JP2005215854A - Software update device and software update system provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily grasp a change part caused according to upgrade of a software. <P>SOLUTION: This software update device for updating a first software to a second software newer than the first software comprises an information retrieval means; an information changing means; a holding means; and an output means. The information retrieval means can retrieve first information contained in the first software, which is to be changed according to updating to the second software. The information changing means can change the first information retrieved by the retrieval means to second information included in the second software and corresponding to the first information. The holding means can hold a change content changed by the information changing means. The output means can output the change content held by the holding means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a software update device, and more particularly to a software update device for updating first software to second software that is newer than the first software.

  The present invention also relates to a software update system provided with such a software update device.

  Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers include an image forming unit for outputting image information on paper or the like, and a hardware such as a display panel for displaying print information. A hardware that can be controlled by software including a series of programs and data is widely used.

  The software used in such devices is usually updated to a new version by service personnel when a new version is developed. At that time, refer to the manual of the new version. Now you can see which parts of the old version have changed and how.

As techniques related to this, for example, those shown in the following patent documents are already known.
JP 2000-298580 A

  However, it is troublesome to check the changed part caused by the version upgrade with a manual or the like. In particular, since only the changes from the previous version can be found only by referring to the latest version of the manual, when updates are performed across multiple versions at once, all versions In order to know the changes made in, it is necessary to decipher which changes were made and how they were changed while referring to the manual of each version. Become.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily grasp a change portion that occurs with an upgrade of software.

  The software update device according to claim 1 is a software update device for updating the first software to second software that is newer than the first software, and includes an information search means, an information change means, a holding means, and an output Means. The information search means can search for the first information that is included in the first software and that should be changed as the second software is updated. The information changing means can change the first information searched by the information searching means to second information that is included in the second software and corresponds to the first information. The holding unit can hold the changed content changed by the information changing unit. The output means can output the change contents held in the holding means.

  In the present invention, the first software includes not only the version one previous to the second software but also the version earlier than the second software. Further, as specific modes of output by the output means, printing on paper or the like by an apparatus having an image forming function such as a copying machine or a printer, a display screen provided in such an image forming apparatus, or an image forming apparatus Display on the operation screen of the information processing apparatus connected to the server, e-mail transmission to the information processing apparatus, and the like. Further, the output change contents do not need to be detailed data before and after the change, but may be a message or the like that indicates where the change has been made.

  In this device, the contents of the change caused by the upgrade are held by the holding means and are also output by the output means. It can be easily grasped. In particular, even when updated over a plurality of versions at a time, all changed contents are output, so that it is much easier to grasp the changed contents than when referring to a manual or the like.

  The software update device according to claim 2 is the device according to claim 1, wherein the change contents are deleted when the second software is updated to third software that is newer than the second software.

  With this configuration, the content of the change can be output at any time until the next version upgrade, and the capacity of the holding means is reduced by erasing at the next version upgrade. I have to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the software updating apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the retaining means can retain the changed contents at least until the second software is updated to the third software that is newer than the second software.

  With this configuration, when the version is further upgraded in the future, it is possible to refer to the past change history, so that the change history can be grasped in more detail.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the software updating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first and second software are used for controlling the image forming apparatus. The output unit has an image forming unit capable of recording the changed content on a sheet-like recording medium. The sheet-like recording medium includes paper, an OHP sheet, and the like.

  In this apparatus, in particular, in a version upgrade of software used for controlling the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily know a changed part accompanying the update.

  As specific examples of the software updating apparatus here, an image forming apparatus capable of performing version upgrade work independently without using other externally connected devices, and an image forming apparatus having no such function. In addition, there may be a single device in which an information processing device having such a function and having second software is connected.

  A software update system according to a fifth aspect includes the software update apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and an information processing apparatus. Second software can be prepared in the information processing apparatus.

  In this system, the upgrade can be performed using the second software prepared by the information processing apparatus, and the contents of the change caused by the upgrade are held by the holding means of the software update apparatus and output by the output means. Therefore, the person in charge of service can easily grasp the contents of the change without referring to the manual or the like. In particular, even when updated over a plurality of versions at a time, all the changed contents are output, so that it is much easier to grasp the changed contents than when referring to a plurality of manuals.

  A specific example of this system includes an image forming apparatus as a software update transmission apparatus and a computer or other image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus connected thereto. Further, the information processing apparatus may have the second software in advance, or may be acquired from the outside through the Internet.

  According to the present invention, the contents of the change caused by the version upgrade are held by the holding means of the software updating apparatus and output by the output means. It is possible to easily grasp the contents of changes accompanying the upgrade. In particular, even when updated over a plurality of versions at a time, all the changed contents are output, so that it is much easier to grasp the changed contents than when referring to the manual.

[Software update system]
1 and 2 show a software update system 1 in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

  The software update system 1 is a system for updating first software to second software that is newer than the first software, and includes an image forming apparatus 3 and an information processing apparatus 5 connected to the image forming apparatus 3. I have.

  The first and second software are composed of a series of programs and data for controlling hardware such as an image forming unit 13 (described later) in the image forming apparatus 3. The first software may be at least a version prior to the second software, and may be two or more previous versions.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 3 is a composite apparatus having functions as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and includes an original reading unit 11, an image forming unit 13, an input operation unit 15, a communication unit 17, Another input / output unit 19 and a control unit 20 are provided.

  The document reading unit 11 is for reading image information of a document fed on a document table (not shown), and has an optical system (not shown).

  The image forming unit (output unit) 13 forms an image based on image information read by the document reading unit 11 and image data sent from an externally connected device such as a scanner or a computer. The accompanying changes can be output. Specifically, the image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum, a main charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device (not shown). The photosensitive drum has an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface. The main charging device is a device for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device is a device that forms a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The transfer device is a device for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto a sheet. The fixing device is a device for fixing the transferred toner image on a sheet.

  The input operation unit 15 includes a key group and a display panel (not shown). The key group specifically includes a start key for instructing printing and a setting key for setting various printing conditions. have. The display panel displays information related to printing and an operation screen that accepts an input operation from the outside.

  The communication unit 17 is for transmitting and receiving information to and from the information processing apparatus 5 and other computers connected to the outside via a LAN or the Internet.

  The other input / output unit 19 includes a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit (not shown). The paper feed unit is for transporting papers arranged in a plurality of paper feed cassettes and manual feed trays (both not shown) toward the image forming unit 13. The paper discharge unit is for discharging the paper on which the image is formed in the image forming unit 13 to the outside.

  The control unit 20 is connected to the document reading unit 11, the image forming unit 13, the input operation unit 15, the communication unit 17, and another input / output unit 19, and specifically, a microcomputer having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like. It is configured.

  The CPU is for executing a program or the like stored in the ROM to control the image forming unit 13 or the like or perform an upgrade operation. In addition to functioning as a work area for the CPU, the RAM can hold the contents of changes associated with version upgrades. The change contents held by the RAM are stored in the ROM until the next version upgrade is performed.

  The ROM stores first software, and further stores an information search program and an information change program. The information retrieval program retrieves information (first information) to be updated from information included in the backup data of the first software when upgrading the first software, and is included in the second software. This is for searching for second information having contents corresponding to the first information from the information. The information change program is for rewriting the first information retrieved by the information retrieval program with the second information. A predetermined printing program is also stored in the ROM, and the changed contents changed by the information search program are output to the paper or the like by the image forming unit 13 together with the contents of the parts not changed. For example, the contents of the changed part are output in red or bold letters so that the changed part can be easily distinguished from the part that has not been changed.

[Information processing device]
The information processing apparatus 5 is a computer used for supporting upgrade work in the image forming apparatus 3, and includes an input unit 21, an output unit 23, a storage unit 25, and a processing unit 27. Yes.

  The input unit 21 is used to input commands, data, and the like to the processing unit 27. Here, the upgrade unit can be instructed to the image forming apparatus 3 via the processing unit 27.

  The output unit 23 can output the processing result in the processing unit 27 and can display the contents of the change due to the version upgrade in the image forming apparatus 3.

  The storage unit 25 stores various data, programs, and the like, and stores second software and programs for supporting version upgrade of the first software.

  The processing unit 27 can control the input unit 21, the output unit 23, and the storage unit 25, and can support the upgrade operation by communicating with the image forming apparatus 3.

[System Operation]
Next, the operation of this software update system 1 will be described.

  When the information processing apparatus 5 operates the input unit 21 to instruct the image forming apparatus 3 to upgrade the first software, first, the information processing apparatus 5 calls the second software to the image forming apparatus 3. . Then, in the image forming unit 13, the first information and the second information are searched, and the searched first information is rewritten to the corresponding second information, and specifically, such a change has been made. And information before and after the change are stored as change contents.

