JPH0997221A - Information processing apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the function of an information processor with a program promised to operate without fail. SOLUTION: A host computer 900 sends an instruction through an I/O interface 410 in order to inquire the type of equipment, which kind of function is provided and further how many versions of program are stored and held in a flash memory 402. While receiving this instruction, a CPU 401 returns designated information to the host computer 900. The host computer discriminates whether the type of equipment is proper for the program to be updated or not, and further whether the former version is used or not. When it is judged that the type of equipment is proper and the former version is used, that program is transmitted and stored in the flash memory 402.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and its control method, and more specifically, information processing which uses program information supplied from a higher-level device as a function improving program or supplies a function improving program to a lower level device. The present invention relates to a device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a memory management control device such as a computer connects an image forming device with an external device and a communication medium and transfers a control program to be changed to a non-volatile memory or the like of the image forming device. There is.

[0003]

However, in a series of image forming apparatuses, an operator erroneously transfers a control program of another series apparatus or controls an unnecessary function in the image forming apparatus. The program may be transferred, which may cause a malfunction in the image forming apparatus after the transfer.

Further, especially from a position sufficiently distant from the distance,
When a program for improving the function is being transmitted, and if an abnormality occurs in the transmission, normal operation can no longer be expected, or the program may not operate at all.

Further, when transmitting a large-sized program or the like, it is necessary to wait for a long time until the device on the receiving side can use the function of the program.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to improve its function with a program promised to operate reliably. An information processing apparatus and a control method therefor are provided.

To solve this problem, for example, an information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is an information processing apparatus that is capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and that updates its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device, according to a predetermined request from the higher-level device. Transmitting means for transmitting information about the model and function to the host device, and storing the program information when receiving program information from the host device after transmitting the information about the model and function of itself by the transmitting means. And a memory holding unit for holding.

Alternatively, it is an information processing device capable of phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and managing program information in the lower level electronic device, and the model and function of the electronic device connected to the lower level. The recognizing means for recognizing, the recognizing result of the recognizing means, the deciding means for deciding whether or not the object of the program to be transmitted coincides with the recognizing means, and the deciding means for deciding that the program information is obtained. And a means for storing and holding the transmitted data to a lower electronic device.

Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing system which, even if any trouble occurs during communication, positively disables the use of the program causing the trouble and secures a basic processing operation. A device and a control method thereof are provided.

In order to achieve this object, for example, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an information processing apparatus that receives a control program sent from a higher-level device and executes the program as a function expansion program, the first storage means storing a program that performs a basic operation, and the control program. And a writable and non-volatile second storage means for storing the program, and the control program stored in the second storage means when the control program sent from the host device cannot be received normally. Control means for disabling the corresponding function and for combining the programs normally stored in the first storage means and the second storage means previously.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method therefor capable of efficiently reducing the time required for updating a program. Therefore, the following configuration is provided. It is an information processing device capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and updating its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device, and is owned by itself according to a predetermined request from the higher-level device. Transmitting means for transmitting the characteristic information of the control program to the upper device, and after transmitting by the transmitting means, receives the information sent from the upper device, according to the format of the received information,
And registration means for registering the received information as a control program.

Alternatively, the information processing apparatus is capable of phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and manages program information in the lower electronic device, and is owned by the electronic device connected to the lower level. A first judgment means for judging which control program should be updated among a plurality of control programs, and a program to be transmitted to a lower electronic device based on the judgment result of the judgment means are transmitted in a first format. Control for sending a storage holding request to a lower-level device by sending the program in a format based on the determination result of the second determining means And means.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a memory management control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 100 is an image forming apparatus main body (a copying machine in the embodiment), 300 is an operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100, 400 is operation control of the image forming apparatus 100, memory rewriting control, and an external device. It is a control unit that controls communication with. Further, reference numeral 500 is a detection unit that detects the operating state of the image forming apparatus 100. Also, 90
Reference numeral 0 denotes one of external devices, which is a host computer that issues a memory rewriting command of the image forming apparatus 100 from the outside.
Reference numeral 901 denotes a host computer 9 for the image forming apparatus 100.
It is a communication circuit connecting 00, and here, RS-232C is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the control unit 400 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 401 denotes a CPU that controls the image forming apparatus 100, and 402
Is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program of the image forming apparatus 100 and is electrically rewritable, and is a flash memory in this embodiment. Reference numeral 403 denotes a RAM used as an input / output data storage area, a work storage area, or the like.
Reference numeral 04 is a ROM for recording a control program for rewriting the flash memory 402 and a program for self-determining the operating state of the image forming apparatus 100, and 410 is an I / O interface for communicating with the external apparatus 900. Reference numerals 408 and 409 are an address bus and a data bus.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is assumed to have a normal mode for performing a normal copy operation and the like, and a rewrite mode for rewriting the flash memory 402. In the rewriting mode, other operations are not accepted until the rewriting is completed.

