JP2000330917A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically obtain firmware and a driver by obtaining firmware and a driver which runs on a 1st computer from a 2nd computer by using an interface means. SOLUTION: A user inputs the setting of the operation mode of the image forming device 70 and the identifier of a gateway 61 in a connected network and stores them in a 2nd storage means 56 by an input device 54 or the driver 7 and setting application of the image forming device 70 installed in a computer 1. A data acquiring means 53 decides the kind of those identifier and selects the protocol matching the identifier. Then the data acquiring means 53 communicates with a computer 60 through an interface means 50 according to the protocol. Data on the computer 60 are analyzed to decide what kind of data are present, and the data are downloaded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for transmitting and receiving data from a computer via interface means, forming an image, and outputting the image to a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent image forming apparatus, when a program (hereinafter, referred to as "firmware") in the apparatus for operating the image forming apparatus is updated, a user is required to use a new program.
Call the serviceman and enter the new firmware R
It was necessary to replace the OM (storage means) or send the device to a maker or the like for replacement. Therefore, the user
There is a problem that it requires time and effort to call a serviceman, and that the serviceman has to wait for an exchange. Alternatively, when the device is sent to the maker, there is a problem that the device cannot be used during the period or the update operation takes time.

To solve these problems, an image forming apparatus using a rewritable storage unit has been proposed.

However, such an image forming apparatus requires a user to obtain a program such as a new firmware and install the program in the apparatus again, which has been troublesome for the user.

[0005] Further, since a computer program (hereinafter, referred to as a "driver") for using the image forming apparatus is stored and distributed in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, the user can transfer the driver to the computer. It needed to be installed.

[0006] Recently, the company that provides the equipment is Wor.
ld Wide Web (hereinafter referred to as “WWW”)
Since the new driver has been uploaded, the acquisition time of the driver has been shortened as compared with before. However, the acquisition by WWW has a problem that a user often needs to confirm whether a new driver is posted by a browsing application such as a browser. Also, if there is a new driver, it needs to be downloaded and installed by the user,
There was a problem that it took time to work.

[0007]

As described above, it is necessary for the user to obtain the firmware and driver in the conventional image forming apparatus, and the user needs to contact a service company or use a browser. It is necessary to check the data at the frequency of

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically acquiring firmware and a driver.

[0009]

In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a first computer via a network; Control means for performing data conversion processing and operation control of the entire apparatus; engine means for printing the converted print data; and first storage storing firmware which is a program for operating the control means and the engine means. Means for storing the identifier of the second computer that provides the firmware on the network, the identifier of the network assigned to the apparatus, and the identifier of the gateway on which the apparatus is installed on the network.
Storage means for reading the identifier of the gateway on the network and the identifier of the second computer on the network from the second storage means;
It has a configuration including a data acquisition unit that acquires a driver that operates on a computer from a second computer using an interface unit.

Thus, it is possible to automatically acquire the firmware and the driver in the image forming apparatus.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an interface means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a first computer via a network, a process for converting print data transmitted from the first computer, and Control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, engine means for printing the converted print data, first storage means storing firmware which is a program for operating the control means and the engine means, and firmware are provided. A second storage unit storing an identifier of the second computer on the network, an identifier of the network assigned to the apparatus, and an identifier of the gateway on which the apparatus is installed on the network; The identifier and the identifier of the second computer on the network 2. An image forming apparatus comprising: a data acquisition unit that reads data from a storage unit and obtains a firmware and a driver that operates on a first computer from a second computer using an interface unit. Has the effect that it becomes possible to obtain

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the data acquisition means includes a cycle setting means for setting an acquisition cycle of the firmware and the driver. In addition, since the number of times of communication for acquiring the firmware and the driver can be saved, it is possible to reduce the traffic on the installed network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the data acquisition means stores the firmware version stored in the first storage means and the firmware version stored in the first computer. The driver version is compared with the firmware and driver versions stored in the second computer, respectively.
This is an image forming apparatus provided with a judging means for judging which is the newer version. Since the data of the second computer is acquired only when the data is newer, unnecessary transmission / reception is eliminated. Thus, the firmware and the driver can be acquired efficiently.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In these drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 70 according to the present embodiment is connected to a computer (first
Computer) 1 for transmitting and receiving data.
A plurality of computers 1 that transmit data to be printed are connected to the image forming apparatus 70. One of the computers 1 converts data created by the computer 1 into print data and converts the data into print data. The driver 7 to be transmitted to the device 70 is installed.

In the present embodiment, three computers 1 are connected to the image forming apparatus 70 via a network, but it is sufficient that at least one computer is connected.
It need not be a table.

A computer (second computer) 60 that provides a driver 7 operating on the computer 1 using the image forming apparatus 70 is connected to the network via a gateway 61.

The image forming apparatus 70 includes an interface unit 50 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the computer 1 via a network, a control unit 51 for converting print data transmitted from the computer 1 and controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. The engine means 55 for printing the converted print data, the first storage means 52 storing firmware which is a program for operating the control means 51 and the engine means 55, and the operation setting of the image forming apparatus 70 by the user. Input means 54 to be performed
And an identifier on the network of the computer 60 that provides the firmware to the image forming apparatus 70, an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus 70, and a gateway 6 in the network where the image forming apparatus 70 is installed.
1 identifier on network and image forming apparatus 70
Storage means 56 in which data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 is read from the second storage means 56 in which data relating to the gateway 61 and data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 are provided. The above-mentioned firmware for operating the means 51 and the engine means 55 and the driver 7 for operating on the computer 1 using the image forming apparatus 70 are transmitted to the computer 6 using the interface means 50.
And data acquisition means 53 for acquiring data from 0.

Here, the interface means 50 includes a serial cable, a parallel cable IEEE1394,
Through a communication medium such as a SCSI cable, an Ethernet cable of any communication speed such as an Ethernet cable, or a wireless communication medium such as IrDA, print data from the computer 1 is received or data relating to print processing is received by a communication protocol adapted to the communication medium. The data is transmitted to the computer 1 using the communication medium and the communication protocol.

The input unit 54 allows the user to set the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 by using the input means, and to input an identifier or the like when the image forming apparatus 70 is used on a network. The set value set by the input unit 54 is stored in the second storage unit 56.

The second storage means 56 stores identifiers (for example, an IP address, a mail address, and the like) of the computer 60 that provides data to the image forming apparatus 70, such as the latest firmware and driver for the image forming apparatus 70, on the network. URL-Unifor of the scheme of
m Resource Locator—at least one of an address, an identifier for recognizing the computer 60 on the network, and the like, and an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus 70 (for example, an IP address, a mail address, and URLs of all schemes). Address, an identifier for recognizing the image forming apparatus 70 on the network), an identifier of the gateway 61 in the network where the image forming apparatus 70 is installed (for example, IP address, mail address, URL address of all schemes, or network An identifier for recognizing the gateway 61 above) and data on the image forming apparatus 70 such as the version of the image forming apparatus 70 are stored.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 having such a configuration will be described.

When printing data created by an application program of the computer 1 or the like, the driver 7 in the computer 1 sends data created by the application to the interface means 50 via a communication medium.

The image forming apparatus 70 which has received the data transmitted from the computer 1 converts the data into internal data by the control means 51, and further converts it into bitmap data which is print data. Then, this bitmap data is passed to the engine means 55. Thus, the engine unit 55 performs printing based on the print data.

In such an image forming apparatus 70, the user sets or connects the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 70 by using the input unit 54 or the driver 7 or the setting application of the image forming apparatus 70 installed in the computer 1. The entered identifier on the network and the identifier of the gateway 61 in the network on the network are input.

The settings made by the input means 54 and the like are stored in the second storage means 56 by the control means 51. Then, the control means 51 operates based on these setting contents. The identifier of the firmware and driver of the image forming apparatus 70 and the identifier of the computer 60 on the network that provides data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 are stored in the second storage unit 56. Image forming device 7
It can be set by the driver 7 or the management application.

When the identifier of the image forming apparatus 70 on the network and the identifier of the gateway 61 on the network are set, the control means 51 activates the data acquisition means 53.

Then, the activated data acquisition means 53
Reads the identifier of the gateway 61 on the network and the identifier of the computer 60 on the network stored in the second storage means 56, and determines the type of these identifiers. Further, the data acquisition unit 53 inquires the interface unit 50 about the type of the protocol currently available. The interface unit 50 that has received the inquiry returns the currently available protocol to the data acquisition unit 53.

The data acquisition means 53 which has received the usable protocol comprises a computer 60 and a gateway 61
Based on the result of determining the type of the identifier on the network, a protocol suitable for the identifier on the network is selected. Then, the data acquisition unit 53 communicates with the computer 6 via the interface unit 50 using the protocol.
0 is communicated. Here, this communication can be performed irrespective of whether or not print data is received from the computer 1, but is preferentially performed when there is no print data from the computer 1. . Even when print data is received, communication with the computer 60 can be performed in parallel with the print processing.

The data acquisition means 53 that has established communication with the computer 60 notifies the computer 60 that the data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 in the computer 60 is to be downloaded. When there is a response to the above-mentioned notification from the computer 60, the data acquisition unit 5
3 analyzes the data on the computer 60, determines what kind of data is present, and downloads the data. Then, the data acquisition unit 53 stores the downloaded data in a predetermined area of the second storage unit 56 for each type of data.

When the download is completed, the data acquisition means 53 ends the communication with the computer 60.

When the communication is completed, the data acquisition means 53
Notifies the control means 51 that the data acquisition has been completed. Control means 5 that received notification
1 determines the type of downloaded data.

If the data is firmware, print data is not received. After that, the control unit 51 executes the process from the designated storage area of the second storage unit 56 in which the downloaded data is stored. With this process, the firmware is updated to the new firmware.

If the downloaded data is a driver, the control means 51 downloads the driver 7 to the computer 1 by using the protocol of the interface means 50 and by using a broadcast or a predetermined network port. Notify that. The computer 1 that has received the notification notifies that the data stored in the image forming apparatus 70 is downloaded. Then, the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 70 that has received the notification through the interface unit 50 transfers the data to the computer 1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically acquire the firmware and the driver in the image forming apparatus.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a cycle setting means 80 is provided in the data acquisition means 53.

This cycle setting means 80 is provided by the computer 6
This sets the acquisition cycle of the firmware and the driver for 0. The cycle is set to a predetermined value in advance by a program or to a desired value by the user using the input unit 54.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 having such a configuration will be described.

The acquisition cycle is stored in the second storage means 56.

Then, the cycle setting means 80 reads the cycle set value stored in the second storage means 56, sets it, and counts using a timer. Then, when the set value is reached, the cycle setting means 80 notifies the control means 51 to that effect.

The control means 51 having received the notification responds to the cycle setting means 80 and activates the data acquisition means 53 as in the first embodiment. Further, the cycle setting means 80 receiving the response resets the count value.

The activated data acquisition means 53 extracts the identifier of the gateway 61 on the network and the identifier of the computer 60 on the network stored in the second storage means 56, and determines the type of these identifiers.
Further, the interface unit 50 is inquired about the type of the protocol currently available.

The data acquisition means 53 which has received the usable protocol transmits the data to the computer 60 and the gateway 61.
Based on the result of determining the type of the identifier on the network, a protocol suitable for the identifier on the network is selected. Then, the communication with the computer 60 is performed by the protocol, the data on the computer 60 is analyzed, and the data on the computer 60 is downloaded.

The data acquisition means 53 stores the downloaded data for each type in a predetermined area of the second storage means 56. Then, when the download is completed, the data acquisition unit 53 sets the computer 60
And the control means 51 is notified that the data acquisition has been completed. The control unit 51 that has received the notification performs the processing on the data separately for the case of the firmware and the case of the driver.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of communications for acquiring the firmware and the driver can be saved, so that the traffic on the installed network can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, in addition to the cycle setting means 80, a judging means 90 is provided in the data acquisition means 53.

The determination means 90 compares the firmware version stored in the first storage means 52 and the driver 7 version stored in the computer 1 with the firmware and driver versions stored in the computer 60, respectively. , Which is the newer version.

In this embodiment, the judgment means 9
Although 0 is provided together with the cycle setting 80, only the determination means 90 may be provided.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 having such a configuration will be described.

Communication with the computer 60 in which data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 is stored first activates the data acquisition means 53 as in the case of the first and second embodiments.

The activated data acquisition unit 53 extracts the identifier of the gateway 61 on the network and the identifier of the computer 60 on the network stored in the second storage unit 56, and determines the type of these identifiers.
Further, the interface unit 50 is inquired about the type of the protocol currently available.

The data acquisition means 53 which has received the usable protocol comprises the computer 60 and the gateway 61
Based on the result of determining the type of the identifier on the network, a protocol suitable for the identifier on the network is selected. Then, communication is performed with the computer 60 using the protocol.

At this time, the data acquisition means 53 activates the judgment means 90.

The judging means 90 holds the firmware of the currently operating image forming apparatus 70 and the version management data of the driver 7 of the computer 1. Therefore, communication with the computer 60 is performed using the data through the interface means 50, and the computer 60
Parse the header of the above data. The analysis is performed by using at least one of the update date, data size, and version number of the header on the computer 60, particularly, by the version number.

In this way, the judging means 90 analyzes, for example, the version number from the header on the computer 60.

If the data on the computer 60 is the same or older than the version of the image forming apparatus 70, the data acquisition means 53 is notified not to download the data. The data acquisition unit 53 having received the notification terminates the communication with the computer 60 and notifies the control unit 51 of the termination. The control unit 51 that has received the notification shifts to a normal print data waiting state.

On the other hand, if the data on the image forming apparatus 70 on the computer 60 is newer than the version of the data stored in the image forming apparatus 70, the judgment means 90
Instructs the data acquisition unit 53 to continue downloading. Data acquisition means 53 receiving the instruction
Downloads data relating to the image forming apparatus 70 from the computer 60 and stores the downloaded data in a predetermined area of the second storage means 56 for each type. When the download is completed, the data acquisition unit 53 terminates communication with the computer 60 and notifies the control unit 51 of the termination.
Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 51 performs processing by dividing the downloaded data into firmware and a driver.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the data of the computer 60 is acquired only when the data is newer, it is possible to efficiently acquire the firmware and the driver by eliminating unnecessary transmission and reception. Becomes possible.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effective effect that the firmware and the driver can be automatically acquired by the image forming apparatus.

If the cycle setting means is provided, the number of communications for acquiring the firmware and the driver can be saved, so that an effective effect that the traffic on the installed network can be reduced can be obtained. Can be

If the judgment means is provided, the data of the second computer is acquired only when the data is newer, so that it is possible to acquire the firmware and the driver efficiently without wasteful transmission / reception. That is, an effective effect is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 computer (first computer) 50 interface means 51 control means 52 first storage means 53 data acquisition means 55 engine means 56 second storage means 60 computer (second computer) 61 gateway 70 image forming apparatus 80 cycle setting means 90 judgment means

Claims (3)

[Claims] An interface unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a first computer via a network; a control unit for converting print data transmitted from the first computer and controlling the operation of the apparatus as a whole; Engine means for printing the print data obtained, first control means for storing firmware which is a program for operating the control means and engine means, and a second computer for providing the firmware on the network. Second storage means for storing an identifier, an identifier on the network assigned to the device, and an identifier of the gateway on which the device is installed on the network; an identifier of the gateway on the network and the second On the said network of computers Image forming means for reading data from the second storage means, and data acquisition means for acquiring the firmware and a driver operating on the first computer from the second computer using the interface means. apparatus. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data acquisition means includes cycle setting means for setting an acquisition cycle of said firmware and said driver. 3. The data acquisition means includes a firmware version stored in the first storage means, a driver version stored in the first computer, and a firmware version stored in the second computer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to compare a version of the firmware and the version of the driver, and determine which is a newer version.