JPH09204275A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the correction of the bugs of the system program of a controller part and coping with the extension board of a kind by down-loading the system program of the controller part from an external host computer by an optimized information capacity. SOLUTION: The transfer of down-loading data is instructed from this printer connected to the same communication network as a host computer 22 provided with the controller part of the printer and a storage medium for storing the valid program of an internal control substrate part, an emulation program and the circuit information of the programmable gate array or the like of an internal control substrate, etc., to the host computer 22 and the basic control of the controller part, corresponding system control and corresponding interface control are changed. Thus, by version-updating the system program of the controller part, the bugs of the existing system program are corrected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device, more specifically, an image processing device (controller), an image forming device (engine), an operation section (operation panel) in a laser printer, an intelligent copying machine, an intelligent facsimile device, or the like. ) Etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a controller for a laser printer, an intelligent copying machine, an intelligent fax, etc., and an effective program for an internal control board,
The emulation program, the circuit information such as the programmable gate array of the internal control board, etc. are all stored in the storage medium in the system unit. Therefore, in order to upgrade the version of an effective program in the system device, a service person exchanges a storage medium (ROM or the like) for the information to be upgraded. Similarly, even when there are a plurality of the same system devices connected in the same communication network, the respective storage media are exchanged. Further, since the above-mentioned storage medium must meet the needs of various markets, even the information that is not used in a certain specific user environment is installed in the system device.

[0003]

As described above, conventionally,
Regarding the version upgrade of an effective program with a system unit, a serviceman exchanges a storage medium (ROM, etc.) for the information to be upgraded, and similarly, there are a plurality of the same system units connected in the same communication network. Even when doing so, it was necessary to replace each storage medium. Further, since the storage medium must meet the needs of various markets, even information not used in a specific user environment must be installed in the system device, and further, the unnecessary storage medium. Since it must be installed in all system units, it was not possible to supply the system unit price optimized for each user environment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the inventions according to claims 1 to 6 include a controller (image processing apparatus), an engine (image forming apparatus), and an operation panel section (operation section). By providing a host computer connected to the same communication network with a medium for storing the CPU execution program and internal circuit information, and issuing a download request command to the host computer via the communication network, a specific user To provide a system unit price optimized for each user environment by providing a means for downloading only the information necessary for the environment onto a rewritable storage medium in the system unit and removing unnecessary storage medium. The purpose is. Also, by enabling the version upgrade of the CPU execution program or the circuit information of the programmable gate array from within the same communication network, the version upgrade work is facilitated and the diversifying demands of printer devices are met and long products are provided. It is also aimed at achieving a longevity.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a controller (image processing apparatus), an engine (image forming apparatus), a CPU execution program in an operation panel section (operation section), and a medium for storing internal circuit information are the same. Information required in a specific user environment by having a system device having a file server function connected to the communication network and issuing a download request command to the system device having the file server function via the communication network. Since the purpose is to provide a means for downloading only a rewritable storage medium in the system unit and remove unnecessary storage medium, the purpose is to supply the system unit price optimized for each user environment. is there. Also, CP
By making it possible to upgrade the version information of the execution program of U or the circuit information of the programmable gate array from the same communication network, it is possible to facilitate the version upgrade work, meet the diversified demands of the printer device, and achieve a long product life. It is also aimed at achievement.

[0006] Explaining in more detail, the invention of claim 1 corrects bugs of the system program of the controller unit and various types by downloading the system program of the controller unit from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity. It is an object of the present invention to make it easy to support the expansion board and to make it possible to specify whether or not to download by setting the operation panel.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the emulation program of the controller section is downloaded from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, thereby facilitating correction of bugs in the emulation program of the controller section and correspondence to various emulations. What to do,
Also, the purpose is to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the font data of the controller section is downloaded from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, so that the bug of the font data of the controller section can be easily corrected and various font data can be dealt with easily. The purpose is to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the system program of the engine section is downloaded from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, so that it is easy to fix bugs in the system program of the engine section and deal with various engine operations. The purpose is to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the system program of the operation panel unit is downloaded from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, so that the bug of the system program of the operation panel unit and various display correspondences can be easily performed. The purpose is to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an internal programmable
By downloading the circuit information of the gate array from the external host coprocessor with the optimized information capacity, it is easy to fix bugs in the internal circuit and deal with various internal circuits, and by setting the operation panel. The purpose is to make it possible to specify whether or not to download.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, by downloading the system program of the controller unit from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity,
It is an object of the present invention to make it easy to fix a bug in the system program of the controller section and to cope with various expansion boards, and to make it possible to specify whether or not to download by setting the operation panel.