  Here, the version upgrade operation will be described more specifically based on FIG.

  Here, a case will be described as an example where the first software that is version 5 or later software is updated to the second software that is version 10. Version 5 and later versions are assumed to have been developed in the order of versions 6, 8, and 10.

  When the image forming apparatus 3 is instructed to upgrade (S1) and the second software is called (S2), it is determined whether or not the first software currently installed in the image forming apparatus 3 is version 10. (S3). If it is determined to be version 10, it is determined that version upgrade is not necessary, and the operation is terminated. If it is determined that version 10 is not determined, a history of contents changed at the previous version upgrade Is deleted (S4), and then it is determined whether or not the first software is lower than version 5 (S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the first software is smaller than version 5, the current exposure fine adjustment center value (first information) and this value are set to a new default value “8” (second information). Initialization is left as a history (S6), and the exposure fine adjustment center value is changed to "8" (S7). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the first software is version 5 or higher, it is then determined whether the first software is lower than version 6 (S8).

  If it is determined in step S8 that it is smaller than version 6, the current automatic exposure adjustment γ inclination value (first information) and a new default value “5” (second information) of this value are initialized. Is left as a history (S9), and the automatic exposure adjustment γ inclination is changed to “5” (S10). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the first software is version 6 or higher, it is then determined whether the first software is lower than version 8 (S11).

  If it is determined in step S11 that the version is smaller than version 8, the current network scanner function valid / invalid setting state (first information) and this function setting state are set to a new default state “valid” (second). Information) is left as a history (S12), and the network scanner function is changed to “valid” (S13). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the first software is version 8 or higher, it is determined that the first software is version 8, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S15, the setting value (first information) of the current print margin setting and initialization of this value to a new default value “3 mm” (second information) are left as a history. In step S16, The setting value of the print margin setting is changed to “3 mm”. After the above steps, the first software is updated to the second software with the version set to 10 (S17). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S18, and the change contents and the like are output to the sheet by the image forming unit 13 and displayed on the output unit 23 in the information processing apparatus 5.

  According to the software update system 1 as described above, the contents changed as a result of version upgrade are output to a sheet by the image forming unit 13 and displayed by the information processing apparatus 5. It is possible to easily grasp the contents of changes accompanying the upgrade.

In particular, even when updating multiple versions at once, such as when upgrading from version 5 to version 10, all changes are output in this system. In the above example, exposure fine adjustment is performed. The change history of the center value, automatic exposure adjustment γ tilt value, network scanner function setting status, and print margin setting value can be checked, so when checking with reference to the manual for each version In comparison, it is much easier to grasp the contents of changes that accompany upgrades.
[Other Embodiments]
(A) The output unit is not limited to the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus or the output unit of the information processing apparatus, and a communication unit provided in each apparatus, a display panel of an input operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus, or the like It may be.

  (B) The contents changed by the version upgrade may be stored in the ROM so as to be readable in the next and subsequent version upgrades.

  (C) The software updating apparatus of the present invention is not only applied to the image forming apparatus, but can also be applied to other devices equipped with hardware that can be controlled by software.

  (D) The image forming apparatus only needs to have at least one of a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile function.

The perspective view which shows the software update system with which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. The control block diagram which shows the said system typically. The flowchart for demonstrating the version-up operation | movement in the said system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Software update system 3 Image forming apparatus 5 Information processing apparatus

Claims (5)

A software update device for updating first software to second software that is newer than the first software,
Information search means capable of searching for the first information that is included in the first software and that should be changed as the second software is updated;
Information changing means capable of changing the first information searched by the information searching means into second information included in the second software and corresponding to the first information;
Holding means capable of holding the changed content changed by the information changing means;
Output means capable of outputting the change content held in the holding means;
Software update device with   The software update device according to claim 1, wherein the change content is deleted when the second software is further updated to third software that is newer than the second software.   The software updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is capable of holding the change contents at least until the second software is updated to third software that is newer than the second software. The first and second software are used for controlling the image forming apparatus,
The output unit includes an image forming unit capable of recording the change content on a sheet-like recording medium.
The software updating apparatus according to claim 1. A software update device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information processing apparatus capable of preparing the second software;
Software update system with

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