JPH11328042A - Method and device for controlling writing-in to nonvolatile memory in printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoide a decrease in the throughput of printing due to writing while a chieving periodical writing of data to a nonvolatile memory by writing the contents of a volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory when it is judged that a central processing part is not performing a prescribed processing. SOLUTION: Various data preserved in an EEPROM are loaded to a RAM and a counter begins to count the time (201). When it is judged that neither printing operation nor data processing is currently performed, when a predetermined write time has elapses (202) after the counter begins to counting the time, data are written to the EEPROM (204). When it is judged that at least either one of the printing operation and data processing is performed, no writing is performed. Thus, the writing is not performed if at least either one is performed, so a decrease in the throughput of printing due to the writing can be evaded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to another POS printer which operates by reading data relating to the operating state of a printer stored in a nonvolatile memory into a volatile memory, and more particularly to updating the nonvolatile memory. The present invention relates to a data write control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The operation status of a printer, such as control information such as the remaining amount of ink, head cleaning time, print head position, and remaining amount of roll paper, and counter values such as the number of print characters, the number of paper feed lines, and the operating time are called. The information is data necessary for correctly operating the printer. In particular, when the printer is stopped due to a failure (power off, power failure, reset, etc.) during the operation of the printer, it is preferable to execute a process for confirming the operation status before the stop and recovering correctly when the failure is recovered. .

For this reason, EE has conventionally been used in printers.
PROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM)
And a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, on the non-volatile memory, by periodically writing the operation status of the printer updated in a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) to save this, Some printers operate by restoring the contents of the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory during the next operation of the printer.

[0004]

By the way, in such a conventional printer, data is written to the non-volatile memory at regular time intervals during the operation of the printer. Specifically, when a certain time measured by a timer elapses, a writing process to the nonvolatile memory is performed. Therefore, the printing operation and the data processing are stopped until the writing to the non-volatile memory is completed, and there is a problem that the printing throughput is reduced. In particular, in a POS printer, if writing to a non-volatile memory is performed during a receipt issuance process that normally ends in a few seconds, there is a problem that a customer may wait several tens of seconds in some cases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the data from being written into the nonvolatile memory when a process such as a printing operation or data processing that is to be performed at a high speed is performed. To avoid a decrease in throughput.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a write control method for a nonvolatile memory in a printer. The write control method according to the present invention includes a measuring step of measuring an interval since the previous writing of the content of the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory; A step of determining whether or not processing is being performed; and, in the determining step, when it is determined that the central processing unit is not performing predetermined processing, the contents of the volatile memory are written to the nonvolatile memory. Writing step. When the central processing unit is performing a predetermined process, for example, a printing operation or data processing, writing to the non-volatile memory is not performed, so that the operation of the printer is not hindered.

In the present invention, when it is determined in the determining step that the central processing unit is performing a predetermined process, the measuring step continues the measurement, and the second step is performed when the central processing unit performs the predetermined process. Writing the content of the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory when the interval is measured or when it is determined that the central processing unit is not performing the predetermined process. . When the operation of the printer is performed for a long time, writing to the non-volatile memory is performed, so that writing to the non-volatile memory is not performed for a long time.

Here, the measuring step may be a step of measuring at a predetermined time interval, or a value that changes with the operation of the printer, for example, the number of print characters, the number of paper feed lines, Measurement at a predetermined interval based on time or the like may be performed.

The present invention also relates to a writing control device for a nonvolatile memory in a printer. The write control device according to the present invention includes a counter for measuring an interval since the previous writing of the content of the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory, and the central processing unit performing a predetermined process each time the counter measures a predetermined interval. Determining means for determining whether or not the central processing unit is performing predetermined processing, and writing the content of the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory when the determining means determines that the central processing unit is not performing the predetermined processing. Insertion means.

Further, in the writing control device according to the present invention, when it is determined in the determining step that the central processing unit is performing a predetermined process, the counter continues to measure, and the counter continues to be operated at a predetermined interval. Writing means for writing the content of the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory when the large second interval is measured or when it is determined that the central processing unit is not performing the predetermined processing. can do.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer device that realizes a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a printer 1 includes a CPU 2 for controlling the entire printer, a RAM 3 as a main memory,
ROM 4 for storing control data and programs, etc., EEPROM 5 for storing data relating to operating conditions, a printing mechanism 6 for realizing printing on paper by a print head, a counter 7 for measuring a predetermined elapsed time, and connection to a host computer. An interface 8 is provided.

