JP2012063975A - Communication apparatus and firmware update system for communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus and a firmware update system for communication apparatus capable of updating firmware without making a user feel bored.SOLUTION: A router 10 transmits user information unique to router 10 to a firmware distribution server 30. When distributing firmware update data, the firmware distribution server 30 selects advertisements suitable for the user of the router 10 based on the user information and transmits display data to be displayed during updating including the advertisement data together with the firmware update data to the router 10. While updating the firmware, the router 10 makes a display device 26 of a PC 20a display the selected advertisements, by using the display data to be displayed during updating. Thus, the display device 26 can be made to display advertisements valuable for the user while updating the firmware for the router 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a firmware update system for a communication device, and more particularly to a communication device and a firmware update system for a communication device that can update firmware without boring a user.

  Conventionally, in communication devices that communicate with other models via a communication line, improve the performance and functions of the communication device itself, or increase the number of compatible models that can be connected to the communication device. For the purpose, firmware that is a control program of the communication device is often updated.

  While the firmware is being updated, the communication device cannot communicate with other models, so the user normally waits until the update is completed. Therefore, some communication devices have a display on a display such as a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) or a game machine connected to the communication device during the firmware update for the purpose of communicating the update status to the user. Some of them are configured to display the update work status.

  Further, in the following Patent Document 1, when an electronic device control program (firmware) for controlling the electronic device is updated in the electronic device, advertisement information is sent together with a new electronic device control program from the electronic device control program distribution server. A technique is disclosed in which an advertisement based on advertisement information is displayed on a display of a user terminal connected to an electronic device together with the update work status while the electronic device control program is obtained and updated. With this technology, it is possible to wait until the update is completed while allowing the user who is updating the electronic device control program to browse the advertisement.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-32012

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, even if the firmware update work status is displayed on the display, the update work information display is obtained and monotonous, and the user always sees it. Since it is not something that continues, there is a problem that the user is bored during the firmware update. Further, as in Patent Literature 1, even when an advertisement is displayed on the display during firmware update, if the advertisement is not interesting to the user, the user does not pay attention to the advertisement. There was a problem that boredom was inevitable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a communication device firmware update system that can update firmware without boring a user. .

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  According to the communication device of the first aspect, the communication device unique information, which is information unique to the communication device, is transmitted to the update server that provides firmware update information by the unique information transmission means. When the advertisement is selected by the update server based on the communication device specific information, and the advertisement information for displaying the selected advertisement is transmitted from the update server together with the update information, the communication device updates the information acquisition means. The update information is acquired by the above, and the advertisement information is acquired by the advertisement information acquisition means. Then, based on the update information acquired by the update information acquisition means, the firmware executed by the control means is updated by the firmware update means. In addition, while the firmware update is being performed by the firmware update unit, the advertisement information acquisition unit is configured such that the advertisement selected by the update server is displayed on the display unit of the first device connected to the connection unit of the communication device. The advertisement information acquired by the above is transmitted to the first apparatus by the advertisement information transmitting means. Thus, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, the advertisement selected based on the communication device specific information, which is information specific to the communication device, is displayed on the display unit of the first device. That is, since the advertisement displayed on the display unit is selected according to the communication device, an advertisement suitable for the user who uses the communication device can be displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the advertisement valuable to the user from the display unit during the firmware update of the communication device, and can wait until the firmware update is completed while paying attention to the advertisement. Therefore, there is an effect that firmware can be updated without boring the user.

  The connection means for connecting the first device may be a device that connects the communication device and the first device by a wireless method, or a device that connects by a wired method. The first device is not limited to being provided outside the communication device, and may be provided inside the communication device.

  According to the communication device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to the first aspect, the following effect is obtained. That is, the MAC address (Media Access Control address) assigned to the communication device is transmitted to the update server by the specific information transmission unit as one of the communication device specific information. Since the MAC address is, in principle, a physical address uniquely assigned to a communication device, the update server can select an advertisement in accordance with each communication device specified from the MAC address. In other words, since the advertisement displayed on the display means is finely selected for each communication device, the advertisement suitable for the user using the communication device can be displayed on the display means more reliably. There is an effect.

  According to the communication device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to the first or second aspect, the following effect is produced. That is, while the firmware update is being performed by the firmware update unit, an input screen that accepts an input from the user is connected to the connection unit of the communication device together with the advertisement selected by the update server or instead of the advertisement The input screen information for displaying the input screen is transmitted to the first device by the input screen information transmitting unit so as to be displayed on the display unit of the first device. Thus, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, the input screen is displayed on the display unit of the first device together with the advertisement or instead of the advertisement. Therefore, during the firmware update of the communication device, the user is directed to input some information from the input unit of the second device connected to the connection unit of the communication device based on the input screen displayed on the display unit. be able to. Therefore, since the firmware update operation can be performed while the user inputs some information from the input means, there is an effect that the firmware can be updated without making the user more bored.

  Further, input information input from the user by the input unit based on the input screen displayed on the display unit is acquired by the input information acquisition unit after the firmware update is completed from the second device provided with the input unit. The input information is transmitted to the update server by the specific information transmitting means as one of the above-mentioned communication device specific information. Thereby, in the firmware update from the next time on, the update server selects an advertisement based on the input information input by the user as one of the communication device specific information, and an advertisement for displaying the selected advertisement. The information is provided from the update server together with the update information. Therefore, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, the advertisement selected based on the input information input by the user is displayed on the display device of the first device. There is an effect that an advertisement more suitable for the user can be displayed.

  Note that the connection means for connecting the second device may be a device that connects the communication device and the second device by a wireless method, or a method that connects by a wired method, as in the first device. May be. The second device is not limited to being provided outside the communication device, and may be provided inside the communication device. Further, the first device and the second device may be the same device.

  According to the communication device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to the third aspect, the following effect is obtained. That is, information for causing the display means to display an input screen including a screen for accepting input of personal information of the user is transmitted as input screen information to the first apparatus by the input screen information transmitting means. Thereby, a screen for accepting input of the user's personal information is displayed on the display means of the first device. Here, the personal information of the user is information that can identify the individual user, such as the user's name, address, age, sex, and family composition. When a screen for accepting the input of the user's personal information is displayed and the personal information is input from the user by the input means, the personal information is transmitted to the update server as communication device specific information. In the update server, an advertisement is selected based on at least the personal information input by the user, and the advertisement information for displaying the selected advertisement is provided from the update server together with the update information. Therefore, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, an advertisement selected based on the personal information input by the user is displayed on the display device of the first device. There is an effect that an advertisement more suitable for the user can be displayed.

  According to the communication device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to the third or fourth aspect, the following effect is obtained. That is, information for causing the display means to display an input screen including a screen for accepting input of information relating to the device owned by the user is transmitted as input screen information to the first apparatus by the input screen information transmitting means. Thereby, the screen which receives the input of the information regarding the apparatus which a user owns is displayed on the display means of a 1st apparatus. When the information related to the device owned by the user is input from the user by the input means, the information is transmitted to the update server as communication device specific information. An advertisement is selected based on information about a device owned by the user, and advertisement information for displaying the selected advertisement is provided from the update server together with the update information. Therefore, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, since the advertisement selected according to the device owned by the user is displayed on the display device of the first device, the user can be more satisfied with the display device. It is possible to display an advertisement suitable for.

  According to the communication device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the following effect is obtained. That is, information for causing the display means to display an input screen including a screen for accepting input of information relating to the usage state of the user is transmitted as input screen information to the first apparatus by the input screen information transmitting means. Thereby, the screen which receives the input of the information regarding a user's use condition is displayed on the display means of a 1st apparatus. Then, when information on the usage state of the user is input from the user by the input means, the information is transmitted to the update server as communication device specific information. An advertisement is selected on the basis of the information regarding the usage state, and advertisement information for displaying the selected advertisement is provided from the update server together with the update information. Therefore, while the firmware is being updated in the communication device, the display unit of the first device displays the advertisement selected according to the use state of the user. There is an effect that a suitable advertisement can be displayed.

  According to the communication device of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the following effect is obtained. That is, when the firmware is updated by the firmware update unit, before the advertisement information for displaying the advertisement by the browser is acquired by the advertisement information acquisition unit, the information about the browser included in the first device is Obtained from the first device by the information obtaining means. The acquired information regarding the browser is transmitted to the update server by the browser information transmitting means. Based on the information related to the browser and the communication device-specific information, the advertisement information for displaying the advertisement selected by the update server and the advertisement information suitable for display in the browser are combined with the update information. Then, in the communication device, the advertisement information is acquired by the advertisement information acquisition means. As a result, while the firmware update is being performed by the firmware update unit, the advertisement selected by the update server is acquired so as to be displayed on the display unit of the first device connected to the connection unit of the communication device. Since the advertisement information is transmitted to the first apparatus by the advertisement information transmitting means, while the firmware is being updated in the communication apparatus, the display means of the first apparatus has information unique to the communication apparatus. The advertisement selected based on the communication device-specific information is displayed on the display means by the browser. In addition, since the advertisement information transmitted to the first device is suitable for display on the browser, the browser on the first device does not display the advertisement correctly on the display means, or more than necessary. There is an effect that the advertisement can be appropriately displayed on an arbitrary browser without being enlarged or reduced.

  According to the communication device of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the following effect is produced. That is, when link information indicating the location of information related to an advertisement displayed on the display unit is generated by the update server based on the advertisement information, the link information is acquired by the link information acquisition unit in the communication device. Get from. Then, the link information acquired by the link information acquisition unit is transmitted by the link information transmission unit so that the link information is displayed on the display unit of the first display device after the firmware update by the firmware update unit is completed. Sent to. Thereby, when the firmware update by the firmware update unit is completed, the link information indicating the location of the information related to the advertisement displayed on the display unit during the firmware update is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, when there is an advertisement in which the user is interested in the advertisement displayed during the firmware update, the user can easily obtain information related to the advertisement based on the link information displayed after the update is completed. Available at: Therefore, there is an effect that user convenience can be improved.

