JP2008172491A - facsimile - Google Patents

Abstract

A facsimile capable of updating firmware, in which FAX data remaining in an apparatus cannot be printed is provided.
When a facsimile is instructed to execute firmware update processing (step S103; YES), if unprinted FAX data remains inside (step S104; YES), firmware update processing is started. It is configured as a device that does not.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile.

  In recent years, a general facsimile is a device that can perform firmware update in a state where unprinted FAX data (so-called accumulated document) remains inside. If the process fails, the apparatus often does not function (unprinted FAX data cannot be printed and needs to be repaired by the manufacturer). It is also conceivable that the updated firmware cannot print the FAX data saved by the previous version firmware due to a program mistake.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile capable of updating firmware and capable of printing FAX data remaining in the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a facsimile of the present invention includes firmware storage means for storing firmware, FAX data storage means for storing FAX data, and FAX control means for receiving and printing FAX data. The FAX control unit having a function of storing the received FAX data in the FAX data storage unit until the printing is completed, and when a predetermined instruction is input, the FAX data is stored in the FAX data storage unit. Firmware update means for starting firmware update processing for updating the firmware on the firmware storage means only when the FAX data is not stored in the FAX data storage means. Prepare.

  In the facsimile of the present invention having such a configuration, when unprinted FAX data remains inside, the firmware update process is not started even if the execution of the firmware update process is instructed. Therefore, this facsimile can update the firmware, and the FAX data remaining in the apparatus cannot be printed (FAX remaining in the apparatus due to a firmware update process failure or a program error). It can be said that it is a facsimile machine in which data cannot be printed.

  In realizing the facsimile of the present invention, various means having different specific configurations / operations can be adopted as the respective means. For example, a mounting port for mounting a portable recording medium is added, and a means for handling a power-on operation with a special operation as an input of a predetermined instruction is adopted as firmware update means, and FAX control means Adopting means for starting the operation when a power-on operation without special operation is performed and when the firmware update means determines that the FAX data is not stored in the FAX data storage means. If it is a facsimile capable of firmware update using a portable recording medium, and it is instructed to execute the firmware update process with unprinted fax data remaining inside, turn on the power again A fax machine that can print unprinted fax data without any operation. So that the re can be realized.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus that includes an operation panel 11, a control unit 12, and a print engine 13 as main components. The facsimile 10 is a device in which a mounting port for mounting a USB memory (USB flash memory) 30 is provided in the housing.

  The operation panel 11 of the facsimile 10 is a unit provided in the casing of the facsimile 10 as an interface means with the user. The operation panel 11 is a unit composed of an LCD, a plurality of push button switches, and the like. The print engine 13 is a unit that performs printing (image formation) of contents instructed by the control unit 12 on a sheet. The print engine 13 performs electrophotographic printing (color and monochrome printing).

  The control unit 12 includes a CPU, a memory control ASIC, a RAM, a flash ROM 20, a USB host (a circuit for reading / writing to the USB memory 30), an IO control ASIC, and various host interface circuits (an interface circuit for communicating with the host PC). FIG. 1 shows only a network interface circuit “NW I / F”), a FAX circuit (a circuit for transmitting / receiving FAX data), etc., and a facsimile machine 10 having a FAX function. It is a unit to operate as.

  The control unit 12 is a unit in which firmware is stored on the flash ROM 20. Then, when the power of the facsimile 10 is turned on (when power supply to the own unit is started by operating the power switch of the facsimile 10), the control unit 12 performs the processing of the procedure shown in FIG. 2 according to the firmware. It is a unit to do.

  That is, when the power of the facsimile 10 is turned on, the control unit 12 first performs a process of storing the button on the operation panel 11 that is being pressed at that time (step S101). Next, the control unit 12 performs a state confirmation process (step S102), which is a process for performing a memory check and the like, in order to confirm that the own apparatus (each unit in the facsimile 10) is in a normally operating state.

  Thereafter, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the predetermined two buttons have been pressed when the power is turned on based on the processing result of step S101 (step S103), and the predetermined two buttons are pressed or not when the power is turned on. If not (NO in step S103), normal mode control processing for operating the facsimile machine 10 as a multifunction machine having a FAX function is started.

  This normal mode control process is the same as that executed by the control unit in the existing facsimile. For this reason, although a detailed description of the normal mode control process is omitted, the normal mode control process executed by the control unit 12 is performed on the flash ROM 20 until the printing of the FAX data received by the FAX circuit is completed. This is a process of storing the data in a storage area of the ROM 20 that is not used for firmware storage (a process of deleting FAX data on the flash ROM 20 when printing is completed). The normal mode control process is a process in which the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD of the operation panel 11 at the start thereof.

  If the predetermined two buttons are pressed when the power is turned on (step S103; YES), the control unit 12 determines whether there is unprinted FAX data without starting the normal mode control process described above. (Whether FAX data is stored on the flash ROM 20) is determined (step S104). Then, when there is no unprinted FAX data (step S104; NO), the control unit 12 updates the update file (stored in the existing firmware) stored in the USB memory 30 inserted in the insertion slot. The firmware update process (step S110), which is a process for updating the firmware on the flash ROM 20, is performed based on the information file that defines the change contents to be applied to the process, and the process of FIG. The update file is an information file that defines the content of changes to be made to existing firmware. This update file is a file prepared (created) by the manufacturer of the facsimile 10 and published on a predetermined Web site. The firmware update process executed by the control unit 12 displays a message indicating that the power should be turned on again on the LCD of the operation panel 11 at the end of the firmware update process. That is, the control unit 12 is configured as a unit (programmed) that is in a state of waiting for the power to be turned on again when the process of FIG. 2 is completed upon completion of the firmware update process. ).

  On the other hand, if unprinted FAX data exists (step S104; YES), the control unit 12 operates a message indicating that firmware update (FWUD in the figure) cannot be performed because there is unprinted FAX data. A process of displaying on the LCD of the panel 11 (step S105) is performed. More specifically, the control unit 12 performs processing for displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the LCD.

  Then, the control unit 12 that has finished the process of step S105 waits for any button on the operation panel 11 to be pressed (step S106). When the button is pressed (step S106; YES), the normal mode control process is started.

  As is apparent from the operation contents of the control unit 12 described above, the facsimile machine 10 according to the present embodiment performs the operation (instructed to start the firmware update process) without pressing the predetermined two buttons on the operation panel 11. If unprinted FAX data remains even after the operation is performed, the firmware update process is not started. Accordingly, the facsimile 10 cannot print the FAX data remaining in the apparatus (the FAX data remaining in the apparatus cannot be printed due to a firmware update process failure or a program error). It can be said that it is a facsimile.

<Deformation>
The facsimile 10 described above can be variously modified. For example, the facsimile 10 can be transformed into a device that can instruct the start of firmware update processing from the host PC (a device that performs firmware update based on an update file transmitted from the host PC). Further, even if the unprinted FAX data is a type of facsimile stored on the HDD, the unprinted FAX data may not be able to be printed when the firmware update process fails, etc. It can also be transformed into a device having an HDD for storing unprinted FAX data.

  Further, when the facsimile 10 is operated to instruct the start of the firmware update process in a state where unprinted FAX data remains, the facsimile 10 is transformed into a device that needs to be restarted (power-on again). You can also However, in the case of the modified facsimile 10, if an operation for instructing the start of the firmware update process is performed in a state where unprinted FAX data remains, the facsimile 10 is restarted and the unprinted FAX data is printed. If it is not done, it will not be possible to actually update the firmware. For this reason, as described above, if the facsimile 10 performs an operation for instructing the start of the firmware update process with unprinted FAX data remaining, the normal operation can be performed without restarting. It is desirable to have a device that can start operation.

1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of processing that is started when the power is turned on by the control unit of the facsimile according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the screen which a control part displays on LCD of an operation panel at the time of the process for normal mode control. Explanatory drawing of the screen which a control part displays on LCD of an operation panel at the time of a firmware update process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Facsimile, 11 Operation panel, 12 Control unit, 13 Print engine, 20 Flash ROM, 30 USB memory

Claims (2)

Firmware storage means for storing firmware;
FAX data storage means for storing FAX data;
FAX control means for receiving and printing FAX data, and having the function of storing the received FAX data in the FAX data storage means until the printing is completed;
When a predetermined instruction is input, it is determined whether or not FAX data is stored in the FAX data storage means, and the firmware storage is performed only when FAX data is not stored in the FAX data storage means. Firmware update means for starting firmware update processing for updating firmware on the means. A mounting port for mounting a portable recording medium is further provided,
The firmware update means is
A means for handling a power-on operation with a special operation as an input of the predetermined instruction,
The FAX control means is
A means for starting an operation when a power-on operation without a special operation is performed and when it is determined by the firmware update means that FAX data is not stored in the FAX data storage means. The facsimile according to claim 1, characterized in that: