JPH064191A - Method and device for controlling external interface - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correspond to the various kinds of external interfaces just by changing external memories by mounting the external memory prestored with program data corresponding to the respective interfaces to the main body of the device. CONSTITUTION:When one of the various kinds of IC memory cards 20 prepared beforehand is inserted from a port provided on the screen of an operation board 70 and mounted to a connector 30, an interface control function corresponding to the kind of the mounted IC memory card 20 is programmed at PLD as initialization immediately after turning a power source ON. When the memory card 20 is not mounted, the interface control function corresponding to IF program data 1 selected beforehand as an initial value on a ROM 60 is programmed at the PLD. Thus, by inserting the IC card 20 corresponding to the external interface, the various kinds of the interfaces can be corresponded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to controlling an external interface for connecting other devices to various electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in recent facsimile machines, various devices including an RS-232C interface, a SCSI interface, a printer interface, etc., namely, a personal computer, It is required to connect mass storage devices, input devices, printers, etc. Therefore, at present, for each interface, a board incorporating an interface circuit dedicated to the interface and a circuit for controlling the interface circuit is prepared, and the interface is connected to the device connected by the user. A board suitable for the interface is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

However, since various types of independent boards are required for each interface, it is inevitable that the cost for developing them will increase, and the number of varieties will increase. Manufacturing, management, inventory adjustment, etc.
In any case, the efficiency is poor. Examples of conventional techniques related to the present invention include Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-129745.
Also, JP-A-2-144650 is known. In the former technique, various programs are loaded into a memory, so that the same hardware can use the same computer as various types of different systems.
In the latter technique, a gate array is used to control the communication between elements in two communication channels of different types.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the technique of Japanese Patent Publication No. 5, the operation of the computer can be changed by exchanging the program of the computer to suit the model. However, in order to support a plurality of types of interfaces that require different hardware, separate hardware (interface control device) suitable for each interface is required. ) Must be provided. Since the processing speed is very slow when controlled by the software of the computer alone, dedicated hardware is indispensable for controlling the high-speed external interface.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-144650, the interface is controlled by using the gate array, and the hardware structure can be determined by the mask program. That is, the gate array can be customized (made into a hardware structure unique to the product) according to the interface to be connected, and can be adapted to a plurality of different types of interfaces. . However, in this type of gate array, the hardware structure cannot be changed once the mask program is set, so that the control array for the interface is used.
If you want to switch to a different type of interface after installing the hardware, you must replace the entire interface control hardware with another.

Therefore, the present invention enables connection of various interfaces of different types, suppresses an increase in product development cost, reduces the variety of products, and improves efficiency in terms of manufacturing, management, inventory adjustment, and the like. The challenge is to improve.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, in the method of controlling an external interface according to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of types of external interfaces connected to the apparatus body are connected. In the control method, when the device body is in the initial state,
Whether or not a removable external memory is attached is identified, and when the external memory is attached, the data stored in the external memory is read and installed on the main body of the device based on the data. The configuration of the user programmable logic device is set, and then the connected external interface is controlled using the user programmable logic device.

In the method for controlling the external interface according to the second aspect of the invention, in the method for controlling a plurality of types of external interfaces connected to the apparatus main body, communication is performed when a predetermined command is given. Receives data input from the line, sets the configuration of the user programmable logic device installed on the apparatus main body based on the received data, and then uses the user programmable logic device And control the connected external interface.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling an external interface, wherein the plurality of types of external interfaces are connected to the apparatus body. A plurality of sets of program data associated with each other are held in advance on the main body of the apparatus, and in response to a predetermined input operation, one of the plurality of sets of program data is selected, Based on the selected data, the configuration of the user programmable logic device installed on the main body of the apparatus is set, and thereafter, the external interface connected using the user programmable logic device is set.
Control. The external interface of the fourth invention
The interface control device is an external interface control means (10) incorporating a user programmable logic device;
External memory means (20) for holding predetermined data; Connection means for detachably holding the external memory means in the apparatus main body
(30); and the presence / absence of attachment of the external memory means are identified, and when the external memory means is attached, the data thereof is read and the data is set in the user programmable logic device. And a switching control means (40);

An external interface control device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an external interface control means (10) incorporating a user programmable logic device;
Communication means (5) for receiving data from a predetermined communication line
0); and a predetermined instruction, read the data input from the communication means and set the data in the user programmable logic device (4).
0);

An external interface control device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an external interface control means (10) incorporating a user programmable logic device;
Fixed memory means (60) for holding in advance a plurality of sets of program data associated with each of a plurality of types of external interfaces; input means (70) for giving a selection instruction;
Also, when a predetermined selection instruction is given from the input means, a set of program data on the fixed memory means is selected in response to the instruction, the selected data is read, and the selected data is read by the user. A switching control means (40) for setting the programmable logic device.