In the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the rewriting mode transition command is transmitted from the host computer 900 and is received by the image forming apparatus 100 via the I / O interface 410, the control section 400 causes the flash memory 402. A predetermined operation is executed based on the program for determining the operating state stored in the image forming apparatus 100 to determine the operating state of the image forming apparatus 100. When it is determined from the determination result that the image forming apparatus 100 cannot be rewritten, the rewrite prohibition signal is transferred to the host computer 900.

Further, even in the above-mentioned rewrite-prohibited state, the rewritable signal is transmitted to the host computer 900 at the same time when the state is released.

Further, in consideration of rewriting the image forming apparatus 100 from a remote location, a message is displayed on the display section provided in the operation section before the rewritable signal is transmitted to the host computer 900, so that the user can The function to receive the permission / non-permission instruction of can be added.

Subsequently, when the image forming apparatus 100 transmits a permission signal in response to the request for the rewrite mode from the host computer, the image forming apparatus 100 has a function of expressing an ID number indicating its own model and a composite function in the image forming apparatus. ID
And a host computer 900 via a communication circuit 901.
Send to This allows the host computer 900
Determines whether or not the control program to be transferred from now matches the transfer destination device based on the received model ID number, and if they do not match, information indicating that transfer of the control program is stopped is sent to the image forming apparatus. Transfer to 100. On the image forming apparatus 100 side, a message indicating that the transfer could not be performed is displayed on the operation unit. If they match, the function ID number representing the function is checked next, and if they do not match, the operation unit displays that the transfer could not be performed.
If they match, a permission signal is transferred from the host computer 900 to the image forming apparatus 100 to the control unit 400 via the communication circuit 901, and the CPU 401 causes the ROM 40 to operate.
The flash memory rewriting operation program stored in 4 is executed. If it is determined that they are different, the transfer of the control program is stopped, the fact that the control program cannot be transferred is transferred to the control unit 400, and is displayed on the operation unit 300 of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

FIG. 3 shows the image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG.
00 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of No. 00, and the configuration and operation will be described below separately for the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2.

In the reader unit 1, the document feeding device 101
The originals stacked on the original are placed one by one on the original glass platen surface 1
02 is transported to above. When an original is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface (generally called platen glass) 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves to illuminate the original. The reflected light of the original is imaged on the CCD 109 via the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108, and photoelectrically converted there. The converted electric signal is sent to the image processing unit 110 (corresponding to the control unit 400 of the embodiment).

In the image processing section 110, image processing set by various operation sections is performed. Further, it has an image memory and also has a function of rotating the image output direction. Further, the function of switching the signal from the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2 or the host computer 900 which is an external device, and selecting either the signal from the reader unit 1 or the signal from the external device 900 and connecting to the printer unit 2 It also has an external switching circuit that performs the function. That is, the apparatus according to the embodiment functions as an image scanner and as a printer when viewed from the host computer 900.

The electric signal connected to the printer unit 2 by the external switching circuit of the image processing unit 110 is transferred to the exposure control unit 20.
The photoconductor 202 converted into the optical signal modulated in 1 is irradiated. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper stacking unit 204 or
The transfer paper is conveyed from No. 5, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer unit 206. The transferred image is the fixing unit 207.
After being fixed on the transfer paper at, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is
It is passed to the sorter 220. The sorter 220 operates so that the trays 2202 to 2208 are ejected in order when the sorter function is working, and is basically ejected to the uppermost tray 2201 when the sort function is not working. To do.

Next, a method for outputting sequentially read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described. Fixing unit 20
After the output sheet fixed in 7 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge unit 208, the sheet conveying direction is reversed and the conveying direction switching member 2
The sheet is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer sheet stacking section 210 via 09. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above process. However, since the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, the same output paper surface, Two document images can be output on the back side.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the operation unit 300. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit that displays operating states and messages. Further, a transparent touch panel is provided on the surface of the display unit 301, and the touch of the surface serves as a selection key. Numeral 302 is a key for inputting the number of copies and the like. Reference numeral 303 denotes a start key, and the operation is started by pressing this key.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This program represents the operating state of the external device, in the case of this embodiment, the host computer 900.

