JP2012234329A - Image formation device and program update method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device and a program update method capable of easily updating a program which controls an optional apparatus, without requiring labor.SOLUTION: A composite machine 1 comprises: ROM 11 for storing a control program which controls an optional apparatus; a USB port 21 on which USB memory 2 is mounted; and a CPU 11 which saves an update program for updating the control program stored in the ROM 11 from the USB memory 2 to a save area R2 when it is determined that the optional apparatus is not mounted when the USB memory 2 storing the update program is mounted on the USB port 21, and which updates the control program stored in the ROM 11 to the update program saved to the save area R2 when it is determined that the optional apparatus is mounted.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, and a program updating method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multi-function machines are increasingly capable of transferring various data to and from storage media such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and SD (Secure Digital) memory card. . Since such an image forming apparatus can store a printout of a document file or the like stored in a storage medium, or an image file such as a document image read by a scanner included in the image forming apparatus, in the storage medium. User convenience can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus described above can also update various programs (print control program, scanner control program, etc.) used in the apparatus with an update program stored in a storage medium. Patent Document 1 below uses an automatic detection function (a function of automatically detecting insertion / removal of a USB device while the power is on), which is one of the USB standards, and an update program stored therein. A technique for automatically updating a program without restarting an image forming apparatus when a memory is mounted is disclosed.

JP 2005-182418 A

  By the way, many image forming apparatuses are configured so that various optional devices can be mounted in order to realize functions according to individual requests of users. Typical optional devices of the image forming apparatus include, for example, an ADF (automatic document feeder) used in a scanner, a paper feed cassette that stores paper, a finisher that can perform staple processing, punch processing, and the like.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the program for controlling the optional device cannot be updated unless the optional device is mounted. For this reason, when trying to update the program for controlling the optional device, it is necessary to perform the process after the optional device is mounted on the image forming apparatus, which is troublesome. The program for controlling the optional device needs to be updated in consideration of version consistency with other programs incorporated in the image forming apparatus. For this reason, if there is no knowledge of the program used in the image forming apparatus, there is a possibility that the inconsistency of the version occurs due to the update of the program, and the optional device does not operate normally.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program update method capable of easily updating a program for controlling an optional device without taking time and effort.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a non-volatile storage unit that stores a program for controlling the expansion device, and a removable storage medium in the image forming device in which the expansion device can be attached. And when the storage device storing the update program for updating the program stored in the storage unit is mounted on the mounting unit, when it is determined that the expansion device is not mounted Saves the update program from the storage medium to the save area and updates the program stored in the storage unit to the update program saved in the save area when it is determined that the expansion device is installed. And a control unit.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage unit provided with a save area for saving the update program stored in the storage medium.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention stores the storage unit in the storage unit when the control unit determines that the version of the program stored in the storage unit is different from the version of the update program saved in the save area. The stored program is updated to an update program saved in the save area.
Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention performs a display unit that displays confirmation information for confirming whether or not to update the program stored in the storage unit, and updates the program stored in the storage unit. And an input unit for inputting instruction information for instructing whether or not the control unit displays the confirmation information on the display unit and updates the program when it is determined that the extension device is attached. When the instruction information to be instructed is input from the input unit, the program stored in the storage unit is updated to an update program saved in the save area.
The program update method of the present invention is a program update method for updating a program used in an image forming apparatus in which an extension device can be attached, and a storage medium storing an update program for updating the program for controlling the extension device A first step of deciding whether or not the extension device is attached when the device is attached, and evacuating the update program from the storage medium to the save area if it is determined that the extension device is not attached. And a second step of updating a program for controlling the extension device to an update program saved in the save area when it is determined that the extension device is attached after the first step. Yes.
Further, in the program update method of the present invention, the second step displays a confirmation information for confirming whether or not to update the program for controlling the expansion device, and after the third step, the third step displays the confirmation information. A fourth step for determining whether or not instruction information for instructing an update of a program for controlling the expansion device is input, and the expansion device is controlled when it is determined that the instruction information is input in the fourth step. And a fifth step of updating the program to an update program saved in the save area.

  According to the present invention, when it is determined that the expansion device is not attached when the storage medium storing the update program is attached to the attachment unit, the update program is saved from the storage medium to the save area. When it is determined that an expansion device is installed, the program stored in the storage unit is updated to the update program saved in the save area, so that the program for controlling the extension device can be easily performed There is an effect that it can be updated.

