JPH08212079A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image forming device which can prevent the interruption of a downloading operation of the necessary data. CONSTITUTION: When a downloading operation is carried out by a downloading execution means A, a downloading execution information display means C displays the information on the downloading operation on a control panel B. Furthermore, the type of the downloaded data and the downloading progress state are also shown on the panel B, and the voltage of a write/erase power supply that is necessary for the downloading of a system program is monitored. So that it is decided whether the downloading operation is carried out or not and the information on the downloading operation under execution can be displayed on the panel B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, an intelligent copying machine, an intelligent fax machine or the like, which can be upgraded by downloading data such as an execution program from an external device such as a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, when character information or image information is received from a host computer such as a personal computer or a word processor, an image processing means generates image image information based on the information, The forming means receives the image image information and forms an image on the recording medium.

By the way, generally, the CPU execution program (system program) of the image processing means and the image forming means is rewritten by downloading it from a host computer or an external storage medium to update the version. This is a well-known technique in the world of computers that is based on memory (RAM).

On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, an intelligent copying machine, an intelligent fax machine, or the like, which is not always supplied with power, in order to upgrade the execution program of the CPU, the read-on memory ( (ROM) was replaced. However, the ROM of the internal control board
There was a problem in terms of operation and cost in the method in which the service person replaces it.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-274157, data such as an execution program of the CPU is downloaded from the host computer or an external storage medium in accordance with a control command from the host computer or an operation signal from the operation panel. By doing so, it has been proposed that the version upgrade is facilitated to meet diversifying needs.

[0006]

However, recently, the number of systems in which a plurality of host computers are connected to one printer is increasing, and the printer is often shared by a plurality of users. Further, as an image forming apparatus such as an intelligent copying machine or an intelligent fax, many apparatuses having a function as a printer are increasing.

Therefore, in the printer and the image forming apparatus having the function as the printer, when the required data such as the execution program of the CPU is downloaded from the host computer or the external storage medium, other users do not notice it. If the image forming apparatus is powered off, the download will be interrupted.

[0008] Further, during the execution of the download, the user who gives an instruction for the download cannot confirm whether or not the required data has been downloaded correctly, and normally, after the current download is completed, the predetermined data is displayed on the operation panel. To display the type of downloaded data, check it to see if the required data was downloaded correctly, and if it was not downloaded correctly, download the required data again. A predetermined operation had to be performed on the operation panel or the host computer.

Further, during the execution of the download, it was not possible to know when the download of the required data was completed and the image forming apparatus could be used as a printer, so nothing was done until the download was completed. Often wait and waste time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to prevent interruption of download of required data in an image forming apparatus.
Another object is to make it possible to confirm whether or not the required data has been downloaded correctly during the execution of the download, and to easily determine when the download will end.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a CPU which receives character information or image information from a host computer and generates image image information.
An image processing means having a CPU, an image forming means having a CPU for receiving image image information from the means to form an image on a recording medium, and the image processing means or the image forming means C.
A non-volatile storage means for storing data such as a PU execution program, and a download execution means for downloading the data from the host computer or an external storage medium to the storage means in accordance with a control command from the host computer or an operation signal from the operation panel. In the image forming apparatus having the above, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, download execution information display means C for displaying information indicating that the download execution means A is downloading is provided on the operation panel B. Is.

Further, a download data type display means for displaying the type of data downloaded to the storage means by the download execution means A on the operation panel B, or the progress of the download by the download execution means A is displayed on the operation panel B. It is advisable to provide download progress status display means displayed above.

Further, when the download execution means A downloads the system program of the operation panel B to the storage means, the voltage of the write / erase power supply required is determined to judge whether or not the download is performed, and the download is executed. Means (hardware circuit) for displaying information to that effect on the operation panel B when
Should be provided.

