Configurable printer and methods for configuring a printer
A configurable printer is provided which includes a first memory for storing multiple firmware application programs. Each of the firmware application programs enables respectively different printer functionalities. A switch mechanism, such as a DIP switch, is provided that has multiple settings for selecting a respective firmware application program from the multiple firmware application programs in the first memory. The printer also includes a second memory for storing a boot program. A processor is provided for executing the boot program upon startup of the printer. During execution, the boot program reads a current setting of the switch mechanism and executes a selected firmware application program corresponding to the current setting, thereby providing the desired printed functionality.
1 . A configurable printer, comprising:
a first memory for storing multiple firmware application programs, each of said firmware application programs enabling respectively different printer functionalities;
a switch mechanism having multiple settings for selecting a respective firmware application program from said multiple firmware application programs;
a second memory for storing a boot program; and
a processor for executing said boot program upon startup of said printer, wherein during execution, said boot program reads a current setting of said switch mechanism and executes a selected firmware application program corresponding to said current setting.
2 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said first memory and said second memory comprise different memory locations in a single memory device.
3 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 2 , wherein:
said memory device comprises one of Flash or ROM memory.
4 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 1 , wherein;
said first memory and said second memory each comprises non-volatile memory.
5 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said first memory and said second memory each comprises one of Flash or ROM memory.
6 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said selected firmware application is executed in one of volatile or non-volatile memory.
7 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 6 , wherein:
said selected firmware application is executed in one of Flash, ROM, or RAM memory.
8 . A configurable printer in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:
said switch mechanism comprises a DIP switch.
9 . A method for configuring a printer, comprising:
storing multiple firmware application programs, each of said firmware application programs enabling respectively different printer functionalities;
selecting a respective firmware application program from said multiple firmware application programs;
storing a boot program; and
executing said boot program upon startup of said printer, wherein during execution, said boot program executes said selected firmware application program.
10 . A method printer in accordance with claim 9 , wherein:
said multiple firmware application programs and said boot program are stored in different memory locations in a single memory device.
11 . A method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein:
said memory device comprises one of Flash or ROM memory.
12 . A method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein;
said multiple firmware application programs and said boot program are stored in non-volatile memory.
13 . A method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein:
said non-volatile memory one of Flash or ROM memory.
14 . A method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein:
said selected firmware application is executed in one of volatile or non-volatile memory.
15 . A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein:
said selected firmware application is executed in one of Flash, ROM, or RAM memory.
16 . A method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein:
said selecting step is carried out using a switch mechanism having multiple settings, each setting corresponding to respective firmware application; and
said boot program reads a current setting of said switch mechanism and executes said selected firmware application corresponding to said current setting.
17 . A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein:
said switch mechanism comprises a DIP switch.