JP2000020262A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To download only necessary information onto a rewritable storage medium in a system device by issuing a download request command to a system device having a file server function via a communication network. To provide a printer device which has means and is optimized for each user environment. A controller (100) stores a system program in a host computer (112) connected to the same communication network.
Alternatively, the basic control of the controller unit, the corresponding system control, and the corresponding interface control are changed by downloading from the external system device 118.
Further, the boot RO is controlled by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118.
Download or upload the entire area of M104 or a specific part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device which can be connected to a host computer or one or more other devices via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an execution program, an emulation program, and a circuit information such as a programmable gate array of an internal control board are generally used for a controller section of a laser printer, an intelligent copier, an intelligent fax machine and the like, and an internal control board section. Are all stored in a storage medium in the system device. Therefore, when the version of the execution program in the system device is upgraded, a serviceman has exchanged a storage medium (ROM or the like) for the upgrade information. Similarly, when there are a plurality of the same system devices connected in the same communication network, each storage medium has to be exchanged.

Further, since the storage medium needs to meet various market needs, even in a specific user environment, even information that is not used has to be mounted on the system device. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-11461
In the invention described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4 (Kokai) No. 4 (1995), a technology is disclosed in which data communication is performed through a communication network and predetermined information is downloaded to easily upgrade the version or correct a bug.

[0004]

However, similarly, in the case of the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-114614, even when there are a plurality of the same system devices connected in the same communication network, each storage medium is used. Had to be replaced. Unnecessary storage media must be mounted on all system devices, and it has not been possible to supply system device prices optimized for each user environment. Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a system device having a file server function connected to the same communication network with a controller, an engine, and a medium for storing an execution program of a CPU in an operation panel unit and internal circuit information. A means for downloading only information required in a specific user environment to a rewritable storage medium in the system device by issuing a download request command to the system device having a file server function via a communication network. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer device which is optimized for each user environment by removing unnecessary storage media. Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide an execution program of a CPU or a programmable program.
By making it possible to upgrade the gate array circuit information from within the same communication network, it is possible to simplify the upgrade work, respond to the diversifying demands of printer devices, and provide printer devices with a long product life. is there.

[0005]

According to the present invention, one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of a printer device,
Or a printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by being connected to a network with another printer device, a storage device for storing data received via the network, and a version determining device for determining a version of a system program And a transfer unit that downloads or uploads a system program from a host computer or another printer device to a storage unit by a predetermined communication control command, based on the determination by the version determination unit, The first object is achieved by transferring the whole capacity or a specific portion by a predetermined communication control command or by a transfer program by a driver program of an operation panel or a host computer.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, various data can be transmitted and received by connecting to a network with one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing an emulation program of the printer or with another printer. A printer device, storage means for storing data received via the network, version determination means for determining the version of the emulation program, and storage means from a host computer or another printer device by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for downloading or uploading the emulation program, and, based on the judgment by the version judging means, the entire capacity or a specific part of the emulation program of the corresponding version is transmitted to a predetermined communication control command. Accordingly, or by the operation panel or the host computer driver program, to achieve the first object by transferring by said transfer means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printer capable of transmitting and receiving various data by connecting to one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing font data of the printer device or a network with another printer device. A storage unit for storing data received via the network, a version determination unit for determining the version of the font data, and a storage unit from a host computer or another printer device by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for downloading or uploading font data, and, based on the determination by the version determining means, the entire capacity or a specific portion of the font data of the corresponding version is transmitted by a predetermined communication control command, or an operation panel or a host computer. The driver program, to achieve the first object by transferring by said transfer means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, various data are transmitted and received by connecting to a network with one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of an engine unit of the printer device or with another printer device. A printer device capable of storing data received via the network, a version determining unit for determining a version of a system program of an engine unit of the printer device, and a host computer or Transfer means for downloading or uploading a system program of the engine unit of the printer device from the other printer device to the storage unit, and a system of the engine unit of the corresponding version of the printer device based on the judgment by the version judgment unit. The total volume or a specific part of the program by predetermined communication control command, or by the operation panel or the host computer driver program,
The first object is achieved by the transfer by the transfer means.

