JP4430931B2 - Image forming apparatus and firmware update method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a digital image multifunction peripheral equipped with a plurality of firmware, and a method for updating the firmware.

  Conventionally, when updating the firmware (control program) of an image forming apparatus, the firmware is acquired from the supplier, the firmware rewriting operation is executed, and the apparatus is automatically rebooted (rebooted) after the rewriting operation is completed. A technique is known in which an apparatus operation is performed with updated firmware.

For example, in an image forming apparatus that has a rewritable storage unit that stores firmware and can rewrite the firmware written in the storage unit with the update firmware received from the host computer of the supply source. And determining means for determining whether or not the apparatus is in operation when a firmware rewrite instruction is received from the storage device, and storing means for temporarily storing firmware for update, and the determining means determines that the apparatus is in operation. In some cases, there is an image forming apparatus in which update firmware is temporarily stored in a storage unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-72197 A

  However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, each time firmware that needs to be updated is rewritten, each time the firmware is rebooted, the rewritten firmware becomes effective. It was necessary to be. Accordingly, when a plurality of firmware needs to be updated, the rewrite operation and the reboot operation are repeated as many times as the number of firmware to be updated, which causes a problem that the operation efficiency is poor.

  The present invention has been made based on such knowledge, and an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently performing update processing by eliminating unnecessary reboot operations when updating a plurality of firmware and firmware thereof The purpose is to provide an update method.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an interface unit (9) capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus that is a supplier of update firmware. 1) a storage unit (2) in which a plurality of firmware is stored, and a control unit (10) that sequentially stores firmware for update transferred from the information processing apparatus in the storage unit and performs a firmware update process. And when the plurality of update firmware is transferred from the information processing apparatus, the control means transfers the update firmware transmitted from the information processing apparatus after all the storage of the update firmware in the storage means is completed. Is configured to execute a reboot operation for validating the update process upon receipt of an end file notifying that all have been completed .

  According to this, even when a plurality of firmware is updated, it is not necessary to repeat the rewriting operation and the rebooting operation, and an image forming apparatus with simple and efficient control related to firmware update processing can be realized.

Furthermore, a method of updating firmware according to the present invention, as shown in claim 2, a method to obtain a plurality of firmware for update from the information processing apparatus serving as a supply source to update the firmware of the image forming apparatus, the image forming A process of setting the apparatus in a standby state for receiving update firmware and designating a plurality of update firmware to be transferred from the information processing apparatus; a process of sequentially receiving the plurality of update firmware designated therein from the information processing apparatus; And a process of performing a reboot operation for validating the firmware update process when an end file is received from the information processing apparatus to notify that the transfer of all update firmware has been completed. .

  According to this, even when a plurality of firmware is updated, it is not necessary to repeat the rewriting operation and the reboot operation, and it is possible to realize firmware updating with simple and efficient control related to the firmware update processing.

  According to the present invention, even when a plurality of firmware is updated, it is not necessary to repeat the rewriting operation and the reboot operation, and the image forming apparatus that is simple and efficient in controlling the firmware update process and the firmware update can be performed. A method can be realized.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This image forming apparatus 1 includes a program memory (storage means) 2, a working memory 3, a registration information memory 4, a data read only memory 5, a modem 6, a LAN controller 7, a hard disk 8, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller. (Interface means) 9 and a central processing unit (control means) 10.

  The program memory 2 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash ROM), and stores a plurality of firmware for each control module. The working memory 3 is composed of a volatile memory (for example, DRAM), has an area where the firmware stored in the program memory 2 is expanded, and the updating firmware is temporarily stored when the firmware is updated. Have an area to store automatically. The registration information memory 4 is a non-volatile memory, and stores various registration information including firmware identifiers, firmware update dates and times. The data read-only memory 5 is a mask ROM in which a program such as firmware has been written in advance, and functions as a spare memory in the case where a firmware writing trouble of the program memory 2 occurs. Further, the hard disk 8 can store various data such as image data and various programs handled by the image forming apparatus 1.

  The modem 6 converts a digital signal and an analog signal to each other, and enables communication with other devices via a public communication switching network. The LAN controller 7 controls network connection to the LAN.

  The USB controller 9 controls communication by USB connection with a PC (information processing apparatus) 21 that is a supplier of update firmware. The PC 21 stores a database management system and manages a plurality of update firmware for the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the connection between the image forming apparatus 1 and the PC 21 is not necessarily limited to the USB connection described above, and communication for transferring update firmware data from the PC 21 to the image forming apparatus 1 is possible. I just need it. For example, a connection via a public communication exchange network via a modem, or a connection via a LAN and the Internet via a LAN controller is also possible.

  The central processing unit 10 comprehensively controls the operations of the units 2-9 of the image forming apparatus 1. When updating the firmware, the central processing unit 10 sequentially stores the update firmware transferred from the PC 21 in the program memory 2 and performs the firmware update process.

  Although a specific configuration is omitted here, the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized as a multifunction machine having functions such as a facsimile, a copier, a scanner, and a printer.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of update firmware for the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Here, assuming that the image forming apparatus 1 has a printer function, update firmware for the printer will be described. As shown in the figure, as the update firmware for the printer, for example, three types of identifier 1, identifiers 2-1 to 2-3, and identifiers 3-1 to 3-3 are prepared and stored in the PC 21. . Here, the identifier 1 is standard printer firmware, the identifiers 2-1 to 2-3 are a set of printer firmware supporting PCL (Printer Command Language), and identifiers 3-1 to 3- A printer firmware set 3 supports both PS (Post Script) and PCL.

  The update firmware is identified by the identifier and the file name as described above, and appropriate firmware is designated at the time of transfer to the image forming apparatus 1. Accordingly, when updating the printer firmware, one of the three types of update firmware is designated. These update firmware is normally created as a binary file, but in some cases, it is stored in the PC 21 as a compressed file, and can be decompressed and used after being transferred to the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of a communication procedure executed when firmware is updated between the image forming apparatus and the PC shown in FIG. In this example, when the firmware (F / W) of the image forming apparatus 1 needs to be updated, a firmware update command is sent from the PC 21 to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Therefore, when the PC 21 confirms that the image forming apparatus 1 is set in the reception waiting state, the PC 21 designates appropriate update firmware (in this case, update firmware # 1 and update firmware # 2). The update firmware # 1 is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1. When the reception of the update firmware # 1 is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 executes a boot process (transfers from a predetermined area of the working memory 3 to the program memory 2 and stores it), and again enters a reception waiting state.

  Subsequently, the PC 21 transfers the update firmware # 2 to the image forming apparatus 1. When the reception of the update firmware # 2 is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the boot process and again enters the reception waiting state.

  When the transfer of all the update firmware is completed, the PC 21 transfers an end file for notifying the image forming apparatus 1 that the transfer of all the firmware has been completed. As this end file, for example, a text file in which a character string of “FINISH” is described can be used, and the image forming apparatus 1 converts the description of the received text file into an ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) code. Based on the identification, it is possible to recognize that all of the firmware transfer has been completed. Alternatively, a control program describing a predetermined process to be executed can be used as the end file.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the end file, the central processing unit 10 automatically executes a reboot operation, and the update firmware is expanded in a predetermined area of the work memory 3, whereby the new firmware becomes valid and the firmware The update process is completed.

  The series of operations described above is started by a firmware update instruction from the PC 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is updated at the same time that the update firmware reception standby state is set. It is also possible to check whether or not firmware for firmware is stored in the PC 21 as a supplier, and a series of operations can be started when update firmware exists.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed on the PC side when updating the firmware. When the firmware update process is started, first, appropriate firmware (in this case, plural) is designated from the stored update firmware (F / W) (ST101). Therefore, it is confirmed that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a reception waiting state (ST102), and an instruction to transfer each update firmware is issued to the spooler of the PC 21 (ST103). When the transfer of one firmware is completed according to the transfer instruction (ST104), it is determined whether or not the transfer of all the update firmware specified previously is completed (ST105), and the transfer of all the firmware is completed. The above ST102 to ST104 are repeatedly executed. Finally, when all the update firmware has been transferred, the processing operation of the PC 21 is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed on the image forming apparatus side when the firmware is updated. When the firmware update process is started, first, the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a reception wait state for update firmware (ST201). Therefore, it is determined whether or not reception of one update firmware from the PC 21 is completed (ST202), and when the reception is completed, the reception waiting state is canceled (ST203). Therefore, when the end file is not received (ST204), the received update firmware is transferred to the program memory 2, the write operation is executed (ST205), and the process returns to the reception waiting state (ST201).

  On the other hand, if reception of the update firmware has not been completed in ST202, it is determined whether a reception error or timeout has occurred (ST206). Here, the reception error occurs due to the inability to communicate with the PC 21 as the supplier, and the timeout occurs when the state where the reception of the update firmware is not completed continues beyond a preset reference time. If it is determined in ST206 that a reception error or timeout has occurred, an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 1 (ST207), and the processing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 ends abnormally. .

  In ST204, when the end file is finally received, the apparatus is automatically rebooted to complete the firmware update process (ST208), and the processing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 ends normally.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on examples, these examples are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the examples. It goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or changes without departing from the technical idea of the present invention defined by the claims.

  For example, the information processing apparatus that is the supplier of the update firmware is not limited to the PC shown in the embodiment, and has a predetermined database function for storing the update firmware as described above, and the present invention. Various configurations are possible as long as they have a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the image forming apparatus. The update firmware may correspond not only to the components that actually configure the image forming apparatus, but also to the components that can be added later as options.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus and the firmware update method thereof according to the present invention can efficiently perform update processing by eliminating unnecessary reboot operations even when updating a plurality of firmware. It is useful as an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a digital image multifunction peripheral equipped with the above firmware and a method for updating the firmware.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an example of update firmware for the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of a communication procedure executed when firmware is updated between the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a PC. Flow chart showing processing operations executed on PC side when updating firmware Flow chart showing processing operations executed on the image forming apparatus side when updating firmware

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Program memory (memory | storage means)
3 working memory 4 registration information memory 5 data read only memory 6 modem 7 LAN controller 8 hard disk 9 USB controller (interface means)
10 Central processing unit (control means)
21 PC (information processing equipment)

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus having an interface means capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus that is a supplier of update firmware, the storage means storing a plurality of firmware, and the update firmware transferred from the information processing apparatus Control means for sequentially storing firmware in the storage means and performing firmware update processing, and when the plurality of update firmware is transferred from the information processing apparatus, the control means sends the update firmware to the storage means After the storage of all of the files is completed, a reboot operation for validating the update process is executed by receiving an end file notifying that all transfer of update firmware transmitted from the information processing apparatus has ended. An image forming apparatus. A method for updating a firmware of an image forming apparatus by acquiring a plurality of update firmware from an information processing apparatus as a supply source, wherein the image forming apparatus is set in a reception waiting state for the update firmware and the information processing apparatus The process of designating a plurality of update firmware to be transferred, the process of sequentially receiving a plurality of update firmware designated there from the information processing apparatus, and the transfer of the update firmware from the information processing apparatus are all completed A firmware update method comprising: a step of executing a reboot operation for validating the firmware update process when an end file for notifying that the update has been received is received .

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