JPH09247304A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely collect a charge and to provide correct contents by extending a compressed option program within a memory by a request from a remote place. SOLUTION: A flash memory 11 is provided as a writable nonvolatile memory within a control part 1 to store a standard program for operating a facsimile equipment and the compressed option program for executing an option function. When an option program addition request is sent from a remote center device through a line, a network controller 6 and a modem 9, a communication control part 7 transfers the signal to a control part 1. The option request extracting means of the control part 1 confirms the addition request signal and then extends the compressed option program within the flash memory 11 through RAM 3 to store in the flash memory 11 again. After this the execution of the remote place is made possible. Thereby the charge is surely collected and the correct contents are provided with respect to the option request from the remote place.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine capable of updating a program stored in its own apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile machine which expands a compressed option program to add the option program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, a program for operating a facsimile machine is built in a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, and a new program is sent from a remote facsimile machine to update the program in the flash memory. A facsimile machine having such a structure is provided. The facsimile machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-31367 is one of the above-mentioned facsimile machines, and is a rewritable non-volatile memory (EEPROM or the like) that sends an additional procedure program from a remote place via a line. ) In the communication procedure program.
On the other hand, in the field of information devices such as personal computers, there is provided a technique of compressing and storing a program executed by the information device, and decompressing and using the compressed program at the time of execution.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In the method of updating a program shown in the 63-31367 bulletin, etc., the content of the program may change during transmission because the program to be added is sent via the line. Further, in a personal computer or the like, a device for reducing the required memory capacity is devised, but no method for updating the program is presented. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a facsimile apparatus provided with a program updating means capable of preventing the contents of a new program to be added from changing during the addition process. .

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a compressed option program for executing an optional function of a facsimile apparatus in a facsimile apparatus capable of updating a program built in the apparatus itself. In a rewritable first memory and a rewriting program in the rewritable first memory or another storage unit, and extracts option addition request information requesting addition of an option program from a received signal. When the option request extracting means extracts the option addition request information, the option request extracting means expands the compressed option program by the rewriting program and stores it in the second memory. 1 in-memory compressed option It is characterized in that rewriting the extension option program stored gram in the second memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus capable of updating a program incorporated in its own apparatus, the rewritable first memory or another storage unit is provided with the update program, and the option compressed from the received signal is used. An option program extracting unit for extracting a program is provided, and when the option program extracting unit extracts the compressed option program and stores the compressed option program in the second memory, the update program stores the compressed option program in the second memory. It is characterized in that it is expanded and the expanded option program is written in the first memory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus capable of updating a program incorporated in its own apparatus, the compressed optional program is provided in a rewritable first memory, and the rewritable first memory is provided. Alternatively, a rewriting program is provided in another storage unit, and input key collating means for collating the key code input from the operation section with the built-in key code is provided, and the key code inputted by the input key collating means is built in. When it is determined that the rewritten program matches the generated key code, the rewritten program decompresses the compressed option program
Of the rewritable first memory and further rewrites the compressed option program in the rewritable first memory into the decompressed option program stored in the second memory.

[0007]

With the above-mentioned means, the facsimile machine according to the first aspect can add the option program to the facsimile machine by sending the option addition request information from a remote place. In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, the option program can be added to the facsimile apparatus by sending the compressed option program from a remote place. In the facsimile machine according to the third aspect, the option program can be added to the facsimile machine only by inputting the key code from the operation unit.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile machine embodying the present invention. As shown in the figure, this facsimile machine has a control unit 1 for managing and controlling the entire machine according to a built-in program, a keyboard for an operator to give instructions to the facsimile machine, and a facsimile machine for giving a message etc. to the operator. Operation display unit 2 including display means, a RAM 3 for temporarily storing image information and the like, a scanner 4 for reading an image on a document, and received image information decoded by an encoding / decoding unit (DCR) 8. , A network controller (NCU) 6 for setting up a call with a remote facsimile machine via the public telephone network, and a communication controller for performing facsimile transmission / reception according to the G3 transmission control procedure. 7, a modem 9 consisting of a low speed modem and a high speed modem,
An image memory 10 for storing image information is provided.

