JP2002073193A - Version-up method for software for elecronic equipment, information processor for executing the method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a version-up method for software for electronic equipment, by which unauthorized version-up can be prevented and regular version-up can be speedily performed in the version-up of software for electronic equipment by means of an information processor connected to the electronic equipment. SOLUTION: A serial code and a date password are inputted to the information processor, in which a download application is started. A desired program is selected out of programs, which are acquired through a net, required for version-up. Communication is enabled between the electronic equipment and the information processor, when the information on the serial code and the date of the electronic equipment is matched with the information of the serial code and the date password respectively inputted to the information processor, the download of the program from the information processor to the electronic equipment and the version-up of the electronic equipment is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for upgrading software, an information processing apparatus for executing the method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital copiers, which are one type of electronic equipment controlled by a computer, have recently become PDL (Panel).
It is growing as a multifunction peripheral having functions of different types of electronic devices such as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and the like that use a “ge Description Language” (page description language). In order to extend the functions of the multifunction peripheral, it is necessary to upgrade the software for performing the functions.

Some digital copiers are upgraded through an information processing device connected by a general-purpose interface such as an RS232C interface or a Centronics interface. In addition, there is a digital copier that is upgraded by using an original interface and an original download system. In any case, the information processing apparatus downloads and obtains a program necessary for version upgrade (hereinafter, referred to as a version upgrade program) through a network.

In either case, generally, a program for exerting various functions is written in a rewritable flash ROM.
The download program stored in the OM and held by the digital copying machine is a non-rewritable R
It is stored in the OM. In this case, the method of starting the download program may be a backup RAM
There is a method in which a flag for download is written in the program, and when the flag is recognized when the power is turned off / on next time, the execution of the program jumps to the program for download. There is also a method in which the execution of download is selected by a hardware switch provided outside the digital copying machine, and the execution of the program jumps to the download program when the power is turned off / on next time. According to these methods, the version-up program can be easily downloaded.

In the case of electronic equipment, generally, there is a portion where the performance of a function can be changed by changing software. For example, in the case of a digital copying machine, the time interval of sheet feeding can be changed by changing software. actually,
A method of lineup of products having different sheet feeding speeds by changing the software is generally adopted.
For this reason, in the conventional example, there is a problem that the product can be modified by illegally downloading the upgrade program and executing the upgrade program.

[0006] One method of solving this problem is to physically make it difficult to download an upgrade program. For example, there is a method in which a product maker supplies a special jig for connecting a product and an information processing device to a person (for example, a serviceman) who is permitted to download, and the serviceman downloads an upgrade program. . Further, if the downloaded program itself is not disclosed to the public, this method surely solves the above problem.

[0007]

However, when a service person downloads a program,
A problem arises in that a user who has the right to receive a regular version upgrade cannot receive a quick version upgrade. Therefore, it is conceivable to distribute the jig to all users having such a right. However, when the jig breaks down, since the jig is special, it takes time for the user to obtain the jig again. For this reason, it may happen that the version cannot be quickly upgraded.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device which can prevent an unauthorized version upgrade and can quickly perform a regular version upgrade when updating the software of the electronic device by an information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device. An object of the present invention is to provide a software version-up method, an information processing apparatus for executing the method, and a storage medium.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, a method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a method for upgrading software of an electronic device which is executed by an information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device. In the version upgrade method, an acquisition step of acquiring a program necessary for upgrading the software, and when a predetermined password is received, further downloads the program to the electronic device and downloads the software of the electronic device. And a version upgrade step of upgrading the software.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to the first aspect, the predetermined password is a serial number unique to each of the electronic devices. It is at least one of a code and a password updated daily.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device software upgrade method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the electronic device has a calendar function and the predetermined password is provided. Is an encrypted date and time, and when the predetermined password matches the date and time stamped by the calendar function, downloading of the program to the electronic device is permitted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to any one of the first to third aspects.
In the electronic device software version upgrade method described in the paragraph, the program is downloaded and obtained through a network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to any one of the first to third aspects.
In the electronic device software upgrade method described in the paragraph, the program is obtained from a storage medium storing the program.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect upgrades software of an electronic device, and upgrades the software in an information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device. Acquisition means for acquiring a program necessary for the program, and version upgrade means for, when a predetermined password is received, downloading the program to the electronic device and upgrading the software of the electronic device. Features.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect.
In the above information processing apparatus, the predetermined password is at least one of a serial code unique to each of the electronic devices and a password updated daily.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 8 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6.
Or the information processing apparatus according to 7, wherein the electronic device has a calendar function, the predetermined password is an encrypted date and time, and when the predetermined password matches the date and time engraved by the calendar function, Downloading of the program to an electronic device is permitted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect.
9. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The program is downloaded and obtained through a network.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the program is obtained from a storage medium storing the program. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a readable storage medium storing a program for executing a method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to claim 11, which is necessary for upgrading the software. A program comprising an obtaining module for obtaining an upgrade program and an upgrade module for downloading the upgrade program to the electronic device and upgrading the software of the electronic device when a predetermined password is received is stored. It is characterized by having done.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a method for upgrading software according to an embodiment of the present invention and an information processing apparatus for executing the method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a version upgrade system composed of an information processing apparatus for executing a version upgrade method according to the embodiment of the present invention, electronic equipment for which version upgrade is performed, and the like.

