JP2008305328A - Image forming apparatus and data processor, and data processing method and program for executing data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly determine execution of firmware update in accordance with the configuration and state of an option device. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus to which a plurality of option devices can be connected comprises: an updating means for updating respective execution programs of an image forming apparatus main body and a plurality of option devices; an illegal device detecting means for detecting whether a constituting option device is an illegal device; an update interrupting means for interrupting update when the illegal option device is present among at least constituting option devices when the updating means updates the execution program of the option device; and a notifying means for notifying a user of a result obtained when the update interrupting means interrupts the update of the execution program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a program for executing a data processing method for executing execution program update processing.

  In recent years, an apparatus having a firmware update function for users is increasing so that users can update an execution program (firmware) incorporated in a device. The firmware to be updated is not limited to the device main body, and may include the optional device if it can be connected. In the case where a plurality of option devices are installed, there is a technique for updating firmware of each option device all at once (for example, see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, if the configuration of an optional device is invalid (one of the same type of optional devices is an unsupported version or a device for other models that can be connected with the same protocol, etc.), There is a technology that keeps the operation separated.
JP 2004-287877 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, even if a plurality of option devices are connected, if the same type of option device is used, the same firmware is written to the plurality of option devices to be updated. For this reason, if the same type of optional devices include both supported devices and non-supported devices, the firmware is updated for non-supported optional devices as well as other optional devices. As a result, a problem may occur during firmware update.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a problem when updating the firmware of the option feeder.

  In the figure, a supported option feeder 305 and an unsupported option feeder 306 are attached to the printer 102. The printer 102 detects that the option feeder 306 is an unsupported option device immediately after startup, and continues the operation with the option feeder 306 logically disconnected. Further, the printer 102 notifies the data processing apparatus 101 with a configuration in which the option feeder 306 does not exist. When the data processing apparatus 101 is instructed by the user to update the firmware of the option feeder, the data processing apparatus 101 instructs the controller 302 to update the firmware of the option feeder. Similarly, the controller 302 instructs the engine body 303 to update the firmware of the option feeder. However, since the engine body 303 does not recognize that the controller 302 logically disconnects the option feeder 306, the engine main body 303 tries to perform firmware update in the same manner for all option feeders that are physically connected. To do. As a result, the update of the option feeder 305 subject to option support succeeds, but the update of the option feeder 306 that is not supported fails because the firmware type is different, which affects the subsequent operation. .

  It is necessary to appropriately determine the execution of the firmware update so as not to affect the operation of the printer after the firmware update.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an image forming apparatus to which a plurality of option devices can be connected, and an update unit that updates an execution program of each of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of option devices, and a configuration An illegal device exists in any of the unauthorized device detection means for detecting whether the optional device to be operated is an unauthorized device and at least the optional device configured when the execution program of the option device is updated by the update means. Update interruption means for interrupting the update, and notification means for notifying the user of the result of interruption of the update of the execution program by the update interruption means.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a data processing apparatus that communicates with an image forming apparatus to which a plurality of option devices can be connected, and an update instruction means that instructs updating of execution programs of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of option devices, respectively. A configuration information acquisition unit that acquires, from the image forming device, information on whether or not an optional device that constitutes the image forming device includes an unauthorized device, and an instruction to update an execution program of the optional device by the update instruction unit Sometimes at least one of the optional devices constituting the image forming apparatus interrupts an update instruction if there is an illegal one, and the update instruction interruption means interrupts an instruction to update the execution program And a notification means for notifying the user of the result.

Furthermore, the present invention provides update instruction means for instructing update of execution programs of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of optional apparatuses, and information on whether or not an illegal apparatus is included in the optional apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus. There is an illegal one in at least one of the option devices constituting the image forming apparatus when the update information is instructed to update the execution program of the option apparatus by the configuration information acquiring means for acquiring the image information from the image forming apparatus. A data processing method comprising: an update instruction interrupting unit that interrupts an update instruction if there is, and a notification unit that notifies a user of a result of interrupting an instruction to update an execution program by the update instruction interrupting unit.
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, since execution of firmware update can be appropriately determined according to the configuration and state of the option device, an accident during firmware update processing due to an illegal option configuration can be avoided.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a data processing apparatus 101 is, for example, a computer, and functions as a supply source of image information or a printer control apparatus. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (printer) is used as the image forming apparatus 102. Needless to say, the image forming apparatus applied in the present embodiment is not limited to a laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing system such as an ink jet printer.

  A printer controller (controller) 302 generates raster data for each page based on image information (for example, ESC code, page description language, etc.) supplied from the data processing apparatus 101, and sends the raster data to the printer engine 303.

  The printer engine 303 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the raster data supplied from the controller 302, and records the image by transferring and fixing the latent image on a recording medium (electrophotographic method). .

  The panel unit 301 is used as a user interface. The user can instruct a desired operation by operating the panel unit 301. The panel unit 301 displays processing contents of the printer 102 and warning contents to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller 302.

  In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a panel interface unit that performs data communication with the panel unit 301. The CPU 709 can confirm the contents set / instructed by the user on the panel unit 704 via the panel interface unit 701.

  Reference numeral 702 denotes a host interface unit for two-way communication connection with the data processing apparatus 101 such as a host computer via a network.

  Reference numeral 703 denotes an intermediate data creation unit that performs processing for converting print data into intermediate data that is easy to handle inside the printer 102.

  A ROM 704 stores processing described in the present invention and other control program codes executed by the printer 102.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes a RAM. The data stored in the RAM includes intermediate data derived from print data received by the host interface unit 702, a bitmap resulting from rendering the intermediate data, and other various temporary processing statuses necessary for processing.

  Reference numeral 706 denotes an engine interface unit for communication connection with the printer engine 303. The CPU 709 can recognize the state of the printer engine 303 via the engine interface unit 706.

  Reference numeral 707 denotes a DMA control unit, which transfers bitmap data in the RAM 705 to the engine interface unit 706 according to an instruction from the CPU 709.

  A rendering unit 708 creates a print image that is actually printed out according to the contents of the intermediate data stored in the RAM 705.

  Reference numeral 709 denotes a CPU that controls a device connected to the CPU bus 711 based on a control program code held in the ROM 704.

  Reference numeral 710 includes a non-volatile memory for holding control information such as a density correction table.

  Reference numeral 711 denotes an HDD. The HDD is used for temporarily storing print data as image data after image expansion. Use the HDD to read the specified image data a plurality of times to implement electronic sorting, or to implement secure printing that reads and prints out image data stored after user authentication using a preset password, etc. can do.

  Reference numeral 712 denotes a CPU bus including an address, data, and control bus. Each of the devices 701 to 710 can access all devices connected to the CPU bus 712.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including an optional device.

  In the figure, the printer includes a controller 302, a printer engine 303, a duplex unit 304, and option feeders 305, 306, and 307. Further, the devices 303 to 307 are respectively controlled by the engine controller 311, the duplex unit controller 312, and the option feeder controllers 313, 314, and 315, and the respective control programs (firmware) can be updated.

  In the following description, the option feeder 305 is supported, the option feeder 306 is not supported, and the option feeder 307 is physically disconnected.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a firmware update processing procedure.

  In the figure, when the firmware update process is started in accordance with an instruction from the user, first, a firmware object is received in S101.

  Next, it is determined whether the received firmware is the firmware of the optional device (S102). If the firmware is the optional device firmware, the process proceeds to S103 to check the device information of the optional device. After confirming S103, the process proceeds to S104. On the other hand, if the firmware is not the option device firmware in S102, the process proceeds to S107 to execute the update process of the target firmware, and the process proceeds to S106 after completion.

  In S104, it is determined whether the option device to be updated includes an illegal option device such as an unsupported version or a device for another model that can be connected with the same protocol. For example, when the option device to be updated is an option feeder, it is determined whether or not a plurality of option feeders include devices that are not supported.

  If there is an illegal option device in S104, the process proceeds to S105, and the target firmware update process is interrupted. After the update process is interrupted in S105, the process proceeds to step S106.

  If there is no illegal option device in S104, the process proceeds to S107, and the target firmware is updated.

  In S106, it is determined whether or not the next firmware update is necessary. If necessary, the process returns to S102 to repeat the process, and if not necessary, the process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining a firmware update processing procedure between the user, the data processing apparatus 101 and the printer 102.

  In the figure, S201 to S207 are processes for notifying the user of device configuration information when the power is turned on.

  The engine controller acquires configuration information of each option feeder in S202 to S205 according to the request in S201, but notifies the controller that the option feeder 2 is abnormal because the option feeder 2 is not supported.

  On the other hand, the controller logically disconnects the option feeder 2 according to the configuration information in S206, and notifies the user that there is no option feed 2 (S207).

  Thereafter, when there is an option feeder update instruction from the user via the data processing apparatus (S301, S302), the update process is interrupted in S303 according to the flowchart of FIG.

  The user receives the controller result notification S304 via the data processing apparatus, and can know that the option feeder update process has been interrupted because the option configuration is invalid (S305).

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, the controller determines whether the configuration of the optional device is illegal and determines whether to execute the firmware update process. However, the data processing device may determine the configuration.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for updating firmware between the user, the data processing apparatus 101, and the printer 102 in this embodiment.

