JPH09128230A - Terminal device equipped with eeprom - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the terminal device which eliminates the need to lead many signal lines out and can accurately rewrite a control program stored in an EEPROM (electrically rewritable memory holding storage capacity even when the power supply is cut off) into a new control program. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with the EEPROM 3 which stores the control program of controlled equipment, an MPU 4 which performs control based upon the control program over the controlled equipment, a changeover switch 5 which switches the operation mode of the MPU 4 between at least a control mode and a rewriting mode, an internal memory 4A which is stored with a rewriting program and incorporated in the MPU 4, and an interface 6 which is connected to an external device 1 through a communication line. Here, when the changeover switch 5 is switched to the rewriting mode and a new control program is supplied from the external device 1, the MPU 4 rewrites the control program stored in the EEPROM 3 into the new control program according to the rewriting program stored in the internal memory 4A.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device equipped with an EEPROM (a memory which is electrically rewritable and whose stored contents are not lost even when the power is turned off), and more particularly,
The present invention relates to a terminal device provided with an EEPROM that accurately and efficiently rewrites a control program stored in an EEPROM with a new control program supplied from an external device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an elevator maintenance system includes an external device that manages maintenance data, a portable terminal that is individually carried by each elevator maintenance staff, an external device and each portable terminal. If a terminal device that selectively connects a communication path between the external device and one portable terminal device is required to exchange information or transmit data, the terminal device connects the external device to the external device. A communication path is formed with this one portable terminal device, and by forming this communication path, request information etc. from this one portable terminal device is transmitted to an external device, necessary maintenance data, etc. Is transmitted from an external device to this one portable terminal.

By the way, in a terminal device of an elevator maintenance system, an EEPROM storing an application software program (control program) necessary for appropriately managing controlled equipment, and control of the controlled equipment based on the control program. A control unit (microprocessor unit) for executing the operation is provided. And EEPR
The control program stored in the OM is rewritten and updated with a new control program when upgrading the version.

Here, as a known means for rewriting and updating the control program stored in the EEPROM, for example, the means disclosed in JP-A-2-130779 or the means disclosed in JP-A-6-109741 are available. is there.

In this case, the means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-130779 is such that the terminal device is provided with a socket so that the address bus, the data bus and the MPU standby terminal can be drawn out of the terminal device. A ROM rewriting device equipped with an MPU is attached to the outside of the device to rewrite the control program stored in the EEPROM by this ROM rewriting device.

Further, the means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-109741 is provided with a random access memory (RAM) for storing an interface constituting a transmission / reception unit and a new control program in a terminal device, and a new control from an external device. When the program is input to the interface, the new control program is temporarily stored in RAM, and then
A new control program stored in the RAM is transferred to the EEPROM by the rewriting program, and the control program stored in the EEPROM is rewritten.

[0007]

However, the means disclosed in the above-mentioned known Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-130779 is EEP.
When the control program stored in the ROM is rewritten and updated, many signal lines such as an address bus and a data bus need to be pulled out in order to achieve an interface with an external ROM rewriting device. In addition to the problem that the configuration for the rewriting and updating side of the control program becomes complicated, in addition, many signal lines and terminals of the address bus, data bus, etc. are pulled out, so that external disturbance such as noise is received. However, there is a problem that the reliability of the terminal device is deteriorated.

Further, the above-mentioned known Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-109741.
In the means disclosed in the publication, the new control program temporarily stores the new control program supplied from the external device in the RAM and then transfers the storage content of the RAM to the EEPROM. Therefore, the new control program reduces the storage capacity of the RAM. If the capacity is exceeded, there is a problem that the control program stored in the EEPROM cannot be rewritten.

The present invention solves these problems, and its purpose is to eliminate the need for drawing many signal lines to the outside and to newly control the control program stored in the EEPROM regardless of the storage capacity of the RAM. It is to provide a terminal device that can be accurately rewritten in a program.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention executes an EEPROM for storing a control program for a controlled device and a control for the controlled device based on the control program. A control unit, a changeover switch for switching the operation mode of the control unit to at least a control mode and a rewriting mode, an internal memory in which a rewriting program is stored and built in the control unit, and a connection to the external device via a communication line. When the changeover switch is switched to a rewrite mode and a new control program is supplied from the external device, the control unit, based on a rewrite program stored in the internal memory, The control program stored in the EEPROM is rewritten to the new control program.

