JP3033802B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer which performs a printing operation in accordance with the type of a higher-level device to be connected, and more particularly to a printer which can cope with various types of higher-level devices by replacing an emulation cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer device can be connected to various types of host computers. In many of these, a plurality of programs for emulating a printer connected to a specific host computer are prepared, and as a detachable emulation cartridge (EMC), it is possible to cope with various types of hosts by exchanging the EMC. . Further, it is possible to provide a similar function to the control program <br/> built - in to the printer not only EMC.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between a built-in ROM program and an EMC program in a conventional printer. FIG. 7A shows a case where EMC is not installed, and FIG. 7B shows a case where EMC is installed. Indicates when

[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, since the link between the built-in ROM program and the EMC program is different, the built-in
From M program to EMC program or vice versa
When shifting from the C program to the built-in ROM program, a jump table at each fixed address is used.

[0005] For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the procedure for shifting from an internal ROM program to an EMC program.
As shown in the figure, the internal ROM program 61 is shifted to the internal ROM program 61 based on a jump instruction 60 to the internal ROM program written at the head address of the internal ROM.
When there is a request for shifting from the M program 61 to the EMC program 64, the program 62 determines whether or not there is EMC. If there is EMC, the program shifts to the fixed address of the EMC and the jump table 63 stored in the address. To the EMC program 64 using. The transfer from the EMC to the built-in ROM is performed in the same manner.

[0006]

As described above, it is conceivable that the EMC is not mounted conventionally,
When receiving a request to shift to the MC program,
Must be checked to see if it exists. Similarly, there may be no built-in ROM program.
Similar confirmation is required when shifting from the EMC program to the internal ROM program.

If the internal ROM program and the EMC program can be replaced in units of modules, each program does not always need to have all the modules, thereby reducing the capacity of the program ROM. However, if the same module exists in both the built-in ROM and the EMC, it is necessary to move to a new module that may be improved or expanded.

Here, when comparing the built-in ROM program and the EMC program, it is general that the removable EMC program is considered to be a new module.

Therefore, during operation with the built-in ROM program,
Each time a module is added, the presence or absence of EMC is determined.
If there is an MC, after shifting to the EMC program in the jump table of the EMC, an operation for determining whether or not the target module exists is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to enable a module-by-module transfer between different instruction areas without using complicated conditional instructions.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a printer according to the present invention has a plurality of memories for storing a program comprising a plurality of modules for performing a printing process corresponding to a higher-level device connected thereto. Processing means for generating an address, accessing the memory, and executing the program,
Detecting means for detecting the installed state of the memory, wherein the processing means separately sets a plurality of divided ranges of the generated logical addresses in accordance with the maximum number of memories that can be installed in the device. together, it is specified according to a signal generator for range and the detection means of the address of said processing means
The connection relationship between the specified address and the physical memory is predetermined.
Memory selection means for switching the relationship , wherein a jump instruction to a module to start processing is provided at a storage location where the processing means starts reading a program at the time of reset under the control of the memory selection means. A jump instruction for shifting a processing address to the stored jump table is stored.

[0012]

In other words, the printer of the present invention can be provided with a plurality of memories for storing a program for performing a printing process corresponding to a higher-level device to be connected, and these programs are composed of a plurality of modules. I have. Processing means executes the access these memory by generating an address stored program, segmented range of logical addresses generated for accessing the memory, its
A plurality of devices are separately set corresponding to the maximum number of memories that can be installed in the device . The memory selection means includes a detection means for detecting a state of the memory , and a memory selection means performs a finger operation in accordance with an address range generated by the processing means and a signal from the detection means.
Determine the connection relationship between the specified address and the physical memory in advance.
Control to switch to the specified relationship . In this way, when the processing means resets the memory selection means
The program reading is started in accordance with the control of the above, and a jump instruction for shifting a processing address to a jump table storing a jump instruction to a module to start processing is stored in a memory location of the memory. The program of the module whose processing is to be started is executed.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment is mainly connected to a host computer 1 as a host device.