A flash memory 11 is provided in the control unit 1 as a writable non-volatile memory.
As shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 2, the flash memory 11 expands the standard program of the standard equipment for operating the facsimile machine, the compressed option program for executing the optional functions of the facsimile machine, and the compressed option program. It stores the rewriting program etc. However, the compressed option program cannot be executed unless it is decompressed. The standard program and the rewriting program may be stored in a ROM or the like instead of the flash memory 11. The control unit 1 also has an option request extraction unit that is executed according to a standard program in the flash memory 11. The option request extraction means extracts the option addition request information from the received signal received from the line.

FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment.
The operation of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. This facsimile apparatus can execute facsimile communication according to the G3 transmission control procedure, for example. An option addition request for expanding the option program in the flash memory 11 to make it executable is sent from a remote central device connected to the line to, for example, a predetermined signal (eg, NSS signal) of phase B of the G3 transmission control procedure. It is set and sent. Therefore, when the phase B signal is received from the line (S1 in FIG. 3) and the communication control unit 7 passes the predetermined signal to the control unit 1, the option request extraction means in the control unit 1 adds the option to the predetermined signal. It is determined whether the request information is set (S2). The above-mentioned option addition request information is composed of, for example, a key code known only to those who have the above-mentioned right, in order to prevent the option program addition from being illegally performed by a person who does not have the right. A key code matching this key code is also incorporated in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment and managed by the option request extracting means. Therefore,
The option request extraction means determines whether or not such a key code is set in the predetermined signal, and if it is set (Yes in S2), the compressed option program stored in the flash memory 11 is stored. Is extended (S3). On the other hand, if the key code is not set (No in S2), the operation flow is exited.

The above-mentioned expansion of the option program is executed by the CPU of the control unit 1 according to the rewriting program. That is, the compressed option program stored in the flash memory 11 is sequentially read from the beginning and expanded according to a predetermined rule, and the expanded part is stored in the RAM.
The process of storing in 3 is repeated (see FIG. 2). After the expansion is completed, the option program expanded according to the above rewriting program is continuously stored in the flash memory.
Write to 11 (S4). The area to be written is, for example, an area in which the compressed option program has been stored and an empty area following the area (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the compressed option program is rewritten by the expanded option program. Since it is expanded and the amount of data increases, it is necessary to secure a free area in advance. In this way, the optional program can be executed thereafter.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow chart of the main part of the facsimile apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment is also configured as shown in the configuration block diagram of FIG. 1, and the standard program (see FIG. 5) in the flash memory 11 constitutes an option program extracting means together with the CPU in the control unit 1. In addition, the update program is stored as shown in FIG. The above option program extraction program extracts the compressed option program from the signals sent from the center unit and stores it in the RAM.
3 and the update program is expanded by decompressing the compression option program stored in the RAM 3 to the flash memory 11
Write to.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment receives an option program compressed by facsimile communication in ECM (error correction mode) of G3 transmission control procedure as shown in FIG. First, a phase B signal is received from the line (S in FIG. 4).
11). In this embodiment, the compressed option program is treated as image information and transferred in phase C. Therefore, in a predetermined signal (for example, NSS signal) sent to the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment in phase B, information indicating that the image information of phase C is an option program is set. Incidentally, the information indicating the above-mentioned optional program may be the key code (ID). When the key code is not set for the predetermined signal, the case shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a key code is set at the beginning of the image information transferred in phase C to prevent an unauthorized person from adding the option program.

When a predetermined signal or image information that may include such a key code is passed from the communication control section 7 to the control section 1, the option program extracting means determines whether or not the key code is set, that is, It is determined whether the image information is the option program (S12), and if the key code is set (Yes in S12), the subsequently received compressed option program is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 3 (see FIG. 5). ). On the other hand, if the key code is not set (No in S12), this operation flow is exited.

