JPH05286180A - Printer and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify maintenance work by deciding whether or not novel data in a detachable storage medium can be stored in a writable non-volatile storage means by a decision means and controlling a printer on the basis of novel data and the previously stored data when the data connot be stored. CONSTITUTION:When a bug is discovered in the task of a ROM 9, the power supply of a printer is turned OFF, a ROM card 12 for correcting the bug is inserted and the power supply is turned ON again. When the version number of a bug corrected program is checked and is older than the version number of a bug corrected program in the bug 12, it is erased, and the storable capacity of a bug corrected program in an EEP-ROM 10 is checked. When the storable capacity is smaller than the capacity of the bug corrected program in the ROM card 12, the start address of a task management table in the EEP-ROM 10 is rewritten to the start address of the ROM card 12, and the version number is rewritten.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for inputting print information such as text information and graphic information from a host computer, which is an external device, and printing by a laser beam method or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus in which a control program including a plurality of tasks for controlling the entire printing apparatus is built in in advance and the printing target information is printed by operating based on the control program.

In such a printing apparatus, when a bug is found in each task of the control program during its use, or when the version of the control program is upgraded, a serviceman goes to the user's destination,
It has been necessary to disassemble the printing apparatus and replace the program ROM storing the control program.

In this case, if the program ROM does not use a socket and is directly soldered to the printed circuit board, the user must replace the entire printed circuit board.

[0005]

Therefore, in the above-described conventional printing apparatus, when a bug occurs in each task of the control program or when the control program is upgraded, the printing apparatus can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus. A ROM card or the like, which is a storage medium, is mounted in the printing apparatus, and a new control program in the ROM card is stored in a memory, such as a ROM, which is a non-volatile storage medium in the printing apparatus. If the capacity of the new program in the removable ROM card is larger than the capacity of the program storage area of the memory, the new control program in the ROM card cannot be stored in the memory such as ROM in the printing device. There was a problem that it was not possible to modify or upgrade the version of the control program.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a case where the capacity of a new program in the removable ROM card is larger than the capacity of the program storage area of the memory such as the ROM in the printing apparatus. Also, without storing the new control program in the ROM card in the memory such as the ROM in the printing device, for example, bugs can be corrected, the control program can be upgraded, and the maintenance work can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that can perform printing.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention has a storage unit for storing new data in a storage medium detachable from the printing apparatus and the new data for the printing apparatus. And a new data stored in the removable storage medium and the printing device in the printing device when the storage device is determined to be non-storable. And a control unit that controls the printing apparatus based on data stored in advance.

In order to solve such a problem, the printing method of the present invention includes a storage step of storing new data in a storage medium detachable from the printing apparatus, and whether the new data can be stored in the printing apparatus. If it is determined that the data cannot be stored in the determination step, it is determined that the new data stored in the removable storage medium and the data stored in the printing device in advance are stored. Based on the above, there is a control step of controlling the printing device.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, it is desirable that each of the storage means is composed of a writable non-volatile storage means.

[0010]

In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not new data in the storage medium detachable from the printing apparatus can be stored in the writable non-volatile storage unit in the printing apparatus by the determination means. If it is determined that the storage is impossible by the determination means, the printing device is based on new data stored in the removable storage medium and data stored in advance in the printing device. Is controlled by the control means.

In the printing method according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not new data in the storage medium removable from the printing apparatus can be stored in the writable non-volatile storage medium in the printing apparatus in the determining step. If it is determined that the data cannot be stored in the determination step, the printing device is based on new data stored in the removable storage medium and data stored in the printing device in advance. Is controlled by the control process.

As a result, even when the capacity of the new program in the ROM card, which is a removable storage medium, is larger than the capacity of the program storage area of the memory such as the EEPROM in the printing apparatus, the new capacity in the ROM card is increased. Without storing such a control program in a memory such as a ROM in the printer, for example, a bug can be corrected, the control program can be upgraded, and the maintenance work can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer such as a personal computer, which stores text data consisting of character codes as print target information. Output.