[0012]

In the present invention, a logic device (FPGA or the like) whose structure can be programmed by the user is used to control the external interface. Therefore, if the contents of the program are changed, the control suitable for various kinds of interfaces can be carried out without exchanging the hardware itself.

In the first and fourth inventions, for example, an IC
The external memory means such as a memory card stores the program data corresponding to each interface in advance, and the interface is controlled by mounting it on the main body of the apparatus. The structure of the user programmable logic device is the data on the mounted external memory means.
It is set according to In other words, according to the present invention, various types of external interfaces can be supported only by exchanging the IC memory card or the like.

In the second and fifth inventions, for example, program data corresponding to each of all the interfaces is registered in advance on the computer of the center. Then, the control device of the external interface is connected to the computer of the center by communication as necessary, receives the appropriate program data, and receives the user data according to the received data.
Set the structure of the programmable logic device.

In the third and sixth aspects of the invention, the program data corresponding to each of all the interfaces is registered in advance in the fixed memory means on the apparatus main body. Then, for example, when the operator performs a predetermined key operation,
A set of program data selected by the input instruction
The data is read from the fixed memory means and the data sets the structure of the user programmable logic device.

As an integrated circuit having a programmable structure, there is a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) that belongs to a standardized classification, and a custom I provided as hardware corresponding to a user's design.
There exists a gate array as belonging to C. PLD
Incorporates a PROM (programmable read-only memory) and a RAM (read / write memory), and the user writes data to them to determine the logical structure of the PLD. In addition, a part of the gate array has RA
There is one in which M is mounted and the logical structure inside the IC can be determined by the data written in it. Therefore, "user programmable logic device" in this specification
Includes both a so-called PLD and a gate array in which a RAM is mounted and the logical structure inside the IC can be determined by the data written in the RAM. The PLD is preferably one that can electrically erase data, that is, one that has an EEPROM or a static RAM. It is to be noted that, like the initial PLD, the one created by the bipolar process and the user's program writing is limited to only once cannot be used in the present invention.

[0017]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the apparatus of one example. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a facsimile, and the basic facsimile mechanism has the same configuration as a general facsimile. That is, an image scanner 2 for reading an original image and a recording unit for copying an output image on a recording paper are connected to a facsimile engine 1 in which all main control mechanisms of the facsimile are integrated. The facsimile engine 1 is connected to the telephone line 4 via the system bus 5, the modem 50 and the NCU 55.

A microprocessor (MPU) 40 for controlling the entire apparatus such as the facsimile engine 1 is connected to the system bus 5, and a read only memory (ROM) 60, a read / write memory (RAM) 80,
The operation board 70, the connector 30, the interface control unit 10, etc. are connected. As shown in FIG. 4, on the ROM 60, program data (command code group) for the MPU to control the facsimile and three sets of IF (interface) program data are stored in advance. Remembered

The connector 30 has a structure in which the IC memory card 20 can be attached and detached. When the IC memory card 20 is attached to or detached from the connector 30, the signal level of a predetermined signal line connected to the connector 30 changes. Therefore, by identifying this change, MPU 40
It can be determined whether the C memory card 20 is mounted.

The facsimile shown in FIG. 1 has RS-23.
It is configured so that an input / output device having three types of external interfaces of 2C, SCSI, and printer IF can be connected. Since connectors of different shapes are used in the standard of each interface, three types of connectors 12, 13 are used to connect each cable.
And 14 are provided. Three connectors 12, 13
And 14 are connected to a common signal bus line,
It is connected to the interface control unit 10 via the bidirectional buffer 11.

The interface control unit 10 is a so-called PLD (programmable logic device: PLD).
For example, it is configured by EPL241) manufactured by Rico Corporation. The PLD that constitutes the interface control unit 10 is manufactured by a CMOS process, and the internal PROM that controls the structure is an electrical data source.
By erasing data, the data can be written, that is, programmed repeatedly. Inside one PLD, a large number of input gates, output gates, macrocells,
A D-type flip-flop, a polarity inverting circuit, a power-on reset circuit, a preload circuit, and an asynchronous clock circuit are incorporated, and the hardware configuration (function) of the PLD according to the contents of the PROM accompanying them. Is set.