First, the host computer 900 requests the image forming apparatus 100 for a confirmation signal of the operation status (step S501). At this time, if the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the state of the rewrite mode can be entered,
The state is displayed on the operation unit 300. Image forming apparatus 10
Information indicating that 0 has shifted to the rewrite mode is transmitted to the host computer 900. Receiving this, the host computer 900 requests the model ID number of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S502) and receives the model ID. The host computer 900 determines whether or not this model ID number (in the embodiment, information indicating that the machine is a copying machine) matches the model of the control program to be transferred (step S5).
03). If they do not match, a control program transfer non-permission signal (step S512) and a non-permission level (which indicates at what stage transfer could not be performed) are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication circuit 901 (step S513). . When image forming apparatus 100 receives this information, it causes operation unit 300 to display a message to that effect.
The host computer also sends a rewrite mode end signal (step S515) to notify the image forming apparatus 100 of the end of the rewrite mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that they match, the function ID number of the image forming apparatus 100 is requested (step S505). In the case of the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment, ID information indicating that it functions as an image scanner or a printer is sent.

The host computer 900 receives this, and if they do not match, the above-described step S51.
The processing of 2 to S514 is performed. If they match,
The version of the control program currently used by the image forming apparatus 100 is requested (step S508). If the transmitted version is the same as or newer than the version of the control program to be transferred, there is no need to transmit, so the processing of steps S512 to S514 is performed.

If it is determined that the version is old, the control program is transferred (step S511). When the transfer of the control program is completed, a rewrite mode end signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 (step S515), the completion of rewriting is displayed on the operation unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the mode is converted to the normal mode.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the embodiment will be described. The program for performing this operation is stored in the ROM 404.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 always receives instructions from the host computer 900. Here, when the rewrite mode instruction information is received (step S60)
1), the process proceeds to step S602, and the operation state detection unit 900 in the image forming apparatus main body 100 confirms the operation state (step S602).

When it is determined from the operating state detecting section 500 that the rewriting mode can be entered, the operation section 300 displays that the rewriting mode is entered (step S603).
Then, the various functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are stopped (step S604).

The case in which the transition to the rewrite mode cannot be made is, for example, the case where the copying process is currently being performed, the printing is being performed from another host computer, or the image scanner apparatus is operating. .

After the above operation, the fact that the rewrite mode has been entered is transmitted to the host computer 900 (step S605). After that, the rewriting program separately stored in the ROM 404 is activated to execute the rewriting operation (step S606).

After that, the operation is performed to communicate with the host computer 900 described above with reference to FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By determining the model, function, and version of the transfer destination device from the ID number, the control program can be transferred without error.

Further, when the image forming apparatus receives the control program without transmitting the model ID, it means that the host apparatus has not confirmed the model and function. Do not rewrite the control program.

<Second Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment (first embodiment), the host computer 900 side determines whether the image forming apparatus 100 is a transfer target or not. An example in which this determination is provided on the image forming apparatus 100 side will be described as a second embodiment. However, the device configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

When the rewriting mode signal is received from the host computer 900, the rewriting program finally stored in the ROM 404 is also activated in the second embodiment according to the procedure shown in FIG. Therefore, the processing contents of this rewriting program will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the rewriting program in the second embodiment.

First, when the program of the rewriting program in the ROM 404 is activated, the host computer 900 determines what kind of model ID number, function ID number, and version ID number the control program is about to transfer. Therefore, the transfer request is transmitted to the host computer 900 (steps S701, S704, S707). As a result, seed information (model ID), function information (function ID), to which the program to be transmitted from the host computer 900 can be applied,
Furthermore, version information is sent. Then, these pieces of information sent to the host computer 9 are checked in order of their model ID, function ID, and version.
00 determines whether the program to be transmitted is compatible with itself and should be updated. The version identification is different from the first embodiment described above. That is, when the control program to be transferred has the same version as the currently used control program version, a transfer disapproval signal (step S710) and a disapproval level (step S712) are transmitted to the host computer 900. . Even in the image forming apparatus main body 100, the operation unit 30 indicates that transfer is not possible.
0 is displayed together with the disapproval level (step S71).
2).

