JP2004287877A - Firmware update system for optional device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a firmware update system for an optional device that can easily and efficiently update optional device firmware even when a plurality of optional devices are connected to a main device. <P>SOLUTION: The firmware update system for an optional device comprises a first controlling means disposed in a main device, a second controlling means disposed in each of a plurality of optional devices and connected for communication to the first controlling means via a bus means, and a rewritable storing means disposed in at least one unit in each of the plurality of optional devices. Firmware stored in each unit of the storing means is rewritten by way of the bus means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a firmware update device of an optional device used for an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine to which an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method is applied, and particularly to a sheet feeding device for an image forming apparatus main body. The present invention relates to a firmware updating device suitably used for updating the firmware of the optional device when a plurality of optional devices are mounted.
[0002]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-216167
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-120438
[0003]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various optional devices have been used in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers to which the above-described electrophotographic method and electrostatic recording method are applied. Examples of the optional device include a paper feeding device having a paper feeding cassette and a manual paper feeding device for feeding paper of different sizes and types. Further, as an optional device used in the image forming apparatus, a double-sided printing unit for forming an image on both sides of a sheet, a sheet discharging unit for varying a sheet discharging capacity to be stacked on a sheet discharging unit of the apparatus body, Alternatively, various types of devices may be used, such as a post-processing device that is attached to a paper discharge unit and functions as a sorter that discharges a sheet while appropriately offsetting the sheet.
[0004]
These optional devices control predetermined sheet feeding operation, sheet conveying operation, sheet discharging operation, and the like by firmware which is software executed by an SCU (sub control unit) mounted on the optional device. It is configured to
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional optional device, since it is controlled by a firmware stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM connected to an SCU (sub control unit), after the optional device is sold to the market, Cannot practically upgrade the firmware. Therefore, when the operation of a device on the main body side such as a printer is changed by a minor change or the like, the firmware for controlling the optional device does not match even though the old model optional device can be used as the device itself. For this reason, the option device of the old model has to be discarded, and there is a problem that waste occurs from the viewpoint of resource saving and recycling.
[0006]
Therefore, as a technique capable of solving such a problem, for example, techniques disclosed in JP-A-2001-216167 and JP-A-2002-120438 have already been proposed.
[0007]
A system including a main body and a peripheral device according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-216167 is a system including a main body device and at least one peripheral device connected thereto. Storage means for storing firmware including an identification code to be executed, wherein the main device determines from the identification codes of the main device and the peripheral device whether or not the main device and the peripheral device can be operated in combination; A storage unit for storing a plurality of firmware of each of the peripheral devices, and at least one firmware of the main unit or the peripheral device is downloaded from the storage unit to the storage unit of the device when the determination unit determines that the combination operation is possible. And a download means for updating the firmware. A.
[0008]
The image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-120438 is an image forming apparatus to which an optional device can be connected, and a connection detecting unit that detects connection of the optional device, and is assigned to the connected optional device. Identifier detecting means for detecting an identifier, a transfer request means for requesting a transfer of a control program compatible with the optional device via the network based on the identifier, a receiving means for receiving a control program relating to the transfer request, and a received control. It is configured to include storage means for storing a program, and control means for executing the received control program.
[0009]
However, in the case of the system including the main body and the peripheral device according to JP-A-2001-216167, if there are a plurality of optional devices as the peripheral device, the main device and the peripheral device based on the identification code can operate in combination. This determination and the download operation for updating the firmware must be repeated as many times as the number of optional devices, so that the firmware update operation becomes very complicated.
[0010]
Further, in the case of the image forming apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2002-120438, the optional device is identified by an identifier and the control program is stored in the storage means. In the case where there is, the control program can be stored in the storage means only for each of the optional devices, and it must be repeated by the number of the optional devices, which makes the firmware update work very complicated. Had.
[0011]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to solve the problem even when there are a plurality of optional devices connected to the main unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optional device firmware updating device capable of easily and efficiently performing the firmware updating operation.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a plurality of optional devices attached to a main body device, and firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices is installed. In the firmware updating apparatus for updating, a first control unit provided in the main unit and a second control unit respectively provided in the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control unit via a bus unit. And a rewritable storage unit provided at least one for each of the plurality of optional devices, wherein the firmware stored in each of the storage units is rewritten using the bus unit. is there.
