JP2006072761A - Portable electronic equipment, and updating method for firmware of portable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable electronic equipment or the like capable of updating easily a firmware without loading a burden to a user. <P>SOLUTION: This portable electronic equipment is provided with a flash ROM 22 for storing rewritably the firmware, a communication part 24 for requesting the updating for the firmware by accessing automatically a server 3 at a prescribed time via the Internet 2, and for receiving the firmware transmitted from the server 3 in response to the request, a RAM 12 for storing temporarily the received firmware, a battery 25 of a supply source for electric power, and a CPU 28 for stopping the reception of the firmware when a voltage of the battery 25 gets lower than a prescribed value during the reception of the firmware, and for writing the firmware stored in the RAM 12 into the flash ROM 22 when the reception of the firmware is finished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device that updates firmware by communicating with an applied update server via a communication line, and a method for updating the firmware of the portable electronic device.

  The firmware embedded in portable electronic devices at the time of shipment has been adjusted to a level where there is almost no problem in practical use, but there is room for improvement such as algorithm changes, addition of new functions, bug countermeasures, etc. There are many things that remain.

  Therefore, there is a product that can be rewritten later with a newer version of firmware by writing the firmware in a rewritable recording medium such as FlashROM when incorporating the firmware into such a portable electronic device.

  Such firmware can be rewritten by bringing the portable electronic device into a manufacturer's service center or the like, but with the recent development of the Internet, the user himself / herself via the Internet Systems are known for downloading and updating firmware.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-21463 describes a technique in which a driver having an update control function is provided in a host computer for controlling peripheral devices. When updating the firmware of the peripheral device, the peripheral device is connected to the host computer, and the driver is started in the host computer. Then, the update control function of the driver automatically loads the optimum replacement firmware in the system configuration of the peripheral device or the host computer from a pre-specified location, and writes and updates to replace the current firmware. Is supposed to do. With this configuration, users can automatically update to the appropriate firmware without having to install an update control program, learn how to operate it, or make specialized judgments. It has become.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-56980 describes a technique related to a digital broadcast tuner which is a terminal device. That is, the gazette makes it possible to remotely modify and change a program for a digital broadcasting tuner without depending on a broadcasting system, and manage firmware for each of the digital broadcasting tuners. Techniques for accurately performing are described. The digital broadcast tuner includes an IC card that stores information for identifying a contractor for each tuner. Then, the patch server of the remote patch device authenticates the accessed digital broadcast tuner based on the contents of the authentication database, and transmits the batch data stored in the patch data buffer to the digital broadcast tuner. And the status and change history of the digital broadcast tuner are stored in the status database and the change history database.
JP 2004-21463 A JP 2000-56980 A

  However, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-21463 does not have a personal computer because the user updates the firmware through a personal computer or the like at home after purchasing the product. The user cannot update using the technology, and as described above, the user has to update the firmware at the manufacturer's service center or the like. In this case, it is necessary to go to a service center, etc., and a complicated procedure of requesting firmware update is required, and in addition, it takes time to complete the update work. . Even if the personal computer is a user at home, the same applies to a user who does not know the operation method. Even if a user has a personal computer and knows how to operate it to some extent, when updating the firmware, the device to be updated and the personal computer are connected via, for example, codes. The troublesome work is necessary.

  Further, the device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-56980 is intended for a digital broadcast tuner that is generally installed indoors, and such devices are supplied with power from an AC power source. ing. Therefore, since the power supply voltage is stable compared to portable electronic devices that supply power from a battery power supply, there is no concern about the power supply voltage dropping during firmware download, and no special consideration is necessary for this. It is considered a thing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a portable electronic device capable of easily updating firmware without imposing a burden on the user and a method for updating the firmware of the portable electronic device. It is aimed.

  To achieve the above object, a portable electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a portable electronic device that communicates with an applied update server via a communication line to update firmware, and is portable A battery power source for supplying power to the electronic device; a transmission means for automatically accessing the update server at a predetermined timing to send a request signal for requesting firmware update; and the update server in response to the request signal Receiving means for receiving the firmware transmitted from the storage means, storage means for temporarily storing the received firmware, and the receiving means when the voltage of the battery power supply becomes lower than a predetermined value during the reception of the firmware. Control means for canceling or interrupting the reception of the firmware by the memory and the storage means. Is obtained by including an update means for updating the firmware, the based on the manner stored firmware.

