Patent Abstract:
A method of updating resident firmware in a printer via a printer interface holding updated printer firmware includes automatically sending a request for printer hardware and firmware information to the printer. Printer hardware and firmware information received in response to the request is examined to determine if the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer. If the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer, the updating is terminated. If the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer, the updated printer firmware is automatically transmitted to the printer for storage therein.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to printing devices and in particular, to a method of updating firmware in a printer using a printer interface and to a printing device employing the method.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Stand-alone electronic cash registers including payment card readers and receipt printers have been used for years in stores, retail outlets and service outlets to facilitate the completion of cash, cheque, credit card or debit card transactions for the purchase of goods and/or services. With the advent of sophisticated and inexpensive computing equipment, input devices and secure communication networks, point-of-sale (POS) stations have become an increasingly popular alternative.  
         [0003]     POS stations typically include a host device and a plurality of interchangeable peripherals connected to the host device. The host device and peripherals are easily integrated allowing the configuration of POS stations to be modified to meet changing needs. This has been another factor leading to their widespread acceptance. The host device is commonly in the form of a personal computer. The peripherals often include a keyboard, a display screen, a cash drawer, a printing device, a payment card reader and a barcode reader. In some cases, a touch-sensitive display screen is used instead of separate keyboard and display screen peripherals.  
         [0004]     As is well known, the host device communicates with the peripherals and executes software to allow product and/or service transactions to be completed. When payment is effected using a debit or credit card, the host device establishes a connection to the appropriate financial institution over an information network so that approval for the transaction may be obtained. Upon completion of any transaction, the host device creates and transmits a print job to the printing device causing the printing device to generate a transaction receipt and a possibly signing receipt, if payment is made using a credit card.  
         [0005]     In larger stores, retail outlets and service outlets, POS stations are typically linked via a local area network and communicate with a backend computing device that maintains a database for transaction, inventory, accounting, sales, tax, etc. information. Transaction data received by each of the POS stations is conveyed to the backend computing device for storage in the database allowing all transaction data to be stored in a common location. Collectively storing all transaction data in one common location allows retailers to track, account for and maintain inventory, collected taxes and pricing information. Also, by linking the POS stations, updates relating to sales on products and/or services, tax, etc. can be communicated to each POS station over the local area network avoiding the need to update the POS stations one at a time.  
         [0006]     Printing devices commonly used in POS stations comprise a printer having a slot for receiving a separate printer interface that controls communications between the host device and the printer. The printer interface is primarily selected based on the communication protocol used by the host device thereby to ensure hardware compatibility between the host device and the printer. For example, hardware compatibility may be achieved by installing a serial, parallel, Ethernet or USB interface into the printer slot. As the printer interface can be readily changed, the printer is not limited for use with any particular communication protocol but rather can be used in many different communication protocol environments simply by replacing the printer interface. The printer interface may also be selected to enhance functionality of the printer such as by adding supplemental fonts or by emulating one or more other printer models.  
         [0007]     The printer interface and the printer are typically preloaded with firmware although the printing device may receive updated printer firmware from the host device to replace or patch the existing printer firmware. Updated printer firmware received from the host device by the printer interface is in turn conveyed to the printer for storage therein.  
         [0008]     The printer firmware typically includes a boot file, a main firmware file and one or more font files. The boot file is executed by the printer during initialization to place the printer into a ready operating state. The main firmware and font files are executed during normal operation of the printer to allow the printer to respond to print commands received from the host device via the printer interface so that appropriate transaction receipts can be printed. The font file typically contains glyph or shape data for each character in the font file character sets.  
