JP2001147787A - Printer, computer and method for controlling printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To omit a ROM for storing a printer control program for a printer. SOLUTION: A printer control program for performing overall control of this printer 30 is downloaded from the computer 10 to the RAM 34 of the printer 30. Thus, the definite need of providing the ROM 34 for nonvolatilely storing the printer control program in the printer 30 is eliminated, and the number of parts is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, a computer, and a printing system, and more particularly, to a printer that does not need to store a printer control program for controlling the printer in a nonvolatile manner, and to this printer. The present invention relates to a computer and a printing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a conventional printer. As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional printer 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit).
110, RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 and RO
M (Read Only Memory) 114 and motor driver 116
It is comprised including. These CPU 110 and R
The AM 112, the ROM 114, and the motor driver 116 are mutually connected via an internal bus.

The ROM 114 includes a program necessary for starting up the printer 100, a program for performing processing required for printing when print data is received from a computer, and a program for executing an error in the printer 100. And the like for performing the necessary processing are stored.

For example, when starting up the printer 100, the CPU 110 reads out a start-up program from the ROM 114 and executes the program to perform a start-up process. When the printer 100 receives print data from a computer, the CPU 1
10 reads out a print processing program from the ROM 114, executes the program, and stores temporarily generated data and the like in the RAM 112. Then, the motor driver 116 is driven to perform printing. Further, when an error such as a paper jam occurs in the printer 100, the CP
U110 reads a program required for error processing from the ROM 114, and executes the program to perform error processing.

[0005]

As can be seen from FIG. 6, various programs for controlling the printer 100 are stored in the ROM 114 of the printer 100 in a nonvolatile manner. For this reason, the printer 100 has a ROM 114 that stores data, programs, and the like in a nonvolatile manner.
And the RAM 112 for volatile storage.

However, separately from the RAM 112, the ROM 11
The provision of 4 causes a problem that the number of parts is increased and the number of manufacturing steps is also increased. Further, since programs and data stored in the ROM 114 cannot be rewritten afterward, the ROM 114 has to be replaced in order to upgrade the program. Therefore, there is a problem that the maintainability of the program is not good.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a printer capable of omitting the mounting of a ROM. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printer excellent in maintainability.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer according to the present invention includes a volatile storage device in which a printer control program downloaded from a computer is stored in a volatile manner, and the printer control program being stored in the volatile storage device. A nonvolatile storage device in which a download processing program for downloading from a computer is stored in a nonvolatile manner; and a central processing unit that reads the printer control program from the volatile storage device and performs necessary control processing. It is characterized by the following. In this manner, by downloading the printer control program from the computer to the volatile storage device of the printer, the printer need not store the printer control program in a nonvolatile manner. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device in the printer.

In this case, utilizing a small-capacity nonvolatile storage device provided inside the central processing unit,
The printer may nonvolatilely store a download processing program required to download the printer control program.

[0010] The printer control program may include an error processing program necessary for error processing. Thus, the size of the program stored in the nonvolatile storage device in the central processing unit can be further reduced. When the printer is configured in this manner, the printer control program may be downloaded regardless of whether an error has occurred.

[0011] In addition, in response to an inquiry from the computer, the printer stores at least one of a model name, a download status of the printer control program, and a downloaded version of the printer control program in the printer. The answer may be sent to a computer. By doing so, the computer can know the status of the printer control program on the printer side.

[0012] A computer according to the present invention comprises: storage means for storing a printer control program for controlling the printer after being downloaded to the printer; and a computer for downloading the printer control program to the printer. Download execution means. By downloading the printer control program stored in the storage means of the computer to the printer in this way, it becomes possible to use a printer which does not hold the printer control program in a nonvolatile manner.

[0013] The download execution means obtains a model name and a download status of the printer control program from the printer, and a target model of the printer control program to be downloaded, and a model name obtained from the printer. And if the download status of the printer control program acquired from the printer is incomplete, the printer control program may be downloaded. This prevents accidentally downloading printer control programs of different models and downloading of the same printer control program repeatedly.

