JPH11184651A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exchange control information through a communication network mutually between the respective storage media of devices and to easily change contents. SOLUTION: An external system device 13 connected to a communication network 3 has a storage medium for storing the control information of a printer 1. A download operation is perfomed to a RAM 11 by a transmission means (system program) according to the transfer instruction (control instruction predetermined by the specification of communication between the external system device 13 and a communication I/F 12) of download data (control information) as download operation from the printer 1 connected to the same communication network 1 to the external system device 13. At such a time, version information of the control information is confirmed by a judgement means (system program). By the confirmed version information, all the control information to operate download or the area of a specified part is selected to perform downloading.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a copier and a facsimile apparatus, which is connected to a communication network together with an information processing apparatus and prints out data transmitted and received via the communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, each unit of the apparatus and print output are controlled in a storage medium (for example, a ROM) mounted on an internal control board unit such as a controller of a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a printing apparatus, or the like. For this purpose, a system program for emulation, an emulation program, and circuit information such as a programmable gate array mounted on an internal control board were all stored.

Now, when it is necessary to perform a so-called version-up operation such as changing the contents of a certain system program stored in a ROM mounted on the above-mentioned apparatus, the R in which the system program is stored is stored.
The OM is performed by exchanging the ROM with the ROM in which the upgraded information is stored by the service person.

[0004]

However, when the above devices are connected to the same communication network (for example, a network system such as a LAN) and a plurality of the devices are connected to the communication network, In addition, it was necessary to exchange the ROM for each device.

[0005] Further, the ROM mounted on the device includes:
In order to respond to various demands in the market, information that is used only in a specific user environment must be stored. In other words, all the unnecessary information is stored in the ROM, so that a configuration optimized for the user environment and a device price including only functions necessary for the user environment cannot be supplied. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solving the above-described problems of the prior art, and exchanges control information between an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus or between storage media between the printing apparatuses via a communication network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of easily changing the contents of the printing apparatus.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image processing means for receiving character information or image information processed by an information processing apparatus and generating image information; In a printing apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that receives image information from an image processing unit to form an image on a recording medium; and an operating unit that displays each function setting and each state information of the image processing unit and the image forming unit. Communication means for transmitting and receiving control information of the printing apparatus stored in a storage medium of the processing apparatus via a communication network in which the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected to each other; Transmission means for performing upload / download operations for inputting / outputting control information between the apparatus and a printing apparatus or between respective storage media between the printing apparatus, and transmission means It is obtained by adapted and a determination unit for determining the version information of control information to be more uploading and downloading operations.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the transmission unit can correct or change the control information by uploading / downloading all or a specific part of the control information according to the level of the version information obtained by the determination unit.

Further, the transmission means can perform security management by permitting or prohibiting the upload / download operation of control information by setting the operation means.

The control information of the printing apparatus includes a system program for controlling printing execution, an emulation program for controlling printing execution imitating another printing apparatus,
Pattern data indicating printed typeface, system program for controlling image forming means, system program for controlling operating means, and circuit information of programmable gate array mounted on circuit board, which can be easily modified and changed can do.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a communication network to which a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. 1 is a printing apparatus, 2 is a host computer which is one of information processing apparatuses, and 3 is a communication network. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, 1 is a printing device, 2 is a host computer, 3 is a communication network, 4 is a controller as print processing means, and 5 is an image forming means, which is controlled by a system program held in a recording medium, and An engine for performing a printing process, an operation panel which is controlled by a system program stored in a recording medium, and displays a current apparatus state, a mode instruction, a download instruction, and the like to a user; The entire controller 4 is controlled by a system program of the controller 4 stored in a program memory 8 of a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium (flash memory or the like), a mode instruction from the operation panel 6, control information from the host computer 2, and the like. The CPU 9 is for writing pattern data (font data) indicating a print typeface. Font memory for example non-volatile storage medium, 10 stores a setting mode instruction or the like input from the operation panel 6 NVRAM
(Non-volatile storage medium) 11 is a work memory, an input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, and a RAM of a rewritable storage medium for download data.

Reference numeral 12 denotes information transmission / reception via a communication network to which the host computer 2 and an external system device (information processing device) 13 having a file server function are connected, and usually a Centronics I / F (interface). ) And communication interface such as RS232C,
Reference numeral 14 denotes an engine I / F which exchanges control instructions and status information, print data, and download data (a system program for controlling the engine 5) with the engine 5, and 15
Is a panel I / F that exchanges control commands and status information with the operation panel 6 and download data (a system program that controls the operation panel 6). 16 is a memory card I / F that supplies externally pattern data and the like of print fonts. F,
Reference numeral 17 denotes a disk I / F for exchanging data with a disk drive 18 which is an external storage device. Reference numeral 19 denotes an option I / F for exchanging data with an option 20 of an extension board such as an extension I / F or an extension memory.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, the external system device 13 of the information processing device connected to the communication network 3 includes the printing device 1.
For storing a system program and an emulation program stored in a storage medium mounted on an internal control board or the like such as the controller 4 and control information such as circuit information of a programmable gate array mounted on the internal control board. Has a medium. An instruction to transfer download data (control information) as a download operation from the printing apparatus 1 connected to the same communication network 3 as the external system apparatus 13 to the external system apparatus 13 (communication between the external system apparatus 13 and the controller 4 in advance). RAM according to a control command defined by communication specifications between I / F 12)
At 11, a download operation is performed by a transmission unit (not shown, for example, a system program executed by the CPU 7). At this time, the determination unit (not shown, a system program executed by the CPU 7 similar to the transmission unit) checks the version information of the control information transmitted and received by the download operation. Depending on the confirmed version information, all or a specific portion of the control information to be downloaded is selected and the download operation is performed.