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the update control of the control program performed with the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed when a multifunction device is powered on according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and a program update method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a main body 1a, a scanner 1b, an operation display panel 1c, and the like, and has a copy function, a print function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function. The multifunction device 1 is equipped with various optional devices (extended devices) such as an ADF (automatic document feeder) used in the scanner unit 1b, a paper feed cassette for storing paper, and a finisher capable of stapling and punching. It is configured to be possible.

  In addition to the above-described optional devices, the multifunction device 1 is configured to be mounted with a USB memory 2 (storage medium) that is a kind of nonvolatile memory so that various data can be exchanged with the USB memory 2. In the USB memory 2, for example, an image file such as a document image read by the scanner unit 1b, an image file of an image to be printed by the main body unit 1a, or various programs used in the multifunction device 1 is updated. The update program is stored. The USB memory 2 is attached to and detached from the multifunction device 1 by a user who uses the multifunction device 1 or an operator who performs maintenance of the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 (control unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 (storage unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, various sensor groups 14, and sheet conveyance. Unit 15, image reading unit 16, data storage unit 17 (storage unit), image forming unit 18, communication I / F unit 19, operation display unit 20 (display unit, input unit), and USB port 21 (mounting unit). Prepare.

  The CPU 11 refers to various detection signals output from the various sensor groups 14 based on a control program stored in the ROM 12, and via an operation instruction input from the operation display unit 20 or the communication I / F unit 19. The operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled in response to various instructions from a client computer (not shown) or the like input. For example, image data reading control by the image reading unit 16 or print control and transmission control of various image data such as document image data, print image data, and facsimile image data stored in the data storage unit 17 is performed.

  In addition, when the USB memory 2 is attached to the UBS port 21, the CPU 11 checks whether or not an update program is stored in the USB memory 2, and stores the update program in the ROM 12 if the update program is stored. The update control of the control program being performed is performed. The above update program is a control program for upgrading the control program stored in the ROM 12, for example.

  When performing the above-described update control, the CPU 11 determines whether there is an update program for an optional device that is not installed. If it is determined that such an update program exists, the CPU 11 stores the update program in the data storage unit 17. Retreats to the provided retreat area R2. When the CPU 11 determines that the optional device is attached, the CPU 11 updates the control program for controlling the optional device to the update program saved in the save area R2 of the data storage unit 17. Such a process is performed in order to easily update the program for controlling the optional device without taking time and effort.

  Further, when updating the control program of the optional device to the update program, the CPU 11 displays a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to execute the control control of the control program on the operation display unit 20 to update the control program. Is input from the operation display unit 20, and the update is executed. This is to prevent a program update unintended by the user or operator.

  The ROM 12 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU 11 and other data. The control program executed by the CPU 11 is roughly classified into a control program for realizing standard functions such as a print function provided in the multifunction machine 1 and a control program for controlling an optional device. The former control program can be updated if the USB memory 2 storing the update program is installed in the USB port 21 and the power is turned on. However, the latter control program must be equipped with the target optional device. It cannot be updated.

  The RAM 13 is a volatile memory used as a working area as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 11 executes a control program and performs various operations. The various sensor groups 14 are various sensors necessary for an image forming operation such as a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like, and the CPU 11 uses various information detected by each sensor as detection signals. Output to.

  The paper transport unit 15 includes a transport roller, a motor for driving the transport roller, and the like. The paper transport unit 15 transports the printing paper stored in the paper tray to the image forming unit 18, and after the image forming process by the image forming unit 18. The performed printing paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown). The image reading unit 16 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and causes the CCD sensor to read an image of a document sequentially fed by the ADF, and a document image based on the document image. Output data. The document image data output from the image reading unit 16 is stored in the data storage unit 17 via the CPU 11.

  The data storage unit 17 is realized by a hard disk drive, for example, and stores various data under the control of the CPU 11. The data storage unit 17 is provided with an image data storage area R1 and a save area R2. The image data storage area R1 includes document image data, print image data that the communication I / F unit 19 receives from a client computer (not shown), and facsimile image that the communication I / F unit 19 receives from a public network (not shown). This is an area for storing data, image data read from the USB memory 2, and the like. The save area R2 is an area where a part of the update program stored in the USB memory 2 is saved.

  The image forming unit 18 performs image forming processing using document image data, print image data, or facsimile image data stored in the image data storage region R1 of the data storage unit 17 under the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the image forming image corresponding to the various image data is transferred onto the printing paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit 15 using toner, and the fixing process of the image forming image is performed by the fixing roller. The communication I / F unit 19 is connected to a client computer (not shown) and a public network (not shown), and transmits and receives various signals to and from the client computer and the public network.