[0014]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the download execution information display means C shown in FIG.
Since the information indicating that the download is being performed is displayed on the operation panel B by, the other users can recognize at a glance that the download is currently being performed. Therefore, it is inevitable that the power supply of the image forming apparatus is accidentally turned off, so that the download of required data can be prevented from being interrupted.

Further, if the type of data downloaded to the storage means by the download execution means A is displayed on the operation panel B, the user who gives an instruction to download the data downloads the required data correctly. You can check if it is done. That is, it is possible to confirm whether or not the required data is properly downloaded without performing any operation on the operation panel B during the execution of the download. Also, other users can check the downloaded data and easily grasp the state of the image forming apparatus.

Alternatively, if the progress of the download by the download executing means A is displayed on the operation panel B, the user instructing the download can use the image forming apparatus as a printer when the download is completed. You can know

Further, when the download execution means A downloads the system program of the operation panel B to the storage means, the voltage of the write / erase power supply necessary for the operation is monitored to judge whether or not the download is performed, and the download is executed. If the information indicating that is displayed on the operation panel B when the operation is being performed, even if the display control cannot be performed by the CPU because the system program of the operation panel B is being downloaded,
Since other users can recognize at a glance that the download is currently being performed, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from being accidentally turned off and to prevent the download from being interrupted.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance example of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes an operation panel 1 described later and a paper feed cassette 2 for accommodating paper to be fed.
And a paper ejection tray 3 for receiving printed paper that is ejected
It has and.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing an example of the appearance of the operation panel 1. This operation panel 1 is an LCD (liquid crystal)
The display unit 5, the LED (light emitting diode) group 6, the key switch group 7, and the like. The LCD display unit 5 displays various kinds of information such as paper size, paper orientation, European typeface, kanji typeface, and number of copies. The LCD display unit 5 has a dot matrix configuration so that error messages and the like can be displayed.

The LED group 6 has a power ON / OFF and ready / OFF.
It can be displayed by turning on / off / blinking busy etc. The key switch group 7 is for inputting and setting a typeface, emulation, interface and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer controller of this laser printer. The printer controller 10 receives character information or image information from a host computer 26 such as a personal computer or a word processor to generate image image information, and is configured as follows.

That is, the CPU 11 and the program ROM
12, font ROM 13, RAM 14, NVRAM1
5, IC card 16, engine interface (hereinafter “interface” is abbreviated as “I / F”) 17, panel I / F 18, disk I / F 19, host I / F 2
0, option I / F 21, and bus 22 I / F.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the entire printer controller 10 by a system program (execution program) in the program ROM 12, a mode instruction from the operation panel 1, and a control command from the host computer 26, and is shown in FIG. It also functions as the download execution means A and the download execution information display means C.

The program ROM 12 is a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores the system program of the printer controller 10. Font ROM1
A rewritable nonvolatile memory 3 stores font data.

The RAM 14 is a work memory for the CPU 11, an input buffer for storing input data,
The random access memory is used as a page buffer for storing page data, a bitmap buffer for storing image data (bitmap data), and the like. The NVRAM 15 is a non-volatile memory (N that stores the contents of the mode instruction from the operation panel 1).
VRAM).

The IC card 16 is a removable memory card (external storage medium) used when an execution program such as a system program and an emulation program of the printer controller 10 and font data are supplied from the outside. The engine I / F 17 includes an engine 23, control commands and statuses, image image data,
This is an interface for communicating system programs (download data).

The panel I / F 18 is an interface for communicating control commands and statuses with the operation panel 1 and system programs (download data). The disk I / F 19 is an interface for communicating with the disk device 24.

The host I / F 20 is an interface for communicating with the host computer 26, and is usually a Centro I / F or RS232C. Option I
/ F21 is an interface for communicating with the option 25. The engine 23 is an image forming unit including an engine control unit including a CPU in addition to the paper feed cassette 2 and the paper discharge tray 3 shown in FIG. 2, and receives image image information from the printer controller 10 and records it. An image is formed on a medium (paper).

