JP2012068957A - Control information updating device, image processing device, management device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the updatability of control information for controlling an image processing device by using update information corresponding to an occurrence of a flaw or a change in configuration in the image processing device without making a user conscious of the update.SOLUTION: In a controller 10 of an image forming device, a detection unit 20 detects an occurrence of an abnormality or a change of external equipment, a configuration information acquisition unit 21 acquires configuration information of the image forming device, and a transmission unit 22 transmits detection content and the configuration information to a firmware management device. After that, the firmware management device transmits information of a firmware file (FW file) for updating specified based on the detection content and the configuration information, so that a UI control unit 24 displays the FW file information in an UI unit, a reception unit 23 receives the FW file from a firmware storage device based on an input from the UI unit, and an update unit 26 updates firmware in a firmware memory unit 25 by using the received FW file.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control information update device, an image processing device, a management device, and a program.

  There is known an office equipment management system that allows office equipment to be used comfortably without dispatching regular maintenance personnel to users who are not good at machine operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this Patent Document 1, when the office device transmits information notifying the occurrence of an abnormality to the server device, and the server device receives the information notifying the occurrence of the abnormality of the office device, the machine setting information corresponding to the information from the office device Is extracted and sent to office equipment for management.

  There is also known a technique that eliminates the need to secure an addition / change program for each processing device in a processing device having a rewritable memory (for example, see Patent Document 2). In this Patent Document 2, the processing device transmits a program acquisition request including its own identification information to the host device, and when the host device is requested to transmit the program from the processing device, the processing device processes the program corresponding to the identification information. The program is sent to the apparatus, or the program type information is transmitted and when the user selects this, the program corresponding to the type is sent.