  The portable electronic device according to the second invention is the portable electronic device according to the first invention, wherein the transmission means sends the request signal to the update server when the time reaches a predetermined time. Is to send.

  Further, a portable electronic device according to a third aspect of the invention is the portable electronic device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein when the receiving means receives firmware from the update server, a display means for displaying the fact is displayed. Furthermore, it is equipped.

  A portable electronic device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising display means for displaying when the update means is updating firmware. is there.

  A portable electronic device according to a fifth invention is the portable electronic device according to the first invention, wherein the portable electronic device is a device for handling an image, and the storage means is a storage means for storing an image. Is also used.

  A portable electronic device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the storage means is a volatile storage means, and the control means controls the battery power supply during reception of the firmware. When the voltage becomes lower than a predetermined value, reception of the firmware by the receiving means is stopped.

  A portable electronic device according to a seventh invention is the portable electronic device according to the fifth invention, wherein the storage means is a non-volatile storage means, and the control means is configured to receive the battery power supply during reception of the firmware. When the voltage becomes lower than a predetermined value, reception of the firmware by the receiving means is interrupted.

  A portable electronic device according to an eighth invention is the portable electronic device according to the seventh invention, wherein the control means controls the transmission means when the voltage of the battery power source becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value. Thus, the update server is automatically accessed, a request signal for requesting resumption of the interrupted transmission of firmware is transmitted, and the updating means is controlled to update the firmware.

  A portable electronic device according to a ninth invention is the portable electronic device according to the first invention, wherein the transmitting means and the receiving means communicate with the update server via radio.

  A portable electronic device according to a tenth aspect of the invention is the portable electronic device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the communication line is a communication line configured to include the Internet.

  A firmware update method for a portable electronic device according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is a firmware update method for a portable electronic device configured to perform firmware update by communicating with an applicable update server via a communication line. The update server automatically accesses the update server at a predetermined timing, transmits a request signal for requesting firmware update, receives the firmware transmitted from the update server in response to the request signal, and receives the received The firmware is temporarily stored, and when the battery power supply voltage becomes lower than a predetermined value during the reception of the firmware, control is performed to stop or interrupt the reception of the firmware. To update the firmware based on

  According to the portable electronic device and the firmware update method for the portable electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to easily update the firmware without imposing a burden on the user.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a firmware update system including a camera 1 as a portable electronic device.

  A camera 1 as a portable electronic device is connected to a server 3 which is an update server that provides update firmware via the Internet 2 as a communication line.

  The camera 1 includes a lens 4, a low-pass filter 5, a CCD 6, a CDS / AGC circuit 7, an A / D conversion circuit 8, a CCD driver 9, a TG (timing generator) 10, a DSP circuit 11, RAM 12, D / A conversion circuit 13, LCD 14, LCD driver 15, compression / expansion circuit 16, recording medium 17, AE / AF processing circuit 18, EEPROM 21, FlashROM 22, operation switch 23, The communication unit 24, a battery 25, a voltage determination circuit 26, and a CPU 28 are included.

  The lens 4 is for forming an optical subject image.

  The low-pass filter 5 is for removing unnecessary high-frequency components from the light beam that has passed through the lens 4.

  The CCD 6 is an imaging means for converting an optical subject image formed by the lens 4 through the low-pass filter 5 into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal.

  The CDS / AGC circuit 7 is signal processing means for performing noise removal and amplification processing as will be described later on the signal output from the CCD 6.

  The A / D conversion circuit 8 is signal processing means for converting an analog image signal output from the CDS / AGC circuit 7 into a digital image signal.

  The CCD driver 9 is for controlling and driving the CCD 6.

  The TG (timing generator) 10 supplies a signal for controlling timing to the CDS / AGC circuit 7, the A / D conversion circuit 8, and the CCD driver 9.

  The DSP circuit 11 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the signal from the A / D conversion circuit 8.

  The RAM 12 is a volatile storage unit that temporarily stores a signal from the DSP circuit 11, and is configured as a frame buffer or the like.

