JP2012190239A - Information processor and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor and an image formation apparatus in which when the update of a device is performed through a detachable external storage storing data for an update, a serviceman can manage information on whether the update has been performed and to which device the update has been performed, or the like.SOLUTION: An information processor and an image formation apparatus comprise connection detection means for detecting the connection of a detachable external storage, update performing means for acquiring data for an update stored in the external storage and performing an update of software of the information processor, and storage means for storing information on the performance of an update in the external storage at the time of an update using the external storage.

Description

  The present invention relates to an update management technique for an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, a system software update (version update) such as firmware installed in an information processing device is connected to the host computer and the information processing device to be updated via a USB or network, and a dedicated update tool is used. The method of performing is known.

  In addition, as a method for updating firmware of an image forming apparatus, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688 discloses a method for reducing the time and cost of firmware update by a service person between a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network. Discloses a method of updating other devices by transmitting update data for updating to the same firmware as the firmware of the own device to the update target device.

  On the other hand, there is also known a method of performing update by storing update data in an external storage device that can be attached to and detached from the main unit such as an SD card without using a network and connecting the external memory to the update target device. (For example, Patent Document 2). According to this method, a service person or the like can update a device even in an environment where a network or the like cannot be used.

  However, in the method of updating by connecting a removable external storage device storing update data to the device to be updated, the update can be performed freely when requested to update. There is a possibility that the update to the device may be performed, and there is a problem that the serviceman cannot manage information such as whether the update has been performed or which device has been updated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when updating a device by a removable external storage device storing update data, whether or not the update using the target update data is performed It is intended to enable service personnel to manage information such as which devices have been updated.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes connection detection means for detecting connection of a removable external storage device, and update data stored in the external storage device. An update execution unit that acquires and executes software update of the information processing apparatus, and a storage unit that stores information related to update execution in the external storage device at the time of update using the external storage device, To do.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention acquires connection update means for detecting connection of a removable external storage device and update data stored in the external storage device, and updates the software of the information processing apparatus. An update execution means to be executed and a storage means for saving information related to update execution in the external storage device at the time of update using the external storage device.

  According to the present invention, when an update is performed using a removable external storage device storing update data, whether or not the update is performed using the external storage device storing the target update data and for which device Since the serviceman can manage information such as whether or not the update has been performed, there is an effect that the work efficiency of the update by the serviceman at the site can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a mechanism unit of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a main part of the mechanism portion. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the recording head. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the controller unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of data between the inkjet recording apparatus, the external memory, and the server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the printer according to the present embodiment described as the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer according to this embodiment, which is described as a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the printer of this embodiment, which is described as Example 3. FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the printer according to the present embodiment, which is described as a fourth embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, an inkjet recording apparatus will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a paper feed tray 2, a paper discharge tray 3, a cartridge loading unit 6, and an operation unit 7 in the apparatus main body.

  The paper feed tray 2 is provided for loading paper, which is a recording medium mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 1, and the paper on which an image is recorded (formed) is stocked on the paper discharge tray 3.

  The cartridge loading unit 6 is provided on one end side of the front surface 4 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, protrudes forward from the front surface 4, and is lower than the upper surface 5.

  An operation unit 7 such as operation keys and a display is provided on the upper surface of the cartridge loading unit 6 protruding from the front surface 4. The cartridge loading unit 6 has a front cover 8 that can be opened and closed to detach the ink cartridge 10.

  In FIG. 1, only four ink cartridges 10 (colorants: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are shown, but in addition, one to four cartridges for processing liquid (colorant ink that requires processing liquid are used. For). In some cases, a treatment liquid such as a color having high ejection reliability is not necessary.

  Next, the mechanism part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the mechanism unit, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a main part of the mechanism unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, as a paper feeding unit for feeding paper 22 stacked on a paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 21 of the paper feed tray 2, a paper feeding roller 23 that is a half-moon-shaped roller, and paper feeding An urging separation pad 24 is provided on the roller 23 side.

  The bias separation pad 24 is made of a material having a large friction coefficient and is provided to face the paper feed roller 23, and the paper feed roller 23 separates and feeds the paper 22 from the paper stacking unit 21 one by one.

