JP2009199335A - Program distribution system, program distribution server device, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute the distribution of a program to a plurality of information processors in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: A server device 1 splits a program to be distributed into a plurality of fragments, and transmits one of the plurality of fragments to each of a part or whole part of a plurality of information processors 2-1 to 2-N. One of the information processors 2-1 to 2-N collects the plurality of fragments received by a part or whole part of the information processors 2-1 to 2-N, and restores the program from the collected fragments, and transmits the restored program to the other information processors among the information processors 2-1 to 2-N. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program distribution system, a program distribution server device, and an information processing device.

  Firmware management is one of the management tasks for electronic devices (copiers, multifunction devices, etc.) installed in offices. For updating the firmware, for example, there is a method of automatically downloading the firmware via a computer network such as the Internet and updating the firmware in the electronic device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, an update operation is required for each electronic device, and when there are many electronic devices, the update operation becomes large.

  As a method of installing a program in a plurality of electronic devices, there is a method in which each electronic device transmits a program transmission request to a server based on a user operation, downloads the program individually from the server, and installs the program on its own ( For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-6-250951 JP 2005-229279 A

  However, in the above-described method of automatically installing a program on a plurality of electronic devices, if the computing capacity of the electronic device is low, it takes a long time to download the program. It takes a long time to complete. In particular, when the program is downloaded in an encrypted state, the program needs to be decrypted by the electronic device, and it takes a lot of time for decryption.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a program distribution system capable of executing a program distribution to a plurality of information processing apparatuses in a short time, and a program distribution server apparatus usable in the system And it aims at obtaining an information processor.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A program distribution system according to the present invention includes a program distribution server device and a plurality of information processing devices. The program distribution server device includes a dividing unit that divides a program to be distributed into a plurality of fragments, and a fragment transmitting unit that transmits one of the plurality of fragments to each of some or all of the plurality of information processing devices. Is provided. In addition, one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses includes a collection unit that collects a plurality of pieces received by some or all of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, and a program from the plurality of pieces collected by the collection unit. A restoring means for restoring and a program transmitting means for sending the program restored by the restoring means to another information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  As a result, since a plurality of pieces obtained by dividing one program are received by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the reception processing is executed and distributed in parallel, and the program can be distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses in a short time. Can be executed.

  A program distribution server device according to the present invention transmits one of a plurality of fragments to a dividing unit that divides a program to be distributed into a plurality of fragments and a part or all of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Fragment transmitting means.

  As a result, since a plurality of pieces obtained by dividing one program are received by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the reception processing is executed and distributed in parallel, and the program can be distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses in a short time. Can be executed.

  In addition to the program distribution server device, the program distribution server device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the program distribution server device includes request receiving means for receiving a plurality of program transmission requests from some or all of the plurality of information processing devices. The dividing unit divides the program into the number of received program transmission requests and generates a plurality of fragments.

  Thereby, since it is highly possible that the apparatus that transmitted the request is turned on and can receive the fragment, the possibility that the fragment is not received can be reduced.

  The program distribution server apparatus according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above-described program distribution server apparatuses. In this case, the dividing unit divides the program into the number of program transmission requests received within a predetermined time from the time when the program transmission request is first received, thereby generating a plurality of fragments.

  Thereby, the program can be distributed in a short time according to a specific time.

  The program distribution server apparatus according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above-described program distribution server apparatuses. In this case, the program distribution server device collects a plurality of fragments received by some or all of the plurality of information processing devices, restores the program from the collected fragments, and restores the restored program to the plurality of information processing devices. A command for executing processing to be transmitted to another information processing apparatus is transmitted to one of some or all of the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  As a result, an information processing apparatus that collects a plurality of fragments is not fixed, so that an appropriate information processing apparatus can be selected as an information processing apparatus that collects a plurality of fragments.

  The program distribution server apparatus according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above-described program distribution server apparatuses. In this case, the program distribution server device collects a plurality of fragments received by some or all of the plurality of information processing devices, restores the program from the collected fragments, and restores the restored program to the plurality of information processing devices. A command for executing processing to be transmitted to another information processing apparatus is transmitted to one of the transmission sources of the plurality of program transmission requests.

