JP3754921B2 - Printer device, expansion device, communication processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer device having an interface for connecting an expansion device for expanding the function of the printer, and an expansion device, a communication processing method, and a computer that are communicably connected to the interface of the printer device and extend the function of the printer device. The present invention relates to a possible storage medium and program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a device such as a printer device and an expansion device (function expansion of devices such as a printer, a copier, a FAX, a scanner, etc.) that communicate with each other via an expansion interface are connected and activated, the printer device is the expansion device. Perform initialization processing to make the functions available.
[0003]
In this initialization processing, initialization processing inside the expansion device is performed, and information notifying the end of the initialization processing is transmitted to the printer device when the processing is completed. At this time, the time until the end of initialization from the expansion device is set in the printer device in advance, and if there is no response of the completion of initialization from the expansion device after that time, a timeout error has occurred. .
[0004]
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication procedure in a network system to which a conventional network interface device and printer device can be applied. S701 to S706 indicate each step.
[0005]
First, when the printer device 106 is powered on (S701), an extension flag indicating the presence / absence of a preset network interface device 101 is set (S702). When the extension flag is set, the printer device 106 waits for initialization processing of the network interface device 101 for a preset time (Ta). When initialization completion information indicating that the initialization of the network interface device 101 is completed within the time (Ta) is transmitted and received by the printer device 106, the printer device 106 uses the function of the network interface device 101 thereafter. (S703, S704).
[0006]
However, when the initialization end information has passed a preset time (Ta) (S705), the printer device generates a timeout error. Then, the network I / F device 101 transmits information indicating that the initialization is completed (S706).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, some extension devices may not be able to respond within the time until a timeout error when communicating with the printer device.
[0008]
For example, in an expansion device that loads a program from the built-in ROM to the built-in RAM at the time of activation, the activation time is determined depending on the access time to the ROM and RAM and the size of the program. As the program size increases, the startup time also increases.
[0009]
In that case, it may become impossible to keep the time until the timeout error that was initially determined. Normally, if a timeout error occurs, the expansion unit function cannot be used. In addition, since the initialization is not completed, it may be considered that the printer device itself has a problem and the printer device itself cannot be used.
[0010]
In order to use such an expansion device, it is necessary to change the time until a timeout error set in the printer device. For this purpose, it is necessary to change the firmware on the printer device each time.
[0011]
On the other hand, it is conceivable to set a long time until the timeout error of the printer device in advance, but it becomes useless time for an expansion device with a fast response speed, resulting in performance degradation.
[0012]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can determine the timeout related to the initialization of flexible expansion unit.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
This onset Ming, a printer device comprising an interface for connecting an expansion device (corresponding to the network I / F device 101 shown in FIG. 1) to extend the capabilities of the printer communicates with the expansion device through the interface Based on information obtained from communication between the communication means (corresponding to the expansion I / F unit 107 shown in FIG. 1) and communication with the expansion apparatus by the communication means (discriminating means in FIG. 1). And a time-out error is generated when a response for completion of initialization from the expansion device is not obtained within the time-out period when it is determined by the determination means that the expansion device is present. and generating means (corresponding to the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 1), based on information obtained by communication with the pre-Symbol expansion device, variably sets the time-out time And having a constant unit (corresponds to the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 1).
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which a network interface apparatus and a printer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network interface device, which extends the function of the printer device 106. Reference numeral 102 denotes a LAN interface unit that communicates with a network. A control unit 103 controls the network interface apparatus 101.
[0028]
An extended interface unit 104 is connected to the printer device 106 for communication. A memory unit 105 is used for storing programs and work areas.
[0029]
In the printer device 106, 107 is an expansion I / F unit that communicates with the network interface device 101. A control unit 108 controls the printer device 106. Reference numeral 109 denotes a print unit that prints image information on a sheet of paper that is the recording medium 110.
[0030]
The control unit 103 in the network interface apparatus 101 performs packet communication with other devices on the LAN via the LAN I / F unit 102 using a preset communication protocol.
[0031]
The print information received from the LAN is once stored in the memory unit 105 and then transmitted to the printer device 106 via the expansion I / F unit 104. The printer device 106 converts print information received from the network interface device 101 via the expansion I / F unit 107 into image information by the control unit 108, and then prints it on the recording medium 110 by the print unit 109.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a communication sequence between the network interface device 101 and the printer device 106 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. S201 to S207 indicate each step.