  The operation display unit 20 includes a touch panel 20a as the operation display panel 1c and various operation keys, and outputs operation contents of the operation keys to the CPU 11 and displays various information on the touch panel 20a under the control of the CPU 11. . Various operation keys provided in the operation display unit 20 include, for example, a copy function switching key, a print function switching key, a scan function switching key, a facsimile function switching key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, and a numeric keypad (numeric input key). Can be mentioned. The copy function switch key, print function switch key, scan function switch key, and facsimile function switch key are keys for switching the multifunction device 1 to the operation mode of each function when the user uses each function. is there.

  Further, by displaying various buttons on the touch panel 20a, it is possible to use soft keys other than the above various keys. The soft key used in the present embodiment includes a button for instructing whether or not to update the control program stored in the ROM 12 to the update program stored in the USB memory 2 (update program saved in the save area R2). included.

  The USB port 21 is a serial interface corresponding to the USB standard, and is electrically connected to the USB memory 2 when the USB memory 2 is attached. The USB port 21 exchanges various data with the USB memory 2 under the control of the CPU 11 when connected to the USB memory 2. The USB port 21 can detect whether the USB memory 2 is attached and whether the USB memory 2 is removed, and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction device 1 having the above configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control program update control performed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. The process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the user or worker of the multifunction machine 1 attaches the USB memory 2 to the USB port 21 of the multifunction machine 1. That is, the mounting of the USB memory 2 is detected by the USB port 21, and this detection result is output from the USB port 21 to the CPU 11.

  Here, it is assumed that the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21 stores an update program for upgrading the control program stored in the ROM 12 of the multifunction machine 1. In addition, it is assumed that the control program includes a control program for controlling an installed optional device and a control program for controlling an optional device that is not installed.

  The update program is stored in the USB memory 2 in a file format, and one or more files containing new control programs and files containing management information for managing these files are stored. It consists of. The management information includes a keyword indicating the use of the control program, a file name, a checksum, information indicating the data format (information indicating whether it is a text format or a binary format), and the like.

  When a detection result indicating that the USB memory 2 is attached is output from the USB port 21, the CPU 11 searches the USB memory 2 via the USB port 21 (step S11), and whether or not an update program is stored. Is determined (step S12). Here, if only the image file is stored in the USB memory 2, the determination result is “NO”, and the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an update program (when the determination result of step S12 is “YES”), the CPU 11 determines the type of the update program stored in the USB memory 2 (step S13). It is determined whether there is an optional device update program (step S14). Here, if it is determined that there is no update program for the optional device (when the determination result is “NO”), the CPU 11 reads the update program stored in the USB memory 2 and stores it in the ROM 12. A process for updating the control program (a control program for realizing standard functions provided in the multifunction machine 1) is performed (step S15).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that there is an update program for the option device (when the determination result is “YES”), the CPU 11 acquires information on the option device actually mounted (step S16). ). Then, based on the acquired information, the update program for the unmounted optional device is saved in the save area R2 provided in the data storage unit 17 (step S17: first step).

  When the saving of the update program is completed, the CPU 11 reads the update program stored in the USB memory 2 and performs a process of updating the control program stored in the ROM 12 (step S15). Specifically, a process for updating a control program for realizing a standard function provided in the multifunction device 1 and a control program for controlling an optional device attached to the multifunction device 1 is performed. With the above processing, the series of processing shown in FIG. 3 is completed, and the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21 can be removed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation performed when the MFP is turned on in the embodiment of the present invention. When the MFP 1 is turned on, various initialization processes are performed under the control of the CPU 11 (step S21). For example, processing for recognizing an installed optional device and setting its state to an initial state is performed. When the initialization process is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an update program in the save area R2 provided in the data storage unit 17 (step S22).

  If the CPU 11 determines that there is no update program in the save area R2 (when the determination result is “NO”), the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an update program in the save area R2 (when the determination result of step S22 is “YES”), the option device to be updated (the option device whose control program is updated by the update program) ) Is determined (step S23: second step).

  When the CPU 11 determines that the optional device to be updated is not installed (when the determination result of step S23 is “NO”), the series of processing illustrated in FIG. 4 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the optional device to be updated is attached (when the determination result is “YES”), the CPU 11 performs control currently used to control the optional device to be updated. It is determined whether the version of the program is the same as the version of the update program saved in the save area R2 (step S24).

