JPH08265488A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to transfer user registering data and rewrite a system control program without complicating the constitution of a facsimile equipment(FAX). CONSTITUTION: The FAX 1 is provided with a user data registering function and an interface function with a registering data downloading jig 10 and registering information stored in a memory device 4 built in the FAX 1 itself is loaded down to a memory device 8 in the jig 10. On the other hand, the registering information stored in the device 8 is loaded up to the device 4 by an up-loading means. The jig 10 is provided with a backup circuit 9 using a battery, so that even when the jig 16 is disconnected from an external memory unit I/F connector 6, data stored in the device 8 are not erased. Thus the operability of data transfer can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of transferring user data registration information and / or rewriting a system control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional OA equipment, a system control program is stored in a non-volatile memory EPR.
Often uses OM (erasable PROM),
A mask ROM may be used in some cases. In this case, when upgrading the system control program,
It is necessary to ask a service technician to unpack the device and replace the ROM.

In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-1
In Japanese Patent No. 12424, there is provided a software for executing a predetermined program, and a determining means for determining whether the data from the input port to which the data from the host computer is input is the program data for downloading the program is provided. An electronic device is disclosed in which the storage unit stores the program data and the software executes the program data according to the determination.

Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-246652 discloses a microprocessor (M
The reset holding circuit that has a PU) and holds the reset signal from the host CPU downloads the control program from the host CPU to the memory while holding the initialized state of the MPU, and then reverses the reset holding circuit. Then, a program loading method in which the MPU executes the program loaded in the memory is disclosed.

The electronic device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-112424 requires a separate program area for downloading a program, and if a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is adopted, it is for downloading. Memory chips are required, which causes a problem in manufacturing cost.

Further, the program loading method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-246652 has a problem that a host system is always required for uploading and downloading.

[0007]

In order to solve the problems in the above disclosed technology, the same applicant as the present application connects two facsimile machines and sets a master / slave state, Set the central processing unit of the facsimile machine to the sleep state, without using the host system,
Facsimile apparatuses have been proposed which upload and download data and download a program in a single system control unit to a flash memory of a system control unit of a facsimile apparatus.

However, the facsimile device according to this proposal has a problem that the device becomes complicated due to the need for the function of sleeping the central processing unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the present situation of transferring the user registration data of the facsimile machine and rewriting the system control program as described above, and an object thereof is to register the user without complicating the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device capable of transferring data and rewriting a system control program.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a facsimile apparatus having a user data registration function and an interface function with an external memory unit, which is provided on the external memory unit. The memory area includes download means for downloading registration information of the facsimile apparatus and upload means for uploading registration information registered in the memory area of the external memory unit to the memory area of the facsimile apparatus. It is what

Similarly, to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus in which a flash memory is mounted as a system control program memory and an interface section with an external memory unit is provided on the system control unit. A system control program area, a chip select control circuit for exchanging a chip select signal of the memory area on the external memory unit, and a memory area on the external memory unit by the system control program. It operates as a memory, and has a download means for downloading information of a memory area on the external memory unit to the flash memory.

[0012] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external memory unit is provided with a backup circuit by a battery and is detachable from the facsimile apparatus. It is characterized in that it constitutes an information registration jig.

[0013] Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to a fourth aspect is the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the external memory unit includes a flash memory, and the program registration is removable to the facsimile apparatus. It is characterized in that it constitutes a jig.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external memory unit further comprises a memory for user data registration. It is characterized by comprising a removable information / program registration jig.