The printer device 2 further comprises an interface (I / F) controller 3, a printer engine 4, and a printer interface 5 connecting the I / F controller 3 and the printer engine 4. ing.

Further, the I / F controller 3 includes a host interface 6, an MPU 7, a built-in ROM 8,
RAM 9, reception buffer 11, image data generation unit 1
2. It comprises a ROM selection unit 13 and an image memory 14, and the EMC 10 is detachable. The printer engine 4 has a printer unit 15 and various loads such as a print head (not shown), a paper size detection sensor, various sensors, and a photosensitive drum.

In such a configuration, the host interface 6 is constituted by, for example, an 8-bit parallel interface conforming to Centronics or a serial interface conforming to RS-232C, and communicates with the host computer 1 having an interface of the same standard. Send and receive data.

The MPU 7 controls each unit in the I / F controller 3 according to a command analysis and system management program stored in the built-in ROM 8, and the RAM 9 is used as a work area of the MPU 7.

Further, the reception buffer 11 stores the host computer 1 received by the host interface 6.
Command and data are temporarily stored. The image data generator 12 generates a character generator (C) for generating corresponding character pattern data from the character code stored in the reception buffer 11.
G) A ROM and a CGRAM for storing a character pattern according to the design of the user.

The image memory 14 is used as a bit map memory for developing an image for one page, and has a storage capacity corresponding to the maximum printable printing paper.

Further, the printer unit 15 monitors and controls the state and operation of the entire printer engine 4 in order to form a video signal sent from the I / F controller 3 on a print sheet, and controls the printer engine 4. The video signal is converted into image data, and the print head is controlled based on the video signal. The paper size detection sensor detects the size of the cassette, that is, the size of the printing paper, from a notch or the like provided in a cassette (not shown) that stores the printing paper.

The detected paper size is transmitted from the printer unit 15 via the printer interface 5 to the printer.
Sent to the MPU 4 of the / F controller 3.

Further, the printer interface 5
Is transmitted from the I / F controller 3 to the image memory 1
The image data expanded in 4 is converted into a video signal and transmitted to the printer engine 4, and a status signal for monitoring the state is transmitted from the printer engine 4 to the I / F controller 3.

FIG. 2 shows the internal ROM 8, EMC 10,
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail a connection relationship of a memory access unit including an MPU 7 and a ROM selection unit 13.

As shown in FIG.
10 stores a control program for performing a printing operation corresponding to different types of higher-level devices.

The MPU 7 has two logical address spaces consisting of an instruction area 1 and an instruction area 2 in order to make the control different according to the specifications of various host devices. The MPU 7 has a program read from the built-in ROM 8 or the EMC 10. The processing for print control is executed in accordance with.

Further, the ROM selecting section 13 stores the M
In accordance with the address value generated by the PU 7, the state of attachment / detachment of the EMC 10, and the presence / absence state of the internal ROM 8,
Alternatively, the control program is read out by selecting one of the EMC10.

In this embodiment, the address signals 25 to 2 are used.
And an address signal AD26, which is a signal for identifying one of the instruction area 1 and the instruction area 2 as an access address of the MPU 7, and "the presence or absence of a built-in ROM".
The ROM selection unit 13 selects whether to perform control based on a program of the built-in ROM 8 or the EMC 10 based on a signal indicating the presence or absence of EMC.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing such selection contents.

As shown in FIG.
Is "0", the instruction area 1 is sent to the address signal AD.
When 26 is "1", the instruction area 2 is selected. Then, in the instruction area 1, as shown in FIG.
In the instruction area 2, as shown in FIG.
OM and EMC are selected.

For example, in FIG. 3A, a signal "0" indicating the instruction area 1 by the address signal AD26, a signal indicating "absence" in the built-in ROM 8, and a signal indicating "present" in the EMC are input. In this case, the built-in ROM 8 is selected. However, since the built-in ROM 8 does not actually exist, the built-in ROM 8 does not operate. Also, a signal “0” indicating the instruction area 1 by the address signal AD26,
When both the MC 10 and the built-in ROM 8 receive a signal indicating “absence”, the built-in ROM 8 is selected.