[0014] The download executing means obtains, from the printer, a version of the printer control program downloaded to the printer,
When the version of the printer control program to be downloaded is newer than the version of the printer control program acquired from the printer, the printer control printer may be downloaded. Thus, even if the program control program of a new version is stored in the storage unit of the computer without re-starting the program, the version of the printer control program of the printer is upgraded.

[0015] The printer control program may include an error processing program necessary for error processing. Thus, the size of the program to be stored in the printer in a nonvolatile manner can be further reduced. In such a case, the download execution means may execute the download of the printer control program regardless of whether an error has occurred in the printer.

[0016] The download execution means is executed at least one of when the computer is turned on, when the printer is turned on, when a driver is started, and immediately before printing. You may make it. The present invention can be realized at any of these timings or by combining a plurality of timings.

Further, the present invention can be realized as a control method for a printing system having a computer and a printer connected to the computer.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the present invention, a printer control program necessary for a printer to perform a printing process is downloaded from a computer to a RAM of the printer and printing is performed. It is not necessary to provide a large-capacity ROM for temporarily storing. This will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a computer 10, a computer 10 and a connection cable 2.
0 and a printer 30 connected via the printer 30.

The computer 10 is connected to the C
PU (Central Processing Unit) 12 and RAM (Rando
m Access memory) 14 and ROM (Read Only Memory)
16 and a hard disk 18.
The computer 10 is a general computer such as a personal computer or a host computer.

The CPU 12 reads programs and data from the RAM 14, the ROM 16, and the hard disk 18 and performs various processes. In the present embodiment, the hard disk 18 stores a printer control program necessary for controlling the entire printer 30.
The printer control program includes, for example, a program for the program 30 to perform a printing process, a program for performing an error process, and the like. CPU 12
Constitutes a central processing unit in the present embodiment, and RA
M14 constitutes the volatile storage device in the present embodiment,
The ROM 16 constitutes a nonvolatile storage device according to the present embodiment.

The printer 30 has a CPU connected to each other.
32, a RAM 34, and a motor driver 36. The printer 30 in the present embodiment is configured by an ink jet printer, but may be configured by a laser printer.

The CPU 32 has an internal ROM 32a
Is built-in. In the present embodiment, the internal R
The OM 32a stores a minimum startup program required to start up the printer 30. The start-up program includes a download processing program necessary for downloading the printer control program from the computer 10.

The RAM 34 stores a printer control program downloaded from the computer 10 and temporary data generated during execution of the printing process.
The startup program stored in the internal ROM 32a and the printer control program downloaded to the RAM 34 constitute so-called firmware. In the present embodiment, the internal ROM 32a forms a nonvolatile storage device having a capacity of 64 Kbytes, and the RAM 34 forms a volatile storage device having a capacity of 4 Mbytes.

The motor driver 36 is a driver for a motor driven when printing is performed by the printer 30. The motor driver 36 is controlled by the CPU 32.

Next, a download operation of the print processing printer in the printing system will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

For example, the computer 10 and the printer 30
Assuming that the power supplies are turned on at the same time, the printer 30 performs a start-up process based on a start-up program stored in the internal ROM 32a. The startup program also includes a download processing program required to download the printer control program from the computer 10 to the RAM 34. For this reason, this download processing program is executed, and the printer control program necessary for controlling the entire printer 30 is downloaded from the computer 10 to the RAM 34 of the printer 30. Thus, the printer 30 is in a state where various processes such as printing can be performed.
That is, the CPU 32 of the printer 30 can read the printer control program from the RAM 34 and execute various processes.

Next, the processing for downloading the printer control program will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the computer 10 downloads the printer control program, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the printer 30 downloads the printer control program.

