U.S. patent application number 11/554236 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for program operating apparatus and program write control apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hitoshi KATO, Kiyoshi OKAMOTO, Naoto WATANABE, Masatoshi YAGINUMA.
Application Number | 20070055971 11/554236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18922082 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070055971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WATANABE; Naoto ; et
al. |
March 8, 2007 |
PROGRAM OPERATING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM WRITE CONTROL APPARATUS AND
METHOD
Abstract
A program operating apparatus is provided, which is capable of
rewriting control programs for a plurality of CPUs without using
any exclusive external apparatuses, thereby achieving a simplified
and efficient rewrite operation. A control program stored in a ROM
of a master CPU that controls the basic operation of the entire
apparatus is transferred to a slave CPU and then written to an
internal ROM of the slave CPU which controls the operations of
functional units of the apparatus. The transfer of the control
program is carried out when the mode of the apparatus is switched
to a write control mode.
Inventors: |
WATANABE; Naoto; (Tokyo,
JP) ; YAGINUMA; Masatoshi; (Tokyo, JP) ;
OKAMOTO; Kiyoshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; KATO; Hitoshi;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSSI, KIMMS & McDOWELL LLP.
P.O. BOX 826
ASHBURN
VA
20146-0826
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
3-30-2, Shimomaruko
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
18922082 |
Appl. No.: |
11/554236 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10092006 |
Mar 6, 2002 |
7137113 |
|
|
11554236 |
Oct 30, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
717/168 ;
711/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 8/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/168 ;
711/103 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/44 20060101
G06F009/44; G06F 12/00 20060101 G06F012/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2001 |
JP |
2001-063031 |
Claims
1. A program operating apparatus comprising: a first CPU; a second
CPU; first storage unit removable from the program operating
apparatus; second storage unit; and selecting unit that selects a
control mode of the apparatus, wherein said first storage unit
stores a first control program for controlling operation of said
first CPU, a second control program for controlling operation of
said second CPU, and a write control program for causing said
second CPU to write the second control program to said second
storage unit, wherein said second storage unit is capable of
storing the second control program for causing said second CPU to
operate, and wherein said first CPU operates in any of a normal
mode in which said first CPU operates the first control program,
and a write control mode of causing said second CPU to rewrite the
second control program stored in said first storage unit, according
to the write control program.
2. A program operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
second storage unit comprises a rewritable non-volatile storage
medium.
3. A program operating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said
second storage unit comprises a rewritable non-volatile storage
medium provided in said second CPU.
4. A program operating apparatus according to claim 2, which is
applicable to an image forming apparatus for forming images on
sheets.
5. A program operating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
image forming apparatus comprises a main body, and at least one
functional unit, and wherein said first CPU controls basic
operation of said main body of said image forming apparatus, and
said second CPU controls operations of said at least one functional
unit.
6. A program operating apparatus according to claim 2, which is
applicable to a finisher for executing post-processing on sheets
having images formed thereon.
7. A program operating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said
finisher comprises a main body, and at least one functional unit,
and wherein said first CPU controls basic operation of said main
body of said finisher, and said second CPU controls operations of
said at least one functional unit.
8. A program operating method executed by a program operating
apparatus comprising a first CPU that has operation thereof
controlled by a first control program, a second CPU that has
operation thereof controlled by a second control program, first
storage unit that is removable from the program operating
apparatus, and stores the first control program, the second control
program, and a write control program, and second storage unit
capable of storing the second control program, the method
comprising the steps of: controlling the operation of said first
CPU by the first control program stored in said first storage unit
in a normal mode; and executing write control causing said second
CPU to rewrite the second control program stored in said first
storage unit when a mode of the apparatus is switched to a write
control mode.
9. A program operating method according to claim 8, which is
executed by an image forming apparatus for forming images on
sheets.
10. A program operating method according to claim 8, which is
executed by a finisher for executing post-processing on sheets
having images formed thereon.
11. A program operating method according to claim 9, said image
forming apparatus comprises a main body, and at least one
functional unit, and wherein said first CPU controls basic
operation of said main body of said image forming apparatus, and
said second CPU controls operations of said at least one functional
unit.
12. A program operating method according to claim 10, said finisher
comprises a main body, and at least one functional unit, and
wherein said first CPU controls basic operation of said main body
of said finisher, and said second CPU controls operations of said
at least one functional unit.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of application U.S. Ser. No.
