JP2018097421A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To update an optional program mounted in an information processing apparatus not connected to the Internet.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a first acquisition part that acquires a program and version information of the program over a first network; a second acquisition part that acquires, from another information processing apparatus connected over a second network, version information of the program installed in the other information processing apparatus; and a transmission part that transmits the program to the other information processing apparatus in accordance with a comparison between the first version information of the program acquired by the first acquisition part and the second version information acquired by the second acquisition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

  An image forming apparatus that automatically obtains the latest firmware from a server connected via a network such as the Internet and efficiently updates the firmware is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are installed, such as an office, all image forming apparatuses are not necessarily connected to a network connected to a server, for example, for security reasons. Absent. In this case, the image forming apparatus not connected to the network cannot acquire firmware. Therefore, for such an image forming apparatus, the firmware has been updated manually by a serviceman or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of program update for an information processing apparatus that is not connected to a distribution source of a program to be updated via a network.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus is connected to the first acquisition unit that acquires the program and the version information of the program via the first network, and the second network. A second acquisition unit that acquires version information of the program installed in the other information processing device, and first version information of the program acquired by the first acquisition unit; A transmission unit that transmits the program to the other information processing apparatus in accordance with the comparison with the second version information acquired by the second acquisition unit.

  It is possible to improve the efficiency of program update for an information processing apparatus that is not connected to a distribution source of a program to be updated via a network.

It is a figure which shows the example of an information processing system structure in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the main | base station 10a in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the subunit | mobile_unit 10 in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence performed in the information processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the option information of the subunit | mobile_unit 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the subunit | mobile_unit option information storage part. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of firmware data downloaded from a server 40. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by a firmware update unit 123.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10a (hereinafter referred to as “master unit 10a”), image forming apparatuses 10b and 10c (hereinafter each referred to as “slave unit 10”), and a server 40. Including. The parent device 10 a and the child device 10 are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 20. The LAN may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. In FIG. 1, only the parent device 10 a is connected to the server 40 via the Internet 30. That is, the handset 10 cannot communicate with the server 40 directly.

  The image forming apparatuses 10a, 10b, and 10c (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus 10” when not distinguished from each other) are, for example, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral). Firmware corresponding to each hardware configuration is installed in each image forming apparatus 10. The hardware configuration is, for example, an optional configuration that is installed. In the image forming apparatus 10 to which the same option is attached, common firmware is installed for the option. The option refers to hardware that can be additionally attached to the image forming apparatus 10, for example. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the configuration of options installed in each image forming apparatus 10 is different. Note that hardware installed from the time of shipment may be included as an option.

  The server 40 is one or more computers that store firmware of the image forming apparatus 10.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example (a hardware configuration example common to 10a, 10b, and 10c) of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, an option interface 16, a network interface 17, and an SD card slot 18.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 114, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 115 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The option interface 16 is hardware for connecting options such as an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or a finisher. The option refers to hardware that can be additionally attached to the image forming apparatus 10. The option may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or may be connected to the SD card slot 18. The network interface 17 is hardware for communicating via a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 18 is used for reading a program stored in the SD card 19. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program stored in the ROM 113 but also the program stored in the SD card 19 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed. Note that the SD card 19 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 19 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 18 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the parent device 10a according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 includes a firmware acquisition unit 121, a network control unit 122, a firmware update unit 123, an option communication unit 125, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the parent device 10a cause the CPU 111 of the parent device 10a to execute. Further, the parent device 10a includes a child device option information storage unit 124 and the like. The slave unit option information storage unit 124 can be realized by using the RAM 112, the ROM 113, the HDD 114, and the like of the master unit 10a.

  The firmware acquisition unit 121 acquires firmware from the server 40 by communicating with the server 40 via the Internet 30.

  The network control unit 122 communicates with each child device 10 via the LAN 20.

  The firmware update unit 123 controls the update of the firmware of the parent device 10a and each child device 10.

  The slave unit option information storage unit 124 stores information indicating the hardware configuration of each slave unit 10 and information indicating the firmware installed in each slave unit 10. Specifically, the slave unit option information storage unit 124 stores information related to options installed in each slave unit 10 (for example, the type of installed option and the version of firmware installed corresponding to each option. Etc.). Note that the IP address and the like of each slave unit 10 may be stored in the slave unit option information storage unit 124.

