Method for updating a printer firmware

• US 6,467,087 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Destiny Technology Corporation (Primax Electronics Limited)
• Inventors: Yang, Min-Hsiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Morse, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZHEN, WEI Y
• Application Number:
  US09/464,926
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 717/168, 717/169-178, 713/189-194, 709/200, 709/217-219
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method for updating a printer firmware is disclosed. The method achieves updating a printer firmware by use of downloading a printer firmware from the network or some media. More specifically, a Printer Job Language (PJL) Download Command of printer firmware is downloaded through an input port of the printer, such as serial port, parallel port or a network interface. The Printer Firmware Blocks of the printer firmware are then written into a nonvolatile memory of the printer, such as a Flash ROM to achieve in printer firmware updating.

Claims

1. A method for updating a printer firmware for a printer, comprising the steps of:

checking whether a specific identification code exists in a specific position;

sending a new-version printer firmware to an input device of said printer when said specific identification code is absent;

confirming whether a Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware;

inputting a Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware when said Download Command is available;

writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into a memory of said printer when an End Block of said new-version printer firmware is not reached;

executing repeatedly said step of inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware and said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said memory of said printer until said End Block is reached;

writing said specific identification code into said specific position; and

rebooting said printer to use said new-version printer firmware.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming whether said Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware further comprises the step of:

executing repeatedly said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer until said Download Command is present, when said Download Command is absent.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said memory of said printer further comprises the steps of:

determining whether there exists a checksum error; and

re-executing said step of checking whether said specific identification code exists in said specific position, when a checksum error is found.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of checking whether said specific identification code exists in said specific position further comprises the step of:

executing a general function of said printer when said specific identification code exists.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of executing said general function for said printer further comprises an alternative method of updating said printer firmware, said alternative method comprises the steps of:

sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer;

confirming whether said Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware;

clearing said specific identification in said specific position when said Download Command is available;

inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware;

writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said memory of said printer when said End Block is not reached;

executing repeatedly said step of inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware and said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said memory of said printer until said End Block of said new-version printer firmware is reached;

writing said specific identification code into said specific position; and

rebooting said printer to use said new-version printer firmware.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of confirming whether said Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware further comprises the step of:

re-executing said general function of said printer and stopping said steps of said alternative method of updating said printer firmware when said Download Command is not present.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer is performed by downloading said new-version printer firmware from a remote server through a network.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer is performed by inputting said new-version printer firmware from a CD-ROM of a computer.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said Download Command is in a Printer Job Language (PJL) format.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer is performed in a block by block manner.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said new-version printer firmware contains a Download Command, a plurality of Printer Firmware Blocks, and an End Block.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said memory of said printer is a Flash ROM.

13. A method for updating a printer firmware for a printer, comprising the steps of:

checking whether a specific identification code exists in a specific position;

executing a general function when said specific identification code exists;

sending a new-version printer firmware to an input device of said printer with a block by block manner;

confirming whether a Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware;

clearing said specific identification code in said specific position when said Download Command is available;

inputting a Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware;

writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into a nonvolatile memory of said printer when an End Block of said new-version printer firmware is not yet reached;

executing repeatedly said step of inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware and said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said nonvolatile memory of said printer until said End Block is reached;

writing said specific identification code into said specific position; and

rebooting said printer to use said new-version printer firmware.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of confirming whether said Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware further comprises the step of:

re-executing said general function of said printer and stopping said steps of said method for updating said printer firmware when said Download Command is not present.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said memory of said printer further comprises the steps of:

determining whether there exists a checksum error; and

re-executing said step of checking whether said specific identification code exists in said specific position, when said checksum error is found.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of checking whether said specific identification code exists in said specific position further comprises the step of:

sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer with a block by block manner when said specific identification code is not present;

confirming whether said Download Command exists in said new-version printer firmware;

inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware when said Download Command is available;

writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said nonvolatile memory of said printer when said End Block is not reached;

executing repeatedly said step of inputting said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware and said step of writing said Printer Firmware Block of said new-version printer firmware into said nonvolatile memory of said printer until said End Block of said new-version printer firmware is reached;

writing said specific identification code into said specific position; and

rebooting said printer to use said new-version printer firmware.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer is performed by downloading said new-version printer firmware from a remote server through a network.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of sending said new-version printer firmware to said input device of said printer is performed by inputting said new-version printer firmware from a CD-ROM of a computer.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein said Download Command is in a Printer Job Language (PJL) format.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein said new-version printer firmware contains a Download Command, a plurality of Printer Firmware Blocks, and an End Block.