This text data is stored in the host computer interface section (hereinafter abbreviated as host I / F section) 2
It is supposed to be input to. This host I / F unit 2
Communicates with the host computer 1 and exchanges data with a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 4 through a bus 3.

The host I / F 2 also exchanges data with the RAM 4 (random access memory) 5 as a readable and writable storage means via the CPU 4 and the bus 3. Is becoming

The RAM 5 is for writing and reading temporary control information that is generated during the control by the CPU 4.

That is, the CPU 4 causes the page memory 5 (a) in the RAM 5 to store the text data input from the host computer 1 through the host I / F unit 2 as a character code, and the bit map memory 5 in the RAM 5 is stored.
(B) CGROM 6 as a dot pattern storage means
Write the character code of (Character Generator Read Only Memory).

Fonts are stored in the CGROM 6 in the form of dot patterns, and the CGROM 6 is connected to the bus 3. A printer interface unit (hereinafter abbreviated as printer I / F) 7 is connected to the bus 3. The printer I / F unit 7 is a CGRO
The dot pattern stored in M6 is sent to a printer unit (printing unit) 8 such as a laser beam system.

Further, a program ROM 9 as a control program storage means is connected to the bus 3. The program ROM 9 stores a multi-task system control program including a plurality of tasks for controlling the entire apparatus by the CPU 4. Then, the control program is read by the CPU 4 through the bus 3. This control program is stored in the control program ROM 9 in advance when the apparatus is shipped from the factory, and is incorporated in the apparatus.

The task management information for managing each task of the control program and the bug-corrected program sent into the printer are stored in the EEPROM 10 which is an electrically erasable storage means. Is becoming

The task management information stored in the EEPROM 10 includes a start address of each task and a version number set for each function. This task management information is set in advance when the device is shipped from the factory.
It is built in the apparatus in a state of being stored in the EP ROM 10.

The EEP ROM 10 also stores a memory capacity management table for managing the capacity of the storage area in the EEP ROM 10 for storing the bug-corrected program sent into the printer.

An external ROM interface section (hereinafter abbreviated as an external ROM I / F section) 11 is connected to the bus 3. The external ROM I / F unit 11 has an RO for bug correction which can be mounted from the outside of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
The M card 12 is inserted.

The bug-correcting ROM card 12 stores a bug-correcting program for sending the above-mentioned bug-corrected program to the printing apparatus and correcting the task management information, memory capacity management table, etc. accordingly. .. And when a bug occurs in each task of the control program,
By inserting the bug-correcting ROM card 12 into the external ROM I / F unit 11, the bug-correcting program is sent to the printer by the bug-correcting program, and E
It is adapted to be stored in the EP ROM 10. In addition, the bug correction program allows the EEPROM 10
The start address, version number, etc. of the task management information corresponding to the bug-corrected program stored in, and the memory capacity management table etc. are modified.

As a ROM card different from the bug correction ROM card 12, a ROM storing a new control program other than the control program previously stored in the program ROM 9 as the control program storage means in the printing apparatus. By inserting the card into the external ROM I / F unit 11, a new control program (for example, a control program for version upgrade) stored in this ROM card can be read.

As a ROM card different from the bug-correcting ROM card 12, a ROM card storing a font other than the font stored in the CGROM 6 is inserted into the external ROM I / F unit 11 so that the R
The fonts stored in the OM card can also be read.

An operation panel 13 is connected to the bus 3, and the operation panel 13 has operation keys for inputting various operation signals and a display for displaying operation modes of the apparatus. Means (not shown) or the like are provided.

As the plurality of tasks constituting the control program, a host I / F task that receives text data from the host computer 1 and dot pattern conversion that analyzes the character code of the received text data and converts it into a dot pattern Task, bitmap development task for developing the converted dot pattern in the bitmap memory 5 (b) in the printing apparatus, driving the printer unit 8 with the dot pattern developed in the bitmap memory 5 (b) For example, a print task to be sent to the department (engine part).

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, the text data sent from the host computer 1 is stored as a character code in the page memory 5 (a) in the RAM 5 via the host I / F unit 2 and the bus 3.