[0013]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, the second control means includes a watchdog timer, and when the firmware of the storage means is rewritten, a reset signal is sent from the watchdog timer and the firmware is reset. The firmware updating device for an optional device according to claim 1, wherein the firmware is output to a second control unit corresponding to the rewritten storage unit.
[0014]
Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, the timing of rewriting the firmware of the storage means is from the time when the power of the main unit is turned on to the time when the control operation of the main unit by the first control means becomes possible. 3. The firmware updating device for an optional device according to claim 1, wherein:
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the data stored in the storage means includes life information of the optional device. It is a wear updating device.
[0016]
Further, the invention described in claim 5 is the firmware updating device for an optional device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage means is made of a flash memory.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a firmware updating apparatus comprising a plurality of optional devices mounted on a main unit, and updating firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices. A first control unit provided in the main unit; a second control unit provided in each of the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control unit via a bus unit; Rewritable storage means provided in each of a plurality of optional devices, wherein the first control means adds a specific identifier to data to be transmitted to the plurality of second control means. Wherein the same data is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of second control means. Which is a new apparatus.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 7, wherein the main body device is an image forming apparatus, and the optional device includes at least a paper feeding device. This is a firmware update device for the device.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows a laser printer as an image forming apparatus to which the firmware updating device of the optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser printer as a main body device. Inside the printer 1, an image processing unit 2 for performing predetermined image processing on image information input from the outside, An image output unit 3 that outputs an image based on image information on which predetermined image processing has been performed by the processing unit 2 is provided. The image processing unit 2 in the printer 1 reads image information sent from a host computer such as a personal computer (not shown), a communication line such as a telephone line or a LAN, or an image reading device (not shown). Image information and the like are input.
[0022]
An ROS 4 (Raster Output Scanner) that performs image exposure based on image information on which predetermined image processing has been performed by the image processing unit 2 is arranged in the image output unit 3 in the printer 1. Image exposure with laser light LB is performed according to the image information.
[0023]
In the ROS 4, as shown in FIG. 2, laser light LB is emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) in accordance with the gradation data of the image information. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by a rotating polygon mirror (not shown), and is scanned on a photosensitive drum 5 as an image carrier via an f-θ lens and a reflection mirror (not shown).
[0024]
As the photosensitive drum 5 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 4, for example, a photosensitive body using an organic photoconductive substance (OPC) is used. Is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow. The surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is previously charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roll 6 serving as a charging unit, and is then scanned and exposed to laser light LB in accordance with image information to form an electrostatic latent image. . The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is developed by a developing roll 8 as a developer carrier of a developing device 7 to become a toner image.
[0025]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred onto a transfer paper 10 as a transfer medium by a transfer roll 9 arranged so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 5, and then the toner image is transferred. The transferred transfer paper 10 is separated from the photosensitive drum 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 10 is separated one by one from a paper feed cassette 12 of a paper feeder 11 disposed at a lower portion of the printer main body 1 by a nager roll 13, a feed roll 14, and a retard roll 15. And fed. The transfer paper 10 fed from the paper feed cassette 12 is transported by the registration roll 17 to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum 5 via the transport roll 16 and the paper transport path 16a.
[0026]
By the way, in the illustrated embodiment, a paper feeder 11 is built in two stages in advance in the lower part of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding device 11 is an optional device that can be added one by one, such as three or four, according to the needs of the user. Transfer papers 10 of different sizes or of the same size can be fed from a paper feed cassette 12 of a plurality of paper feeders 11.
[0027]
Incidentally, among the plurality of paper feeders 11, the uppermost paper feeder 11 has 150 transfer papers 10, the second paper feeder 11 has 250 transfer papers 10, The third-stage paper supply device 11 can accommodate 500 transfer sheets 10, and the fourth-stage paper supply device 11 can accommodate 500 transfer sheets 10.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer main body 1 is provided with a manual tray (not shown) in place of the uppermost sheet feeding device 11 so that the materials and sizes of OHP sheets and postcards differ from the manual tray. A transfer medium can be fed.
[0029]
Further, the transfer paper 10 on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 5 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and then conveyed to the fixing device 21 as described above. The transfer paper 10 separated from the surface of the photoconductor drum 5 is heated and pressed by a heating roll 22 and a pressure roll 23 of a fixing device 21 so that the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 10. The sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 26 provided on the upper portion of the printer main body 1 by the discharge roll 25 via the discharge rolls 24a and 24b, and the image forming process is completed.
[0030]
Further, when printing images on both sides of the transfer paper 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 10 on which the image is printed on one side is not discharged onto the discharge tray 26 as it is, The transfer direction of the transfer paper 10 is switched by switching levers 24a and 24b provided at the outlet of the printer, and guided to a double-sided printing unit 29 provided with a plurality of transfer rolls 28a, 28b and 28c by a discharge roll 25 that rotates in reverse. The sheet 10 is configured to be transported to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum 5 again in a state where the sheet 10 is turned upside down.
[0031]
After the transfer of the toner image is completed, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is cleaned with a cleaning device having a cleaner blade 30, as shown in FIG. It is prepared for the forming process.
[0032]
Further, in the laser printer 1, the photosensitive drum 5 and the image forming member around the photosensitive drum 5 are integrally formed as an image forming unit 31, and when the toner in the developing device 7 runs out, or when the photosensitive drum 5 Is reached, the entire image forming unit 31 is replaced with a new one.
[0033]
Further, optional devices other than the paper feeding device 11 used in the laser printer 1 include a duplex printing unit 29 which is attached to the side of the device main body 1 to form a reversing path of paper to enable duplex printing, and Post-processing functioning as a discharge unit (not shown) for changing the discharge capacity loaded on the paper discharge unit on the top surface of the apparatus main body 1 or a sorter that is mounted above the discharge unit and appropriately offsets and discharges the paper. The device 52 is exemplified.
[0034]
The post-processing device 52, which functions as the sorter, transfers the transfer paper 10 on which an image is formed on one or both sides and has been subjected to the fixing process by the fixing device 21 to the inside of the post-processing device 52 by the switching lever 24 and the discharge roll 53. The sheet is introduced into the provided paper transport path 54, and is discharged onto the offset catch tray 57 by the transport roll 55 and the discharge roll 56 provided in the paper transport path 54.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a paper feed cassette of a paper feed device as an optional device used in the laser printer, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a paper feed device used in the laser printer.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding device 11 is arranged in a state where a plurality of stages (two stages in the illustrated example) are stacked below the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feeding device 11 is roughly divided into a paper feeding device main body 32, side panels 33 and 34 disposed on both sides of the paper feeding device main body 32, and a paper feeding device main body 32. The paper cassette 12 is detachably mounted on the paper cassette 12 and a paper feed unit 35 for feeding the transfer paper 10 from the paper cassette 12. The sheet feeding device main body 32, the side panels 33 and 34, and the sheet feeding unit 35 are integrally assembled with each other by screws.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the paper feed cassette 12 is formed in a flat rectangular box shape having an open upper surface, and the paper feed cassette 12 is supplied to the front side thereof. A front panel 37 is provided which has a handle 36 for pulling out from the paper device main body 32 and also serves as a front panel of the paper feeding device 11. Inside the paper feed cassette 12, a paper support member (bottom plate) 39 for mounting a large number of transfer papers 10 stored therein is provided so as to be tiltable. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper support member 39 is tiltably attached to rotating shafts 40 protruding from both side surfaces on the rear side in the paper feeding cassette 12. In addition, a push-up lever 41 for pushing up the paper support member 39 is disposed below the leading end side of the paper support member 39 inside the paper feed cassette 12, and the push-up lever 41 is arranged as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the load shaft 42 is fixed to a rectangular section of the load shaft 42 by means of screws or the like.
