Printer, printer system, and firmware rewriting method

Abstract

Firmware stored in a printer such as an inkjet printer can be rewritten by executing a firmware rewriting process which is not dependent upon the internal processing status of the printer. A printer 1 for executing a printing process based on print data sent from a host computer has a rewriting unit 38 for executing a firmware rewriting process, a print unit 37 for executing processes other than the firmware rewriting process, a rewrite command interpreting unit 32 for detecting a rewrite command that precedes the transmission of rewrite data required for the firmware rewriting process, and a control unit 36 for executing the firmware rewriting process with a priority over all other processes when a rewrite command is detected.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the inside of a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention when the two front printer covers are open.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a printer system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a function block diagram showing the internal processes of a printer system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the firmware rewriting process in a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A printer for executing a printing process based on print data sent from a host computer, the printer comprising: a rewriting unit for executing a firmware rewriting process;a rewrite command interpreting unit for detecting a rewrite command sent from the host computer; anda control unit responsive to said rewrite command interpreting unit for directing the rewriting unit to execute the firmware rewriting process with priority over all other processes when a rewrite command is detected.

2. The printer described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detection units for detecting the presence of an internal error in said printer with said control unit responsive to said detection units.

3. The printer described in claim 2, further comprising a status signal generating unit responsive to said control unit for generating a status signal indicating a rewrite state when a rewrite command is detected for initiating execution of the firmware rewriting process.

4. A printer system comprising: the printer described in claim 1; anda host computer connected to the printer over a network;wherein the host computer broadcasts the rewrite command to the printer.

5. A firmware rewriting method for rewriting firmware stored in a printer adapted to execute a printing process based on print data sent from a host computer, the method comprising steps of: detecting a rewrite command sent from the host computer; andexecuting a firmware rewriting process using rewrite data sent from the host computer after the rewrite command is detected so that the firmware rewriting process is carried out with priority over all other processes represented by the printing process.

6. The firmware rewriting method described in claim 5, further comprising a step of generating a status signal indicating a rewrite state when a rewrite command is detected.

7. The firmware rewriting method described in claim 4 further comprising detecting the presence of an internal error in said printer when a rewrite command is detected for generating a status signal to be returned to the host computer to delay execution of the rewrite command until correction of the printing error.