US 5,402,528 A · Reconfigurable printer

Abstract

A printer having a number of optional features or operations is reconfigurable by software alone. The printer includes an EPROM that stores the software routines defining all of the optional operations of the printer. An EEPROM stores a jump table identifying each optional operation software routine as enabled or disabled. The information stored in the jump table for each enabled routine identifies the location at which the routine is stored in the EPROM; whereas, the information stored for each disabled routine includes a disable flag. The printer includes an interface which allows a new jump table to be downloaded from a personal computer into the EEPROM of the printer to enable disabled routines, to disable enabled routines, and to replace disabled routines by downloading a new routine into a RAM to thereby reconfigure the printer. A master jump table and sub-jump tables are provided to increase the efficiency of the reconfiguring operation. Further, several checks are implemented by the printer and the personal computer during the reconfiguration operation to insure that only the correct printer is reconfigured and that information is stored at the proper location in the printer.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A reconfigurable printer for printing on a web of record members, said reconfigurable printer being interfaceable with an auxiliary device for downloading information from said auxiliary device to said printer to reconfigure said printer comprising:

first means for storing software routines defining optional operations of said printer at addressable locations, said first storing means being non-alterable by the downloading of information to said printer;
second means for storing information identifying each optional operation software routine as enabled or disabled, said information for each enabled optional operation software routine identifying the addressable location at which the routine is located in said first memory means and said second storing means being alterable by the downloading of new information to said printer;
and
processing means for controlling the operations of said printer in accordance with a plurality of software routines, said processing means operating in accordance with an enabled optional operation software routine by addressing said enabled routine in said first storing means with the information stored in said routine in said second storing means.

1 more element

input means operable by a user for selecting one of a plurality of optional operations of said printer;
first means for storing software routines defining optional operations of said printer at addressable locations, said first storing means being non-alterable by the downloading of information to said printer;
second means for storing information identifying each optional operation software routine as enabled or disabled, said information for each enabled optional operation software routine identifying the addressable location at which the routine is located in said first storage memory and said second storing means being alterable by the downloading of new information to said printer;
and
processing means responsive to said input means for controlling the operation of said printer in accordance with a plurality of software routines, said processing means operating in accordance with a memory handler routine to access a selected, optional operation software routine stored in said first storing means by accessing the information stored in said second storing means for said optional operation software routine.

2 more elements

A reconfigurable printer for printing on a web of record members, said printer being interfaceable with a host processing means for downloading new information to said printer comprising:

input means operable by an user for selecting one of a plurality of optional operations of said printer;
first means for storing software routines defining optional operations of said printer at addressable locations;
second means for storing information identifying each optional operation software routine as enabled or disabled, said information for each enabled optional operation software routine identifying the addressable location at which the routine is located in said first storing means;
printer processing means responsive to said input means for controlling the operation of said printer in accordance with selected optional operation routines stored in said first storing means and identified as enabled in said second storing means;
and
means for interfacing with said printer processing means to allow the downloading of new information from said host processing means to said printer for storage in said second storing means to enable a disabled optional operation software routine and to disable an enabled optional operation software routine.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reconfigurable printer

Life of this patent

Reconfigurable printer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39