The CPU 4 uses the page memory 5 in the RAM 5
The character code in (a) is referenced and analyzed, the corresponding dot pattern is read from the CGROM 6, and the RAM 5
This dot pattern is developed on the bitmap memory 5 (b) inside.

Bit map memory 5 in this RAM 5
(A) When the development of the dot pattern on the top is completed, the CPU
4 activates the printer unit 8 via the bus 3 and the printer I / F unit 7, sends the dot pattern of the bitmap memory 5 (b) in the RAM 5 to the printer unit 8 via the printer I / F unit 7, and prints. To do. That is, the host computer 1
The text data input from is printed.

A control program for controlling a series of operations of the above printing apparatus is stored in the program ROM 9. Then, as shown in FIG.
Focusing on the task management routines of B, C, D, E, F, and G, the tasks A to G such as the print task, host I / F task, and bitmap expansion task described above operate in a so-called multitask format. ..

In FIG. 2, the start addresses (head addresses) and version numbers of the tasks A to G are stored in the task management table 15 of the task management unit 14 stored in the EEPROM 10.

The task management unit 14 jumps the processing of each task A to G based on this information as needed.

Here, the user selects the CG of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
When using a font other than the fonts contained in the ROM 6, insert a ROM card for the font storing the necessary font into the external ROM I / F section 11 and use the font card for this font. The font is read by the external ROM I / F unit 11, and the CPU 4
Then, the data is developed in the bitmap memory 5 (b) of the RAM 5 and then printed by the printer unit 8 through the printer I / F unit 7. The ROM card is not limited to fonts.

In addition, for example, when a bug is found in the task C during the execution of the processing for each of the tasks A to G in FIG. 2, the serviceman fixes the bug in the task C by
Bring the bug-correcting ROM card 12 that stores the bug-correcting program to the user and transfer it to the external R of the printer.
Insert it into the connector (not shown) of the OM I / F unit 11.

The ROM card 12 has a structure that can be easily inserted from the outside of the printing apparatus.

After turning off the power of the printing apparatus, the service person sets the bug correction ROM card 12 to the external R as described above.
It is inserted into the connector of the OM I / F unit 11 and the power of the printing apparatus is turned on again.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. Note that the program based on the flowchart is the program ROM 9 and EEP.
It is stored in the ROM 10 and controlled by the CPU 4.

In FIG. 5, when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on (501), the CPU 4 of the printing apparatus first determines the external ROM.
ROM to I / F11 by accessing I / F11
Check if the card 12 is inserted (50
2).

If it is not inserted, the process shifts to a normal main body control program (505), but if it is inserted, the type of the ROM card 12 is read (503).

This is because a region of the ROM in the ROM card 12 contains information indicating the type of the ROM card 12 (ROM card containing a program or ROM card containing data such as fonts). , Read it out. As a result, the ROM card 12
If the ROM card does not contain the program (50
4), and also shift to a normal main body control program (5
If 05) is a ROM card containing a program (504), it is further checked whether or not it is a bug correction ROM card related to the present invention (50).
6). If the ROM card is not a bug correction ROM card, the program of the ROM card is moved to (507). If it is a bug correction ROM card, the bug correction program in the ROM card is started (508). In the bug correction program, first, the bug-corrected program name in the ROM card 12 and its version number are checked (509). Further, based on the memory capacity table in the EEP ROM 10,
The storage area of the bug-corrected program in which the bug has been corrected is checked (601). If the bug-corrected program that has fixed the bug is already stored in the EEPROM 10 (602), the version number of the bug-corrected program is checked (603), and the version number in the ROM card is checked. If it is the same as the version number of the corrected program, it is not necessary to correct the bug and the bug correcting program is terminated. If it is older than the version number of the bug-corrected program in the ROM card 12 (603), the bug-corrected program in the EEP ROM 10 is erased (604), and EEP RO
EEPROM based on the memory capacity table in M10
Check the storage capacity of the bug-corrected program in 10 (605). If the bug fixed program is
If it is not stored in the EEP ROM 10, the above procedure is omitted and the process proceeds to 605. At 605, it is determined whether the storable capacity of the bug-corrected program in the EEPROM 10 is larger than the capacity of the bug-corrected program in the ROM card 12 based on the memory capacity management table. In this case, since the data can be stored in the EEP ROM 10, the storage work is performed (607), and the start address and version number of the bug-corrected program in the EEP ROM 10 and the contents of the memory capacity management table are rewritten (608). The end of the correction work is displayed on the operation panel 13 and the process ends (701).