First, based on FIG.
The process at the time of downloading the printer control program on the side will be described. The download processing program of the computer 10 is stored in the hard disk 18 of the computer 10.
Download processing program stored in CPU 12
Is executed by reading.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 10 acquires the model name of the printer from the printer 30 (step S10). That is, the computer 10 is
The printer 30 is inquired about the model name, and the answer of the model name is obtained from the printer 30. Subsequently, the computer 10 determines whether or not the acquired model name matches the target model name of the print processing printer to be downloaded (step S11). If the acquired model name does not match the model name of the printer control program (step S11: No), the download process ends.

On the other hand, when the acquired model name matches the model name of the printer control program (step S1).
1: Yes), the computer 10 obtains the download end state of the printer control program from the printer 30 (step S12). That is, the computer 1
0 inquires of the printer 30 about the download end state of the printer control program, and obtains a response of the download end state from the printer 30. The download end state includes a download incomplete state, a download incomplete error state, and a download complete state. The download incomplete state is a state in which the printer control program has not been downloaded at all, and the download incomplete error state is a state in which the download of the printer control program has been attempted but has failed but the download has been completed. The state is a state in which the download of the printer control program has been completed normally.

Next, the computer 10 determines whether the download of the printer control program has been completed (step S13). That is, it is determined whether the download end state acquired from the printer 30 is a download end state. If the download has not been completed (step S13: No), the computer 10 determines whether the printer control program is in a download incomplete error state (step S1).
4).

When the printer control program is in a download incomplete error state (step S14: Yes)
, An error recovery operation is performed (step S15).
The error recovery operation is, for example, performing a reset operation performed when the power of the printer is turned on to the RAM 34 of FIG. With this operation, preparation for normally downloading the printer control program to the RAM 34 is completed.

When the error recovery operation has been completed, the download is not completed in the above-mentioned step S14 (step S14: No), and when the version to be downloaded in step S20 described later is newer (step S14). S20: Yes)
Then, the printer control program is downloaded (step S16). And again, computer 1
0 acquires the download end state from the printer 30 (step S17).

Next, the computer 10 determines whether or not the obtained download end state is a download incomplete end state (step S18). That is, it is determined whether the download of the print processing printer has not been successful for some reason. If the download is not completed (step S18: Ye)
In s), the processing from step S15 described above is repeated. On the other hand, if it is not in the download incomplete error state (step S18: No), that is, if the download is successful, the download process ends.

If the download of the printer control program has been completed in step S13 (step S13: Yes), the computer 10 acquires the version of the printer control program downloaded from the printer 30 (step S1).
9). Subsequently, the computer 10 compares the version of the printer control program to be downloaded with the acquired version to determine whether the version to be downloaded is newer (step S2).
0).

If the version to be downloaded is newer (step S20: Yes), the processing of step S16 described above is executed. That is, a new version of the printer control program is downloaded to the printer 30. On the other hand, if the version to be downloaded is not newer (step S20: No), that is, if it is the same version or an older version, the download of the printer control program ends.

The above is the processing on the computer 10 side when the printer control program is downloaded.
The process on the printer 30 side when downloading the printer control program will be described with reference to FIG. Printer 3
The download processing program on the 0 side is stored in the internal ROM 32a of the printer 30 as a part of the startup program, and is executed by the CPU 32 reading the download processing program stored in the internal ROM 32a.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the printer 30
Determines whether there is an inquiry about the model name from the computer 10 (step S30). If there is an inquiry about the model name (step S30: Yes),
The printer 30 replies to the computer 10 with its model name (step S31). Then, the process returns to step S30.

If there is no inquiry about the model name (step S30: No), it is determined whether there is an inquiry about the download end state from the computer 10 (step S32). If there is an inquiry about the download end state (step S32: Yes), the printer 30 replies to the computer 10 about the download end state (step S33). Then, the process returns to step S30.

If there is no inquiry about the download end state (step S32: No), it is determined whether or not there is an inquiry about the version of the printer control program from the computer 10 (step S34: N).
o). If there is an inquiry about the version of the printer control program (step S34: Yes), the printer 30 replies with the version of the printer control program downloaded to the computer 10 (step S35). Then, the process returns to step S30.