10/092,006 filed on Mar. 6, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a program operating
apparatus and a program write control apparatus and method, and in
particular, to a program operating apparatus and a program write
control apparatus and method which suitably controls writing to
rewritable storage means storing a control program for operating a
finisher provided in an image forming apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Storage media such as ROMs have been used as storage means
to store control codes for controlling equipment, but in recent
years, more and more rewritable storage media such as flash ROMs
have come to be used for the same purpose. Further, some types of
equipment are provided with a rewritable storage medium such as a
flash ROM inside a CPU. To rewrite a control program in such
equipment, an external apparatus such as a host computer which is
connected to the equipment via a communication medium transfers
data to the rewritable storage medium in the equipment to rewrite
the control program.
[0006] However, the above described conventional technique has the
following problems: That is, with the conventional technique, to
rewrite the control program in the flash ROM or the like in the
equipment, the external apparatus such as the host computer
transfers data to the equipment. Thus, after an operator has
downloaded the control program in the external apparatus, he cannot
start a rewrite operation before he brings the external apparatus
to an operation site to connect the external apparatus and the
equipment together. As a result, the operator has to
disadvantageously spend much time to prepare for the rewrite
operation. It is also disadvantageous that the external apparatus
exclusively used for the rewrite operation has to be provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is provided in view of the above
described disadvantages, and it is an object of the present
invention to provide a program operating apparatus and a program
write control apparatus and method which are capable of rewriting
control programs for a plurality of CPUs without using any
exclusive external apparatuses, thereby achieving a simplified and
efficient rewrite operation.
[0008] To attain the above object, a first aspect of the present
invention provides a program operating apparatus comprising a first
CPU that has operation thereof controlled by a first control
program, a second CPU that has operation thereof controlled by a
second control program, first storage means capable of storing the
first control program, the second control program, and a write
control program, second storage means capable of storing the second
control program, and write control means operable when a mode of
the apparatus is switched to a write control mode in which the
second control program is written to the second storage means, for
executing write control comprising transferring the write control
program to the second CPU, and causing the second CPU to write the
second control program stored in the first storage means to the
second storage means.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the write control means is
operable when the mode of the apparatus is switched to the write
control mode, for transferring the write control program for
executing a process of writing the second control program to the
second storage means to a storage area accessible by the second
CPU, and causing the second CPU to execute the write control
program to thereby write the second control program stored in the
first storage means to the second storage means.
[0010] Preferably, the first storage means is removable from the
program operating apparatus.
[0011] Also preferably, the second storage means comprises a
rewritable non-volatile storage medium.
[0012] More preferably, the second storage means comprises a
rewritable non-volatile storage medium provided in the second
CPU.
[0013] Preferably, the program operating apparatus comprises
switching means for switching between a normal control mode in
which normal control of the apparatus is carried out and the write
control mode.
[0014] In a typical preferred embodiment, the program operating
apparatus is applicable to an image forming apparatus for forming
images on sheets.
[0015] In this case, the image forming apparatus comprises a main
body, and at least one functional unit, and the first CPU controls
basic operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus,
and the second CPU controls operations of the at least one
functional unit.
[0016] Alternatively, the program operating apparatus is applicable
to a finisher for executing post-processing on sheets having images
formed thereon.
[0017] In this case, the finisher comprises a main body, and at
least one functional unit, and wherein the first CPU controls basic
operation of the main body of the finisher, and the second CPU
controls operations of the at least one functional unit.
[0018] To attain the above object, a second aspect of the present
invention provides a program write control apparatus installed on a
program operating apparatus comprising a first CPU that has
operation thereof controlled by a first control program, a second
CPU that has operation thereof controlled by a second control
program, first storage means capable of storing the first control
program, the second control program, and a write control program,
and second storage means capable of storing the second control
program, the program write control apparatus comprising write
control means operable when a mode of the apparatus is switched to
a write control mode in which the second control program is written
to the second storage means, for executing write control comprising
transferring the write control program to the second CPU, and
causing the second CPU to write the second control program stored
in the first storage means to the second storage means.