  The D / A conversion circuit 13 converts the digital signal stored in the RAM 12 into an analog signal.

  The LCD 14 is display means for displaying an image based on the analog image signal converted by the D / A conversion circuit 13.

  The LCD driver 15 is for controlling and driving the LCD 14.

  The compression / decompression circuit 16 is a compression / decompression unit that compresses the digital signal stored in the RAM 12 and also decompresses the compressed digital signal read from the recording medium 17 described later.

  The recording medium 17 is a non-volatile storage unit that records the digital signal compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 16.

  The AE / AF processing circuit 18 performs calculation for exposure control and calculation for autofocus (AF) control based on the digital image signal from the A / D conversion circuit 8.

  The operation switch 23 is an operation means including switches for performing operations such as start of photographing operation of the camera 1 and mode switching.

  The EEPROM 21 records various data used in the camera 1, an identification code (ID code) to be described later for identifying the camera 1, and the like.

  The flash ROM 22 stores firmware that is a program for controlling the operation of the camera 1 and is rewritable.

  The communication unit 24 is a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 3 via the Internet 2 and serves as both a transmission unit and a reception unit. The communication unit 24 may be either a wired communication or a wireless communication. However, in order to further reduce the burden on the user when updating the firmware, the communication unit 24 wirelessly communicates. It is desirable to do it.

  The battery 25 is a battery power source for supplying power to each circuit in the camera 1.

  The voltage determination circuit 26 determines the voltage of the battery 25 and outputs the determination result to the CPU 28.

  The CPU 28 is a control means for controlling the overall operation of the camera 1 including the above-described circuits and the like, and also serves as an update means for writing the firmware received through the communication unit 24 and stored in the RAM 12 into the Flash ROM 22. It has become. The CPU 28 has a built-in system timer so that the current time can be grasped. The system timer can always maintain a substantially accurate time by communicating with an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server of the Internet 2 via the communication unit 24. Further, the camera 1 may be provided with a so-called radio timepiece function so that the time is accurately maintained.

  The operation of the camera 1 is almost as follows.

  The light beam that has passed through the lens 4 forms an image on the imaging surface of the CCD 6 via the low-pass filter 5.

  When a still image (or moving image) shooting instruction is input by operating the operation switch 23, photoelectric conversion is performed by the CCD 6 and an analog image signal is output.

  The signal from the CCD 6 is input to the CDS / AGC circuit 7 and a known correlated double sampling is performed by the CDS circuit section in the CDS / AGC circuit 7 to remove reset noise, and the CDS The signal is amplified to a predetermined signal level by the AGC circuit unit in the / AGC circuit 7 and output.

  The analog image signal from the CDS / AGC circuit 7 is converted into a digital image signal (image data) by the subsequent A / D conversion circuit 8.

  A signal for controlling the timing generated by the timing generator 10 is input to the CDS / AGC circuit 7 and the A / D conversion circuit 8, and the signal from the timing generator 10 is Further, it is also inputted to the CCD driver 9. The timing generator 10 is controlled by the CPU 28.

  The DSP circuit 11 performs a predetermined image processing operation on the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 8 and also performs an auto white balance process on the image data based on the obtained calculation result.

  The image data processed by the DSP circuit 11 is temporarily stored in the RAM 12.

  The image data in the RAM 12 is stored in the recording medium 17 after being compressed by the compression circuit unit in the compression / expansion circuit 16.

  In addition, when an instruction to reproduce a recorded image is given by a predetermined operation of the operation switch 23, the compressed data stored in the recording medium 17 is stored in the expansion circuit unit in the compression / expansion circuit 16. Is stretched by.

  The image data expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 16 is temporarily stored in the RAM 12, and after the image data is converted into an analog image signal by the D / A conversion circuit 13, it is displayed on the LCD 14. The LCD 14 is not only used for displaying a reproduced image, but also used for displaying that the firmware is being downloaded as described later, displaying that the firmware is being updated, and displaying the shooting mode. It is supposed to be.

  The operation of the LCD 14 is controlled by a signal generated from the LCD driver 15.

  On the other hand, the digital image data from the A / D conversion circuit 8 is input to the AE / AF processing circuit 18.

  The AE / AF processing circuit 18 calculates an AE evaluation value corresponding to the brightness of the subject by performing processing such as calculating the luminance value of image data for one frame (one screen) and performing weighted addition. The calculation result is output to the CPU 28, the high frequency component is extracted from the luminance component of the image data for one frame (one screen) using a high-pass filter, and the cumulative addition value of the extracted high frequency component is calculated. An AF evaluation value corresponding to a region-side contour component or the like is calculated, and the calculation result is output to the CPU. In the first embodiment, the CPU 28 performs focus detection based on the AF evaluation value calculated by the AE / AF processing circuit 18.

  The voltage determination circuit 26 detects the voltage of the battery 25 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 28.

  The EEPROM 21 stores various correction data necessary for exposure control, autofocus processing, and the like at the time of camera manufacture. The CPU 28 reads the correction data from the EEPROM 21 and performs various calculations as necessary. It has become.

  As described above, the flash ROM 22 stores firmware, which is basic software for operating the camera 1, and the CPU 28 performs various controls and calculations related to the camera 1 based on the firmware. Is supposed to do.

  The communication unit 24 transmits a firmware update request signal together with an ID code for identifying the camera 1 to the server 3 via the Internet 2. In addition, the communication unit 24 receives the firmware transmitted from the server 3 and temporarily stores the received firmware in the RAM 12 based on the control of the CPU 28.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of the ID code transmitted from the camera 1.

  The ID code is roughly classified into a camera ID recorded by a manufacturer at the time of manufacture and sales time data recorded at a store at the time of sale.

  The camera ID is assigned to identify a manufacturer, a model code representing a model of a portable electronic device (camera in the first embodiment), and an individual camera for each model. A serial code and a sales region code indicating a region where the portable electronic device can be sold are included. Here, the sales area code is given when the manufacturer intends to sell this portable electronic device only in a specific area. For example, a code indicating that the sales area is limited to Japan, a sales area Is a code indicating that the sales area is limited to the Europe area, a code indicating that the sales area is limited to the Asia / Oceania area excluding Japan, and a sales area is limited to the South America / Africa area An example of recording the code shown is given. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to limit the sales region in Japan, and it is possible to record a code limited to sales in the Kanto region, a code limited to sales in the Kansai region, and the like. As described above, the sales region code can be widely used from a relatively narrow region to a region limited all over the world.

  The sales time data includes a store code for identifying a store purchased by the user, and a date of sales performed at the store. The store code and date of sale are recorded in the EEPROM 21 at the store.

  The information that can be recorded as the ID code is not limited to these, and various other information can be recorded.

  When the server 3 receives the ID code and the firmware update request signal, the server 3 can determine whether the camera 1 that has transmitted the firmware update request signal is an unauthorized product based on the ID code. Yes. Examples of the fraudulent products include portable electronic devices that are not manufactured by manufacturers, portable electronic devices that have been stolen, and portable electronic devices that have different sales regions. Examples of portable electronic devices with different sales regions include so-called reverse imports and parallel imports.

  Further, since the server 3 side can grasp the model of the newly purchased camera and the store based on the ID code, it is possible to grasp the sales of the product in a timely manner. Therefore, the manufacturer can immediately respond to an order received from each camera store, and can efficiently manage inventory. Furthermore, when the manufacturer is requested to repair the portable electronic device, the manufacturer can easily check whether the repair is within the repair guarantee period because the store and the sales time can be confirmed. It becomes possible. The ID code may be encrypted in order to prevent unauthorized rewriting.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the firmware update system. In FIG. 3, the processing performed in the camera 1 on the left side and the processing performed in the server 3 on the right side are shown in contrast.

  In FIG. 3, “firmware” is appropriately described as “FW” for the sake of simplicity.

  When the firmware update process is started, the camera 1 determines whether or not the time matches a predetermined time (step S1). The camera 1 is configured to execute the processes after step S2 in the firmware update process at a predetermined time. Here, as the predetermined time, for example, a predetermined date (hour / minute / second) reserved on the calendar, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last firmware update processing, etc. In addition to these, an example immediately after the camera 1 is purchased may be added. Note that the predetermined time is not limited to being fixed, and may be changed by operating the operation switch 23.

  The firmware update process can take the following various modes depending on whether the power switch of the camera 1 is turned on or off.

  First, in the first operation mode, firmware update processing is performed only when the power switch of the camera 1 is turned on. If comprised in this way, it will become possible for a user to confirm whether the firmware update is performed.

  Next, in the second operation mode, the firmware update is performed when the condition of step S1 is satisfied, regardless of whether the power switch of the camera 1 is on or off. This process is to be performed. Thereby, even when the camera 1 is not used for a long period of time, there is an advantage that the camera 1 is automatically updated to the latest firmware periodically.

  In the third operation mode, the firmware update process is performed only when the power switch of the camera 1 is turned off. With this configuration, when the user is using the camera 1, there is an advantage that the photographing operation is not hindered, and the firmware is automatically updated when the camera 1 is not used. .

  If it is confirmed in step S1 that the predetermined time has come, first, the CPU 28 determines whether or not the voltage of the battery 25 is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vref1 based on the output of the voltage determination circuit 26 ( Step S2). The voltage Vref1 is a voltage that is determined to be able to perform firmware reception processing from the server 3 as will be described later and subsequent firmware update processing. Therefore, if it is determined here that the voltage of the battery 25 is lower than the predetermined voltage Vref1, this process is terminated without updating the firmware.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the voltage of the battery 25 is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vref1, a camera ID (and sales data if necessary) and a firmware update request signal (request signal) as shown in FIG. ) Is transmitted from the camera 1 to the server 3 via the Internet 2 via the communication unit 24 (step S3).

  When the server 3 receives the camera ID (and sales data if necessary) and the firmware update request signal from the camera 1 (step S21), the server 3 checks the update history recorded corresponding to the camera ID. (Step S22). This update history records what history the firmware of the camera 1 specified by the camera ID has been updated.

  Then, based on the check result of update history, it is determined whether or not the latest firmware has been updated (step S23).

  If the firmware has been updated to the latest firmware, the camera 1 is notified of this (step S24), and the processing on the server 3 side is terminated.

  After performing the process of step S3, the camera 1 monitors whether or not a notification updated to the latest firmware is received from the server 3 (step S4). Here, when the notification is received, the processing on the camera 1 side is terminated.

  If the firmware has not been updated to the latest firmware in step S23, transmission of the latest firmware is started (step S25).

  If the camera 1 does not receive a notification of updating to the latest firmware from the server 3 in step S4, the camera 1 receives the firmware transmitted from the server 3 in step S25 (step S5).

  For example, the camera 1 sequentially stores firmware received in packet units in the RAM 12 (step S6), and displays on the LCD 14 that the firmware is being received (step S7).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the firmware has been received (step S8), and if not, it is determined whether or not the battery voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage Vref2 (step S9). The voltage Vref2 is a voltage at which it is determined that the reception of the currently received firmware can be completed and that the subsequent firmware update process can be performed. The voltage Vref2 may be equal to the voltage Vref1 or may be a slightly lower voltage depending on the amount of firmware already received.

  If the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vref2, the process returns to step S5 and the firmware reception process is continued.

  If the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined voltage Vref2, the process on the camera 1 side is terminated because there is a possibility that the firmware update cannot be completed to the end.

  On the other hand, the server 3 determines whether or not the transmission of the firmware transmitted in step S25 has been completed (step S26). If the transmission has been completed, the processing on the server 3 side is terminated.

  If the transmission has not been completed, the server 3 determines whether or not a firmware transmission stop signal has been received (step S27). If not received, the server 3 returns to the above step S25 to update the firmware. Continue sending.

  On the other hand, when the firmware transmission stop signal transmitted from the camera 1 is received in step S10, the server 3 stops transmitting the firmware (step S28) and ends the processing on the server 3 side. To do.

  On the other hand, when the reception of the firmware is completed in step S8, it is determined whether or not the battery voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage Vref3 (step S11). This voltage Vref3 is a voltage that is determined to be able to complete the writing of the firmware that has been received and stored in the RAM 12 to the flash ROM 22 (that is, the firmware update can be completed). Yes. At this time, since the communication processing by the communication unit 24 that is considered to consume relatively power is completed, the voltage Vref3 may be slightly lower than the voltage Vref1 or the voltage Vref2. However, the voltage needs to be able to be surely completed according to the element used in the FlashROM 22 or the like.

  Here, if the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined voltage Vref3, the firmware update may not be completed to the end, and a firmware transmission stop signal is transmitted to the server 3 (step S10). Then, the processing on the camera 1 side ends.

  In step S11, when the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vref3, first, other interrupt processing is prohibited (step S12). As a result, even if a release switch or the like included in the operation switch 23 is operated, the shooting operation is not performed when the firmware is being rewritten. Since the firmware is basic software for controlling the operation of the camera 1, other processing is prohibited here so that rewriting is performed reliably.

  Then, a process of writing the firmware stored in the RAM 12 to the FlashROM 22 is started (step S13), and a display indicating that the firmware is being written is displayed on the LCD 14 (step S14). At this time, it is advisable to display a warning message such as “Please do not operate the camera because the firmware is being written”. Thus, the user can understand that the firmware is being written, and does not perform other operations. Further, even if the user does not notice the display and operates the release switch, for example, a user who is suspicious that shooting is not performed can view the display to understand the reason.

  The display in step S14 and the display in step S7 need only be performed when the firmware update process is executed when the power switch of the camera 1 is on. Therefore, when the power switch of the camera 1 is turned off, it is possible to skip the processes in steps S14 and S7.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the writing of the firmware is completed (step S15). Until the writing is completed, the process goes to step S13 to write the firmware.

  Thus, when the writing of the firmware is completed, the interrupt process is permitted (step S16), and the firmware update process is terminated.

  Although not shown in the above description, the camera 1 is configured to transmit a firmware update completion signal to the server 3 when the firmware update is completed. The server 3 transmits the firmware update completion signal. When received, the version of the updated firmware, the update date and time, etc. are added to the update history corresponding to the camera ID of the camera 1. Thereby, on the server 3 side, it is possible to grasp the update status of each camera 1.

  Also, in the above description, since the camera 1 stores the received firmware in the RAM 12, when the firmware reception is stopped in the middle, the firmware update process shown in FIG. To run from the beginning. This is because the RAM 12 is a volatile storage means. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the received firmware is recorded in the recording medium 17 that is a non-volatile storage means, the server 3 side is configured to interrupt the transmission of the firmware when a decrease in battery voltage is detected in step S9. When the battery voltage is restored again to a predetermined voltage or higher due to replacement of the battery 25, a request signal for requesting resumption of transmission of the interrupted firmware is transmitted to the server 3 side. Just do it. In this case, on the server 3 side, what version of the firmware is transmitted and to what part is recorded in the update history. By adopting such a configuration, the firmware portion already transmitted from the server 3 and received by the camera 1 is not wasted.

  Further, in the above description, the camera 1 has been described as an example of the portable electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be widely applied to various devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and a portable display device.

  In the above description, the Internet 2 is taken as an example of means for connecting the camera 1 and the server 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other networks and communication means can be used.

  According to the first embodiment, the firmware of the portable electronic device can be easily updated without imposing a burden on the user. At this time, since the firmware update is performed by the communication function of the portable electronic device itself, there is no need to use a personal computer or the like, and even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the personal computer has no problem at all. The firmware can be updated. Further, if communication is performed wirelessly, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user because the trouble of connecting a cord or the like can be saved.

  Then, the firmware version is periodically inquired to the server side, and if there is a newer version than the current version, it is automatically updated. It is possible to maintain the latest state. Even when the server uses the same model and different electronic components to acquire the camera ID and transmit the firmware corresponding to the camera ID, the server can obtain the firmware suitable for the individual device. Updates can be made.

  Also, instead of directly updating using the received firmware, it is temporarily stored in the storage means and updated after the storage of the firmware is completed in the storage means. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the firmware does not operate due to a trouble such as communication failure. Further, since a RAM or a recording medium for storing captured images is used as the storage means, a separate memory or the like is not necessary, and costs can be reduced. In addition, when the received firmware is stored in the non-volatile storage means, even if communication is interrupted in the middle, it is possible to resume the reception later, reducing the reception time, and the battery It becomes possible to reduce the consumption of.