Next, the computer 10 sends the program 3
The timing of downloading the printer control program to “0” will be described. In the present embodiment, the above-described download processing programs of the computer 10 and the printer 30 are executed by (1) the computer 1
0, (2) When the printer 30 is started,
(3) Driver related to the computer 10 (printer driver, utility, status monitor, etc.)
(4) Assume four immediately before printing. The download processing program may be executed at any of these four timings, a combination of a plurality of timings, or all of these four timings.

For example, by executing the download processing program at (1) when the computer 10 is started, (2) when the printer 30 is started, and (3) when the driver is started, the printing is executed. Preparations such as initialization of the printer 30 can be performed at a stage where there is a possibility that the printer 30 may be performed. On the other hand, (4) by executing the download processing program immediately before printing, downloading of the printer control program before printing can be ensured in any situation. However, (4) if the printer control program is downloaded immediately before printing, operations such as initialization of the printer 30 will be performed immediately before printing.

By setting the execution timing of the download processing program to a plurality of these (1) to (4), when the power of the computer 10 and the printer 30 is turned on at the same time, the power of the computer 10 is turned on. When the power of the printer 30 is turned on after that, or when the power of the printer 30 is turned on and then the power of the computer 10 is turned on, the download processing program is executed before printing. .

In particular, the order in which the user who possesses the computer 10 and the printer 30 turns on the power of the computer 10 and the printer 30 varies widely.
Further, there may be a user who does not turn off the power of one or both of the computer 10 and the printer 30. Further, as a method of supplying power to the computer 10 and the printer 30, there are a method of supplying power directly from a power outlet and a method of supplying power from a power strip power supply. When the power is supplied to the computer 10 and the printer 30 by any of these methods, the above-mentioned (1) to (4)
Since the download processing program is started at one timing, the printer 30 can acquire the printer control program before printing is performed.

Next, a process of downloading a printer control program when an error such as a paper jam has occurred in the printer 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of the user and the printer 30 when an error occurs in the printer 30.

Assume that an error such as a paper jam has occurred in the printer 30 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S40). If the error is an error that cannot be resolved without turning off the power, the user turns off the power of the printer 30 (step S41). When the power is turned off, the printer 3
The printer control program downloaded to the RAM 34 of No. 0 is lost. Subsequently, the user performs a process required for error elimination. For example, in the case of a paper jam, the jammed paper is removed.

Next, the user turns on the power of the printer 30 (step S42). When the power is turned on, the printer 30 does not perform error processing. Subsequently, a printer control program is downloaded from the computer 10 to the printer 30 (step S43). After the download is completed, the printer 30 performs, based on the downloaded printer control program,
Perform error handling.

As described above, according to the printing system according to the present embodiment, the printer control program necessary for the printer 30 to perform printing is downloaded from the computer 10 to the RAM 34 of the printer 30.
It is not necessary to provide the printer 30 with a large-capacity ROM for storing the printer control program. For this reason,
The number of parts of the printer 30 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Also, the computer 10 sends the printer 30
Can be upgraded, so that the maintainability of the printer 30 can be improved. Moreover, by storing the new version of the printer control program in the hard disk 18 of the computer 10, the download processing program is executed at the above-described timing, and the new version of the printer control program is automatically stored in the printer 30.
Downloaded to Therefore, the user can upgrade the version without being particularly conscious of downloading the printer control program.

Further, when the power of the printer 30 is turned on, the printer control program is downloaded regardless of the presence or absence of an error state of the printer 30.
After the downloading of the printer control program is completed, the error processing program included in the printer control program is executed. Therefore, it is sufficient that the internal ROM 32a of the printer 30 holds only the download processing program. That is, the internal RO of the printer 30
There is no need to store a program required for error processing in M32a. Therefore, the present embodiment can be realized even if the capacity of the internal ROM 32a is small.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer control program is downloaded before executing the error processing of the printer 30, but the error processing may be executed before downloading the printer control program. However, in this case, the internal R
It is necessary to store an error processing program required for error processing in the OM 32a.