The CPU 2 loads programs and control data on the ROM 4 and data on the EEPROM 5 onto the RAM 3 and controls the printer device based on these programs and data. When the power of the printer 1 is turned on, data and programs in the ROM 4 and the EEPROM 5 are loaded on the RAM 3, the printer is initialized according to the loaded data, and waits for a command from the host.

The EEPROM 5 stores operation information of the printer, that is, control information such as ink remaining amount, head cleaning time, print head position, roll paper remaining amount, and counter values such as the number of printing characters, the number of paper feed lines, and the operating time. Is secured. The printer device 1 includes various sensors (not shown), and the sensors measure the operating status of the printer device in real time. The various control information and the counter value are sequentially updated on the RAM 3 and are stored in an EEPROM at a predetermined timing described later.
5 is written and saved in each assigned area. The control information and the counter value written on the EEPROM 5 are used when the printer device 1 is started and reset.
The data is loaded on the AM 3 and is used as initial data of such information. For example, the head cleaning time is obtained by recording the previous head cleaning time,
2 determines and executes the next cleaning start timing based on this data. When a failure occurs in the printer device, for example, when the printer device stops during printing, the operation of returning to the normal state is performed based on the information on the position of the print head read from the EEPROM 5 after the reset. The determination of the write timing to the EEPROM 5, the writing, and the reading from the EEPROM 5 are performed by C
This is performed by the control function of PU2.

The counter 7 measures a predetermined elapsed time based on a built-in clock circuit (not shown). Counter 7
Includes the elapsed time of writing to the EEPROM 5. That is, the EEPROM
When data is written to 5, the CPU 2 activates the counter 7 to count the passage of time. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, one hour) has elapsed, the counter 7 outputs a signal to the CPU 2 to notify that the time has elapsed. However, the CPU 2 may be configured to have such a function to measure the elapsed time.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing write control to the EEPROM according to the first embodiment in the printer device. The flowchart describes the timing at which various control information and counter values updated on the RAM 3 during the operation of the printer device are periodically written on the EEPROM 5.

When the printer 1 is started or reset, various data stored in the EEPROM 5
It is loaded on M3, and time measurement by the counter 7 is started (201). When a predetermined writing time has elapsed since the time measurement by the counter 7 was started (202), when it is determined that the printing operation and the data processing are not currently being performed, the data is written to the EEPROM 5 (204). ). Then, the counter 7 is reset and waits for the next elapsed time (205). If it is determined in step 203 that either the printing operation or the data processing is being performed, the writing to the EEPROM 5 is not performed. As described above, the writing to the EEPROM 5 is performed only when both the printing operation and the data processing are not performed, and the writing is not performed when either one of the printing operation and the data processing is performed. Drops can be avoided.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a write control to the EEPROM in the printer device 1 according to the second embodiment. The difference between the control according to the present embodiment and the control according to the previous embodiment is that when either the printing operation or the data processing is performed, the time measurement is continued and the printing operation is performed within the second time. If data processing is not performed, writing to the EEPROM 5 is performed regardless of the printing operation and the execution state of data processing.

That is, also in the present embodiment,
When the printer device 1 is activated or reset, EE
Various data stored in the PROM 5 is loaded onto the RAM 3 and the counter 7 starts time measurement (301). When a predetermined first time has elapsed since the time measurement by the counter 7 was started (30)
2) It is determined whether a printing operation and data processing are currently being performed (303). When it is determined that the data is not used for both the printing operation and the data processing, the data is written to the EEPROM 5 (304). Then, the counter 7 is reset and waits until the next elapsed time (30).
5).

If it is determined in step 303 that either the printing operation or the data processing is being performed, the writing to the EEPROM 5 is not immediately performed, and the time measurement by the counter 7 is continued (306).

Until the counter 7 reaches a second time (for example, 1 hour and 10 minutes) longer than the predetermined time (30 hours).
6) It is determined whether the printing operation and data processing are not performed (303), and if it is determined that neither is performed, writing to the EEPROM 5 is performed (30).
4). If one of the printing operation and the data processing is being performed by the time the counter 7 measures the second time, E is set regardless of the operating state of the printing operation and the data processing.
Writing to the EPROM 5 is performed (304).