In the above means, EEPRO
When rewriting the control program stored in M, the changeover switch is switched to the rewriting mode, and the rewriting program stored in the internal memory of the control unit is activated. At this time, when the transmitting / receiving unit receives a new control program supplied from the external device, the control unit rewrites the control program stored in the EEPROM with the new control program based on the rewriting program. And EE
When the rewriting process to the PROM is completed, the changeover switch is switched to the normal control mode, and the control unit executes the control operation based on the new control program.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a terminal device having an EEPROM according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a terminal device, 2 is an external device, 3 is an EEPROM (electrically rewritable, and
Memory that does not lose stored contents even when the power is turned off), 4 is a microprocessor unit (MPU, that is, control unit),
4A is an internal memory, 5 is a changeover switch, 6 is an interface (transmission / reception unit), and 7 is a data bus. In this case, the terminal device 1 includes an EEPROM 3, a microprocessor unit 4, a changeover switch 5 and an interface 6. The microprocessor unit 4 has an internal memory 4A built therein, and an EEPR via a data bus 7.
It is coupled to the OM 3 and the interface 6 and connected to the changeover switch 5.

In this case, the terminal device 1 serves to switch and control a communication path between the external device 2 and a portable terminal device (not shown) individually carried by each maintenance person.
It is selectively coupled to the external device 2 via a communication line. The external device 2 normally manages maintenance data and the like required when maintaining controlled equipment such as an elevator in a building, and the managed maintenance data and the like are managed via communication lines. It is selectively transmitted to the portable terminal. In addition to this, the external device 2 stores a switching control program for switching and controlling a new communication path for the portable terminal, and a transmission program for transmitting this switching control program and various data. The EEPROM 3 stores a switching control program for controlling switching of a communication path for a portable terminal and various data. The microprocessor unit 4 stores a program for controlling the terminal device 2 and EEPR.
The rewriting program for rewriting the program to the OM3 is executed. The internal memory 4A stores a rewriting program for writing a new control program in the EEPROM 3, and the changeover switch 5 controls the microprocessor unit 4 to change the communication path switching control program stored in the EEPROM 3. To switch execution of the rewriting program stored in the internal memory 4A.
According to the on / off operation of the changeover switch 5, the execution of the communication path switching control program and the execution of the rewriting program are switched. Interface 6 is an EEPROM
A new control program to be written in 3 and various data are input, and it is particularly configured to sufficiently withstand external disturbances such as noise. For example, a serial communication interface or the like is used.

Next, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of operations on the side of the terminal device 1 when the control program stored in the EEPROM 3 is rewritten to a new control program in the embodiment shown in FIG. And FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing a series of operations on the external device 2 side when transmitting a new control program to the terminal device 1 in the embodiment shown in FIG.

First, on the terminal device 1 side, EEPRO
The operation of rewriting the control program stored in M3 with a new control program will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, when the changeover switch 5 is changed from on to off, the microprocessor unit 4 reads out the rewriting program stored in the internal memory 4A, and at the same time, the interface 6 sends it to the external device 2. Send a transmission program execution request. Then, when a new control program is transmitted and transmitted from the external device 2 side in response to this transmission program execution request, the new control program is received at the interface 6.

Next, in step S2, the microprocessor unit 4 takes in the new control program received by the interface 6 via the data bus 7, and determines whether or not one block of the new control program has been received. . When it is determined that one block has been received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S3, and when it is determined that one block has not yet been received (N), the process returns to the first step S1 and again, The operation after step S1 is executed.

Next, in step S3, the microprocessor unit 4 generates a transmission stop request after receiving a new control program for one block, and transmits the transmission stop request from the interface 6 to the external device 2. In this case, the reason why the transmission stop request is transmitted to the external device 2 side is that the write required processing time when writing a new control program in the EEPROM 3 is such that data is written in the random access memory (RAM) not shown in FIG. Since the processing time required for writing is considerably longer than that at the time of writing, a request to stop transmission of other data or the like is issued to the external device 2 during writing of a new control program.

Simultaneously with the above operation, in step S4, the microprocessor unit 4 writes the new control program for one block, which has been taken in, into the EEPROM 3 and rewrites the contents stored in the EEPROM 3.

In the next step S5, the microprocessor unit 4 determines whether or not the writing of the new control program for one block into the EEPROM 3 is completed. When it is determined that the writing has been completed (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S6, and when it is determined that the writing has not been completed (N), this step S5 is repeatedly executed.