  The option communication unit 125 communicates with options installed in the parent device 10a. For example, the option communication unit 125 acquires the type of each option, the version of the firmware installed for each option, and the like by the communication.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the slave unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The handset 10 shown in FIG. 4 has a handset option information transmission unit 131, a network control unit 132, a firmware update unit 133, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the child device 10 cause the CPU 111 of the child device 10 to execute. Moreover, the subunit | mobile_unit 10 has the main | base station information storage part 134 grade | etc.,. The parent device information storage unit 134 can be realized using the RAM 112, the ROM 113, the HDD 114, and the like of the child device 10.

  The slave unit option information transmission unit 131 communicates with the option attached to the slave unit 10. For example, the type of installed option and the version of firmware installed in the option are acquired. Further, the slave unit option information transmission unit 131 transmits information regarding the firmware installed and installed in the slave unit option information to the master unit 10a.

  The network control unit 132 communicates with the parent device 10a via the LAN 20.

  The firmware update unit 133 controls the firmware update of the slave unit 10.

  The parent device information storage unit 134 stores identification information (such as an IP address) of the parent device 10a.

  Hereinafter, an example of a processing procedure executed in the information processing system will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of this invention.

  In step S101, the slave unit option information transmission unit 131 of the slave unit 10b checks whether or not a change has occurred in the option attached to the slave unit 10b. If a change has occurred, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In subsequent step S102, the slave unit option information transmission unit 131 transmits an option update notification to the base unit 10a via the network control unit 132 (S103). The option update notification includes the name of the slave unit 10b (hereinafter referred to as “device name”) and information related to the option attached to the slave unit 10b. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as “option information”. The option information may be acquired by the slave unit option information transmission unit 131 communicating with the option. Information relating to options installed in the parent device 10a is also referred to as “option information”.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of option information of the slave unit 10. As shown in the table T1, the option information includes an option type and an option version for each option installed in the slave unit 10. Option types ADF01 and Finisher1 indicate option types. The option version indicates the version of firmware installed for the option.

  The parent device information storage unit 134 stores in advance an IP address and the like for communicating with the parent device 10a. The IP address or the like may be input by the user using the operation panel 15 of the child device 10 or a terminal connected to the child device 10 via the LAN 20 or the Internet 30. The network control unit 132 transmits an option update notification to the network control unit 122 of the parent device 10a using the IP address or the like.

  Subsequently, the network control unit 122 of the parent device 10a stores the information included in the option change notification in the child device option information storage unit 124 (S104).

  In steps S105 to S108, the same steps as steps S101 to S104 are executed for the slave unit 10c. Steps S105 to S108 and steps S101 to S104 may be executed in parallel or serially.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the slave unit option information storage unit 124. As shown in FIG. 7, option information transmitted from each child device 10 is stored in the child device option information storage unit 124 in association with the device name of each child device 10. According to FIG. 7, the option information of the child device 10b is ADF01 (1.02 (indicating option version, the same applies hereinafter)) and Finisher1 (1.03). The option information of the child device 10c is ADF02 (1.01) and Finisher1 (1.02). The option information of the slave units is stored in the slave unit option information storage unit 124 after steps S101 to S108 are executed.

  At a certain timing thereafter, when the firmware acquisition unit 121 receives a firmware update request from the server 40 via the Internet 30 or the like, the firmware acquisition unit 121 notifies the firmware update unit 123 of the update request (S109). For example, when a certain firmware is upgraded, the server 40 transmits an update request for the firmware to the parent device 10a.

  In step S110, the firmware update unit 123 requests the firmware acquisition unit 121 to acquire firmware. In response to the request, the firmware acquisition unit 121 acquires data including firmware (hereinafter referred to as “firm data”) from the server 40 (S111). The firmware data is, for example, an archive file that includes firmware to be updated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of firmware data downloaded from the server 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the firm data includes a header part and a data part. The header part includes version information and a path to firmware corresponding to each option included in the firmware data. The version information includes the overall version, and the option type and option version of each firmware included in the firmware data. FIG. 8 shows an example in which option types and option versions of firmware corresponding to the respective options of ADF01, ADF02, and Finisher1 are included. The overall version is one version for all firmware corresponding to each option. The data part includes firmware. FIG. 8 shows an example in which firmware corresponding to the options of ADF01, ADF02, and Finisher1 is included. The path to the firmware corresponding to each option is information for accessing each firmware included in the data part.

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 updates the parent device 10a for each firmware included in the firmware data (S112). The firmware update unit 123 obtains an update result including the success or failure of updating the firmware corresponding to each option.

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 acquires option information of the slave unit 10b from the slave unit option information storage unit 124 (S113).

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 compares the option information of the slave unit 10b with the version information of the header portion of the firmware data, and is firmware related to the option type included in the version information of the header portion, Firmware related to an option version older than the option version included in the version information of the header part is transmitted to the slave unit 10b via the network control unit 122 (S114, S115). For example, when the version information of the header part is as shown in FIG. 8 and the option information of the slave unit 10b is as shown in FIG. 7, the option version corresponding to ADF01 is older in the slave unit 10b. . Therefore, firmware corresponding to ADF01 is transmitted to the slave unit 10b.

  Subsequently, the network control unit 132 of the child device 10b transmits the firmware to the firmware update unit 133 of the child device 10b (S116). The firmware update unit 133 updates the slave device 10b for the firmware (S117).

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 133 notifies the update result of the firmware to the parent device 10a via the network control unit 132 (S118, S119). The update result may include information indicating success or failure of the firmware update and option information of the updated firmware. The network control unit 122 notifies the firmware update unit 123 of the update result (S120). The firmware update unit 123 updates the option information of the slave unit 10b stored in the slave unit option information storage unit 124 (S121). For example, the option version of the updated firmware in the option information is updated.

  In steps S122 to S130, the same processing procedure as that in steps S113 to S121 is executed for the child device 10c. For example, if the version information of the header portion of the firmware data is as shown in FIG. 8 and the option information of the slave unit 10c is as shown in FIG. 7, the option version corresponding to ADF02 and Finisher1 is the slave unit 10c. Is older. Therefore, firmware corresponding to ADF02 and Finisher1 is transmitted from the firmware update unit 123 to the slave unit 10c.

  In step S131, the firmware update unit 123 notifies the firmware acquisition unit 121 of the firmware update result of the parent device 10a in step S112 and the firmware update results of each slave device 10 received in steps S120 and S129. . Based on the notification, the firmware acquisition unit 121 notifies the server 40 of information indicating that the firmware update has been completed (S132).

  Next, details of processing executed by the firmware update unit 123 of the parent device 10a will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the firmware update unit 123.

  The processing procedure of FIG. 9 is started by receiving an optional firmware update request from the server 40.

  In response to the update request, the firmware update unit 123 acquires optional firmware (firmware data) from the server 40 (S201).

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 updates the optional firmware of the parent device 10a based on the firmware data (S202).

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 determines whether or not all the slave units 10 have been updated (S203). If it has been completed (YES in S203), the process proceeds to step S211, and if it has not been completed (NO in S203), one of the slave units 10 that has not been updated (hereinafter referred to as “target child”). The process proceeds to step S204. Here, the determination is performed for each slave unit 10. That is, in the case of the system configuration example shown in FIG. 1, determination is made for each of the slave units 10b and 10c.

  In step S <b> 204, the firmware update unit 123 acquires option information of the target slave unit 10 from the target slave unit 10.

  Subsequently, the firmware update unit 123 compares the option information acquired from the target slave unit 10 with the version information in the header portion of the firmware data, and the option type that matches the option type included in the version information is found. It is determined whether it is included in the option information (S205). If a matching option type is included (YES in S205), the process proceeds to step S206. The determination in step S205 is made for each option type included in the option information acquired from the target child device 10. If the matching option type is not included (NO in S205), the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S206, the firmware update unit 123 determines whether the option version included in the option information from the target child device 10 is older than the version included in the version information in the header portion of the firmware data for the matching option type. Judge whether or not. That is, for the option type, it is determined whether the firmware version of the slave unit 10 is older than the version acquired from the server 40.

  If the option version of the firmware of the target child device 10 is older (YES in S206), the process proceeds to step S208. The determination in step S206 is made for all option types that match in step S205.

  On the other hand, for any of the matching option types, if the option version included in the option information from the target slave unit 10 is not older than the version included in the version information in the header portion of the firmware data (NO in S206) ), Go to step S203.