When all the above judgments are cleared, the control program transfer is requested to the host computer (step S713). Then, the flash memory is rewritten by the sent control program (step S
714). Finally, the rewrite mode end signal is transmitted to the host (step S715), the end of the rewrite mode is displayed on the operation unit 300 (step S716), and the process ends (step S710).

The control program is transferred by the above operation. In the first embodiment, the control program to be transferred from the host computer 900 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 are matched, but in the second embodiment,
The feature is that processing is performed from the standpoint of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

In the above embodiment, the target device is a copying machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any device such as an image scanner, a printer or a facsimile device. Further, in the embodiment, the host computer is taken as an example of the external device, but the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example in which two devices are connected by a serial interface (RS-232C) has been described, but the communication form is not limited to this, and may be connected, for example, via a network, or three or more devices. It goes without saying that communication between two devices may be performed under the environment in which the devices are connected.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the embodiment. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3.
Output to The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.

The external device (for example, host computer) 13 is for upgrading the program of the image forming apparatus, and is connected to the core unit 10 via a telephone line.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the pressure image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. , Compressed compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and can temporarily store image data to be transmitted and received compressed image data. A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5. The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and sets the compressed image data in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 together with a keyword for searching the image data. Is stored in the magneto-optical disk. Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk on the basis of the keyword transferred via the core 10, reads out the searched compressed image data and decompresses the decompressed image data. Is transferred to the core unit 10.

The computer interface section 7 is a personal computer or workstation (PC / PC).
WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 expands the code data representing the image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data which can be recorded by the printer unit 2, and the image memory unit 9 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. To do. Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 and the image memory unit 9. Is.

The sectional structure and the operation content of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those in FIG. 3, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1. C
The image data output from the CD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110,
Shading correction is performed. A / D / SH unit 110
The image data processed by the image processing unit 111 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111, and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113.
Transferred to The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the setting contents set by the operation unit 126 in the core unit 10 described later. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 126 to perform copying is set, the information is transmitted from the core unit 10 to the CPU 114 via the interface 113.
Passed to. Then, the image processing unit 111 performs trimming processing and transfers it to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set by the operation unit 126, the interface 113 transfers the image data and the control command according to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a control program for the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114
Control while referring to. Also, the memory 116 is a CP
It is also used as a work area for U114.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the core section 10.
The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is C
It is transferred to the PU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing.
The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the processing unit 121 is generated in accordance with the control command transferred from the reader unit 1.
It is transferred to the facsimile section 4, the file section 5, and the computer interface section 7 via the interface 120. The code data representing the image input via the computer interface 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be expanded into image data, and the image data is transferred to the data processing unit 1.
21 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the facsimile unit 4 and the reader unit 1. The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. Further, after the image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121,
The data is transferred to the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, and the computer interface unit 7. CPU 123 is memory 1
Control program stored in 24 and the reader unit 1
Such control is performed according to the control command transferred from the. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. In this way, it is possible to perform processing that combines functions such as reading an original image, printing an image, transmitting and receiving an image, saving an image, and inputting / outputting data from a computer, centered on the core unit 10. . The interface 125 is an interface for connecting an external device such as RS232C used for version upgrade, and is connected to an external device via a telephone line in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows the memory section 124 in the core section 10.
It shows the details of. The flash ROM 503 stores programs for the CPU 123 to perform various processing operations. The RAM 501 is used as a backup RAM for the core unit 10 and a working RAM for the CPU 124. The EPROM 502 stores another program for realizing the minimum function of the operation unit and the copying operation among the functions of the core unit. In the present embodiment, the copying operation is only one-sided copying, and the operation unit also supports only that function.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the program in the flash ROM 503. Flash ROM 5
03 is divided into a total of 16 blocks indicated by 0 to 15, and rewriting can be performed in block units. The block 0 stores a down program used when rewriting the flash ROM 503. Incidentally, the block 0 has a structure that cannot be rewritten by hardware. The flash ROM used in this embodiment has two modes, a normal mode and a write mode, and is a configuration in which data cannot be read from the flash ROM in the write mode. Therefore, during the flash ROM rewriting operation in this embodiment, the download program of block 0 is transferred to the RAM 501 to rewrite the flash ROM.

A block 1 is a module for controlling the I / F of the reader section, and a block 2 is a module for controlling the data processing section. A block 3 is a module for controlling the printer unit, and a block 4 is a FAX I / F.
It is a module that controls. Block 5 is F
The ILE I / F control module, the block 6 is a computer I / F control module, and the block 7 is another I / F control module.

