JPH0225366A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable any abnormality to be detected in an optional memory and increase the reliability of a device by controlling it so that the whole memory space for the optional memory is diagnosed unless the fact that the optional memory is already diagnosed is stored in a storage device. CONSTITUTION:When the attachment of a detachable cartridge incorporated in an optional memory to a device is detected, the optional memory 3 is partly diagnosed, if the fact that the self-diagnosis of the optional memory 3 mounted on the cartridge 9 incorporated in the optional memory is executed, is stored in a non-volatile memory 2. In the meantime, unless the fact is stored in the non-volatile memory 2, the self-diagnosis of the whole memory space for the optional memory 3 is to be executed. Subsequently, if the self-diagnosis of the whole memory space for the optional memory is executed immediately after the optional memory 3 is installed on the device for the first time, a partial diagnosis has only to be performed thereafter. Therefore, any abnormality can be detected in the optional memory 3 and the self-diagnosis of the optional memory 3 can be performed in a short time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly to a printer device in which an optional memory is used.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in this type of printer device, for example, a character generator that stores character data, a frame buffer that stores edited print data, or a main memory that is a program work area, etc.
Memory is used as an option because it would be too large and unreasonable to make it all a component of the device from the beginning.

Self-diagnosis is not performed or only partial self-diagnosis is performed on the memory for these options.

In other words, since memory is an electrical component that is easily destroyed by static electricity or strong shock, there is a high possibility that abnormalities may occur locally during transportation or due to user carelessness. In particular, in the case of optional memory, an inexperienced person must install the optional memory into the device, which increases the possibility of abnormalities occurring.

Therefore, self-diagnosis is required for the entire memory space of optional memory, but with large-capacity memory, self-diagnosis takes a long time, and this self-diagnosis process is performed every time the device is powered on. Since the device becomes less practical, self-diagnosis is not performed on optional memory, or self-diagnosis is only partially performed.

In such conventional printer devices, the memory for options does not undergo self-diagnosis or only partially self-diagnoses are carried out, so if a part of the memory for options is abnormal. Even if an abnormality occurs, the abnormality cannot be detected and the apparatus is used as is, resulting in an abnormality in the printing result, which significantly reduces the reliability of the apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional printers, and provides a printer device that can detect abnormalities in optional memory and improve the reliability of the device. purpose.

Structure of the Invention A printer device according to the present invention includes a detection means for detecting that a removable optional memory is connected to the device, and a memory for storing that diagnosis has been performed on the entire memory space of the optional memory. a storage means for determining whether the option memory is connected to the device, and when the detection means detects that the option memory is connected to the device, if the storage means stores that the option memory has been diagnosed; control means for performing a partial diagnosis of the option memory, and if the storage means does not store that the memory for the option has been diagnosed, controlling the entire memory space of the memory for the option to be diagnosed; It is characterized by having the following.

Example Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention.

In the figure, the printer device according to the present invention includes a CPU (central processing unit) 1, a storage means 2 for storing information that self-diagnosis of an option memory 3 has been performed, a removable option memory 3, and a display panel (OPP). ) 4, an optional memory identifying means 11 for identifying whether the optional memory 3 is connected to the device, a self-diagnosing means 12 for self-diagnosing the optional memory 3, and displaying the diagnosis results of the self-diagnosing means 12 on the display panel 4. It is configured to include display means 13 for displaying information.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention. The operation of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

When the device is powered on (step 21 in Figure 2), C
The PU 1 identifies whether or not the optional memory 3 is connected by the optional memory identifying means 11 (step 22 in FIG. 2).

When the optional memory identifying means 11 identifies that the optional memory 3 is not connected, the CPU does not perform the diagnostic process for the optional memory 3 and proceeds to the next process (step 27 in FIG. 2).

When the optional memory identification means 11 identifies that the optional memory 3 is connected, the CPU refers to the storage means 2 and checks whether the entire memory space of the optional memory 3 has been previously diagnosed (step Figure 2 step 23).

If the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has been diagnosed, the self-diagnosis means 12 performs a partial self-diagnosis of the option memory 3 (step 28 in FIG. 2).

As a result, if an error is detected (step 29 in Figure 2)
), an error message is displayed on the display panel 4 by the display means 13 (step 26 in FIG. 2), and the CPU 1 ends the diagnostic process for the option memory 3 and proceeds to the next process (step 27 in FIG. 2).

If no error is detected (step 29 in Figure 2), C
The PU 1 completes this diagnostic process for the option memory 3 and proceeds to the next process (step 27 in FIG. 2).

If the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has not been diagnosed, the self-diagnosis means 12 performs a self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the option memory 3 (step 24 in FIG. 2).

As a result, if an error is detected (step 25 in Figure 2)
), the error display is displayed on the display panel 4 by the display means 13 (step 26 in FIG.
Figure step 27).

If no error is detected (step 25 in Figure 2), C
The PU 1 stores in the storage means 2 the fact that the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has been self-diagnosed (step 30 in FIG. 2), ends the diagnostic process for the option memory 3, and proceeds to the next process (step Figure 2 step 27).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU and a non-volatile memory (F, ' PROM
) 2, a display panel 4 on which the results of self-diagnosis of the option memory 3 are displayed, an option memory identification means 11, a self-diagnosis means 12, and a display means 13 shown in FIG.
A firmware memory (FWEPROM) 5 containing processing operations as a program (firmware).
, a character generator (CG) 6 , a memory controller 7 that controls the memory 8 and the optional memory 3
, a memory 8, and an optional memory built-in cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) 9, which is equipped with an optional memory 3 used as a main memory and is detachable from the apparatus.