Steps S19 and S20
Can be omitted. These steps S
If the processing in step S19 and step S20 are omitted, the printer control program will not be upgraded unless the power of the printer 10 is once turned off.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the above-described embodiment, a ROM 38 separate from the internal ROM 32a is used.
May be provided, and a start-up program or the like may be stored in the ROM 38.

The download processing program of the computer 10 and the printer 30
Printer control programs, etc., these programs are stored on floppy disks, CD-ROMs (Compact
It can be recorded on a recording medium such as a Disc-Read Only Memory (ROM), a ROM, or a memory card and distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the computer 10 to read and execute the recording medium on which the download processing program is recorded, and by storing the printer control program on the hard disk 18.

The computer 10 may include another program such as an operating system or another application program. In this case, the other programs included in the computer 10 are used, and the recording medium is selected from the programs included in the computer 10 from among the programs.
An instruction for calling a program for realizing the same processing as that of the present embodiment may be recorded.

Further, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier through a network. The program transmitted in the form of a carrier wave over the network is taken into the computer 10 and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing the program.

Further, when a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier wave over a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed.
In this case, the computer 10 that has read the program from these recording media or carrier waves needs to execute the program after decrypting and expanding the program.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the printer control program for controlling the printer is downloaded from the computer to the printer, it is not always necessary to provide the printer with a nonvolatile storage device for storing the printer control program in a nonvolatile manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a download processing program executed by a computer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing a download processing program executed by the printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for downloading a printer control program when an error occurs in the printer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing system when the present invention is modified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a conventional printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Computer 12 CPU 14 RAM 16 ROM 18 Hard Disk 20 Connection Cable 30 Printer 32 CPU 34 RAM 36 Motor Driver

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A volatile storage device in which a printer control program downloaded from a computer is stored in a volatile manner, and a non-volatile storage in which a download processing program for downloading the printer control program from the computer is stored in a nonvolatile manner. And a central processing unit that reads the printer control program from the volatile storage device and performs necessary control processing. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said nonvolatile storage device is provided inside said central processing unit. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer control program includes an error processing program required for error processing. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the printer control program is downloaded regardless of whether an error has occurred. 5. In response to an inquiry from the computer, at least one of a model name, a download status of the printer control program, and a downloaded version of the printer control program is returned to the computer. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. A storage unit in which a printer control program for controlling the printer after being downloaded to the printer is stored; download executing unit for downloading the printer control program to the printer; A computer comprising: 7. The download executing means obtains a model name and a download status of the printer control program from the printer, and obtains a target model of the printer control program to be downloaded and the printer control program. 7. The printer control program according to claim 6, wherein the printer control program is downloaded when the model name matches and the status of the download of the printer control program acquired from the printer is incomplete. Computer. 8. The download executing means obtains, from the printer, a version of the printer control program downloaded to the printer, and the version of the printer control program to be downloaded obtains from the printer. 8. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the download of the printer control printer is performed when the version is newer than the version of the printer control program. 9. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the printer control program includes an error processing program necessary for error processing. 10. The download execution means executes the download of the printer control program irrespective of whether an error has occurred in the printer.
The computer according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The download execution means according to at least one of timing when the computer is turned on, when the printer is turned on, when a driver is started, and immediately before printing. The computer according to claim 6, wherein the computer is executed. 12. A method for controlling a printing system having a computer and a printer connected to the computer, comprising: a download processing program stored in a nonvolatile storage device of the printer in a nonvolatile manner; Downloading the printer control program from the computer using a download processing program having the program, and storing the program in a volatile storage device in a volatile manner. Reading a printer control program and performing necessary control processing. A method for controlling a printing system, comprising: