JP2001256057A - Update method of control program for service device and service device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exactly perform update even when structure change which can not be dealt with by a built-in update program is made in a printer, etc. SOLUTION: A download processing of a control program is performed by executing a program 100 for download in a ROM 10 in a service device. Data 150 for update is downloaded to the service device via a network. When possibility that the built-in update program 112 of the device does not exactly function by the present structure of the device, a new update program 152 for the device is integrated in the data 150. When the update program 152 for the present device is detected from the data 150, the service device executes an update work including write to a flash memory 12, etc., by executing the detected program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a technique for updating a control program of a service device such as a printer or a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A control program (firmware) for a service device such as a printer is generally written in a ROM. Therefore, if the version of the control program is upgraded, if it is to be reflected in the service device already shipped, the RO which has previously incorporated the control program is required.
M had been replaced.

However, in recent years, rewritable ROMs such as flash memories have become widespread, and service apparatuses have often incorporated control programs in rewritable ROMs. By using a rewritable ROM, it is possible to upgrade the control program after shipment without replacing the ROM itself.

When the control program of the service device is rewritten (updated) as described above, the service device such as a printer generally has no means for reading a medium such as a CD-ROM, and therefore has a CD-ROM drive or the like. A control program is downloaded from a program distribution device (which can be realized by a personal computer or the like) to a service device via a communication line. For this work,
The service device has a built-in program for downloading and rewriting (called a download program). Unlike the control program, the download program has little possibility of version upgrade (necessity), and is therefore often built in a non-rewritable ROM.

The download program of the service device acquires a new version of the control program transmitted from the program distribution device according to a predetermined protocol,
The control program is updated by overwriting the old version on the flash memory.

[0006]

In the conventional service device, the download program is built in a non-rewritable storage medium such as a ROM, so that if the download program has a bug, the control program can be updated. It could go away. In such a case, in order to enable the update, the storage medium itself had to be replaced.

[0007] A medium such as a flash memory may have a different writing command depending on a vendor or a product. On the other hand, the download program built in the service device is created based on the storage medium of the control program incorporated at the same time. For this reason, the conventional service device has a problem that a medium that is not supported by the built-in download program cannot be introduced. For example,
If the flash memory of the service device that has been shipped is replaced with a new one later, the download program incorporated in another ROM of the service device cannot write to the flash memory and cannot update the control program. There was a case.

Further, when a new function (for example, a stapling apparatus) that was not expected at the time of shipment is added to a service device such as a printer, the control program is changed correspondingly. However, the download program (other R
(Often built into the OM) is not changed, so if the additional function was not expected at the time of creation of the download program, the download program will not Update processing may not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to provide an update method that can update a control program even when a device configuration such as a ROM is changed.

[0010]

A method according to the present invention is a method for updating a control program in a service apparatus for providing a service by executing the control program stored in a storage means, the method comprising: Reading means for reading update data in a predetermined format into the service device; detecting means for detecting an update program from the read update data; and a control program extracted from the update data by executing the detected update program. Update control means for writing the control program to the storage means, and a control program corresponding to the service device, and an update program executable by the service device for writing the control program to the service device. Previous Prepared for updating data of a predetermined format, performs update by loading the update data in the service device, is that.

According to this method, even when there is no valid update program in the service device, the control program can be updated by executing the update program included in the read update data.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the update data includes a control program for each of a plurality of types of service devices, an update program for each of the plurality of types of service devices, and any one of the update program and the control program. Data including identification information indicating whether or not the service device is compatible with the type of service device, and the detection unit and the update execution unit of the service device refer to the identification information and update the program that matches the service device. And the control program.

In this aspect, if one piece of common update data is prepared and given to each type of service device, each service device identifies an update program and a control program suitable for itself, and performs update processing. I do.

[0014] In another preferred aspect, the service device includes second storage means for storing an update program. If the update data does not include an update program compatible with the service device, Execute the update program stored in the second storage means.