A block 8 is a module for controlling common setting items of the operation unit, and this block is software related to all operations. Block 9 is a module that controls the copy operation unit. A block 10 is a module that controls the operation unit of the facsimile. A block 11 is a module that controls the operation unit of the file. A block 12 is a module that controls the operation unit of the printer. Further, the blocks 13 to 15 are currently reserved as spares.

In the communication between the external device 13 and the core 10, the external communication device 13 gives an instruction as to which part (program module) to upgrade.
Can know which block has been upgraded. Here, block 11 in FIG.
A procedure for rewriting the program of (file operation program module) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The program based on the flowchart of the figure is started when there is a connection request from the external device 13 and an instruction command for rewriting is received.

First, in step S1, it is checked whether the image forming apparatus is in a rewritable state such as during copying or before weight-up, and waits until it becomes possible. When it is determined that the rewriting is possible, the process proceeds to step S2, the flash ROM is set in the rewriting mode, and the program of block 0 is transferred to the RAM 501.

Then, in step S3, the RAM 5
The rewriting program on 01 is executed. In step S4, it is checked whether or not the rewriting of the program has been successful for each certain fixed amount unit. In this embodiment, the checksum is used to compare the checksum sent from the external device 13 with the currently received data. If the checksums match, it is checked in step S5 whether or not the rewriting is completed (for example, whether or not a command indicating that the transmission of the rewriting data is completed is received, or a command indicating the amount of data to be transferred is received first). , Judgment based on the end of reception). If not finished yet, the process returns to step S3 and the rewriting is sequentially executed. When the rewriting is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S6, the flash ROM is shifted from the rewriting mode to the normal mode, and the process is completed.

On the other hand, if the rewriting fails in step S4, the process proceeds to step S7 to detect which block has failed rewriting. In this embodiment, since the block 11 has failed, the block 11 (file operation unit) fails. Next, the process proceeds to step S8, the execution of the file-related software is stopped, and the process returns to step S6.

FIG. 14 shows the operation unit display in the normal mode, and its operation will be described below. The display shown in FIG. 14 is a key displayed as software on the liquid crystal display screen of the operation unit provided in this apparatus. Reference numeral 801 denotes an expansion key, and when this key is pressed, the display is switched to a double-sided copy key or the like. An image mode key 802 is used when performing image processing such as inversion and italics. A user mode key 803 can be defined by the user. A key 804 is used when setting vertical and horizontal independent magnification and the like. 80
Reference numerals 5 to 807 are mode memory keys, which allow the operator to register frequently used modes for these keys and to omit a plurality of settings by one key operation.

Reference numeral 808 denotes a call key, which is used to recall the mode immediately before the operation. An option key 809 is a key used when an option is set. A key 810 is used when the sorter is used. A key 811 is used when designating a mixed original document mode. Reference numeral 812 is a key for setting the magnification to 100%. Reference numerals 813, 814, and 815 are keys to be used for fixed-size enlargement, fixed-form contraction, and scaling in 1% increments, respectively. Reference numeral 816 is a paper selection key. Reference numeral 817 denotes a display unit showing the density, and the degree of the density is displayed as a level by operating a key used to change the density of 818 and 819. A key 820 is a key for setting automatic exposure. 821
Is a key used to reproduce a photographic original beautifully. A key 822 is used when a character of a character original is reproduced more sharply.

Reference numeral 823 is a help key for making various explanations. Reference numeral 824 is a key to be pressed when used in the copy mode. That is, FIG. 14 is a screen displayed when the key 824 is pressed. A key 825 is pressed when the fax mode is used. A key 826 is pressed when the file mode is used. 82
Reference numeral 7 denotes a key to be pressed when it is used in the printer mode (that is, the apparatus receives print data from the host computer and also functions as an ordinary printer).

Now, if the rewriting of the program is successful,
The operation unit of the image forming apparatus is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, as described above, for example, when the rewriting (downloading) of the file operation unit program fails, the display shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. That is, the key 826 for setting the file mode
Will disappear. Since the 826 key disappears, file-related operations are prohibited. Further, a message indicating that the version upgrade of the file part has failed is output. Although not shown in the figure, the external device 13 is also similarly displayed as the version upgrade failure, so the service person is informed as a matter of course.

FIG. 16 shows steps S7 and S shown in FIG.
8 shows a detailed block diagram of 8.