[0038]
By the way, in this embodiment, a firmware update device that includes a plurality of optional devices attached to the main device, and updates firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices, First control means provided in the device, second control means provided in each of the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control means via a bus means, and the plurality of optional devices And at least one rewritable storage means, respectively, and is configured to rewrite firmware stored in each of the storage means using the bus means.
[0039]
Further, in this embodiment, the second control means includes a watchdog timer, and when the firmware of the storage means is rewritten, a reset signal is sent from the watchdog timer to the storage means having rewritten the firmware. Is output to the second control means corresponding to
[0040]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a firmware updating device of the optional device according to this embodiment.
[0041]
The firmware updating device of this optional device uses an MCU (main control unit) 60 as a first control device of the laser printer 1 as a master, and as a second control device provided in each paper feed device 11 as an optional device. These SCUs (sub-control units) 61, 62 and 63 are slaves, and the MCU 60 and the SCUs 61, 62 and 63 are communicably connected by an internal bus 65 as one bus means. The SCUs 61, 62, and 63 as the slaves are configured to respond only to commands from the MCU 60 as a master in order to avoid collision of signals in the bus 65, and the status is spontaneously changed. Will not return. Further, the transmission side ports of the SCUs 61, 62, 63 are normally input ports, and are configured to switch to output ports only when data is transmitted.
[0042]
The SCUs 61, 62, 63 are provided with at least one or more storage devices 71, 72, 73, such as flash memories, as storage means. Stores, for example, firmware for driving the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device and predetermined data. Note that the predetermined data includes data on the use history and the life of the optional device.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 7, a watchdog timer 66 is connected to the CPUs constituting the SCUs 61, 62 and 63, and a reset signal 67 is sent from the watchdog timer 66 to the SCUs 61, 62 and 63. It is supposed to be. On the other hand, the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 send a timer value rewriting or reset signal 68 to the watchdog timer 66. When the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 are operating normally, a reset signal 68 is sent from the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 to the watchdog timer 66 at a constant cycle. Is not transmitted to the SCUs 61, 62, 63. If the SCUs 61, 62, 63 run away and the SCUs 61, 62, 63 do not output the reset signal 68 and the watchdog timer 66 is not reset, the reset signal 67 from the watchdog timer 66 is sent to the SCU 61. , 62, 63, and the SCUs 61, 62, 63 are reset.
[0044]
Then, in normal times, the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 periodically rewrite the timer value (in the case of a watchdog timer circuit built-in type) or periodically send a reset signal (in the case of a watchdog timer external type). The watchdog timer 66 does not overflow.
[0045]
On the other hand, when resetting the SCUs 61, 62 and 63, the timer value rewriting is stopped, or the transmission of the reset signal is stopped to overflow the watchdog timer 66, and the reset signal is output from the watchdog timer 66, and the SCU 61 is reset. , 62, 63 can be reset.
[0046]
In the above configuration, in the firmware updating apparatus for the optional device according to this embodiment, even when there are a plurality of optional devices connected to the main unit, the firmware of the optional device is updated as follows. The updating operation can be performed easily and efficiently.
[0047]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 to which the firmware updating device of the optional device according to the present embodiment is applied has the paper feeder 11 arranged in two stages inside the printer 1, and A paper feeder 11 as an optional device is further added to the lower part of the printer 1 in a state of being stacked in two stages. The printer 1 is also equipped with optional devices such as the duplex printing unit 29 and the post-processing device 52. The MCU 60 of the printer 1 and the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 of the optional devices are communicably connected via an internal bus 65.
[0048]
By the way, the printer 1 may be subjected to a minor change in order to improve the function. In this case, the firmware of the optional device such as the paper feeding device 11 may not be used as it is and may not be used.
[0049]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the firmware of the optional device is updated as follows.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for rewriting data of each optional device.