[0015]

According to the invention described in claim 1, it has a user data registration function and an interface function with the external memory unit, and the download information downloads the registration information of the facsimile apparatus to the memory area on the external memory unit. The registration information uploaded to the memory area of the external memory unit is uploaded to the memory area of the facsimile apparatus by the uploading means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a flash memory is mounted as a system control program memory, an interface section with an external memory unit is provided on the system control unit, and a chip select control circuit is provided by a signal from the interface section. , The system control program area and the chip select signal of the memory area on the external memory unit are exchanged. Then, the download means operates the memory area on the external memory unit as a system control program memory, and the information of the memory area on the external memory unit is downloaded to the flash memory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the external memory unit includes a battery backup circuit, and the external memory constitutes a detachable information registration jig for the facsimile apparatus. Is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the external memory unit is provided with a flash memory, and the external memory unit constitutes a detachable program registration jig for the facsimile machine. The action takes place.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the facsimile apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the external memory unit further includes a memory for registering user data, and the external memory unit allows information to be attached / detached to / from the facsimile apparatus.
The operation of the invention of claim 1 or the operation of the invention of claim 2 is performed with the program registration jig configured.

[0020]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a facsimile machine. The facsimile machine 1 is provided with a system control board 2 for system control, and the system control board 2 is equipped with a central processing unit 3 for controlling the entire system. A memory device 4 for storing user data such as one-touch / speed dial and a peripheral device 5 such as a scanner, a plotter, and a compressor / expander of a facsimile machine are connected to the central processing unit 3 via a bus B. The central processing unit 3 and the memory device 4 are connected by the signal line L2. An external memory unit I / F connector 6 is mounted on the control board 2.

This external memory unit I / F connector 6
An external memory unit 7 provided with a memory device 8.
In the connected state, the memory device 8 is connected to the central processing unit 3 via the bus B, and is also connected to the central processing unit 3 by the signal line L1. The external memory unit 7 is used to expand the memory capacity of the memory device 4 of the system control board 2, and is usually composed of a DRAM.

In this embodiment, the central processing unit 3
A download means for downloading registration information such as a one-touch / speed dial stored in the memory device 4 of the facsimile device 1 to the memory device 8 of the external memory unit 7; There is provided an upload means for uploading the stored registration information to the memory device 4 of the facsimile device 1.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. The memory device 4 mounted on the system control board 2 of the facsimile device 1 is controlled by the signal from the central processing unit 3 via the signal line L2, and the registration data of the memory device 4 is read by the central processing unit 3. And written in the memory device 8 of the external memory unit 7. Further, the memory device 8 of the external memory unit 7 is controlled by a signal from the central processing unit 3 via the signal line L1, the registered data is read by the central processing unit 3, and the memory device 4 of the facsimile apparatus 1 is read. Written in.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the registration information of the memory device 4 of the facsimile device 1 is downloaded to the memory device 8 on the external memory unit 7 by the download means, and the external memory unit is uploaded by the upload means. Since the registration information registered in the memory device 8 on the device 7 is uploaded to the memory device 4 of the facsimile device 1, the same data can be expanded to another device and the system control board 2 without complicating the configuration. It becomes possible to easily change the registered data when exchanging.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a registration data download jig 10 having a structure in which a backup circuit 9 is connected to the memory device 8 is provided, and the registration data download jig 10 is an external memory unit. It is connected to the I / F connector 6. In this connection state, the memory device 8 is connected to the central processing unit 3 of the system control board 2 via the bus B, and is also connected to the central processing unit 3 by the signal line L1.

The configuration of the other parts of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment already described, and therefore a duplicated description will not be given.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. In this embodiment, an external memory chip select signal CSRAM2 is assigned to the external memory unit I / F connector 6, and the memory device 8 receives the external memory chip select signal supplied from the central processing unit 3 via the signal line L1. The memory device 4 is controlled by the CSRAM 2, and the memory device 4 is controlled by the memory chip select signal CSRAM 1 supplied from the central processing unit 3 via the signal line L 1.