  Further, as a transport unit for transporting the paper 22 fed from the paper feed unit to the lower side of the recording head 14, a transport belt 31, a counter roller 32, a transport guide 33, a tip pressure roller 35, Is provided. In addition, a charging roller 36 that is a charging unit for charging the surface of the transport belt 31 is provided.

  The counter roller 32 conveys the paper 22 fed from the paper supply unit via the guide 25 with the conveyance belt 31 interposed therebetween. The conveyance guide 33 guides the paper 22 that is sandwiched between the counter roller 32 and the conveyance belt 31 and is sent substantially vertically upward, and is conveyed by the tip pressure roller 35 that is urged toward the conveyance belt 31 by the pressing member 34. It is pressed against the belt 31 and turned about 90 °.

  At this time, a positive output and a negative output are alternately repeated from the high voltage power source to the charging roller 36 by a control circuit (not shown), that is, an alternating voltage is applied, and a charging voltage pattern in which the conveying belt 31 is alternating, that is, In the sub-scanning direction, which is the circumferential direction, plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width. When the sheet 22 is fed onto the conveyance belt 31 that is alternately charged with plus and minus, the sheet 22 is electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt 31, and the sheet 22 is moved in the sub scanning direction by the circular movement of the conveyance belt 31. Be transported.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 14 in accordance with the image signal while moving the carriage 13, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 22 and recording for one line is performed. After recording for one line, the sheet 22 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, and the next line is recorded. Thereafter, upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the paper 22 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is completed, and the paper 22 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3.

  Here, the conveyance belt 31 is an endless belt, is stretched between the conveyance roller 37 and the tension roller 38, and is configured to circulate in the belt conveyance direction as shown in FIG.

  The charging roller 36 is disposed so as to contact the surface layer of the conveyor belt 31 and rotate following the rotation of the conveyor belt 31, and applies 2.5 N to both ends of the shaft as a pressing force.

  In addition, a guide member 41 is disposed on the back side of the conveyance belt 31 so as to correspond to a printing area by the recording head 14. The upper surface of the guide member 41 protrudes toward the recording head 14 from the tangent line of two rollers (the conveyance roller 37 and the tension roller 38) that support the conveyance belt 31. As a result, the conveyance belt 31 is pushed up and guided by the upper surface of the guide member 41 in the printing region, so that highly accurate flatness is maintained.

  Furthermore, on the surface side of the guide member 41 that contacts the back surface of the transport belt 31, a plurality of grooves are formed in the main scanning direction, that is, the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, to reduce the contact area with the transport belt 31, The conveyor belt 31 is configured to be able to move smoothly along the surface of the guide member 41.

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 22 recorded by the recording head 14, a separation claw 51, a paper discharge roller 52, a paper discharge roller 53, and a paper discharge tray 3 are provided.

  The separation claw 51 separates the paper 22 from the transport belt 31 and is discharged by a paper discharge roller 52 and a paper discharge roller 53 onto a paper discharge tray 3 provided below the paper discharge roller 52. Note that the height from between the paper discharge roller 52 and the paper discharge roller 53 to the paper discharge tray 3 is increased to some extent in order to increase the amount that can be stored in the paper discharge tray 3.

  A double-sided paper feeding unit 61 is detachably mounted on the back surface of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The double-sided paper feeding unit 61 takes in and reverses the paper 22 returned by the reverse rotation of the transport belt 31 and feeds it again between the counter roller 32 and the transport belt 31. A manual paper feed unit 62 is provided on the upper surface of the double-sided paper feed unit 61.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 13 is slidably held in the main scanning direction by a guide rod 11 which is a guide member horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown) and a stay 12, and is shown by a main scanning motor (not shown). 3 is moved and scanned in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 (carriage scanning direction).

  The carriage 13 has a recording head 14 composed of a plurality of inkjet heads for ejecting ink droplets arranged in a direction crossing a plurality of nozzles with the main scanning direction, and mounted with the ink droplet ejection direction facing downward.

  Furthermore, a non-printing area on one side (or both sides) of the carriage 13 in the scanning direction is provided with a subsystem 71 that is a maintenance and recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 14.

  The subsystem 71 includes cap members 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), a wiper blade 73 for wiping the nozzle surface, and the like. I have.

  During printing (recording) standby, the carriage 13 moves to the subsystem 71 side, and the caps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D capping the recording head 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d). As a result, the nozzle can be kept in a moist state, preventing ejection failure due to ink drying, and performing a recovery operation to eject ink not related to recording before starting recording or during recording, for stable ejection performance Is maintained.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the recording head. The recording head 14 includes a yellow droplet discharge head 14a having a nozzle row 14yn composed of a large number of nozzles N that eject yellow ink droplets, and a nozzle row 14syn composed of a large number of nozzles N that eject ink droplets of a processing liquid. Similarly, a magenta droplet discharge head 14b having a magenta nozzle row 14mn and a treatment liquid nozzle row 14smn, and a cyan droplet discharge head 14c having a cyan nozzle row 14cn and a treatment liquid nozzle row 14scn similarly. In addition, four heads of a black liquid droplet discharge head 14d having a black nozzle row 14kn and a processing liquid nozzle row 14skn are provided.

  As an inkjet head, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that uses a phase change due to liquid film boiling using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, a shape memory alloy actuator that uses a metal phase change due to a temperature change, A device provided with an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force as an energy generating means for discharging ink can be used.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. In the following, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 1 includes a controller unit 115 as an information processing apparatus that controls the entire printer 1, and an operation panel 108 (an operation unit shown in FIG. 1) on which the user operates the printer 1. 7) and a printer engine 110 that outputs and prints image data.

  The controller unit 115 includes an external I / F unit (USB I / F 111, network I / F 112, memory I / F 113), input / output buffer 101, program ROM 102, RAM 103, NVRAM 104, HDD 105, CPU 106, panel I / F 107, engine I. / F109. These are connected by a system bus 114 and can exchange data.

  The USB I / F 111 and the network I / F 112 of the external I / F unit exchange data with other devices (such as the host 200 and the server 400) via a communication medium such as a USB or a network. The memory I / F 113 of the external I / F unit detects connection of the external memory 300 that is a removable medium such as an SD card and exchanges data. The external memory 300 is a memory that is used as print data, data for setting main device information of the printer 1, update data, or for storing each data of the printer 1 or data input from the outside.

  By connecting the external memory 300 to the main body of the printer 1 and configuring the external I / F unit for controlling the access in this way, the printer 1 can receive data stored in the external memory 300. In addition, data can be transmitted to the external memory 300 and various data such as data relating to the update of the printer 1 can be stored in the external memory 300. Further, the data stored in the external memory 300 can be confirmed at an arbitrary place (not only on the printer 1 but also on another device).

  The input / output buffer 101 is a buffer used when transmitting / receiving control codes and various data related to printing, control codes related to communication media, and various data of the printer 1 input from other devices. The CPU 106 performs arithmetic processing of various data and controls the entire printer 1. The program ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 106, predetermined setting data, and the like.

  The RAM 103 is used as a work memory for the CPU 106, a buffer for managing and storing print data in units of pages, and a bitmap memory for temporarily storing image data obtained by converting the data in the buffer into a print data pattern. .

  The NVRAM 104 is a non-volatile memory for storing data that is to be retained even when the main power supply is shut off. The HDD 105 is a storage unit for storing a large amount of data such as image data for a certain period.

  The panel I / F 107 is an interface for exchanging data between the controller unit 115 and the operation panel 108. The engine I / F 109 is an interface for exchanging data between the controller unit 115 and the printer engine 110 and controlling operation of the controller unit 115 in print processing for the printer engine 110.

  Next, the functional configuration of the controller unit 115 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the controller unit 115. This functional configuration is realized by the CPU 106 executing a control program stored in the program ROM 102, and the CPU 106 cooperating with each hardware device constituting the controller unit 115. The control program includes modules (programs) corresponding to the following units.

  The external memory connection detection unit 115a detects that the external memory 300 is connected to the printer 1 main body.

  The update target device determination unit 115b compares the information (model information, serial information, etc.) of the update target device stored in advance in the external memory 300 with the corresponding information stored in the printer 1, and if they do not match, The comparison result is stored as an error log in the external memory 300 or transmitted to the server 400 connected to the printer 1 via the network.

  The update execution unit 115 c uses the update data stored in the external memory 300 to update the firmware of the printer 1.

  The update execution result storage unit 115d controls the update execution unit 115c to store the update execution result (update execution information) in the external memory 300 as a log. The update execution information includes update date and time, execution result (OK / NG), number of executions, and the like.

  In this embodiment, when data (update data) for updating the firmware of the printer 1 is stored in the external memory 300, the data is acquired and the firmware of the printer 1 is updated. Then, the update execution result is stored in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1. In addition, when information on the update target device (model information, serial information, etc.) is stored in the external memory 300, when the data is acquired and it is determined that the printer 1 is not the update target device, the network is connected to the printer 1. A process of transmitting error information (error log) to the server 400 connected via the server is executed. FIG. 7 shows the data flow.

  Since control is performed in this way (details will be described later), update management becomes easy. A service person or the like who manages the printer 1 can grasp the status of the update by checking the information stored in the external memory 300 or the server 400, and the update work can be made more efficient. In addition, when an illegal or incorrect update is performed, it is possible to grasp the situation of when and where the update was performed.

  Next, the operation at the time of firmware update in the printer 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to Examples 1 to 4 below. The operation described below is performed by the CPU 106 provided in the controller unit 115 of the printer 1 according to the control program stored in the program ROM 102 as described above.

Example 1
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the printer 1 according to this embodiment, which will be described as a first embodiment.

  The CPU 106 detects that the external memory 300 is connected to the printer 1 main body by a notification from the memory I / F 113 (step S101).

  Subsequently, the CPU 106 accesses the external memory 300, acquires update data when update data is stored, and executes firmware update using the update data (step S102).

  Then, the CPU 106 stores the update execution result (update execution information) such as the update result (OK / NG) and the update start / end date and time as a log in the RAM 103 (step S103).

  Next, the CPU 106 transmits the update execution information temporarily stored in the RAM 103 in step S103 for storage in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1 (step S104). The transmitted update execution information is stored in the external memory 300. In this way, the update execution information is stored in the external memory 300, so that a service person or the like who manages the printer 1 can know information such as whether or not the printer 1 has been updated, and update the printer 1 Can be easily managed.

(Example 2)
FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, which will be described as a second embodiment. The present embodiment is an example of a case where the update execution result (update execution information) is saved as a log in the external memory 300 (log saving at the time of error) only when the update cannot be normally completed.

  The CPU 106 detects that the external memory 300 is connected to the printer 1 main body by a notification from the memory I / F 113 (step S201).

  Subsequently, the CPU 106 accesses the external memory 300, acquires the update data when update data is stored, and executes firmware update using the update data (step S202).

  Then, the CPU 106 stores the update execution result (update execution information) such as the update result (OK / NG) and the update start / end date and time in the RAM 103 as a memory buffer (step S203).

  Next, the CPU 106 confirms the result of the update (whether the update has been normally completed). If the update has been normally completed (Yes in step S204), the series of processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the update did not end normally (No in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the CPU 106 transmits the update execution information stored in the RAM 103 in step S203 for storage in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1. The transmitted update execution information is stored in the external memory 300. In this way, update execution information (here, an error log) is stored in the external memory 300, so that a serviceman who manages the printer 1 can check whether there is an error in updating the printer 1 or the like. Information can be known, and management of updates to the printer 1 can be facilitated.

  Subsequently, Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4 will be described. It is assumed that data stored in the external memory 300 in the following embodiments includes information related to the update target device in addition to update data for the printer 1.

(Example 3)
FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, which will be described as a third embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment described above, prior to execution of the update, it is confirmed whether the printer 1 is an update target device. This is an example in which an error log is stored in the external memory 300 as an update executed.

  The CPU 106 detects that the external memory 300 is connected to the printer 1 main body by a notification from the memory I / F 113 (step S301).

  Next, the CPU 106 obtains update target device information stored in the external memory 300 via the memory I / F 113 (step S302).

  Next, the CPU 106 compares whether the update target device information acquired in step S302 matches the main device information held by the printer 1 (step S303). Here, the update target device information is, for example, model information, other specific information, firmware version information existing in the printer 1, etc. of the device scheduled to be updated by a serviceman who manages the printer 1. It is. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 1 stores such information in the NVRAM 104 or the HDD 105.

  If the respective data (update target device information) match in the comparison in step S303 (Yes in step S304), the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if they do not match (No in step S304), the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S <b> 305, the CPU 106 transmits the result of comparison in step S <b> 303 (in this case, an error log) for storage in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1. The transmitted comparison result is stored in the external memory 300.

  On the other hand, in step S306, the CPU 106 accesses the external memory 300, acquires the stored update data, and executes the firmware update using the update data (step S306).

  Then, the CPU 106 stores the update execution result (update execution information) such as the update result (OK / NG) and the update start / end date and time as a log in the RAM 103 as a memory buffer (step S307).

  Next, the CPU 106 transmits the update execution information temporarily stored in the RAM 103 in step S307 for storage in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1 (step S308). The transmitted update execution information is stored in the external memory 300.

  In this embodiment, the update execution result information and the comparison result regarding the update target device are stored in the external memory 300. Based on the stored information, the service person can execute the update, whether it is incorrect or incorrect. It can be confirmed whether or not the update has been performed, and the update work by the service person can be made efficient. Further, based on the information stored in the external memory 300, it is possible to deal with an illegal or incorrect update in the field.

Example 4
FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the printer 1 according to this embodiment, which is described as a fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment described above, prior to execution of the update, it is confirmed whether the printer 1 is an update target device. In this example, the error log is transmitted to the server 400 connected to the printer 1 via the network as an update. This embodiment is different from the above-described third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in step S305, the comparison result (in this case, the error log) in step S303 is stored in the external memory 300 connected to the printer 1. In this embodiment, in step S305 ′, the comparison result in step S303 (in this case, an error log) is transmitted to the server 400 connected to the printer 1 via the network. It is a point. Since the other steps S301 to S304 and steps S306 to S308 are common, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the present embodiment, the server 400 can centrally monitor for unauthorized or erroneous updates.

  In the above-described embodiments, when the update has already been performed at the time of execution of the update (that is, when the firmware version updated by the update data stored in the external memory 300 matches the firmware version already existing in the printer 1) ), The firmware update by the update and the subsequent steps S307 and S308 can be omitted.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment for implementing invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the above embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus has been described as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, the configuration and operation are not limited to this, and other types of printers, copiers, copy functions, printer functions, The present invention can be applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions of a scanner function and a facsimile function. Further, since the controller unit 115 described above has the same function as a so-called information processing apparatus, the present invention is applicable not only to the image forming apparatus but also to other information processing apparatuses.

  Further, the control program executed by the CPU 106 of the controller unit 115 of the above embodiment has been described as being pre-installed in the program ROM 102. However, this control program can be installed on a CD-ROM as an installable or executable file. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on computer-readable recording media, such as ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The control program may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

1 Inkjet recording apparatus 101 Input / output buffer 102 Program ROM
103 RAM
104 NVRAM
105 HDD
106 CPU
107 Panel I / F
108 Operation panel 109 Engine I / F
110 Printer engine 111 USB I / F
112 network I / F
113 Memory I / F
200 host 300 external memory 400 server

JP 2008-279714 A JP 2008-226159 A

Claims (8)

Connection detecting means for detecting connection of a removable external storage device;
Update execution means for acquiring update data stored in the external storage device and executing software update of the information processing device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores information related to update execution in the external storage device when updating using the external storage device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process of storing information relating to update execution in the external storage device by the storage unit is performed only when the update fails.   When updating using the external storage device, obtain information about the update target device from the external storage device, compare the information with the corresponding information held by the information processing device, and compare the information if they differ The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update target device determination unit that stores a result in the external storage device.   When updating using the external storage device, the information about the update target device is acquired from the external storage device, and the information is compared with the corresponding information held by the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an update target device determination unit that transmits a message to a server connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. Connection detecting means for detecting connection of a removable external storage device;
Update execution means for acquiring update data stored in the external storage device and executing software update of the information processing device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store information related to update execution in the external storage device at the time of update using the external storage device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the process of storing information related to execution of the update in the external storage device by the storage unit is performed only when the update fails.   When updating using the external storage device, obtain information about the update target device from the external storage device, compare the information with the corresponding information held by the information processing device, and compare the information if they differ The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an update target device determination unit that stores a result in the external storage device.   When updating using the external storage device, the information about the update target device is acquired from the external storage device, and the information is compared with the corresponding information held by the information processing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: an update target device determination unit that transmits a message to a server connected to the information processing apparatus via a network.

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