         [0009]     In many instances it is desired to update the printer firmware stored in the printer to allow the printing device to print receipts in different formats and/or languages, to support additional functionality and/or to enhance printer performance. As a result, a number of techniques for updating printer firmware have been considered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,056 to Barrett et al. discloses a method and apparatus for managing access to a network peripheral such as a printer. A network expansion board receives status requests for information such as error codes, number of pages printed, toner status etc., from network devices and passes them to the printer. The network expansion board also transmits printer configuration codes to the network devices. The firmware of the network expansion boards is updated via the network.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,087 to Yang discloses a method for updating printer firmware. Printer firmware is downloaded to a network interface in response to a user request. The upgraded printer firmware can be executed upon power up or after execution of a general function.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,314 to McCannon et al. discloses an apparatus and method for updating a software routine on a printer. The printer automatically retrieves an updated driver from a network device. The printer also determines when it is running an old version of the driver and an updated version is available and generates a notification.  
         [0012]     U.S. patent application Publication No. 2002/0170049 to Suyehira discloses a method and apparatus for upgrading programming of a computer apparatus such as a printer. The printer checks an OEM server for firmware updates, and downloads updated firmware if a newer version of the firmware is available.  
         [0013]     U.S. patent application Publication No. 2003/0035132 to Tomita discloses an apparatus capable of executing a rewrite in its firmware. If a firmware update on the printer is being executed, a notice is sent to the printer user. In response to this information, the user may decide whether to proceed with sending a print job or take another action. Firmware is transmitted and received by the printer via serial interface units.  
         [0014]     Although the above references describe printer firmware update methods, as will be appreciated, prior to updating printer firmware, it is desired to ensure that the updated printer firmware to be loaded into the printer is compatible with and suitable for the printer. Loading non-compatible, non-suitable and/or unnecessary updated printer firmware can be problematic.  
         [0015]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of updating firmware in a printer using a printer interface and a printing device employing the method.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of updating firmware in a printer using a printer interface. During the method, at least one query is sent to the printer requesting information concerning the resident printer firmware stored therein. In response to the query, a determination is made as to whether the resident printer firmware is to be updated. If the resident printer firmware is to be updated, updated printer firmware is automatically transmitted to the printer for storage therein.  
         [0017]     During the determining, a check is also made to determine if the current resident printer firmware is designated for updating with the updated printer firmware. The at least one query requests printer hardware and firmware identification information and wherein during the determining, the printer interface compares received printer hardware and firmware identification information with information stored therein to detect coincidence indicating compatibility. The printer hardware and firmware information includes printer model number, firmware version and boot code version information.  
         [0018]     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of updating resident firmware in a printer via a printer interface holding updated printer firmware. During the method, a request for printer hardware and firmware information is automatically sent to the printer. Printer hardware and firmware information received in response to the request is examined to determine if the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer. If the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer, the updating is terminated. If the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer, the updated printer firmware is automatically transmitted to the printer for storage therein.  
         [0019]     According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a printing device comprising a printer having a processing unit, memory storing printer firmware executed by the processing unit and a printer control mechanism responsive to the processing unit and printing information on a medium. A printer interface is coupled to the printer and includes a processing unit and memory storing a printer firmware update routine. The printer firmware update routine is automatically executed when the memory of the printer interface holds updated printer firmware to effect loading of the updated printer firmware to the printer.  
         [0020]     The printer firmware update method provides advantages in that printer firmware in the printer is automatically updated by the printer interface when compatible and appropriate updated printer firmware is stored in the printer interface. Since updated printer firmware is checked for both hardware and firmware compatibility and also to determine whether the updated printer firmware is designated to be used to update the resident printer firmware in the printer, printer firmware updates are made seamlessly and without creating operational problems. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a point-of-sale station including a printing device;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the printing device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing the general steps performed by the printing device during printer firmware updating;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the steps performed by the printing device during printer firmware compatibility determination;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the steps performed by the printing device during printer firmware transmission; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the steps performed by the printing device following an interruption that occurred during printer firmware transmission. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a point-of-sale (POS) station is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral  10 . As can be seen, POS station  10  includes a microprocessor-based host device  12  in the form of a personal computer that communicates with a plurality of peripherals generally identified by reference numeral  14  and with a database  16  storing transaction, inventory, pricing, tax and accounting information. In this example, peripherals  14  include a keyboard  18 , a touch-sensitive display screen  20 , a payment card scanner  22 , a cash drawer  24 , a printing device  26  and a barcode scanner  28 . Host device  12  also communicates with financial institutions (not shown) such as banks and credit card companies over one or more information networks generally identified by reference numeral  30 .  