The CPUI connects the nonvolatile memory 2 and the display panel 4 via an address data bus 101 and a control signal line 102.
, a firmware memory 5, a character generator 6, and a memory controller 7, respectively. Note that an optional memory enable signal line 103 from the cartridge 9 is led to a control signal line 102. This optional memory enable signal becomes low level when the cartridge 9 is installed in the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flat coach yard showing the operation of an embodiment of the present invention. The operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

When the power is turned on to the printer device (Step 4 in Figure 4)
1), CPUI is optional memory enable signal line 1
03 and the control signal llAlO2.
The optional memory enable signal mapped to the I10 area in I is read (step 42 in FIG. 4), and it is checked whether the cartridge 9 is installed (step 43 in FIG. 4).

If the cartridge 9 is not installed, the process proceeds to the next process without performing diagnostic processing on the option memory 3 of the cartridge 9 (step 50 in FIG. 4).

If the cartridge 9 is installed, a flag indicating whether the entire memory space of the optional memory 3 has been previously diagnosed is read from the non-volatile memory 2 (step 44 in FIG. 4). Check whether the entire memory space of
5).

If the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has been diagnosed, the CPUI reads a self-diagnosis program from the firmware memory 5 and executes a partial self-diagnosis of the option memory 3 (step 51 in FIG. 4).

As a result, if an error is detected (step 52 in Figure 4)
), the CPU 1 displays an error on the display panel 4 (the fourth
At step 53 in FIG. 4), the diagnostic process for the option memory 3 is completed and the process proceeds to the next step (step 50 in FIG. 4).

If no error is detected (step 52 in Figure 4), C
The PU 1 finishes the diagnostic process for the option memory 3 and proceeds to the next process (step in FIG. 4. If the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has not been diagnosed, the CPU 1
reads the self-diagnosis program from the firmware memory 5 and executes a self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the option memory 3 (step 46 in FIG. 4).

If the self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the optional memory 3 is completed (step 47 in FIG. 4), and an error is detected as a result (step 48 in FIG. 4), the CPU displays an error on the display panel 4 (step 47 in FIG. 4). Step 53 in FIG. 4), this diagnostic process for the option memory 3 is completed and the process proceeds to the next process (step 50 in FIG. 4).

If no error is detected (step 48 in Figure 4), C
The PU 1 sets a flag in a preset area of the non-volatile memory 2 to indicate that self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the option memory 3 has been performed (step 49 in FIG. 4), and ends the diagnostic process for the option memory 3. Then, the process proceeds to the next step (step 50 in FIG. 4).

Here, the contents of the diagnostic processing for the option memory 3 include a read/write check when the option memory 3 is a main memory or a frame buffer, and a pre-set check when the option memory 3 is a ROM such as a character generator. This is to perform a thumb check.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the other embodiment of the present invention is different from the one shown in FIG. The configuration is similar to that of the embodiment of the present invention shown in , and the processing operation is also the same as that of the embodiment of the present invention.

Originally, the optional memory 3 is available in several versions, for example 1 megabyte, 2 megabyte, 4 megabyte, etc., and there is often no one-to-one correspondence to one printer device.

Furthermore, if several printers are used in a knee-to-noon manner even if the version of the option memory 3 is not the same, one printer and one option memory do not necessarily correspond.

In such cases, in another embodiment of the present invention, whether or not the self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the optional memory 3 has been executed once is stored in the nonvolatile memory 2 of the optional memory built-in cartridge 10. Therefore, even if the optional memory 3 for which the self-diagnosis of the entire memory space has not been executed is connected, the printer device knows from the contents of the non-volatile memory 2 that the self-diagnosis of the entire memory space has not been executed, and then updates the optional memory. A self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of 3 can be performed.

In this way, when it is detected that the removable optional memory built-in cartridges 9 and 10 are installed in the device, the self-diagnosis of the optional memory 3 installed in the optional memory built-in cartridges 9 and 10 is executed. If it is stored in the non-volatile memory 2, a partial diagnosis of the option memory 3 is performed, and if it is not stored in the non-volatile memory 2, a self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the option memory 3 is performed. By doing so, it is possible to detect abnormalities in the optional memory 3 by simply executing a self-diagnosis of the entire memory space of the optional memory 3 immediately after installing the optional memory 3 in the device, and only performing partial diagnosis from then on. In addition, the optional memory 3 can be self-diagnosed in a short time.

Therefore, the reliability of the device can be improved, and a highly practical printer device can be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, when it is detected that a removable optional memory is connected to a device, it is stored that a diagnosis of the optional memory has been performed. For example, if the option memory is partially diagnosed, and if it is not stored that the option memory has been diagnosed, then the entire memory space of the option memory is diagnosed. This has the effect of being able to detect abnormalities in the memory and improving the reliability of the device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. Explanation of symbols of main parts 1...CPU 2...Storage means (non-volatile memory) 3...
...Optional memory 4...Display panel 9.10...Car with built-in optional memory 1 to 11...Optional memory identification means 12...
...Self-diagnosis means

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) a detection means for detecting that a removable optional memory is connected to the device; a storage means for storing that a diagnosis has been performed on the entire memory space of the optional memory; When the means detects that the optional memory is connected to the device, if the storage means stores that the optional memory has been diagnosed, the optional memory is partially diagnosed. and control means for performing control to perform a diagnosis of the entire memory space of the option memory if the storage means does not store that the diagnosis of the option memory has been performed. printer device.