JPH09319709A - Terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily correct and add various functions desired by customers by selecting optionally the use of firmware of a terminal main body or a terminal extension equipment by means of an external firm select signal line and a firm chip select signal line. SOLUTION: The firmware (the firm program sent from a firm memory 43 of a terminal extension equipment 4 with ON '1' of the external firm select signal or the firm program sent from a firm memory 13 of a terminal main body 1 with OFF '0' of the external firm select signal) sent to the CPU of the main body 1 and a CPU bus are fetched and the processing is carried out. Thus, the CPU performs its processing by the firmware of the equipment 4 when the equipment 4 is connected to the main body 1 and by the firmware of the main body 1 when the equipment 4 is not connected to the main body 1 respectively. As a result, an optional firmware is easily selected just with connection of the equipment 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device for expanding the function of a terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a home terminal as shown in FIG. 4 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 and is a multimedia terminal including a teletext adapter and a computer having a line function. A television receiver is used, and a dedicated wireless keypad is used for input. Further, the application program is stored in a JEIDA standard memory card (hereinafter referred to as an application card), and the application card can be attached to a home terminal to perform various operations. As a typical example, a function as a JAR-PAT telephone voting terminal, a function as a teletext adapter,
There is a function as a captain terminal and a function as a personal computer communication terminal.

The structure and operation of FIGS. 4 and 5 will be briefly described below. FIG. 4 shows a conventional terminal connection diagram. FIG.
At, the home terminal is connected to a telephone line, a TV antenna, and a TV receiver as shown in the figure, and communicates with other terminals or hosts via the line, or receives radio waves to extract textual information from teletext etc. It is also designed to display text information. Also, an application card is inserted into a home terminal to perform various processes.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional terminal body. In FIG. 5, the firmware memory stores firmware. The firmware is an OS (operating system) and controls the whole.

The memory stores various data and programs. The buffer memory temporarily stores various data and the like. The connection connector is a connector that is connected to another device.

Here, the control circuit is for displaying character information and the like on the television receiver via the TV circuit and for fetching the character information. TV circuit
It receives a signal from an antenna to receive teletext, and displays text information on an externally connected television receiver.

The application card terminal is a terminal to which an application card is attached. The modem performs modulation / demodulation for transmitting / receiving data via a telephone line or the like.

The power supply supplies power to the CPU and the like.

[0009]

The above-mentioned home terminals shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are required to expand their hardware functions as application fields are expanded with the release of application cards storing various application programs. It is rising. For example, there is a demand for functional expansion such as connection of a commercially available printer, cooperation with FAX, calendar reservation, card addition, and external storage medium connection.

However, in order to realize these demands, it becomes necessary to newly develop a device having expandability, and if all the functions are satisfied, it becomes the same as a high-cost personal computer. Therefore, there is a problem that a simple configuration and an inexpensive home terminal and the like impose a heavy burden.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems.
It is an object of the present invention to realize a device that can easily modify / add various functions desired by a customer while maintaining a simple structure and low cost such as a home terminal.

[0012]

Means for solving the problem will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the terminal main body 1 has a CPU, a firmware memory 13, and the like.

The terminal add-on machine 4 has a fem memory 43 and the like. Next, the configuration and operation will be described. When the firmware memory 13 storing the firmware is selected by the external firmware selection signal line 2 and the firmware chip selection signal line 3 of the terminal body 1, the CPU bus 11
In addition to providing a CPU for transmitting firmware to and executing processing by the firmware transmitted to the CPU bus 11, external firmware selection signal line 2, firmware chip selection signal line 3 and external terminals are provided for the CPU bus 11, respectively, to add terminals. External firmware selection signal line 2 of machine 4
When the firmware memory 43 storing the firmware is selected by the firmware firmware and the firmware chip select signal line 3, the firmware is transmitted to the CPU bus 11 and the external firmware selection signal line 2, the firmware chip select signal line 3, and the external to the CPU bus 11 are transmitted. Each terminal is provided and connected to the corresponding terminal of the terminal body 1.

At this time, the terminal add-on machine 4 is provided with a terminal connected to the CPU bus 11 of the terminal add-on machine 4, which is connected to a terminal such as a bus of a card storing the application program.

Further, the terminal add-on machine 4 is provided with a terminal which is connected to the terminal of the bus of the card to which the input / output device is connected and which is connected to the CPU bus 11 of the terminal add-on machine 4. Therefore, it is possible to easily modify various functions requested by the customer while maintaining a simple structure and low cost of the terminal body.
It is possible to realize a system that can be added.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments and operations of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1A shows a case where the terminal expansion machine is not connected.
In this case, as shown in the figure, on the terminal body 1 side, the external terminal of the external firmware selection signal line 2 is open and "1" is input, and the firmware chip selection signal line 3 is active "1" from the CPU. Selection circuit 1
CP becomes the firmware (OS program) read from the firmware memory 13 when 2 becomes active “0”.
It is a connection example when the CPU performs read control via the U-bus 11.

FIG. 1B shows a case where an additional terminal device is connected. In this case, as shown in the drawing, the external terminal of the terminal extension unit 4 is mutually connected to the external terminal of the terminal main body 1 by the illustrated connection connector 5, and the selection circuit 12 of the terminal main body 1 is inactive "1". On the other hand, when the selection circuit 42 of the terminal expansion unit 4 becomes active "0", the firmware (OS program) read from the firmware memory 43 by the active "0" from the selection circuit 42 of the terminal expansion unit 4 is read by the CPU. It is a connection example when the CPU of the terminal main body 1 performs read control via the bus 11. When this terminal add-on machine 4 is connected to the terminal main body 1, the firmware read from the firmware memory 43 of the terminal add-on machine 4 is read by the CPU of the terminal main body 1 via the CPU bus 11 to perform control. The firmware of the terminal body 1 is modified in the firmware memory 43 of the machine 4, or the firmware of another OS is stored in advance, so that the CPU of the terminal body 1 can be controlled under the arbitrary firmware. It is possible to switch.

Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described in detail according to the order shown in the flow chart of FIG. FIG. 2 shows an operation flowchart of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the terminal expansion machine 4 is mounted on the terminal body 1 in S1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the terminal add-on machine 4 is attached to the terminal main body 1 via the external terminal.

In step S2, the power of the terminal body 1 is turned on. As a result, power is supplied to the terminal expansion unit 4 via the terminal body 1 and the external terminals of the terminal body 1.
In S3, it is determined whether the external firmware selection signal is ON or OFF. This determines whether the external firmware selection signal of the external firmware selection signal line 2 is ON "1" or OFF "0" in FIG. 1B. If it is ON "1", the firmware of the terminal expansion machine 4 is started in S5, that is, the selection circuit 42 of the terminal expansion machine 4 inputs active "0" to the firmware memory 43 and the firmware read from the firmware memory 43 is loaded. Terminal body 1 via CPU bus 11
To the CPU. On the other hand, when OFF “0”,
In S4, the main body firmware is activated, that is, the selection circuit 12 of the terminal main body 1 inputs active "0" to the firmware memory 13 and sends the firmware read from the firmware memory 13 to the CPU of the terminal main body 1 via the CPU bus 11. .

In S6, the CPU performs processing. This is because the CPU of the terminal body 1 sends the firmware sent to the CPU bus (the firmware program sent from the firmware memory 43 of the terminal expansion unit 4 when the external firmware selection signal is ON “1”, while the external firmware selection is performed). Signal is OFF
When it is "0", the firmware program transmitted from the firmware memory 13 of the terminal body 1 is fetched and processed. As a result, when the terminal add-on machine 4 is connected to the terminal main body 1, the CPU performs processing with the firmware of the terminal add-on machine 4 side, while when the terminal add-on machine 4 is not connected to the terminal main body 1, the terminal main body 1 CPU on the firmware on the first side
Processing is performed, and it is possible to easily switch to any firmware simply by connecting the terminal expansion machine 4.

At S7, the application of the terminal body 1 starts the process. In S8, processing is performed by the function of the main body. These S
In 7 and S8, the CPU reads the application program stored in the memory of the terminal main body 1 and executes the function originally possessed by the main body terminal 1.

