JP2005267001A - Data intake device and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To return a program to an old version, and to prevent automatic update to an unjust program, in an information processor automatically taking in data or the program from a storage medium such as a USB flash memory to perform update. <P>SOLUTION: When automatically detecting that the storage medium 5 is connected to a USB host I/F part 15, a selection means 22 investigates attribute information of each file stored in the storage medium 5, and selects a file having a newest update date among the stored files. A normality decision means 24 verifies normality of the file by a checksum, and writes contents of the file into a nonvolatile flash memory (a storage means) 26 only when normality. Thereby, by only connecting the storage medium 5, the program inside the information processor 10 is automatically updated to a normal program having the newest update date among the storage medium 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data fetching apparatus that automatically fetches and updates programs and data stored in a connected storage medium, and an information processing apparatus including the data fetching apparatus.

  In a device or an information processing apparatus that operates based on a program, it may be necessary to update the current program to correct the problem or add a function. For example, the program and data are updated by downloading from a server through a network.

  In order to reduce the workload associated with updating the program, the program on the information processing apparatus side is automatically updated by simply connecting the peripheral device storing the target program to the information processing apparatus. A proposed system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, the version of the program stored on the peripheral device side is compared with the version of the existing program in the information processing device, and the program on the information processing device side is used only when the version on the peripheral device side is newer Is supposed to be updated.

JP 2000-187633 A

  If the program stored on the peripheral device is automatically updated only when the program stored in the peripheral device is newer, the information processing device program cannot be restored to an older version than the current one. .

  Further, since the version information is information that can be rewritten by the user, there is a possibility that if the version information is rewritten maliciously, the program of the information processing apparatus is automatically updated to an unauthorized program.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can automatically fetch a program and data from a connected storage medium and return the program to an old version. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data capturing device that does not automatically update a program and an information processing device including the same.

The invention according to claim 1 is a selection means (22) for selecting a data stored in the connected storage medium (5) that best fits a predetermined selection condition;
Reading means (23) for reading the data selected by the selection means (22) from the storage medium (5);
And a storage control unit (25) for storing the data read by the reading unit (23) in a predetermined storage unit (26).

  According to the above-described invention, the data stored in the connected storage medium (5) that is most suitable for the predetermined selection condition is selected and read and stored in the storage means (26). The suitability for the selection condition is not compared between the data already stored in the storage means (26) and the data stored in the storage medium (5). That is, the selection of data to be read from the storage medium (5) is performed without depending on the data stored in the storage means (26). Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to replace the data and programs stored in the storage means (26) with an older version.

  The storage medium (5) may be connected directly to a connection terminal like a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash memory, or may be connected via a network.

  The data mentioned here includes programs. Appropriate conditions such as version, update date and time, and file size can be used as selection conditions. The storage means (26) may be a volatile memory, but is preferably a nonvolatile storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk device.

  The storage control means (25) may additionally store the data read from the storage medium (5) in the storage means (26), or stores the same type of data already present in the storage means (26). It is good to update it with the one read from the medium (5).

The invention according to claim 2 is an attribute reading means (21) for reading attribute information of a file stored in the connected storage medium (5), which cannot be rewritten by the user,
Selecting means (22) for selecting a file based on the attribute information read by the attribute reading means (21);
Reading means (23) for reading the file selected by the selection means (22) from the storage medium (5);
And a storage control unit (25) for storing the data in the file read by the reading unit (23) in a predetermined storage unit (26).

  According to the above invention, the selection of the file stored in the connected storage medium (5) is performed based on information that cannot be rewritten by the user among the attribute information of the file. By using attribute information that cannot be rewritten by the user as the selection criterion, it becomes impossible to maliciously rewrite the information related to the selection criterion, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized programs and unauthorized data from being automatically taken in. The attribute information that cannot be rewritten by the user includes, for example, a file update date and time.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the selecting means (22) displays the attribute information of the file stored in the storage medium (5), and selects the file based on the user's selection operation. The data capturing device according to claim 2.

