JP2011039840A - Image processing apparatus, software updating system, software updating method, software updating program, and recording medium with the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, a software updating system, a software updating method, a software updating program, and a recording medium with the program recorded thereon, for updating software for an apparatus in a system without installing a server or designating an apparatus to be updated in advance. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus 100 includes: a control information acquisition means 22 which when the software updating of the apparatus is completed, acquires network control information including the setting of a data transfer route for relay from a network control apparatus 200: an target apparatus deciding means 23 for deciding an apparatus whose software is to be updated from among other image processing apparatuses 100, which are connected to the network, on the basis of the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition means 22; and a software updating request means 24 for requesting the target apparatus decided by the target apparatus deciding means 23 to update software environment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system in which a plurality of devices are connected via a predetermined data transmission path, and more particularly to a technique for updating the software environment of a device.

  In a system in which a plurality of devices (for example, “image processing devices”) are connected via a network, a server having a software management function transmits a program to the connected devices based on the network information, and changes the software environment of the devices. The technology to update is already known (for example, “patent document 1”).

  However, in the conventional method of updating the software environment, as described above, it is necessary to install a server having a software management function in the system. Therefore, in the conventional method, cost is required for realizing the function.

  In addition, it was necessary to make various settings in advance for the server to perform software management. For example, in the server, network information related to a device is set in order to transmit a program to the device to be managed. The network information is set by the administrator. Therefore, the administrator must update the network information according to the increase or decrease of devices connected to the system. In addition, the administrator needs to set and manage the execution schedule of the program that updates the software environment and the designation of the device that is the software update target in the system (hereinafter referred to as “update target device”). . These operations are complicated for the administrator.

  As described above, the conventional method is burdensome in terms of cost and maintenance / operation, and is not always convenient for the user.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and software that can update the software environment without performing server installation or update target device designation in advance. An update system, a software update method, a software update program, and a recording medium recording the program are provided.

  To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to one or a plurality of network control apparatuses that relay data flowing on a network to another network, Upon completion of the software update process of the own device, control information acquisition means for acquiring network control information including setting of the data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device, and network control information acquired by the control information acquisition means Based on the update target device determination means for determining the update target device for updating the software from among other image processing apparatuses connected to the network, and the update target determined by the update target device determination means Software update request means for requesting the device to update the software environment. There.

  With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires network control information from the network control apparatus already installed in the system after completing the software update process of the own apparatus. The image processing apparatus determines an update target device in the system based on the acquired network control information. The image processing apparatus transmits a program to the determined update target device and requests an update of the software environment.

  Accordingly, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can update the software environment without performing server installation or update target device designation in advance. As a result, in updating the software environment in the system, the cost and maintenance / operation load are reduced, which is convenient for the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, a software update system according to the present invention includes one or more network control devices that relay data flowing on a network to another network, and one or more network update devices that update software. A software update system connected to an image processing apparatus, and when one image processing apparatus finishes its own software update process, the network control includes setting of a data transfer path related to the relay from the network control apparatus Control information acquisition means for acquiring information, and update for determining the update target device from among other image processing apparatuses connected to the network based on the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition means Target device determination means and the update target determined by the update target device determination means Against vessels have a software update request means for requesting an update of software environments.

  In order to achieve the above object, a software updating method according to the present invention is a software updating method in one or more image processing apparatuses connected to one or more network control apparatuses that relay data flowing on a network to another network. When the software update process of the own device is finished, the control information acquisition procedure for acquiring network control information including the setting of the data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device, and the control information acquisition procedure Based on the network control information, an update target device determination procedure for determining an update target device for updating software from other image processing apparatuses other than the own device connected to the network, and the update target device determination procedure Request the update of the software environment for the determined update target device. Has a software update request procedure, the.

  By such a procedure, when the software update method according to the present invention finishes its own software update process, it acquires network control information from the network control apparatus already installed in the system, and acquires the acquired network control information. Based on this, an operation to determine an update target device in the system, send a program to the determined update target device, and request an update of the software environment is realized.

  As a result, the software update method according to the present invention can provide an environment in which software in an apparatus (image processing apparatus) in the system can be updated without performing server installation or update target apparatus designation in advance.

  According to the present invention, an update target device is determined based on network control information acquired from a network control device installed in the system, and by requesting software update to the determined update target device, server installation or It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, a software update system, a software update method, a software update program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded, in which the software in the devices in the system can be updated without specifying the update target device in advance. it can.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the software update system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example which updates the software environment which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the software update function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the network control information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data which the recording medium which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 1) which updates the software environment which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 2) which updates the software environment which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 3) which updates the software environment which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example which updates the software environment which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the software update function which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of a process sequence which updates the software environment which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a software update system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the networks Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd constituting the system 1 are collectively referred to as “network N” for convenience. The same applies to the image processing apparatuses 100a _{1 to} 100a ₄ and 100c, the network control apparatuses 200a, 200b, and 200c, and PCs (Personal Computers) 300a and 300c.

  The software update system 1 according to the present embodiment assumes a network environment composed of a plurality of subnets. The “subnet” mentioned here means individual networks that constitute a large-scale communication network. Such a system 1 is a general network environment constructed in an office environment or the like.

