transfer paper is then fixed in the fixing section 20 and discharged. On the other hand, a small amount of toner remaining on the photoconductor bell 14 is cleaned by a cleaning section 19, making it possible to form the next image.

Note that there are three paper feed trays 11 to 13 in the main body 1, which store paper of various sizes. Store it and use it as a cover. Also, does the large capacity paper feeder 2 have any additional features? It is installed outside the building.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of an image forming control apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 100 is a microprocessor that executes a copying machine program; 101 is a hub that transmits addresses, data, and control signals for the microprocessor 100; 102, 103, and 10;
4 are read-only memories (ROM) each connected to the microprocessor 100 through the lotus 101;
, read/write memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory (NVRAM); 105 is an input/output board connected to the microprocessor 100, and output loads such as motors, solenoids, clutches, etc., and input signals of sensors, etc. in the copying machine; is connected.

106 is a serial communication control unit, which is connected to a public line via a modem. In the figure, only one set is shown as a representative, but in reality, multiple sets are prepared and the ADF,
It sends and receives signals to and from the sorter, etc.

In this embodiment, the control program conventionally stored in the ROM 102 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. There is no need to explain this, but if the control program is stored in the ROM 102, when changing the control program, the ROM 102 must be replaced with a new control program.
This is because the nonvolatile memory 104 can be electrically erased/written, for example.

The nonvolatile memory 104 includes a RAM that retains data when the power is turned off using a battery, etc., an electrically erasable RAM,
etc.

Control of normal copying operations is achieved by executing a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. In addition, when changing the control program, the serial communication control unit 10 can be connected to the public line via a modem.
Based on the signal, the microprocessor 100 sequentially writes the received data in the nonvolatile memory 104 based on the basic program stored in the 90M102. When the basic program completes writing the received data in the nonvolatile memory 104, the control is returned to the nonvolatile memory 104.
4 to enable control of the next copying operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operational concept of the basic program of the ROM and the control program of the nonvolatile memory.

That is, the copying operation start determination (Sl), the copying operation control subroutine (S2), the copying operation end determination (S3), and the serial data (data from public line) reception start determination (S4).
The contents of the operation of the control program in the nonvolatile memory 104 are shown above.

Further, the subroutine (S5) for storing the control program (rewriting the control program described above) and determining the end of serial data reception (S6) indicate the operation contents of the basic program in the ROMIO2.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the control program of the image forming apparatus delivered to each user can be put into use by the machine using a public line without visiting the user. Changes can be made in a short time, such as after the end of the working day, resulting in significant time and cost savings.

In addition, in the past, there were restrictions on where to install the control board on which the ROM was mounted to make it easier to change the ROM.
Since there is no need to replace the ROM, there is also the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in design.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of an image forming control apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a nonvolatile memory control flowchart, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 100...Microprocessor, 102...Read-only memory, 104...Nonvolatile memory, 106...
・Serial communication control unit. Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image forming control device that is equipped with a microprocessor and executes a copying operation based on a control program, comprising: a read/write nonvolatile memory that stores the control program;
An image forming control device comprising: a serial communication control unit connected to a public line via a modem; and a read-only memory storing a basic program for writing transmission data from the public line to the nonvolatile memory. .