According to the invention of claim 8, the emulation program of the controller section is downloaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, so that the bug of the emulation program of the controller section can be corrected and various emulations can be performed. It is intended to facilitate the correspondence and to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the font data of the controller section is downloaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, so that the bug of the font data of the controller section can be corrected and various font data can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the handling of the above and to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the system program of the engine unit is downloaded from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, so that a bug of the system program of the engine unit is corrected and various engine operations are performed. It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the handling of the above and to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to the invention of claim 11, the system program of the operation panel section is downloaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity.
It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the correction of bugs in the system program of the operation panel section and various display correspondences, and to make it possible to specify whether or not to download by setting the operation panel.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array is downloaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, thereby fixing the bug of the internal circuit and various internal circuits. It is an object of the present invention to make it easier to deal with, and to make it possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and receives image image information from the image processing apparatus. Image forming apparatus (engine) that forms an image on a recording medium by
And a printer device having an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine, and communication with a host computer having a storage medium for storing a system program of the printer device. In the printer device having the host computer and the data communication control means via the network, the system program is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by the communication control command. When the version of the download data is detected and the version is new Or a means for executing the download only in the case of a new one, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to execute the download of the system program by setting on the operation panel, and particularly optimizes the system program of the controller section. By downloading from an external host computer with a large amount of information, it is easy to fix bugs in the system program of the controller and support various expansion boards, and you can specify whether to download by setting the operation panel. It is the one.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing an emulation program of the printer device. In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium and a data communication control means via the communication network, the emulation program is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command. The bar And a means for executing the download only when the version is newer or a new version, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to execute the download of the emulation program by the setting of the operation panel, in particular, By downloading the emulation program of the controller section from the external host computer with optimized information capacity, it is easy to fix bugs in the emulation program of the controller section and support various emulations. Furthermore, download by setting the operation panel. It is possible to specify whether or not to do it.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium and a data communication control means via a communication network, the font data is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command. Download data version It is equipped with a means for executing only when the version is newer or newer, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the font data by setting on the operation panel. By downloading the data with an optimized information capacity from an external host computer, it is easy to fix bugs in the font data of the controller and deal with various font data, and whether to download by setting the operation panel. It is possible to specify.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming an image, and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the system program of the engine of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing the information and a host computer and data communication control means via a communication network, downloading a system program of the engine unit onto the storage medium of the engine unit by a communication control command. Characteristically, the download is A means for detecting the version of the downloaded data and executing it only when the version is newer or newer; and means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the system program of the engine by setting the operation panel. Especially, by downloading the system program of the engine section from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, it is easy to fix the bug of the system program of the engine section and deal with various engine operations. Whether to download or not can be specified by the setting of.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. And an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing a system program and a data communication control means via the communication network, the system program of the operation panel unit is stored on the storage medium of the operation panel unit by a communication control command. Characterized by downloading, the download A means for detecting the version of the download data and executing it only when the version is new or a new version, and a means for enabling the setting of the operation panel to specify whether or not to download the system program of the operation panel section. In particular, by downloading the system program of the operation panel section from the external host computer with optimized information capacity,
This makes it easy to fix bugs in the system program of the operation panel section and to deal with various types of display, and it is possible to specify whether or not to download by setting the operation panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine, and a programmable gate of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing circuit information of an array and a host computer and data communication control means via a communication network, a circuit of a programmable gate array on the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command Characterized by downloading information A means for executing the download by detecting the version of the download data and executing it only when the version is new or new, and designating whether or not to download the circuit information of the programmable gate array by the setting of the operation panel It is equipped with a means to enable it, and in particular, by downloading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array from the external host computer with an optimized information capacity, it is possible to fix bugs in the internal circuit and deal with various internal circuits. To make it easier,