At 605, in the EEP ROM 10,
When the storable capacity of the bug-corrected program is smaller than the capacity of the bug-corrected program in the ROM card 12, the bug-corrected program is not stored in the EEP ROM 10 and the ROM card 12 for the bug-correction is inserted. In this state, the start address of the task management table in the EEPROM 10 in FIG. 1 is rewritten to the start address of the bug-corrected program in the ROM card 12, and the version number is rewritten (60
6) The end of the bug correction work is displayed on the operation panel 13 and the process ends (701).

In this way, when the rewriting of the start address corresponding to the bug-corrected program of the task in which the bug is corrected among the tasks in the task management information stored in the EEPROM 10 is completed, the printing apparatus is completed. Is turned off, the ROM card 12 for bug correction is removed, and then the printing apparatus is turned on again.

As described above, a bug-corrected program (new control program) in which a bug of the bug-corrected program (for example, task C) is corrected and a non-bug-corrected control stored in the printing apparatus in advance. The entire printing apparatus is controlled based on the program.

In the above embodiment, the service person uses the ROM card 12 for bug correction as an external ROM I / O.
The bug was fixed by inserting it into the F section 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ROM card 12 for bug correction is handed to the user in advance, and the user can read the ROM for bug correction as necessary. Card 12 in external ROM I /
It may be inserted into the F section 11 to perform a bug correction work.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of the EEPROM 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above, an SRAM [St
atic Random Access Memory
<Memory Unit>] 17 is used, and even with this configuration, the program in which the bug is corrected can be rewritten into the SRAM 17 as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above, and the SRAM 17 is used. The person who had it was EEPROM1
The memory capacity can be increased as compared with the case where 0 is used.

Since the other structure of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a further different embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the same parts as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings to avoid redundant description, and the parts different from the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be mainly described.

As is apparent from a comparison of FIG. 4 with FIG. 1, in FIG. 4, a booster circuit 18 for generating a write voltage (12 V), a write controller 19, an EEPROM 1 are provided.
Instead of 0, a flash PROM 20 is used.

According to this embodiment, the EEP RO of FIG.
It has a larger capacity than M10 and does not require a backup battery 16 unlike the SRAM 17 of FIG. Other parts are the same as in FIG.

Further, although the ROM card for bug correction is used as the bug correction means, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bug correction program is sent from the host computer 1 to the printing device so that the bug can be corrected. May be.

[0054]

As described above, the EEPR in the printing apparatus is
Even if the capacity of the new program in the ROM card, which is a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus, is larger than the capacity of the program storage area of the memory such as the OM, the new control program in the ROM card is stored in the printing apparatus. EEP RO
For example, bug fix, without storing in memory such as M
The version of the control program can be upgraded, and maintenance work can be simplified and costs can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an operation of each task in a control program for controlling the entire printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 10 EEP ROM (storage means) 12 ROM card for bug correction 17 SRAM (storage means) 20 Flash PROM (storage means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing new data in a storage medium detachable from the printing apparatus, and a determination unit for determining whether or not the new data can be stored in the storage unit in the printing apparatus. If the determination unit determines that the printing device cannot be stored, the printing device is controlled based on new data stored in the removable storage medium and data stored in the printing device in advance. And a control unit for controlling the printing apparatus. 2. A storage step of storing new data in a storage medium detachable from the printing apparatus, a determination step of determining whether the new data can be stored in the printing apparatus, and the determination step. And a control step of controlling the printing device based on new data stored in the removable storage medium and data stored in advance in the printing device when it is determined that the printing device cannot be stored. A printing method comprising: