JP2004234135A - Image forming device, program and record medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, a program and a record medium, allowing easy management of data, and allowing discovery of updating data from a lot of data at high speed to prevent unjust use of update data for the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming device, a data program update means updating a program and data for operating the image forming device updates the program and the data inside the image forming device by use of the updating data stored in a medium storing file information only when a regular medium decision file is stored in a position under a folder of a name showing a storage place of the updating data inside the medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that updates a program, such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile, a program, and a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Storage media having a much larger capacity than the size of a program for operating an image forming apparatus have become popular. For example, an SD card or the like can store data of 16 megabytes to 256 megabytes while each program in the image forming apparatus has a size of about 256 kilobytes to about 10 megabytes.
[0003]
As a conventional technique, there is an image forming apparatus capable of protecting a copyright of a program or data written in an external storage device (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-32847 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, an increase in the capacity of the medium means that many types of data may be stored in the same medium at the same time. Data management becomes complicated. Therefore, it is common to create a folder having a specific name in the medium and change the folder to be stored according to the type of data to facilitate data management. Further, the fact that the number of data that can be stored is large causes a problem that it takes a lot of time to find data for updating a data program from the data.
[0006]
In addition, since a large-capacity storage medium such as an SD card is a medium generally used in other digital information devices such as a PC and a digital camera, regardless of an image forming apparatus, a tool for rewriting data in the card. Can be easily obtained. For this reason, incorrect data may be stored, or illegally copied data may be stored. In particular, the fact that illegally copied data can be stored is a serious problem, as unfair infringement of copyright has become a serious problem in recent years. In particular, with the development of networks, an environment in which program data for updating is provided through a network has become common, and SD cards that are easily available on general media are used for program updating. In the case where the storage medium is used, illegal copying cannot be prevented due to the above-mentioned drawback. (In order to prevent unauthorized copying, there is a means for selecting a non-general-purpose medium. Not increase the cost). Therefore, in order to prevent unauthorized data from being used, information indicating that the data is valid is added to the data for updating the data / program, and based on the information, only legal data is stored in the image forming apparatus. -A means to make the program updatable is required.
[0007]
Further, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is a technique for adding a device-specific serial number to a medium so that the same card cannot be used for a plurality of devices. However, the technology of the present invention is based on the premise that the program data and media for updating are provided only by the manufacturer and are not disclosed to the public, so that even a card without a serial number can be installed in the device. It was. That is, once you get the blank media, once you get the program data, you can easily install it on multiple models by making illegal copies. There were drawbacks.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, makes it easy to manage data, makes it possible to find update data at high speed from among a large number of data, and updates the image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a program, and a recording medium that can prevent unauthorized use of data.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data for operating the image forming apparatus and data for updating a program are updated using update data stored in a medium for storing file information. A program updating unit, wherein the data program updating unit uses the update data only when a regular media determination file is stored at a specific location in the medium, and stores the program in the image forming apparatus. The updating of the data and the program is performed.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the specific location in the medium for storing the file information is located under a folder indicating a storage location of the update data. It is characterized by being located.
[0011]
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data and program updating unit updates data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus by using update data stored in a medium that stores file information; Data determination means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, and only when the unauthorized data determination means determines that the update data is legitimate data, An update unit updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus using the update data.
[0012]
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein data and program updating means for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus using update data stored in a medium for storing file information; Media determining means for determining whether the medium storing the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, and the unauthorized media determiner determines that the update data is stored on the legitimate medium. Only in this case, the data / program updating means updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus using the update data.
[0013]
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein data and program updating means for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus using update data stored in a medium for storing file information; Unauthorized media determining means for determining whether the medium storing the data for use is legitimate or unauthorized, and unauthorized data determining means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, When the unauthorized data determination unit determines that the update data is stored on a legitimate medium, and when the unauthorized data determination unit determines that the update data stored on the medium is legitimate data Only when the data / program updating means uses the update data, the data / program in the image forming apparatus is used. It is characterized by updating the program.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first to fifth aspects, the medium for storing the file information includes an external storage medium, and has an external storage medium mounting means for mounting the external storage medium. It is characterized by:
[0015]
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the data / program updating means finds the updated data in an external storage medium, the communication means is provided. And updates data and programs of other devices connected to the image forming apparatus.
[0016]
The program according to claim 8, wherein the unauthorized data determination processing determines whether the medium storing the update data for updating the information for operating the image forming apparatus is legitimate or unauthorized. Unauthorized data determination processing for determining whether the data is legitimate or unauthorized, and when the update data is determined to be stored on a legitimate medium by the unauthorized media determination processing and when the medium is determined by the unauthorized data determination processing Only when it is determined that the stored update data is legitimate data, using the update data stored in the medium, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by being executed by a computer.
[0017]
The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the medium for storing the update data for updating the information for operating the image forming apparatus determines whether the medium is legitimate or unauthorized, and the update data Is unauthorized data determination processing for determining whether the data is legitimate or unauthorized, and when the update data is determined to be stored in a legitimate medium by the unauthorized media determination processing, and Only when it is determined that the update data stored in the medium is legitimate data, using the update data stored in the medium, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus; In which a program for causing a computer to execute the program is recorded.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a program configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital copying machine of the present invention is a so-called multi-function image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner in one unit.
[0020]
The configuration of the program includes a controller board that performs the main control of the device. Various controller control programs (ECS, IMH, SCS, SRM, etc) and each application program are mounted on a rewritable Flash-ROM. Have been. The controller also has an operation panel board connected through a synchronous serial line, on which firmware for controlling the operation unit is mounted. Further, an FCU board for receiving and transmitting FAX documents and an engine board for printing and reading images are connected through a PCI bus line, and the programs on these boards are also stored in a rewritable Flash-ROM. Have been.
[0021]
An SD card slot for mounting an SD card is mounted on the controller board. When the SD card slot is mounted, it is possible to access file data in the SD card. When the controller finds data for updating a program, the controller can instruct not only to update the program on the controller board but also to update each program such as an operation unit, an engine, and an FCU connected via various communication lines. The description of the method of updating the program is omitted because it is a general technique.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a file / folder configuration in an SD card inserted into the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This SD card has a very general format that can be accessed in the form of a folder and a file. In the SD card, data used for various purposes such as "folder for storing data for updating programs", "folder for storing application startup files", "folder for storing debug data", and "folder for storing information in the device" are stored. The controller software operates files under a folder with a name corresponding to the application. A plurality of types of program update data can be stored under the program update data storage folder.
[0023]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is always monitored whether or not the SD card is inserted into the SD card slot. If an SD card is inserted into the SD card slot (S301 / YES), it is checked whether or not a folder named "program update data storage folder" exists in the inserted SD card (S302). If a folder exists (S302 / YES), all files located in the "program update data storage folder" are regarded as program update file targets, and an updatable file is selected from the files. Update is performed (S303).
[0024]
The present invention is intended only for files in the "program update data storage folder", so if a program update file is placed elsewhere, even if the file is legitimate, The image forming apparatus of the present invention does not update the program.
[0025]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, header information in which a target model, a target destination, a target firmware type, and the like are written is added to the program update file handled by the image forming apparatus.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 5, since there is a mechanism in which the destination information of the image forming apparatus main body is notified from the plotter firmware to the controller, the controller that determines whether the program can be updated / added knows this information. be able to. Here, the destination information is managed by the plotter engine software, and is collected by the SRM. By providing the information collected by the SRM to the SCS, the SCS can know the destination of the model.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 6, the model information is embedded in the controller program, so that the controller can know which model the user is by referring to the model information. Here, the SCS holds the model ID in its own ROM.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 7, the controller can collect module information unique to the program, so that it is possible to know what firmware is installed in the image forming apparatus. The OS collects the module ID of each program existing on the controller board at the time of starting the software and provides the SCS. The module ID of the peripheral software is collected through the SRM, and the SCS can know the module ID by providing the information collected by the SRM to the SCS.
[0029]
As shown in the flow of FIG. 8, first, it is checked whether the model information matches (S801), and then, it is checked whether the destination information matches (S802). Next, it is checked whether or not the target firmware exists (S803), and if so, it is regarded as regular data that can be updated (S804). In each of the above steps, if the information does not match or the firmware does not exist, it is regarded as illegal data (S805). In this manner, from the information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the controller and the header information added to the update file, it is determined whether or not the program in the image forming apparatus can be updated using the update file. Can be.
[0030]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, a file for determining whether the medium is a regular medium is added to the SD card medium handled by the image forming apparatus. This file is stored in the SD card as a hidden file so that the SD card user cannot see it. Only when a file invisible to the card user is attached, it is determined that the SD card is a legitimate medium. As shown in the flow of FIG. 10, first, it is checked whether a file for judging a regular media exists (S1001), and if so, it is checked whether the contents of the file are correct (S1002). Then, the program is updated only when it is determined that the medium is a legitimate medium (S1003), and is not performed when it is determined that the medium is improper (S1004).
[0031]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. It is of course possible to combine the embodiments described so far. For example, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 11, it is always monitored whether or not an SD card is inserted into the SD card slot, and the SD card slot is inserted into the SD card slot. If the card is inserted (S1101 / YES), it is checked whether or not a regular media determination file exists (S1102). If it exists, it is checked whether the contents of the file are correct (S1103). When it is determined that the medium is a regular medium for program update, it is checked whether or not a folder named “program update data storage folder” exists in the inserted SD card (S1104). If the folder exists (1104 / YES), first, it is checked whether the model information matches (S1105), and then, it is checked whether the destination information matches (S1106). Next, it is checked whether or not the target firmware exists (S1107). If the firmware exists, it is regarded as regular data that can be updated, and the program is updated (S1109). In each of the above steps, if the information does not match or the file or folder does not exist, it is regarded as invalid data and the program is not updated (S1108). In this manner, data that satisfies all of the determination conditions of the regular media, the existence of the directory for storing the program update data, and the determination conditions of the regular file information can be regarded as the program updateable data.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus uses the update data stored in the medium storing the file information to operate the image forming apparatus. And has a data program update means to update the program, the data program update means, only when the regular media determination file is stored at a specific location in the medium, using the update data, The data and the program in the image forming apparatus are updated, and a location (folder name) for storing data for updating the data / program is determined in advance, so that the user can manage the data. It is easy to use, and it is possible to quickly find update data from a large amount of data. Selfishness is improved.
[0033]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the specific location in the medium for storing the file information is located under a folder indicating a storage location of the update data. It is characterized by its location, so by adopting the concept of folders and files commonly used in PCs, etc., it is possible for a user of the device to easily and quickly find update data. , The usability is improved.
[0034]
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data and program updating unit updates data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus by using update data stored in a medium that stores file information; Data determination means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, and only when the unauthorized data determination means determines that the update data is legitimate data, Since the updating unit updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus using the update data, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus.
[0035]
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein data and program updating means for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus using update data stored in a medium for storing file information; Media determining means for determining whether the medium storing the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, and the unauthorized media determiner determines that the update data is stored on the legitimate medium. Only in this case, the data / program updating means updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus by using the update data, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus. There is an effect that can be done.
[0036]
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein data and program updating means for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus using update data stored in a medium for storing file information; Unauthorized media determining means for determining whether the medium storing the data for use is legitimate or unauthorized, and unauthorized data determining means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized, When the unauthorized data determination unit determines that the update data is stored on a legitimate medium, and when the unauthorized data determination unit determines that the update data stored on the medium is legitimate data Only when the data / program updating means uses the data for updating, the data and program in the image forming apparatus are updated. Since the feature is that the program is updated, it is easy for the user to manage the data, and it is possible to quickly find update data from a large number of data, thereby improving the usability of the user, This has the effect of preventing unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus.
[0037]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first to fifth aspects, the medium for storing the file information includes an external storage medium, and has an external storage medium mounting means for mounting the external storage medium. Because of this feature, an external storage medium can be used, and the usability of the user is improved.
[0038]
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the data / program updating means finds the updated data in an external storage medium, the communication means is provided. Is characterized in that data and programs of other devices connected to the image forming apparatus are updated, so that externally connected peripheral devices can be updated, and the usability of the user is improved.
[0039]
The program according to claim 8, wherein the unauthorized data determination processing determines whether the medium storing the update data for updating the information for operating the image forming apparatus is legitimate or unauthorized. Unauthorized data determination processing for determining whether the data is legitimate or unauthorized, and when the update data is determined to be stored in a legitimate medium by the unauthorized media determination processing and when the medium is determined by the unauthorized data determination processing Only when it is determined that the stored update data is legitimate data, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus using the update data stored in the medium. It is characterized by being executed by a computer, making it easy for users to manage data and to quickly update data from a large amount of data. It is possible to find the use data, along with user-friendliness is improved, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus.
[0040]
The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the medium for storing the update data for updating the information for operating the image forming apparatus determines whether the medium is legitimate or unauthorized, and the update data Is illegal data judging processing for judging whether the data is legitimate or illegal, and when the update data is judged to be stored in a legitimate medium by the illegal media judging processing, and when the media is judged by the illegal data judging processing. Only when it is determined that the update data stored in the medium is legitimate data, using the update data stored in the medium, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus; It is characterized by recording a program that allows a computer to execute It can be found quickly updating data from the data and will, together with the user-friendliness is improved, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a program configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a file / folder configuration in an SD card inserted into the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program update file handled by the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of destination information of the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an embedding position of model information.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of module information.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a position of a hidden file in an SD card medium inserted into the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 operation panel board 2 operation unit firmware 3 controller board 4 SD card slot 5 SD card 6 PCI bus 7 FCU board 8 FCU firmware 9 engine board 10 plotter firmware 11 scanner firmware

Claims (9)

Using update data stored in a medium that stores file information, the program has data / program update means for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus,
The data program updating means updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus only when a regular media determination file is stored in a specific location in the medium. apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific location in the medium is located under a folder having a name indicating that the update data is stored. A data / program updating unit for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus by using update data stored in a medium for storing file information;
Having unauthorized data determination means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized,
Only when the unauthorized data determination unit determines that the update data is legitimate data, the data / program update unit uses the update data to update the data and the program in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that performs updating. A data / program updating unit for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus by using update data stored in a medium for storing file information;
Having unauthorized media determining means for determining whether the media storing the update data is legitimate or unauthorized,
Only when the unauthorized media determination means determines that the update data is stored in a legitimate medium, the data / program update means uses the update data to store the data and the data in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for updating the program. A data / program updating unit for updating data and a program for operating the image forming apparatus by using update data stored in a medium for storing file information;
Unauthorized media determination means for determining whether the media storing the update data is legitimate or unauthorized,
Having unauthorized data determination means for determining whether the update data is legitimate or unauthorized,
When the unauthorized data is determined by the unauthorized media determination unit to be stored on the authorized media, and when the updated data stored on the media is authorized data by the unauthorized data determination unit. The image forming apparatus, wherein the data / program updating unit updates the data and the program in the image forming apparatus using the update data only when the determination is made. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium storing the file information includes an external storage medium, and has an external storage medium mounting unit that mounts the external storage medium. . When the data / program update unit finds the update data in the external storage medium, the data / program update unit updates the data and program of another device connected to the image forming apparatus by a communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Unauthorized media determination processing for determining whether a medium storing update data for updating information for operating the image forming apparatus is legitimate or unauthorized,
Fraudulent data determination processing for determining whether the update data is legitimate or fraudulent;
When the update data is determined to be stored on a legitimate medium by the unauthorized media determination process, and when the update data stored on the media is determined to be legitimate data by the unauthorized data determination process Only when, using the update data stored in the medium, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus,
A program for causing a computer to execute. Unauthorized media determination processing for determining whether a medium storing update data for updating information for operating the image forming apparatus is legitimate or unauthorized,
Fraudulent data determination processing for determining whether the update data is legitimate or fraudulent;
When the update data is determined to be stored on a legitimate medium by the unauthorized media determination process, and when the update data stored on the media is determined to be legitimate data by the unauthorized data determination process Only when, using the update data stored in the medium, an information update process of updating information for operating the image forming apparatus,
Recording medium for recording a program for causing a computer to execute the program.

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