  When the CPU 11 determines that the versions of both programs are the same (when the determination result of step S24 is “YES”), the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends. Even when the CPU 11 determines that the control program for controlling the optional device to be updated is not incorporated, the series of processes shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the versions of both programs are different (when the determination result is “NO”), an update confirmation screen is displayed on the operation display unit 20 under the control of the CPU 11 (step S25: third). Step).

  Here, the update confirmation screen is a screen for allowing the user or the operator to confirm whether or not to update the control program stored in the ROM 12. For example, on this update confirmation screen, an update button for instructing execution of the update and a message for confirming the execution of the update, such as “Update program for optional device found. Do you want to update?” A “Cancel button” is displayed to instruct execution cancellation. The update confirmation screen may display various information such as information indicating the type and version of the update program, information indicating what version is changed from what, and the like together with the above message.

  When the update confirmation screen is displayed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not an update instruction has been input (step S26: fourth step). Here, when the user or the operator presses the “Cancel button” displayed on the update confirmation screen, or when a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the update confirmation screen was displayed, The determination result in S26 is “NO”, and the control program is not updated, and the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  On the other hand, when the user or the operator presses the “update button” displayed on the update confirmation screen, the determination result in step S26 is “YES”, and the control program stored in the ROM 12 (in step S23). The CPU 11 performs a process of updating the control program for controlling the optional device that has been confirmed to be installed to the update program saved in the save area R2 of the data storage unit 17 (step S27: second step, fifth step). .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the update program of the optional device that is not attached at the time when the USB memory 2 storing the update program is attached is saved in the save area R2, and the saved update program is saved. The presence / absence of the device and the presence / absence of optional equipment are determined when the power is turned on again, and the program is automatically updated according to the determination result. Therefore, the program for controlling the optional device can be easily updated without taking time and effort. In addition, there is no version mismatch between the control programs.

  In the above embodiment, the update process for updating the control program stored in the ROM 12 is performed in step S15 in FIG. 3 and step S27 in FIG. 4, and the update confirmation screen is displayed (step S25) and updated. The process for determining the presence / absence of an instruction (step S26) was performed only before step S27 in FIG. Of course, the display of these update confirmation screens and the process for determining the presence or absence of an update instruction may be performed before step S15 in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus and the program update method according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be freely changed within the scope of the present invention. For example, the storage medium usable in the present invention is not limited to the USB memory 2, but an SD memory card, CompactFlash (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark), SmartMedia, flexible disk, CD-R, CD- Various storage media such as RW, DVD (registered trademark) -R, DVD-RW, and MO disk may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a multifunction machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. it can.

1 MFP 2 USB memory 11 CPU
12 ROM
17 Data storage unit 20 Operation display unit 21 USB port

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus in which an extension device can be attached,
A non-volatile storage unit that stores a program for controlling the expansion device;
A mounting portion on which a removable storage medium is mounted;
When it is determined that the expansion device is not attached when the storage medium storing the update program for updating the program stored in the storage unit is attached to the attachment unit, the update program is stored in the storage unit. A controller that saves from the medium to a save area and updates the program stored in the storage unit to an update program saved in the save area when it is determined that the expansion device is mounted. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit provided with a save area for saving the update program stored in the storage medium.   When the control unit determines that the version of the program stored in the storage unit is different from the version of the update program saved in the save area, the control unit saves the program stored in the storage unit in the save area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is updated to the updated program. A display unit for displaying confirmation information for confirming whether or not to update the program stored in the storage unit;
An input unit for inputting instruction information for instructing whether to update the program stored in the storage unit;
When the control unit determines that the expansion device is attached, the control unit displays the confirmation information on the display unit, and when the instruction information for instructing program update is input from the input unit, the storage unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program stored in the update program is updated to an update program saved in the save area. A program update method for updating a program used in an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an expansion device,
When it is determined whether or not the expansion device is mounted when a storage medium storing an update program for updating the program for controlling the expansion device is mounted and it is determined that the expansion device is not mounted A first step of saving the update program from the storage medium to a save area;
A second step of updating a program for controlling the extension device to an update program saved in the save area when it is determined that the extension device is attached after the first step. Update method. The second step includes a third step of displaying confirmation information for confirming whether or not to update the program for controlling the extension device;
A fourth step of determining whether or not instruction information for instructing an update of a program for controlling the extension device is input after the third step;
5. A fifth step of updating a program for controlling the expansion device to an update program saved in the save area when it is determined that the instruction information is inputted in the fourth step. The program update method described.

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