  FIG. 1 shows a system 1 composed of networks Na, Nb, Nc, and Nd corresponding to four subnets. Each network Na, Nb, Nc, Nd is connected via network control devices (routers) 200a, 200b, 200c, and data flowing on the network is relayed to other networks. The network control device 200 analyzes and transfers a part of the protocols of the network layer (third layer) and the transport layer (fourth layer) in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model. Further, the network control device 200 has a route selection function that refers to a network layer address (refers to a routing table) and determines which route should be used for transfer.

  For example, the network control device 200a relays the network Nd and the network Na. The network control device 200b relays the network Na and the network Nb. The network control device 200c relays between the network Nb and the network Nc.

  In addition, one or a plurality of devices are connected to the networks Na and Nc shown in FIG. 1, and IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are assigned in subnet units.

For example, a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100a _{1 to} 100a ₄ such as MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and LP (Laser Printer) and a PC 300a such as a user terminal are connected to the network Na, and each device has an IP address [192. 168.0. X] is assigned. Further, the image processing apparatus 100c and the PC 300c are connected to the network Nc, and an IP address [192.168.8.5. X] is assigned.

  In the system 1 according to the present embodiment, the following network control can be performed by the above system configuration. For example, when searching for a device connected to another network Nb, Nc, Nd from the PC 300a connected to the network Na, the search can be performed by specifying a search range using a predetermined command or tool. The search range at this time may specify, for example, the network control devices 200b and 200c that pass between the PC 300a connected to the network Na and the devices connected to other networks Nb, Nc, and Nd. For example, when data is to be transmitted from the PC 300a connected to the network Na to the image processing apparatus 100c connected to the network Nc, the data is transmitted by specifying a data transfer path using a predetermined command or tool. it can. The data transfer path at this time may specify, for example, the network control devices 200b and 200c passing between the PC 300a connected to the network Na and the image processing device 100c connected to the network Nc.

  As described above, in the system 1 according to the present embodiment, data communication between different networks can be performed by the routing process in the network control device 200. Thereby, in the system 1, the following software update can be performed on the image processing apparatus 100. For example, in the system 1, not only the software update for the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the same network N (apparatus connected to the same subnet) but also the image processing apparatus 100 connected to a plurality of different networks N (different from each other). Software update can also be performed for devices connected to the subnet.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, a plotter 130, a scanner 140, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The operation panel 120 includes a display unit and an input unit, and provides various types of information such as device information to the user and receives various types of user operations such as operation settings and operation instructions. The plotter 130 includes an image forming unit and forms an output image on a sheet. For example, methods for forming an output image include an electrophotographic process and an inkjet method. The scanner 140 optically reads a document and generates a read image.

  The controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a storage device 112, a network I / F 113, an external storage I / F 114, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The CPU 111 executes various programs to control various functions and the entire apparatus. The storage device 112 stores and holds the program and various data (for example, “image data”). For example, the storage device 112 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile memory, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that has a large-capacity storage area. is there. The RAM functions as a work area for the CPU 111 (a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read). ROM and HDD are used as storage locations for programs and various data. As a result, in the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 111 reads the program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program.

  The network I / F 113 is an interface for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to a predetermined data transmission path such as a network. The external storage I / F 114 is an interface for connecting a recording medium 114a corresponding to an external storage device. For example, the external storage device includes an SD memory card (SD Memory Card) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the program and data stored in the recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114.

  In the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 111 executes, for example, a program read from the ROM or HDD to the RAM by the above hardware configuration, thereby enabling one or a plurality of installed functions (for example, “printing”, “document reading”, etc.) Processing function).

<Software update function>
The software update function according to this embodiment will be described.

  The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment acquires network control information (routing table) from the network control apparatus 200 already installed in the system 1 when the software update process of the image processing apparatus 100 is finished. The image processing apparatus 100 determines an update target device in the system 1 based on the acquired network control information. The image processing apparatus 100 transmits a program to the determined update target device and requests an update of the software environment. The image processing apparatus 100 has such a software update function.

  Here, the software update operation performed on the plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 assumed in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of updating the software environment according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ connected to the network N, the recording medium 114a is loaded to the latest software is installed object is stored. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the recording medium 114a is the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ mounted When completing the software update process in the own device, the other image processing apparatus ₁₀₀ 1 to 100 _3, updated Send the target software (program) and request an update of the software environment. As a result, the software environment of the image processing apparatus 100 is updated to the latest environment.

Thus, in this embodiment, software update is actively performed from the image processing apparatus 100. In the software updating system 1 according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of the image processing apparatus ₁₀₀ 1 to 100 _4, the software update is performed in one image processing apparatus 100 _4, the remaining image processing apparatus ₁₀₀ 1 to 100 ₃ The software is updated dynamically.

As a result, in this embodiment, a software update environment that does not require the installation of a server having a software management function can be realized. In the present embodiment, software update processing for the other image processing apparatuses 100 _{1 to} 100 ₃ is executed in synchronization with software installation executed by one image processing apparatus 100 _4. It is not necessary to set an execution schedule.

  In addition, when software update processing is executed for a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100, an update target device in the system 1 is preliminarily used using network information (for example, “IP address”) related to the image processing apparatus 100. Must be specified.

  Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, an update target device is determined based on network control information acquired from the network control device 200 installed in the system 1, and software update is performed on the determined update target device. Request. As described above, in the present embodiment, the software application candidates are dynamically determined using the existing network control information that can be acquired by the image processing apparatus 100 via the network N, so that the update target device is designated in advance. There is no need to keep it.

  Accordingly, the software update system 1 according to the present embodiment can update the software environment of the image processing apparatus 100 without performing server installation or update target device designation in advance. As a result, in updating the software environment in the system, the cost and maintenance / operation load are reduced, which is convenient for the user.

  The configuration and operation of the software update function will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the software update function according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a detection unit 21, a network control information acquisition unit 22, an update target device determination unit 23, an update unit 24, an update result management unit 25, and the like.

  The detection unit 21 is a functional unit that detects an external connection to the device 100. The detection unit 21 has a function of detecting attachment of the recording medium 114a (external storage). When detecting the mounting of the recording medium 114a, for example, via the external storage I / F 114 provided in the apparatus 200, the detecting unit 21 notifies the updating unit 24 described later of the mounting.

  The network control information acquisition unit 22 is a functional unit that acquires, for example, network control information as illustrated in FIG. 5 from the network control device 200 installed in the system 1 via the communication unit 10a. Note that the communication unit 10a is connected to another device (for example, “network control device” or “other image processing device”) connected via a predetermined data transmission path via the network I / F 113 provided in the device 200, for example. It is a functional unit that performs bidirectional data communication with the device 100.

Here, functions of the network control apparatus 200 will be described.
The network control device 200 includes an information management unit 41, a network control unit 42, and the like.

  The information management unit 41 is a functional unit that manages network control information held by the network control information holding unit 51. The network control information holding unit 51 corresponds to a predetermined storage area such as a rewritable nonvolatile storage device (for example, “NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM)”) provided in the network control device 200, for example.

  The information management unit 41 manages data by performing data operations on network control information using predetermined commands and tools. Data operations performed by the information management unit 41 include, for example, addition (generation), change, and deletion of data transfer paths included in the network control information, and reference to setting contents.

  For example, when the information management unit 41 performs a data operation referring to the setting contents, network control information as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data example of network control information according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows an example of data held by the PC 300 or the like as an example of network control information.

  The network control information is called a routing table, and a route related to a packet delivery destination, that is, a data transfer route is set. For example, the data shown in FIG. 5 includes (1) a destination IP address, (2) a subnet mask address, (3) a gateway IP address, (4) an interface, and (5) a metric as information items related to the data transfer path. Is set. In addition, (6) a default gateway address is set as an information item related to the default gateway.

  The network control unit 42 is a functional unit that performs predetermined network control (executes routing processing) in accordance with the setting of the network control information. The network control unit 42 accesses the network control information held by the network control information holding unit 51 via the information management unit 41, and performs data transfer control based on the network control information.

  In a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) network, when a packet is transmitted, a routing table that is network control information is referred to and a partner to which the packet is to be transmitted is determined. For example, when the transmission destination PC 300 is not connected to the network N to which the transmission source PC 300 is connected, the routing table is referred to determine the PC 300 that relays the packet.

  The network control device 200 is a communication unit that performs bidirectional data communication between another device (for example, “image processing device”) connected via a predetermined data transmission path and the device 200, like the communication unit 10a. 10b.

Returning to FIG. 4, the network control information acquisition unit 22 included in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.
The network control information acquisition unit 22 acquires network control information according to the following procedure. The network control information acquisition unit 22 first acquires the IP address of the default gateway from the network setting information of the device 100. Subsequently, the network control information acquisition unit 22 accesses the network control device 200 using a predetermined protocol based on the acquired IP address of the default gateway, and acquires network control information. At this time, the network control information acquisition unit 22 specifies the hop number (hop number) and acquires the network control information. The “hop number” referred to here means the number of network control devices 200 (the number of routers) that pass between the data transfer source and the transfer destination in the system 1.

  An example of a protocol used when accessing the network control device 200 is RIP (Routing Information Protocol). RIP is a distance vector routing protocol that determines an optimal data transfer path based on the number of hops from a data transfer source to a transfer destination. Therefore, the network control information acquisition unit 22 can acquire information from the network control device 200 arranged on the optimum route from the data transfer source to the transfer destination by specifying the hop count at the time of information acquisition. That is, specifying the number of hops in the network control information acquisition unit 22 is synonymous with specifying the application range of software update in the system 1.

  In this way, the network control information acquisition unit 22 acquires network control information within the application range of software update in the system 1.

  The network control information acquisition unit 22 obtains the number of hops from management information related to software update (hereinafter referred to as “update management information”) held by the recording medium 114a attached to the apparatus 100.

Here, data stored in the recording medium 114a will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data held by the recording medium 114a according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the recording medium 114a holds a program PG (update target software program) to be installed in the image processing apparatus 100 and update management information 31D.

  The update management information 31D has a data configuration as shown in FIG. 6B, for example. The update management information 31D includes a search range for designating a software update application range in the system 1, a model identification for identifying the model of the image processing apparatus 100, a software identification for identifying software to be updated, and an output format of the software update result. Information items such as update result output method specification to be specified are associated.

  For example, the number of hops is set in the information item “search range”. In the information item “model identification”, the model name of the image processing apparatus 100 (product) is set. In the information item “software identification”, a software name and a software version are set. In the information item “update result output method designation”, an output format (for example, “log data” or “report”) and an output method (for example, “store in storage area” or “print”) are set.

  The image processing apparatus 100 loaded with the recording medium 114a refers to the update management information 31D having the above data configuration via the external storage I / F 114. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 performs “search range”, “model identification”, “update result” based on the information (information item “software identification”) related to software identification obtained from the program PG held in the recording medium 114a. Information items such as “Output method specification” can be acquired.

  For example, when the recording medium 114a holds the program PG of the software A and the update management information 31D shown in FIG. 6B, the number of hops [0], the update-compatible model [PRN A, B, C], Information related to the update of the software A, such as the output method of the update result [save log], can be acquired.

  The update management information 31D is information common to a plurality of programs PG. For example, the update management information 31D shown in FIG. 6B is common to the software A, B, and C. The update management information 31D may be information for each program PG. In this case, the update management information 31D is stored in the recording medium 114a in association with the program PG, and thus has a data configuration without the information item “software identification”.

  Further, the update management information 31D may have a data configuration including, for example, extended data (within a broken line frame in the figure) as shown in FIG. The update management information 31D shown in FIG. 6C includes basic data such as “search range”, “model identification”, “software identification”, “update result output method designation”, “timeout time”, “retry”. Extended data related to software update control such as “number of times”, “horizontal deployment presence / absence”, and “update execution condition” are included. Thus, the image processing apparatus 100 can perform the following software update control process based on the extension data of the update management information 31D. For example, the image processing apparatus 100 controls communication processing with the update target device (another image processing apparatus) based on the information items “timeout time” and “retry count”. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 controls whether or not software update is applied to a plurality of networks N (a plurality of subnets) via the network control apparatus 200 based on the information item “horizontal development presence / absence”. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 performs control so that the software update is executed when the update target device is in a state (device state) that satisfies the condition based on the information item “update execution condition”.

Returning to FIG. 4, the network control information acquisition unit 22 included in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.
As described above, the network control information acquisition unit 22 refers to the update management information 31D held by the recording medium 114a, and based on the information related to the software identification obtained from the program PG held by the storage medium 114a, the information item Get the number of hops set in "Search range".

  The update target device determination unit 23 is a functional unit that determines an update target device from devices connected to the network N (one or a plurality of subnets) corresponding to the application range of software update in the system 1. Therefore, the update target device determination unit 23 includes a device search unit 231, a device information acquisition unit 232, an update necessity determination unit 233, and the like.

  The device search unit 231 searches for devices connected to the network N corresponding to the application range of software update. For example, the device search unit 231 performs a search based on an IP address assigned to the image processing apparatus 100, the PC 300, or the like, and obtains a device response as a search result.

  The device search unit 231 has a search candidate determination unit 2311 that calculates an IP address used when performing the device search.

  The search candidate determining unit 2311 determines a search candidate by calculating an IP address assigned to a device connected to the network N (one or a plurality of subnets) based on one or a plurality of network control information.

  The search candidate determining unit 2311 calculates an IP address using the setting value of the information item (2) subnet mask address included in the network control information. The subnet mask address is a bit string that defines how many bits in the bit string representing the IP address are used as the bit string of the network address that identifies the network N. The IP address is composed of a bit string representing the network address and a bit string representing a host address for identifying an interface connected to the network N.

  Thereby, the search candidate determination unit 2311 calculates an IP address and determines a search candidate according to the following procedure. The search candidate determination unit 2311 specifies a bit string representing the host address from the bit string representing the IP address based on the set value of the subnet mask address. The search candidate determining unit 2311 calculates the IP address by calculating the maximum number of interfaces that can be identified by the host address from the number of bits of the specified bit string. As a result, the search candidate determination unit 2311 calculates an IP address obtained by adding the maximum number of host addresses to the network address.

  For example, when the bit string representing the IP address is 32 (bit) and [255.255.255.0] is set as the subnet mask address, the search candidate determination unit 2311 calculates the following IP address. The The search candidate determination unit 2311 specifies, from the subnet mask address [255.255.255.0], that the lower 8 (bit) is a bit string representing the host address from the 32 (bit) bit string representing the IP address. The search candidate determining unit 2311 determines the maximum number [256] of interfaces that can be identified by the host address from the specified number of bits [8 (bit)]. As a result, the search candidate determination unit 2311 calculates 256 IP addresses [192.168.0.0] to [192.168.0.2255] when the network address is [192.168.8.0]. .

  In this way, the search candidate determination unit 2311 determines the search candidate of the device search unit 231 by calculating the IP address (IP address assumed to be assigned) of the device connected to one subnet. In the above example, the IP address of a device connected to one subnet is calculated based on one network control information. However, when the network control information acquisition unit 22 acquires a plurality of network control information, the IP address of the device is calculated for each subnet based on the acquired plurality of network control information.

  As a result, the device search unit 231 can search for all devices connected to the network N (software update application range) composed of a plurality of subnets.

  The device search unit 231 searches the system 1 for a search target device determined by the search target determination unit 2311, and detects a communicable device among devices connected to the network N based on the presence / absence of a device response. To do. For example, the device search unit 231 detects devices that can communicate with each other, excluding devices that do not respond to a device even after a predetermined time elapses, from devices to be searched.

  The device information acquisition unit 232 acquires device information from the detected communicable device via the communication unit 10a. For example, the device information acquisition unit 232 transmits an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) information acquisition command to the detected communicable device, and acquires information by a device response. The information acquired at this time is, for example, MIB (Management Information Base). The MIB is information that is disclosed by a network device using SNMP in order to inform the outside of the state of the device itself. The MIB includes, for example, static data such as serial number (device identification), model name (model identification), installed function name (software identification), and network settings, and dynamic data such as operation status and device status. Etc. are included.

  The device information acquisition unit 232 detects an update target device among communicable devices based on the acquired device information. As described above, the search target device is not necessarily the image processing apparatus 100. In general, in addition to the image processing apparatus 100, various network devices such as the PC 300 are connected to the network N corresponding to the applicable range. Accordingly, the device information acquisition unit 232 detects the communicable image processing device 100 based on the acquired device information.

  The update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether or not software update is necessary for the detected communicable image processing apparatus 100. The update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether software update is necessary based on the acquired device information and the update management information 31D held by the recording medium 114a. The update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether or not the model can install software based on the model identification data of the device information and the model identification data of the update management information 31D (determines the model condition). Further, the update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether the software is the update target software and the update target version based on the software identification data of the device information and the software identification data of the update management information 31D ( Determine type and version conditions).

  Based on the necessity determination result, the update necessity determination unit 233 detects an update target device that needs software update among communicable update target devices.

  In the system 1, the update target device determination unit 23 is a device that is detected stepwise by the above functional units from among devices connected to the network N (one or a plurality of subnets) corresponding to the application range of software update. Are determined as update target devices.

  The update unit 24 is a functional unit that transmits the program PG of the update target software to the determined update target device via the communication unit 10a and requests an update of the software environment. That is, the update unit 24 transmits the program PG held in the recording medium 114a to the update target device and requests an update of the software environment. In the image processing apparatus 100, the update unit 24 also performs the software update process of the own apparatus that is performed when the recording medium 114a is loaded.

  The update result management unit 25 is a functional unit that manages the update result of the software environment according to a predetermined designation method. The update result management unit 25 manages the update results according to the update result output method designation of the update management information 31D held by the recording medium 114a. For example, when “log saving” is designated as the update result output method, the update result management unit 25 includes information (for example, “path to recording medium” and “recording medium” included in the update result output method designation data. In accordance with “log file name”), the log file including the update result of the own device and the update target device is saved. In addition, when “e-mail” is designated as the update result output method, the update of the own device and the update target device is performed according to the information (for example, “e-mail address”) related to the destination included in the update result output method designation data. Send the result. Further, when “report printing” is designated as the update result output method, according to the information (for example, “IP address”) relating to the printing destination included in the update result output method designation data, the own device and the update target device Print the update results. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 can provide the user with the update result of the software environment in the self apparatus and the other apparatus.

  As described above, the software update function according to the present embodiment is realized by the above-described functional units operating in conjunction with each other.

  Next, a detailed operation of the software update function (operational group group operation) will be described with reference to a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure.

  In the software update function, a program (program related to software update) installed (installed) in the image processing apparatus 100 is read from the storage location (for example, “ROM”) onto the RAM by the CPU 111, and the following processing is performed. Realized by being executed.

In the following description, the software update process will be described in order of “network control information acquisition”, “update target device determination”, and “software update”. The recording medium 114a is mounted, the software environment in the beginning is a device to be updated with the image processing apparatus 100 _4, and the image processing apparatus 100 ₁ to 100 _n updates target device software environment is updated later.

<< Processes related to network control information acquisition >>
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 1) for updating the software environment according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing apparatus 100 _4, the detection unit 21, when detecting the mounting of the recording medium 114a (step S101), with respect to the updating unit 24 from the detection unit 21, the attachment detection is notified ( Step S102). At this time, the detection unit 21 passes the program PG of the update target software acquired from the recording medium 114a at the time of detection to the update unit 24.

The image processing apparatus 100 _4, the updating unit 24, to install the software on the basis of the received program PG (step S103), after installation, the update unit 24 to the network control information acquisition unit 22, the network control information Acquisition is instructed (step S104).

The image processing apparatus 100 _4, the network control information acquisition unit 22 acquires network control information (routing table) from the network control device 200 (router) according to the number of hops. The network control information acquisition unit 22 first refers to the update management information 31D held by the attached recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114, and the software obtained from the program PG held by the storage medium 114a Based on the information related to the identification, the number of hops set in the information item “search range” is acquired. The network control information acquisition unit 22 determines whether the acquired number of hops is 1 or more (step S201). That is, the network control information acquisition unit 22 determines whether or not the software update application range set as the update management information 31D is a range over a plurality of subnets.

  If the number of hops is “1 or more” (step S201: YES), the network control information acquisition unit 22 accesses the network control device 200 installed in the system 1 via the communication unit 10a, and the network control information To get. Specifically, the following processing is performed.

The network control information acquisition unit 22 requests the communication unit 10a to acquire network control information (step S202). At this time, the network control information acquisition unit 22 passes the number of hops and default gateway designation (default gateway address) to the communication unit 10a. The default gateway address can be acquired from the network information set in the image processing apparatus 100 _4.

  The communication unit 10a notifies the network control device 200 specified by the default gateway address of an information acquisition request (step S203). At this time, the communication unit 10a executes a predetermined command of the communication protocol using the number of hops as an execution parameter, and notifies the network control device 200 of an information acquisition request.

The network controller 200, via the communication unit 10b, receives information acquisition request from the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ instructs the acquisition of the network control information to the information management unit 41 (step S204). As a result, the network control information 200, the information management unit 41, the acquired information from the network control information holding unit 51 (step S205), the communication unit 10b, the acquired information to the requesting image processing apparatus 100 ₄ Transmission is requested (step S206). In this manner, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ from the network controller 200, the network control information obtained is the response (step S207).

  Thereby, the network control information which is an acquisition result is passed to the network control information acquisition part 22 via the communication part 10a (step S208).

  On the other hand, if the hop count is “0” (step S201: NO), the network control information acquisition unit 22 does not acquire network control information from the network control device 200 (step S209). When the number of hops is “0”, the application range of the specified software update is within the subnet to which the own device is connected (the range that is not horizontally deployed to other subnets). There is no need to get.

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ When completing the above process, to the device search section 231 having the network control information acquisition unit 22 updates the target device determination unit 23, and instructs the device search (step S210).

As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ When completing the software update process of its own equipment, from the network control device 200 (router) that has already been installed in the system 1, and acquires the network control information (routing table).

<Processing related to determining the device to be updated>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 2) for updating the software environment according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ receives an instruction from the device search, the device search unit 231, searching for devices connected to the network N (1 or more subnets) corresponding to coverage of software updates To do. Specifically, the following processing is performed.

The device search unit 231 uses the search candidate determination unit 2311 to calculate an IP address of a device that is a search candidate based on the network control information. Thereby, a search candidate is determined. At this time, the search candidate determining unit 2311 uses the subnet mask address included in the network control information to determine the number of bits of the host address constituting the IP address. As a result, the search candidate determination unit 2311 calculates an IP address in subnet units based on the determined number of bits and the network address. Note search candidate decision unit 2311, if the process of step S209 is performed to calculate the IP address with a subnet mask address of the network information set in the image processing apparatus 100 _4.

The device search unit 231 sequentially specifies the devices (1) to (n) to be searched based on the calculated IP address (information on the determined search candidate), and requests the communication unit 10a to search for the device. (Steps S302 _{1 to} S302 _n ). As a result, the search results are returned from the devices (1) to (n) to the device search unit 231 via the communication unit 10a (steps S303 _{1 to} S303 _n ). The device search unit 231 performs the above search process, and detects a communicable device among the devices (1) to (n) based on the presence / absence of a device response.

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ Upon completion of the search process by the device search section 231, to the device information acquisition unit 232 included in the update target device determination unit 23 from the device search unit 231, and instructs the acquisition of the device information (step S304 ).

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ receives an instruction from the device information acquiring, by the device information acquisition unit 232 acquires device information from the detected in the search process communication devices capable (1) ~ (n). The device information acquisition unit 232 sequentially specifies the devices (1) to (n) as information acquisition targets based on the IP address specified at the time of the search process, and requests the communication unit 10a to acquire the device information (step S401 _1). ~S401 _n). As a result, the device results are returned from the devices (1) to (n) to the device information acquisition unit 232 via the communication unit 10a (steps S402 _{1 to} S402 _n ). The device information acquisition unit 232 performs the information acquisition process, and detects the communicable image processing apparatus 100 among the devices (1) to (n) based on the device information.

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ Upon completion of the information acquisition processing by the device information acquiring part 232, with respect to the update necessity determination unit 233 has the update target device determination unit 23 from the device information acquisition unit 232, the necessity determination software update Is instructed (step S403).

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ receives an instruction from the update necessity determination, the update necessity determining unit 233, for the detected communicable equipment information acquisition process (1) ~ (n), the necessity of software update Determine. At this time, the update necessity determination unit 233 acquires the update management information 31D held by the loaded recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114. The update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether the software update is necessary based on the acquired update management information 31D and the previously acquired device information. Specifically, the following processing is performed.

  The update necessity determination unit 233 determines whether or not the model conditions relating to the software update match based on the model identification data of the device information and the model identification data of the update management information 31D (step S501). The model condition is a condition that the detected device is a model capable of installing software.

  If the model condition matches (step S501: YES), the update necessity determination unit 233 checks the condition for the next software update.

  Based on the software identification data of the device information and the software identification data of the update management information 31D, the update necessity / unnecessity determination unit 233 determines whether or not the type conditions related to software update match (step S502). The type condition is a condition that the detected device has installed (installed) update target software.

  If the type condition matches (step S502: YES), the update necessity determination unit 233 checks the condition relating to the next software update.

  Based on the software identification data of the device information and the software identification data of the update management information 31D, the update necessity / unnecessity determination unit 233 determines whether or not the version conditions related to the software update match (step S503). The version condition is a condition that the version of the corresponding software installed in the device is lower than the update target software (update target version).

  If the version condition matches (step S503: YES), the update necessity determination unit 233 instructs the update unit 24 to update the software (step S505).

  On the other hand, if the conditions do not match in the processing of steps S501, S502, and S503 (steps S501, S502, and S503: NO), the update necessity determination unit 233 designates the next device that is subject to update necessity determination. The necessity determination process is repeated (step S504).

  The update necessity determination unit 233 performs the necessity determination process, and detects an update target device that requires software update from the devices (1) to (n) based on the necessity determination result.

As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ based on the acquired network control information, determines the update target device in the system 1.

<Processing related to software update>
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 3) for updating the software environment according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ receives an instruction from the software update, the update unit 24, with respect to the determined update target apparatus, it requests an update of the software environment. The update unit 24 sequentially designates the image processing apparatuses 100 _{1 to} 100 _n to be updated based on the IP addresses of the update target devices (1) to (n) determined in the necessity determination process, and communicates software updates. Request to the unit 10a (steps S601 _{1 to} S601 _n ). Thereby, the communication unit 10a transmits the program PG of the update target software to the image processing apparatuses 100 _{1 to} 100 _n . As a result, the update results are returned from the image processing apparatuses 100 _{1 to} 100 _n to the update unit 24 via the communication unit 10a (steps S602 _{1 to} S602 _n ).

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ When completing the update processing by the update unit 24, with respect to updating result management unit 25 from the updating unit 24, and instructs the output of the update result (step S603).

The image processing apparatus 100 ₄ receives an instruction from the update result output, the update result management section 25, the update result of the software environment, and outputs in accordance with a predetermined instruction method (step S701). The update result management unit 25 acquires the update management information 31D held by the mounted recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114. Update result managing unit 25, according to an update result output mode designation set in the acquired update management information 31D, and outputs the updated result of the apparatus 100 ₄ and the image processing apparatus ₁₀₀ 1 to 100 _n (updated device).

As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 _4, to the determined update target apparatus transmits a program PG update target software requests an update of the software environment.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the software update process of the own apparatus is finished, the network control information (routing) is transmitted from the network control apparatus 200 (router) already installed in the system 1. Table). The image processing apparatus 100 determines an update target device in the system 1 based on the acquired network control information. The image processing apparatus 100 transmits the program PG to the determined update target device and requests an update of the software environment.

  The image processing apparatus 100 determines the update target device according to the following procedure. First, the image processing apparatus 100 calculates an IP address of a device installed within a software update application range based on network control information acquired according to a specified number of hops, and can communicate from these devices Is detected. Next, the image processing apparatus 100 detects another image processing apparatus 100 in which software can be installed from these apparatuses based on the apparatus information acquired from the communicable apparatuses. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the other detected image processing apparatus 100 needs to be updated based on the device information, and detects an update target device from these devices. In this way, the image processing apparatus 100 dynamically determines the update target device.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 can update the software environment without performing server installation or update target device designation in advance. As a result, in the update of the software environment in the system 1, the cost and maintenance / operation load are reduced, which is convenient for the user.

<Modification>
Hereinafter, modified examples according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of updating the software environment according to the present modification.
As shown in FIG. 10 (A), the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ latest software is installed is newly connected to the network N. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ having the latest software environment, the other image processing apparatus ₁₀₀ 1 to 100 _3, and transmits the updated software (program), the software environment Request an update. As a result, the software environment of the image processing apparatus 100 is updated to the latest environment.

As described above, in the present modification, the software update is actively performed from the image processing apparatus 100 as in the above embodiment. Thus, the software updating system 1 according to this modification, in the system 1, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ having the latest software environment is connected, the remaining image processing apparatus 100 ₁ to 100 3 _(already connected Software of the same model) is also updated dynamically.

  As a result, in this modified example, a software update environment that does not require installation of a server having a software management function can be realized, as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the software update function according to the present modification.
The difference between the configuration of the software update function according to this modification shown in FIG. 11 and the configuration shown in the above embodiment is that the update data holding unit 31 is provided.

  In the image processing apparatus 100 (a device that triggers software update in the system 1), update target software has already been installed. Therefore, the storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the image processing apparatus 100 stores the program PG of the update target software. That is, this storage area corresponds to the update data holding unit 31.

  FIG. 11 shows a configuration in which the update data holding unit 31 holds the update management information 31D together with the program PG. In order to obtain such a data configuration, for example, a method of dynamically storing the related update management information 31D at the time of installation of the program PG can be cited.

  Further, the detection unit 21 detects that the device 100 is connected to the network N of the system 1 via the network I / F 113.

  When detecting the connection to the network N, the detecting unit 70 notifies the updating unit 24 that the connection has been detected, as in the case of mounting the recording medium 114a.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for updating the software environment according to the present modification.
A process according to this modification shown in FIG. 12, the difference between the processing procedure shown in the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 ₄ having the latest software environment is connected to the network N, a trigger which, network This is a procedure until the control information acquisition unit 22 requests information acquisition.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the image processing apparatus 100 _4, the detection unit 21, when detecting the connection of the apparatus 100 ₄ (step S801), with respect to the updating unit 24 from the detection unit 21, connected Detection is notified (step S802).

The image processing apparatus 100 _4, the update unit 24, is already installed, based on the program PG is held in a predetermined storage area, the software environment in the device 100 ₄ it is determined whether the latest environment (step S803) . If the update unit 24 determines that the environment is the latest environment (step S803: YES), the update unit 24 instructs the network control information acquisition unit 22 to acquire network control information (step S804).

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present modification can perform the same software update process as in the above embodiment.

  The above embodiment has been described so far. However, the “software update function” of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is based on the operating environment (platform) according to each processing procedure described with reference to the drawings. This is realized by the CPU 111 executing a program coded in a programming language.

  The program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium 114a. Examples of the recording medium 114a include an SD memory card and a USB memory.

  Therefore, by storing the program in the recording medium 114a, the program can be installed in the image processing apparatus 100 via the external storage I / F 114 that can read the recording medium 114a. Since the image processing apparatus 100 includes the network I / F 113, the program can be downloaded and installed using an electric communication line such as the Internet.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes and configurations described in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

1 Software Update System 10 Communication Unit (a: Image processing device, b: Network control device)
21 detection unit 22 network control information acquisition unit 23 update target device determination unit 231 device search unit (2311: search candidate determination unit)
232 Device information acquisition unit 233 Update necessity determination unit 24 Update unit 25 Update result management unit 31 Update management information holding unit (D: update management information)
41 Information Management Unit 42 Network Control Unit 51 Network Control Information Holding Unit 100 Image Processing Device (Including Update Target Device)
110 controller 111 CPU (central processing unit)
112 Storage device 113 Network I / F
114 External storage I / F (a: recording medium)
120 Operation panel 130 Plotter (image forming unit)
140 Scanner (reading unit)
200 Network controller (router)
300 PC (information processing equipment)
N network (data transmission line)

JP 2004-213132 A

Claims (15)

One or more image processing devices connected to one or more network control devices that relay data flowing on the network to other networks,
Upon completion of the software update process of the own device, control information acquisition means for acquiring network control information including setting of the data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device;
Based on the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition means, an update target device determining means for determining an update target device for updating software from other image processing apparatuses than the own device connected to the network;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a software update requesting unit that requests a software environment update to the update target device determined by the update target device determination unit. The control information acquisition means
Acquiring network control information from one or more network control devices connected to the network based on the specified number (hops) of the network control devices that pass between the data transfer source and the transfer destination The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Search candidate determination means for determining search candidate devices connected to the network;
Update necessity determination means for determining whether or not software update is required in the software environment of the image processing apparatus,
The update target device determination means includes
Device information including information related to installed software is acquired from the device determined by the search candidate determining means, and based on the acquired device information, the update necessity determining means determines whether the software update is necessary. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update target device is determined according to a determination result. The search candidate determining means includes
The network is configured based on a numerical value (subnet mask value) for identifying a network address and a host address among IP (Internet Protocol) addresses included in the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit 1 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: calculating IP addresses of devices connected to a plurality of subnets to determine search candidate devices connected to the network. The update necessity determination means includes
When the model conditions match based on the model identification information for identifying the model of the own device and the model identification information included in the device information, the device that has acquired the device information is the device that needs the software update. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination is performed. The update necessity determination means includes
The software type and version conditions based on the software identification information for identifying the software installed on the device itself, the version information indicating the version of the software, and the software identification information and version information included in the device information match. In this case, the image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a device that has acquired the device information is determined as a device that needs the software update. The software update request means includes
In the necessity determination result by the necessity determination means for updating, the software program installed in the own device is transmitted to the update target device determined as the device that needs the software update, and the software update is requested. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: Update result management means for managing the update result of the software environment;
The update result management means includes:
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an update result obtained from the own device and / or the update target device is output in accordance with a designated method. The update result management means includes:
When saving is specified, the update result data is saved in the specified storage location,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when printing is designated, the update result data is printed at a designated output destination. The control information acquisition means
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a routing table is acquired as the network control information from the network control apparatus based on a default gateway address. A software update system in which one or more network control devices that relay data flowing on a network to another network and one or more image processing devices that are update target devices for updating software are connected,
Control information acquisition means for acquiring network control information including setting of a data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device when one image processing device finishes its own software update processing;
Based on the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit, an update target device determination unit that determines the update target device from among other image processing apparatuses connected to the network,
A software update system, comprising: a software update request unit that requests the update target device determined by the update target device determination unit to update the software environment. A software update method in one or more image processing devices connected to one or more network control devices that relay data flowing on a network to another network,
Upon completion of the software update process of the own device, a control information acquisition procedure for acquiring network control information including setting of a data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device;
Based on the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition procedure, an update target device determination procedure for determining an update target device to update software from among other image processing devices other than the own device connected to the network;
A software update method, comprising: a software update request procedure for requesting an update target device determined by the update target device determination procedure to update a software environment. A software update program in one or more image processing apparatuses connected to one or more network control apparatuses that relay data flowing on a network to another network,
Computer
Upon completion of the software update process of the own device, control information acquisition means for acquiring network control information including setting of the data transfer path related to the relay from the network control device;
Based on the network control information acquired by the control information acquisition means, an update target device determining means for determining an update target device for updating software from other image processing apparatuses than the own device connected to the network;
A software update program that causes an update target device determined by the update target device determination unit to function as a software update request unit that requests a software environment update.   A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 13.   Management information related to software update including model identification information for identifying the model of an image processing apparatus that is an update target device for updating software, software identification information for identifying update target software, and version information indicating the version of the update target software And a computer-readable recording medium storing the update target software program.

Images