The functions and operational effects of the printing device 1 that are controlled and operated greatly differ depending on the control information that is downloaded. Therefore, the printing device 1 can obtain only the control information of the required functions. An optimal printing apparatus 1 suitable for each user can be obtained. Further, it is possible to permit or prohibit the upload / download operation by setting from the operation panel 6, thereby preventing the upload / download operation from being easily performed by this setting operation and changing the control information content. It becomes possible, and security management can be performed.

In the above description, the control information to be downloaded is stored in the storage medium of the external system device 13, but the above operation can be performed also as the storage medium of the host computer 2. It is.
Furthermore, one printing device 1 connected to the communication network 3
Alternatively, for example, it is also possible to read the control information from the disk drive 18 and confirm the operation status due to the change of the control information, and then perform the download operation to the remaining printing apparatuses 1.

Further, as the control information for the upload / download operation, by updating the version of the system program for controlling the entire apparatus, the entire area of the system program stored in the program memory 8 or a part of the specific area is changed. Thus, it is possible to correct a defect in an existing system program and add or change an optional function of the printing apparatus 1 (correspondence of control processing to a newly developed expansion I / F, expansion memory, and the like).

In addition, by updating the version of the emulation program, the entire area or a specific area of the emulation program stored in the program memory 8 is changed, so that a defect can be corrected or a new one can be handled in the same manner as described above. can do.

Further, by updating the pattern data of the print typeface, the entire area or the specific area of the font memory 9 is changed, thereby correcting the defect of the pattern data of the print typeface or adding a new one. Can be.

Further, by upgrading the system program for controlling the engine 5, the entire area or a specific area of the system program stored in the storage medium is changed, and in addition to the basic control of the engine 5, Corresponds to changes in the system configuration that performs print output, such as the corresponding duplex unit, paper feed tray unit, paper output tray unit, and high-resolution print control. The control can be easily changed.

Further, by upgrading the system program for controlling the operation panel 6, the whole area or a specific area of the system program stored in the storage medium is changed, and the existing system program of the operation panel 6 is changed. Bugs can be corrected and displayed contents can be changed.

Further, by upgrading the circuit information of the program gate array mounted on the internal control board, the entire area or the specific area of the circuit information stored in the storage medium is changed, and the existing area is changed. It is possible to correct or change a defect in the circuit information. For example, the communication I / F 1 that is different for each model in the host computer 2
The internal circuit is changed so as to be able to process information transmitted and received via the communication device 2.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The upload / download operation of the control information is performed by the transmission unit via the communication network to which the printing apparatus is connected, and the entire area or the specific area of the control information is corrected or changed by the determination of the version information from the control information. Can be.

Also, security management can be performed by giving an instruction to permit or prohibit the upload / download operation of control information using the operation panel.

The control information includes a system program for controlling print execution, an emulation program for controlling print execution imitating another printing apparatus, pattern data indicating print typeface, a system program for controlling image forming means, and an operation. A system program for controlling the means,
By modifying and changing the circuit information of the programmable gate array mounted on the circuit board, it is possible to repair defects in each program, add new functions or change functions, and change control processing due to changes in equipment configuration. And the like can be easily performed, the apparatus configuration can be adapted to a specific user environment, and furthermore, the effect of responding to diversifying demands for printing apparatuses and achieving a long product life can be achieved. To play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication network to which a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 printing apparatus 2 host computer 3 communication network 4 controller 5 engine 6 operation panel 7 CPU 8 program memory 9 font memory 10 NVRAM 11 RAM 12 communication I / F 13 external system device 14 engine I / F 15 panel I / F 16 memory card I / F 17 Disk I / F 18 Disk drive 19 Option I / F 20 Option

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image processing means for generating image information by receiving character information or image information processed by an information processing apparatus, and an image forming means for receiving an image information from the image processing means and forming an image on a recording medium Means, and an operation means for displaying each function setting and each state information of the image processing means and the image forming means, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus stored in a storage medium of the information processing apparatus is A communication means for exchanging information via a communication network in which the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected to each other; and a communication control command of the communication means, whereby the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus or each storage medium between the printing apparatuses are exchanged. A transmission unit for performing an upload / download operation for inputting / outputting the control information, and an upload / download operation performed by the transmission unit Determining means for determining the version information of the control information, wherein the transmitting means uploads and downloads all or a specific part of the control information based on the version information obtained by the determining means. apparatus. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit permits or prohibits an upload / download operation of control information according to a setting of an operation unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is a system program for controlling printing of the printing apparatus. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is an emulation program for controlling execution of printing by imitating another printing apparatus. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is pattern data indicating a print typeface of the printing apparatus. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is a system program for controlling an image forming unit of the printing apparatus. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is a system program for controlling operation means of the printing apparatus. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information of the printing apparatus is circuit information of a programmable gate array mounted on a circuit board of the printing apparatus.