[0033]
In FIG. 2, when the printer device 106 is powered on (S201), the network interface device 101 sets an expansion flag indicating the presence / absence of a preset one on the memory unit 105 (S202). Then, the printer device 106 recognizes that there is an expansion device by receiving the expansion flag (S203), and waits for the end of initialization.
[0034]
Next, when the time until the network interface device 101 starts up and the initialization is not within Ta is included in the printer device 106, the time Tb required until the initialization is completed as initialization completion time information. Transmit (S204). The printer device 106 receives the initialization end time information (S205), and extends the time from the obtained information to the initialization timeout to Tb. When the network I / F device 101 transmits initialization end information to the printer device 106 (S206), the printer device 106 receives the initialization end information (S207).
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the printer apparatus according to the present invention, and initialization based on the control procedure stored in the internal memory of the control unit 108 of the printer apparatus 106 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the processing procedure. In addition, S301-S307 shown to (a) of FIG. 3 and step S308 shown to (b) of FIG. 3 show each step.
[0036]
When the printer device 106 is activated, it immediately starts an initialization timer (an internal timer provided in the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 1) that counts an initialization timeout (S301). Then, the expansion device flag is received from the network interface device 101 (S302).
[0037]
Then, it is determined whether or not it has been confirmed that the expansion device flag has been received (S303). If it is determined that the reception of the expansion device flag cannot be confirmed, it is determined that there is no expansion device and the processing is terminated. .
[0038]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that reception of the expansion device flag has been confirmed, when the initialization end time is received (S304), the reset time is reset to the time when the initialization timer is received (S305). When initialization end information is received (S306), the initialization timer is canceled (S307), and the process ends.
[0039]
On the other hand, when an initialization timeout occurs, an error process is performed by the timeout which is an interrupt routine (S308), and the process is terminated.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the network interface device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the communication processing procedure executed by the control unit 103 of the network interface device 101 shown in FIG. S401 to S403 indicate each step.
[0041]
When the network interface apparatus 101 is supplied with power from the printer apparatus 106, it immediately transmits an expansion apparatus flag (S401). This flag is a method that does not affect the response time, either by a hardware method of fixing a specific signal to “1” or “0” in the extended interface unit 104 or by a method of combining signals by software. I do not care.
[0042]
Next, a preset initialization end time is transmitted (S402). The initialization end time depends on the size of the program read from the internal memory unit 105.
[0043]
Therefore, if you use a rewritable device such as flash memory in the memory section and upgrade the function later, you can prevent timeout from occurring by changing the initialization end time setting according to the program size. I can do it. When the initialization is completed, initialization completion information is transmitted (S403), and the process ends.
[0044]
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the printer apparatus according to the present invention. The initialization is based on the control procedure stored in the internal memory of the control unit 108 of the printer apparatus 106 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the processing procedure. In addition, S501-S508 shown to (a) of FIG. 5 and step S509 shown to (b) of FIG. 5 show each step.
[0045]
Further, the difference from the processing of FIG. 3 is that a product information receiving step (S504) and a timeout time determining step (S505) are added in this embodiment.
[0046]
When the printer device 106 is activated, it immediately starts an initialization timer (an internal timer provided in the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 1) that counts an initialization timeout (S501). Then, the expansion device flag is received from the network interface device 101 (S502).
[0047]
Then, it is determined whether or not it has been confirmed that the expansion device flag has been received (S503). If it is determined that reception of the expansion device flag cannot be confirmed, it is determined that there is no expansion device, and the processing is terminated. .
[0048]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that reception of the expansion device flag has been confirmed, product information is received from the network interface device 101 (S504), and compared with information preset in the printer device 106. The timeout time for the product to be determined is determined (S505). The initialization timer is reset based on the determined timeout time (S506).
[0049]
When initialization completion information is received (S507), the initialization timer is canceled (S508), and the process is terminated.
[0050]
On the other hand, if an initialization timeout has occurred, error processing is performed according to the timeout that is an interrupt routine (S509), and the process ends.
[0051]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the network interface device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the communication processing procedure executed by the control unit 103 of the network interface device 101 shown in FIG. In addition, S601-S603 shows each step.
[0052]
When the network interface apparatus 101 is supplied with power from the printer apparatus 106, it immediately transmits an expansion apparatus flag (S601). This flag is a method that does not affect the response time, either by a hardware method of fixing a specific signal to “1” or “0” in the extended interface unit 104 or by a method of combining signals by software. I do not care.
[0053]
Next, the network interface apparatus 101 transmits its product information (S602). When the product information transmission is completed, initialization completion information is transmitted (S603), and the process is terminated.
