JPH08123635A - Firmware incorporation system for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate the need to prepare plural kinds of firmware in a printer and to eliminate the need for special operation by a user for emulator motor selection and switching when firmware for emulation is incorporated in the printer and a proper emulator mode is obtained. CONSTITUTION: A printer driver 9 on a host computer 1 previously holds plural kinds of firmware for the emulation of the printer 3. The printer driver 9 grasps the kind of the printer 3, hardware resources, and states through a two-way interface 11, selects optimum firmware on the basis of the printer information at a request from application software 5, and downloads it to the printer 3. The printer 3 stores the downloaded firmware in a batch erasure type EEPROM 33 and loads the firmware to the main storage thereafter to operate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for embedding firmware for emulation in a printer in a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers used in computer systems have several emulator modes so that they can operate as printers of several different models and versions in order to flexibly respond to host computer applications and user requests. It is normal to do.

In order to realize this emulator mode, in a conventional printer, a plurality of emulation firmware is installed in a built-in ROM and desired firmware is selected by a switch (including a memory switch), or by a printer. An expansion slot is provided in and a ROM cartridge equipped with the firmware of the desired emulator mode is connected to the expansion slot to obtain the desired emulator mode.

[0004]

The problem with this conventional printer is that it is necessary to hold a plurality of firmware in the printer regardless of whether it is a built-in ROM system or an external ROM cartridge system.
Since the OM and the expansion slot are required, the cost of the printer is high, and the firmware cannot be upgraded or the OEM cannot be customized. Further, the user must decide the optimum emulator mode according to the application to be used, and in order to obtain the decided emulator mode, the mode can be switched on the printer operation panel or the ROM You have to do the troublesome work such as purchasing and setting the cartridge.

Therefore, when the firmware for emulation is incorporated into the printer to obtain an appropriate emulator mode, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of firmware in the printer in advance, and It is to prevent the user from needing any special work for selecting or switching the emulator mode.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for embedding firmware for emulation in a printer connected to a host device, and a plurality of firmware held in advance in the host device, the host device and the printer. And a means for transmitting printer information relating to the resources and status of the printer to the host device through the bidirectional interface, the transmitted printer information, and the printing request set in the host device. And a means for selecting the optimum firmware from a plurality of firmware and a means for downloading the selected optimum firmware from the host device to the printer.

[0007]

According to the method of the present invention, the optimum firmware that best matches the print request from the host side and the hardware resources and status of the printer is selected from the plurality of emulation firmware prepared in advance in the host device. It is automatically selected and downloaded to the printer.
Therefore, in the printer, the ROM for firmware
No need for expansion slots. In addition, the user does not need to perform any special operation for selecting the firmware. Further, the printer manufacturer can easily upgrade the firmware and customize the firmware.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an embodiment of a computer system to which the firmware embedding method of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 3 is connected to a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host) 1. The host 1 has an operating system (hereinafter,
An OS 7 and an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) 5 are installed. A printer driver 9 is installed in the OS 7.

The printer driver 9 generates print data corresponding to a drawing command from the application 5 in a data format that the printer 3 can understand.
It is manufactured by the manufacturer of the printer 3, provided to the user together with the printer 3, and installed in the OS 7 by the user.

As will be described in detail later, the printer driver 9 includes a large number of emulation firmware that can be incorporated in the printer 3, and a program for selecting the optimum firmware from the large number of firmware and incorporating it into the printer 3. And are built in.

The host 1 and the printer 3 are connected via a bidirectional communication interface 11. As will be described later, the printer driver 9 of the host 1 obtains the model of the printer 3 and the hardware and software statuses from the printer 3 by using the bidirectional interface 11, and in accordance with this, the printer driver 9 is optimized. The firmware can be selected and sent to the printer 3.

The printer 3 includes a print engine 13 including a mechanism necessary for printing such as a head drive mechanism and a paper supply / conveyance mechanism, and a control device 15 that processes print data from the host 1 and controls the print engine. Prepare The control device 15 is the same as that of a general printer, and
Interface unit 17 for communicating with the CPU 1, CPU 1 for processing print data received from the host 1
9. ROM 2 with operating program for CPU 19
1, a RAM 23 used as a main memory, a work area, a reception buffer, a page memory, a print buffer, etc., an EEPROM 25 for holding the current status of the printer 3 that has been set, a character generator that holds font data (hereinafter, CG) 27, an interface unit 29 for communication with the print engine 13, and an expansion area 31 for adding various optional products for expanding the interface and memory.
And so on.