The disk device 24 is an external storage device (external storage medium) for storing various data such as a system program of the printer controller 10 or the engine 23, an execution program such as an emulation program and font data. Device (FD
D) and a hard disk device (HDD). The option 25 can be expanded with an expansion memory or the like as needed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing operation according to the present invention in this laser printer. This routine starts when there is a download instruction (control command) from the host computer 26 or a download instruction from the IC card 16 or the disk device 24 by an operation signal from the operation panel 1.

First, the CPU 11 uses an interface (host I / F 20, a host I / F 20, which corresponds to the data from the host computer 26 or the data prepared in the disk device 24 or the IC card 16 in advance for version upgrade.
The data is downloaded to the RAM 14 via the disk I / F 19 and the bus 22), and then it is judged whether or not the data (version) is new by the version number. It is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of the operation panel 1 that the download has been stopped without the need for updating.

Here, the download data includes an execution program such as a system program of the printer controller 10 or the engine 23, an emulation program, and font data. Further, each of these data has various information such as a version (data) number, a writing destination, and information indicating whether rewriting is partial rewriting or whole rewriting.

If the data downloaded to the RAM 14 is new, it is a non-volatile storage medium (program ROM 12, font R) to which the data is written.
Program ROM in OM13 or engine 23
Etc.) to perform a process of partial rewriting or whole rewriting of data on the storage medium, and at the same time, information indicating that the download is being performed (for example, "downloading in progress") on the operation panel. It is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of No. 1 and disappears when the download is completed.

As described above, in the laser printer of this embodiment, the host computer 26, the IC card 16, or the disk device 24 is operated in accordance with the control command from the host computer 26 or the operation signal from the operation panel 1.
More required data is downloaded to the corresponding non-volatile storage medium, and at that time, information indicating that the download is being performed is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of the operation panel 1.
Other users can recognize at a glance that the download is currently being performed. Therefore, it is inevitable that the power of the laser printer is accidentally turned off, and the download of required data will not be interrupted.

When the required data is being downloaded, if the type is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of the operation panel 1 as shown in FIG. It is possible to confirm whether or not the required data has been downloaded correctly, and it is not necessary to perform a special operation on the operation panel 1 during execution of the download. Also, other users can check the downloaded data and easily grasp the state of the image forming apparatus.

Further, while the required data is being downloaded, the progress of the download (eg, "download 70% in progress") is displayed on the LCD display section 5 of the operation panel 1 as shown in FIG. Then, the user who gives an instruction for the download can know when the download ends and the print function can be used. Further, it is also possible to combine the respective processes of FIGS. 6 and 7, whereby both effects can be obtained at the same time.

Here, if the information indicating the capacity is attached to the download data, the progress rate of the download can be easily obtained. For example, considering the case of downloading 128 kilobytes of data, it is possible to request that the download has advanced by 50% when 64 kilobytes of data has been downloaded.

Next, a laser printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment except the operation panel, and therefore FIG. 4 is used again. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an operation panel of a laser printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The operation panel 1 is provided with a download display section 30 on the outer surface in addition to the LCD display section 5, the LED group 6 and the key switch group 7 shown in FIG. In addition, the CPU 31, program ROM 32, write / erase power supply 33, voltage monitoring circuit 34, LCD driver 35, L
A control unit including an ED driver 36 and a controller I / F 37 is provided.

The download display unit 30 is the CPU of FIG.
When the system program of the operation panel 1 is downloaded to the program ROM 32 by the CPU 11 and the CPU 31, the information indicating that is displayed. As the download display unit 30, for example, an LED can be used, and in that case, the display is simple and the cost can be reduced.

The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that controls the entire operation panel 1 according to the system program stored in the program ROM 32. The program ROM 32 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores the system program of the operation panel 1. Write / erase power supply 33
Is a power supply required when the system program of the operation panel 1 is downloaded to the program ROM 32.