  As a result, since the apparatus that transmitted the request is likely to be on and operating, the operating information processing apparatus can be selected as an information processing apparatus that collects a plurality of fragments.

  The program distribution server apparatus according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above-described program distribution server apparatuses. In this case, the program distribution server device includes an encryption unit that encrypts each of the plurality of fragments by an encryption method that can be decrypted by the information processing apparatus that receives the fragments. Then, the fragment transmitting means transmits the plurality of encrypted fragments.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a collecting unit that collects a plurality of fragments received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices from a program distribution server device that divides a program into a plurality of fragments; And a program transmitting means for transmitting the program restored by the restoring means to another information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  As a result, since a plurality of pieces obtained by dividing one program are received by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the reception processing is executed and distributed in parallel, and the program can be distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses in a short time. Can be executed. In addition, one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses restores the original program from the plurality of pieces and transmits it to the other information processing apparatuses, whereby the program is distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention receives any one of a plurality of fragments from a program distribution server device, and receives a plurality of fragments received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices from the program distribution server device. A primary update processing unit that collects and restores a program from a plurality of collected fragments, and transmits the restored program to some or all of the plurality of information processing devices, and any one of the plurality of fragments from the program distribution server device A secondary update processing unit that receives one fragment and transmits the received fragment to an information processing device that collects the plurality of fragments among the plurality of information processing devices, and among the primary update processing unit and the secondary update processing unit And function switching means for operating only one of them.

  As a result, since a plurality of pieces obtained by dividing one program are received by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the reception processing is executed and distributed in parallel, and the program can be distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses in a short time. Can be executed. In addition, one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses restores the original program from the plurality of pieces and transmits it to the other information processing apparatuses, whereby the program is distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  In addition to the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the information processing apparatus includes request processing means for transmitting a program transmission request to the program distribution server apparatus and receiving a response to the program transmission request. The function switching means operates only one of the primary update processing unit and the secondary update processing unit according to the response.

  As a result, the information processing device that operates the primary update processing unit, that is, the information processing device that collects a plurality of fragments is not fixed, and therefore an appropriate information processing device is selected as the information processing device that collects a plurality of fragments. Can do.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the information processing apparatuses described above. In this case, the primary update processing unit receives and decrypts the encrypted fragment, and the secondary update processing unit receives and decrypts the encrypted fragment, and transmits the decrypted fragment.

  Thereby, the decoding process of the program is executed and distributed in parallel by the plurality of information processing apparatuses, and the distribution of the program to the plurality of information processing apparatuses can be executed in a short time.

  According to the present invention, distribution of a program to a plurality of information processing devices can be executed in a short time.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, update firmware is distributed.

  In FIG. 1, a firmware distribution server device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a server device 1) is a device that distributes a program to a plurality of information processing devices. The server device 1 is an example of a program distribution server device. In this embodiment, the server device 1 distributes update firmware to the multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N. The server device 1 is managed by a sales company, manufacturer, dealer, or the like of the multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N.

  The multi-function machine 2-i (i = 1,..., N, N> 1) is an information processing apparatus connected to the corporate LAN 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as LAN 3). A plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2 -N are connected to the LAN 3. The multi-function machine 2-i can perform data communication with another multi-function machine 2-j via the LAN 3, and also performs data communication with the server apparatus 1 via the LAN 3 and the public network 4. be able to. LAN 3 is a local area network.

  The public network 4 is a communication path used for communication between the multifunction peripheral 2-i connected to the LAN 3 and the server device 1. As the public network 4, a telephone line, the Internet, etc. are used as appropriate. A relay device (not shown) such as a gateway or a router is installed at the boundary between the LAN 3 and the public network 4. Generally, the communication speed through the public network 4 is lower than the communication speed in the LAN 3.

  Here, a distribution method of update firmware in the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a distribution method of update firmware in the system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in this system, the update firmware is divided into a plurality of pieces in the server device 1. A plurality of fragments are transmitted from the server device 1 to the plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N. Then, in one multifunction device 2-i among the plurality of multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N, the update firmware is restored from the plurality of pieces.