According to the invention described in claim 5, one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of an operation panel unit of the printer device, or a network connection with another printer device, and transmission and reception of various data. Storage device for storing data received via the network,
Version determining means for determining the version of the system program of the operation panel of the printer, and downloading or uploading of the system program of the operation panel of the printer from the host computer or another printer to the storage means by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means, based on the determination by the version determination means, the total capacity or a specific part of the system program of the operation panel unit of the corresponding version of the printer device is transmitted by a predetermined communication control command, or the operation panel or the host computer. The first object is achieved by the transfer by the transfer means by a driver program.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, various types of data are connected to one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing circuit information of a programmable gate array of a printer device or to another printer device via a network. Storage means for storing data received via the network, version determination means for determining the version of the circuit information of the programmable gate array of the printer apparatus, and predetermined communication. Transfer means for downloading or uploading the circuit information of the programmable gate array of the printer device from the host computer or another printer device to the storage means by a control command, and based on the judgment by the version judgment means, Pre Programmable gate of the other apparatus,
The second object is achieved by transferring the entire capacity or a specific portion of the circuit information of the array by a predetermined communication control command or by a driver program of an operation panel or a host computer by the transfer means.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer includes various devices connected by a bus 115, and a controller 100 for controlling the entire printer, an operation unit for performing an actual printing operation, and a device for notifying a user of a current printer state. An operation panel 110 having a display unit for displaying various messages, a disk device 114 such as a floppy disk unit or a hard disk unit for storing various data such as font data, a download program, and print data; an extended interface and an extended memory; And an optional device 117.

The controller 100 includes a work memory, an input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, and a RAM (random access memory) 1 which is a rewritable storage medium for download.
06, a font ROM (read only memory) 105 for storing font pattern data and the like, a boot ROM 104 for storing a control program for the controller 100, and the contents of mode instructions from the operation panel 110. N which is a non-volatile storage medium
VRAM 103, mode instruction from operation panel 110, host computer 112, external system device 11
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 for controlling the entire controller 100 based on the information from the CPU 8; an engine I / F (interface) 107 for communicating commands and status, print data, and download data with the engine 108; Operation panel 110
Panel I / F 109 which is an interface for communicating commands, status, and download data
A host I / F 111 which is an interface for communicating with a host computer 112 which normally uses a Centronics I / F or RS232C or the like, and a disk device 114
I / F, which is an interface that communicates with the
113, an extension interface, an extension memory, an option I / F 116 which is an interface for performing data communication with an extension board, and various devices such as a memory card 102 for supplying font data from the outside.

The CPU 101 includes a program ROM 104
The entire controller 100 is controlled by a program stored in the controller 100, a mode instruction from a user's operation panel, and acquisition of information from the host computer 112. The memory card 102 is a detachable memory for supplying font data from outside. Non-volatile storage media (NV
The RAM 103 stores the content of a mode instruction from the operation panel 110 by the user and the like.
The boot ROM 104 is a read-only memory that stores a control program for the controller 100,
01 is sequentially read. The font ROM 105 is a read-only memory that stores font pattern data and the like.
A readable / writable storage device that is used as a work memory when the U101 executes a program, and is used as an input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, and a memory for download data.

An engine I / F (interface) 107 is an interface for communicating information on commands and status, print data, and download data between the system and the engine 108. Is an image forming apparatus that executes printing.

A panel interface 109, usually a Centronics I / F, having a rewritable nonvolatile ROM in a control program and communicating commands, statuses, and download data with the operation panel 110
And the host interface 111 which is RS232C,
A disk interface 113 for communicating with the disk device 114; an internal bus 115 of the CPU 101; an expansion interface;
Optional interface 1 for performing data communication with NETWORK 7
16 is provided. Further, the controller 100 has a rewritable nonvolatile ROM 103 in a control program, an engine 108 for actually performing printing, and an operation panel for notifying a user of a current printer state, and giving a mode instruction and a download instruction. 110, a host computer 112 which is a host device of the printer, a disk device 114 such as a floppy disk drive unit or a hard disk drive unit for storing various data such as font data, download programs, and print data; It is connected to an expansion board 117 such as an expansion interface and an expansion memory, and an external system device 118 having a file server function.