First, in step S11, the failed block is determined, the function corresponding to steps S12 to S15 is selected, and in step S16, the key capable of selecting the function is deleted from the operation unit. The software of the normal screen is included in the operation unit of block 8 in common.

Next, of the blocks shown in FIG. 12, a case in which rewriting of the operation unit common software of block 8 fails will be described. Since the basic operation is the same as above, the description is omitted.

The processing in this case is different in steps S7 and S8 in FIG. Therefore, this part is shown in FIG.
It will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

Since the rewriting of the operation unit common software has failed, the process proceeds to step S11 to check whether the content of the failed block is a block related to all the operations. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S11 of FIG. 16, deletes the corresponding key, and proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if they match, 22
The process proceeds to step S6, and the RAM 502 is set to execute software, and the process returns to step S6.

FIG. 18 shows a flow chart of operation processing of the entire apparatus, which will be described below.

In step S31, it is determined whether the ROM operation is performed. When the ROM operation is not designated, that is, when the normal operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S32, and the program on the 503 flash ROM is executed. In step S33, it is checked whether a mode has been set by the operation unit and an operation request has been issued. If no operation request is issued, the process waits in step S33.

For example, it is assumed that a copy operation request is generated with a setting of 5 copies of 70% scaling. In this case, the copy operation is performed under the conditions set in step S34, and the process returns to step S31.

On the other hand, in step S31, when the ROM operation is set as described in FIG. 12, step S31 is performed.
35 to execute the program on the EPROM 502. As described above, in this embodiment, the EPROM 50
2 is equipped with a program that allows only one-sided copying in the copying operation and the operation unit supports only that function. Next, in step S36, the process waits until a copy operation request is issued. If it occurs, the process proceeds to step S37, the copying operation is performed, and the process returns to step S31. The display screen of the operation unit at that time is shown in FIG. You can see that you can only make 1-sided copies. In addition, it outputs a message that it is operating with the minimum functions because the download failed. The fact that the download has failed is also displayed on the external device as well, so the service person is informed as a matter of course (not shown).

In the embodiment, the minimum copying operation function is mounted on the 502 EPROM, which is used for fax or
It may be the minimum function of the printer or file.

<Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment.

In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 described above are designated by the same reference numerals. However, the control unit 400 in the fourth embodiment performs operation control of the image forming apparatus 100, memory rewriting control, communication control for communicating with a data control communication apparatus, and operation control based on a program for decompressing compressed data. . A communication circuit 901 connects the host computer 900 and the image forming apparatus 100, and RS-232C is used here.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the control unit 400. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, 401 is the image forming apparatus 1.
00 is a CPU that controls 00, 402 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores a control program and information of rewritten data, and is a flash memory here, and 403 is an input data area or a working storage area. 404 is a RAM used as a ROM for storing a program for rewriting the flash memory 402 (a program corresponding to each flowchart described later) and a program for decompressing a compressed data program
And 410 is I for communicating with the data control communication device 9.
/ O interface, 408 and 409 are CP
The U401 address bus and data bus.

The image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above.
In the fourth embodiment, the host computer 900 compresses and transmits the data program to be rewritten, and the image forming apparatus 100 receives the I
This is received via the I / O interface 401, and the program is decompressed based on the program that decompresses the compressed data program in the ROM 404 of the control unit 400,
The decompressed data is rewritten in the flash memory 402 of the control unit 400.

Further, the host computer 900 determines whether or not the rewriting time is faster if the compressed data is transferred, based on the number of data to be rewritten, the decompression time required in the image forming apparatus 100, and the like. It is added that the operation based on is also performed. Here, the rewriting time is a time including data transfer, compression, decompression, and the like.

The structure of the image forming apparatus 100 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 shown in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

The data to be rewritten in the host computer 900 and the data to be rewritten stored in the flash memory 402 of the image forming apparatus 100 also consist of 16 blocks in the fourth embodiment.
Since the flash memory 402 can be rewritten on a block-by-block basis, the data on the main body side can be compared with the data on the host side, and only blocks that do not match can be rewritten. When rewriting is performed under such a premise, if the number of blocks to be rewritten is small, it may be more efficient in the time required for rewriting to transfer the rewritten data to the image forming apparatus 100 without compression.
Therefore, the number of blocks to be rewritten, the data communication time, and the data decompression time on the image forming apparatus side are set to the image forming apparatus 1
It is possible to rewrite the data more effectively by making a determination of 00 as the host computer 900 and adding a determination as to whether or not to compress and transfer the data to the host computer.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of a program on the host computer 900 side when it is determined whether or not to compress and transfer the program.