Further, the control unit 15 has a batch erasing type EE for holding the emulation firmware.
A PROM (hereinafter referred to as a flash memory) 33 is provided. As will be described later in detail, the firmware held in the flash memory 33 is selectively sent from the printer driver 9 of the host 1. Since the emulation firmware is supplied from the host 1 in this way, the emulation firmware is not stored in the ROM 21, and a partial program that depends on the hardware that operates under the emulation firmware and a native mode An operation program and a resident program for performing the operation necessary for installing the firmware described below are held.

FIG. 2 shows the overall flow of processing performed by the printer driver 9 in order to incorporate the firmware into the printer 3 in this system.

When a print request is received from the application 5 or the like, the printer driver 9 first checks whether or not the firmware needs to be installed in the printer 3 (step S1). This stores the identification number (hereinafter referred to as ID) of the firmware that the printer driver 9 installed last, so it is determined whether the firmware that was installed last matches the application 5 or the user's request. Judge by examining. This determination can be performed by the same process as the selection of the optimum firmware described later.

As a result, if it is determined that the firmware is suitable, it is not necessary to install. Therefore, the printer 3 is inquired to check whether the firmware is actually present in the flash memory 33. (Step S
2) If it exists, it is ready for printing (step S
3) If not present, a predetermined error operation starts (step S4).

On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of step S1 that they do not match, it is necessary to install the firmware, so the firmware is installed in the printer 3 according to the procedure of steps S5 to S10.

First, an initialization program loader (hereinafter referred to as IPL) which is an installation program prepared in the printer driver 9 is downloaded to the printer 3 through the bidirectional interface 11 (step S1). Then, in the printer 3, the IPL received by the resident program is loaded into the main memory of the ROM 21 and activated. As will be described in detail later, the started IPL investigates the model and hardware and software resources and status of the printer 3, and returns the investigation result (hereinafter referred to as printer information) to the host 1.

The printer driver 9 of the host 1 uses this I
When the printer information from the PL is received (step S
6) Based on this printer information and the application 5 and the request from the user, the optimum firmware is selected (step S7), and the selected firmware is downloaded to the printer 3. Then, in the printer 3, the IPL stores the downloaded firmware in the flash memory 33 and loads it in the main memory of the RAM, and then notifies the host 1 of the completion of the installation. This enables the printer 3 to operate in the emulator mode of the installed firmware.

When the printer driver 9 of the host 1 receives the notification of installation completion (step S9), it sets a flag indicating that the firmware ID has been installed to the installed firmware (step S10), and becomes a printable state.

FIG. 3 shows step S1 of the processing flow described above.
It shows a specific example of a process of recognizing a request from an application and a user performed in. The contents of the request recognized here are also used in the firmware selection process of step S7 described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 9
Is a drawing command group from the application 9 (actually,
By analyzing the drawing command group in the device driver language obtained by converting the drawing command group by the upper module in the OS 7, for example, first, color printing or monochrome printing (steps S21 to S23) and a print area are designated. There are several dimensions such as the top margin and bottom margin (steps S24-S
27) What is the size of the paper (steps S28, S2)
9) What is the character type used (steps S30 and S3)
1), how many points is the character size (S32, S33),
It recognizes whether the paper direction is portrait or landscape (steps S34 to S36), what resolution or print density is dpi (steps S37 and S38), and stores the recognized contents.

The recognition items shown in FIG. 3 are merely examples, and in fact, various items other than these can be set by the application or the user, and these various items are the same as above. Recognize and memorize.

In this way, when the request from the user and the application is recognized, it is judged whether the firmware already installed in the printer 3 is appropriate for this request (step S1 in FIG. 2). The IPL is first downloaded to the printer 3 in order to install another suitable firmware.

FIG. 4 shows the processing flow of the investigation performed by the IPL in the printer 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, the EEPROM 2
The various states of the printer set to 5 (memory switch) are grasped (step S41). Items to be grasped here include, for example, tractor setting, tray setting, paper cutter setting, logic access speed, BIOS version number, logic configuration, and printer model as shown in the figure. As will be described later, the range of firmware that can be selected differs depending on these setting states and printer models.

Next, the usable capacity of the RAM 23 is grasped (step S42). This is because the required capacity of the RAM 23 differs depending on the firmware. IPL
Since the capacity of itself is known in advance, the IP in the RAM 23
The capacity of the entire RAM 23 is grasped by checking the capacity of the portion other than the L exclusive area.

Next, the usable capacity of the flash memory 33 is grasped (step S43). This is to confirm that the firmware does not overflow when installed because the amount of program differs depending on the firmware.

Next, the type of CG 27 is grasped (step S44). This is because the matching firmware differs depending on the type of CG, that is, the font data format and character type.

