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Electronic instrument adapted to be selectively booted either from externally-connectable storage unit or from internal nonvolatile rewritable memory

  • US 6,513,113 B1
  • Filed: 06/16/1999
  • Issued: 01/28/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for forming images on paper sheets, the apparatus comprising:

  • a) an image forming unit configured to form images on paper sheets;

    b) a central processing unit (CPU) configured to be booted based on a boot program stored in a selected boot device, and to control an operation of the image forming unit;

    c) a flash memory configured to store executable programs that are executable by the CPU;

    d) a connector configured to receive an IC card;

    e) an IC card detecting unit configured to assert a detection signal in response to an insertion of the IC card into the connector;

    f) an operation unit configured to assert a selection signal in response to a user operation of the operation unit; and

    g) a boot selector configured to select either (1) the IC card or (2) the flash memory, as the selected boot device, wherein;

    1) the boot selector is configured to select the IC card as the selected boot device, in response to a concurrent assertion of the detection signal and the selection signal; and

    2) the boot selector is configured to select the flash memory as the selected boot device, absent the concurrent assertion of the detection signal and the selection signal.

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