First, a checksum transmission command for all blocks of the flash ROM in the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 (S401).
It waits for the reception of the checksum from 00 (S402). After receiving this notification, which block is to be changed is detected from the received checksum, and the number of blocks to be rewritten and the data amount of the program are calculated. The time required for compression and decompression and the time for transferring the program data are calculated from the calculated program data amount (S40).
3).

Here, the host computer 900 has data of (time required when the program data is transferred as it is) / (program data amount) in advance, and compares the data with the data of the calculated time to obtain the program data. In rewriting, it is determined whether rewriting is faster by compressing and transferring the program data (S404). If the determination is negative, the rewrite command is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 (S405), and the program data is transferred to the image forming apparatus as it is without being compressed (S406).

On the other hand, when it is judged that the compressed data is transmitted earlier, the compression transfer instruction is sent to the image forming apparatus 1.
00 (S407), the rewriting program data is compressed (S408), the rewriting command is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S409), and the compressed program data is transferred to the image forming apparatus (S410).

Next, the operation on the image forming apparatus side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the host computer 900 has a checksum transmission command (S510), and after receiving it, transmits the checksum of each block of the program data stored in the flash memory 402 to the host computer 900 (S502). .

Next, in steps S503 and S508, the process waits until a compression transfer command or a rewrite command is received.

When the compression transfer command is received, the process waits for the next rewrite command (including information indicating which block (plurality) may be the rewrite command) (step S504), and then the step In step S505, the actual data reception is awaited. When data is received, step S50
In step 6, decompression processing is performed to generate the program code of the designated block, and the block is rewritten to the corresponding block (step S507).

On the other hand, without receiving the compression transfer command,
If a simple rewrite command is received, the process proceeds to step S5.
The process proceeds from step 08 to step S509, and the received data is written as it is at the block position included in the command (step S510).

<Fifth Embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, whether or not to compress the host computer is determined. In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to each other. The case will be described. That is, the upgraded program in one image forming apparatus is
This is an example in which the image is reflected in another image forming apparatus.

In this case, the system configuration is as shown in FIG. That is, the image forming apparatus 500 is the fourth
Corresponding to the host computer of the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has its own flash RO that receives the program.
Update M.

Regarding the communication procedure, the processing on the side of the image forming apparatus 500 which is the sender follows the flowchart of FIG. 25, and the processing on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 which is the receiving side is shown in FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the figure, the processing contents on the sender side and the receiving side are substantially the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

According to the fifth embodiment, when there is an environment in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, one image forming apparatus can be processed by the processing described in the fourth embodiment. Only by rewriting the internal processing program, other image forming apparatuses can automatically update their own programs one after another.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile, etc.) May be applied to.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer (or CPU or M) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that it is also achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

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.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD
-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer actually operates based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where a part or all of the processing of (1) is performed and the function of the embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0105]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the function of a program that is guaranteed to operate reliably.

According to another invention, even if any trouble occurs during communication, the basic processing operation is ensured while actively disabling the use of the program that caused the trouble. It will be possible.

Further, according to a further aspect of the invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus which makes it possible to efficiently reduce the time required for updating a program. Therefore, the following configuration is provided.

[0108]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of an image forming apparatus and a host computer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of a host computer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between an image forming apparatus and a host computer according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a reader unit 1 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a core unit 10 according to a third embodiment.

11 is a diagram showing details of a memory section 124 in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a program in a flash ROM according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for rewriting a program in the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the operation unit in a normal state.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a state where some functions are disabled.

16 is a flowchart showing details of steps S7 and S8 in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing in the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the overall processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen at the time of download failure in the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a control unit in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a host computer in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing contents on the image forming apparatus side in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the image processing apparatus on the program supply side in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the processing contents on the image forming apparatus side on the program receiver side in the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 image forming apparatus 300 operation unit 400 control unit 401 CPU 402 flash memory 403 RAM 404 ROM 410 I / O interface 900 host computer