It is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing a system program of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Download the system program onto the storage medium of the Otsu controller. A feature is that the means for executing the download by detecting the version of the download data and executing only when the version is newer or newer, and whether or not the download of the system program is executed can be specified by the setting of the operation panel. Equipped with means,
In particular, by downloading the system program of the controller unit from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, it is possible to easily fix bugs in the system program of the controller unit and deal with various expansion boards. It is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing an emulation program of the printer device. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Download the emulation program on the storage medium of the Otsu controller. Characterized by loading, and means for executing the download and detecting the download data version and executing only when the version is newer or newer, and whether or not the download of the emulation program is executed is specified by setting of the operation panel In particular, by downloading the emulation program of the controller unit from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, it is possible to fix bugs in the emulation program of the controller unit and various emulation programs. It is easy to handle, and it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Characterized by downloading font data to the storage medium of the Otsu controller , Download the download
It is provided with means for detecting a data version and executing it only when the version is new or new, and means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the font data by setting on the operation panel, and particularly, the controller By downloading the font data of the controller section from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, it is possible to easily correct bugs in the font data of the controller section and deal with various font data. Whether to download or not can be specified by the setting of.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the system of the engine unit of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) having a storage medium for storing a program and a printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing a system program having a data communication control unit with the printer device (A) via a communication network, communication is performed. The control program allows the engine part system program to be written on the storage medium of the engine part. Means for executing the download only when the version of the download data is detected and the version is new or new, and whether or not the download of the system program of the engine unit is executed. It is equipped with means that can be specified by setting the panel, and in particular, by downloading the system program of the engine unit from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, correction of bugs in the system program of the engine unit and This makes it easy to deal with various engine operations, and moreover, it is possible to specify whether or not to download by setting the operation panel.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. And an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing the system program having the printer device (A) and a data communication control means via a communication network with the printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing the system program, A communication control command is used to store the system panel of the operation panel on the storage medium of the second operation panel. And a means for executing the download only when the download data version is detected and the version is new or new, and whether or not the system program of the operation panel unit is downloaded. It is equipped with a means that can be specified by setting the operation panel, and in particular, by downloading the system program of the operation panel from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, a bug of the system program of the operation panel It is possible to easily correct the above and cope with various displays, and further it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and outputs an image on a recording medium. And an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming an image, and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the operation programmable gate of the printer apparatus.・
A printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing circuit information of the array and the printer device (A) via a communication network
And a printer device having data communication control means,
It is characterized by downloading the circuit information of the operation programmable gate array onto the storage medium of the Otsu controller by the communication control command, and executing the download only when the version of the download data is detected and the version is new or new. And a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the circuit information of the programmable gate array by setting the operation panel.
By downloading the circuit information of the gate array with the optimized information capacity from the system device having the file server function, it is possible to easily fix bugs in the internal circuit and deal with various internal circuits. It is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a controller having means for downloading from a host computer in order to achieve the objects of the inventions of claims 1 to 6, and FIG. , 100 is a controller,
11 is a CPU, and the CPU 11 is a program ROM 14
The entire controller is controlled by the program, the mode instruction from the operation panel 20, and the information from the host computer. Reference numeral 12 is a memory card for supplying font data from the outside, and 13 is a non-volatile storage medium (NVRA) for storing the contents of the mode instruction from the operation panel 20.
M). 14 is a BOOTROM in which the control program of the controller is stored, 15 is a ROM for storing font pattern data, 16 is a work memory,
An input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, and a rewritable storage medium (RAM) for download data. Reference numeral 17 is an engine interface that communicates commands with the engine 18, status, print data, and download data, and 18 is an engine that actually prints. The engine control program is a rewritable nonvolatile ROM. Reference numeral 19 is a panel interface for communicating commands with the operation panel 20, status, and download data. In addition, the control program of the operation panel is
It is a rewritable nonvolatile ROM.