  Next, the configuration of the server device 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 1 in FIG. In FIG. 3, the network communication device 11 is a device capable of data communication via the public network 4. As the network communication device 11, a modem, a network interface, or the like is used.

  The arithmetic processing unit 12 is a computer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. (not shown), and implements various processing units by executing a server program. In the arithmetic processing unit 12, a communication processing unit 12a, an update confirmation receiving unit 12b, a division processing unit 12c, an encryption processing unit 12d, and a fragment transmission unit 12e are realized. The communication processing unit 12a is a processing unit that controls the network communication device 11 to execute data communication using a predetermined protocol. The update confirmation receiving unit 12b is a processing unit that receives firmware update confirmation requests from the plurality of multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N. The update confirmation receiving unit 12b is an example of a request receiving unit. The division processing unit 12c is a processing unit that divides the firmware 13a to be distributed stored in the data storage device 13 into a plurality of pieces. The division processing unit 12c is an example of a dividing unit. In this embodiment, the firmware 13a, which is one program, is divided into the same number of pieces as the number N of the multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N. The encryption processing unit 12d is a processing unit that encrypts each fragment using an encryption method that can be decrypted by the multifunction peripheral 2-i serving as a distribution destination. The encryption processing unit 12d is an example of an encryption unit. The fragment transmitting unit 12e is a processing unit that transmits each fragment to the multifunction peripheral 2-i serving as a distribution destination. In this embodiment, the encrypted fragment is transmitted. The fragment transmitting unit 12e is an example of a fragment transmitting unit.

  The data storage device 13 is a device for storing firmware 13a, a server program (not shown), and the like. As the data storage device 13, a hard disk drive, a disk array, and other recording media are used.

  Here, the configuration of the multifunction machine 2-i in FIG. 1 will be described. The multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N may be devices of the same model or different types of devices. However, each multifunction device 2-i has the following functions. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 2-i in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a printing device 21 is a device that is supplied with print data and prints an image based on the print data on a predetermined type of medium. The image reading device 22 is a device that reads an image on a document surface and outputs it as image data. The facsimile communication device 23 is supplied with facsimile data and transmits an image based on the facsimile data via a telephone line (not shown) as a facsimile signal, and receives a facsimile signal via a telephone line (not shown) and receives it as image data. This is an output device. The printing device 21, the image reading device 22, and the facsimile communication device 23 are controlled by the arithmetic processing device 25 and execute their respective functions.

  The network communication device 24 is a device that is connected to the LAN 3 and performs data communication with other devices connected to the LAN 3. The network communication device 24 can perform data communication with the server device 1 connected to the public network 4 via a relay device installed at the boundary between the LAN 3 and the public network 4.

  The arithmetic processing unit 25 is a computer having a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and interfaces 34 and 35. The CPU 31 is a device that executes a program and executes processing described in the program. The ROM 32 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and data in advance. When storing a program such as firmware in an updatable state, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory is used as the ROM 32. The RAM 33 is a memory that temporarily stores the program and data when the program is executed. In the arithmetic processing unit 25, a program acquisition program (not shown) is executed by the CPU 31, whereby a processing unit described later is realized. In the arithmetic processing unit 25, an update confirmation unit 31a, a primary update processing unit 31b, and a secondary update processing unit 31c are realized.

  The update confirmation unit 31a confirms whether or not the firmware to be updated exists in the server device 1, and when acquiring the firmware from the server device 1, the primary update processing unit 31b and the secondary in the multifunction peripheral 2-i. This is a processing unit that determines which one of the update processing units 31c is to be operated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the update confirmation unit 31a in the multifunction peripheral 2-i illustrated in FIG. In the update confirmation unit 31a, the communication processing unit 41 is a processing unit that controls the network communication device 24 and executes data communication using a predetermined protocol. The confirmation processing unit 42 is a processing unit that transmits a firmware update confirmation request to the server device 1 and confirms whether there is firmware to be updated in the multifunction peripheral 2-i based on a response from the server device 1. is there. The confirmation processing unit 42 is an example of a request processing unit. The role determination unit 43 is a processing unit that determines which one of the primary update processing unit 31b and the secondary update processing unit 31c is to be operated based on a response from the server device 1. The role determination unit 43 is an example of a function switching unit.