JP 2004-38347 A JP 2005-235184 A

  An object of the present invention is to increase the possibility that control information for controlling an image processing apparatus can be updated without making the user aware of it using update information according to the occurrence of a defect in the image processing apparatus or a change in configuration. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, detection means for detecting occurrence of a defect or configuration change of the image processing apparatus, and detection of the defect by the detection means. In response to detection of occurrence or change in the configuration, information used for updating the control information stored in the storage unit, and specifying update information that is information according to detection content by the detection unit, Request means for requesting the management apparatus for managing the update information, acquisition means for acquiring the update information specified by the management apparatus in response to a request by the request means, and the control stored in the storage means A control information update apparatus comprising: update means for updating information using the update information acquired by the acquisition means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the update, the request unit is information further corresponding to a combination of version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing apparatus of the control information stored in the storage unit The control information update device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is requested to specify information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit receives position information indicating a storage position of the update information in the storage device that stores the update information from the management device, and the position information in the storage device indicates The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update information is acquired by receiving the update information from a storage position.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the request unit specifies the update information when a predetermined condition regarding the occurrence of the malfunction detected by the detection unit or the change of the configuration is satisfied. The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information update apparatus requests the management apparatus.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the request unit requests the management device to specify one update information, and the acquisition unit acquires the one update information specified by the management device. The control information update device according to claim 1, wherein the control information update device is a control information update device.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the request unit requests the management device to specify a plurality of update information, and the acquisition unit is selected from the plurality of update information specified by the management device. 5. The control information update device according to claim 1, wherein the update information is acquired.
The invention according to claim 7 includes image processing means for performing image processing based on input image data, and control means for controlling the image processing means, wherein the control means controls the own apparatus. Storage means for storing information, detection means for detecting the occurrence of a malfunction or configuration change of the own apparatus, and the storage means in response to detection of the occurrence of the malfunction or change in the configuration by the detection means Information used for updating the control information, the detection contents of the detection means, and the version number of each part corresponding to the image processing means and the control means of the control information stored in the storage means Requesting means for requesting the management apparatus that manages the update information to specify update information that is information according to the combination, and before the identification specified by the management apparatus in response to a request by the requesting means An image processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires update information; and an update unit that updates the control information stored in the storage unit using the update information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided receiving means for receiving information indicating occurrence of a malfunction or configuration change of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus holding control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, and the reception Information used for updating the control information held by the image processing apparatus in response to reception of information indicating the occurrence of the malfunction or the configuration change by the means, and information corresponding to the content received by the receiving means The image processing apparatus is configured to identify the update information that is update information and the control information held by the image processing apparatus so that the update information specified by the specification means can be updated. A management apparatus comprising: instruction means for instructing acquisition of update information.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the update, the specifying unit is information further corresponding to a combination of version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing device of the control information held by the image processing device. The management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein information is specified.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the computer controls the image processing apparatus according to the function of detecting the occurrence of the malfunction or the change in the configuration of the image processing apparatus and the detection of the occurrence of the malfunction or the change in the configuration. A function for requesting the management apparatus that manages the update information to specify the update information that is information used for updating the control information to be detected and is information corresponding to the detection content by the function to be detected, and the function to be requested And a function of acquiring the update information specified by the management apparatus in response to a request by the management apparatus and a function of updating the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus using the acquired update information. It is a program for.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a function of receiving information indicating occurrence of a malfunction or configuration change of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus holding control information for controlling the image processing apparatus in a computer; Information used for updating the control information held by the image processing apparatus in response to reception of information indicating the occurrence of the malfunction or the configuration change, and information according to the content received by the receiving function. Instructs the image processing apparatus to acquire the update information so that the function for identifying certain update information and the control information held by the image processing apparatus can be updated using the identified update information. Is a program for realizing the function to perform.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus is used as the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, or the update information according to the occurrence of the malfunction of the image processing apparatus This increases the possibility of updating without user awareness.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus corresponds to the combination of the version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The possibility of updating using update information is increased.
According to the invention of claim 3, even when the update information is stored in a storage device different from the management device that specifies the update information used for updating the control information, the update information can be acquired. it can.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the control information is updated can be controlled by defining a condition relating to occurrence of a defect in the image processing apparatus or a change in configuration.
According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to update the control information without requiring the user to select the update information.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the possibility that the control information can be updated using the update information desired by the user is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus is used as the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, and the update information according to the occurrence of the malfunction of the image processing apparatus or the configuration change. This increases the possibility of updating without user awareness.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus is used as the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. This increases the possibility of updating without user awareness.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus corresponds to the combination of the version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The possibility of updating using update information is increased.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing device is used as the control information for controlling the image processing device, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, and the update information according to the occurrence of the malfunction of the image processing device or the configuration change. This increases the possibility of updating without user awareness.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus is used as the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, and the update information according to the occurrence of the malfunction of the image processing apparatus or the configuration change. This increases the possibility of updating without user awareness.

It is the figure which showed the example of a structure of the computer system with which embodiment of this invention is applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the structural example of the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of version information acquired by a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the set version table which the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the figure which showed an example of the version map table which the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the figure which showed an example of the FW file table which the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the firmware management apparatus in embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a computer system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this computer system is configured by connecting image forming apparatuses 1a and 1b, a firmware management apparatus 3, and firmware storage apparatuses 5a and 5b to a network 8. Although the image forming apparatuses 1a and 1b are shown in the drawing, they may be referred to as the image forming apparatus 1 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although only two image forming apparatuses 1 are shown in the figure, three or more image forming apparatuses 1 may be provided. Furthermore, although the firmware storage devices 5a and 5b are shown in the figure, they may be referred to as the firmware storage device 5 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although only two firmware storage devices 5 are shown in the figure, three or more firmware storage devices 5 may be provided.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper and outputs it as a print document. The image forming apparatus 1 may have only a printer function, or may have a scanner or facsimile function.

  The firmware management apparatus 3 is an example of a management apparatus, and is a computer apparatus that manages firmware that controls the image forming apparatus 1. Although it is conceivable that the firmware management apparatus 3 stores the firmware, in the present embodiment, the firmware management apparatus 3 only manages the firmware, and the firmware storage apparatus 5 stores the firmware. Here, as the firmware management apparatus 3, for example, a server that can use a web service protocol (SOAP / XML, etc.) may be used.