According to this aspect, if the update program contained in the storage means of a certain service device is valid at the time of creation of the update data, the update program need not be included in the update data. Therefore, the size of the update data can be reduced.

Further, the service device according to the present invention comprises a reading means for reading update data in a predetermined format, and a detection means for detecting whether or not the read update data includes an update program executable by the device itself. When an update program executable by the own device is detected from the update data, the update program is executed to execute the update program to write the control program for the own device included in the update data into the storage unit. Means.

This device updates the control program by detecting and executing an update program suitable for itself from the read update data. Therefore, even when there is no valid update program in the service device, normal update processing can be executed.

Further, the apparatus according to the present invention executes service processing by executing a control program stored in the first storage means, and stores a second update program for updating the control program. A service device comprising a storage unit and capable of updating the control program by executing an update program of the second storage unit, comprising a control program and an update program corresponding to the service device. Reading means for reading the update data in a predetermined format; detecting means for detecting whether or not the read update data includes an update program executable by the apparatus; and update capable of being executed by the apparatus from the update data. Program detected In this case, in place of the update program stored in the second storage means, by executing the update program detected from the update data, the control program for the own device included in the update data, Update execution means for writing to the first storage means.

With this configuration, even in a situation where the internal update program stored in the second storage means cannot cope with the situation, a correct update process can be executed by the update program in the read update data.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a control mechanism of a service device according to the present invention. The service device is shown in FIG.
In addition to the control mechanism described above, various hardware components such as a scanner mechanism and a print mechanism are provided. The service device is, for example, a device such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, or a digital multi-function peripheral. By executing various programs including a control program (firmware), the service device controls various attached components and performs predetermined processing. Execute.

The ROM 10 stores basic programs such as a start program and a download program for the service device. The flash memory 12 stores programs that are relatively likely to be upgraded, such as control programs for controlling various components of the service device. The processor 14 uses R
A means for executing a program in the OM 10 or the flash memory 12. The RAM 16 is a random access memory used when the processor 14 executes various programs. The various control units 18 are units for controlling hardware such as a scanner mechanism (in the case of a digital copying machine) included in the service device, and control corresponding hardware in accordance with an instruction from the processor 14. The control unit 18 is provided for each hardware component included in the service device, but is omitted in the figure for simplicity. Communication interface 20
Is an interface unit with a network such as a LAN. The service device according to the present embodiment is connected to a network via the interface 20, and is connected to a higher-level device (such as a personal computer) on the same network.
And communication with the device to perform operations such as downloading a program. The operation unit 22 is a user interface mechanism that receives an operation instruction from an operator for the service device. The large-capacity storage device 24 is for storing relatively large-capacity data, and is, for example, a hard disk drive. For example, a printer is used for storing large-size image data generated from a page description language or the like until printing. Speaking of the relationship with the method of the present embodiment, the storage device 24 is used to temporarily hold downloaded update data. Note that if the RAM 16 has a capacity sufficient to hold the update data, the large-capacity storage device 24 is not necessary for implementing the method of the present embodiment.

The process of downloading and updating the control program in the service device is basically performed by R
This is performed by executing the download program stored in the OM 10 by the processor 14.

However, the download program stored in the ROM 10 is created based on the device configuration at the time of manufacture and shipment of the service device, and on the basis of the on-board flash memory. If there is, the program may not be able to rewrite the control program. Assuming such a case, in the present embodiment, among the download programs, a rewrite program module (called an update program) which is affected by a change in the device configuration or a change in the flash memory is downloaded to the latest version. Can be replaced with an update program. By enabling such replacement execution, if an update program for the device after the configuration change is prepared, the control program of the service device can be rewritten. Note that other modules in the download program, such as a UI and communication (download)
It can be said that modules having basic functions such as the above have almost no influence from the configuration change or the flash memory replacement, and therefore, the necessity of replacement execution such as an update program is low.

An example of the contents of the download program 100 stored in the ROM 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the program 100 includes a UI function 102, a data reception function 104, a transfer error check function 106, an update program extraction function 108, an update program switching execution function 110, and an update program 11.
2 and codes and data such as the configuration information 114. The UI function 102 is a function for receiving an instruction regarding a download process from an operator via the operation unit 22. The data receiving function 104 is a function for receiving update data from a host device on the network according to a predetermined protocol. The transfer error check function 106 is a function for checking whether or not the update data has been correctly received. The update program extracting function 108 is a function of identifying and extracting an update program for the own device (service device) from the received update data.

The update program 112 is a program for updating (updating) the control program 120 of the service device stored in the flash memory 12. However, the update program 112 stored in the ROM 10 is created based on the device configuration at the time of manufacture and shipment of the service device. Therefore, if the configuration is changed (for example, hardware such as a stapling device is added) or the flash memory 12 is replaced after the shipment, the program 112 can rewrite the control program 120 in the flash memory 12. May not be.

Update program switching execution function 11
0 is the original update program 1 in the ROM 10
A replacement execution function for executing the update program 152 downloaded to the large-capacity storage device 24 instead of 12. In the function 110, when the downloaded update data 150 does not include the update program 152 valid for the service device, the original update program 112 in the ROM 10 is executed.

The configuration information 114 is identification information for specifying the configuration of the service device. (A:
The notation a1) refers to a device having a device configuration identified by the identification information a1 among the service devices of the model indicated by the identification information A. Uppercase letters of the alphabet indicate models, and combinations of lowercase letters and numbers indicate configuration variations within the models. For example, various types of configuration variations exist in the device of model A, such as configuration a1 (with a stacker) and configuration a2 (with a stacker and finisher). Such a configuration variation is often created with the development of a model.

The configuration information 114 includes the update data 1 downloaded from the higher-level device into the storage device 24.
50 is used as identification information when detecting an update program or control program suitable for the own device.

By executing the download program 100 as described above, the service device downloads the update data from the host device,
A necessary part of the program is installed in the flash memory 12.

FIG. 3 shows an example of update data downloaded from a higher-level device. The update data includes a header section and a program section. The program section includes an update program group and a new program (a new version of the control program) included in the update data.
The update data is for simultaneously supporting a plurality of types of devices, and includes a plurality of update programs and a new program. In this example, an update program is prepared for each model (for example, the device configuration (A: a
1) A new control program is prepared for each configuration variation such as (configuration a1 of model A) (for example, a new program (B: b1)). This is because the control program changes depending on what kind of hardware components are equipped in the same type of device, but the method of updating the control program itself is almost the same in the same model. is there. By sharing the update program between devices of the same model and different configurations, the size of the update data to be downloaded can be reduced.

In the case where flash memories having different rewrite commands and the like are used even in the same model, the update program needs to correspond to those various flash memories. In such a case, for example, the code for each flash memory is provided in the update program, and when the update program is executed, the type of the flash memory mounted on the service device at that time is detected, and the code adapted to the flash memory is detected. Just execute it. The flash memory generally stores its own model number and the like and can output it upon request, so that it can be detected at the time of update.

The header portion is an individual device configuration (X: xi) corresponding to the update program and the new program included in the program portion (a device of model X and having a configuration xi (i is an integer)) Header information I)
D (X: xi). Individual header information 160
Contains six data items as shown in FIG.
The first is a model ID 161 indicating the model of the device. For example, in the case of a device having a device configuration (X: xi), the model I
D is X. The next item is the index 162 of the update program corresponding to this model. This is information on the position and size of the update program in the update data (FIG. 3), and includes, for example, the address offset of the update program as viewed from the top of the update data and the size of the program. . The next item is the checksum value 163 of this update program. This value is used for transfer error checking of the downloaded program. The next configuration ID 164 is identification information for identifying whether the device configuration is a configuration variation in the model. In the case of a device having the device configuration (X: xi), the configuration ID is xi. The next item is an index 165 of a new control program corresponding to the device having this device configuration. The index 165 indicates the position of the new program in the update data (for example, an offset from the data head).
And size information. The next item is the checksum value 166 of this new program, which is used for transfer error checking.

As shown in FIG. 3, the header section is provided with a header information ID (X: xi) for each device configuration corresponding to each new program included in the program section. Here, focusing on the model B, the update data includes a new program for the configuration b1 of the model, but does not include an update program for the model B. This is because the device of the model B can normally perform the update process using the original update program in the ROM 10. That is, at the time of creating this update data, the model B does not include a configuration variation that requires an allowance for the update program, and thus the update data includes the model B update program. Not.

If update data as shown in FIG. 3 is prepared, for example, stored in a CD-ROM or the like, the control program can be downloaded / updated to a device having a different device configuration using only this medium. . For example, as shown in FIG.
Above are three devices 322 (device A) having different device configurations, 3
In an environment where the devices 24 (device B) and 326 (device C) are connected, the download can be performed simultaneously from the host device 300 (for example, a personal computer) connected to the network 330. In this case, the host device 3
At 00, a medium (such as a CD-ROM) 310 containing the common update data 312 as shown in FIG. 3 may be set, and a program for communication with these devices may be executed. In this state, if the download / update program is executed on the side of each of the devices 322, 324, and 326, each of the devices downloads the same update data from the higher-level device 300, and from among these, downloads the new data for that device. Find a suitable control program and install this new program to update the control program.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of each service device in the download / update processing. This processing procedure is performed by executing the download program 100 in the ROM 10. That is, when the download program 100 is executed according to an instruction of the operator from the operation unit 22, the apparatus is in a state of waiting for update data reception, the data reception function 104 monitors the network 330, and
Wait for data to be downloaded from 0. When the update data is downloaded, the receiving function 1
04 receives the data (S202). The received update data 150 is stored in the mass storage device 24.

When the reception function 104 detects the completion of data reception (S204), the error check function 106 checks for a transfer error (S206). This error check is performed, for example, by checking the data 15 stored in the storage device 24.
The checksum value of each update program and the new program in 0 is obtained, and it is checked whether or not these are equal to the checksum value of the program in the header part (see FIG. 3) of the data. If the sum values are equal, there is no transfer error, and if the sum values are different, a transfer error occurs. A check result is determined (S208), and as a result, if a transfer error is detected, an abnormality handling process is performed (S228). In this abnormality handling process, for example, the LED light emitting unit for warning is turned on, a message indicating that a transfer error has occurred is displayed on the display of the operation unit 22, and the execution of the download program is stopped.
If no error is detected in S208, the process proceeds to the next step.

When data can be received without a transfer error,
Next, the update program extraction function 108 checks whether or not the received update data 150 contains an update program that is compatible with the own device (S).
210). This inspection is performed by checking the configuration information 114 of the own apparatus stored in the ROM 10 and the update data (FIG. 3).
By comparing each header information (FIG. 4) of the header section of FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, since the configuration information 114 of the own device in the ROM 10 indicates the configuration a1 of the model A, if there is a type A in the header information of the update data, it is suitable for the device. The updated program to be executed is present in the received data.

As a result of this determination (S212), the storage device 2
4, if the update program 152 is found to be compatible with its own device, the update program switching execution function 110 switches the program execution flow to the detected update program 152 (S21).
4). That is, the switching execution function 110 copies the detected update program 152 for its own device to the RAM 16 and changes the program counter of the download program being executed to the address of the update program copied to the RAM 16 by changing the program counter.
Transfer control to the above update program. For example, when the device is the model A, the switching execution function 110 obtains the index (162 in FIG. 4) of the update program for the model A in the header part of the update data 150, and stores the code indicated by the index in the RAM 16. Just copy it. Then, execution of the update program on the RAM 16 is started (S216). Thereafter, the control program on the flash memory 12 is rewritten according to this program.

On the other hand, there is no update program suitable for the own device in the update data (S21).
If the result of step 2 is “unsuitable”), the execution of the download program 100 in the ROM 10 is continued without switching the program execution as described above, and the execution of the original update program 112 in the ROM 10 is started. (S216). In this case, the rewriting process of the control program is performed by updating the update program 112 in the ROM 10.
It is performed according to.

The processing of the following steps S218 to S226 is performed by using the update program (if there is one that matches the update data) in the RAM 16 or the ROM.
This is realized by executing the update program in 10 (when there is no suitable program). In this process, first, a new control program suitable for the device configuration of the own device is identified from the update data 150 in the storage device 24 (S218). Update data 150
If the header information ID (X: xi) of the header section (FIG. 3) of the header information matches the configuration information 114 in the ROM 10, the identification result (S220) indicates that there is a conforming program.
Becomes

In S220, if there is no new program suitable for the own apparatus, the control is transferred to the error processing routine of the download program in the ROM 10, and the abnormality handling processing is performed (S228). In this process, for example, a warning LED or the like provided on the device is turned on, an error message such as "a program suitable for the device cannot be found" is displayed on the display of the device, and the execution of the download program is performed. To stop.

In S220, if there is a new program that is compatible with the device, the program refers to the index information of the program included in the header information (FIG. 4) corresponding to the device configuration, and updates the program from the update data 150. Is extracted (S222), and the extracted program is written to the flash memory 12 (S224). Then, the contents of the written program are stored in the flash memory 1.
2 and compares it with the contents of the same program extracted from the storage device 24 to check whether the data has been correctly written (S226). If they match, it means that the writing has been performed correctly, and thus the update (update) of the control program is completed. On the other hand, if they do not match, it means that correct writing could not be performed, so control is transferred to the error handling routine of the download program in the ROM 10 and abnormalities such as displaying a message such as "Write error occurred" The corresponding process is executed (S228), and the execution of the download program is stopped.

According to the download / update process described above, if the update program 112 incorporated in the service device cannot perform the correct update, the service device can include the appropriate update program 152 in the data to be downloaded. By executing the appropriate update program 152, correct update processing can be realized.

In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, transfer errors are checked for all programs received after data reception. However, it is also possible to limit this check to only programs compatible with the own device. In this case, for example, after detecting a conformity update program in S210, a transfer error is checked for it, and S2
After extracting the conforming new program at 18, a transfer error may be checked for it.

In the above procedure, all of the received update data is temporarily stored in the storage device 24, and the data suitable for the own device is extracted from the data and used.
Instead of this, in parallel with the reception, a program compatible with the own device may be extracted from the received data, and only the compatible program may be held.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. As described above, according to the present embodiment, an update program suitable for the current configuration (owned functions, mounted flash memory, and the like) of the service device to be updated is downloaded, and the update process is performed using the program. Even in a situation where the device configuration has been changed and the update program built into the device cannot handle the situation, the update process can be performed. Further, according to this method, even when the built-in update program 112 has a bug, a correct update process can be performed by downloading a correct update program.

In this embodiment, since the service device updates the program by extracting a program suitable for the device from the downloaded data and executing the program, the data of the data including the program suitable for the device is downloaded. After downloading the chunk, the device automatically extracts the matching program and performs the update process.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operator does not need to explicitly select and download a program suitable for the device, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. In particular, if update data for a plurality of types (models, configurations) of devices and update data in which new control programs are packaged into one are prepared,
Update processing can be performed simultaneously on a plurality of types of devices with one update data (these devices are assumed to have the functions of the present embodiment). In this case, the update operator only needs to set each service device in a download wait state, set an update data disk or the like in the host device, and instruct the host device to start downloading. There is no need to indicate whether the program should be passed. Of the download processing programs (the program 100 in FIG. 2) incorporated in the service device, except for the update program 112 and the configuration information 114, they hardly depend on the device configuration. The download / update processing can be instructed by almost the same operation.

The above description is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the control program to be updated is stored in the flash memory 12, but the present invention is not limited to the flash memory, but may be any non-volatile rewritable medium.

In the above-described embodiment, the update program for the configuration assumed at the time of shipment is built in the service device. However, a configuration in which this is omitted may be considered. In other words, a method is used in which, from a program for download processing, a part of an update program which depends on the device configuration, the specifications of the flash memory, and the like is extracted from the downloaded data and used. In this case, for the update data to be downloaded, it is necessary to prepare update programs for all the devices targeted by the data.

In the above description of the embodiment, the update of the control program in the flash memory is taken as an example. However, this method can be used even when a program that was not originally in the service device is newly installed in the flash memory or the like. Can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration information 114 indicating the device configuration of the service device is stored in the ROM 10, but this is stored in the flash memory 12 or the storage device 24.
It is also possible to make it memorize. in this case,
The contents of the configuration information 114 can be rewritten as needed. Therefore, when a new hardware component that requires a change on the control program side is added to an already sold device, the configuration information is rewritten to a value indicating the new configuration, and the subsequent control program is rewritten. At the time of updating, correct update processing can be executed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control mechanism of a service device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining programs stored in each memory of the service device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of downloaded update data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the content of header information of update data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state of batch download to devices having different device configurations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a download process.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ROM, 12 flash memory, 14 processor, 16 RAM, 18 various control units, 20
Communication interface, 22 operation unit, 24 mass storage device, 100 download program, 120 control program, 150 update data.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Kuramoto 3-1-1, Honcho, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama WAT SU Building West Building 4F Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Shunichi Ota 3-1-1, Honcho, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama WAT SU Building West Building 4F Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Jun Sato 3-1-1, Honcho, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama WAT SU Building West Building 4F Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house F-term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AP07 HH03 HJ08 HN15 5B076 AC03 BB14 CA01 5C062 AA05 AB41 AB42 AB43 AC22 AC56

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for updating a control program in a service device that provides a service by executing a control program stored in a storage unit, wherein the service device stores update data in a predetermined format in the service device. Reading means for reading, detection means for detecting an update program from the read update data, and update execution means for executing the detected update program to write a control program extracted from the update data to the storage means, Update data in the predetermined format including a control program corresponding to the service device, and an update program executable on the service device for writing the control program to the service device. And an update method in which the update is performed by reading the update data into the service device. 2. As the update data, a control program for each of a plurality of types of service devices, an update program for each of the plurality of types of service devices, and each of the update program and the control program is suitable for any type of service device. And identification information indicating whether to perform the update, and the detection unit and the update execution unit of the service device refer to the identification information to identify an update program and a control program that are compatible with the service device. The update method according to claim 1. 3. The service device includes a second storage unit that stores an update program. If the update data does not include an update program that is compatible with the service device, the service device stores the update program in the second storage unit. The update method according to claim 2, wherein the stored update program is executed. 4. A service device for executing a service process by executing a control program stored in a storage means, the update data having a predetermined format including a control program and an update program corresponding to the service device. Reading means for reading the update data, detecting means for detecting whether or not the read update data includes an update program which can be executed by the own device, and detecting an update program which can be executed by the own device from the update data. An update execution unit that writes the control program for the own device included in the update data into the storage unit by executing the update program. 5. A storage device for executing a service process by executing a control program stored in a first storage device, and a second storage device storing an update program for updating the control program.
A service device capable of updating the control program by executing an update program in a second storage unit, the update device having a predetermined format including a control program and an update program corresponding to the service device. Reading means for reading data; detecting means for detecting whether or not the read update data includes an update program executable by the own device; and detecting an update program executable by the own device from the update data. Executing the update program detected from the update data in place of the update program stored in the second storage means, so that the control program for the own device included in the update data is changed to the second program. one Service apparatus comprising: a update execution unit, a write to the storage means. 6. The service device according to claim 4, wherein the reading unit has a function of downloading the update data from an external device connected via a network. 7. The update data includes identification information indicating the type of the service device to which the control program included is compatible, and the service device stores configuration information of the device. The update executing means identifies the control program for the own device by comparing the identification information of the control program included in the update data with the configuration information stored in the own device. The service device according to claim 4 or claim 5. 8. The service device according to claim 7, wherein said configuration information storage means is rewritable.