In the software version upgrade system 10, the software of the digital copying machine 20 (electronic device) is upgraded. Digital copier 20
Is provided with a connector 21 of a Centronics interface 30 which is a general-purpose interface, and a download switch 22 which is turned on when a program described later is downloaded. The connector 21 is connected to an information processing device 40 such as a personal computer. Note that another general-purpose interface such as a USB may be used instead of the Centronics interface 30.

The information processing device 40 is connected to a network 50 such as the Internet. The information processing apparatus 40 obtains a program necessary for upgrading the digital copying machine 20 (hereinafter, referred to as an upgrade program) by downloading through a network 50 (obtaining means). Further, the version upgrade program may be downloaded online via a telephone line. Further, the FD (floppy) storing the version upgrade program is stored.
disk: floppy (registered trademark) disk) or CD
The upgrade program may be acquired by acquiring a storage medium 60 such as a (compact disk) (acquisition means).

The version upgrade program obtained in this manner is transmitted from the information processing device 40 to the digital copying machine 20.
To the digital copier 20
Software is upgraded. When downloading the upgrade program to the digital copying machine 20, it is necessary to input a predetermined password in the information processing device 40. This is to prevent an improper upgrade from being performed by an improperly acquired upgrade program. An example of the predetermined password is a serial code unique to each digital copying machine.

FIG. 2 shows the digital copying machine 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a digital copying machine 20 has a CPU 23 for controlling the whole, a ROM 24 for storing a boot program and a download program, an interface controller 25 for controlling a Centronics interface, a RAM 26, and a calendar IC 27 having a calendar function. And a flash ROM 28 in which stored programs can be rewritten.

The RAM 26 stores a serial code unique to each digital copying machine. The serial code is compared with the password, and if they match, the download of the upgrade program to the digital copying machine 20 is permitted.

The calendar IC 27 is a digital copier 20
Functions as a timer for reducing the power consumption of the digital copying machine 20 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation of the digital copying machine has stopped. If the digital copying machine 20 has a facsimile function, it also functions as a timer for designating a transmission time and executing a report. If the password is created by encrypting the date and time, the download of the version upgrade program to the digital copying machine 20 can be permitted when the password and the date and time stamped by the calendar function of the calendar IC 27 match. . A battery 29 for backup is connected to the calendar IC 27 and the RAM 26.

The flash ROM 28 stores programs for exerting various functions of the digital copying machine 20. This program is rewritten when the digital copier 20 is upgraded. Usually, the program is rewritten block by block according to the specifications of the flash ROM 28.

The CPU 23 has a download switch 22
Is connected. The download switch 22 is not used except for downloading. For this reason, the download switch 22 is arranged in a place where the user does not accidentally touch the digital copying machine 20 in a normal operation for using the digital copying machine 20. For example, the back side of the cover. When the download switch 22 is turned on when downloading the upgrade program from the information processing device 40 to the digital copying machine 20, a download interrupt vector is generated, and the space of the ROM 24 is mapped to a part of the space of the flash ROM 28. Then, the download program is executed. Therefore, the upgrade program cannot be downloaded to the area of the flash ROM 28 where the space of the ROM 24 is mapped. However, the ratio of the area to the entire flash ROM 28 is usually very small, so that there is no effect on downloading or the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a version upgrade process of the digital copying machine 20 executed by the version upgrade system 10 of FIG.

When the user of the digital copying machine 20 upgrades the version of the digital copying machine 20, the user downloads the version upgrading program to the information processing apparatus 40 via the network 50 and obtains the storage medium 60 storing the version upgrading program. Or to obtain it. Further, a date and time password obtained by encrypting the serial code of the digital copying machine 20 and the date and time at which the version is to be upgraded is obtained from the manufacturer of the digital copying machine 20. Further, it is confirmed that the digital copier 20 and the information processing device 40 are connected by the Centronics interface 30, and if not, they are connected.

In FIG. 3, first, a download application of the information processing apparatus 40 is started (step S).
71). Normally, the download application is common to various products if the manufacturer is the same manufacturer. Therefore, the product name is selected and the serial code that has already been obtained is stored in the information processing device 4.
0 is input (step S72). Similarly, the date and time password is input to the information processing device 40 (step S73), and then a desired program is selected from previously acquired upgrade programs (step S74).
Preparation for download is started (step S75).

On the other hand, in the digital copying machine 20, when the download switch 22 is turned on (step S76) and the power is turned on (step S77), the boot program of the ROM 24 is executed (step S78). This enables communication between the digital copying machine 20 and the information processing device 40.