The firmware storage device 5 is an example of a storage device, and is a computer device that stores firmware for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. Here, as the firmware storage device 5, for example, an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) server or an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server may be used.
The network 8 is a communication means used for exchanging various information. Examples of the network 8 include the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network).

Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the computer system of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 10, a storage device 11, a user interface (UI) unit 12, a scanner unit 13, a printer unit 14, a facsimile (FAX) unit 15, and a communication interface ( Communication I / F) 16, charging device 17, and authentication device 18.

  The controller 10 is an example of a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and is constructed on, for example, one controller board. The controller 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like. Each function described later of the controller 10 stores various programs stored in the ROM or the like in the RAM. Realized by loading and executing. The ROM also stores firmware that controls the operation of subsystems such as the controller 10, UI unit 12, scanner unit 13, printer unit 14, FAX unit 15, charging device 17, authentication device 18, and the like.

The storage device 11 stores image data read by the scanner unit 13, image data output by the printer unit 14, and the like. Also, policy information that defines a policy regarding an inquiry when updating firmware is stored. Here, for example, a magnetic disk may be used as the storage device 11.
The UI unit 12 is an operation panel mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and has a function of accepting a user operation and a function of displaying information to the user.

  The scanner unit 13 is an example of an image processing unit, and reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Here, as the scanner unit 13, a CCD type that reduces reflected light with respect to light irradiated on a document from a light source with a lens and receives the light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or light that is sequentially irradiated onto a document from an LED light source. A CIS system that receives reflected light with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) may be used. The scanner unit 13 may be equipped with a device equipped with another firmware such as an automatic document feeder.

  The printer unit 14 is an example of an image processing unit, and prints and outputs an image on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the printer unit 14 may be an electrophotographic type that forms an image by transferring toner adhered to a photosensitive member to a recording medium, or an inkjet type that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the recording medium. Use a good one. The printer unit 14 may be connected to a plurality of apparatuses equipped with independent firmware such as a finisher.

The FAX unit 15 is an example of an image processing unit, and performs facsimile transmission / reception via a public line network.
The communication I / F 16 is a part where the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the network 8. Transmission / reception of information to / from the firmware management apparatus 3 or the firmware storage apparatus 5 is performed via the communication I / F 16.
The billing device 17 is connected to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs billing, tabulation management, and the like according to image output from the printer unit 14. Such a billing device 17 includes a device that performs cash settlement, dedicated card settlement, IC card settlement, etc. as billing.
The authentication device 18 is connected to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and authenticates a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. Such an authentication apparatus 18 includes an apparatus that performs authentication by inputting a user ID, authentication by an IC card, and the like as authentication.

The configuration of the firmware management device 3 and the firmware storage device 5 in the computer system of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the firmware management apparatus 3. Note that the hardware configuration of the firmware storage device 5 is the same as that described above, and is therefore omitted.
As shown in the figure, the firmware management apparatus 3 includes a CPU 30 that is a calculation means, a main memory 31 that is a storage means, and a magnetic disk device 32. Here, the CPU 30 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and an application, and realizes each function described later. The main memory 31 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the magnetic disk device 32 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. .
Further, the firmware management apparatus 3 includes a communication I / F 33 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 34 including a video memory and a display, and an input device 35 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

By the way, the firmware update in the image forming apparatus 1 may be performed for the purpose of correcting a defect, avoiding incompatibility of version combinations when an external device is connected, and the like. In such a case, for example, a method in which a user or an engineer downloads firmware from the firmware management apparatus 3 by pressing a button provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and updates the firmware using the downloaded firmware is considered. It is done. However, with this method, the user or engineer must be aware of the firmware update, which requires user maintenance time and engineer maintenance costs.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a problem occurs in the image forming apparatus 1, an external device is connected to the image forming apparatus 1, or the version of the external device connected to the image forming apparatus 1 is changed. In some cases, the firmware is updated without making the user or engineer aware.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the controller 10 that performs such an operation.
As illustrated, the controller 10 includes a detection unit 20, a configuration information acquisition unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a reception unit 23, a UI control unit 24, a firmware storage unit 25, and an update unit 26. .

  The detection unit 20 detects occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 1 and connection of an external device to the image forming apparatus 1 or a change in the version of the external device connected to the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 20 is provided as an example of a detection unit that detects occurrence of a defect in the image processing apparatus or a change in configuration.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 21 acquires configuration information of the image forming apparatus 1 with reference to the ROM of the controller 10. Here, the configuration information includes a product ID indicating the model of the image forming apparatus 1, a controller board identifier for distinguishing each image forming apparatus 1 according to the configuration of the controller board, and a version of each subsystem of the image forming apparatus 1. Version information is included. Although a serial number may be used instead of the controller board identifier, the controller board identifier is used below. The configuration information is acquired only when it is determined by referring to the policy information stored in the storage device 11 that the content detected by the detection unit 20 indicates that an inquiry regarding firmware for update should be made. You may make it perform.

  When the detection unit 20 detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 1, the transmission unit 22 sends an inquiry including abnormality information indicating the abnormality and the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 21 to the firmware management. Transmit to device 3. When the detection unit 20 detects the connection of an external device to the image forming apparatus 1 or a change in the version of the external device connected to the image forming apparatus 1, external device information indicating the external device and version, and configuration information acquisition An inquiry including the configuration information acquired by the unit 21 is transmitted to the firmware management apparatus 3. When the UI unit 12 is instructed to update the firmware, an update firmware acquisition request is transmitted to the firmware storage device 5. In the present embodiment, firmware is used as an example of control information for controlling the image forming apparatus 1, and update firmware is used as an example of update information used for updating the control information. As an example of request means for requesting the management apparatus, a transmission unit 22 is provided.

  When the transmission unit 22 transmits an inquiry to the firmware management apparatus 3, the reception unit 23 receives a response to the inquiry (inquiry response) from the firmware management apparatus 3. When the transmission unit 22 transmits an update firmware acquisition request, the transmission unit 22 receives the requested update firmware from the firmware storage device 5. In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 23 is provided as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires update information.

  When the inquiry response received by the receiving unit 23 indicates that there is update firmware, the UI control unit 24 checks whether to update the firmware, and which update firmware to use. The display of the update confirmation screen to be displayed on the UI unit 12 is controlled. When there is an input from the UI unit 12 to update the firmware, the information to that effect is output to the transmission unit 22. Further, when the inquiry response received by the receiving unit 23 indicates that there is no update firmware, if an abnormality has occurred, the display of information to that effect on the UI unit 12 is controlled.

The firmware storage unit 25 stores firmware that is currently controlling the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a firmware storage unit 25 is provided as an example of a storage unit that stores control information.
The update unit 26 updates the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit 25 using the update firmware received by the reception unit 23 from the firmware storage device 5. In the present embodiment, an updating unit 26 is provided as an example of an updating unit that updates control information.

  Such a function of the controller 10 is realized by cooperation between software and hardware resources. The detection unit 20, the configuration information acquisition unit 21, the transmission unit 22, the reception unit 23, the UI control unit 24, and the update unit 26 are programs in which the CPU of the controller 10 realizes these functions, for example, an external storage device such as a hard disk This is realized by reading from the main memory. The firmware storage unit 25 is realized by the ROM of the controller 10.

Here, the version information among the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 21 will be specifically described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of version information.
As shown in the figure, the version information associates the ROM of each subsystem with the ROM version.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the firmware management apparatus 3 that has received an inquiry from the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration returns information related to the update firmware to the image forming apparatus 1 as an inquiry response.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the firmware management apparatus 3 that performs such an operation.
As illustrated, the firmware management apparatus 3 includes a reception unit 41, a table storage unit 42, an FW file information acquisition unit 43, and a transmission unit 44.

The receiving unit 41 receives an inquiry including abnormality information or external device information and configuration information from the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a receiving unit 41 is provided as an example of a receiving unit that receives information indicating the occurrence of a malfunction or a configuration change of the image processing apparatus.
The table storage unit 42 stores various tables for acquiring information (hereinafter referred to as “FW file information”) related to a firmware file (FW file) in which firmware for controlling the operation of each subsystem is packaged. Detailed contents of these various tables will be described later.

The FW file information acquisition unit 43 refers to various tables stored in the table storage unit 42, and updates the information based on the abnormality information or external device information included in the inquiry received by the reception unit 41 and the configuration information. FW file information related to the FW file is acquired. In this embodiment, an FW file for update is used as an example of update information, and an FW file information acquisition unit 43 is provided as an example of a specifying unit that specifies update information.
The transmission unit 44 transmits the FW file information acquired by the FW file information acquisition unit 43 to the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a transmission unit 44 is provided as an example of an instruction unit that instructs acquisition of update information.

  The function of the firmware management apparatus 3 is realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. In the receiving unit 41, the FW file information obtaining unit 43, and the transmitting unit 44, the CPU 30 (see FIG. 3) transmits a program for realizing these functions from, for example, the magnetic disk device 32 (see FIG. 3) to the main memory 31 (see FIG. 3). This is realized by reading into (see). The table storage unit 42 is realized by, for example, the magnetic disk device 32 (see FIG. 3).

Here, various tables stored in the table storage unit 42 will be specifically described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the set version table. Note that this set version table differs depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 1, and is thus prepared for each product ID corresponding to the model.
As illustrated, the set version table includes a set version, a ROM, and a ROM version as items.

The set version is an item indicating a version assigned to a combination of ROM versions.
The ROM is an item indicating a ROM in which firmware for controlling each subsystem is stored.
The ROM version is an item indicating the version of the corresponding ROM.
FIG. 7 shows three set versions, ie, three combinations of ROM versions. These three combinations differ only in the version of the controller ROM, but the set version differs accordingly.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the version map table. Since this version map table also differs depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 1, it is prepared for each product ID corresponding to the model.
As shown in the figure, the version map table has a set version before update, abnormality information, external device information, and a set version after update as items.

The pre-update set version is an item indicating the version of the combination of firmware before the update.
The abnormality information is an item indicating an abnormality code of the abnormality detected by the detection unit 20. Each of the abnormality codes “100-200”, “123-456”, and “111-222” represents one abnormality.
The external device information is an item indicating the product code and version of the external device detected by the detection unit 20. “IC_CardReader-1111555” and “SmartCard_Reader-123456” represent the product code of each external device, and “1.1.0” and “1.0.0” represent the version of each external device.
The set version after update is an item indicating the version of the firmware combination after update.

  In FIG. 8, for example, when the firmware of the set version “AAAA — 080601” is operating and the abnormality of the abnormal code “100-200” occurs, it is defined that the firmware of the set version “AAAA — 090301” should be updated. Yes. In addition, referring to the lines of the abnormality codes “123-456” and “111-222”, it is defined that different abnormality information should be updated to firmware of a different set version. It may be defined that the firmware should be updated to the same set version.

  Further, when the firmware of the set version “AAA_080701” is operating, an external device of the product code “IC_CardReader-1111555” and the version “1.1.0” is connected, or the product code “IC_CardReader-11115555” is externally connected. It is also defined that when the device is changed to the version “1.1.0”, the firmware of the set version “AAAA — 090301” should be updated. Note that although only one external device information is defined for one pre-update set version, two or more external device information may be defined. In this case as well, it may be defined that different external device information should be updated to a different set version of firmware, or may be defined to be updated to the same set version of firmware.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the FW file table. The FW file table is prepared in common for the model of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in the figure, the FW file table has FW file name, FW file storage location information, set version, and controller board identifier as items.

The FW file name is an item indicating the name of the FW file.
The FW file storage location information is an item indicating information on the storage location of the FW file. As the storage location information, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is an example of location information indicating the storage location of the FW file in the firmware storage device 5 may be registered.
The set version is an item indicating the version of the combination of firmware included in the corresponding FW file.
The controller board identifier is an item indicating information for distinguishing the controller board (including the font ROM type).

Next, the operation of the computer system in this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in this computer system will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in the figure, in the controller 10, first, the detection unit 20 detects the occurrence of an abnormality or a change in an external device (a new connection of an external device, a change in the version of an already connected external device, etc.). (Step 201). The abnormality information indicating the detected abnormality or the external device information indicating the external device and its version is passed to the configuration information acquisition unit 21.

Next, the configuration information acquisition unit 21 refers to the policy information stored in the storage device 11 and determines whether or not to inquire about the update FW file (step 202).
As a result, if it is not determined that an inquiry should be made, the process ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the inquiry should be made, the configuration information acquisition unit 21 acquires the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 1 with reference to the information stored in the ROM of the controller 10 (step 203). Specifically, the product ID, controller board identifier, and version information of each subsystem are acquired. These pieces of information are passed to the transmitter 22 together with the abnormality information or external device information passed from the detector 20.

  Then, the transmission unit 22 transmits an inquiry including information passed from the configuration information acquisition unit 21 to the firmware management apparatus 3 (step 204). Here, there can be considered a mode in which the firmware management apparatus 3 inquires about one FW file recommended and a mode in which a plurality of FW files that are candidates for the FW file used in the update are inquired. The description will be given on the assumption of the latter mode.

As a result, the firmware management apparatus 3 sends an inquiry response including the FW file name and the FW file storage location information if there is an FW file for update, and if there is an FW file for update. The unit 23 receives the inquiry response (step 205).
Then, the UI control unit 24 receives the inquiry response from the reception unit 23, and determines whether or not the inquiry response indicates that there is an FW file (step 206).
As a result, when it is determined that the FW file is present, the UI control unit 24 updates the firmware, or displays an update confirmation screen for confirming which FW file to update when updating the firmware. It is displayed on the UI unit 12 (step 207). If it is assumed that an inquiry is made about one FW file in step 204, information on at most one FW file is displayed on the update confirmation screen, so it is unnecessary to confirm which FW file to update. Become.

When the update confirmation screen is displayed on the UI unit 12 in this way, the user inputs from the UI unit 12 which firmware file to update or which FW file to update. Then, the UI control unit 24 determines whether or not there is an input for updating from the user (step 208).
As a result, when it is determined that there is an input to update, the UI control unit 24 notifies the transmission unit 22 of the fact and the FW file selected as the update FW file. The request for the FW file is transmitted to the firmware storage device 5 (step 209).

As a result, the firmware storage device 5 sends the requested FW file to the image forming apparatus 1, so that the receiving unit 23 receives the FW file (step 210).
Then, the update unit 26 receives the FW file from the reception unit 23, and updates the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit 25 with the FW file (step 211).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 206 that there is no FW file, or if it is determined in step 208 that there has been no input to update, the UI control unit 24 determines that the firmware has not been updated. It is determined whether it is an update or a firmware update due to a change in an external device (step 212). This determination may be performed by acquiring information from the detection unit 20, for example. If it is determined that the firmware has been updated due to the occurrence of an abnormality, the UI control unit 24 displays an error screen indicating that an abnormality has occurred on the UI unit 12 (step 213), and ends the process. If it is determined that the firmware is updated due to a change in the external device, the process ends without displaying an error screen on the UI unit 12.

Next, the operation of the firmware management apparatus 3 when an inquiry is transmitted in step 204 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the firmware management apparatus 3 at this time.
As shown in the figure, in the firmware management apparatus 3, first, the receiving unit 41 receives an inquiry from the image forming apparatus 1 (step 401). Here, as described above, the inquiry includes abnormality information or external device information and configuration information (product ID, controller board identifier, version information). These pieces of information are passed from the reception unit 41 to the FW file information acquisition unit 43.

Then, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 first reads a table corresponding to the product ID passed from the reception unit 41 among the set version table and the version map table stored in the table storage unit 42 (step 402). Since the FW file table is not prepared for each product ID, the commonly prepared table is used below.
Next, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 compares the version information passed from the reception unit 41 with the combination of ROM versions in the set version table, and acquires the set version when they match (step 403). . For example, if the version information in FIG. 5 is sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the firmware management apparatus 3, the set version “AAAA — 080601” in the set version table in FIG. 7 is acquired.

Next, in the version map table stored in the table storage unit 42, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 has the set version acquired before step 403 in the version map table, and the abnormality information or external device information is transferred from the reception unit 41. If the information is the updated information, the updated set version is searched (step 404). Then, it is determined whether the search is successful (step 405).
As a result, when it is determined that the search is successful, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 is an updated set version obtained by the search in the FW file table stored in the table storage unit 42, and the controller When the board identifier is the controller board identifier passed from the receiving unit 41, the FW file name and FW file storage location information are searched (step 406). Then, it is determined whether the search is successful (step 407).

As a result, when it is determined that the search is successful, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 generates an inquiry response in which the FW file name and FW file storage location information obtained by the search are set (step 408).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 405 or step 407 that the search has not been successful, the FW file information acquisition unit 43 generates an inquiry response in which there is no update FW file (step 409).
Thereafter, the inquiry response generated in step 408 or step 409 is transferred to the transmission unit 44, and the transmission unit 44 transmits the inquiry response to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 410).

  Although not described above, in FIG. 10, when the firmware is updated in step 211, the firmware management apparatus 3 is notified of the updated firmware version (configuration notification) after that. Good. Specifically, the identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 and the latest version of the firmware version in the image forming apparatus 1 are transmitted to the firmware management apparatus 3, and the correspondence information is managed by the firmware management apparatus 3. Good. In this case, in step 204 of FIG. 10, an inquiry including identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the firmware management apparatus 3 instead of the version information, and in step 403 of FIG. A configuration is conceivable in which after specifying version information corresponding to the identification information of the forming apparatus 1, a set version corresponding to the version information is specified.

In the above description, the policy information stored in the storage device 11 has not been described in detail. As such policy information, for example, the following is conceivable.
First, there is policy information such that an inquiry is always made when an abnormality that cannot continue processing occurs. When such policy information is stored in the storage device 11, in step 202 of FIG. 10, reference is made to the abnormality information passed from the detection unit 20, and the abnormality information indicates an abnormality that cannot be continued. For example, it may be determined that an inquiry should be made.

  Second, policy information is such that an inquiry is made only when a paper jam or document jam occurs. When such policy information is stored in the storage device 11, in addition to the abnormality information passed from the detection unit 20 this time in step 202 of FIG. 10, the abnormality information passed from the detection unit 20 so far If the abnormal information indicates a paper jam or a document jam and the occurrence frequency exceeds a threshold value, it may be determined that an inquiry should be made.

  Third, there is policy information such that no inquiry is made when consumables run out. When such policy information is stored in the storage device 11, in step 202 of FIG. 10, the abnormality information passed from the detection unit 20 is referred to, and if the abnormality information indicates that the consumable is out, an inquiry is made. It may be determined that it should not be performed.

  Further, in the above description, the firmware management apparatus 3 transmits the FW file name and FW file storage location information to the image forming apparatus 1 in steps 408 and 410 in FIG. 11, and the image forming apparatus 1 performs steps 209 and 209 in FIG. In 210, the FW file is acquired from the firmware storage device 5 based on the FW file name and the FW file storage location information. However, the firmware management apparatus 3 stores the FW file, and transmits the FW file to the image forming apparatus 1 in steps 408 and 410 in FIG. 11. The image forming apparatus 1 performs steps 209 and 210 in FIG. In step 211, the firmware may be updated by the FW file received from the firmware management apparatus 3 without executing the process.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the controller 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a firmware update apparatus that detects the occurrence of an abnormality or a change in an external device and updates the firmware according to the detected content. . However, this firmware update device is a device that detects an occurrence of an abnormality or a change in an external device from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and updates the firmware in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the detected content. May be.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Controller, 20 ... Detection part, 21 ... Configuration information acquisition part, 22 ... Transmission part, 23 ... Reception part, 24 ... UI control part, 25 ... Firmware storage part, 26 ... Update part, 3 ... Firmware management apparatus, 41 ... Receiving section, 42 ... Table storage section, 43 ... FW file information acquisition section, 44 ... Transmission section, 5 ... Firmware storage apparatus