  In the figure, S401 to S407 are processes for notifying the user of device configuration information when the power is turned on.

  The engine controller acquires the configuration information of each option feeder in S402 to S405 according to the request in S401, but notifies the controller that the option feeder 2 is abnormal because the option feeder 2 is not supported.

  On the other hand, the controller logically disconnects the option feeder 2 according to the configuration information in S406, and notifies the user that there is no option feed 2 (S407).

  Thereafter, when there is an option feeder update instruction from the user (S501), the data processing apparatus acquires configuration information from the controller (S502, S503), and then interrupts the update process according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 (S504).

  From the result notification of the data processing apparatus, the user can know that the update process of the option feeder has been interrupted because the option configuration is invalid (S505).

(Example 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the firmware update process of the target option device is prohibited whenever the configuration of the option device is invalid. However, if there are detailed conditions, the update process can be executed without prohibition. In some cases. In this embodiment, a configuration in which detailed update prohibition conditions are transmitted from a data processing apparatus together with a firmware object will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the firmware update processing procedure between the user, the data processing apparatus 101, and the printer 102 in this embodiment.

  In the figure, S601 to S606 are processes for notifying the user of device configuration information when the power is turned on.

  The engine controller acquires the configuration information of each option feeder in S602 to S605 according to the request in S601, but notifies the controller that the option feeder 2 is abnormal because the option feeder 2 is not supported.

  On the other hand, the controller logically disconnects the option feeder 2 according to the configuration information in S606, and notifies the user that there is no option feed 2 (S607).

  Thereafter, when there is an option feeder update instruction from the user (S701), the data processing apparatus transmits firmware update prohibition condition information together with the option feeder update instruction to the controller (S702). When starting the update process of the option feeder, the controller interprets the update prohibition condition information received together with the firmware object from the data processing apparatus, and determines the execution of the update according to the condition (S703).

  The user receives the controller result notification S704 via the data processing device, and can know the contents of the update prohibition condition and the update process result of the option feeder according to the condition (S305).

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer controller 302 in Embodiment 1. FIG. In Example 1, it is a figure which shows the outline of a system configuration | structure including an option apparatus. In the problem to be solved by the invention, it is a diagram for explaining an example of a problem when updating the firmware of the option feeder. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a firmware update processing procedure in the first embodiment. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a firmware update processing procedure between a user, a data processing device 101, and a printer in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for updating firmware between a user, a data processing apparatus 101, and a printer in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for updating firmware between a user, a data processing apparatus 101, and a printer in Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

101 Data processing apparatus 102 Image forming apparatus (printer)
301 Panel Unit 302 Printer Controller 303 Printer Engine 304 Duplex Unit 305 Option Feeder 1
306 Option feeder 2
307 Option feeder 3
311 Engine controller 312 Duplex unit controller 313 Option feeder controller 1
314 Option Feeder Controller 2
315 Option Feeder Controller 3
701 Panel I / F unit 702 Host I / F unit 703 Intermediate data creation unit 704 ROM
705 RAM
706 Engine I / F unit 707 DMA control unit 708 Rendering unit 709 CPU
710 EEPROM
711 HDD
712 CPU bus

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of optional devices,
Updating means for updating execution programs of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of optional apparatuses;
Unauthorized device detection means for detecting whether the configured optional device is an unauthorized device; and
An update interrupting means for interrupting the update if there is an illegal one in at least one of the optional devices configured when updating the execution program of the optional device by the update means;
Notification means for notifying the user of the result of interrupting the update of the execution program by the update interruption means;
An image forming apparatus. A data processing apparatus that communicates with an image forming apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of optional devices,
Update instruction means for instructing update of the execution programs of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of optional apparatuses;
Configuration information acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, information as to whether or not an unauthorized apparatus is included in an optional apparatus constituting the image forming apparatus;
Update instruction interrupting means for interrupting an update instruction if there is an illegal one in at least one of the option apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus when the update instruction means instructs to update the execution program of the option apparatus. When,
Notification means for notifying the user of the result of interrupting the instruction to update the execution program by the update instruction interruption means;
A data processing apparatus. Update instruction means for instructing update of the execution programs of the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of optional apparatuses;
Configuration information acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, information as to whether or not an unauthorized apparatus is included in an optional apparatus constituting the image forming apparatus;
Update instruction interrupting means for interrupting an update instruction if there is an illegal one in at least one of the option apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus when the update instruction means instructs to update the execution program of the option apparatus. When,
Notification means for notifying the user of the result of interrupting the instruction to update the execution program by the update instruction interruption means;
A data processing method.

Images