  The determination in step S206 is not based on whether or not the option version of the slave unit 10 is older than the acquired firmware version, but whether or not the option version of the slave unit 10 is different from the acquired firmware version. May be. That is, if the option version of the child device 10 is different from the acquired firmware version, YES is determined in step S206, and if it is the same, NO is determined in step S206.

  In step S207, the firmware update unit 123 transmits the firmware that is determined to be older in the option version of the target slave unit 10 to the target slave unit 10 (S207). At this time, a plurality of firmware may be transmitted.

  Next, the firmware update unit 123 waits until a firmware update result is received from the target child device 10 (NO in S208, S209).

  When the firmware update result is received (YES in S208), the firmware update unit 123 updates the option information of the target slave unit 10 stored in the slave unit option information storage unit 124 (S210). When the update of the option information is completed, the update of the target slave unit 10 ends, and the process proceeds to step S203.

  When the update process is completed for all the slave units 10 (YES in S203), the firmware update unit 123 notifies the server 40 of an optional firmware update result via the firmware acquisition unit 121 (S210). The update result may include update results of the parent device 10a and all the child devices 10.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the firmware acquired from the server 40 can be applied to the child device 10, the parent device 10 a transmits the firmware to the child device 10. Therefore, the subunit | mobile_unit 10 can update the said firmware. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of updating the program (firmware) for the information processing apparatus (child device 10) that is not connected to the distribution source (server 40) of the program to be updated via the network.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing apparatus. However, the above-described embodiments may be applied to information processing apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the present embodiment may be applied to firmware updates for projectors, electronic blackboards, video conference systems, and the like.

  Also, the present embodiment may be applied to firmware corresponding to firmware other than options.

  The present embodiment may be applied to programs other than firmware. For example, the embodiments described above may be applied to application programs installed in the information processing apparatus.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10a is an example of an information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus 10b and the image forming apparatus 10c are examples of other information processing apparatuses. The firmware acquisition unit 121 is an example of a first acquisition unit. The network control unit 122 is an example of a second acquisition unit and a transmission unit. The option type is an example of information indicating hardware. The option information is an example of hardware configuration information of the information processing apparatus. The Internet 30 is an example of a first network. The LAN 20 is an example of a second network. The version information of the firmware data acquired from the server 40 is an example of first version information. The option information acquired from the child device 10 is an example of second version information.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Option interface 17 Network interface 18 SD card slot 19 SD card 20 LAN
30 Internet 40 Server 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121 firmware acquisition unit 122 network control unit 123 firmware update unit 124 slave unit option information storage unit 125 option communication unit 131 slave unit option information transmission unit 132 network control unit 133 firmware update unit 134 master unit information storage unit

Japanese Patent No. 4265731

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus,
A first acquisition unit that acquires a program and version information of the program via a first network;
A second acquisition unit for acquiring version information of the program installed in the other information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus connected via the second network;
According to the comparison between the first version information of the program acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second version information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the program is transferred to the other information processing apparatus. A transmission unit to transmit to,
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the program to the other information processing apparatus when the first version information is different from the second version information. The first acquisition unit acquires information indicating hardware corresponding to the program via the first network,
The second acquisition unit acquires hardware configuration information of the other information processing apparatus and version information of a program installed in the other information processing apparatus for the hardware,
When the configuration information acquired by the second acquisition unit indicates that the other information processing apparatus has hardware corresponding to the program acquired by the first acquisition unit, the transmission unit, In response to the comparison between the first version information and the second version information, the program is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. An information processing system including a plurality of information processing devices,
A first acquisition unit that acquires a program and version information of the program via a first network;
A second acquisition unit for acquiring version information of the program installed in the other information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus connected via the second network;
According to the comparison between the first version information of the program acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second version information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the program is transferred to the other information processing apparatus. A transmission unit to transmit to,
An information processing system comprising: Information processing device
A first acquisition procedure for acquiring a program and version information of the program via a first network;
A second acquisition procedure for acquiring the version information of the program installed in the other information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus connected via the second network;
Depending on the comparison between the first version information of the program acquired by the first acquisition procedure and the second version information acquired by the second acquisition procedure, the program is transferred to the other information processing apparatus. Sending procedure to send to
The information processing method characterized by performing.

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