Since it is ECM transmission, at the time when one block of image information transmission (in this case, transfer of the option program) is completed (PPS-EOP signal reception), even if one bit error occurs, the calling side It is possible to request the (center machine side) to resend and acquire a compressed option program without error bit data (changed data). FIG.
In this example, the error bit is not generated, and the MCF signal is sent to the calling side. In response to this, the calling party sends D
Since the CN signal is being sent, the line is disconnected, but if the option program is too long to transfer in one block, the next block is transferred. In this embodiment, since the option program compressed as described above is transferred, not only the option program having no error bit can be acquired, but also the data amount becomes smaller as compared with the conventional option program which has been expanded. As a result, the frequency of error occurrence per program is reduced, and an option program having no error bit can be acquired with a small number of retransmissions. continue,
The compressed option program stored in the RAM 3 according to the update program is sequentially expanded from the beginning (S13), and the expanded option program is sequentially written from the beginning to a predetermined area of the flash memory 11 (S14).

FIG. 7 is an operation flow chart of the main part of the facsimile apparatus showing the third embodiment of the present invention. The storage configuration and execution image in the flash memory 11 of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the option addition request is not received from the line, but is operated by the user from the operation display unit 2. Is entered. Therefore, it has an input key collating means composed of the program in the standard program and the CPU in the control unit 1. The operation of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The user uses the key code (I
D) is obtained from the option program provider in exchange for the option program usage fee, and the key code is input from the ten-key pad of the operation display unit 2 or the like (S21 in FIG. 7). Then, the input key code is obtained by the input key collating means and collated with the built-in key code managed by the input key collating means (S2
2).

As a result of this collation, if they do not match (S22
No), the process ends from this operation flow, but if it is correct (Yes in S22), the process proceeds to step S23. Note that steps S23 and S24 are exactly the same as steps S3 and S4 of the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. As described above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third embodiment, the option program does not have to be transferred via the line as in the first embodiment, so that the option program changes (is garbled) when updated (added). Can be resolved. Although the rewriting program and the updating program are stored without being compressed in the above description, they are compressed and stored as shown in FIG. 8, and are stored in the RAM 3 at the time of updating (when adding). It may be expanded / stored and updated by the expanded rewriting program (or update program).

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the facsimile apparatus of claim 1, the option program can be added to the facsimile apparatus by sending the option addition request information from a remote place. Therefore, the option program can be added only when the option program usage fee is paid, and Since only the option addition request information is sent via the line, the option program does not change when added.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the option program can be added to the facsimile apparatus by sending the compressed option program from a remote place. Therefore, the option program should be added only when the option program usage fee is paid. In addition, since the amount of data of the option program sent through the line can be reduced, the possibility that the option program will change during transfer is reduced, and an option program that does not change can be transferred with few retransfers.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the option program can be added to the facsimile apparatus by inputting the key code from the operation unit, the option program can be added only when the option program usage fee is paid. Moreover, since the transfer via the line is unnecessary, the option program does not change at the time of addition.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a main part of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow diagram of a main part of a facsimile device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit of a facsimile device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a transmission control procedure diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation flow diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile device storage unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control unit 3 RAM 11 Flash memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of updating a program contained in its own apparatus, wherein a compressed optional program for executing an optional function of the facsimile apparatus is provided in a rewritable first memory, and at least the first option is provided. A rewrite program is provided in the memory or another storage unit, and option request extraction means for extracting option addition request information for requesting addition of the option program from the received signal is provided, and the option request extraction means extracts the option addition request information. When
The compressed option program is expanded by the rewriting program and stored in the second memory, and the compressed option program stored in the rewritable first memory is stored in the second memory. A facsimile machine characterized by being rewritten into. 2. A facsimile device capable of updating a program contained in its own device, wherein at least a rewritable first memory or other storage unit is provided with the updating program, and a compressed option program is extracted from a received signal. An option program extracting means is provided, and when the option program extracting means extracts the compressed option program and stores it in the second memory, the update program decompresses the compressed option program in the second memory and decompresses it. A facsimile machine, characterized in that the written option program is written in the first memory. 3. A facsimile device capable of updating a program built in its own device, wherein a compressed optional program is provided in a rewritable first memory, and at least the rewritable first memory or other storage is provided. A key code having a rewriting program in the section and input key collating means for collating the key code input from the operating section with the built-in key code, and the key code inputted by the input key collating means is built in. When it is determined that the rewritable program is compressed, the compressed option program is decompressed and stored in the second memory, and the compressed option program in the rewritable first memory is stored in the second memory. A fax machine characterized by rewriting to a decompression option program stored in memory Millimeter device.