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Tomofumi Nakayama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Matsutsuka Huang 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non-Incorporated (72) Inventor Rieko Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and updating its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device, in accordance with a predetermined request from the higher-level device. , Transmitting means for transmitting information about its own model and function to a higher-level device, and, if program information is received from the higher-level device after transmitting information about its own model and function by the transmitting means, the program An information processing apparatus, comprising: a storage holding unit that stores and holds information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit further transmits version information of its own program. 3. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus, which is capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and updates its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device. A transmission step of transmitting information about its own model and function to a higher-level device in accordance with the request, and storing the program information when the program information is received from the higher-level device after the transmission step. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: a holding step. 4. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting step further transmits version information of its own program. 5. An information processing apparatus capable of performing phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and managing program information in the lower level electronic device, the model and function of the electronic device connected to the lower level. The recognition means for recognizing, the recognition result of the recognition means, the judgment means for judging whether or not the object of the program to be transmitted agrees, and the program information when the judgment means judges that they coincide. An information processing apparatus, comprising: means for transmitting to a lower-level electronic device for storing and holding. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recognition unit further recognizes version information of a program in an electronic device connected to a lower level. 7. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus capable of phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and managing program information in the lower level electronic device, the model of the electronic device connected to the lower level. And a recognition step of recognizing the function, a recognition step of the recognition step, a judgment step of judging whether or not the target of the program to be transmitted matches, and a judgment step of the judgment step, And a step of transmitting the program information to a low-order electronic device and storing and holding the program information. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the recognizing step further recognizes version information of a program in an electronic device connected to a lower layer. 9. An information processing apparatus that receives a control program sent from a higher-level device and executes the program as a function expansion program, the first storage means storing a program that performs a basic operation, Writable and non-volatile second storage means for storing the control program, and stored in the second storage means when the control program sent from the host device cannot be received normally. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a control means for disabling the corresponding function of the program and combining the programs normally stored in the first storage means and the second storage means before. 10. A control program received from a higher-level device is received, and the program is stored as a function expansion program in a predetermined writable nonvolatile storage means,
A method of controlling an information processing device for executing processing, wherein when a control program sent from the higher-level device cannot be normally received, the corresponding function of the program stored in the nonvolatile storage means is disabled. A control of an information processing device, characterized by controlling to perform processing by combining a predetermined storage means for storing an existing basic program and a program previously normally stored in the non-volatile storage means. Method. 11. An information processing apparatus capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and updating its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device, in accordance with a predetermined request from the higher-level device. , Transmitting means for transmitting the characteristic information of the control program owned by itself to the higher-level device, and receiving the information transmitted from the higher-level device after transmitting by the transmitting means, according to the format of the received information. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a registration unit that registers received information as a control program. 12. The registering unit decompresses and registers the received information if the received information is in a compressed format, and if it is in an uncompressed format, a predetermined writable nonvolatile The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information is written in a storage unit. 13. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus, which is capable of phase-directional communication with a higher-level device and updates its own program with program information sent from the higher-level device. In accordance with the request of 1., the transmitting step of transmitting the characteristic information of the control program owned by itself to the higher-level device, the information transmitted from the higher-level device after being transmitted by the transmitting step, and the received information. And a registration step of registering the received information as a control program in accordance with the above format. 14. In the registration step, if the received information is information in a compressed format, the information is decompressed and registered, and if it is in an uncompressed format, it is a predetermined writable nonvolatile 14. The method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information is written in a storage unit. 15. An information processing device capable of phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and managing program information in the lower level electronic device, which is owned by the electronic device connected to the lower level. First determining means for determining which of the plurality of control programs should be updated, and a program to be transmitted to a lower electronic device in a first format based on the determination result of the determining means. A second determination means for determining whether to perform the transmission in the second format, and a control for transmitting the program in a format based on the determination result of the second determination means and requesting storage retention to a lower device. An information processing apparatus comprising: 16. The first and second formats correspond to a compressed format and a non-compressed format, and the second determining means is capacity and compression time of program information to be transmitted, communication speed, decompression in a lower device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus determines whether to use the first format or the second format based on speed. 17. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus capable of performing phase-directional communication with an electronic device connected to a lower level and managing program information in the lower level electronic device, wherein the electronic device connected to the lower level is owned. Of a plurality of control programs being executed, a first determination step of determining which control program should be updated, and a program to be transmitted to a lower electronic device based on the determination result of the determination step A second determination step of determining whether to transmit in the format or the second format, and transmitting the program in a format based on the determination result of the second determination step, and requesting a storage retention request to a lower device. And a control step of performing the following. 18. The first and second formats correspond to a compressed format and a non-compressed format, and the second determination step is the capacity and compression time of program information to be transmitted, communication speed, decompression in a lower device. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein which of the first format and the second format is to be determined is determined based on speed.