Next, the types of options installed in the printer 3 are grasped (step S45). This is E
This is for checking the matching with the firmware to be installed by reading the presence / absence of a corresponding sensor or the like for options that are not recorded in the EPROM 25 (memory switch). The options include, for example, an expansion interface board and a paper cutter attached later.

Next, the type of installed architecture is grasped (step S46). This is to confirm the matching with the firmware to be installed by reading the presence / absence of the corresponding sensor or the like for the architectures not recorded in the memory switch. The architectures include, for example, the type of paper tray set and the resolution of the carriage motor.

After grasping the model and various states of the printer 3 as described above, the grasped data (printer information) is transmitted to the host 1 (step S47). The printer information may be transmitted each time each item is grasped, instead of transmitting the printer information all at once.

5 to 10 show the process of grasping the individual items shown in FIG. 4 in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 5, the setting items recorded in the EEPROM 25 are checked by checking the EEPROM 25.
RAM2 is issued and the contents are read out to RAM2
Operation of storing in 3 (steps S51, S52)
Is repeated for all addresses (step S5
3, S54).

As shown in FIG. 6, the capacity of the RAM 23 is checked by issuing an address to the RAM 23, writing the check data and reading the data (steps S61 and S62), and comparing the write data with the read data. The operation of performing (step S63) is repeated while updating the address (step S64), and the range of the addresses in which the collation result matches is grasped as the capacity (step S65).

As shown in FIG. 7, the flash memory 33
In order to check the capacity of, the one block of the flash memory 33 is erased, the check data is written therein, and the same data is read (steps S71, S72, S73),
The write data and the read data are collated (step S
The operation of (74) is repeated while updating the block (step S75), and the range of the block in which the collation result matches is grasped as the capacity (step S76).

As shown in FIG. 8, the type of CG27 is checked by issuing the entry address of CG27 and
Read the data of the 27 format part (step S
82, S83) and checks whether the data is recognizable (step S84). If recognizable, the type and format of the CG27 of the entry address is grasped (step S85). If unrecognizable, the CG27 of the entry address is recognized. Is determined not to exist (step S8)
The operation 6) is repeated for all entry addresses (steps S87 and S88).

As shown in FIG. 9, the option check is performed by issuing an option entry address to read option data (steps S91 and S92), and check whether the data is recognizable or not set. If it is recognizable (step S93), the option type of the entry address is grasped (step S9).
4) If it is unrecognizable, the operation of judging that the entry address has no option (step S95) is repeated for all entry addresses (step S95).
96, S97).

As shown in FIG. 10, the architecture check is performed in the same procedure as the option check described above (steps S101 to S107).

As described above, the IPL recognizes the printer information and sends it to the host 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the printer driver 9 of the host 1 receives this printer information (step S111) and selects the optimum firmware based on this (step S112).
FIG. 12 shows an example of the processing flow of this firmware selection.

As shown in FIG. 12, the model of the printer 3 is grasped from the received printer information, and a firmware group suitable for the model is selected from a plurality of firmware prepared in advance (step S120). Next, the selected firmware group is narrowed down to the appropriate firmware group in terms of color printing or monochrome printing (step S121). Next, the narrowed down firmware group is further narrowed down to a proper firmware group for the print area (step S122).
Similarly, in the same manner, the items of paper size, character type, character size, paper orientation, and resolution (printing density) are narrowed down to appropriate firmware groups (step S).
123-S127). There are various items that can be set by the user and the application other than the items illustrated in FIG. 12, and these points will be narrowed down in the same manner as described above. In this way, the final remaining firmware
Select the best firmware.

13 to 16 show the above firmware selection processing in more detail.

FIG. 13 shows a firmware table prepared in advance in the printer driver 9. In this table, regarding various firmware prepared in advance (this also includes conversion tables for characters and character codes for Japanese and various foreign languages),
Attributes of various points shown in FIG. 12 (for example, whether or not color printing is possible, what kind of character type is supported, etc.
Attribute information) is described. The optimum firmware can be narrowed down as described above by referring to the attribute information of this firmware table.

FIG. 14 shows the details of the narrowing down process (step S121) relating to the color / monochrome printing shown in FIG. 12. First, it is checked whether or not the setting on the host side (user and application) is color (step S1).
41), if it is not color, monochrome compatible firmware is selected (step S142). On the other hand, if the setting on the host side is color, then it is checked whether or not the printer is capable of color printing based on the printer information (step S143), and if possible, the color-compatible firmware is selected (step S144). If it is impossible, the monochrome compatible firmware is selected (step S14).
5).

