JP4973669B2 - Device management program, device management system, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a device management program for causing an information processing apparatus connected so as to be communicable with a plurality of devices that execute predetermined processing to execute processing for updating firmware mounted on the plurality of devices, The present invention relates to a device management system including a plurality of devices and an information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique used when updating the firmware of a device.

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the PC (information processing apparatus) is higher in the latest firmware version provided from the website of the printer manufacturer and the firmware version already installed in the printer (device). Check if it is the version. If the latest firmware is a higher version, the printer firmware is updated to a higher version.

JP 2004-110396 A

  While the device is updating firmware, the device cannot perform normal operations (such as print processing for a printer). In the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that firmware update of all devices on the network may be executed at the same time. There was a problem that the device had to wait until the firmware update was completed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device management program, a device management system, and an information processing apparatus that can reduce restrictions on device usage accompanying firmware update. It is.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to firmware mounted on a plurality of devices for an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a plurality of devices that execute predetermined processing. Is a device management program for executing a process for updating the device, the information processing apparatus, device information indicating whether the device is in a state in which the predetermined process can be executed, and a plurality of devices. Device information acquisition means acquired from the above, and a preset minimum from among operable devices that are devices capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on the device information acquired from the device information acquisition means The number of operations of the device is set as update pending, and the devices of the device other than the device set as update pending are excluded. And update execution means for starting the ware updates, the device of the executable state the predetermined processing so as to maintain only the minimum operating several minutes, the device was initiated to update the firmware by the update execution means Of these devices, a device for functioning as a hold release unit that starts updating the firmware of the device that has been set as the update hold, as many as the number of the devices that have completed the firmware update and can execute the predetermined processing. It is a management program.

  If the information processing apparatus functions as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus updates the firmware of the device connected to the information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as firmware update). Is simply referred to as “update”.) Among the devices that can execute the predetermined processing, the update is suspended for the device with the minimum number of operations, and the update is started for the other devices. Then, the update of the devices for which update has been suspended is started for the number of devices that have been updated and are capable of executing predetermined processing.

  Therefore, when updating the firmware of a plurality of devices, it is possible to maintain a device having the minimum number of operations or more in a state where a predetermined process can be executed, so that there is no device that can execute the predetermined process by starting the device update. It is not necessary to wait until the situation is finished and the device update is completed, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on device usage accompanying the firmware update.

  In addition, for devices that are not held for update, the update can be started without waiting for the end of the update of the other devices. Therefore, all devices must be updated earlier than when updating devices one by one. Can be completed.

  The device management program according to claim 2 is the device management program according to claim 1, wherein the update execution unit sequentially selects the devices from the plurality of devices, and excludes the selected devices. If the number of operable devices that are not being updated among the plurality of devices is equal to or greater than the minimum number of operations, the selected device is set as a device for updating firmware, When the number of operable devices that are not being updated is less than the minimum number of operations, the selected device is configured to be set as a pending update.

  If the information processing apparatus functions as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus can sequentially select a plurality of devices and execute a predetermined process other than the selected device. If the number of devices falls below the minimum number of operations, set that device to update pending. Therefore, it is possible to reliably maintain devices having the minimum number of operations or more in a state in which processing can be performed.

  The “firmware update in progress” devices include devices that are set to update and have not yet started updating, in addition to devices that are actually updating. Therefore, “the operable device that is not updating the firmware” means an operable device that is not yet set to update, update pending, an operable device that is set as update pending, and an update. Refers to an operable device that has been terminated.

  A device management program according to a third aspect of the invention is the device management program according to the second aspect, wherein the information processing apparatus further functions as priority order setting means for setting a priority order of firmware update of the plurality of devices. The update execution means is a means for setting the selected device as a device for updating firmware according to the priority set by the priority setting means, or for setting update hold, and releasing the hold According to a priority set by the priority setting means, the means starts updating the firmware of the device set as the update pending.

  If the information processing apparatus is caused to function as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus performs update from the device having the higher priority order. Therefore, the update can be performed from the device desired by the user.

  Note that the priority order of each device is arbitrary, and the priority order of the device that is desired to be updated as soon as possible may be set higher, and in order to check whether there is a malfunction due to the update, the malfunction is determined. The priority order of devices that are not desired to be generated (for example, frequently used) may be set lower.