In the above embodiment, when either the printing operation or the data processing is performed, the EEPR
Writing to OM5 continues to be suspended. As a result, the data writing interval becomes long, during which the power is turned off.
However, there is a drawback in that the counter causes an error in the counter or loses some control information. For example, in a POS printer, printing of a daily report (total data of one day concerning sales etc.) may be continued for several minutes, and writing is suspended for a long time. Also,
Since the count value and control information change as printing is continued, the error of the counter that occurs when the power is turned off or the like without writing is increased, and the control information that is lost is increased.

In the present embodiment, even if it is determined that either the printing operation or the data processing is being performed in order to solve such a drawback, the writing to the EEPROM 5 is performed by the second time. I do.

As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the embodiment, and the claims and the detailed description of the invention, and The range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications based on well-known techniques is included. In the above-described embodiment, the EEPROM is shown as the nonvolatile memory for storing data relating to the operation status of the printer, but a flash memory may be used. The data stored in the non-volatile memory is not limited to the data described in the above embodiment, and may be data relating to the operation status of various printers. May be targeted. The non-volatile memory may also be configured to store data other than the data relating to the operation status, such as font data and programs.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the execution state of the predetermined process is determined at every elapse of a predetermined time. However, a value that changes with the operation of the printer, for example, a predetermined The determination may be made for each interval.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, writing to the nonvolatile memory is performed only when a predetermined process, for example, both the printing operation and the data process are not performed, and either of the processes is performed. In such a case, since writing is not performed, it is possible to avoid a decrease in printing throughput due to the writing while periodically writing data to the nonvolatile memory.

Also, in the above-mentioned determination step, when it is determined that either the printing operation or the data processing is being performed, the writing to the nonvolatile memory is performed by the second time. The writing interval is maintained, and the risk of data loss due to the writing interval being reduced can be reduced.

The effect of the present invention is particularly remarkable in a printer device which needs to collectively output a large amount of prints, such as a daily report in a POS printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer that implements a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing write control to an EEPROM according to the first embodiment in the printer device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating write control to an EEPROM according to a second embodiment in the printer device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer device 2 Central processing unit 3 RAM 4 ROM 5 EEPROM 6 Printing mechanism 7 Counter 8 Interface

Claims (6)

[Claims] A nonvolatile memory for storing data relating to an operation state of the printer, a volatile memory for temporarily storing data read from the nonvolatile memory and the data updated with the operation of the printer, A write control method for the non-volatile memory in a printer including a printer operation, a central processing unit for controlling reading and writing of data to and from the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory. A measuring step of measuring an interval after writing to the non-volatile memory; a step of determining whether or not a central processing unit is performing a predetermined process each time the measuring step measures a predetermined interval; In the above, when it is determined that the central processing unit is not performing a predetermined process, the contents of the volatile memory A writing process for writing to the memory;
A method for controlling writing to a non-volatile memory in a printer, comprising: 2. In the determining step, when it is determined that the central processing unit is performing a predetermined process, the measuring step continues the measurement, and a second interval larger than the predetermined interval is determined. Writing the content of the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory when the measurement has been performed or when the central processing unit has determined that the predetermined processing has not been performed. 2. A method for controlling writing to a nonvolatile memory in the printer according to 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step includes measuring at a predetermined time interval. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step measures at predetermined intervals based on a value that changes with the operation of the printer. 5. A non-volatile memory for storing data relating to the operation status of the printer, a volatile memory for temporarily storing data read from the non-volatile memory and the data updated with the operation of the printer, A central processing unit for controlling the operation of the printer, reading and writing data to and from the nonvolatile memory and the volatile memory, a write control device for the nonvolatile memory in the printer, wherein the contents of the previous volatile memory A counter for measuring an interval after writing to the non-volatile memory; determining means for determining whether or not the central processing unit is performing predetermined processing each time the counter measures a predetermined interval; and the determining means. In the above, when it is determined that the central processing unit is not performing the predetermined process, the content of the volatile memory is A writing control device for writing to a non-volatile memory in a printer, comprising: writing means for writing to a volatile memory. 6. In the determining step, when it is determined that the central processing unit is performing a predetermined process, the counter continues to measure, and a second interval larger than the predetermined interval is measured. And writing means for writing the contents of the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory when the processing has been performed or when it is determined that the central processing unit has not performed the predetermined processing. Item 6. A control device for writing into a nonvolatile memory in the printer according to Item 5.