[0019] To attain the above object, a third aspect of the present
invention provides a program write control method executed by a
program operating apparatus comprising a first CPU that has
operation thereof controlled by a first control program, a second
CPU that has operation thereof controlled by a second control
program, first storage means capable of storing the first control
program, the second control program, and a write control program,
and second storage means capable of storing the second control
program, the method comprising the step of executing write control
comprising transferring the write control program to the second
CPU, and causing the second CPU to write the second control program
stored in the first storage means to the second storage means when
a mode of the apparatus is switched to a write control mode in
which the second control program is written to the second storage
means.
[0020] To attain the above object, a fourth aspect of the present
invention provides a program operating apparatus comprising at
least one functional unit, a first CPU that controls basic
operation of the apparatus according to a first control program, a
second CPU that controls operation of the functional unit according
to a second control program, first storage means capable of storing
the first control program and the second control program, second
storage means capable of storing the second control program, and
write control means operable when a mode of the apparatus is
switched to a write control mode in which the second control
program is written to the second storage means, for controlling
writing the second control program stored in the first storage
means to the second storage means.
[0021] To attain the above object, a fifth aspect of the present
invention provides a image forming apparatus comprising at least
one functional unit, a first CPU that controls basic operation of
the apparatus according to a first control program, a second CPU
that controls operation of the functional unit according to a
second control program, first storage means capable of storing the
first control program, the second control program, and a write
control program, second storage means capable of storing the second
control program, and write control means operable when a mode of
the apparatus is switched to a write control mode in which the
second control program is written to the second storage means, for
executing write control comprising transferring the write control
program to the second CPU, and causing the second CPU to write the
second control program stored in the first storage means to the
second storage means.
[0022] To attain the above object, a soixth aspect of the present
invention provides a finisher comprising at least one functional
unit, a first CPU that controls basic operation of the finisher
according to a first control program, a second CPU that controls
operation of the functional unit according to a second control
program, first storage means capable of storing the first control
program, the second control program, and a write control program,
second storage means capable of storing the second control program,
and write control means operable when a mode of the finisher is
switched to a write control mode in which the second control
program is written to the second storage means, for executing write
control comprising transferring the write control program to the
second CPU, and causing the second CPU to write the second control
program stored in the first storage means to the second storage
means.
[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the internal structure of
an example of an image forming system to which the present
invention is applied;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the construction of an
operating section of the image forming system in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
control system of a finisher of the image forming system;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a controller circuit board of
the finisher of the image forming system;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the finisher of the image
forming system;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a write control process
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a continued part of the write
control process of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment
thereof.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the internal structure of
an example of an image forming system to which the present
invention is applied. The image forming system is comprised of an
image forming apparatus 1000 composed of a reader section having an
image reading function and a printer section having a printing
function, and a finisher 2000 that executes post-processing (a
sorting process, a stapling process, and others) on sheets on which
printing has been completed by the image forming apparatus.
[0033] First, a description will be given of the flow of processing
executed by the image forming process, from reading of an original
image to post-processing on sheets on which printing has been
completed, following printing of the read image. In the reader
section, originals stacked on an original feeding device 101 are
conveyed onto an original table glass 102 sheet by sheet. When each
original sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position on the
original glass 102, a lamp 103 in a scanner unit 104 is lighted,
and the scanner unit 104 is moved in a horizontal direction as
viewed in the figure to illuminate the original.
[0034] Reflected light from the original is input to a CCD image
sensor section (hereinafter simply referred to as the "CCD") 109
via mirrors 105, 106, and 107 and a lens 108. The reflected light
from the original which has been incident on the CCD 109 is
photoelectrically converted by the CCD 109. An electric signal
obtained by the photoelectric conversion is transmitted to an image
processing section 110.
[0035] An external switching circuit, not shown, of the image
processing section 110 transmits the electric signal from the
reader section to the printer section. Then, an exposure control
section 201 converts the signal into a modulated optical signal,
which is then applied to a photosensitive member 202. As the
photosensitive member 202 is irradiated with light, a latent image
formed on a surface of the photosensitive member 202 is developed
by a developing device 203. In timing synchronous with the start of
this developing step, a transfer sheet stack section 204 (S1) or
205 (S2) conveys a transfer sheet to a transfer section 206, which
then transfers the developed image to the transfer sheet.
[0036] The image transferred to the transfer sheet is fixed to the
transfer sheet, which is then discharged from the image forming
apparatus 1000 by a sheet discharging section 208. Transfer sheets
thus discharged from the image forming apparatus 1000 by the sheet
discharging section 208 are then conveyed to the finisher 2000 via
a conveyance path, not shown. The finisher 2000 executes
post-processing such as a sorting process and a stapling process on
the transfer sheets and then loads the processed transfer sheets
onto a bin unit 301.
[0037] Now, a description will be given of a method of printing
images sequentially read from originals to both sides of one output
sheet and outputting the output sheet. A transfer sheet with an
image fixed to one side surface thereof in accordance with the
above described processing is conveyed to the sheet discharging
section 208, and then the direction in which the transfer sheet is
conveyed is reversed to convey it to a sheet-refeeding
transferred-sheet loading section 210 via a transfer direction
switching member 209. Once originals are prepared, original images
are read in accordance with the above described processing.
However, since the sheet-refeeding transferred-sheet loading
section 210 feeds the transfer sheet with the image already fixed
to one side surface thereof in an upset down state, images from two
originals can be printed on the front and back side surfaces,
respectively, of the same transfer sheet for outputting.
[0038] Next, the finisher 2000 will be described. The finisher 2000
is comprised of bin units 301 that accommodate respective bundles
of transfer sheets thereon which are discharged from the image
forming apparatus 1000, a sheet conveying unit 302 that conveys
transfer sheets, a punch unit 303 that punches transfer sheets
being conveyed through the sheet conveying unit 302, and a staple
unit 304 that staples a bundle of transfer sheets loaded on the bin
unit 301.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the construction of an
operating section 3000 provided in the image forming apparatus 1000
of the image forming system in FIG. 1. The operating section 3000
is comprised of a display section 401, ten keys 402, and a start
key 403.
[0040] The display section 401 displays the operative state of the
image forming system, various messages, and the like. The display
section 401 has a display surface composed of a touch panel, which
operates as selection keys when touched by an operator. The ten
keys 402 are depressed to input numerical values. The start key 403
is depressed to direct a copy operation to be started.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
control system of the finisher 2000. The control system of the
finisher 2000 is comprised of a master CPU 501, an input/output
(I/O) port 502, an EPROM 503, a work RAM 504, a switch 505, a slave
CPU 601, an input/output (I/O) port 602, a dual port RAM 701, a
serial interface (I/F) 702, and a serial interface (I/F) 703. The
EPROM 503 is removable via an IC socket, not shown.
[0042] The master CPU 501 controls the basic operation of the
entire finisher 2000, and is connected to the I/O port 502 via an
address bus and a data bus. The master CPU 501 operates on a
control program to execute a control process shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, described later, except steps executed by the slave CPU 601. The
EPROM 503 (first storage means) is a memory that stores the control
program for the master CPU 501 and control programs described
later. The work RAM 504 is used by the master CPU 501 to execute
predetermined processing.
[0043] The slave CPU 601 is provided separately from the master CPU
501 and controls the operations of the staple unit 304 and punch
unit 303 (functional units of the finisher), and is connected to
the I/O port 602 via the address bus and data bus. The slave CPU
601 operates on a control program to execute the steps shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, described later, other than those executed by the
master CPU 501. The slave CPU 601 is provided with an internal
flash ROM 603 (second storage means) in which the control program
is stored, and a work RAM 604 used for a write control process.
[0044] As described above, the EPROM 503 stores the control program
(first control program) for the master CPU 501, as well as the
control program (second control program) for the slave CPU 601 and
a write control program. In this case, an EEPROM may be used in
place of the EPROM.
[0045] The write control program is executed by the slave CPU 601
to cause the slave CPU 601 and the master CPU 501 to communicate
with each other to execute a write process of writing the second
control program stored in the EPROM 503 to the internal ROM
603.
[0046] Possible errors in writing to the internal flash ROM of the
slave CPU can be prevented by thus storing the write control
program in the EPROM 503 of the master CPU 501 and transferring it
to the slave CPU 601 for executing the write control process. This
is because the write control program can be prepared for exclusive
use in writing the transferred control program.
[0047] However, the write control program may be stored beforehand
in a storage area which can be accessed by the slave CPU 601 to
execute the program rather than being stored in the EPROM 503 of
the master CPU 501.
[0048] The I/O port 502 which is under the control of the master
CPU 501 is provided with the switch 505 (switching means) as an
input port, which switches between a write control mode (in which
writing to the internal flash ROM 603 of the slave CPU 601 is
executed) and a normal control mode (in which the apparatus
performs normal operations). The switch 505 can be set on or off.