         [0029]     Printing device  26  is best illustrated in  FIG. 2  and includes a printer interface  50  and a printer  52 . Printer interface  50  comprises a microcontroller  60 , a host interface board  62 , a printer interface board  64  and non-volatile flash memory  66 . Printer  52  comprises a microcontroller  70 , a communications channel interface board  72 , a printer control mechanism  74  and non-volatile flash memory  76 . For example, the printer interface  50  may be of the type sold by EPSON under model No. UB-EML and the printer  52  may be of the type sold by EPSON under model No. TM-U200.  
         [0030]     The non-volatile memory  66  stores printer interface firmware that is executed by the microcontroller  60  during initialization and operation of the printing device  26  to permit communications between the host device  12  and the printer  52  and optionally, to enhance operation of the printer by storing supplemental font files that allow the printer to print characters of different style and/or size and/or emulation files that allow the printer to emulate one or more other printer models.  
         [0031]     The non-volatile memory  76  stores printer firmware that is executed by the microcontroller  70  during initialization and operation of the printing device  26  to allow the printer  52  to respond to commands generated by the host device  12  and print appropriate receipts when a transaction is completed. In this particular embodiment, the printer firmware includes a boot file, a main firmware file and a font file. The firmware also includes printer hardware and firmware identification information to enable the printer interface  50  to determine the type of printer and the status of the resident printer firmware. For example, the printer hardware and firmware identification information includes the version string of the main firmware file, the version string of the boot file, the version of the font file and the printer model identification number (ID). The printer model ID is a single data byte, the value of which is unique to the printer  52 .  
         [0032]     As mentioned above, in some instances it is desired to update the printer firmware stored in the non-volatile memory  76 . Printer firmware updates can be initiated by the host device  12  or by the printer interface  50 , if the printer  52  is fitted with a printer interface  50  that is loaded with updated printer firmware. The manner by which printer firmware is updated will now be described with particular reference to FIGS.  3  to  6 .  
         [0033]     When a printer firmware update is initiated by the host device  12 , the host device transmits the updated printer firmware to the printer interface  50  which in turn stores the updated printer firmware in the non-volatile memory  66 . Preferably, the printer firmware is transmitted to the printer interface  50  by the host device  12  in the manner disclosed in Applicants&#39; co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method And System Of Transferring Firmware From A Host Device To A Printing Device”, filed on even date herewith and assigned to the present assignee, the content of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0034]     In the present example, updated printer firmware stored in the non-volatile memory  66 , whether received from the host device  12  or preloaded, includes a main firmware file and a boot file and optionally one or more font files. The main firmware and boot files include printer and firmware identification and compatibility information. The printer and firmware identification and compatibility information includes a main firmware file version string, a firmware type identifier, a printer version identifier, a printer model identification number (ID), a boot model ID, a boot version string, a boot version identifier, a boot version string address and a printer firmware version string.  
         [0035]     The main firmware file version string is a character string identifying the version of the main firmware file in the updated printer firmware. The firmware type identifier identifies the types of files that are included in the updated printer firmware i.e. main firmware file, boot file, font file etc. The printer version identifier identifies the version(s) of printer firmware that the updated printer firmware is compatible with. The printer model ID identifies the model(s) of printer(s) that the updated printer firmware is compatible with. The boot model ID also identifies the model(s) of printer(s) that the updated printer firmware is compatible with. The boot version string is a character string identifying the version of the boot file in the updated printer firmware. The boot version identifier is a unique number which represents the boot file version(s) the updated printer firmware is compatible with. The boot version string address identifies the address in the non-volatile memory  76  where the boot file version string is located. The printer firmware version string includes a list of compatible printer firmware version strings that are to be updated using the updated printer firmware.  
         [0036]     When the printer interface  50  stores updated printer firmware either as a result of a host device download or a preload, the printer interface  50  automatically initiates a printer firmware update procedure stored in the non-volatile memory  66 . During the printer firmware update procedure, the printer interface  50  queries the printer  52  to determine if the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer  52  (steps  100  and  102 ). If the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer  52 , the printer firmware is not updated and the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  104 ). If the updated printer firmware is compatible with the printer  52 , the printer is automatically updated with the updated printer firmware (step  106 ). Upon completion of the printer firmware update, the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  104 ).  
         [0037]     During updated printer firmware compatibility determination at steps  100  and  102 , the microcontroller  60  in the printer interface  50  sends an initial query to the printer  52  requesting the model number of the printer  52  (step  110 ). The microcontroller  70  in response to this query retrieves the printer model ID from the non-volatile memory  76  and transmits the printer model ID to the printer interface  50 . Upon receipt, the microcontroller  60  compares the received printer model ID with the printer model ID in the printer and firmware identification and compatibility information in the updated printer firmware to determine coincidence (step  112 ). If the result of the comparison is negative, indicating that the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer  52 , the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  114 ).  
         [0038]     If the result of the comparison is positive at step  112 , the microcontroller  60  sends another query to the printer  52  requesting the version string of the firmware file of the current resident printer firmware (step  116 ). The microcontroller  70  in response to this query retrieves the firmware file version string from the resident printer firmware and transmits it to the printer interface  50 . Upon receipt, the microcontroller  60  compares the received firmware file version string with the printer version identifier in the printer and firmware identification and compatibility information in the updated printer firmware again to determine coincidence (step  118 ). If the result of the comparison is negative, indicating that the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer  52 , the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  114 ).  
         [0039]     If the result of the comparison is positive at step  118 , the microcontroller  60  sends yet another query to the printer  52  requesting the version string of the boot file of the current resident printer firmware (step  120 ). The microcontroller  70  in response to this query retrieves the boot file version string from the resident printer firmware and transmits it to the printer interface  50 . Upon receipt, the microcontroller  60  compares the received boot file version string with the boot version identifier in the printer and firmware identification and compatibility information in the updated printer firmware to determine coincidence (step  122 ). If the result of the comparison is negative, the printer interface  50  checks the non-volatile memory  66  to determine if it holds other updated printer firmware to be loaded into the printer  52  that includes a boot file that is compatible with both the current resident printer firmware and the updated printer firmware (step  124 ). If not, the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  114 ). If so, the updated printer firmware including the compatible boot file is flagged (step  126 ).  
         [0040]     At step  122 , if the result of the comparison is positive or if updated printer boot firmware is flagged at step  126 , the microcontroller  60  compares the printer&#39;s current hardware and firmware identification information with the updated printer firmware&#39;s printer and firmware identification and compatibility information to determine if the current resident printer firmware should be updated (step  130 ).  
         [0041]     If the current printer firmware is not identified in the compatibility list in the updated printer firmware, the printer firmware update procedure is terminated (step  114 ). If the current resident printer firmware is identified in compatibility list in the printer firmware, a check is made to determine if updated printer firmware including a compatible boot file has been flagged (step  132 ). If updated printer firmware including a compatible boot file has not been flagged, the printer interface  50  transmits the updated printer firmware to the printer  52  thereby to update the printer firmware and complete the printer firmware update procedure (step  134 ). If at step  132 , flagged updated printer boot firmware is detected, the boot file in the flagged updated printer firmware is firstly transmitted to the printer  52  to update its boot file (step  136 ) prior to transmitting the updated printer firmware to the printer  52  at step  134 . With the printer firmware updated, the printer firmware information stored in the non-volatile memory  76  is updated so that the updated printer firmware information is used during the next printer firmware upgrade.  
         [0042]     At step  134 , when updated printer firmware is to be transmitted from the printer interface  50  to the printer  52 , the microcontroller  60  initially records the name of the current resident printer firmware in the non-volatile memory  66  (step  160 ). The microcontroller  60  then partitions the updated printer firmware into data blocks for transmission to the printer  52 . The microcontroller  60  then queues the data blocks and sends one of the data blocks to the printer  52  (step  162 ). Upon receipt of the data block, the microcontroller  70  stores the data block in the non-volatile memory  76  and sends an acknowledgement back to the printer interface  50  confirming receipt of the data block (step  164 ).  
         [0043]     When the acknowledgement is received, the microcontroller  60  checks the queue to determine if one or more data blocks in the queue exist (step  166 ). If one or more data blocks exist, another data block is sent to the printer  52 . Steps  162  to  166  are performed until all of the data blocks in the queue have been sent to the printer  52  and acknowledged. Once the complete updated printer firmware has been transferred to the printer  52  and stored in the non-volatile memory  76 , the microcontroller  60  erases the name of the old printer firmware that was recorded in the non-volatile memory  66  at step  160  (step  168 ).  
         [0044]     If after sending a data block an acknowledgement is not received by the microcontroller  60  within a threshold period of time (step  166 ), the microcontroller  60  resends the data block (step  162 ) and again awaits receipt of an acknowledgement. As will be appreciated, the microcontroller  60  will break a data block resending loop if a threshold number of resends or some other similar condition is reached.  
         [0045]     If during updating of the printer firmware an interruption occurs either due to a power interruption, a printing device reset or the like, upon restoration, the microcontroller  60  checks to determine if a printer firmware update procedure was in progress prior to the interruption (step  180 ). If a printer firmware update procedure was in progress, the microcontroller  60  sends a query to the printer  52  requesting its status (step  182 ). If the status of the printer  52  indicates it is operational (step  184 ), the microcontroller  60  automatically recommences the printer firmware update procedure (step  186 ).  
         [0046]     If desired, during updated printer firmware compatibility determination, if the version of the boot file of the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the current printer firmware, the steps of determining whether a compatible boot file exists in other updated printer firmware and flagging such updated printer firmware file can be omitted. In this case, if the boot file of the updated printer firmware is not compatible with the printer  52 , the printer firmware update procedure is simply terminated.  
         [0047]     In the above-described example, the updated printer firmware includes a boot file, a main firmware file and one or more font files. If desired, updated printer firmware to be loaded into the printer  52  may include a subset of these files. Also, multiple updated printer firmware may be stored by the printer interface  50  for loading into the printer  52 . In this case, when a printer firmware update is to be performed, updated printer firmware is initially selected and the printer firmware update procedure is carried out. Upon completion of the printer firmware update procedure, a check is made to determine if other updated printer firmware exists. If so, another updated printer firmware is selected and the printer firmware update procedure is carried out again. This process is performed until all updated printer firmware is loaded into the printer  52 . When loading multiple updated printer firmware, it may be desired to order the updated printer firmware so that the updated printer firmware is loaded into the printer  52  in a particular order i.e. boot file first, main firmware file second, font files last etc.  
         [0048]     The updated printer firmware may include complete code to replace corresponding code loaded into the printer  52  or may include one or more patches to update existing code. With the one or more patches successfully loaded into the printer  52 , the printer hardware and firmware identification information is updated to reflect the new status of the resident printer firmware stored in the non-volatile memory  76 .  
         [0049]     The updated printer firmware may be in the form of a single file including boot code, main firmware code and/or font code sections or may include separate subfiles for the boot code, main firmware code and/or font code.  
         [0050]     Although specific reference is made to a printer used in a POS station, those of skill in the art will appreciate that this is for ease of illustration. The printer firmware update method is suitable for use in a variety of environments and with virtually any type of printer designed to accommodate a printer interface such as for example dot matrix printers, thermal printers, ink jet printers, laser printer etc.  
         [0051]     Although embodiments have been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6