[0054]
According to the above-described embodiment, the time until the initialization timeout at the time of activation is acquired from the expansion device each time, so that it is possible to always perform a setting that is not wasteful for the expansion device. This eliminates the need to change the printer device program for version upgrades to improve the functionality of the expansion device, enabling reliable and efficient communication between the printer device and the expansion device in the future. It becomes.
[0055]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of product information transmitted from the expansion device shown in FIG. 1, and a product type, product code, and product name are stored as codes following a header indicating product information. Has been.
[0056]
The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the printer device and the expansion device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory maps shown in FIGS.
[0057]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium storing various data processing programs readable by the printer apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 shows various data processing readable by the expansion apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores a program.
[0058]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0059]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0060]
The functions shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0061]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0062]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0063]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. Can be used.
[0064]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0065]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly determine a timeout relating to initialization of an expansion device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which a network interface apparatus and a printer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a communication sequence between the network interface device and the printer device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the printer apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the network interface apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the printer apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the network interface apparatus according to the present invention.
7 is a diagram showing a data structure of product information transmitted from the extension device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the expansion device according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure in a network system to which a conventional network interface device and printer device can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Network I / F apparatus 102 LAN I / F part 103 Control part 104 Extension I / F part 105 Memory part 106 Printer apparatus 107 Extension I / F part 108 Control part 109 Print part 110 Recording medium

Claims (12)

A printer device comprising an interface for connecting an expansion device for expanding the function of the printer,
Communication means for communicating with the expansion device via the interface;
Determining means for determining whether or not the extension device is connected based on information obtained from communication with the extension device by the communication means;
A generating means for generating a time-out error at the time when a response of completion of initialization from the expansion device is not obtained within a time-out time when it is determined by the determining means that the expansion device is present;
Based on the information obtained by communication with the pre-Symbol expansion device, and setting means for variably setting the timeout time,
A printer apparatus comprising:   The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit variably sets a timeout time until the timeout error occurs based on time information acquired from the extension device.   The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit variably sets a timeout time until the timeout error occurs based on product information acquired from the extension device. The interface of the printer device contact is continued an expansion device for expanding the function of the printer,
A first notifying means for notifying the set initialization end time information Me pre to the printer device,
After executing a predetermined initialization process, and a second notification unit configured to notify the completion of initialization information to the printer device,
The expansion device, characterized in Rukoto determination is made of the time-out relating to the initialization process based on the notification by the first notification unit in the printer apparatus. The interface of the printer device contact is continued an expansion device for expanding the function of the printer,
A first notifying means for notifying the set product information Me pre to the printer device,
After executing a predetermined initialization process, and a second notification unit configured to notify the completion of initialization information to the printer device,
The printer device, expansion device determines the timeout related to the initialization processing based on the notification by the first notification means and said Rukoto performed. A communication processing method in a printer device comprising an interface for connecting an expansion device for expanding the function of the printer,
A communication step of communicating with the expansion device via the interface;
A determination step of determining whether or not the expansion device is connected based on information obtained from communication with the expansion device in the communication step;
When the determination step determines that the expansion device is present, an occurrence step of generating a timeout error when a response of completion of initialization from the expansion device is not obtained within a timeout time;
Based on the information obtained by communication with the pre-Symbol expansion device, a setting step for variably setting the timeout time,
A communication processing method characterized by comprising:   The communication processing method according to claim 6, wherein the setting step variably sets a timeout time until the timeout error occurs based on time information acquired from the extension device.   The communication processing method according to claim 6, wherein the setting step variably sets a timeout time until the timeout error occurs based on product information acquired from the extension device. Interface is connected to the printer apparatus A communication processing method of expansion devices to extend the capabilities of the printer,
A first notification step of notifying the set initialization end time information Me pre to the printer device,
After executing a predetermined initialization process, and a second notification step of notifying the completion of initialization information to the printer device,
Communication processing method according to claim Rukoto determination is made of the time-out relating to the initialization process based on notification by the first notification step by the printer device. Interface is connected to the printer apparatus A communication processing method of expansion devices to extend the capabilities of the printer,
A first notification step of notifying the set product information Me pre to the printer device,
After executing a predetermined initialization process, and a second notification step of notifying the completion of initialization information to the printer device,
The printer device includes a communication processing method of determining the time-out relating to the initialization process based on the notification by the first notification step is characterized Rukoto performed. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the communication processing method according to claim 6. A program for causing a computer to execute the communication processing method according to claim 6.

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