When the preparation for downloading is started in step S75, both the serial code and the date and time password are confirmed (steps S79 and S80).
Next, whether the serial code of the digital copying machine 20 matches the serial code input to the information processing device 40, information on the date and time of the digital copying machine 20 and the date and time password input to the information processing device 40 It is determined whether or not the information matches (step S81). As a result of the determination in step S81, when the serial codes match and the date and time information of the digital copying machine 20 matches the information of the date and time password input to the information processing device 40, the digital copying The download of the program is permitted to the device 20, and the process proceeds to step S7.
The program selected in step 4 is downloaded (step S82) (version upgrade means), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, as a result of the discrimination in step S81, if the information does not match, it is displayed that one or both of the serial code and the date and time password are wrong (step S83). It is determined whether to re-enter the password (step S
84). As a result of the determination in step S84, when re-entering, the process returns to step S72. On the other hand, if re-input has not been selected, this process ends without executing the download.

According to the processing shown in FIG.
The version can be quickly upgraded, and illegal download of a program necessary for the version upgrade can be prevented, so that unauthorized version upgrade can be prevented.

Note that an arbitrary storage medium that stores the software version upgrade method of the electronic device, which realizes the above-described embodiment, supplies a program for executing the version upgrade method to the information processing apparatus described above, Either a CPU (not shown) or an MPU (not shown) of the information processing apparatus may execute the above-described program. Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and ROM.

In addition, instead of one of the CPU and the MPU of the information processing apparatus, a circuit (not shown) that performs the same operation as the above may realize the above-described embodiment.

The program supplied by the storage medium is written into a memory (not shown) provided in a function expansion board (not shown) inserted into the information processing device or a function expansion unit (not shown) connected to the information processing device. After that, a CPU or the like (not shown) provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may execute a part or all of the program.

[0041]

As described in detail above, a method for upgrading software of an electronic apparatus according to claim 1,
According to the information processing apparatus described in claim 6 and the storage medium described in claim 11, when a program required for upgrading the electronic device is downloaded to the electronic device, a predetermined password must be input. Unauthorized download can be prevented. In addition, a user who has the right to upgrade the version can quickly upgrade the version by inputting a correct password.

According to the method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to the second aspect and the information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the predetermined password is a serial code unique to each electronic device and a password updated daily. Since it is at least one, the possibility that the password is stolen is low.
For this reason, it is possible to better prevent illegal downloading of a program required for upgrading the software of the electronic device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined password is an encrypted date and time, and the date and time indicated by the password and the date and time indicated by the electronic device. When the date and time engraved by the provided calendar function match, download of the program to the electronic device is permitted. For this reason, illegal download of the program can be prevented even better.

According to the method for upgrading the software of an electronic device according to the fourth aspect and the information processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the program required for upgrading the software of the electronic device can be downloaded through a network. Available at As a result, the software version of the electronic device can be quickly upgraded.

According to the method for upgrading the software of an electronic device according to the fifth aspect and the information processing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the program required for upgrading the software of the electronic device is obtained from a storage medium storing the program. Because it is available, it can be obtained promptly. As a result, the software version of the electronic device can be quickly upgraded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a version upgrade system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine that is upgraded in the version upgrading system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a version upgrade process of the digital copying machine executed by the version upgrade system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 digital copier 30 centronics interface 40 information processing device 50 network

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method for upgrading software of an electronic device which is executed by an information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device, comprising: a step of obtaining a program necessary for upgrading the software; An upgrade step of downloading the program to the electronic device and upgrading the software of the electronic device when the password is accepted. 2. The software upgrade of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined password is at least one of a serial code unique to each of the electronic devices and a password updated daily. Method. 3. The electronic device has a calendar function, wherein the predetermined password is an encrypted date and time, and when the predetermined password and the date and time engraved by the calendar function match, the electronic device transmits the date and time to the electronic device. 3. The method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein downloading of the program is permitted. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is obtained by downloading through a network.
4. The method for upgrading software of an electronic device according to any one of items 3 to 3. 5. The method for upgrading the software of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the program is obtained from a storage medium storing the program. 6. An information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device, which upgrades software of the electronic device, comprising: obtaining means for obtaining a program required for upgrading the software; An information processing apparatus comprising: an upgrade unit that downloads the program to the electronic device and upgrades software of the electronic device when the program is received. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined password is at least one of a serial code unique to each of the electronic devices and a password updated daily. 8. The electronic device has a calendar function, and the predetermined password is an encrypted date and time. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein downloading of the program is permitted. 9. The program according to claim 6, wherein said program is downloaded and obtained through a network.
9. The information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 8. 10. The program according to claim 6, wherein the program is obtained from a storage medium storing the program.
10. The information processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 9. 11. A readable storage medium storing a program for executing a method for upgrading software of an electronic device, comprising: an obtaining module for obtaining an upgrade program required to upgrade the software; A storage medium storing a program including an upgrade module for further downloading the upgrade program to the electronic device when a predetermined password is received, and upgrading the software of the electronic device. .