  Further, since the fact is displayed during reception of the firmware, the user can grasp the state of the portable electronic device. In addition, it is possible to select whether the operation of the portable electronic device (for example, photographing with the camera 1) is given priority or the operation is not performed until the firmware update operation is completed, based on the user's own judgment. It becomes possible.

  In addition, since the fact is displayed even while the firmware is being written, the user can know the reason even if the operation switch is not operated.

  At each stage of the firmware update process, it is checked whether the battery voltage required at that time is maintained. Therefore, malfunctions due to voltage drop are prevented, and firmware update is performed more reliably. Can be done.

  In addition, since the update history is recorded on the server side, the state of the sold portable electronic device can be grasped. If the latest firmware has already been recorded, unnecessary transmission is not performed, so that efficient server operation is possible.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, Of course, a various deformation | transformation and application are possible within the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for a portable electronic device that communicates with an applied update server via a communication line to update firmware and a method for updating firmware of the portable electronic device.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a firmware update system including a camera as a portable electronic device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the said Example 1, the figure which shows the content of the ID code transmitted from a camera. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the firmware update system according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Camera (portable electronic equipment)
2 ... Internet (communication line)
3 ... Server (update server)
4 ... Lens 5 ... Low-pass filter 6 ... CCD
7 ... CDS / AGC circuit 8 ... A / D conversion circuit 9 ... CCD driver 10 ... TG (timing generator)
11 ... DSP circuit 12 ... RAM (volatile storage means)
13 ... D / A conversion circuit 14 ... LCD (display means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... LCD driver 16 ... Compression / decompression circuit 17 ... Recording medium (nonvolatile storage means)
18 ... AE / AF processing circuit 21 ... EEPROM
22 ... FlashROM
23 ... Operation switch 24 ... Communication section (transmission means, reception means)
25 ... Battery (battery power)
26 ... Voltage determination circuit 28 ... CPU (control means, update means)
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (11)

A portable electronic device that communicates with an applicable update server via a communication line to update firmware,
A battery power supply for supplying power to the portable electronic device;
Transmission means for automatically accessing the update server at a predetermined timing and transmitting a request signal for requesting firmware update;
Receiving means for receiving firmware transmitted from the update server in response to the request signal;
Storage means for temporarily storing the received firmware;
Control means for stopping or interrupting reception of the firmware by the receiving means when the voltage of the battery power supply is lower than a predetermined value during the reception of the firmware;
Updating means for updating the firmware based on the firmware temporarily stored in the storage means;
A portable electronic device comprising:   2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the request signal to the update server when the time reaches a predetermined time.   2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying when the receiving means is receiving firmware from the update server.   2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for performing a display indicating that the updating means is updating firmware. The portable electronic device is a device that handles images,
2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit also serves as a storage unit for storing an image. The storage means is a volatile storage means,
6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the voltage of the battery power source becomes smaller than a predetermined value during reception of the firmware, the control unit stops reception of the firmware by the reception unit. The portable electronic device as described. The storage means is a nonvolatile storage means,
6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the voltage of the battery power source becomes smaller than a predetermined value during reception of the firmware, the control unit interrupts reception of the firmware by the reception unit. The portable electronic device as described.   When the voltage of the battery power source exceeds the predetermined value, the control unit controls the transmission unit to automatically access the update server and request to resume transmission of the interrupted firmware. 8. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein a signal is transmitted, and the updating unit is controlled to update the firmware.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit communicate with the update server via radio.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the communication line is a communication line including the Internet. A method for updating the firmware of a portable electronic device configured to update firmware by communicating with an applicable update server via a communication line,
A request signal for automatically accessing the update server at a predetermined timing and requesting firmware update is transmitted,
Receiving the firmware transmitted from the update server in response to the request signal;
Temporarily store the received firmware,
When the battery power supply voltage is lower than the specified value while receiving the above firmware, control to stop or stop receiving the firmware,
A method for updating firmware of a portable electronic device, wherein the firmware is updated based on the firmware stored temporarily.

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