  The primary update processing unit 31b receives (a1) one of a plurality of fragments from the server device 1, and (b1) a plurality of fragments received from the server device 1 by the multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N. (C1) is a processing unit that restores a program from a plurality of collected fragments, and (d1) transmits the restored program to each of the multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N other than itself.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the primary update processing unit 31b in the multi-function machine 2-i shown in FIG. In the primary update processing unit 31b, the communication processing unit 51 is a processing unit that controls the network communication device 24 and executes data communication using a predetermined protocol. The fragment collection processing unit 52 receives any one of a plurality of fragments from the server device 1, acquires the fragments from the other multi-function device 2-i, and receives all the fragments transmitted from the server device 1. A processing unit to collect. The fragment collection processing unit 52 is an example of a collection unit. The decryption processing unit 53 is a processing unit that decrypts a fragment when the fragment received from the server device 1 is encrypted. The fragment synthesis processing unit 54 is a processing unit that combines the fragments collected by the fragment collection processing unit 52 to restore the original firmware. The fragment synthesis processing unit 54 is an example of a restoration unit. The transfer processing unit 55 is a processing unit that transfers the restored firmware to the remaining multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N. The update processing unit 56 is a processing unit that updates the firmware stored in the ROM 32 or the data storage device 26 with the restored firmware.

  The secondary update processing unit 31c receives (a2) any one of a plurality of fragments from the server device 1, and (b2) uses the received fragments as a plurality of fragments among the multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N. Is a processing unit that transmits the information to a specific multifunction peripheral 2-i that collects the information.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the secondary update processing unit 31c in the multifunction peripheral 2-i illustrated in FIG. In the secondary update processing unit 31c, the communication processing unit 61 is a processing unit that controls the network communication device 24 and executes data communication using a predetermined protocol. The fragment download processing unit 62 is a processing unit that receives any one of a plurality of fragments from the server device 1. The decryption processing unit 63 is a processing unit that decrypts a fragment when the fragment received from the server device 1 is encrypted. The fragment transfer processing unit 64 is a processing unit that transfers the received fragment to the multifunction peripheral 2-i in which the primary update processing unit 31b is operating. If the received fragment is encrypted, the decrypted fragment is transferred.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the data storage device 26 is a device for storing a program, data, and the like (not shown). As the data storage device 26, a hard disk drive, a disk array, and other recording media are used.

  Next, the operation of each device in the system will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining firmware update processing executed in the system shown in FIG.

  The multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N periodically transmit firmware update confirmation requests. For example, the update confirmation request is transmitted every day at a specific time such as midnight. At that time, the confirmation processing unit 42 of the update confirmation unit 31a transmits an update confirmation request in each multifunction device 2-i that is powered on. In addition, the model information of the multifunction device 2-i is notified together with the update confirmation request. At this time, the communication processing unit 41 of the update confirmation unit 31 a controls the network communication device 24, whereby the update confirmation request and model information are transmitted to the server device 1 via the LAN 3 and the public network 4. Further, a public key unique to the multifunction machine 2-i may be transmitted together with the model information. Alternatively, the certificate of the multi function device 2-i may be encrypted with a private key that is paired with the public key, and the encrypted certificate may be transmitted together with the public key.

  When the server apparatus 1 receives the update confirmation request and model information, the server apparatus 1 determines whether there is update firmware for the model specified by the model information. At that time, in the server device 1, the update confirmation receiving unit 12 b receives the update confirmation request and the model information, refers to a firmware database (not shown) of the data storage device 13, and determines whether or not firmware for update exists. judge. The update confirmation request and the model information are received by the network communication device 11, acquired from the network communication device 11 by the communication processing unit 12a, and supplied to the update confirmation receiving unit 12b.

  If there is update firmware for the model, the update confirmation receiving unit 12b is the same model of the multifunction peripheral 2- during the predetermined standby period (for example, 2 minutes or 3 minutes) from the time when the update confirmation request is received. Wait for an update confirmation request from i (step S1). However, the time when the update confirmation request from one or more MFPs 2-i of the same model has already been received, and the first update confirmation request among the one or more update confirmation requests already received is received. If the predetermined standby period has not elapsed since the (standby start time), it waits further for an update confirmation request from the multi-function device 2-i of the same model until the predetermined standby time elapses from the standby start time.

  If there is an update firmware for the model, the update confirmation receiving unit 12b sends the first received update confirmation request (that is, the update confirmation request that triggered the start of the standby period) to the multifunction device 2 -I is selected as the device that executes the primary update process. The multi-function device 2-i that is the transmission source of other update confirmation requests received during the standby period is selected as a device that executes the secondary update process. Which of the primary update processing and the secondary update processing should be executed in response to the update confirmation request for each of the multifunction peripherals 2-i to 2-N that is the transmission source of the update confirmation request Is notified (step S2). At that time, the response includes network identification information (for example, an IP address in the LAN 3) of the device that executes the primary update process. Further, the digital signature (certificate) of the server device 1 may be included in the response. These network identification information and digital signature may be transmitted after being encrypted in the same manner.

  On the other hand, when each MFP 2-i receives a response to the update confirmation request, if it is determined that update firmware exists based on the response, either the primary update process or the secondary update process is specified in the response. Identify what is being done. At that time, in each MFP 2-i, the confirmation processing unit 42 receives the response, and the role determination unit 43 specifies which one of the primary update process and the secondary update process is specified in the response, and the primary When the update process is specified, the primary update processing unit 31b is operated, and when the secondary update process is specified, the secondary update processing unit 31c is operated.

  Further, in the server device 1, the update confirmation receiving unit 12b receives the number of update confirmation requests received, that is, the number of MFPs 2-1 to 2-N that receive firmware fragments when a predetermined standby period has elapsed. Is identified. The division processing unit 12c generates a plurality of fragments by dividing the update firmware 13a stored in the data storage device 13 by the number of update confirmation requests specified by reading. The encryption processing unit 12d encrypts each of the plurality of fragments with a different encryption key (for example, the above-described public key) depending on the multifunction machine 2-i that is a transmission destination. The fragment transmitting unit 12e transmits the plurality of encrypted fragments to the same number of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N (step S3). As described above, when there is firmware to be updated, the fragment is transmitted in response to the update confirmation request. Therefore, the update confirmation request also serves as a firmware transmission request.

  On the other hand, in the multi-function device 2-i in which the primary update processing unit 31b is operating (hereinafter referred to as the primary machine), the fragment collection processing unit 52 receives the fragment from the server device 1 via the public network 4 and the LAN 3, The decryption processing unit 53 decrypts the fragment. The decryption processing unit 53 decrypts the fragment with an encryption key (for example, a secret key that is paired with the above-described public key) unique to the MFP 2-i. Further, in the multi-function machine 2-i in which the secondary update processing unit 31b is operating (that is, the multi-function machine 2-i other than the primary machine among the multi-function machines 2-1 to 2-N, hereinafter referred to as the secondary machine), The fragment download processing unit 62 receives the fragment from the server device 1 via the public network 4 and the LAN 3, and the decryption processing unit 63 decrypts the fragment. The decryption processing unit 63 decrypts the fragment with an encryption key (for example, a secret key paired with the above-described public key) unique to the multifunction device 2-i. In the secondary machine, the fragment transfer processing unit 64 transmits the decrypted fragment to the primary machine.

  In the primary machine, the fragment collection processing unit 52 receives the remaining one or more fragments transmitted from the secondary machine via the LAN 3. Thereby, all the fragments transmitted from the server device 1 are collected (step S4).

  In the primary machine, when all fragments are collected, the fragment synthesis processing unit 54 restores the original firmware from these fragments (step S5). The restored firmware is supplied to the update processing unit 56 and transmitted to the secondary machine by the transfer processing unit 55 (step S6). In the secondary machine, the update processing unit 65 receives the firmware.

  The existing firmware is updated with the firmware by the update processing unit 56 in the primary machine and by the update processing unit 65 in the secondary machine.

  If there is no firmware to be updated, a response indicating that is transmitted from the server apparatus 1 to the multi function device 2-i.