  According to the above invention, the file selection is performed through the user's selection operation based on the attribute information read from the storage medium (5). The display may be all or part of the attribute information of the file. The attribute information to be displayed preferably includes information that cannot be rewritten by the user, such as update date and time.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the selection means (22) automatically selects a file whose attribute information read from the storage medium (5) is most suitable for a predetermined selection condition. Item 3. The data capturing device according to Item 2.

  According to the above invention, the file that best meets the selection conditions is automatically selected.

The invention according to claim 5 is the data fetching apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 4, wherein the latest data or file update date is selected.

The invention according to claim 6 further includes normality judging means (24) for judging the normality of the read data or file,
The storage control means (25) stores the data or data in the file in a predetermined storage means (26) when the read data or file is normal. The data capturing device according to 3, 4 or 5.

  According to the above invention, the normality of the data and the file is judged, and the data and the data in the file are stored in the storage means (26) only when it is normal. There is no limitation on the method for judging normality. For example, a value derived by performing a predetermined operation on data whose normality is to be determined, such as a checksum, and a value obtained by performing the above operation on normal data in advance. A method of comparison can be used.

In the invention according to claim 7, the data read from the storage medium (5) or the data in the file is a program,
The storage control means (25), when a program already exists in the storage means (26), updates the program with a program read from the storage medium (5). The data capturing device according to 3, 4, 5 or 6.

  According to the above invention, the program already stored in the storage means (26) is updated with the program in the storage medium (5). When no program is stored in the storage means (26), a new program is stored from the storage medium (5).

  An invention according to an eighth aspect is an information processing apparatus (10) including the data fetching apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh aspect.

  According to the data fetching apparatus and the information processing apparatus including the same according to the present invention, the data that is most suitable for the predetermined selection condition among the data stored in the connected storage medium is selected, read, and stored. Therefore, the optimum data in the storage medium can be taken into the storage means without depending on the original data stored in the storage means. For example, it is possible to replace the programs and data in the storage means with versions older than the current version or those with an updated date and time.

  In the method of comparing the data stored in the storage medium and the data stored in the storage unit of the data capturing device with respect to the version or the like, data (for example, data having higher suitability for the selection condition than the data on the storage unit side) If there are a plurality of versions of new data) in the storage medium, it becomes impossible to determine which of them should be taken in. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the compatibility of the selection conditions is compared between the data stored in the storage medium, one data is always selected even when a plurality of data is stored in the storage medium. be able to. Further, if only one piece of data is stored in the storage medium, the data can be imported into the storage unit of the data acquisition device.

  If a file is selected based on information that cannot be rewritten by the user among the attribute information of the file, the information related to the selection standard cannot be rewritten maliciously. Is prevented.

  In the case of displaying the attribute information read from the storage medium and selecting the file according to the user's selection operation, it is possible to arbitrarily select and import the file desired by the user from among the files stored in the storage medium.

  In the case of automatically selecting a file that best meets the selection conditions, the work load related to program update and the like is reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 including a function as a data fetching apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the apparatus. A memory 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a USB host I / F unit 15, a display unit 16, and an operation unit 17 are connected to the bus 12 of the CPU 11.

  The non-volatile memory 14 functions to store programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data. Here, a flash memory is used as the nonvolatile memory 14. The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory that normally saves data even when the information processing apparatus 10 is turned off and on. The memory 13 is a random access memory used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program. The memory 13 may be a volatile memory.

  The USB host I / F unit 15 is an interface circuit for connecting various external devices using USB. The display unit 16 is a display device for displaying various information to the user. Here, a liquid crystal display is used. The operation unit 17 functions to accept various operations from the user, and includes, for example, a touch panel sensor provided on the surface of the display unit 16 and other switches.

  The information processing apparatus 10 selects and reads the program or data stored in the storage medium 5 connected through the USB host I / F unit 15 that best fits a predetermined selection condition and reads its normality. It confirms, and when it is normal, the program and data are stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. When the same type of program or data already exists in the nonvolatile memory 14, it is updated with the program or data read from the USB host I / F unit 15. For example, a USB flash memory is used as the storage medium 5.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The attribute reading means 21 functions to read the attribute information of the file stored in the connected storage medium 5. The read attribute information is temporarily stored in the memory 13 of FIG. The selection means 22 has a function of selecting a file whose attribute information best matches a predetermined selection condition. As attribute information used for selection, information that cannot be rewritten arbitrarily by the user is used. Here, the file is selected based on the update date of the file.

  The selection means 22 has an automatic selection mode and a user selection mode as operation modes at the time of selection. The automatic selection mode is an operation mode in which the selection means 22 automatically selects a file. The user selection mode is an operation mode in which attribute information read from the storage medium 5 is displayed on the display unit 16 in FIG. 2 and a file selection operation is received from the user through the operation unit 17.

  The reading unit 23 has a function of reading the file selected by the selecting unit 22 from the storage medium 5. The read file is temporarily stored in the memory 13 of FIG. The normality determining means 24 functions to determine the normality of the read file. Here, the normality of the file is determined using a checksum.

  The storage control unit 25 functions to store data (program) in the file in the storage unit 26 when the determination result of the normality determination unit 24 indicates that the file is normal. If the same type of program already exists in the storage means 26 when saving, the program is updated with the program of the file read from the storage medium 5.

  The functions of the reading unit 23 and the selection unit 22 are performed by the USB host I / F unit 15 and the CPU 11 in FIG. Further, the CPU 11 performs the functions of the selection unit 22, the normality determination unit 24, and the storage control unit 25, and the function of the storage unit 26 is performed by the nonvolatile memory 14.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 when the storage medium 5 is connected to the USB host I / F unit 15 will be described. 3 and 4 show operations in the automatic selection mode performed by the information processing apparatus 10 when the storage medium 5 is connected to the USB host I / F unit 15. This operation is automatically executed by automatically detecting that the storage medium 5 is connected to the USB host I / F unit 15.

  First, it is checked whether a file exists in the connected storage medium 5 (step S101). If the file does not exist (step S101; N), the process ends (end). When the file exists (step S101; Y), one of the files stored in the storage medium 5 is selected (step S102), the update date and time and the file name of the file are read and stored in the memory 13. (Step S103). The file selection order may be arbitrary, but here the files are selected in ascending order of the file names.

  When a file whose update date and time and file name have not yet been read (hereinafter referred to as an unverified file) exists in the storage medium 5 (step S104; Y), one of them is selected (step S105). Then, the update date / time and file name of the unverified file are read, and the update date / time is compared with the update date / time previously stored in the memory 13 (step S106). As a result of the comparison, if the update date / time read this time is newer than that stored in the memory 13 (step S106; Y), the update date / time and file name saved in the memory 13 are updated with the current read date / time. (Step S107).

  After this update operation, or when the update date and time read this time is not newer than the one stored in the memory 13 (step S106; N), the process returns to step S104 again without performing the update operation, and an unverified file is further added. If there is, the above process is repeated (steps S104 to S107).

  When the unverified file no longer exists in the storage medium 5 (step S104; N), the file indicated by the file name stored in the memory 13 is read and opened (step S108), and the contents of this file are stored in the memory 13. (Step S109). This file has the latest update date and time among those stored in the storage medium 5.

  Next, the checksum value included in the file stored in the memory 13 from the beginning is acquired (step S110), and the checksum for the file stored in the memory 13 is calculated and obtained (step S111). The checksum value acquired from the file is compared with the checksum value obtained by calculation, and when these values match, it is determined that the contents of the file are normal (step S112; Y). It is determined that there is an abnormality (step S112; N).

  If the contents of the file are normal (step S112; Y), the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 are erased (step S113). When the erasing operation is normally completed (step S114; Y), the contents of the file stored in the memory 13 are written to the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S115), and the process is normally terminated (end). Note that, when the process ends normally, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16. Furthermore, the file name used for the update and the update date and time of the file may be displayed on the display unit 16.