Then, according to a command from the central processing unit 3,
The registration data of the memory device 8 is read by the central processing unit 3 and written in the memory 4, or the registration data of the memory 4 is read by the central processing unit 3 and written in the memory 8. When transferring these data, the registration data download jig 10 is connected to the external memory unit I /
Even if it is removed from the F connector 6, the data stored in the memory 8 is not lost, and the data transfer process is performed with good operability.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, the external memory unit is
The battery is equipped with a backup circuit, and the external memory constitutes an information registration jig that can be freely attached to and detached from the facsimile machine. Therefore, even if the information registration jig is removed from the facsimile machine, the registration data is saved and It is possible to expand the device to a device and change the registration data when replacing the system control board with good operability.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile apparatus 11 is provided with a system control board 12 for performing system control, and the system control board 12 has a central processing unit 3A for controlling the entire system. And a flash memory 13 in which a system control program is stored in the central processing unit 3A via a bus B,
Peripheral devices 5 such as a scanner, a plotter, and a compression / expansion device of the facsimile machine are connected.

An external memory unit I / F connector 6A is mounted on the control board 12, and a program download jig 14 provided with a memory device 18 is connected to the external memory unit I / F connector 6A. In the connected state, the memory device 18 is connected to the central processing unit 3A via the bus B, and is also connected to the central processing unit A3 by the signal line L1.

Further, the flash memory 13 is connected to the central processing unit 3A via the signal line L3, and the flash memory 13 and the central processing unit 3A are operated by the chip select control signal CONT to connect to the signal lines L1 and L3. On the other hand, chip select signals CSROM1 and CSROM2
A switching device 15 for switching is connected.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. Normally, the facsimile machine operates by the program stored in the flash memory 13 controlled by the chip select signal CSROM1 supplied from the central processing unit 3A. Further, another chip select signal CSROM2 is sent from the central processing unit 3A to the external memory unit I / F.
The chip select signal CSROM2 is assigned to the connector 6A and is supplied to the memory device 18 of the program download jig 14 via the signal line L1.

In this embodiment, the flash memory 13
When switching programs, the switching device 15 is switched by the chip select control signal CONT, the memory device 18 is controlled by the chip select signal CSROM1, and the facsimile device 11 is operated.
Then, in this state, the program stored in the memory device 18 is written in the flash memory 13 by the download means.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the chip select of the flash memory 13 of the system control board 12 and the memory device 18 of the program download jig 14 is performed by the switch 15 which is switched by the chip select control signal CONT. The signals are exchanged with each other, and the download means operates the memory device 18 as a program memory for system control, and causes the flash memory 13 to:
Since the information in the memory device 18 is downloaded, the contents of the flash memory 13 can be upgraded without complicating the configuration.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the facsimile apparatus 21 is provided with a system control board 22 for system control, and the system control board 22 has a central processing unit 3B for controlling the entire system. Is mounted on the central processing unit 3B via a bus B, a flash memory 13 storing a program for system control, a peripheral device 5 such as a scanner, a plotter, a compression / expansion device of the facsimile device 21, and the like. A memory device 4 for storing user data such as one-touch / speed dial is connected, the central processing unit 3B and the memory device 4 are connected by a signal line L2, and the flash memory 13 is connected to the central processing unit 3B by a signal line L3. It is connected.

In this embodiment, the external memory unit I / F
Connect the program / registration data loading jig 2 to the connector 6B.
3, the program / registered data loading jig 23 is provided with a flash memory 24 for storing a program for system control and a memory device 8 to which a backup circuit 9 is connected.

When the program / registration data loading jig 23 is connected to the external memory unit I / F connector 6B, the flash memory 24 and the memory device 8 are connected via the bus B to the central processing unit 3B. And the signal line L1 between the central processing unit 3B and the memory device 8.
The flash memory 24 is connected to the central processing unit 3B via a signal line L4.

A chip select control signal CO is provided between the flash memory 13 and the central processing unit 3B.
A switching device 15 which operates at NT and switches the chip select signals CSROM1 and CSROM2 is connected to the signal lines L3 and L4.

In the present embodiment having such a configuration, as in the second embodiment already described, the registration data of the memory device 8 is read by the central processing device 3B according to the command of the central processing device 3B and is stored in the memory. Written in 4, or
The registration data in the memory 4 is read by the central processing unit 3B and written in the memory 8.