Further, in FIG. 3B, a signal "1" indicating the instruction area 2 by the address signal AD26, a signal indicating "absence" in the built-in ROM 8, and a signal indicating "absence" in the EMC are input. In this case, the built-in ROM 8 is selected. However, since neither the built-in ROM 8 nor the EMC 8 exists, the internal ROM 8 does not operate.

In the present embodiment, the built-in R
When there is no OM, the EMC 10 is accessed even when the built-in ROM 8 is selected.

That is, the built-in ROM 8 and the EMC 10
It is controlled by the ROM selection unit 13 and can take the three states shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the data width of the MPU 7 is 32 bits, and the read start address of the program at the time of reset is from "0000 0000H".
The capacities of the built-in ROM 8 and the EMC 10, that is, the size of the instruction area 1 and the instruction area 2 are each 16 MB.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG.
The instruction area 1 and the instruction area 2 in the logical address space of FIG.

First, as shown in FIG.
In the case of a model having a specification in which the EMC 10 can be mounted separately from the M8, the built-in ROM 8 is assigned to the instruction area 1 of the address space and the EMC 10 is assigned to the instruction area 2 in the MPU 7. As a result, the MPU 7 loads the program into the EMC 10
Starting from the first address, the operation is performed based on the program in the built-in ROM 8, and if necessary, the execution destination can be moved to the first address of the EMC 10 to operate based on the program. Therefore, the built-in ROM 8 and the EMC 10
Dynamic double emulation by
It can correspond to multiple types of specifications.

Then, as shown in FIG.
In the case of a model that does not include the MC 10, both the instruction area 1 and the instruction area 2 in the address space of the MPU 7 are assigned to physical addresses in the internal ROM 8. This allows
When the MPU 7 executes the processing, it starts from the head address of the internal ROM 8 and operates based on only the program of the internal ROM 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), a model which operates according to only the program in the EMC 10 mounted and does not have the built-in ROM 8 can be considered, but in such a case, the MPU 7 Instruction area 1 and instruction area 2 of the address space are both assigned to physical addresses of EMC 10. In this case, when the MPU 7 is activated,
It operates based on only the program of MC10. Thus, the operation can be performed only by the EMC 10 without using the combination of the built-in ROM 8 and the EMC 10.

In the memory access unit thus configured, the program stored in the built-in ROM and the EM
In the program stored in advance in C, a jump table having a common structure from the start address of each is arranged.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the jump table.

As shown in the figure, in each jump table, a jump instruction for jumping to any one of the eight modules is described based on the configuration of a program composed of eight modules. ing. However, the number of modules is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of jump tables.

In each jump table, if a target module is included in the program according to the configuration of the program, a jump instruction to jump to that module is described. If the target module is not included, a jump instruction having the same jump table in another instruction area as a jump destination is described.

However, the head of the jump table is M
This is the address at which the PU 7 starts reading the program at the time of reset. Here, there is an area where a new program is located, that is, the first module of the instruction area 2 in which the EMC 10 is located in the present example because the program of the EMC 10 is always considered to be the latest. 5, a jump instruction to the jump table 321 to the module 1 in the instruction area 2 is described in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process from the MPU reset state to the transition to the module 1 by such a jump table.

First, FIG. 6A shows the internal ROM 8 and EM
It is a figure which shows the case where C10 is mounted together and the module 1 is linked to the program of EMC10.
At this time, when the EMC program is created, a jump instruction for jumping to the module 1 linked to the module 1 in the jump table 321 to the module 1 is described.

Then, "000" is reset by MPU reset.
00000H ", and executes the jump instruction of the jump table 310 of the internal ROM 8 to shift to the jump table 321 of the instruction area 2. Then, according to the jump instruction of the jump table 321, the EMC 10 is executed.
Will be transferred to module 1.

Although the module 1 is also provided on the built-in ROM 8 side in FIG.
Access only module 1 on C10 side,
It does not access the module 1 on the OM8 side.

FIG. 6B is similar to FIG.
The built-in ROM 8 and the EMC 10 are both installed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a case where module 1 is not linked to a program on the MC 10 side. At this time, when the EMC program is created, the jump table 321 for the same module in the instruction area 1 is stored in the jump table 321 for the module 1.
A jump instruction for jump destination 11 is described.

After the reset, the MPU 7 temporarily resets the module 1 in the instruction area 2 where the new program exists.
To the jump table 321, and from the jump table to the jump table 311 to the module 1 in the instruction area 1 again, the module 1 in the built-in ROM 8 is executed.

FIG. 6C shows the case where only the built-in ROM 8 is used for EMC.
It is a figure showing the case where 10 is not attached. At this time,
The jump from the start address to the jump table 321 to the module 1 of the instruction area 2 is performed. Since the jump table 321 is the same as the jump table 311 to the module 1 of the program of the internal ROM 8, the module 1 of the instruction area 1 is jumped to. Specified and jump to it.

FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a case in which the internal ROM 8 is not provided and only the EMC 10 is mounted. At this time, since the program of the EMC 10 is also read from the instruction area 1, the program shifts to the jump table 321 to the module 1 of the instruction area 2 at the start address.
Jump to module 1 in MC10.

As described in detail above, in the printer of the present invention, it is not necessary to confirm the presence or absence of an instruction memory other than the operating memory. That is, it is not necessary to check the presence or absence of the EMC during the operation of the built-in ROM program or to check the presence or absence of the built-in ROM program during the operation of the EMC.

Further, there is no need to confirm the presence or absence of a module. In other words, it is not necessary to check whether or not the target module is present in the instruction memory after the transfer by using the conditional instruction.

Further, since the operation is made up of only a fixed jump instruction, the operation becomes very simple, and complicated condition instructions are not required. Therefore, the procedure is simple, the program capacity is reduced, and the execution time is shortened. Can be achieved.

When a module unit is selected between physically different instruction memories such as an internal ROM and an EMC, it is necessary to determine whether or not each instruction memory is present and whether or not there is a module in each instruction memory. The execution can be performed only by an unconditional jump instruction according to a predetermined procedure without using a conditional jump instruction or the like.

[0057]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer capable of transferring each module between different instruction areas without using complicated conditional instructions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed circuit configuration of a memory access unit of the printer device of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing identification contents of a ROM selection unit 13 of the printer device of the present invention.

4A shows a state in which both the built-in ROM and the EMC are mounted, FIG. 4B shows a state in which only the built-in ROM is not mounted, and FIG. 4C shows a state in which the EMC is not mounted;
It is a figure which shows the state only of EMC.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a jump table.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams showing a process from the MPU reset state to the transition to the module 1 using a jump table.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a relationship between a built-in ROM program and an EMC program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure for shifting from a built-in ROM program to an EMC program.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Printer device, 3 ... I /
F controller, 4 ... Printer engine, 5 ... Printer interface, 6 ... Host interface, 7 ...
MPU, 8: Internal ROM, 9: RAM, 10: EMC,
11: reception buffer, 12: image data generator, 1
3 ... ROM select unit, 14 ... image memory, 15 ...
Printer section.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-314176 (JP, A) JP-A-59-77560 (JP, A) JP-A-4-115337 (JP, A) JP-A-3-315 232032 (JP, A) JP-A-52-44132 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 9/30-9/355 G06F 9/40-9/42 G06F 3/09-3/12 G06F 12/00-12/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer device configured to be equipped with a plurality of memories for storing a program including a plurality of modules for performing a printing process corresponding to a higher-level device to be connected, wherein an address is generated and the memory is accessed. Processing means for executing the program; and detecting means for detecting an installation state of the memory, wherein the processing means sets a divided range of the generated logical address to a maximum of a memory which can be installed in the device. A plurality of addresses are separately set in accordance with the number, and an address specified according to a range of addresses generated by the processing unit and a signal of the detection unit and a physical memory
Memory selection to switch connection relation to predetermined relation
Means for controlling the memory selecting means when the processing means is reset.
A jump instruction for shifting a processing address to a jump table in which a jump instruction to a module to start processing is stored at a storage position where the reading of a program is started according to the following .