In the same communication network as the external system device 118 having a storage medium which previously shows the execution program, the emulation program of the controller section and the internal control board section of the printer apparatus, the emulation program, and the circuit information such as the programmable gate array of the internal control board. An external system device 118 having a file server function from the connected printer device
Is downloaded to the RAM 106 in response to a download data transfer instruction (a control command predetermined between the external system device 118 having a file server function and the controller 100). In addition, the functions, operations, and effects in the system device greatly differ depending on various kinds of information accompanying the download data.

The operation of the printer configured as described above will be described. In the first embodiment, the controller 100
Downloads or uploads a system program from a host computer 112 having a file server function or an external system device 118 connected to the same communication network, thereby performing basic control of the controller unit
Change the corresponding system control and the corresponding interface control. Further, the whole area or a specific part of the boot ROM 104 is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. In this way, by upgrading the system program in the controller unit 100, a bug in the existing system program is corrected, and a newly developed extension interface board, communication control means with the extension memory, and control means are provided. Respond to

In the second embodiment, the system downloads or uploads an emulation program from a host computer 112 having a file server function or an external system device 118 connected to the same communication network. Change the corresponding emulation function or type. Further, the whole area or a specific part of the boot ROM 104 is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. Therefore, by updating the emulation program of the controller unit, a bug of an existing emulation program is corrected, and a newly developed emulation program is added.

In the third embodiment, the system downloads or uploads font data from a host computer 112 having a file server function or an external system device 118 connected to the same communication network, and changes the corresponding font type. . In addition, the entire area or a specific part of the font ROM 105 is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. Therefore, by upgrading the version of the font data of the controller unit, the bug of the existing font data is corrected and new font data is added.

In the fourth embodiment, the engine unit 108
The system program is downloaded or uploaded from the host computer 112 having a file server function or an external system device 118 connected to the same communication network, and the basic control of the engine unit, the corresponding double-sided unit, the paper feed tray unit, and the paper output tray unit Change the system configuration of. In addition, the entire area of the engine 108 or a specific part is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. Therefore, by upgrading the system program of the engine unit 108, the bugs of the existing system program can be corrected and a newly expanded paper feeding device or paper discharging device, double-sided printing device, high-resolution process device, and the like can be used. Make additional changes for engine operation.

The fifth embodiment will be described. The system program of the operation panel 110 is downloaded or uploaded from a host computer 112 having a file server function or an external system device 118 connected to the same communication network, and the controller program is executed. Change control, corresponding operation type, operation function, display type, display function. In addition, the entire area or a specific part of the operation panel 115 is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. Therefore, by updating the system program in the operation panel unit, the bug of the existing system program is corrected and the display content is changed.

The sixth embodiment will be described. A host computer 112 having a file server function and having a programmable gate array connected to the same communication network.
Alternatively, the basic control of the internal circuit downloaded or uploaded from the external system device 118, the corresponding interface control, and the extended interface control are changed. In addition, the entire area or a specific portion of the host interface 111 is downloaded or uploaded by a communication control command from the host computer 112 or the external system device 118. Therefore, by upgrading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array, the bug of the existing internal circuit is corrected, and the Centronics interface circuit is changed according to various host computers.

The most important points of the present embodiment are, as described above, the system program of the controller section, the emulation program, the font data, the system program of the engine section, and the system program of the operation panel section.
The point is whether the circuit information of the program and the programmable gate array can be downloaded or uploaded from the external system device 118 having a file server function connected to the same communication network.

[0024]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a bug of a system program is corrected and various extensions are made by downloading or uploading the system program from a system device having a file server function with an optimized information capacity. Correspondence to a board can be easily performed. According to the second aspect of the invention, the emulation program is downloaded or uploaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, thereby correcting the bug of the emulation program and coping with various emulation programs. Can be easily performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the font data is downloaded or uploaded from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, thereby correcting the bug of the font data and converting the font data to various font data. Can be easily performed. According to the invention described in claim 4, by downloading or uploading the system program of the engine unit from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, the bug of the system program of the engine unit is corrected and various engines are downloaded. It is possible to easily respond to an operation (image forming operation).