FIG. 15 shows details of the narrowing down process (step S123) for the paper size shown in FIG.
First, it is checked which paper size is requested by the host (steps S151 to S153), and then it is checked whether the printer can set the paper size requested by the host based on the printer information (steps S154 and S155).
If it can be set, the firmware corresponding to the paper size is selected (steps S156 and S157). If it cannot be set, the firmware that can convert the paper size requested by the host to the paper size of the printer is selected (step S).
158, S159).

FIG. 16 shows the details of the narrowing-down processing (step S124) for the character type shown in FIG. 12. First, it is checked which character type the request on the host side is (steps S161 to S163), and then the printer. Based on the information, it is checked whether the printer can set the character type requested by the host side (steps S164 and S165), and if it can be set, the firmware corresponding to the character type is selected (steps S166 and S167). The firmware corresponding to the character type of the printer having the character style closest to the requested character type is selected (step S16).
8, S169).

The print area, character size, paper orientation, resolution, etc. shown in FIG. 12 are also narrowed down in the same manner as described above.

When the optimum firmware is selected as described above, the printer driver 9 downloads the optimum firmware to the printer 3. In the printer 3, the IPL stores the optimum firmware in the flash memory 33 and terminates the IPL itself. After this,
The resident program erases the IPL from the main memory and loads the firmware of the flash memory 33 into the main memory. As a result, the printer 3 becomes ready for printing in the emulator mode of the optimum firmware.

FIG. 17 shows a method different from the above-described processing for selecting the optimum firmware. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the firmware corresponding to various combinations of the printer information and the host-side request is listed in advance for each setting item described above and is prepared as a table (color and monochrome in FIG. 17). , Only the table relating to the paper size is illustrated, but the same applies to other matters). By referring to this table, the optimum firmware may be selected.

According to the embodiment described above, a plurality of firmware is held in the printer driver on the host side, and the optimum firmware is selected according to the request from the host side and the printer model, hardware resources and state. Since the printer is installed in the printer, it is not necessary to hold a plurality of firmware in the printer, and the ROM for the firmware and the expansion slot can be reduced. Also, for the user, the optimum emulator mode can be automatically obtained while the printer is in front of the host without any special operation, and the optimum firmware can be displayed on the host. , It is very convenient because its emulator mode can be recognized. Furthermore,
For the printer maker, there is a merit that the version upgrade of the firmware and the customization for the OEM destination can be easily performed only by changing the printer driver.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is no need to prepare a plurality of emulation firmware in the printer in advance. Further, since the user does not need to perform any special work for selecting or switching the emulator mode, the printer can be used without any problem even if the user does not know how to set the panel. Further, since the emulation firmware can be reliably set according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid the problem of erroneous printing due to the user's mistake in setting the firmware, and it can be said that the effect is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a position embodiment of a computer system to which a firmware embedding method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an entire firmware installation process in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of grasping a request of a user and an application on the host side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of grasping printer information by IPL.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of EEPROM check processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of RAM check processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a flash memory check process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of CG check processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of option check processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of architecture check processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing performed by receiving printer information on the host side.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of optimum firmware selection processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a firmware table.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of firmware narrowing-down processing related to color / monochrome printing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of firmware narrowing-down processing related to paper size.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of firmware narrowing-down processing regarding a character type.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another process for selecting the optimum firmware.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Host Computer 3 Printer 5 Application Program 7 Operating System 9 Printer Driver 11 Bidirectional Interface 13 Print Engine 15 Controller 19 CPU 21 ROM 23 RAM 25 EEPROM 27 Character Generator 31 Extended Area 33 Batch Erasable EEPROM (Flash Memory)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for embedding firmware for emulation in a printer connected to a host device, comprising: a plurality of firmware stored in advance in the host device; and a device for connecting the host device and the printer. Interface, a means for transmitting printer information relating to the resources and status of the printer to the host device through the bidirectional interface, the transmitted printer information, and a request for printing set in the host device. And a means for selecting the optimum firmware from among the plurality of firmware, and a means for downloading the selected optimum firmware from the host device to the printer. Embedded method 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the host device has a printer driver for sending print data to the printer, and the printer driver includes the plurality of firmware. Firmware-embedded method for featured printers. 3. A method for embedding firmware for emulation in a printer connected to a host device via a bidirectional interface, the method comprising: holding a plurality of firmware in the host device; A step of transmitting printer information relating to the resources and status of the printer to the host device; and a step of transmitting the printer information from the plurality of firmware based on the transmitted printer information and a request relating to printing set in the host device. A firmware embedding method for a printer, comprising: a step of selecting optimum firmware; and a step of downloading the selected optimum firmware from the host device to the printer.