  As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the server device 1 divides the firmware 13a to be distributed into a plurality of fragments, and each of the plurality of multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N includes the plurality of fragments. Send one of them. One of the MFPs 2-1 to 2-N collects a plurality of fragments received by the MFPs 2-1 to 2-N, restores firmware from the collected fragments, and restores the restored firmware. Is transmitted to each of all the other multifunction devices 2-i.

  As a result, a plurality of pieces obtained by dividing one firmware are received by the plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2 -N. Therefore, the reception processing is executed and distributed in parallel, and the plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-1 are executed. Distribution of firmware to 2-N can be executed in a short time. In addition, since one firmware is divided and transmitted separately, secure distribution can be performed via the public network 4. In addition, when using encryption technology for more secure distribution, the decryption process is distributed to a plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N, so that compared to the case where the entire firmware is encrypted and distributed. Firmware can be distributed in a short time.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of pieces of data may have substantially the same size, or may have different sizes depending on the type of the multifunction device 2-i. The plurality of fragments are generated by, for example, dividing the firmware into predetermined sizes from the beginning of the firmware. In addition, the plurality of pieces may be assigned a number at the time of division, and may be combined in the order of the numbers when restoring the firmware.

  In the above embodiment, the restored firmware may be transferred to only some of the plurality of multifunction peripherals 2-1 to 2-N that have received the fragment. That is, the multifunction peripheral 2-i that does not need to update the firmware may acquire the fragments from the server device 1 and transfer them to the primary machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, the restored firmware may be transferred to a multifunction device connected to the LAN 3 other than the plurality of multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N that have received the fragments. For example, when a plurality of fragments are transmitted from the server device 1 and the multifunction device whose power is off is turned on later, the multifunction device is connected to another multifunction device 2 connected to the LAN 3. The firmware can be received from i and updated. Further, for example, a multi-function device with low processing capability can receive and update firmware from another multi-function device 2-i without receiving a fragment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 2-i that is the transmission source of the update confirmation received first collects a plurality of fragments. Instead, the MFP that is the transmission source of the update confirmation The multi-function peripheral having the highest processing capability among 2-1 to 2-N may collect a plurality of fragments. In this case, at the time of update confirmation, each multi-function machine 2-i transmits model identification information to the server apparatus 1, and the server apparatus 1 collects a plurality of fragments based on the model identification information. Decide.

  In the above embodiment, an upper limit may be set for the number of divisions when the firmware is divided into fragments. In this case, the multifunction peripheral 2-i that has not received the fragment may receive the restored firmware from the primary machine.

  In the above embodiment, the fragment is transmitted after being encrypted. However, the fragment may be transmitted without being encrypted.

  In the above embodiment, the public key method is used as the encryption method, but a common key method may be used instead.

  In the above-described embodiment, when an update confirmation request is received from a multifunction device connected to the LAN 3 and other than the multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N participating in the firmware update, 1 may notify the MFP of the network identification information of any of the MFPs 2-1 to 2-N that participated in the firmware update in the LAN 3. In that case, the multifunction device acquires the firmware from the multifunction device 2-i indicated by the notified network identification information. The server apparatus 1 may notify the network identification information of the primary machine as the network identification information.

  In the above-described embodiment, when an update confirmation request is received from the multifunction devices 2-1 to 2-N of different models from the same LAN 3, the server device 1 A plurality of fragments may be distributed including the multifunction device 2-i of that model. In that case, reception, decoding, and collection of fragments are performed in the same manner as described above. However, the multifunction peripheral 2-i that does not conform to the update firmware does not execute the update process using the restored firmware.

  In the above embodiment, when the primary machine restores the firmware, the primary machine sends it to the secondary machine immediately, but saves the firmware after restoration and supplies the firmware in response to a request from the secondary machine, etc. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the range of the LAN 3 may be specified by the IP address. That is, the LAN 3 may be one IP network or may include a plurality of IP networks.

  In the above embodiment, the update firmware is distributed from the server device 1 as a plurality of fragments. However, the distributed program is not limited to firmware, but is a program such as an application program or a driver. May be. Further, the program is not limited to the update program, and may be a new program, a program installer, or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the multi-function device 2-i is cited as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, other information processing apparatuses having a network function and capable of downloading and executing a program may be used.