Claims (11)

Storage means for storing control information for controlling the image processing apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting the occurrence of a malfunction or configuration change of the image processing apparatus;
Information used for updating the control information stored in the storage unit in response to detection of the occurrence of the malfunction or change in the configuration by the detection unit, and information corresponding to the content detected by the detection unit Request means for requesting the management apparatus that manages the update information to identify certain update information;
An acquisition means for acquiring the update information specified by the management device in response to a request by the request means;
A control information update apparatus comprising: update means for updating the control information stored in the storage means using the update information acquired by the acquisition means.   The request unit requests the management device to specify the update information, which is information further corresponding to a combination of version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing device of the control information stored in the storage unit. The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The acquisition unit receives position information indicating a storage position of the update information in a storage device that stores the update information from the management device, and receives the update information from a storage position indicated by the position information in the storage device. The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update information is acquired.   The request unit requests the management device to specify the update information when a predetermined condition regarding the occurrence of the malfunction detected by the detection unit or the change of the configuration is satisfied. The control information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The request means requests the management device to specify one piece of update information,
5. The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the one update information specified by the management apparatus. The request means requests the management device to specify a plurality of update information,
5. The control information update apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires one update information selected from the plurality of update information specified by the management apparatus. Image processing means for performing image processing based on the input image data;
Control means for controlling the image processing means,
The control means includes
Storage means for storing control information for controlling the device itself;
Detection means for detecting the occurrence of a malfunction of the own device or a change in configuration;
Information used for updating the control information stored in the storage unit in response to detection of the occurrence of the malfunction or change in the configuration by the detection unit, the detection content by the detection unit, and the storage unit The management apparatus that manages the update information is requested to specify update information that is information corresponding to the combination of the version of each part corresponding to the image processing means and the control means of the control information stored in the control information. Request means;
An acquisition means for acquiring the update information specified by the management device in response to a request by the request means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an update unit configured to update the control information stored in the storage unit using the update information acquired by the acquisition unit. Receiving means for receiving, from the image processing apparatus holding control information for controlling the image processing apparatus, information indicating the occurrence of a malfunction or a configuration change of the image processing apparatus;
Information used for updating the control information held by the image processing device in response to reception of information indicating the occurrence of the malfunction or the configuration change by the receiving unit, and depending on the content received by the receiving unit Identifying means for identifying update information that is
Instruction means for instructing the image processing apparatus to acquire the update information so that the control information held by the image processing apparatus can be updated using the update information specified by the specifying means. A management device characterized by comprising.   The specifying unit specifies the update information, which is information further corresponding to a combination of version numbers for each part corresponding to the function of the image processing device of the control information held by the image processing device. The management device according to claim 8. On the computer,
A function of detecting the occurrence of a defect in the image processing apparatus or a change in configuration;
Information used for updating control information for controlling the image processing apparatus in response to detection of the occurrence of the malfunction or the change in the configuration, and update information that is information corresponding to the detection content by the function to be detected. A function for requesting identification to a management device that manages the update information;
A function of acquiring the update information specified by the management device in response to a request by the requesting function;
A program for realizing the function of updating the control information for controlling the image processing apparatus using the acquired update information. On the computer,
A function of receiving information indicating occurrence of a malfunction or configuration change of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus holding control information for controlling the image processing apparatus;
Information used for updating the control information held by the image processing apparatus in response to reception of information indicating the occurrence of the malfunction or the configuration change, and information according to the content received by the receiving function. The ability to identify certain updates,
A program for realizing a function of instructing the image processing apparatus to acquire the update information so that the control information held by the image processing apparatus can be updated using the specified update information. .

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