[0051]
When power is supplied to the device, the MCU 60 of the printer 1 first checks whether or not the sheet feeding device 11 is connected to the printer 1 as an optional device (step 101). Next, the MCU 60 checks the firmware version of the sheet feeding device 11 as the checked optional device with reference to the storage devices 71, 72, and 73 (step 102), and determines whether the firmware version needs to be upgraded. Is determined (step 103). When the MCU 60 determines that the firmware version does not match the version requested by the MCU 60, the MCU 60 downloads the desired firmware from, for example, a server or the like by a separately provided download unit, and stores the firmware in the storage device 71. , 72, and 73 are rewritten. Note that a new version of firmware stored in advance in the data storage unit 74 of the printer 1 as the main unit may be configured to be read. This operation may be performed automatically by the MCU 60, or may be configured so that the MCU 60 issues an instruction to the user to download and then performs the operation. When it is not necessary to upgrade the firmware, the MCU 60 sends a ready signal to the host system and waits for an operation instruction (step 107).
[0052]
Next, when the MCU 60 confirms that the data of the optional device has been properly rewritten (step 104), the MCU 60 transmits only the rewritten SCUs 61, 62 and 63 to the watchdog as shown in FIG. The timer 66 is operated and reset (step 105). When the device has started up normally, the presence or absence of the optional device is confirmed again (step 106), and after confirming that the optional device is in an operable state, the MCU 60 sends a ready signal to the host system. , And waits for an operation instruction.
[0053]
As described above, the timing of rewriting the firmware of the storage devices 71, 72, and 73 connected to the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 is from when the power of the printer 1 is turned on to when the control operation (print operation) of the printer 1 by the MCU 60 becomes possible. Done between
[0054]
Further, in this embodiment, a firmware update device that includes a plurality of optional devices attached to the main device and updates firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices. First control means provided in the device, second control means provided in each of the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control means via a bus means, and the plurality of optional devices Rewritable storage means provided at least one each, wherein the first control means adds a specific identifier to data to be transmitted to the plurality of second control means, thereby simultaneously providing a plurality of rewritable storage means. The same data is sent to the second control means.
[0055]
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the broadcast notification (broadcast message).
[0056]
FIG. 9A shows the time of notification of a simultaneous broadcast. Here, when data is transmitted from the MCU 60 to each of the SCUs 61, 62, 63 by designating ID = 0 in the header Hed, and transmitting data from the MCU 60 as the master to the SCUs 61, 62, 63 as all the slaves. , The same message can be transmitted at the same time.
[0057]
That is, an ID number as shown in FIG. 10 is assigned to each of the optional devices.
[0058]
Here, ID = 0 is used as an identifier for simultaneous notification (broadcast message). Further, ID = 1 is set to indicate the duplex printing unit 49, ID = 2 is set to the sorter (post-processing device) 52, ID = 3 is set to the manual sheet feeding unit, and ID = 4 to 7 are set to indicate the sheet feeding device 11. .
[0059]
FIG. 9B shows the time of response to the simultaneous broadcast. Upon receiving the broadcast message, the SCUs 61, 62 and 63 as slaves transmit data with their IDs attached to the header to the MCU 60 as master. At this time, in order to avoid collisions in the communication bus 65, the time from reception to transmission is sequentially delayed for each slave by, for example, 10 msec. For example, data transmission is delayed by a time obtained by multiplying the slave ID by 10 ms.
[0060]
In this way, by using the simultaneous notification (broadcast message), when a sheet conveyance failure occurs in any one of the paper feeding devices 11 or the like, a stop command is sent to a plurality of paper feeding devices 11 or the like at the same time. Thus, the plurality of paper feeders 11 and the like can be stopped at the same time, and it is possible to prevent a paper jam or the like from occurring. If all the connected optional devices have the same firmware, it is possible to update the firmware at the same time by using simultaneous notification (broadcast message).
[0061]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, since the plurality of sheet feeding devices 11 as optional devices are connected to the same internal bus 65, the number of optional devices is smaller than that of the conventional loop type bus. Can be easily added, and the command is transmitted quickly. In addition, a command can be transmitted to all optional devices at substantially the same time, and the same command can be simultaneously transmitted to all optional devices. Further, there is an effect that there is no need for troublesome wiring for forming a loop. Further, since the data in the storage means 71 to 73 provided in each option device 11 is rewritten using the internal bus 65, it is not necessary to prepare a separate bus.