  When the content of the file is abnormal (step S112; N) or when the erasing operation of the nonvolatile memory 14 is not normally completed (step S114; N), the process ends abnormally (end). In the case of abnormal termination, the user may be notified of the occurrence of the abnormality by some method such as turning on an error lamp.

  By simply connecting the storage medium 5 as described above, the file with the latest update date is automatically selected from the files stored in the storage medium 5 and the normality of the contents is confirmed, and then the non-volatile Since the contents stored in the memory 14 are updated, the work burden on the user related to the update of the program and data is reduced.

  Note that if only one file is stored in the storage medium 5, the information processing apparatus 10 selects the file regardless of whether the update date is old or new, so that the file desired by the user is stored in the information processing apparatus 10. It becomes possible to capture. This makes it possible to update to an old version of the program, for example.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 in the user selection mode will be described. In the user selection mode, the file names and attribute information of all files stored in the storage medium 5 are read and temporarily stored in the memory 13. Then, the file name and attribute information of the read file are displayed on the display unit 16 in association with each other. In this state, a file selection operation is accepted from the user, the file selected by the user is read from the storage medium 5, the normality of the content is checked, and if normal, the file is written in the nonvolatile memory 14.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an import file selection screen 200 in which the file name of the file read from the storage medium 5 and attribute information are displayed in association with each other. In the list display column 201 in the captured file selection screen 200, for each file stored in the storage medium 5, the file name, the update date, the file type, the size, and the owner are displayed in a horizontal row. Are displayed in association with each other.

  The user can specify a file by moving up and down the scroll bar 202 at the right end of the screen to find a desired file and touching the display location with a finger. When the “OK” button 203 is operated after designating the file, the file import operation is started.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention. For example, the storage medium 5 is not limited to a USB flash memory, but may be another type of storage medium. However, it is preferable that the information processing apparatus 10 can automatically detect the connection.

  In the embodiment, the file is selected based on the update date and time that is one of the attribute information of the file, but may be selected based on other attribute information. Note that a program indicating an operation procedure related to data or program update may be excluded from an object to be updated from a storage medium, or may be configured such that a program acquired from a storage medium includes a program related to an update operation. Good.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 may be configured to be incorporated in a device such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic circuit structure of the information processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation subsequent to FIG. 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the capture file selection screen displayed on a display part, when the information processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention operate | moves in user selection mode.

Explanation of symbols

5 ... Storage medium 10 ... Information processing device 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Bus 13 ... Memory 14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... USB host I / F part 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 21 ... Attribute information reading means 22 ... Selection means 23 ... Reading means 24 ... Normality judgment means 25 ... Save Control means 26 ... Saving means 200 ... Imported file selection screen 201 ... List display field 202 ... Scroll bar 203 ... "OK" button

Claims (8)

A selection means for selecting data that best matches a predetermined selection condition among data stored in a connected storage medium;
Reading means for reading data selected by the selection means from the storage medium;
And a storage control unit that stores the data read by the reading unit in a predetermined storage unit. Attribute reading means for reading file attribute information stored in a connected storage medium that cannot be rewritten by the user;
Selecting means for selecting a file based on the attribute information read by the attribute reading means;
Reading means for reading the file selected by the selection means from the storage medium;
And a storage control unit that stores data in the file read by the reading unit in a predetermined storage unit. The data retrieving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit displays attribute information of a file stored in the storage medium, and selects a file based on a user selection operation. The data fetching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selecting means automatically selects a file whose attribute information read from the storage medium is most suitable for a predetermined selection condition. The data fetching apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 4, wherein the data or file having the latest update date and time is selected. It further has a normality judging means for judging the normality of the read data or file,
6. The storage control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the read data or file is normal, the storage unit stores the data or data in the file in a predetermined storage unit. The data capture device described. Data read from the storage medium or data in a file is a program,
The storage control means updates the program with a program read from the storage medium when a program already exists in the storage means. The data capture device described. An information processing apparatus including the data capturing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

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