  According to the communication device firmware update system of the ninth aspect, the communication device of the communication device firmware update system operates in the same manner as the communication device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. To the communication device according to any one of 8 to 8.

It is the schematic which shows the router which is one Embodiment of this invention, and the structure of the firmware update system for updating the firmware of the router. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the router and PC which are the components of a firmware update system. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the firmware delivery server which is a component of a firmware update system. It is the schematic diagram which showed typically an example of the user information table stored in a user information storage area. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by a router. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the setting screen displayed on the display apparatus of PC. It is a flowchart which shows the update inquiry process performed by a router. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the update inquiry screen displayed on the display apparatus of PC. It is a flowchart which shows the update process performed by a router. It is a flowchart which shows the update data transmission process performed by a firmware delivery server. (A) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an update screen displayed on the display device of the PC during firmware update when user registration is not performed, and (b) is a user registration performed. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an update-time screen displayed on the display device of the PC during firmware update. It is a flowchart which shows the update completion process performed by a firmware delivery server. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the after-update screen displayed on the display apparatus of PC after completion of firmware update.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a router 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration of a firmware update system 100 for updating firmware that is a control program of the router 10.

  The router 10 is a communication device that interconnects different networks. The router 10 of this embodiment has a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) function, and a wireless LAN configured by connecting a PC 20a, a game machine 20b, a hard disk recorder 20c, and the like via a wireless communication 50, and a WAN The Internet 40 which is one of (Wide Area Network) is interconnected.

  The firmware of the router 10 is stored in the flash memory 12 (see FIG. 2) built in the router 10, and the router 10 can update the firmware by rewriting the firmware stored in the flash memory 12. It is configured.

  The firmware update system 100 is connected to the router 10 via the Internet 40 in addition to the router 10 and a terminal device (for example, “PC 20a”) that is connected to the router 10 via the wireless communication 50 and provided with a display device for displaying an image. The firmware distribution server 30 can communicate with the router 10.

  The firmware distribution server 30 is a device that distributes firmware update data, which is data for updating firmware in the router 10, to the router 10. When the router 10 receives the firmware update data from the firmware distribution server 30, the router 10 updates the firmware by rewriting the firmware stored in the flash memory 12 of the router 10 using the update data.

  At this time, the router 10 and the firmware update system 100 are configured to be able to update the firmware without boring the user.

  That is, the router 10 transmits user information, which is information specific to the router 10, to the firmware distribution server 30. When the firmware distribution server 30 distributes firmware update data, the router 10 determines the router information based on the user information. The advertisement suitable for 10 users is selected, and the advertisement data is transmitted to the router 10 together with the firmware update data. The router 10 displays the advertisement on the display device such as the PC 20a while updating the firmware.

  Therefore, since the router 10 and the firmware update system 100 can display advertisements valuable to the user on the display device such as the PC 20a during the firmware update of the router 10, the firmware is updated without boring the user. be able to.

  In the following description, among the components of the firmware update system 100, the PC 20a will be described as an example of a terminal device that is connected to the router 10 via the wireless communication 50 and provided with a display device that displays an image. However, it goes without saying that this terminal device is not limited to the PC 20a. For example, a game machine 20b that has a display device and can be connected to the router 10 by a wireless LAN function is also included in the terminal device of the firmware update system 100. The terminal device does not necessarily have a built-in display device. For example, a hard disk recorder 20c is connected to an external display device, and a predetermined image is displayed on the connected display device. The terminal device may exhibit its function.

  Next, detailed configurations of the router 10, the PC 20 a, and the firmware distribution server 30 that are components of the firmware update system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the router 10 and the PC 20a.

  The router 10 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a flash memory 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a WAN interface 14, and a wireless LAN interface 15.

  The CPU 11, flash memory 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus line 16. The WAN interface 14 and the wireless LAN interface 15 are both connected to the input / output port 17, and the input / output port 17 is connected to the bus line 16. As a result, various signals and data are transmitted and received between the CPU 11, the flash memory 12, the RAM 13, and each unit connected to the input / output port 17.

  The CPU 11 controls each function of the router 10 according to programs and data stored in the flash memory 12 and the RAM 13, and according to various signals transmitted / received via the WAN interface 14 or the wireless LAN interface 15, It is an arithmetic unit that executes control of each unit connected to the input / output port 17.

  The flash memory 12 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 11 and fixed values referred to by the control programs. The flash memory 12 has at least a firmware area 12a, an update processing program area 12b, a setting value storage area 12c, and a MAC address storage area 12d.

  The firmware area 12a is an area for storing firmware, which is a control program for the router 10, for example, a program for executing main processing (see FIG. 5), which is one of the firmware, and update inquiry processing (see FIG. 7). ) Is stored. When the power is turned on, the CPU 11 controls the entire router 10 according to the firmware stored in the firmware area 12a, and implements various functions of the router 10.

  The firmware area 12a stores the latest firmware at that time when the router 10 is shipped. The CPU 11 controls the router 10 according to the firmware stored at the time of shipment until the first firmware update is performed.

  The router 10 receives firmware update data from the firmware distribution server 30 via the Internet 40, and updates the firmware in the firmware area 12a by using the update data. When the firmware is updated, the CPU 11 newly controls the router 10 in accordance with the firmware in the rewritten firmware area 12a, that is, the updated firmware.

  The update process program area 12b is an area for storing a program for executing the update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. This update process is a process for updating the firmware of the router 10.

  The firmware in the router 10 can be updated by the user operating the input device 27 of the PC 20a, and the CPU 11 has requested the firmware update of the router 10 from the PC 20a based on the operation of the input device 27. In this case, the program stored in the update process program area 12b is executed to perform the update process (see S16 and S17 in FIG. 5).

  When this update process is executed, the CPU 11 acquires firmware update data from the firmware distribution server 30, rewrites the firmware in the firmware area 12a, and updates the firmware of the router 10.

  Further, together with the acquisition of the firmware update data, the update display data including the advertisement data is acquired from the firmware distribution server 30, and the update display data is transmitted to the PC 20a (terminal device). As a result, while the firmware is being updated in the router 10, an update time screen (see FIG. 11) including an advertisement is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a.

  The program for executing the update process is not stored in the firmware area 12a but in the update process program area 12b separately from the firmware area 12a for the following reason.

  The update process is a process for updating the firmware, and the firmware area 12a is rewritten by this process. Therefore, if a program for executing update processing is stored in the firmware area 12a, the update processing program itself may be rewritten during firmware update, and the CPU 11 may not be able to complete the update processing normally.

  Therefore, by storing the program for executing the update process in the update process program area 12b different from the firmware area 12a, it is possible to prevent the update process program from being rewritten while the firmware is being updated, The CPU 11 can correctly perform the update process.

  The setting value storage area 12c is a setting item that can be changed in the router 10, for example, an IP address setting of the router 10 on the wireless LAN side, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server setting in the wireless LAN, a wireless LAN communication method setting, This is an area for storing various setting items such as encryption settings and channel settings used in the wireless LAN and setting values set for the setting items.

  When executing the firmware stored in the firmware area 12a, the CPU 11 refers to the setting values of various setting items stored in the setting value storage area 12c according to the firmware, and executes control of the router 10 according to the setting values. To do.

  In the setting value storage area 12c, initial setting values (default values) are stored for each setting item when the router 10 is shipped. In addition, when there is a setting change instruction from the user via the PC 20a, or when automatic setting is performed, among the various setting items stored in the setting value storage area 12c, the setting item to be changed By rewriting the set value, the CPU 11 can change the set value.

  As described above, since the setting values of the various setting items of the router 10 are stored in the flash memory 12, once the setting is performed, even if the power is turned off, the setting is changed next. The set value is kept until it is done.

  Note that some of the setting items that can be changed in the router 10 are deleted or newly added together with the firmware update. In order to cope with this, the firmware update data is configured not only to rewrite the firmware area 12a but also to rewrite the set value storage area 12c.

  The CPU 11 updates the firmware in the firmware area 12a with this firmware update data, and also rewrites the set value storage area 12c. By this rewriting, each setting item used in the updated firmware and the initial setting value (default value) of the setting item are stored in the setting value storage area 12c.

  The CPU 11 stores the setting values of the setting items (that is, various setting items used in the firmware immediately before the update) stored in the setting value storage area 12c in advance in the RAM 13 before starting the firmware update. Save temporarily. After the firmware update is completed (that is, after the setting value storage area 12c is rewritten), the various setting items stored in the updated setting value storage area 12c are temporarily saved in the RAM 13. If there is a set item that has been set, the setting value of the setting item stored in the RAM 13 is overwritten as the setting value of the corresponding setting item in the setting value storage area 12c and restored.

  As a result, for the same setting items before and after the update, the setting value before the firmware update is inherited after the firmware update. Therefore, use of the router 10 can be started from the previous setting state even after the firmware is updated.

  The MAC address storage area 12d is an area for storing a MAC address assigned to the router 10. The MAC address is a physical address that is uniquely assigned to a communication device connected to the network. That is, different MAC addresses are assigned to individual routers 10 even if they are the same type of router 10.

  In this way, the MAC address assigned to each router 10 is stored in the MAC address storage area 12d when the router 10 is shipped. Then, the MAC address once stored in the MAC address storage area 12d is held as it is without being overwritten or erased. Thereby, by referring to the MAC address stored in the MAC address storage area 12d, the router 10 to which the MAC address is assigned can be easily identified.