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by downloading or uploading the system program of the operation panel unit from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, the bug of the system program of the operation panel unit can be reduced. Correction and various display correspondences can be easily performed. According to the invention of claim 6, by downloading or uploading the circuit information of the internal programmable gate array from the system device having the file server function with the optimized information capacity, the bug of the internal circuit can be corrected and various Correspondence to an internal circuit can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer device according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 controller 101 CPU 102 memory card 103 NVRAM 104 boot ROM 105 font ROM 106 RAM 107 engine interface 108 engine 109 panel interface 110 operation panel 111 host interface 112 host computer 113 disk interface 114 disk device 115 internal bus 116 option interface 117 expansion board 118 External system device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by being connected to one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of the printer device or a network with another printer device, Storage means for storing data received via the network; version determination means for determining the version of the system program; and downloading or downloading the system program from the host computer or another printer device to the storage means by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for uploading, based on the judgment by the version judging means, the total capacity or a specific portion of the corresponding version of the system program is transmitted by a predetermined communication control command, or the operation panel or the host computer. The driver program, the printer apparatus characterized by transferring by said transfer means. 2. A printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by connecting to one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing an emulation program for the printer device or a network with another printer device, Storage means for storing data received via the network; version determination means for determining the version of the emulation program; and download or download of the emulation program from the host computer or another printer device to the storage means by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for uploading, based on the judgment by the version judging means, the entire capacity or a specific portion of the emulation program of the corresponding version is operated by a predetermined communication control command or operated. The channel or host computer of the driver program, the printer apparatus characterized by transferring by said transfer means. 3. A printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by connecting to one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing font data of the printer device or a network with another printer device, Storage means for storing data received via the network; version determination means for determining the version of the font data; and downloading or downloading of the font data from the host computer or another printer device to the storage means by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for uploading, based on the judgment by the version judging means, the full capacity or specific portion of the font data of the corresponding version by a predetermined communication control command, or a driver program of an operation panel or a host computer. The printer apparatus characterized by transferring by said transfer means. 4. A printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by connecting to a network with one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of an engine unit of the printer device or with another printer device. Storage means for storing data received via the network; version determination means for determining the version of the system program of the engine unit of the printer device; and a host computer or another printer device according to a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for downloading or uploading a system program of the engine unit of the printer device on the storage unit, and based on the determination by the version determination unit, the entire contents of the system program of the engine unit of the corresponding version of the printer device Or specific parts by a predetermined communication control commands, or by control panel or the host computer driver program, a printer and wherein the transferring by the transfer means. 5. A printer device capable of transmitting and receiving various data by connecting to a network with one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing a system program of an operation panel unit of the printer device or with another printer device. Storage means for storing data received via the network; version determination means for determining a version of a system program of an operation panel unit of the printer device; and a host computer or another printer by a predetermined communication control command. Transfer means for downloading or uploading a system program of the operation panel unit of the printer device from the device to the storage unit, and a system program of the operation panel unit of the printer device of the corresponding version based on the judgment by the version judgment unit. Total volume or specific parts by a predetermined communication control commands, or by control panel or the host computer driver program, a printer and wherein the transferring by the transfer means. 6. A network connection with one or more host computers having a storage medium for storing circuit information of a programmable gate array of a printer, or with other printers, enabling transmission and reception of various data. A printer device, storage means for storing data received via the network, version determining means for determining a version of circuit information of a programmable gate array of the printer device, and a host computer according to a predetermined communication control command. Or transfer means for downloading or uploading the circuit information of the programmable gate array of the printer device from the other printer device onto the storage means, and based on the judgment by the version judging means, the program of the printer device of the corresponding version. The total volume or a specific portion of the circuit information Maburu gate array by a predetermined communication control commands, or by control panel or the host computer driver program, a printer and wherein the transferring by the transfer means.