In S9, the application of the terminal expansion machine 4 starts processing. In S10, processing is performed by the function of the terminal expansion machine.
In S9 and S10, the CPU reads the application program stored in the memory of the terminal add-on machine 4 or the attached memory card via the CPU bus 11 and executes the functions of the terminal add-on machine 4. To do. For example, it executes a printing function, an external file function, etc., which are functions that the terminal body 1 does not have.

As described above, only by connecting the terminal add-on machine 4 to the terminal main body 1 via the external terminal, the firmware memory 43 of the terminal add-on machine 4 is selected by the external firmware selection signal 2 and the firmware chip select signal 3, The firmware (OS) read from the firmware memory 43 can be read by the CPU of the terminal body 1 via the CPU bus 11 and the processing can be executed. As a result, by simply connecting the terminal expansion unit 4 to the terminal body 1,
The firmware of the main unit terminal 1 can be switched to the firmware of the terminal add-on machine 4, and any function can be added or modified (version up).
It became possible to do it easily without modifying.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the terminal expansion machine of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows another embodiment in which the terminal add-on machine 4 has a built-in firmware and the application card and the input / output device are externally attached. In this example, the firmware is stored in advance in the firmware memory 43 of the terminal expansion unit 4, and the application cards 1 to 3 storing the application program, the printer, and the FP (floppy disk device) are connected to a connector (for example, a connection of JEIDA standard). The connector) is designed so that it can be connected as needed. In the case of this example, the firmware cannot be changed because the firmware is built in the terminal add-on machine 4, but the arbitrary function supported by this firmware is the application cards 1 to 3, the printer, and the FP. Can be mounted and operated as necessary.

FIG. 3B shows another embodiment in which the terminal expansion machine 4 is provided with a firmware card, an application card and an input / output device as external components. In this example, a firmware card stores a firmware card, application programs 1 to 3 storing application programs, a printer, and an FP.
(Floppy disk device) connect connector (eg J
The connector is a connector of EIDA standard) and can be arbitrarily connected as needed. In the case of this example, since the firmware is stored in the firmware card, any firmware is selected and mounted on the terminal expansion unit 4,
It becomes possible to attach and operate the application cards 1 to 3, the printer, and the FP, which have arbitrary functions and have arbitrary functions supported by the firmware, as necessary.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the external firmware selection signal line 2 and the firmware chip selection signal line 3 are used to arbitrarily switch which of the firmware of the terminal body 1 or the terminal expansion machine 4 connected to the terminal body 1 is used. With respect to the terminal main body 1, by simply connecting the terminal expansion machine 4 to the terminal main body 1 while maintaining a simple configuration and low cost, various functions requested by the customer can be easily modified / added, and the terminal expansion machine is also added. By attaching an application card storing an arbitrary application program to 4, it is possible to easily modify / add arbitrary business processing. Moreover, even if it is desired to use different firmware in the future, it is possible to easily switch to the desired arbitrary firmware and operate it simply by connecting the terminal expansion machine 4 to the terminal body 1.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the terminal expansion machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conventional terminal connection diagram.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional terminal body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Terminal body 11: CPU bus 12, 42: Selection circuit 13, 43: Firmware memory 2: External firmware selection signal line 3: Firmware chip selection signal line 4: Terminal expansion machine

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. When a firmware memory storing firmware is selected by an external firmware selection signal line and a firmware chip selection signal line, firmware is sent to the CPU bus, and processing is executed by the firmware sent to the CPU bus. With a CPU,
When an external firmware selection signal line, a firmware chip selection signal line, and a terminal body in which external terminals are provided on the CPU bus, and a firmware memory storing firmware is selected by the external firmware selection signal line and the firmware chip selection signal line And a terminal add-on device for transmitting firmware to the CPU bus and providing external terminals for the external firmware selection signal line, firmware chip selection signal line, and external terminals for the CPU bus and connecting the terminals to the corresponding terminals of the terminal body. Terminal device characterized by. 2. A CPU of the terminal expansion machine, which is connected to a bus terminal of a card storing an application program.
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a terminal connected to the bus is provided in the terminal add-on machine. 3. The terminal add-on machine is provided with a terminal for connecting to a terminal of a bus of a card to which an input / output device is connected and for connecting to a CPU bus of the terminal add-on machine.
Alternatively, the terminal device according to claim 2.