The voltage monitoring circuit 34 judges whether or not the download is performed by monitoring the voltage of the write / erase power supply 33, and when the download is performed (the voltage of the write / erase power supply 33 is the write /
The information to that effect is displayed on the download display unit 30 when the voltage changes to that at the time of erasing.

The LCD driver 35 controls the LCD display section 5,
The LED driver 36 drives each of the LED groups 6.
The controller I / F 37 is the printer controller 10
This is an interface for communicating with.

The laser printer of this embodiment also requires the host computer 26, the IC card 16, or the disk device 24 in accordance with a control command from the host computer 26 or an operation signal from the operation panel 1 as in the above-described embodiments. The data is downloaded to the corresponding non-volatile storage medium, and at that time, information indicating that the download is being performed is displayed on the LCD display unit 5 of the operation panel 1.

However, when the data to be downloaded is the system program of the operation panel 1, C shown in FIG.
Since the PU 31 cannot be used, the above information cannot be displayed on the LCD display unit 5. Therefore, the operation panel 1
The internal hardware circuit performs the following processing.

That is, when the system program is sent from the printer controller 10, the controller I
/ F37 controls the write / erase power supply 33 and downloads the system program to the program ROM 32. At this time, the voltage monitoring circuit 34 determines whether or not the download is performed by monitoring the voltage of the write / erase power supply 33, and when the download is performed, the information indicating that is displayed on the download display unit 30. indicate.

Therefore, even if the display control cannot be performed by the CPU 31 because the system program of the operation panel 1 is being downloaded, other users can recognize at a glance that the download is currently being performed. You will not accidentally turn off the power and the download will not be interrupted.

The embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other printers such as LED printers and liquid crystal shutter printers, as well as intelligent copying machines, intelligent fax machines, etc. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

[0049]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is not necessary to turn off the power without noticing that the other user is executing the download, so that the required data can be stored. The download can be prevented from being interrupted, and operability and reliability can be improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the user who has instructed to download can confirm whether or not the required data is correctly downloaded during the execution of the download. Also, other users can check the downloaded data and easily grasp the state of the image forming apparatus. According to the invention of claim 3, the user who has instructed the download can know when the download is completed and the image forming apparatus can be used as a printer.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the system program of the operation panel is being downloaded, the CP
Even if the display control cannot be performed by U, other users can recognize at a glance that the download is currently being performed, so that the power is not accidentally turned off and the download is surely interrupted. Disappear.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance example of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing an example of the appearance of the operation panel of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer controller of the laser printer of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation according to the present invention in the laser printer of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing still another example of the processing operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an operation panel of a laser printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Operation panel 5: LCD display section 6: LED group 7: Key switch group 10: Printer controller 11, 31: CPU (central processing unit) 12, 32: Program ROM 13: Font ROM 14: RAM 15: NVRAM 16: IC card 23: Engine 24: Disk device 33: Write / erase power supply 34: Voltage monitoring circuit 35: LCD driver 36: LED driver 37: Controller I / F

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A CPU that receives character information or image information from a host computer and generates image image information
An image processing means including an image forming means, a CPU that receives image image information from the image forming means to form an image on a recording medium, and an execution program of the image processing means or the CPU of the image forming means. Nonvolatile storage means for storing data, and download execution means for downloading the data from the host computer or an external storage medium to the storage means in accordance with a control command from the host computer or an operation signal from an operation panel The image forming apparatus further comprises download execution information display means for displaying on the operation panel information indicating that the download is being performed by the download execution means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising a download data type display means for displaying on the operation panel the type of data downloaded to the storage means by the download execution means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a download progress status display means for displaying the progress status of download by the download execution means on the operation panel. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
It is determined whether or not the download is performed by monitoring the voltage of the write / erase power supply required when the system program of the operation panel is downloaded to the storage means by the download execution means,
An image forming apparatus comprising means for displaying information on the operation panel when the download is being performed.