Further, as in the case of the third embodiment already described, when the program of the flash memory 13 is switched, the switch 15 is switched by the chip select control signal CONT to change the chip select signal CSR.
The OM1 controls the flash memory 24 to operate the facsimile device 21. Then, in this state, the program stored in the flash memory 24 is written in the flash memory 13 by the download means.

Further, in this embodiment, since the flash memory 24 is provided in the program / registration data loading jig 23, it is possible to write the program from the facsimile device 21 into the program / registration data loading jig 23. Is.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the effect obtained in the second embodiment and the effect obtained in the third embodiment, which have already been described, can be obtained.

[0048]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it has the user data registration function and the interface function with the external memory unit, and the registration information of the facsimile machine is stored in the memory area on the external memory unit by the download means. Loaded and uploaded by means of
Since the registration information registered in the memory area on the external memory unit is uploaded to the memory area of the facsimile machine, the same data can be expanded to other machines and the system control board can be replaced without complicating the configuration. It becomes possible to easily change the registration data at that time. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a flash memory is mounted as a system control program memory, an interface section with an external memory unit is provided on the system control unit, and a system is provided by a chip select control circuit according to a signal from the interface section. The control program area and the chip select signal of the memory area on the external memory unit are exchanged, and the download means operates the memory area on the external memory unit as the system control program memory, and the flash memory and the external memory. Since the information in the memory area on the unit is downloaded, the contents of the flash memory can be upgraded without complicating the configuration. According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect obtained by the invention of claim 1, the external memory unit is provided with a backup circuit by a battery, and by the external memory,
Since the detachable information registration jig is configured in the facsimile machine, even if the information registration jig is removed from the facsimile machine, the registration data is saved, and the same data is expanded to other devices and the system control board is replaced. It becomes possible to change the registered data at any time with good operability. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect obtained by the invention described in claim 2, the external memory unit includes a flash memory, and the external memory unit constitutes a program registration jig which is detachable from the facsimile device. Therefore, it is possible to upgrade the version of the contents of the flash memory with good operability. According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect obtained by the invention described in claim 1 or the effect obtained by the invention described in claim 2, information and program registration which can be freely attached to and detached from the facsimile apparatus by the external memory unit. Since the jig is configured, it is possible to expand the same data to other devices, change the registered data when replacing the system control board, and upgrade the contents of the flash memory with good operability. Become.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Facsimile device 2 System control board 3, 3A, 3B Central processing unit 4, 8 Memory device 5 Peripheral device 6, 6A, 6B External memory unit I / F connector 7 External memory unit 9 Backup circuit 10 Registration data download jig 11 Facsimile Device 12 System control board 13 Flash memory 14 Program download jig 15 Switching device 18 Memory device 21 Facsimile device 22 System control board 23 Program / registered data loading jig 24 Flash memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a user data registration function and an interface function with an external memory unit, wherein a download means for downloading registration information of the facsimile apparatus to a memory area on the external memory unit, and the external memory. A facsimile device, comprising: uploading means for uploading registration information registered in a memory area on the unit to a memory area of the facsimile device. 2. A facsimile device having a flash memory as a system control program memory and having an interface section with an external memory unit on a system control unit, wherein a system control program area is provided by a signal from the interface section. A chip select control circuit for exchanging chip select signals of a memory area on the external memory unit; and a memory area on the external memory unit, which operates as a system control program memory, and which is stored in the flash memory on the external memory unit. A facsimile machine having a download means for downloading information in a memory area. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external memory unit includes a battery backup circuit and constitutes a detachable information registration jig for the facsimile apparatus. . 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the external memory unit includes a flash memory, and a detachable program registration jig is configured in the facsimile apparatus. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external memory unit further comprises a memory for user data registration, and constitutes a removable information / program registration jig for the facsimile apparatus. A facsimile machine characterized by.