In this embodiment, the data writing, that is, the programming to the PROM of the PLD constituting the interface control unit 10 is not performed by the writer dedicated to the PLD, but is performed on this facsimile. The MPU 40, which controls the whole, executes it as necessary, and also updates the written contents as necessary. In order for the MPU 40 to make the PLD programmable, the PLD has an interface connector (12, 1).
All terminals on the (3, 14) side can also be connected to the system bus 5 via the bidirectional buffer 11. That is, normally, some terminals of the PLD are connected to the bidirectional buffer 11
Via the interface connectors 12, 13 and 14
, But when programming the PLD, the MP
U switches the state of the bidirectional buffer 11 and connects all terminals of the PLD to the system bus 5.

The data for programming the PLD is:
In this example, the IF program data 1,
It exists as 2 and 3 (see FIG. 4). This data also exists on the IC memory card 20. Further, the data is also accumulated on the computer of the center (not shown). The IF program data 1 is data that realizes a function for performing interface control of the RS-232C standard, and the IF program data 2 is SCS.
The IF program data 3 is the data for realizing the function for implementing the interface control of the I standard, and the IF program data 3 implements the interface control of a predetermined printer interface. Data for realizing the functions for

That is, by programming the PLD using the IF program data 1, IF program data 2 and IF program data 3, respectively, RS
-232C standard interface controller, SCSI
The interface control unit 10 can be configured as a standard interface control device and a printer interface control device. The PLD, or interface control unit 10, programmed with these data is similar to that of a conventional controller previously dedicated to it, and it has input data buffer registers and output data. Functions such as a buffer register, a protocol control circuit, and a clock pulse frequency dividing circuit are formed as its hardware.

FIG. 2 shows the contents of the processing of the MPU 40 which controls the entire facsimile. This will be described with reference to FIG. When the power is turned on, initialization is first executed. Then, in the next step 102, the signal level of a predetermined signal line connected to the connector 30 is checked to identify whether the IC memory card 20 is attached or not.

If the IC memory card 20 is mounted, step 103 is executed. That is, the PLD is set in the program mode, the data existing on the IC memory card 20 is read, and the PLD is written as the program data. If the IC memory card 20 is not attached, step 104 is executed. That is, the PLD is set in the program mode, the IF program data 1 existing on the ROM 60 is read, and it is written in the PLD as the program data.

After the above processing, the standby processing of the next step 105 is repeatedly executed. That is, each key on the processing and operation board 70 for detecting the presence or absence of an incoming call from the telephone line.
And a display control process for various displays on the operation board 70.

As shown in part in FIG.
Various key switches are provided on the door 70.
Of these, the IF program key K1 is stored in the ROM 60.
It is provided for the user (operator) to select one of the three types of IF program data existing above.
That is, if the numeric keypads 1, 2 and 3 are pressed after the IF program key K1 is pressed, the IF program data 1, 2 and 3 are respectively selected. In this case, go to 110 through step 108 of FIG. Step 1
In 10, the selected IF program data is stored in the ROM 6
Read from 0 and write it to PLD as program data.

As a result of the standby processing, when an incoming call is detected in step 106, it is determined in step 107 whether it is in the program mode or not. By depressing the IF online key K2 shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to alternately switch the program mode on / off. When the program mode is on, the information input from the telephone line 4 via the NCU 55 and the modem 50 is transferred to the RAM 80 in step 108.
Store on top. Then, after communication is completed, step 1
Execute 12. That is, the data stored in the RAM 80 is read and written in the PLD as program data.

That is, in this embodiment, one of the IC memory cards 20 prepared in advance is inserted into the connector 30 by inserting it from the insertion port 71 (see FIG. 3) provided on the side surface of the operation board 70. In this case, the interface control function according to the type of the mounted IC memory card 20 is programmed in the PLD as an initial setting immediately after the power is turned on, and when the memory card 20 is not mounted, the ROM 6
IF program data preselected as an initial value on 0
When the interface control function corresponding to the data 1 is programmed in the PLD and the operator performs a selection operation during the standby process, the IF program data (1, 2 selected by the operation is selected. Or 3), the PLD is reprogrammed in a different state, and also when data for programming is sent from the computer of the center, the PLD is reprogrammed in a different state by the data. .

In the above embodiment, the operator selects a plurality of types of data stored in the ROM in advance, the type of the IC memory card 20 to be mounted, and the data transmitted from the center online. PL for any of the
Although the D program can be modified, any one of these means can adapt the PLD structure to various kinds of external interfaces.

In the above embodiment, the integrated circuit belonging to the classification called PLD is used as the user programmable logic device, but even the gate array which is a custom IC is equipped with, for example, a static RAM and its data is stored. If the hardware structure is user programmable depending on the contents of the data, it can be used instead of the PLD.

The PLD may have a structure in which the contents of the memory are erased by ultraviolet rays, but in that case, an ultraviolet lamp is mounted on the device, and the on / off control can be performed by the MPU. During data rewriting, it is necessary to turn on a lamp to erase the data, and then write new data.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the facsimile, but can be used to control the external interface of various devices.

[0035]

As described above, in the first and fourth inventions, the program data corresponding to each interface is stored in advance in the external memory means such as the IC memory card. Then, by mounting it on the apparatus main body, the structure of the user programmable logic device for controlling the interface is set according to the data on the mounted external memory means. Therefore, various types of external interfaces can be supported only by replacing the IC memory card or the like.

In the second and fifth inventions, for example, the program data corresponding to each of all the interfaces is registered in advance on the computer of the center, and the external interface is used. The controller of the computer is connected to the computer of the center by communication, receives the appropriate program data, and sets the structure of the user programmable logic device by the received data, and various types of external devices The interface can be supported.

In the third and sixth inventions, the program data corresponding to each of all the interfaces is registered in advance in the fixed memory means on the main body of the apparatus, for example, the operator. When a predetermined key operation is performed, a set of program data selected by the input instruction is read from the fixed memory means, and the data sets the structure of the user programmable logic device. , It can support various types of external interfaces.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MPU of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the appearance of the operation board of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a memory map showing the contents of the ROM of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Facsimile engine 2: Image scanner 3: Recording unit 4: Telephone line 5: System bus 10: Interface control unit 11: Bidirectional buffer 12, 13, 14,
30: Connector 20: IC memory card 40: Microprocessor (MPU) 50: Modem 55: NCU 60: ROM 70: Operation board 80: RAM

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of controlling a plurality of types of external interfaces connected to an apparatus body, wherein when the apparatus body is in an initial state, whether or not a removable external memory is attached is identified, and the external memory is When installed, it reads the data stored in the external memory, sets the configuration of the user programmable logic device installed on the main body of the device based on the data, and then sets the user programmable logic device. A method of controlling an external interface, which controls the external interface connected using the programmable logic device. 2. A method for controlling a plurality of types of external interfaces connected to a main body of an apparatus, wherein when a predetermined command is given, data input from a communication line is received and the received data is received. An external device that sets the configuration of a user programmable logic device installed on the apparatus main body based on the computer, and then controls an external interface connected using the user programmable logic device. Interface control method. 3. A method for controlling a plurality of types of external interfaces connected to the apparatus body, wherein a plurality of sets of program data associated with each external interface are provided.
Data is held in advance on the main body of the apparatus, and in response to a predetermined input operation, one of the plurality of sets of program data is set.
A set is selected, the configuration of the user programmable logic device installed on the main body of the apparatus is set based on the selected data, and then connected using the user programmable logic device. A method for controlling an external interface for controlling the external interface. 4. An external interface control means incorporating a user programmable logic device; an external memory means for holding predetermined data; a connection for removably holding the external memory means in the apparatus main body. Switching means for identifying whether or not the external memory means is mounted, and reading the data of the external memory means when the external memory means is mounted, and setting the data in the user programmable logic device. A control device for the external interface, comprising a control means. 5. An external interface control means in which a user programmable logic device is incorporated; a communication means for receiving data from a predetermined communication line; and a communication means when a predetermined instruction is given. An external interface for reading the data input from the switch and setting the data in the user programmable logic device.
Face control device. 6. An external interface control means incorporating a user programmable logic device; a plurality of sets of program data associated with each of a plurality of types of external interfaces in advance. Fixed memory means for holding;
Input means for giving a selection instruction; and, when a predetermined selection instruction is given from the input means, a set of program data on the fixed memory means is selected in response thereto, and the selected data is read. A control device for an external interface, comprising switching control means for setting data in the user programmable logic device.