Reference numeral 20 is an operation panel for informing the user of the current printer status, and for giving a mode instruction and a download instruction. Reference numeral 21 is a host interface that communicates with the host computer 22, and is typically a Centro I / F or RS232C. Reference numeral 22 is a host computer that is a higher-level device of the printer, 23 is a disk interface for communicating with the disk device 24, and 24
Is a disk device that stores various data such as font data, download programs, and print data, such as a floppy disk drive unit or a hard disk drive unit. 25 is CP
An internal bus of U11, 26 is an interface for performing data communication with an expansion board such as an expansion interface and expansion memory, and 27 is an expansion board such as an expansion interface and expansion memory.

In the present invention, a host having a controller unit of the printer device and a storage medium for storing circuit information such as an effective program, an emulation program of the internal control board unit and a programmable gate array of the internal control board in advance. The printer device connected to the same communication network as the computer 22 downloads to the RAM 16 according to a download data transfer instruction (a control command predetermined between the host computer 22 and the controller 100) to the host computer 22. It should be noted that the functions, actions, and effects in the system device differ greatly depending on various information accompanying this download data.

(Invention of Claim 1) The system program of the controller unit is downloaded from the host computer 22 connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the controller unit, the corresponding system control and the corresponding interface control are changed, Therefore, the bug of the existing system program is corrected by upgrading the system program of the controller section. Also, the newly developed expansion interface board, communication control means with the expansion memory, and control means are supported.

(Invention of Claim 2) The host computer 2 in which the emulation program is connected to the same communication network.
It is designed to correct bugs in the existing emulation program by downloading it from No. 2, changing the corresponding emulation function and type, and then upgrading the emulation program of the controller section. Also, add a newly developed emulation program.

(Invention of Claim 3) By downloading font data from the host computer 22 connected to the same communication network, changing the corresponding font type, and upgrading the font data of the controller section. , The bug of the existing font data is corrected. Also, new font data is added.

(Invention of claim 4) The system program of the engine section is downloaded from the host computer 22 connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the engine section,
By modifying the system configuration of the corresponding duplex unit, paper feed tray unit, and paper discharge tray unit, and by upgrading the system program of the engine section, the bug of the existing system program can be fixed. is there. In addition, a new expansion of a paper feeding device or a paper discharging device, a double-sided printing device, a high-resolution process device, or the like is added or changed to correspond to the engine operation.

(Invention of Claim 5) The system program of the operation panel section is downloaded from the host computer 22 connected to the same communication network, and basic control of the operation panel section, corresponding operation type, operation function, display type, By modifying the operation function and upgrading the system program of the operation panel section, the bug of the existing system program is corrected. Also,
Change the displayed contents.

(Invention of Claim 6) The circuit information of the programmable gate array is downloaded from the host computer 22 connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the internal circuit, the corresponding interface control, and the extended interface control are changed. Then, by upgrading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array,
It is designed to fix bugs in existing internal circuits. In addition, the Centronics interface circuit is changed according to various host computers.

As described above, in the inventions of claims 1 to 6, the operation itself is the same as that of each invention and is simple, but what is done is the host computer 2 connected to the same communication network.
It is important to be able to download from 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a controller having means for downloading from a system device having a file server function in order to achieve the object of the invention of claims 7 to 12. 28 is an external system device having a file server function.
The same reference numerals as those in the case of FIG. 1 are attached to the portions having the same operations as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

The invention shown in FIG. 2 is a storage medium for storing in advance the controller section of the printer device, the effective program of the internal control board section, the emulation program, the circuit information of the programmable gate array of the internal control board, and the like. A transfer instruction of download data from the printer device connected to the same communication network as the external system device having the file server function to the external system device having the file server function (between the external system device having the file server function in advance and the controller 100). Is downloaded to the RAM 16 by a control command defined by
It should be noted that the functions, actions, and effects in the system device greatly differ depending on the type of information accompanying this download data.

(Invention of Claim 7) The system program of the controller section is downloaded from the external system device 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the controller section, the corresponding system control, and the corresponding control. The interface control is changed, and the system program of the controller section is upgraded to correct the bug of the existing system program. Also, the newly developed expansion interface board, communication control means with the expansion memory, and control means are supported.

(Invention of claim 8) The emulation program is downloaded from the external system device 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, the corresponding emulation function and type are changed, and the emulation of the controller section is thus performed. By upgrading the program, the bugs of the existing emulation program are fixed. Also, add a newly developed emulation program.

(Invention of claim 9) The font data is downloaded from the external system device 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, and the corresponding font type is changed. By upgrading the version, the bug of the existing font data is corrected. Also, new font data is added.

(Invention of Claim 10) The system program of the engine section is downloaded from the external system unit 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the engine section, the corresponding double-sided unit, and sheet feeding are performed. By modifying the system configuration of the tray unit and the paper discharge tray unit, and by upgrading the system program of the engine unit, the bug of the existing system program is corrected. In addition, a newly expanded paper feeding device or paper discharging device, double-sided printing device,
Make additional changes to support engine operation of high-resolution process equipment.