  The present invention is applicable, for example, to firmware update of many information processing apparatuses connected to a corporate LAN.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the program delivery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the delivery system of the update firmware in the system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the firmware delivery server apparatus in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an update confirmation unit in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a primary update processing unit in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a secondary update processing unit in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 3. 2 is a flowchart for explaining firmware update processing executed in the system shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Firmware distribution server device (program distribution server device)
2-1 to 2-N MFP (information processing equipment)
12b Request confirmation receiving part (request receiving means)
12c Division processing unit (dividing means)
12d Encryption processing unit (encryption means)
12e Fragment transmission unit (fragment transmission means)
31b Primary update processing unit 31c Secondary update processing unit 42 Confirmation processing unit (request processing means)
43 Role determination unit (function switching means)
52 Fragment collection processing unit (collection means)
54 Fragment synthesis processing unit (restoration means)

Claims (11)

In a program distribution system in which a plurality of information processing devices acquire a program from a program distribution server device,
The program distribution server device divides a program to be distributed into a plurality of fragments, and a fragment that transmits one of the plurality of fragments to each of some or all of the plurality of information processing devices. A transmission means,
One of the plurality of information processing apparatuses includes: a collection unit that collects the plurality of pieces received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and the plurality of pieces collected by the collection unit Restoring means for restoring the program from, and program sending means for sending the program restored by the restoring means to another information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses,
A program distribution system characterized by the above. In a program distribution server device that distributes a program to a plurality of information processing devices,
A dividing means for dividing the program to be distributed into a plurality of fragments;
Fragment transmitting means for transmitting one of the plurality of fragments to a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices;
A program distribution server device comprising: Request receiving means for receiving a plurality of program transmission requests from a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices;
The dividing means divides the program into the number of received program transmission requests to generate the plurality of fragments;
The program distribution server device according to claim 2.   The dividing unit divides the program into the number of the program transmission requests received within a predetermined time from the time when the program transmission request is first received, and generates the plurality of fragments. The program distribution server device according to claim 3.   Collecting the plurality of fragments received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices, restoring the program from the collected fragments, and restoring the restored program among the plurality of information processing devices The program distribution server device according to claim 2, wherein a command for executing processing to be transmitted to another information processing device is transmitted to one of some or all of the plurality of information processing devices.   Collecting the plurality of fragments received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices, restoring the program from the collected fragments, and restoring the restored program among the plurality of information processing devices 4. The program distribution server device according to claim 3, wherein a command for executing processing to be transmitted to another information processing device is transmitted to one of the transmission sources of the plurality of program transmission requests. An encryption unit that encrypts each of the plurality of fragments by an encryption method that can be decrypted by the information processing apparatus that receives the fragment;
The fragment transmitting means transmits the plurality of encrypted fragments;
The program distribution server device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: Collecting means for collecting the plurality of fragments received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices from a program distribution server device that divides and transmits the program into a plurality of fragments;
Restoring means for restoring the program from the plurality of pieces collected by the collecting means;
Program transmitting means for transmitting the program restored by the restoring means to another information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Receiving one of the plurality of fragments from a program distribution server device that divides the program into a plurality of fragments and transmitting the program, received by a part or all of the plurality of information processing devices from the program distribution server device; A primary update processing unit that collects a plurality of fragments, restores the program from the collected fragments, and transmits the restored program to some or all of the plurality of information processing devices;
Secondary update that receives any one of the plurality of fragments from the program distribution server device, and transmits the received fragment to an information processing device that collects the plurality of fragments among the plurality of information processing devices. A processing unit;
Function switching means for operating only one of the primary update processing unit and the secondary update processing unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Request processing means for transmitting a program transmission request to the program distribution server device and receiving a response to the program transmission request;
The function switching means operates only one of the primary update processing unit and the secondary update processing unit according to the response;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9. The primary update processing unit receives and decrypts the encrypted fragment;
The secondary update processing unit receives and decrypts the encrypted fragment, and transmits the fragment after decryption;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

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