Subsequently, in step S6, since the microprocessor unit 4 has finished writing the new control program for one block in the EEPROM 3,
A transmission permission signal is generated, and the transmission permission signal is transmitted from the interface 6 to the external device 2. After the transmission permission signal is sent, the process returns to step S1 again,
The operation after step S1 is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, the operation of transmitting a new control program to the terminal device 1 on the external device 2 side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when a transmission program execution request is transmitted from the terminal device 1 side in step S7, the external device 2 creates a new control program for one block in FIG.
A new control program for one block is read out from a memory (not shown) and transmitted to the terminal device 1 side.

Next, in step S8, the external device 2
Determines whether or not the transmission stop request sent from the terminal device 2 has been received. When it is determined that the transmission stop request has been received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S9, and when it is determined that the transmission stop request has not been received yet (N), the process returns to the first step S7 and step S7. Repeat the following operations.

Subsequently, in step S9, the external device 2 determines whether or not the transmission permission signal sent from the terminal device 2 has been received. When it is determined that the transmission permission signal is received (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S10, and when it is determined that the transmission permission signal is not yet received (N), the operation of step S9 is repeatedly executed. .

Next, in step S10, the external device 2 determines whether or not the transmission of all new control programs to be transmitted to the terminal device 2 has been completed. Then, when it is judged that the transmission of all the new control programs is completed (Y), this series of operations is ended, and when it is judged that the transmission of all the new control programs is not yet completed (N), it is started. Return to step S7 of step S7
Repeat the following operations.

After the series of operations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the changeover switch 5 is switched from OFF to ON, and the macroprocessor unit 4 executes the operation according to the normal control program.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the communication path switching control program stored in the EEPROM 3 is rewritten, in response to the switching of the switching switch 5, the microprocessor unit is turned off. Four
By executing the rewriting program in the internal memory 4A,
A new control program is transmitted and transmitted from the external device 2,
After being incorporated into the microprocessor unit 4, the EEPROM 3 is written with this new control program,
Since the content stored in the EEPROM 3 is rewritten, it is not necessary to externally arrange many signal lines such as an address bus and a data bus, and the terminal device 1 is not affected by external noise. Terminal device 1
The reliability can be improved, and a new control program can be written in the EEPROM 3 regardless of the storage capacity of the RAM.

[0031]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the communication path switching control program stored and stored in the EEPROM 3 of the terminal device 1 is supplied from the external device 2 to the terminal device 1 through the communication line. The EEPROM3 is rewritten with a new control program.
When the communication path switching control program stored in the terminal is rewritten, the terminal device 1 is not affected by external noise,
There is an effect that the reliability of the terminal device 1 can be improved and a new control program can be rewritten accurately.

Further, according to the present invention, the new control program sent from the external device 2 is received in block units, and the new control program EEPRO in block units is received.
At the time of writing to M3, a request to stop transmission of other data is supplied to the external device 2, and when writing of a new control program in block units to the EEPROM 3 is completed, the external device 2 is sent a transmission permission signal for other data. Is supplied to all new control programs by EEP.
Since it is repeatedly executed until it is written in ROM3,
EEPROM regardless of the storage capacity of the RAM of the terminal device 1
3 has the effect that all new control programs can be written.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a terminal device including an EEPROM according to the present invention.

2 shows an EEP in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement by the side of a terminal device at the time of rewriting a control program stored in ROM3 to a new control program.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations on the external device side when transmitting a new control program to the terminal device in the embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 External Device 2 Terminal Device 3 EEPROM 4 Microprocessor Unit (MPU, Control Unit) 4A Internal Memory 5 Changeover Switch 6 Interface (Transmit / Receive Unit) 7 Data Bus

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An EEPROM that stores a control program for a controlled device, a control unit that executes control based on the control program for the controlled device, and an operation mode of the control unit that is at least a control mode. A changeover switch for changing over to a mode, an internal memory in which the rewriting program is stored and built in the control section, and a transmitting / receiving section connected to the external device via a communication line are provided, and the changeover switch is changed over to the rewriting mode. And a new control program is supplied from the external device, the control unit controls the new control program stored in the EEPROM based on the rewriting program stored in the internal memory. A terminal device provided with an EEPROM characterized by being rewritten into a program. 2. The terminal device having an EEPROM according to claim 1, wherein the new control program supplied from the external device is supplied in block units. 3. The control unit supplies a transmission stop request to the external device and rewrites other data from the external device to the terminal device when rewriting the control program stored in the EEPROM. To stop the transmission of the EE
When a predetermined amount of a new control program is rewritten in the PROM, a transmission permission signal is supplied to the external device to restart transmission of other data from the external device to the terminal device. A terminal device comprising the EEPROM according to any one of items 1 and 2.