(Invention of claim 11) The system program of the operation panel section is downloaded from the external system device 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the operation panel section, the corresponding operation type, The operation function, display type, and operation function are changed, and the system program of the operation panel unit is upgraded to correct the bug of the existing system program. Also, the display content is changed.

(Invention of Claim 12) The circuit information of the programmable gate array is downloaded from the external system device 28 having the file server function connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the internal circuit and the corresponding interface control are performed. ， By changing the extended interface control,
By upgrading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array, the bug of the existing internal circuit is corrected. In addition, the Centronics interface circuit is changed according to various host computers.

As described above, in the inventions of claims 7 to 12, the operation itself is common to each invention and is simple, but what is an external system having a file server function connected to the same communication network? It is important that it can be downloaded from device 28.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and receives image image information from the image processing device on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus (engine) for forming an image on a printer, and a printer apparatus having an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the system program of the printer apparatus In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium for storing the data and a host computer and data communication control means via a communication network, the system program is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command.・ Detects the version of data The system is provided with means for executing the download only when the version is newer or newer, and means for specifying whether or not the download of the system program is executed by the setting of the operation panel, and particularly, the system of the controller unit. By downloading the program from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, it becomes possible to easily fix bugs in the system program of the controller section and easily deal with various expansion boards. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing an emulation program of the printer device. In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium and a data communication control means via the communication network, the emulation program is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command. The bar And a means for executing the download only when the version is newer or a new version, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to execute the download of the emulation program by the setting of the operation panel, By downloading the emulation program of the controller unit from the external host computer with an optimized information capacity, it becomes possible to easily fix bugs in the emulation program of the controller unit and deal with various emulations. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium and a communication network via a communication network, the font data is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command. Download data version It is equipped with a means for executing only when the version is newer or newer, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the font data by setting on the operation panel. By downloading the data from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, it is possible to easily correct bugs in the font data of the controller and deal with various font data.
Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming an image, and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the system program of the engine of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing the information and a host computer and data communication control means via a communication network, downloading a system program of the engine unit onto the storage medium of the engine unit by a communication control command. Characteristically, the download is A means for detecting the version of the downloaded data and executing it only when the version is newer or newer; and means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the system program of the engine by setting the operation panel. Especially, by downloading the system program of the engine section from the external host computer with the optimized information capacity, it becomes possible to easily fix the bug of the system program of the engine section and deal with various engine operations. . Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. And an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing a system program and a data communication control means via the communication network, the system program of the operation panel unit is stored on the storage medium of the operation panel unit by a communication control command. Characterized by downloading, the download A means for detecting the version of the download data and executing it only when the version is new or a new version, and a means for enabling the setting of the operation panel to specify whether or not to download the system program of the operation panel section. In particular, by downloading the system program of the operation panel section from the external host computer with optimized information capacity,
It becomes possible to easily correct bugs in the system program of the operation panel section and deal with various displays. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine, and a programmable gate of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium for storing circuit information of an array and a host computer and data communication control means via a communication network, a circuit of a programmable gate array on the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command Characterized by downloading information A means for executing the download by detecting the version of the download data and executing it only when the version is new or new, and designating whether or not to download the circuit information of the programmable gate array by the setting of the operation panel It is equipped with a means to enable it, and in particular, by downloading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array from the external host computer with an optimized information capacity, it is possible to fix bugs in the internal circuit and deal with various internal circuits. It will be easy to do. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and outputs an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing a system program of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Download the system program onto the storage medium of the Otsu controller. A feature is that the means for executing the download by detecting the version of the download data and executing only when the version is newer or newer, and whether or not the download of the system program is executed can be specified by the setting of the operation panel. Equipped with means,
In particular, by downloading the system program of the controller unit from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, it is possible to easily fix bugs in the system program of the controller unit and deal with various expansion boards. It will be possible. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing an emulation program of the printer device. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Download the emulation program on the storage medium of the Otsu controller. Characterized by loading, and means for executing the download and detecting the download data version and executing only when the version is newer or newer, and specifying whether or not to execute the download of the emulation program by the setting of the operation panel In particular, by downloading the emulation program of the controller unit from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, it is possible to fix bugs in the emulation program of the controller unit and various emulation programs. It becomes possible to facilitate correspondence. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and outputs an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium that stores a system program that has a data communication control means with the printer device (A) and a printer device (A) that has a storage medium that uses a communication control command Characterized by downloading font data to the storage medium of the Otsu controller , Download the download
It is provided with means for detecting a data version and executing it only when the version is new or new, and means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the font data by setting on the operation panel, and particularly, the controller By downloading the font data of the controller section from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, it becomes possible to easily fix bugs in the font data of the controller section and deal with various font data. . Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an image processing device (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing device, and displays an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming a printer and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the system of the engine unit of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) having a storage medium for storing a program and a printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing a system program having a data communication control unit with the printer device (A) via a communication network, communication is performed. The control program allows the engine part system program to be written on the storage medium of the engine part. Means for executing the download only when the version of the download data is detected and the version is new or new, and whether or not the download of the system program of the engine unit is executed. It is equipped with means that can be specified by setting the panel, and in particular, by downloading the system program of the engine unit from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, correction of bugs in the system program of the engine unit and It becomes possible to easily deal with various engine operations. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. And an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing the system program having the printer device (A) and a data communication control means via a communication network with the printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing the system program, A communication control command is used to store the system panel of the operation panel on the storage medium of the second operation panel. And a means for executing the download only when the download data version is detected and the version is new or new, and whether or not the system program of the operation panel unit is downloaded. It is equipped with a means that can be specified by setting the operation panel, and in particular, by downloading the system program of the operation panel from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity, a bug of the system program of the operation panel It is possible to easily correct the above and cope with various displays. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, receives image image information from the image processing apparatus, and displays an image on a recording medium. And an image forming apparatus (engine) for forming an image, and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the operation programmable gate of the printer apparatus.・
A printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing circuit information of the array and the printer device (A) via a communication network
And a printer device having data communication control means,
It is characterized by downloading the circuit information of the operation programmable gate array onto the storage medium of the Otsu controller by the communication control command, and executing the download only when the version of the download data is detected and the version is new or new. And a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the circuit information of the programmable gate array by setting the operation panel.
By downloading the circuit information of the gate array from the system device having the file server function with an optimized information capacity, it becomes possible to easily fix bugs in the internal circuit and deal with various internal circuits. Also, it is possible to specify whether to download or not by setting the operation panel.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a controller having means for downloading from a host computer in order to achieve the object of the inventions of claims 1 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a controller having means for downloading from a system device having a file server function in order to achieve the objects of the inventions of claims 7 to 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory card, 13 ... Storage medium (NVRAM), 14 ... BOOTRAM, 15 ... Font ROM, 16 ... Storage medium (RAM), 17 ... Engine interface, 18 ... Engine, 19 ... Panel interface, 20 ... Operation panel, 21 ... Host interface, 22 ... Host computer, 23 ... Disk interface, 24 ... Disk device, 25 ... CPU internal bus, 26 ... Expansion interface, 28 ... External system device, 100 ... Controller.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing apparatus and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing a system program of the printer apparatus. In a printer having a host computer and a data communication control means via a communication network with a host computer, a system control program is downloaded onto a storage medium of the controller by a communication control command, and the version of the downloaded data is detected. New version In the case of a new device or a new device, the printer device is provided with a device for executing the download, and a device for specifying whether to execute the download of the system program by setting the operation panel. 2. An image processing device (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing device and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing an emulation program of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer and a data communication control means via a communication network with a host computer, the emulation program is downloaded onto a storage medium of the controller by a communication control command, and the version of the downloaded data is detected. Teba If the version is new or new, the printer device is provided with means for executing the download, and means for enabling or disabling the download of the emulation program by setting on the operation panel. 3. An image processing device (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing device and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer and a data communication control means via a communication network with a host computer, font data is downloaded onto a storage medium of the controller by a communication control command, and the download is a version of download data. Detect and version The printer device is provided with a unit that executes new or only when it is new, and a unit that can specify whether to download the font data by setting on the operation panel. 