When the switch 505 is set on, the image forming system is brought
into the write control mode. On the other hand, when the switch 505
is set off, the image forming system is brought into the normal
control mode.
[0049] The dual port RAM 701 is provided to transmit data between
the master CPU 501 and the slave CPU 601. The serial I/F 702 allows
the master CPU 501 and the slave CPU 601 to transmit and receive
data to and from each other in the write control mode. The serial
I/F 703 allows the master CPU 501 of the finisher 2000 and a CPU
controlling the image forming apparatus 1000 to communicate with
each other.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a controller circuit board
4000 of the finisher 2000. The master CPU 501, I/O port 502, EPROM
503, work RAM 504, switch 505, slave CPU 601, I/O port 602, dual
port RAM 701, serial I/F 702, and serial I/F 703 are arranged on
the same circuit board. The EPROM 503 is removable, and is inserted
into an IC socket 506. Rather than being arranged on the same
circuit board, the switch 505 may be installed at a different
location where the operator can easily operate it.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the finisher 2000 in FIG. 1
as viewed from its rear side. The controller circuit board 4000 is
installed at a location where the operator can easily insert the
EPROM 503 into the IC socket 506. That is, the finisher 2000 is
provided with the IC socket 506 on a rear surface thereof at a
location where the socket 506 can be externally seen.
[0052] Now, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a detailed description
will be given of a process of writing the second control program to
the internal flash ROM 603 provided in the slave CPU 601 of the
finisher 2000 of the image forming system constructed as above.
Before executing a process of controlling writing of the control
program, the operator mounts the EPROM 503 storing the desired
control program, in the IC socket 506. Further, the operator turns
on the switch 505 installed in the finisher 2000, and then
instructs the image forming system to execute the process of
controlling writing of the control program.
[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts showing a write control
process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Control for writing the second control program to the internal
flash ROM 603 shown in these flow charts will be described on the
assumption that the slave CPU 601 has a CPU operation mode in which
the CPU 601 is dedicated to control of writing to the internal
flash ROM 603.
[0054] First, in a step S100, the master CPU 501 determines,
through execution of the control program therefor, whether the
switch 505 installed in the finisher 2000 is set on or off, when
the power supply to the image forming system is turned on. If the
switch 505 is set off, the process proceeds to a step S111 (the
normal control mode in which the apparatus performs normal
operations). On the other hand, if the switch 505 is set on and the
operator has directed the process of controlling writing of the
control program to be executed, the process proceeds to a step 101
(the write control mode in which writing to the internal flash ROM
603 of the slave CPU 601 is controlled).
[0055] In the write control mode (step S101), in a step S102, the
control of the master CPU 501 is branched to the write control
program, and the slave CPU 601 is actuated in a boot mode dedicated
to writing to the internal ROM 603. In a step S103, the slave CPU
601 actuated in the boot mode starts a boot program previously
stored in a ROM for the slave CPU 601 to establish serial
communication with the master CPU 501 using the serial I/F 702.
[0056] In a step S104, the master CPU 501 starts to transfer the
write control program from the EPROM 503, to which this program has
been written. Accordingly, the slave CPU 601 receives the write
control program stored in the EPROM 503 of the master CPU 501, and
then starts to write it to the work RAM 604. In a step S105, the
process waits for the write control program to be completely
written to the work RAM 604. Once the write control program is
completely written to the work RAM 604, the process proceeds to a
step S106.
[0057] In the step S106, the slave CPU 601 erases the data in the
internal flash ROM 603. In a step S107, the slave CPU 601 branches
its control from the boot program to the write control program. In
a step S108, the slave CPU 601 then operating on the write control
program communicates with the master CPU 601 to receive the control
program for the slave CPU 601 from the EPROM 503 of the master CPU
501, and then writes this control program to the work RAM 604.
Then, in a step S109, the slave CPU 601 operating on the write
control program writes the control program for the slave CPU 601
stored in the work RAM 604, to the internal flash RAM 603.
[0058] In a step S110, the slave CPU 601 operating on the write
control program checks whether or not the entire control program
has been completely written to the internal flash ROM 603. Then, if
the result of the check indicates that the entire control program
has not been completely written to the internal flash ROM 603, the
process returns to the step S108 to repeat the steps S108 to S110.