[0062]
Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the watchdog timer 66 is provided, and after the data rewriting, the watchdog timer 66 is timed up, so that the reset signal is output to the SCUs 61, 62, and 63. It is easy to use because it does not require an artificial reset operation such as turning the power on and off.
[0063]
Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, since the timing of rewriting data is the timing from the power-on to the standby of the printer 1, the firmware is rewritten without affecting the operation of the main unit and the usability is improved. Is good.
[0064]
Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the data to be rewritten is the firmware of the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device, so that the firmware can be easily upgraded to the latest version.
[0065]
Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the data to be rewritten is the life information (for example, the number of sheets fed) of the optional device 11. The degree of wear of the consumable parts such as the paper feed rolls contained therein can be determined, and if necessary, the consumable parts can be appropriately replaced, thereby improving the recycling efficiency. This data may be written by the MCU 60 on the main unit side or by the SCUs 61, 62, 63 on the optional device side.
[0066]
Further, according to the above embodiment, since the storage means 71, 72, 73 are flash memories, data can be easily rewritten.
[0067]
Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the control unit of the main unit can control all the optional devices by one data transmission, so that, for example, when the interlock switch is activated or an error occurs, each of the optional devices is emergency stopped. It is effective in the case.
[0068]
Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, when a paper feeder or the like is connected to the image forming apparatus, if the present invention is applied, even if the main body is slightly changed, the paper feeder of the old model can be used. It can be used and is economical.
[0069]
Further, if a paper feed instruction is given to each paper feeder when an error occurs, each paper feeder 11 starts a paper feed operation because the stop command is delayed, and paper stays in the transport path. There was a problem that an error occurred, and the work of removing the paper at the time of recovery became complicated. However, if the present invention is applied, all the paper feeding devices 11 can be stopped instantaneously. Can be. This is particularly effective when, for example, a print instruction is given, but the user wants to cancel the instruction before starting printing for some reason. Further, in a high-speed printing system having a high paper feeding speed and a large number of optional paper feeding devices, the amount of paper to be fed even in a short time is large, and thus the application of the present invention is significant.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when there are a plurality of optional devices connected to the main device, an option that allows the firmware of the optional device to be updated easily and efficiently is provided. A device firmware update device can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a firmware updating device of an optional device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printer as an image forming apparatus to which the optional device firmware updating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sheet cassette of the optional device.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a main part of a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main part of a firmware updating device of the optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the firmware updating device of the optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the firmware updating device of the optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a table showing identification numbers of optional devices in the firmware updating device of the optional devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
60: MCU (first control means), 61 to 63: SCU (second control means), 65: internal bus, 71 to 73: storage device.

Claims (7)

A firmware updating device comprising a plurality of optional devices attached to the main unit, and updating firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices,
First control means provided in the main body device;
Second control means provided in each of the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control means via bus means;
Rewritable storage means provided at least one each in the plurality of optional devices,
A firmware updating apparatus for an optional device, wherein the firmware stored in each of the storage means is rewritten using the bus means. The second control means includes a watchdog timer, and when the firmware of the storage means is rewritten, a reset signal from the watchdog timer is sent to the second control means corresponding to the storage means having rewritten the firmware. The firmware updating device for an optional device according to claim 1, characterized in that the firmware updating device is configured to output the firmware to the optional device. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the timing of rewriting the firmware in the storage means is from when the power of the main unit is turned on until the control operation of the main unit by the first control unit becomes possible. Optional firmware update device. 4. The firmware updating apparatus for an optional device according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the storage unit includes life information of the optional device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a flash memory. A firmware updating device comprising a plurality of optional devices attached to the main unit, and updating firmware of at least one of the plurality of optional devices,
First control means provided in the main body device;
Second control means provided in each of the plurality of optional devices communicably connected to the first control means via bus means;
Rewritable storage means provided at least one each in the plurality of optional devices,
The first control means sends the same data to a plurality of second control means simultaneously by adding a specific identifier to the data to be sent to the plurality of second control means. A firmware updating device for an optional device, characterized in that: 7. The firmware updating apparatus for an optional device according to claim 1, wherein the main device is an image forming device, and the optional device includes at least a sheet feeding device.

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