4. An image processing device (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing device and forms an image on a recording medium. A storage medium storing an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine, and storing a system program of the engine of the printer apparatus. In a printer device having a host computer having the above and a host computer and data communication control means via a certain communication network, the system program of the engine unit is downloaded onto a storage medium of the engine unit by a communication control command. The download data And a means for executing only when the version is newer or newer, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the engine system program by operating panel settings. Printer device. 5. An image processing apparatus (controller) that receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation that receives image image information from the image processing apparatus and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing a system program of the operation panel unit of the printer device. In a printer device having a host computer having a storage medium and a data communication control means via a communication network, the system program of the operation panel unit is downloaded onto the storage medium of the operation panel unit by a communication control command. And download the download A means for detecting the version of the computer and executing it only when the version is new or new, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the system program of the operation panel section by setting the operation panel A printer device characterized by the above. 6. An image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image forming which receives image image information from the image processing apparatus and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and the engine, the circuit information of a programmable gate array of the printer apparatus is provided. In a printer having a host computer having a storage medium to store and a communication network via the communication network, the circuit information of the programmable gate array is downloaded onto the storage medium of the controller by a communication control command. Characterized by the download Means for detecting the version of download data and executing only when the version is new or new, and whether or not to download the circuit information of the programmable gate array can be specified by the setting of the operation panel. A printer apparatus comprising means. 7. An image processing apparatus (controller) for receiving character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image forming for receiving image image information from the image processing apparatus to form an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing a system program of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing a system program having the printer device (A) and a data communication control unit via the printer device (A), a storage medium of the B controller by a communication control command Characterized by downloading a system program on the Download, the means for detecting the version of the downloaded data and executing it only when the version is new or new, and the means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the system program by setting the operation panel A printer device characterized by the above. 8. An image processing device (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image forming which receives image image information from the image processing device and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing an emulation program of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing a system program having the printer device (A) and a data communication control unit via the printer device (A), a storage medium of the B controller by a communication control command To download the emulation program on Characteristically, means for executing the download by detecting the download data version and executing only when the version is newer or newer, and means for specifying whether or not the download of the emulation program is executed by setting on the operation panel A printer apparatus comprising: 9. An image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing apparatus and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer apparatus having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and having a storage medium for storing font data of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing a system program having the printer device (A) and a data communication control unit via the printer device (A), a storage medium of the B controller by a communication control command Characteristic of downloading font data on the A means for detecting the download data version and executing it only when the version is newer or newer, and a means for making it possible to specify whether or not to download the font data by setting on the operation panel A printer device. 10. An image processing apparatus (controller) which receives character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which receives image image information from the image processing apparatus and forms an image on a recording medium. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and a storage for storing a system program of an engine unit of the printer apparatus. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing a system program having a data communication control means with the printer device (A) having a medium and a printer network (B) through a communication network, an O engine by a communication control command Download the engine system program onto the storage medium of the engine. A means for executing the download only when the version of the download data is detected and the version is new or new, and whether or not the download of the system program of the engine section is executed on the operation panel. A printer device comprising means for enabling designation by setting. 11. An image processing device (controller) which receives image information or character information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image formation which forms image on a recording medium by receiving image image information from the image processing device. A printer device having an apparatus (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, and storing a system program of the operation panel unit of the printer device. In a printer device (B) that does not have a storage medium for storing a system program having a data communication control means with the printer device (A) having a storage medium and the printer device (A), a communication control command is used. Download the system program of the operation panel onto the storage medium of the operation panel. And a means for executing the download only when the download data version is detected and the version is newer or newer, and whether or not the download of the system program of the operation panel unit is executed. A printer device comprising means for enabling specification by panel setting. 12. An image processing apparatus (controller) for receiving character information or image information from a host computer to generate image image information, and image forming for receiving image image information from the image processing apparatus to form an image on a recording medium. A printer device having a device (engine) and an operation unit (operation panel) for displaying various function settings and various information of the controller and engine, the circuit information of an operation programmable gate array of the printer device. In a printer device (A) having a storage medium for storing data and a printer device (A) and a data communication control means via a communication network, a programmable gate is operated on the storage medium of the second controller by a communication control command.・ The feature is that the circuit information of the array is downloaded. Download means for detecting the version of the downloaded data and executing only when the version is newer or newer;
A printer apparatus comprising means for enabling designation of whether to download gate array circuit information by setting on an operation panel.