  The device management program according to claim 4 is the device management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hold releasing unit is configured to update the device whose firmware has been updated by the update execution unit. Of the firmware of the device that has been set as the update pending, the number of the devices that have been successfully updated and confirmed that the device has successfully executed the predetermined processing after the firmware update. It is characterized by being means for starting the update.

  If the information processing apparatus is caused to function as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, when the update of a certain device is completed, the information processing apparatus has successfully completed the update, and the device Start updating the next device on condition that the device operates normally.

  Therefore, even though the device that has finished updating is no longer in an operable state, the updating of the device that has been suspended is started, so that the number of devices that can be operated falls below the minimum number of operations. This can be suppressed.

  The device management program according to claim 5 is the device management program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information processing apparatus is further updated with firmware by the update execution unit or the hold release unit. If the update of the firmware of the device that has started is not completed normally, or if the device that has been updated is not operating normally, the update of the firmware of the device that has not been updated It is made to function as an interruption means to interrupt.

  If the information processing apparatus is caused to function as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus will not complete the update normally or the updated device will not operate normally. Interrupt the firmware update.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of devices that cannot be operated due to the continued update of other devices despite the occurrence of devices that do not operate normally after the update.

  Note that the state in which the device does not operate normally includes a state in which the same operation as before the update cannot be performed, and includes not only a state in which a predetermined process cannot be performed but also a state in which other operations are abnormal. Further, when there is an operation that can be newly executed by the update, a state in which the operation cannot be normally executed is included.

  A device management program according to a sixth aspect is the device management program according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the information processing apparatus is further transmitted to any of the plurality of devices. An operation requesting unit that requests execution of the process; a determination unit that determines whether firmware is being updated for each of the plurality of devices; and a device that has received the request by the operation requesting unit When it is determined that the update is being performed by the determination unit, the request destination of the request is made to function as a request destination setting unit that sets the device that has not been determined to be updated.

  If the information processing apparatus is caused to function as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus sends a request for a predetermined process performed to the device being updated to another update process. To non-devices.

  Therefore, even if the requested device is being updated, there is no need to wait until the update is completed, and a predetermined process can be quickly executed.

  The device management program according to claim 7 is the device management program according to claim 6, wherein the request destination setting unit is configured to determine the determination unit according to a user input operation or according to a preset priority order. According to the present invention, the request is made to the device that is not determined to be updated.

  If the information processing apparatus is caused to function as each of the above means by the device management program configured as described above, the information processing apparatus determines a predetermined priority for a device having a higher priority set among devices that are not being updated. Request processing. Therefore, a predetermined process can be executed on a device having a higher priority order that the user wants to execute the process.

The device management system according to claim 8 is a device management system including an information processing apparatus and a plurality of devices that are communicably connected to the information processing apparatus and execute predetermined processing. The information processing apparatus acquires device information indicating whether or not the device is in a state in which the predetermined process can be performed from each of the plurality of devices, and acquired from the device information acquisition unit Among the operable devices that are devices capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on device information, the device with the minimum number of operations set in advance is set as update pending, and the update pending is set. and update execution means for starting the updating of the firmware of the device except for the device that is Zhou capable of executing predetermined processing Said device so as to maintain only the minimum operating few minutes, the update execution means among the devices start the firmware update, the firmware update is completed, and capable of performing predetermined processing said It is characterized in that it includes hold release means for starting update of firmware of the device set as the update hold for the number of devices.

  According to the device management system configured as described above, the information processing apparatus exhibits the operations and effects as described for the device management program according to claim 1.

  Therefore, when updating the firmware of a plurality of devices, it is possible to maintain a device having the minimum number of operations or more in a state where a predetermined process can be executed, so that there is no device that can execute the predetermined process by starting the device update. It is not necessary to wait until the situation is finished and the device update is completed, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on device usage accompanying the firmware update.

  In addition, for devices that are not held for update, the update can be started without waiting for the end of the update of the other devices. Therefore, all devices must be updated earlier than when updating devices one by one. Can be completed.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 is an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a plurality of devices that execute predetermined processing, and that executes processing for updating firmware installed in the plurality of devices. Device information indicating whether or not the device is in a state where the predetermined processing can be executed, and device information acquisition means for acquiring from each of the plurality of devices, and device information acquired from the device information acquisition means. Among the operable devices that are devices that are capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on, the device with the minimum number of operations set in advance is set as update pending, and the update pending is set as the device and update execution means for starting the updating of the firmware of the device excluding the device, the device executable state the predetermined processing A scan so as to maintain only the minimum operating few minutes, the update execution means among the devices start the firmware update, the firmware update is completed, and the device capable of executing the predetermined processing There is a hold release means for starting update of firmware of the device set as the update hold as many as the number.

  According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, the operations and effects as described for the device management program according to the first aspect are exhibited.

  Therefore, when updating the firmware of a plurality of devices, it is possible to maintain a device having the minimum number of operations or more in a state where a predetermined process can be executed, so that there is no device that can execute the predetermined process by starting the device update. It is not necessary to wait until the situation is finished and the device update is completed, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on device usage accompanying the firmware update.

  In addition, for devices that are not held for update, the update can be started without waiting for the end of the update of the other devices. Therefore, all devices must be updated earlier than when updating devices one by one. Can be completed.

Block diagram showing schematic configuration of device management system Diagram showing the data structure of status information Flow chart showing the procedure for firmware update processing Flow chart showing the procedure of request destination setting process The flowchart which shows the procedure of the firmware update process in a modification

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the device management system. In this embodiment, the device management system includes a personal computer 1 (corresponding to an information processing apparatus in the present invention; hereinafter referred to as PC1), printers 2A to 2E (corresponding to devices in the present invention), and the like.

  The PC 1 and the printers 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> E can communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  Among these, the PC 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a network interface 15, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and software such as an OS (Operating System) and an application. The control unit 11 performs overall control of each unit configuring the PC 1 and performs firmware update processing and requests described later. Various processes centering on the destination setting process are executed.

  The ROM stores status information for each printer. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the status information includes a printer name, an update priority, a print status, an update status, an update print priority, and a data group including the above five items as a set. The same number of sets as 2A to 2E are included.

  Of the data group described above, the item “update priority” stores the priority of updating the firmware of the printers 2A to 2E (hereinafter, firmware update may be simply referred to as “update”). In the firmware update process described later, the higher priority printer is updated first.

  The item “printing status” stores either “normal” or “abnormal” as information indicating whether each printer is normal. This “printing status” is information that is determined by toner out, paper out, and other abnormalities, and is information that does not consider the effects of updating. Therefore, even if the printer is “normal”, the firmware is being updated. If there is, the printing process cannot be executed. On the other hand, even if the printer is “abnormal”, the firmware can be updated.

  The item “update state” stores any of “before update setting”, “during update”, “pending update”, and “end of update” as information indicating the update state of the firmware.

  The item “print priority at update” stores the priority of printers that execute print processing instead when the printer to which the print request is sent is being updated.

  Of the status information, items of “print status” and “update status” are updated in a timely manner in firmware update processing described later. The items “update priority” and “print priority at update” are updated when there is an input operation from the user using the input unit 13.

  The storage unit 12 is configured by a larger-capacity hard disk device or a non-volatile memory provided separately from the RAM provided in the control unit 11, and when relatively large size data or power supply is interrupted It is also used to store data that you do not want to be lost. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores information on firmware currently installed in the printers 2A to 2E and firmware for update acquired from media such as servers and CDs.

  The input unit 13 includes various input devices (not shown) such as a mouse and a keyboard for inputting commands by an external operation from a user, and inputs operation information input through the various input devices to the control unit 11. To do.

  The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays information such as a message and an image for the user based on a command from the control unit 11.

  The network interface 15 controls communication with the printers 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> E performed via the LAN 5.

  The printer 2A described above includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a network interface 25, a printing unit 26, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and software such as an OS (Operating System) and an application, and comprehensively controls each unit constituting the printer 2A. When the printer 2A is operating normally (whether it is out of toner, out of paper, or other abnormality), and when there is a request from the PC 1 to transmit information indicating whether the printer 2A is operating normally, The information is transmitted to PC1. At that time, the PC 1 stores the received information in the “printing status” item of the status information.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by a nonvolatile memory, and stores firmware for controlling hardware included in the printer 2A, firmware version information, and the like.

  The operation unit 23 is provided with various switches that can be operated by the user, and inputs operation information input through the various switches to the control unit 21.

  The display unit 24 includes a liquid crystal display, an LED, and the like, and displays information such as a message and an image for the user based on a command from the control unit 21.

  The network interface 25 controls communication with the PC 1 and other printers performed via the LAN 5.

  The printing unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 21 to print an image based on the print data transmitted from the PC 1 on a sheet, and outputs the printed matter (sheet).

In FIG. 1, only the printer 2A has an internal configuration, but the other printers 2B to 2E have the same configuration as the printer 2A.
(2) Firmware Update Processing Hereinafter, the firmware update processing procedure executed by the control unit 11 provided in the PC 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process of updating the firmware so that printers of the minimum number of operations (two in this embodiment) or more can be printed when updating the firmware of the printers 2A to 2E.

  This process is started automatically or in accordance with a user input instruction in a state where the PC 1 has acquired firmware for firmware update. The update firmware is acquired by downloading the latest firmware from a server having a function for distributing firmware or reading the firmware from a medium such as a CD.

  In this firmware update process, first, a printer that performs firmware update is determined from printers connected to the PC 1 (S10). Specifically, it is determined whether the firmware for update acquired by the PC 1 is a higher version than the firmware installed in each of the printers 2A to 2E. If the firmware is higher, the printer is updated. Is determined as the printer to execute In this embodiment, all the printers 2A to 2E are printers that execute the update.

  Next, referring to the status information stored in the storage unit 12 (see FIGS. 2A to 2D), the update priority is confirmed (S20).

  Next, the print statuses of all printers connected to the LAN 5 are acquired regardless of whether or not the update is executed (S30). Here, information indicating whether or not the printer is normal is requested to each of the printers 2A to 2E, and information indicating either normality / abnormality provided from each of the printers 2A to 2E is acquired. The acquired information is set as “normal” or “abnormal” in the “printing state” item in the status information described above. An example of status information at this time is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, only the printer B is abnormal, and the printing process cannot be executed due to out of toner, out of paper, and other abnormalities.

  In the subsequent processes of S40 to S110, the printers are sequentially selected from the printers 2A to 2E according to the priority order, and it is determined whether to update the firmware or to set the update pending.

  Here, first, the variable n is set to n = 1 (S40). Next, it is determined whether there are two or more operable printers in addition to the n-th priority printer (S50). Specifically, referring to the status information, the “printing status” item is “normal” and the “update status” item is not “updating” (“before update setting”, “ Count the number of printers that are either “pending update”.

  If there are two or more other printers that can be operated (S50: YES), the firmware of the printer is updated (S60), and the printer in the status information (that is, the printer with the n-th priority) is displayed. The item of “update state” is set to “during update” (S70). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S100.

  On the other hand, if there is only one or less operable printer in S50 (S50: NO), it is determined whether or not the printer is normal (S80). Here, the status information is referred to and it is determined whether the item “printing status” is “normal” or “abnormal”. If it is “abnormal” (S80: NO), the process proceeds to S60. If “normal” (S80: YES), the “update status” item of the printer in the status information is set to “pending update” (S90).

  After S70 or S90, the variable n is incremented (n = n + 1) (S100), and if the variable n is less than or equal to the number of printers to be updated (S110: YES), that is, there is a printer with the next highest priority. If so, the process returns to S50.

  In S110, if the variable n exceeds the number of printers to be updated (S110: NO), the process proceeds to S120.

  When the processes of S40 to S110 are repeated in this way, as shown in FIG. 2B, the “update state” of the printer to be updated is set to “updated” or “pending update”. The update determination for the printer is completed. In the present embodiment, the two printers D and E having a low priority are in the update pending state and maintain a state where print processing can be executed.

  In the subsequent processing of S120 to S150, based on the status information, there is a new printer in which the item “update status” is “update completed” and the item “print status” is “normal”. Detect that.

  Here, first, it is determined whether or not a notification that the firmware update has been completed is received from any of the printers 2A to 2E (S120). If the notification has been received (S120: YES), the “update status” item of the printer that has been updated in the status information is set to “update completed” (S130), and the process proceeds to S140. On the other hand, if the notification has not been received (S120: NO), the process proceeds to S140 without executing S130.

  Next, the printing statuses of all printers are acquired (S140). Here, the same processing as in S30 is executed.

  Next, it is determined whether there is a printer that can newly execute the printing process (S150). Specifically, among printers whose status information is set to “update end” and “normal”, the printer changed to “update end” in the immediately preceding S130, or “normal” in the immediately preceding S140. If there is a changed printer, the printer is determined to be a printer that can newly execute the printing process.

  If the above-described printer does not exist (S150: NO), the process returns to S120. On the other hand, if the above-described printer exists (S150: YES), the process proceeds to S160.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the update of the printer that is newly determined to be able to execute the printing process in S150 has been completed normally (S160).

  If it cannot be confirmed that the update has been completed normally (S160: NO), the process proceeds to S220. On the other hand, if it can be confirmed that the update has been completed normally (S160: YES), the printer is made to confirm the operation (S170).

  If it is not confirmed in S170 that the printer operates normally (S180: NO), the process proceeds to S220. On the other hand, if it can be confirmed that the printer operates normally (S180: YES), the process proceeds to S190.

  Next, referring to the status information, if there is no update pending printer (S190: NO), this process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is an update pending printer (S190: YES), update of the printer with the highest priority among the update pending printers is started (S200).

  Next, the update state of the printer is set to “Updating” (S210), and then the process returns to S120. The status information at this time is shown in FIGS. FIG. 2C shows a state in which the update of the printer D is started in response to the fact that the printer A whose “printing state” was originally “normal” is “update completed”. (D) shows a state in which the update of the printer E is started in response to the “printing state” of the printer B being “normal” and “updating update”.

  If it cannot be confirmed in S160 that the update has been completed normally (S160: NO), and if normal operation of the printer cannot be confirmed in S180 (S180: NO), the firmware will be processed in the following steps S220 to S250. The process of updating the firmware to the previous version is interrupted.

  First, it is confirmed by referring to the status information whether there is a printer pending update (S220). If there are printers that are pending update (S220: YES), those update pendings are released (S230), and the process proceeds to S240. If there is no update pending printer (S220: NO), S230 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S240.

  Next, it is confirmed by referring to the status information whether there is a printer being updated (S240). If there is a printer that is being updated (S240: YES), the update is stopped and re-updated with the previous version of firmware stored in the storage unit 12 (S250), and then the process proceeds to S260. If there is no printer being updated (S240: NO), the process proceeds to S260.

Next, the user is warned of the update failure (S260). Specifically, the display unit 14 displays that the firmware update has failed. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(3) Print Destination Setting Processing A processing procedure for print destination setting processing executed by the control unit 11 provided in the PC 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. This process is a process of changing the request destination of a print request to a different printer when the requested printer updates the firmware when the PC 1 makes a print request to any of the printers 2A to 2E. It is. This process is started when there is a print request.

  In this process, first, print data that is a target of a print request output to one of the printers is acquired (S310). The print data may be data generated by software included in the PC 1 or may be data acquired by the PC 1 from a terminal device connected to be communicable with the PC 1.

  Next, the status of the printer requested to print is confirmed (S320). Here, the header information included in the print data is analyzed to identify the requested printer, and the print status and update status of the printer are confirmed with reference to the status information stored in the storage unit 12.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the printer requested to print is operable (S330). Specifically, as a result of checking in S320, if the “printing status” of the printer is “normal” and the “updated status” is “updating”, it is determined that the printer is operable. On the other hand, when the “printing state” of the printer is other than “normal” and the “updated state” is other than “updating”, it is determined that the printer is not operable. If the printer is operable (S330: YES), the process proceeds to S370. On the other hand, if the printer is not operable (S330: NO), the printing statuses of all printers that are communicably connected to the PC 1 are acquired (S340). Here, the same process as S30 of the firmware update process is performed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the priority order of the printer that performs the printing process has been determined (S350). Here, it is determined whether or not there is a registration in the item “print priority at update” in the status information.

  If the priority order of the printer has been determined (S350: YES), the printing process can be executed, that is, the printer with the highest priority order among the printers whose status information is “normal” and not “updating” is printed. The printer is set as a target printer (S360). Then, a print request is made to the printer (S370), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the priority order of the printers that perform the printing process is not determined in S350 (S350: NO), the user is prompted to select a printer that performs printing (S380). Specifically, the display unit 14 displays that the printer that requested printing is in the process of updating firmware and cannot execute the printing process, and instead requests that the printer that performs the printing process be selected. To select the printer using the input unit 13.

Next, the printer selected by the user is set as a printer to be printed (S390), after which a print request is made to the printer (S370), and this process ends.
(4) Effects of the Invention In the device management system configured as described above, when updating the firmware of each of the printers 2A to 2E connected to the PC 1, about two of the printers that can execute print processing, Update is suspended and updates are started for other printers.

  Then, when the update of one of the printers is completed and the printing process can be executed, the update of the device whose update is suspended is started.

  Therefore, when updating the firmware of the printers 2A to 2E, two or more printers (one or more if only one printer was originally capable of print processing) are set in a state where print processing can be executed. Therefore, there is no situation where there is no printer that can execute print processing by starting the printer update, and when the user wants to perform print processing, there is no need to wait until the printer firmware update is completed. In addition, it is possible to reduce restrictions on the use of the printer accompanying the firmware update.

  In addition, since it is possible to immediately update the printers whose update is not suspended, the update of all the printers can be completed earlier than the case where the printers are updated one by one.

  In the device management system, when the firmware update of a certain printer is completed, the update is pending on the condition that the update has been completed normally and that the printer can execute the printing process normally. Start updating the printer.

  Therefore, although the printer that has finished updating is no longer in a state where printing processing is possible, updating of the printer for which updating has been suspended is started, so that there is no printer that can execute printing processing. This can be suppressed.

  If the update does not end normally or the updated printer does not operate normally, the update of the corresponding firmware is interrupted.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of printers that cannot continue to be updated by updating other printers despite the occurrence of printers that do not operate normally after the update.

  In the device management system, updating is performed from a printer having a higher priority order. Therefore, the update can be performed from the printer desired by the user. For example, if the priority order of a device that does not want to cause malfunction (for example, frequently used) is set to lower, after confirming that there is no malfunction due to update in the higher priority printer, The update of the upper printer can be started.

Further, in the device management system, a request for print processing made to the printer that is being updated is made to another printer that is not being updated. Therefore, even if the first request destination printer is being updated, there is no need to wait until the update is completed, and the printing process can be executed quickly. Note that the setting of the print processing is requested to a printer having a higher priority set among printers that are not being updated. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to execute the printing process on the higher priority printer.
(5) Modifications The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can take various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the number of printers connected to the PC 1 is set to two units (minimum number of operations) that can maintain print processing by deferring firmware update. However, the minimum number of operations can be determined as appropriate in accordance with the total number of printers and the load of printing work.

  Further, in the firmware update process of the above embodiment, when the number of normal printers to be confirmed in S30 is 0, the update of all printers is started. In this case, it is possible to quickly update the firmware, but after updating all the printers, even if there is a printer that has cleared the abnormal state by replenishing paper, etc. There is a possibility that the printing process cannot be executed due to the update operation and a waiting time may occur.

  Therefore, the condition for starting the firmware update process is that the printing state of the printer of any predetermined number (for example, one or the minimum number of operations) is “normal”, that is, the print process can be executed. Also good.

  In addition to the above, in the firmware update process, when the number of normal printers to be confirmed in S30 is 0, all printers are set as update pending, and a predetermined number of printers that can execute the print process are set. A configuration may be adopted in which updating of all printers other than the printer is started when it exists. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the firmware update process when the predetermined number is one.

  Based on the printer status acquired in S30, the number of printers that can execute the printing process (that is, the number of printers in which the “printing status” item in the status information is set to “normal”) is counted, and 0 is set. If so (S32: YES), all the printers are set to the update hold (S34). Then, it waits until there is one printer that can execute the printing process (S36: NO), and when there is one printer that can execute the printing process (S36: YES), the printer is excluded. Printer update is started (S38), and the process proceeds to S120.

  With this configuration, when the number of normal printers is 0, it takes a long time to complete the update of all the printers. When improved, the printing process can be executed immediately.

  Also, among printers connected to the PC 1, when there is a printer that does not require firmware update and can be printed (hereinafter referred to as another printer), the number of other printers is reduced from the minimum operation number. The firmware update process may be performed by subtracting. For example, when the minimum number of operations is two and there is one other printer, the processing may be executed with the minimum number of operations as one. In the firmware update process, the number of units determined in S50 may be subtracted.

  With this configuration, it is possible to update the firmware quickly without maintaining more printers than can be printed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration for updating the firmware of the printer connected to the PC 1 is exemplified. However, the target is not limited to the printer as long as it is a device that is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus such as the PC 1. . For example, it is conceivable that a FAX, a scanner, or a multifunction machine having these functions is used as a device for firmware update.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer (PC), 2A-2E ... Printer, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Input part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Network interface, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Memory | storage part, 23 ... Operation part 24 ... Display part 25 ... Network interface 26 ... Printing part

Claims (9)

A device management program for causing an information processing apparatus connected so as to be communicable with a plurality of devices that execute predetermined processing to execute processing for updating firmware installed in the plurality of devices,
The information processing apparatus;
Device information acquisition means for acquiring, from each of the plurality of devices, device information indicating whether or not the device is in a state capable of executing the predetermined processing;
Among the operable devices that are devices that are capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on the device information acquired from the device information acquisition unit, the device with the minimum number of operations set in advance is set as update pending. Update execution means to set and start updating the firmware of the device excluding the device set as the update pending;
Firmware update is completed among the devices that have been updated by the update execution unit so that the device in a state in which the predetermined process can be performed is maintained for the minimum number of operations , and A device management program for causing a device to function as a hold release unit that starts updating the firmware of the device set as the update hold for the number of devices that can execute the predetermined process. The update execution means includes
Sequentially selecting the devices from the plurality of devices;
When the number of operable devices that are not being updated among the plurality of devices excluding the selected device is equal to or greater than the minimum number of operations, the selected device is updated with firmware. The device is set as a device, and when the number of operable devices that are not being updated with firmware is less than the minimum number of operations, the selected device is set as a pending update. Item 2. A device management program according to Item 1. The information processing apparatus;
Function as priority setting means for setting the priority of firmware update of the plurality of devices,
The update execution means is a means for setting the selected device as a device for updating firmware according to the priority set by the priority setting means, or for setting update pending,
The said hold cancellation | release means is a means to start the update of the firmware of the said device set as the said update hold | maintenance according to the priority set by the said priority order setting means. Device management program. The hold release means, among the devices whose firmware update has been started by the update execution means, the firmware update ends normally, and the device normally executes the predetermined processing after the firmware update The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is configured to start updating the firmware of the device that is set as the update pending for the number of devices that have been confirmed. Management program. The information processing apparatus;
If the update of the firmware of the device that has been updated by the update execution unit or the hold release unit does not end normally, or if the device that has completed the firmware update does not operate normally, the firmware 5. The device management program according to claim 1, wherein the device management program functions as an interrupting unit that interrupts the update of the firmware of the device that has not been updated. The information processing apparatus;
Operation requesting means for requesting execution of the predetermined process to any of the plurality of devices;
Determination means for determining whether firmware is being updated for each of the plurality of devices;
Request destination setting for setting the request destination of the request to the device that is not determined to be updated when the device for which the request is made by the operation requesting unit is determined to be being updated by the determination unit The device management program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device management program is made to function as means. The request destination setting unit is a unit that makes the request to the device that is not determined to be updated by the determination unit according to a user input operation or according to a preset priority order. The device management program according to claim 6. A device management system comprising: an information processing apparatus; and a plurality of devices connected to the information processing apparatus so as to communicate with each other and execute predetermined processing.
The information processing apparatus includes:
Device information acquisition means for acquiring, from each of the plurality of devices, device information indicating whether or not the device is in a state capable of executing the predetermined processing;
Among the operable devices that are devices that are capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on the device information acquired from the device information acquisition unit, the device with the minimum number of operations set in advance is set as update pending. Update execution means to set and start updating the firmware of the device excluding the device set as the update pending;
Firmware update is completed among the devices that have been updated by the update execution unit so that the device in a state in which the predetermined process can be performed is maintained for the minimum number of operations , and The device management system comprising: a hold release unit that starts updating the firmware of the device that has been set as the update hold for the number of the devices that can execute the predetermined process. An information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a plurality of devices that execute predetermined processing and that executes processing for updating firmware mounted on the plurality of devices,
Device information acquisition means for acquiring, from each of the plurality of devices, device information indicating whether or not the device is in a state capable of executing the predetermined processing;
Among the operable devices that are devices that are capable of executing the predetermined processing determined based on the device information acquired from the device information acquisition unit, the device with the minimum number of operations set in advance is set as update pending. Update execution means to set and start updating the firmware of the device excluding the device set as the update pending;
Firmware update is completed among the devices that have been updated by the update execution unit so that the device in a state in which the predetermined process can be performed is maintained for the minimum number of operations , and An information processing apparatus comprising: a hold release unit that starts updating the firmware of the device that has been set as the update hold for the number of devices that can execute the predetermined process.

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