  In the present embodiment, the router 10 transmits a firmware update data transmission request to the firmware distribution server 30 by utilizing such a property of the MAC address, or the router 10 When the user information is transmitted, it is transmitted including the MAC address stored in the MAC address storage area 12d.

  Thereby, the firmware update distribution server 30 can register the user information in association with the MAC address. That is, the firmware distribution server 30 can register user information for each router 10. Then, the router 10 that has made the transmission request can be specified from the MAC address included in the transmission request, and the user information of the router 10 can be specified. The advertisement to be displayed on the display device 26 can be selected.

  As a result, the display device 26 of the PC 20a can display the advertisement that is finely selected for each router 10, so that the advertisement suitable for the user who uses the router 10 can be displayed more reliably. Can be displayed.

  The RAM 13 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the router 10 operates. The RAM 13 has at least a firmware update data area 13a, an update display data area 13b, an input information area 13c, and an updated display data area 13d.

  The firmware update data area 13 a is an area for temporarily storing firmware update data acquired from the firmware distribution server 30.

  When the CPU 11 acquires firmware update data from the firmware distribution server 30 in the update process (see FIG. 9), the CPU 11 stores the acquired firmware update data in the firmware update data area 13a. The CPU 11 updates the firmware by rewriting the firmware area 12a and the setting value storage area 12c using the firmware update data stored in the firmware update data area 13a.

  The update display data area 13b is an area for temporarily storing the update display data acquired together with the firmware update data from the firmware distribution server 30. The update-time display data is data for displaying an update-time screen on the display device 26 of the PC 20a while updating the firmware in the router 10.

  When the CPU 11 acquires update display data from the firmware distribution server 30 together with the firmware update data in the update process (see FIG. 9), the CPU 11 stores the acquired update display data in the update display data area 13b.

  Then, the CPU 11 transmits the update-time display data stored in the update-time display data area 13b to the PC 20a before updating the firmware with the acquired firmware update data, and while the firmware is being updated, Based on the display data at the time of update, control is performed so that the screen at update time is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a.

  As described above, the update display data includes advertisement data for displaying an advertisement selected by the firmware distribution server 30 based on the MAC address of the router 10, and a user for displaying a user registration screen. Registration screen data and questionnaire screen data for displaying a questionnaire screen to the user are included.

  The user registration screen is a screen for accepting input of user registration, and the questionnaire screen is a screen for accepting an answer input of a questionnaire from the user.

  As will be described in detail later, when receiving a firmware update data transmission request from the router 10, the firmware distribution server 30 generates update display data from user registration screen data or questionnaire screen data and advertisement data. Then, the update display data is transmitted to the router 10 together with the firmware update data. Therefore, while the firmware of the router 10 is being updated, the display device 26 of the PC 20a displays the advertisement selected by the firmware distribution server 30 and the user registration screen or questionnaire screen as the update time screen. .

  The input information area 13c temporarily stores information (hereinafter referred to as “input information”) input by the user via the input device 27 with respect to the user registration screen or the questionnaire screen displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a. It is an area to do.

  When completing the update of the firmware of the router 10, the CPU 11 acquires input information from the PC 20a and temporarily stores it in the input information area 13c. Then, the CPU 11 transmits an update completion notification to the firmware distribution server 30 including the input information stored in the input information area 13c and the MAC address of the router 10 stored in the MAC address storage area 12d.

  Although details will be described later, the firmware distribution server 30 changes the user information of the router 10 to the MAC address transmitted together with the input information based on the input information included in the update completion notification transmitted from the router 10. Store in association with each other. As a result, when there is a firmware update data transmission request from the router 10 next time, the firmware distribution server 30 refers to the input information stored in association with the MAC address included in the transmission request, so that the router 10 Advertisements suitable for 10 users can be selected.

  The post-update display data area 13d is an area for temporarily storing the post-update display data acquired from the firmware distribution server 30 when the firmware update of the router 10 is completed. The post-update display data is data for displaying the post-update screen on the display device 26 of the PC 20a after the router 10 completes the firmware update.

  This post-update screen is a screen that displays information linked to a site related to the advertisement included in the update-time screen displayed during the firmware update of the router 10. When the CPU 11 transmits an update completion notification for notifying the firmware update completion to the firmware distribution server 30, the firmware distribution server 30 generates post-update display data for displaying the post-update screen, and the router 10. Send to.

  When the CPU 11 acquires the updated display data from the firmware distribution server 30, the CPU 11 temporarily stores it in the updated display data area 13d, and then stores the updated display data stored in the updated display data area 13d as the PC 20a. Send to.

  Thereby, after the update of the firmware of the router 10 is completed, the updated screen is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a based on the updated display data. Thereby, when there is an advertisement in which the user is interested in the advertisement displayed during the firmware update, the user relates to the advertisement with interest by the updated screen displayed after the completion of the update. Easy access to the site and easy access to information about the advertisement.

  The WAN interface 14 is an interface for connecting the router 10 to the Internet 40 and communicating with other devices via the Internet 40. The wireless LAN interface 15 includes an antenna 15a, and is an interface for performing wireless communication 50 with a terminal device such as the PC 20a via the antenna 15a.

  The router 10 connects terminal devices that perform wireless communication 50 via the wireless LAN interface 15 to construct a LAN. In addition, each terminal device connected to the LAN is connected to the Internet 40 via the WAN interface 14 so that the terminal device can communicate with other devices connected to the Internet 40. The router 10 exchanges various signals and data performed with the firmware update server 30 via the WAN interface 14.

  Next, the PC 20 a mainly includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a wireless LAN interface 24, a hard disk device (Hard Disc Drive; hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 25, a display device 26, and an input device 27.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus line 28. The wireless LAN interface 24, the HDD 25, the display device 26, and the input device 27 are all connected to an input / output port 29, and the input / output port 29 is connected to the bus line 28. As a result, various signals and data are transmitted and received between the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23 and each unit connected to the input / output port 29.

  The CPU 21 is an arithmetic device that executes various processes according to programs and data stored in the ROM 22, RAM 23, and HDD 25, or according to various signals transmitted / received via the wireless LAN interface 24.

  The ROM 22 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or the like. The RAM 23 is a rewritable volatile memory for the CPU 21 to temporarily store various programs and data.

  The wireless LAN interface 24 has an antenna 24a, and is an interface for performing wireless communication 50 with the router 10 via the antenna 24a.

  The PC 20a performs wireless communication 50 with the router 10 via the wireless LAN interface 24, thereby forming a LAN together with other terminal devices (game machine 20b, hard disk recorder 20c, etc.) that perform wireless communication 50 with the router 10. Or can be connected to the Internet 40 under the control of the router 10 to communicate with other devices connected to the Internet 40.

  Further, the PC 20 a instructs the router 10 to change settings or instructs the router 10 to update the firmware via the wireless LAN interface 24. Further, the PC 20 a receives the update-time display data and the updated display data from the router 10 via the wireless LAN interface 24.

  The HDD 25 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory disk that stores various programs such as an OS and application programs executed by the CPU 21 and various data. The HDD 25 stores a browser program 25a as one of application programs.

  The browser program 25a is a program for executing a browser that causes the display device 26 to display a web page. The browser program 25a executes a setting screen for changing the setting of the router 10, a firmware update inquiry screen, an update screen displayed during the firmware update of the router 10, and a post-update screen displayed after the firmware update. Displayed on the display device 26 by the browser.

  Here, when making a transmission request for firmware update data to the firmware distribution server 30, the router 10 acquires browser information such as the type and version of the browser program 25a from the PC 20a in advance and uses the browser information as a transmission request. To the firmware distribution server 30. As a result, the firmware distribution server 30 takes into account the data format that can be displayed by the browser and the resolution of the image displayed by the browser based on the browser information, and displays the update display suitable for display by the browser. Data is generated and transmitted to the router 10.

  Therefore, the update screen displayed on the display device 26 based on the update display data is not displayed correctly by the browser executed by the browser program 25a, and is not enlarged or reduced more than necessary. Can be displayed properly.

  The display device 26 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a processing result in the PC 20a. As described above, the update screen and the post-update screen are displayed on the display device 26.

  The input device 27 includes various operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is a device that receives various input operations from the user. When a user registration screen or a questionnaire screen is displayed on the display device 26, the CPU 21 accepts a user input for the screen from the input device 27.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the firmware distribution server 30. The firmware distribution server 30 includes at least a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an interface 34, an HDD 35, a display device 36, and an input device 37.

  The CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected to each other via a bus line 38. The interface 34, HDD 35, display device 36, and input device 37 are all connected to an input / output port 39, and the input / output port 39 is connected to a bus line 38. As a result, various signals and data are transmitted and received between the CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33 and each unit connected to the input / output port 39.

  The CPU 31 is an arithmetic device that executes various processes according to programs and data stored in the ROM 32, RAM 33, and HDD 35, or according to various signals transmitted / received via the interface 34.

  The ROM 32 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or the like. The RAM 33 is a rewritable volatile memory for the CPU 31 to temporarily store various programs and data.

  The interface 34 is an interface for connecting the firmware distribution server 30 to the Internet 40 and communicating with other devices via the Internet 40. Various signals and data are exchanged with the router 10 via this interface 34.

  The HDD 35 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory disk that stores various programs executed by the CPU 31 such as an OS and application programs and various data. Firmware update data for updating the firmware to the latest version is stored in the HDD 35. Further, a program for executing update data transmission processing of FIG. 10 described later and a program for executing update completion processing of FIG. Further, the HDD 35 is provided with at least a user information storage area 35a, a display data area 35b, and an update display type area 35c.

  The user information storage area 35a is an area for storing a user information table. The user information table is a table for registering user information of the router 10 for each router 10 with respect to a plurality of routers 10 to which firmware is distributed. The user information table selects an advertisement to be displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a during the firmware update in the router 10 when the firmware update data and the update-time display data are transmitted to the router 10. Referenced for.

  Here, the details of the user information table stored in the user information storage area 35a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the user information table.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the user information table, for “ID” 35a1 which is a serial number for identifying each router 10, “MAC address” 35a2 of the router 10 specified by the “ID” 35a1, The “user name” 35a3 of the user who uses the router 10, the “sex” 35a4 of the user, the current “firmware version” 35a5 of the router 10, the “use model” 35a6 used by the user with the router 10, the Information unique to each router 10 (user information) such as “usage status” 35a7 of the router 10 used by the user and “update history” 35a8 of the firmware in the router 10 is registered in association with each other.

  In the present embodiment, a maximum of 10 models used by the user can be registered. That is, the “use model” 35a6 is divided into “use model 1” to “use model 10”, and the use model of the user is registered in each of “use model 1” to “use model 10”. The

  The “usage status” includes, for example, what purpose the user uses the router 10 for, for example, the router 10 being used for “PC wireless LAN connection” or “game machine wireless LAN connection”. The contents of whether or not it is being used are registered.

  The “update history” 35a8 is configured to be able to register the update history for the latest five times, for example. Specifically, the “update history” 35a8 is divided into “update history 1” to “update history 5”, and the latest update history is registered in “update history 1”. The old update history is registered in the order of “2”, “update history 3”, “update history 4”, and “update history 5”.

  “Update history 1” to “Update history 5” are divided into “update date (1-5)”, “update version (1-5)”, and “reason for update (1-5)”, respectively. "Date (1-5)" registers the date of the update, and "Update version (1-5)" registers the updated version of the firmware updated by the update. In “reason (1-5)”, the reason why the user performed the update is registered.

  When the CPU 31 receives a firmware update data transmission request from one router 10, the CPU 31 executes an update data transmission process shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later, and extracts the MAC address of the router 10 included in the transmission request. Whether or not the router 10 is registered in the user information table of the information storage area 35a is determined by comparing the extracted MAC address with the MAC address registered in the “MAC address” 35a2.

  That is, when the extracted MAC address is not registered in the “MAC address” 35a2, the CPU 31 determines that the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request is not registered. In this case, the CPU 31 selects an advertisement to be displayed when registration is not performed, and displays advertisement data for displaying the advertisement and a user registration screen (see FIG. 11A) that accepts user registration input. Update-time display data is generated from the user registration screen data to be displayed, and the update-time display data is transmitted together with the firmware update data to the router 10 that requested the transmission.

  Thereby, while the firmware of the router 10 is being updated, the user registration screen is displayed together with the advertisement on the display device 26 of the PC 20a. When the firmware update is completed in the router 10, input information input by the user on the user registration screen is acquired from the PC 20 a by the router 10 and transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30.

  Therefore, the CPU 31 executes update completion processing, and associates the MAC address of the router 10 that has updated the firmware with the “MAC address” 35a1 in association with the ID of the “ID” 35a1 for which the router is not registered. In addition to registration, based on the input information received from the router 10, various user information input to the user registration screen by the user is associated with the ID, and “user name” 35 a 3, “gender” 35 a 4, “ New registration is made to “use model” 35a6, “use status” 35a7, and the like.

  Further, the CPU 31 extracts the reason for updating the firmware of the router 10 (update reason) from the input information, extracts the update date (that is, the date when the update completion processing was performed), the version of the firmware after the update, and the extraction The “update date 1”, “update version 1”, “update reason” of “update history 1” provided in the “update history” 35a8 in association with the above-described update reason and the ID registered with the MAC address or the like. 1 ”. Further, the updated firmware version is registered in the “firmware version” 35a5 as the current firmware version of the router 10 in association with the ID registered with the MAC address or the like.

  On the other hand, when a firmware update data transmission request is received from one router 10 and the MAC address extracted from the transmission request is registered in the “MAC address” 35a2, the CPU 31 sends a firmware update data transmission request. It is determined that the transmitted router 10 is registered. Then, the CPU 31 selects one or more advertisements suitable for the user of the router 10 from various user information associated with the same “ID” 35a1 as the “MAC address” 35a2 in which the MAC address is registered, The display data at the time of update including the advertisement data for displaying the advertisement is transmitted to the router 10 having requested transmission together with the firmware update data.

  Here, since the user information includes “gender” 35a4 of the user, if an advertisement is selected based on this “sex” 35a4, an advertisement with high demand can be selected according to gender.

  Further, since the user information includes the current “firmware version” 35a5 of the router 10, that is, the version of the firmware immediately before the update in the router 10 to be updated, the user information is based on this “firmware version” 35a5. If an advertisement is selected, it is possible to select an advertisement for a terminal device that can be newly connected to the router 10 by this firmware update.

  Moreover, if an advertisement is selected based on the “use model” 35a6 of the user included in the user information, the latest model of the device used by the user or an advertisement of the related device can be selected. If an advertisement is selected based on the “usage status” 35a7 of the router 10, it is possible to select a proposal for building a network environment suitable for the usage status and an advertisement for a device necessary for the construction. If an advertisement is selected based on the “update history” 35a8, it is possible to determine what and for what timing the user is updating the firmware from the firmware update status, and select an advertisement that matches that. .

  Note that the user information registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 4, but other user information, for example, the user's “age” and “address” as user information. Information such as “family structure” may be registered. If you select an advertisement based on the user's "age" or "family structure", you can select an advertisement with high demand according to the age or family structure, and if you select an advertisement based on the user's "address" You can also select an advertisement for a dealer in that area.

  Further, when the CPU 31 determines that the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request is registered, the CPU 31 not only displays the advertisement selected as described above but also sends a questionnaire from the user. A router that generates a display data at the time of update including questionnaire screen data for displaying a questionnaire screen that accepts input (see FIG. 11B), and that has made a transmission request together with the firmware update data. 10 to send.

  As a result, during the firmware update of the router 10, the selected advertisement and the questionnaire screen are displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a. As described above, since the advertisement is selected according to the user information of the router 10 registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a, the advertisement more suitable for the user of the router 10 is displayed during the firmware update. It can be displayed on the display device 26.

  When the firmware update is completed in the router 10, input information input by the user on the questionnaire screen displayed during the update is acquired from the PC 20 a by the router 10 and transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30. The

  Therefore, the CPU 31 executes update completion processing, and based on the input information received from the router 10, the various information input by the user on the questionnaire screen is stored in the “ID” 35a1 in which the router 10 is registered. In association with the ID, the “use model” 35a6 and the “use status” 35a7 are overwritten and additionally registered.

  Further, the CPU 31 shifts the contents registered in the “update history 1” to “update history 4” of the “update history” 35a8 to “update history 2” to “update history 5”, respectively, and input information. The reason (update reason) for performing the firmware update of the router 10 is extracted from the update date (that is, the date when the update completion process is performed), the firmware version after the update, and the extracted update reason. The address and the like are associated with the registered ID and registered in “update date 1”, “update version 1”, and “update reason 1” of “update history 1” provided in the “update history” 35a8, respectively. Furthermore, the updated firmware version is registered in the “firmware version” 35a5 as the current firmware version of the router 10 in association with the above-described ID in which the router 10 that has updated the firmware is registered.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the HDD 35 will be continued. The display data area 35b is an area in which various data used for generating the display data at the time of update described above is stored. Specifically, for various advertisements displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a during the firmware update of the router 10, advertisement data for displaying the advertisements is stored in the display data area 35b for each advertisement. In addition, user registration screen data for displaying the above-described user registration screen and questionnaire registration screen data for displaying the questionnaire registration screen are also stored in the display data area 35b.

  In addition, each advertisement data, user registration screen data, and questionnaire registration screen data has a plurality of data corresponding to the size and data format of a plurality of images, all of which are display data. It is stored in the area 35b.

  When receiving a firmware update data transmission request from the router 10, the CPU 31 extracts browser information of the PC 20a. Then, considering the data format that can be displayed by the browser and the resolution of the image displayed by the browser, the image size and data format advertisement data suitable for the browser, user registration screen data, or questionnaire The screen data is extracted from the display data area 35b, and the display data at the time of update transmitted to the router 10 is generated.

  As a result, during the firmware update of the router 10, the update screen displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a may not be displayed correctly by the browser used in the PC 20a, or may be enlarged or reduced more than necessary. The screen can be appropriately displayed without doing so.

  The update display type area 35c is an area for temporarily storing the contents of the update display data transmitted to the router 10 that has requested transmission of firmware update data. When the CPU 31 transmits update-time display data to the router 10, the content included in the update-time display data is stored in association with the MAC address of the router 10.

  Specifically, the type of advertisement displayed in the advertisement data included in the update display data is stored in the update display type area 35c in association with the MAC address of the router 10. In addition, when the user registration screen data is included in the display data at the time of update, that fact is associated with the MAC address of the router 10 and updated when the questionnaire registration screen is included. It is stored in the hour display type area 35c.

  When the CPU 31 receives the update completion notification from the router 10, the post-update screen links to the site related to the advertisement from the advertisement type stored in the update display type area 35c in association with the MAC address of the router 10. Is generated and transmitted to the router 10 that has received the update completion notification.

  In addition, in the update display type area 35c, when it is stored in the update display data that the user registration screen data is included in association with the MAC address of the router 10, the update completion notification is displayed. The input information transmitted in this way is interpreted as information input by the user on the user registration screen, and user information is newly registered from the input information in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a.

  In addition, in the update display type area 35c, when it is associated with the MAC address of the router 10 and the fact that the questionnaire screen data is included in the update display data is stored together with the update completion notification. The input information to be transmitted is interpreted as information input by the user on the questionnaire screen, and the user information is additionally registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a from the input information.

  The display device 36 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and is a device that displays a processing result in the firmware distribution server 30. The input device 37 is a device that includes various operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like and receives various input operations.

  Since the firmware distribution server 30 includes the display device 36 and the input device 37, the user information table in the user information storage area 35a is analyzed to analyze under what circumstances the user is using the router 10. It is also possible to analyze at what timing and for what reason the firmware is updated. Therefore, the analysis result can be used for future development of the router 10, support for firmware upgrades, and the like.

  Next, each process executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 and the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30 which are components of the firmware update system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10. This main process is started when power is supplied to the router 10 and is connected via an internal state in the router 10 or an external device (terminal device such as the PC 20a or the Internet 40 such as the firmware distribution server 30). This is a process for controlling the router 10 by executing various processes in accordance with the reception state of control signals from other devices. This main process continues to be executed by the CPU 11 while power is being supplied to the router 10.

  In this main process, first, an initialization process is executed (S11), and each part in the router 10 is initialized to an operable state. When the initialization process of S11 is completed, the process proceeds to a loop process of S12 to S18, and various processes of the router 10 are executed according to the internal state of the router 10 and the reception state of the control signal from the external device. .

  In the processing of S12, it is determined whether a setting screen display request is received from a terminal device such as the PC 20a (S12). If there is a setting screen display request (S12: Yes), the setting screen 61 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The browser data to be transmitted is transmitted to the requested PC 20a (terminal device) (S13).

  Thereby, the setting screen 61 of the router 10 is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) by the browser of the PC 20a (terminal device). Here, the setting screen 61 of the router 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a setting screen 61 displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device).

  The setting screen 61 is a screen that accepts instructions such as start of various settings, confirmation of settings, initialization of settings, and firmware update to the router 10. This setting screen 61 displays character strings of “easy setting”, “detailed setting”, “setting confirmation”, “initialization of setting”, and “update firmware”, and for each character string, the character string is displayed. Is associated with an action to be executed when is selected by operating the input device 27.

  Specifically, the “Easy Setting” is associated with the display of the “Easy Setting Screen” that allows the main setting in the router 10 to be easily performed, and the “Detailed Setting” is detailed in the router 10. Display of “detailed setting screen” that can be set is associated, and “setting confirmation” corresponds to display of “setting confirmation screen” that displays the current setting value for each setting item of router 10 In addition, “setting initialization” is associated with the router 10 for transmission of request for setting initialization. Further, “firmware update” is associated with transmission of a firmware update inquiry request to the router 10 and display of the above-mentioned “update screen”.

  Therefore, when the setting screen 61 is displayed on the display device 26 and the “easy setting” is selected by the input device 27, the PC 20a newly displays a predetermined “easy setting screen” on the display device 26. When “detail setting” is selected, a predetermined “detail setting screen” is newly displayed on the display device 26, and when “setting confirmation” is selected, a predetermined “setting confirmation” is displayed on the display device 26. Screen "is newly displayed. When" initialization of settings "is selected, a request for initialization of settings is transmitted to the router 10, and when" update firmware "is selected, firmware is updated with respect to the router 10. An inquiry request is transmitted, and a predetermined “update screen” is newly displayed on the display device 26.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the main process will be continued. After the process of S13 is performed, or when it is determined by the process of S12 that there is no setting screen display request from the PC 20a (terminal device) (S12: No), the firmware is then transmitted from the PC 20a (terminal device). It is determined whether an update inquiry request has been made (S14).

  As a result, when there is a request for firmware update inquiry (S14: Yes), the update inquiry process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S15). Here, the update inquiry process (S15) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the update inquiry process (S15) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10.

  The update inquiry process (S15) is a process of inquiring the user about the intention of updating the firmware in the sense of reconfirmation after confirming whether the firmware distribution server 30 has the latest version of firmware.

  In this update inquiry process, first, the firmware distribution server 30 is inquired and confirmed about the latest version of the firmware (S21). Then, the firmware version confirmed in the process of S21 is compared with the firmware version stored in the firmware area 12a to determine whether the firmware of the own device (router 10) is the latest version (S22). .

  As a result, when the firmware of the router 10 is the latest version (S22: Yes), the browser data for displaying the notification screen notifying that the firmware of the router 10 is the latest is requested as a firmware update inquiry request. Is transmitted to the PC 20a (terminal device) which has transmitted (S23). The update inquiry process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  As a result of the processing in S23, the notification screen is displayed on the browser on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device), so that the user who has issued the firmware update instruction indicates that the firmware of the router 10 is the latest version. Can be recognized.

  On the other hand, if the firmware of the router 10 is not the latest version as a result of the process of S22, that is, if it is an old version (S22: No), the browser for displaying the update inquiry screen 62 for the latest version shown in FIG. Data is transmitted to the PC 20a (terminal device) (S24), the update inquiry process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  By the process of S24, the update inquiry screen 62 is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) by the browser. Here, the update inquiry screen 62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an update inquiry screen 62 displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device).

  The update inquiry screen 62 informs the user who has instructed to update the firmware that the latest firmware is present in the firmware distribution server 30, and whether or not to update the firmware of the router 10 to the latest firmware. Is a screen for inquiring in the sense of reconfirmation.

  In the update inquiry screen 62, as shown in FIG. 8, the message “Yes, there is firmware. Do you want to update?”, The Yes icon 62 a with “Yes” written therein, and the letters “No” are displayed. The described No icon 62b is displayed.

  The Yes icon 62a is associated with a firmware update request transmission to the router 10 as an operation when the Yes icon 62a is selected and operated. On the other hand, the No icon 62b is associated with a display of a cancel display screen in which a message to cancel the firmware update process is described as an operation when the No icon 62b is selected and operated.

  Therefore, when the update inquiry screen 62 is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a, when the user selects and operates the No icon 62b via the input device 27, the display screen of the PC 20a has the above-described stop display screen. Since it is displayed, the user can recognize that the firmware update process has been stopped. On the other hand, when the user selects and operates the Yes icon 62 a via the input device 27, the PC 20 a transmits a firmware update request to the router 10.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the main process will be continued. After the process of S15 is performed, or when it is determined by the process of S14 that there is no request for firmware update inquiry from the PC 20a (terminal device) (S14: No), the firmware is then received from the PC 20a (terminal device). It is determined whether an update request has been made (S16).

  As a result, when there is a request for firmware update (S16: Yes), update processing is executed (S17), and the firmware of the router 10 is updated. Details of the update process (S17) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined by the process of S16 that there is no firmware update request from the PC 20a (terminal device) (S16: No), or after the update process (S17) is performed, other processes are performed. (S18).

  The other processing includes processing for controlling the wireless LAN function of the router 10 and the router function according to the internal state of the router 10 and the reception state of the control signal from the external device. In addition, the router 10 is set in accordance with a control signal from the PC 20a (terminal device), and various setting values stored in the setting value storage area 12c in response to a setting initialization request from the PC 20a (terminal device). The process of returning to the initial setting value (default value) is also executed in this other process.

  And after the process of S18, it returns to the process of S12, and the process of S12-S18 is repeatedly performed after that. Thereby, various processes of the router 10 are executed according to the internal state of the router 10 and the reception state of the control signal from the external device.

  Next, the update process (S17) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the update process (S17). This update process (S17) is a process of updating the firmware stored in the firmware area 12a of the router 10 in the process of S17 of the main process (FIG. 5) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 as described above. is there.

  This update process (S17) updates the firmware of the router 10 in cooperation with the update data transmission process (see FIG. 10) and the update completion process (see FIG. 12) executed by the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30. . Therefore, in the description of the update process (S17), the update data transmission process and the update completion process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12 in addition to FIG.

  As described above, the program for executing the update process (S17) is stored in the update process program area 12b different from the firmware area 12a in which the firmware is rewritten by the update process (S17). ) Is not rewritten during execution of the update process (S17). Therefore, the update process (S17) is normally executed during the firmware update.

  In this update process (S17), first, browser information such as the type and version of the browser program (25a) used in the PC 20a (terminal device) is acquired from the PC 20a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request. (S31). Then, a firmware update data transmission request is transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30 (S32). At this time, in the process of S32, a firmware update data transmission request including the MAC address of the own device (router 10) stored in the MAC address storage area 12d and the browser information acquired in the process of S31 is sent to the firmware. It transmits to the distribution server 30.

  When receiving a firmware update data transmission request from the router 10, the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30 starts execution of the update data transmission process shown in FIG. Here, the update data transmission process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is firmware showing update data transmission processing executed by the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30.

  This update data transmission process is a process for transmitting firmware update data to the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request. While the firmware is being updated, the PC 20a ( This is a process of transmitting update display data for displaying the update screen on the display device 26 of the terminal device.

  In this update data transmission process, first, the MAC address and browser information are extracted from the firmware update data transmission request received from the router 10 (S51).

  As described above, the MAC address and the browser information are used in the update process (S17) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 so that the router 10 transmits a firmware update data transmission request to the firmware distribution server 30. This information is included in the firmware update data transmission request by the process of S32 (see FIG. 9).

  Therefore, the MAC address extracted in S51 is the MAC address of the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request. The browser information extracted together is the browser information of the browser program 25a used in the PC 20a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request to the router 10.

  Next, in the update data transmission process, in order to determine whether or not the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request is registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a, the MAC address of the router 10 is determined. Then, it is determined whether it is stored in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a (S52). That is, in the process of S52, it is confirmed whether or not the MAC address extracted in the process of S51 is registered in the “MAC address” 35a2 (FIG. 4) of the user information table.

  As a result, when it is determined that the MAC address extracted in the process of S51 is not registered in the “MAC address” 35a2 of the user information table (S52: No), the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request. Is not registered in the user information table, and the processing of S53 to S55 is executed.

  In the process of S53, user registration screen data for displaying the user registration screen is extracted from the display data area 35b (S53). At this time, based on the browser information extracted in the processing of S51, from the type and version of the browser program (25a) used in the PC 20a (terminal device), the data format that can be displayed by the browser and the image that is displayed by the browser The user registration screen data in the image size and data format that matches the browser specifications, such as the resolution of, is extracted from the display data area 35b.

  Next, in the process of S54, one or more types of advertisements to be displayed when the user information of the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request is not registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a are selected. Advertisement data for displaying an advertisement is extracted from the display data area 35b (S54). That is, if the user information of the router 10 is not registered in the user information table, an advertisement suitable for the user of the router 10 cannot be selected. Therefore, in the process of S54, it is displayed when the user information is not registered. A predetermined advertisement is selected and the advertisement data is extracted. Instead of selecting a predetermined advertisement, an advertisement may be selected at random and the advertisement data may be extracted.

  Here, in the process of S54 as well as the process of S53, when the advertisement data of the selected advertisement is extracted, based on the browser information extracted in the process of S51, the specifications of the browser used in the PC 20a (terminal device) ( The advertisement data in the size and data format suitable for the data format and resolution that can be displayed by the browser are extracted from the display data area 35b.

  In the process of S55, display data at the time of update is generated from the user registration screen data extracted in the process of S53 and the advertisement data extracted in the process of S54 (S55), and the process proceeds to S60.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the MAC address extracted in the process of S51 is registered in the “MAC address” 35a2 of the user information table as a result of the process of S52 (S52: Yes), a firmware update data transmission request Is determined to be registered in the user information table, and the processing of S56 to S59 is executed.

  In the process of S56, questionnaire screen data for displaying the questionnaire screen is extracted from the display data area 35b (S56). At this time, similarly to the processing of S53 and S55, based on the browser information extracted in the processing of S51, an image conforming to the browser specifications (data format, resolution, etc. that can be displayed by the browser) used in the PC 20a (terminal device). Is extracted from the display data area 35b.

  Next, in the process of S57, the user information corresponding to the MAC address extracted in the process of S51, that is, the MAC address of the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request (“user name” 35a3, “sex” 35a4, “ Firmware version "35a5," Use model "35a6," Use status "35a7," Update history "35a8) are acquired from the user information table stored in the user information storage area 35a (S57).

  Then, according to the user information acquired in the process of S57, one or more types of advertisements suitable for the user of the router 10 are selected, and advertisement data for displaying the advertisements for the selected advertisements is displayed in the display data area. Extracted from 35b (S58). At this time, in the process of S58 as well as the processes of S53, S55, and S56, when the advertisement data of the selected advertisement is extracted, it is used by the PC 20a (terminal device) based on the browser information extracted in the process of S51. The advertisement data having the image size and data format suitable for the browser specifications (data format and resolution that can be displayed by the browser) is extracted from the display data area 35b.

  Thereafter, update display data is generated from the questionnaire screen data extracted in the process of S56 and the advertisement data extracted in the process of S58 (S59), and the process proceeds to S60.

  In the process of S60, the firmware update data stored in the HDD 35 and the update-time display data generated in the process of S55 or S59 are transmitted to the router 10 that has transmitted the firmware update data transmission request (S60).

  And the content of the display data at the time of update generated by the process of S60, that is, the type of advertisement selected in the process of S54 or S58, and the fact that the user registration screen or the questionnaire registration screen is included in the display data at the time of update Is stored in the update display type area 35c in association with the MAC address extracted in the process of S51, that is, the MAC address of the router 10 that transmitted the update display data (S61). The transmission process ends.

  Although details will be described later, in the process of S60, the router 10 uses the firmware update data to update the firmware of the router 10, and while the firmware is being updated, the update display data is used. The update screen is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device).

  The information stored in the update display type area 35c in the process of S61 is referred to in the update completion process executed by the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30 when the firmware update in the router 10 is completed. The

  Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the update process (S17) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 will be continued. When the firmware update data and the update time display data are transmitted from the firmware distribution server 30 in response to the firmware update data transmission request transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30 by the process of S32 described above, the CPU 11 Firmware update data and update display data are acquired, the acquired firmware update data is stored in the firmware update data area 13a, and the update display data is stored in the update display data area 13b (S33).

  Then, the update-time display data stored in the update-time display data area 13b is read and transmitted to the terminal device (S34), and then the firmware update data stored in the firmware update data area 13a1 is used to update the firmware area 12a. The firmware is updated (S35).

  The process of S35 will be described in detail. First, the setting values of the setting items stored in the setting value storage area 12c are stored in the RAM 13, and then the firmware in the firmware area 12a is rewritten according to the firmware update data. The setting items used in the firmware and the initial setting value (default value) are overwritten and stored in the setting value storage area 12c.

  Then, it is tested that the firmware has been rewritten normally. If the rewriting has been performed normally, the setting items stored in the setting value storage area 12c after the rewriting are first selected. If there is a setting item stored in the RAM 13, the setting value of the setting item stored in the RAM 13 is overwritten as the setting value of the corresponding setting item in the setting value storage area 12c and restored.

  In the process of S35, the firmware update is completed through the above process. Then, after the process of S35, in the update process (S17), the own device (route 10) is rebooted (S36), the route 10 can be controlled by the updated firmware, and then an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server. , The clock of the router 10 is synchronized with the correct time (S37), and control of various functions in the router 10 is resumed.

  Here, while the processes of S35 to S37 are being performed, the router 10 cannot control various functions according to the firmware. Therefore, the user of the router 10 cannot use the router 10 until the processes of S35 to S37 are completed.

  On the other hand, the display data at the time of update is transmitted in advance to the PC 20a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request before the firmware is updated by the process of S34, and the PC 20a (terminal device) The router 10 is controlled to display the update time screen corresponding to the update display data during the processes of S35 to S37 in the router 10, that is, at least while the firmware is updated. Is done.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11, an update screen displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) while the firmware is being updated will be described. FIG. 11A shows an update time displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) while the firmware is being updated when the user registration of the router 10 is not performed in the firmware distribution server 30. FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a screen. FIG. 11B illustrates a case where the user registration of the router 10 is performed in the firmware distribution server 30 and the PC 20a (terminal device) while the firmware is being updated. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the screen at the time of the update displayed on the display apparatus 26.

  First, when the user registration of the router 10 is not performed in the firmware distribution server 30, the update data transmission process executed in the firmware distribution server 30 performs S53 to S55 as shown in FIG. An update time screen 63 including a user registration screen and an advertisement is displayed on the display device 26.

  Here, the advertisement data and the user registration screen data included in the update display data for displaying the update screen 63 are the browser program (25a) used in the PC 20a (terminal device) by the processes of S53 and S54 described above. The image size and data format that matches the browser specifications are selected and used from the type and version. Therefore, even when a different browser is used depending on the terminal device such as the PC 20a, update-time display data corresponding to the specification of the browser is generated. Therefore, when the update-time screen is displayed on the display device 26, The screen can be displayed properly without being displayed correctly or without being enlarged or reduced more than necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the update-time screen 63 is divided into user registration areas 63a to 63f and an advertisement area 63g, and the update area transmission process executed in the firmware distribution server 30 includes S54 in the advertisement area 63g. The advertisement selected by the process is displayed.

  When a plurality of advertisements are selected, a plurality of advertisements may be spatially arranged and displayed in the advertisement area 63g, or one advertisement is displayed in the advertisement area 63g (or a predetermined number). It may be switched and displayed every predetermined time.

  Further, the user registration areas 63a to 63f are displayed so that various user information can be input, and a name input area 63a that receives an input of the user's name, a reading input area 63b that receives an input of the reading of the name, and a user A gender input area 63c for receiving gender input, a usage status input area 63d for receiving usage status of the router 10 by the user, a used model input area 63e for receiving input of the used model used by the user together with the router 10, and a user Are divided into input areas such as an update reason input area 63f for receiving an input of the reason for updating the firmware.

  Note that the user information that is accepted by the user registration screen is not limited to these, and the user registration screen may accept various user information such as the user's age, address, and family structure.

  When the router 10 has not been registered in the firmware distribution server 30, the router 10 displays such an update screen 63 on the display device 26 of the PC 20 a (terminal device), thereby allowing the user of the router 10 to On the other hand, the user information can be input. Therefore, since the firmware update can proceed while the user inputs the user information from the input device 27, the firmware can be updated without boring the user.

  Although details will be described later, the user information input via the update screen 63 is transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30 via the router 10 after the firmware update is completed. Thereby, the firmware distribution server 30 can perform user registration by registering this user information in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a. Therefore, the firmware distribution server 30 can select an advertisement suitable for the user in accordance with the registered user information when the firmware is updated next time.

  Next, when the user registration of the router 10 is performed in the firmware distribution server 30, the update data transmission process executed in the firmware distribution server 30 performs S56 to S59 as shown in FIG. An update time screen 64 including a questionnaire screen and an advertisement is displayed on the display device 26.

  Here, the advertisement data and the questionnaire screen data included in the update display data for displaying the update screen 64 are processed by the PC 20a (terminal device) in the same manner as the update screen 63 by the processes of S56 and S58. From the type and version of the browser program (25a) used, an image size and data format that matches the browser specifications is selected and used. Therefore, even when a different browser is used depending on the terminal device such as the PC 20a, update-time display data corresponding to the specification of the browser is generated. Therefore, when the update-time screen is displayed on the display device 26, The screen can be displayed properly without being displayed correctly or without being enlarged or reduced more than necessary.

  The update screen 64 is divided into questionnaire areas 64a to 64c and an advertisement area 64d. The questionnaire areas 64a to 64c are displayed so that the input of answers to various questionnaire items can be accepted, and the update reason input area 64a for accepting the input of the reason why the user has updated the firmware, the usage status of the router 10 previously registered by the user It is divided into an input area such as a usage status change input area 64b for accepting an input of change and a used model addition / change input area 64c for accepting an input of addition / change of a used model previously registered by the user.

  Note that the answer items that can be accepted on the questionnaire screen are not limited to these. In addition, the questionnaire screen may include, for example, a screen that accepts changes in user information such as age, address, and family structure registered by the user.

  When the user of the router 10 is registered in the firmware distribution server 30, the router 10 displays the update time screen 64 including such a questionnaire screen on the display device 26 of the PC 20 a (terminal device). Ten users can be directed to input a questionnaire. Therefore, since the firmware can be updated while the user inputs the questionnaire input from the input device 27, the firmware can be updated without boring the user.

  Although details will be described later, the contents of the questionnaire input via the update screen 63 are transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30 via the router 10 after the firmware update is completed. As a result, the firmware distribution server 30 can additionally register the contents of the questionnaire as user information in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a. Therefore, the firmware distribution server 30 can select an advertisement that is more suitable for the user in accordance with not only the user information registered by the initial user registration but also the additionally registered user information when the firmware is updated next time. .

  In the advertisement area 64d, the advertisement selected by the process of S58 of the update data transmission process executed by the firmware distribution server 30 is displayed. When a plurality of advertisements are selected, a plurality of advertisements may be spatially arranged and displayed in the advertisement area 64d in the same manner as the advertisement area 63g. (Alternatively, a predetermined number) may be switched and displayed every predetermined time.

  Here, in the processing of S57 and S58, as described above, the user information (“user name” 35a3, “gender” 35a4, “firmware version” 35a5, “ "Use model" 35a6, "Use status" 35a7, "Update history" 35a8) are acquired from the user information table in the user information storage area 35a, and an advertisement suitable for the user is selected according to the user information. As a result, while the firmware is being updated in the router 10, the user can visually recognize an advertisement valuable to the user from the display device 26, so that the firmware update is completed while paying attention to the advertisement. I can wait.

  Further, since the user information is information input on the update screen 63 having the user registration screen and the update screen 64 having the questionnaire screen, the advertisement displayed on the update screen 64 is the user. Is selected based on the input information. Therefore, the display device 26 can display an advertisement more suitable for the user.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the update process (S17) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 will be continued. When control of various functions by the router 10 is resumed by the process of S37, an update time display screen displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) during the firmware update of the router 10 in the update process (S17). Input information (user information) input by the user is obtained from the PC 20a (terminal device) for the 63 user registration screen or the questionnaire screen of the update display screen 64 and temporarily stored in the input information area 13c. (S38).

  Then, the update completion for notifying that the firmware update is completed, including the MAC address of the own device (router 10) stored in the MAC address storage area 12d and the input information stored in the input information area 13c. The notification is transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30 (S39).

  When receiving the update completion notification, the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30 executes the update completion processing (FIG. 12), and is displayed on the display device 26 during the firmware update in the router 10 that has transmitted the update completion notification. The updated display data for displaying the screen linked to the site related to the advertisement is transmitted to the router 10. Further, the CPU 31 newly or additionally registers various types of user information in the user information table in the user information storage area 35a from the input information input by the user on the user registration screen or the questionnaire screen displayed on the display device 26. .

  Here, the update completion process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an update completion process executed by the CPU 31 in the firmware distribution server 30.

  In the update completion process, first, from the update completion notification received from the router 10, the MAC address of the router 10 and the input information input by the user to the user registration screen or the questionnaire screen during the firmware update are extracted. (S71).

  Next, the type of update display data stored in the update display type area 35c in association with the extracted MAC address, that is, the type of advertisement displayed on the display device 26 during firmware update, the user registration screen or Information indicating which of the questionnaire screens is displayed is acquired (S72).

  Then, the type of the advertisement displayed on the display device 26 is specified from the acquired type of display data at the time of update (S73), and the post-update screen linked to the site related to the advertisement from the specified type of advertisement (FIG. 13) is generated, and is transmitted as updated display data to the router 10 that has transmitted the update completion notification (S74). Although details will be described later, the router 10 transmits the updated display data to the PC 20a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request, and the updated screen linked to the site related to the advertisement displayed during the firmware update. Is displayed on the display device 26.

  Next, from the type of the update display data acquired in the process of S72, it is specified whether the content of the input information extracted in the process of S71 is input information for the user registration screen or input information for the questionnaire screen (S75). ). Then, it is determined whether the input information extracted in the process of S71 is for the user registration screen based on the specification in the process of S75 (S76).

  As a result, if the input information is for the user registration screen (S76: Yes), the user information regarding the router 10 for which the firmware has been updated is not registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a. Based on the content of the input information, the user information of the router 10 is newly registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a (S77), and the update completion process is terminated.

  Specifically, in the process of S77, first, the MAC address extracted in the process of S71, that is, the firmware is updated in association with the “ID” 35a1 of the user information table in which the router is not registered. The MAC address of the router 10 is registered in the “MAC address” 35a2 of the user information table. Based on the input information received from the router 10, various information input by the user on the user registration screen is associated with the ID associated with the MAC address, and “user name” 35 a 3, “sex” "35a4", "use model" 35a6, and "use status" 35a7.

  That is, the CPU 31 uses the input information to enter the name input area 63a and the reading input area 63b of the update time screen 63 having the user registration screen (FIG. 11A) and the information input to the gender input area 63c. And the information input to the usage status input area 63d and the information input to the usage model input area 63e are extracted, and “user name” 35a3, “gender” 35a4, “use model” 35a6, “ Use status "35a7.

  Further, the CPU 31 extracts information (update reason) input to the update reason input area 63f from the input information, and displays the update date, the firmware version after the update, and the extracted update reason as "update history" 35a8. Are registered in “update date 1”, “update version 1”, and “update reason 1” of “update history 1” respectively. Furthermore, the updated firmware version is registered in the “firmware version” 35a5.

  Thus, the firmware distribution server 30 is configured to receive the user information of the router 10 from the router 10 and register the user information in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a. Therefore, the firmware distribution server 30 can select an advertisement suitable for the user in accordance with the registered user information when the firmware is updated next time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the process of S76 that the input information extracted in the process of S71 is not for the user registration screen but for the questionnaire screen (S76: No), the firmware is updated. It is determined that the user information related to the router 10 is registered in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a, and the user information included in the content of the input information is compared with the user information registered in the user information table. Additional registration is performed (S78), and the update completion process is terminated.

  Specifically, in the process of S78, the information input to the usage status change input area 64b of the update time screen 64 (FIG. 11B) having the questionnaire screen and the used model addition change input area 64c from the input information. The user information is additionally registered by rewriting “usage status” 35a7 and “use model” 35a6 according to the extracted information.

  Further, the CPU 31 shifts the contents registered in the “update history 1” to “update history 4” of the “update history” 35a8 to “update history 2” to “update history 5”, respectively, and input information. The information input to the update reason input area 64a is extracted, and the update date, the firmware version after the update, and the extracted update reason are displayed in “update history 1” of “update history 1” provided in the “update history” 35a8. Registered in “Update Date 1”, “Update Version 1”, and “Update Reason 1”, respectively. Furthermore, the updated firmware version is registered in the “firmware version” 35a5.

  Thus, the firmware distribution server 30 can additionally register the contents of the questionnaire as user information in the user information table of the user information storage area 35a. Therefore, the firmware distribution server 30 can select an advertisement that is more suitable for the user in accordance with not only the user information registered by the initial user registration but also the additionally registered user information when the firmware is updated next time. .

  Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the update process (S17) executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10 will be continued. When updated display data is transmitted from the firmware distribution server 30 in response to the update completion notification transmitted in S39, the updated display data is acquired and updated once in the update process (S17). The data is stored in the rear display data area 13d (S40). The post-update display data stored in the post-update display data area 13d is sent to the PC 20a (terminal device) that sent the firmware update request (S41), the update process is terminated, and the main process (FIG. 6) is performed. Return to).

  By the processing of S40, the PC 20a (terminal device) displays the updated screen 65 (FIG. 13) on the display device 26 based on the updated display data after the firmware update of the router 10 is completed. Here, the post-update screen 65 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a post-update screen 65 displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) after the firmware update is completed.

  As described above, the post-update screen 65 is a site related to the advertisement for all advertisements displayed in the advertisement areas 63g and 64d of the update time screens 63 and 64 displayed on the display device 26 during the firmware update. It is the screen which displays the link of.

  For example, when three types of advertisements 1 to 3 are displayed in the advertisement areas 63g and 64d, the updated screen 65 has three advertisement link areas (first advertisement link area 65a and second advertisement link 65) as shown in FIG. The advertisement link area 65b and the third advertisement link area 65c) are provided, and information (images and character strings) representing the contents of the advertisement 1 is displayed in the first advertisement link area 65a. A link to a site related to the advertisement 1 is made.

  Similarly, information indicating the contents of the advertisement 2 is displayed in the second advertisement link area 65b, and a link to a site related to the advertisement 2 is made with respect to the information, and an advertisement is displayed in the third advertisement link area 65c. Information (image or character string) representing the contents of 3 is displayed, and a link to a site related to the advertisement 3 is made with respect to the information.

  In this way, after the firmware of the router 10 is updated, the post-update screen 65 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display device 26 of the PC 20a (terminal device) that has transmitted the firmware update request. When there is an advertisement in which the user is interested in the advertisement displayed on the display device 26, the user can easily access a site related to the advertisement by the updated screen. Therefore, since the related information of the advertisement can be easily obtained, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  As described above, according to the router 10 and the firmware update system 100 in this embodiment, user information that is information unique to the router 10 is transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30. When distributing the firmware update data, the firmware distribution server 30 selects an advertisement suitable for the user of the router 10 based on the user information, and displays the update display data including the advertisement data together with the firmware update data. Transmit to the router 10. Then, while updating the firmware, the router 10 displays the selected advertisement on the display device 27 of the PC 20a using the update display data.

  Therefore, since the router 10 and the firmware update system 100 can display an advertisement valuable for the user on the display device 27 during the update of the firmware of the router 10, the user can update the firmware while paying attention to the advertisement. Can wait for completion. Therefore, the firmware can be updated without boring the user.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the user registration of the router 10 is not performed in the firmware distribution server 30, the user registration screen that displays the user registration screen in accordance with the transmission of the firmware update data to the router 10. The case where the user registration screen is displayed on the display device 26 during the firmware update in the router 10 by transmitting data and the user registration of the router 10 is performed based on the information input on the user registration screen has been described. .

  However, the user registration is not necessarily performed during the firmware update, and may be performed at an arbitrary timing. For example, after purchasing the router 10, the user registration screen is displayed on the display device 26 of the terminal device such as the PC 20a at the timing when the router 10 is connected to the Internet 40 for the first time, and based on the information input on the user registration screen, User registration of the router 10 may be performed. In this case, when the router 10 updates the firmware for the first time, the firmware distribution server 30 can increase the possibility that the user registration of the router 10 has been performed. During the update, an advertisement suitable for the user of the router 10 can be displayed on the display device 26.

  Further, in the firmware distribution server 30, when the user registration of the router 10 is not performed, the firmware distribution server 30 generates display data at the time of update only by the user registration screen, and the firmware in the router 10 is updated. Meanwhile, only the user registration screen may be displayed as the update time screen 64 on the display device 26 of the terminal device such as the PC 20a. In the firmware distribution server 30, when a user registration of a certain router 10 is not performed, an advertisement suitable for the user cannot be selected. Therefore, in such a case, if only the user registration screen is displayed as the update-time screen 64, the user is concentrated on the input to the user registration screen without paying attention to the advertisement that is not valuable to the user. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, in the update process executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10, the browser information of the PC 20 a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request is acquired, and the browser information is transmitted to the firmware distribution server 30. Based on the browser information, the firmware distribution server 30 takes into consideration the data format that can be displayed by the browser and the resolution of the image displayed by the browser, and displays update-time display data suitable for display by the browser. Generated and sent to the router 10. On the other hand, the firmware distribution server 30 determines the data format that can be displayed by the browser and the resolution of the image displayed by the browser based on the browser information as well as the display data at the time of update. In consideration of this, a product suitable for display in the browser may be generated. As a result, the updated screen displayed on the display device 26 based on the updated display data may not be displayed correctly or may be enlarged or reduced more than necessary by the browser executed by the browser program 25a. And can be displayed appropriately.

  In addition, in the update process executed by the CPU 11 in the router 10, instead of acquiring browser information of the PC 20a (terminal device) that transmitted the firmware update request, the MAC address of the PC 20a (terminal device) is acquired. Then, by transmitting the vendor ID indicated by the upper 24 bits of the MAC address to the firmware distribution server 30, the firmware distribution server 30 determines the resolution of the display device of the terminal device based on the vendor ID, The display data at the time of update and the display data after update suitable for display on the display device may be generated, and the data may be transmitted to the router 10. Also in this case, the update screen and the post-update screen can be displayed on the display device in an appropriate size.

  Also, the firmware distribution server 30 transmits update-time display data or post-update display data corresponding to the resolution of various browsers or display devices to the router 10, and is suitable for the browser or display device of the terminal device on the router 10 side. The display data at the time of update or the display data after update may be selected, and the selected data may be transmitted to the terminal device. Also in this case, the update screen and the post-update screen can be displayed on the display device in an appropriate size.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the router 10 is connected to the terminal device by the wireless communication 50 has been described. However, the connection method with the terminal device in the router 10 may be a wired method, or a wireless method and a wired method. It may be compatible with both methods.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case where a user registration screen or a questionnaire screen is displayed on the display device 26 provided on the PC 20a and an input to those screens is received from the input device 27 provided on the PC 20a having the display device 26 will be described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and a user registration screen or a questionnaire displayed on the display device 26 from an input device provided in a terminal device different from the PC 20a (terminal device) having the display device 26. You may receive the input with respect to a screen.

  In this case, the PC 20a (terminal device) having the display device 26 and another terminal device having the input device are connected by some means, and the information input to the input device of the other terminal device is Information output to the PC 20 a (terminal device) having the display device 26 and input to the display device 26 may be displayed on the display device 26.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the router 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and is a communication device that can communicate with other devices via a communication line, and The present invention can be applied to any communication device that can be connected to at least a device having a display device.

  In this case, the device having the display device may be provided inside the communication device. Further, when the communication device is configured to be connectable to a device having an input device, the device having the input device may be provided inside the communication device.

10 router (communication device)
11 CPU (control means)
14 WAN interface (communication means)
15 Wireless LAN interface (connection means)
20a PC (first device)
25a Browser program (advertising display means)
26 Display device (display means)
30 Firmware distribution server (update server)
40 Internet (communication line)
63, 64 Update screen (input screen)
S31 (Browser information acquisition means)
S32 (browser information transmission means)
S33 (update information acquisition means, advertisement information acquisition means)
S34 (Advertisement information transmission means, input screen information transmission means)
S35 (Firmware update means)
S38 (input information acquisition means)
S39 (specific information transmission means)
S40 (Link information acquisition means)
S41 (Link information transmission means)
S60 (information transmission means)

Claims (9)

A communication device comprising a communication means for communicating with another device via a communication line,
Control means for controlling the communication device by executing predetermined firmware;
Connection means for connecting a first device comprising display means;
Update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information from the update server that provides firmware update information via the communication line;
Firmware update means for updating firmware executed by the control means based on update information acquired by the update information acquisition means;
Specific information transmitting means for transmitting communication apparatus specific information, which is information specific to the communication apparatus, to the update server by the communication means;
Information transmitted from the update server together with the update information, for displaying an advertisement selected by the update server based on communication device specific information transmitted to the update server by the specific information transmitting means Advertising information acquisition means for acquiring the advertising information of
While the firmware is updated by the firmware update means, the advertisement information acquired by the advertisement information acquisition means is sent to the first device so that the advertisement selected by the update server is displayed on the display means. A communication apparatus comprising: advertisement information transmitting means for transmitting the information.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information transmitting means transmits a MAC address assigned to the communication apparatus to the update server as one of the communication apparatus specific information. The connection means is for connecting a second device having an input means together with the first device,
The communication device
While the firmware is updated by the firmware update unit, an input screen for accepting an input from a user is displayed on the display unit together with the advertisement selected by the update server or instead of the advertisement. Input screen information transmitting means for transmitting input screen information for displaying the input screen to the first device;
Input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input from a user by the input means based on an input screen displayed on the display means from the second device after the firmware update by the firmware update means is completed. ,
3. The specific information transmitting unit transmits the input information acquired by the input information acquiring unit to the update server as one of the communication device specific information. The communication device described.   4. The input screen information transmitted by the input screen information transmitting means is information for causing the display means to display an input screen including a screen for accepting input of user personal information. Communication device.   The input screen information transmitted by the input screen information transmitting unit is information for causing the display unit to display an input screen including a screen for accepting input of information related to a device owned by a user. 5. The communication device according to 3 or 4.   The input screen information transmitted by the input screen information transmitting unit is information for displaying on the display unit an input screen including a screen for accepting input of information relating to a user's usage state. The communication device according to any one of 3 to 5. The connection means connects a first device having a browser for displaying predetermined information on the display means,
The communication device
Browser information acquisition for acquiring information related to the browser from the first device before the advertisement information acquisition means acquires advertisement information for displaying an advertisement by a browser when updating the firmware by the firmware update means Means,
Browser information transmitting means for transmitting information related to the browser acquired by the browser information acquiring means to the update server,
The advertisement information acquisition unit is information transmitted from the update server together with the update information, and the communication device specific information transmitted to the update server by the specific information transmission unit and the browser information transmission unit Based on the information related to the browser transmitted to the update server, the advertisement information for displaying the advertisement selected by the update server, which is suitable for display in the browser. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Link information acquisition means for acquiring, from the update server, link information indicating the location of information related to the advertisement displayed on the display means based on the advertisement information generated by the update server;
A link that transmits the link information acquired by the link information acquisition unit to the first device so that the link information is displayed on the display unit of the first display device after the firmware update by the firmware update unit is completed. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an information transmission unit. A communication device that communicates with other devices via a communication line;
An update server for providing firmware update information executed by control means provided in the communication device to control the communication device;
A firmware update system for a communication device comprising a first device connected to the communication device and having a display means,
The communication device is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The update server
When providing the update information to the communication device, select an advertisement to be displayed on the display unit based on the communication device specific information transmitted to the update server by the unique information transmission unit of the communication device, and the selection Information transmitting means for transmitting advertisement information for displaying the advertisement that has been displayed together with the update information to the communication device;
The first device includes:
Advertisement display means for displaying an advertisement on the display means based on the advertisement information while updating the firmware in the communication apparatus when the advertisement information transmitted by the advertisement information transmission means of the communication apparatus is acquired A firmware update system for a communication device, comprising:

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