If the entire control program has been completely written, the
process exits from the write control mode, and the slave CPU 601 is
actuated again through execution of the control program for the
slave CPU 601 stored in the internal flash ROM 603. Then, the
process proceeds to the normal control mode in the step S111 to
complete the above described sequence of write process steps.
[0059] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
control program (first control program) for the master CPU 501, the
control program (second control program) for the slave CPU 601, and
the write control program are stored in the EPROM 503. As a result,
when power is applied to the image forming system to actuate the
system and if the write control mode has then been set, in which
the second control program is written to the internal flash ROM
603, by transferring the write control program from the EPROM 503
of the master CPU 501 to the slave CPU 601, write control can be
carried out to write the second control program stored in the EPROM
503 to the internal flash ROM 603.
[0060] To rewrite a control program, instead of using an external
apparatus as in the prior art, according to the present invention,
one of the plurality of CPUs (the master CPU 501 and slave CPU 601)
which are provided to control the finisher 2000, that is, the
master CPU 501 is used as a host CPU, while the control program for
the slave CPU 601 and the write control program for executing
writing to the internal flash ROM 603 of the slave CPU 601 (write
target CPU) are stored in the EPROM 503 that inherently stores the
control program for the master CPU 501.
[0061] After the slave CPU 601 (write target CPU) has been actuated
in the in the boot mode dedicated to writing, the write control
program therefor is transferred from the master CPU 501 (host CPU)
to the work RAM 604 of the slave CPU 601 (write target CPU). Then,
the slave CPU 601 (write target CPU) is operated in accordance with
the write control program to transmit and receive data to and from
the master CPU 501 (host CPU), thereby writing the control program
for the slave CPU 601 (write target CPU) to the internal flash ROM
603.
[Other Embodiments]
[0062] In the above-described embodiment, rewriting of a control
program is executed in the arrangement comprised of a single master
CPU and a single slave CPU. However, the present invention is not
limited to this, but may be applied to an arrangement in which a
plurality of slave CPUs are provided for a single master CPU. In
this case, the EPROM of the master CPU stores one or more control
programs for controlling the plurality of slave CPUs and one or
more write control programs for controlling writing of the control
program(s).
[0063] Although in the above-described embodiment, a control
program for a slave CPU of a finisher of an image forming system is
rewritten, the present invention is not limited to this, but may
also be applied to an image forming apparatus constituting an image
forming system as described above. In this case, the master CPU
controls the basic operation of the entire image forming apparatus,
whereas the slave CPU controls the operations of functional units
(operating unit, exposing unit, conveying unit, fixing unit, and
others) of the image forming apparatus. One of the functional units
may be a finisher optionally provided for the image forming
apparatus.
[0064] Although in the above-described embodiment, a control
program for a slave CPU of a finisher of an image forming system is
rewritten, the present invention is not limited to this, but may
also be applied to a case of rewriting a plurality of control
programs for a plurality of CPUs provided in any of various
apparatuses operating on respective programs, including the above
described image forming system.
[0065] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a
system comprised of a plurality of apparatuses or to an apparatus
comprised of a single apparatus. It goes without saying that the
object of the present invention may also be achieved by supplying a
system or an apparatus with a storage medium or the like which
stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of
any of the above-described embodiments, and causing a computer (or
CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute the
program code stored in the storage medium or the like.
[0066] In this case, the program code itself read out from the
storage medium or the like realizes the functions of the
embodiment, so that the storage medium or the like storing the
program code constitutes the present invention. The storage medium
or the like for supplying the program code may be selected, for
example, from a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk,
magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile
memory card, and ROM, or the program may be downloaded via a
network.
[0067] It is to be understood that the functions of any of the
embodiments described above can be realized not only by executing a
program code read out by a computer, but also by causing an
operating system (OS) that operates on the computer to execute a
part or the whole of the actual operations according to
instructions of the program code.
[0068] Furthermore, the program code read out from the storage
medium or the like may be written into a memory provided in an
expanded board inserted in the computer, or an expanded unit
connected to the computer, and a CPU or the like provided in the
expanded board or expanded unit may actually perform a part or all
of the operations according to the instructions of the program
code, so as to accomplish the functions of any of the embodiments
described above.
[0069] The present invention has been described in conjunction with
preferred embodiments thereof. However, it is to be appreciated
that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but
that various variations and changes may be made thereto without
deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
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