JP2017045253A - Image forming apparatus, update method, and update program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of more shortening an update time of an application accompanying update of firmware than a conventional manner while matching an already integrated application with updated firmware.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: a determination part 150 for comparing information related to an application 123 with information related to updated firmware on the basis of reception of an instruction to update firmware of the image forming apparatus 100, and for determining whether or not the application 123 matches the updated firmware; and an update part 154 for, when it is determined that the application 123 does not match the updated firmware, referring to update information 125 in which the update content of the application is associated with every attribute of the firmware to specify the update content associated with the attributes of the updated firmware, and for updating a place corresponding to the update content in the application 123.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a method for updating firmware of an image forming apparatus.

  Image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi-Functional Peripherals) are widely used. In recent image forming apparatuses, firmware is installed. Firmware is a type of software incorporated to control hardware (circuits and the like) of an image forming apparatus. An application installed in the image forming apparatus executes printing or scanning of the image forming apparatus by using the function of the firmware.

  Basically, the firmware is configured not to be rewritten. However, in recent years, image forming apparatuses capable of updating firmware in order to correct device defects and the like have become widespread. As firmware is updated, applications on the firmware may not operate normally.

  Regarding a technique for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-191797 (Patent Document 1) discloses “an information processing apparatus capable of automatically updating software that operates in cooperation with updated firmware”.

JP 2014-191797 A

  The information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects the version of an application having consistency with the updated firmware using the firmware version information, and installs a new version of the application. That is, the information processing apparatus reinstalls the application corresponding to the updated firmware after deleting the application once. When all of the applications are reinstalled, the update takes time. Therefore, an image forming apparatus that can update only a necessary part of an application is desired.

  The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object in one aspect is to match an already installed application with the updated firmware while maintaining the application associated with the firmware update. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the update time as compared with the prior art. An object in another aspect is to provide an update method capable of shortening the update time of an application accompanying firmware update as compared with the conventional method while matching an already incorporated application with the updated firmware. . Still another object of the present invention is to provide an update program that can shorten the update time of the application accompanying the firmware update compared to the conventional one while matching the already installed application with the updated firmware. is there.

  According to one aspect, the image forming apparatus receives a firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus, a storage unit for storing an application that uses the function of the firmware, and a command for updating the firmware. Based on the information, the information on the application is compared with the information on the firmware after the update, and a determination unit for determining whether the application matches the updated firmware or not, and determines that the application does not match the updated firmware. The update information associated with the update content of the application for each firmware attribute is identified, the update content associated with the updated firmware attribute is identified, and the update content in the application For updating the part corresponding to Equipped with a Shinbu Metropolitan.

  Preferably, each update content included in the update information is further associated with setting information of the image forming apparatus. The update unit refers to the update information, identifies the update content associated with the combination of the updated firmware attribute and the current setting information of the image forming apparatus, and a location corresponding to the update content in the application Update.

  Preferably, the determination unit is configured such that the update date / time of at least one file in the file group constituting the application is earlier than a predetermined reference date / time serving as a criterion for determining whether the file corresponds to the updated firmware. In addition, it is determined that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware.

  Preferably, the determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware when the application includes source code that does not support the updated firmware.

  Preferably, the firmware includes a platform for operating an application and a main body control unit for controlling hardware of the image forming apparatus. In the case where the firmware is updated so that the application calls the main body control unit via the platform, the determination unit includes the updated firmware when the application includes a program that calls the main body control unit without using the platform. It is judged that it is not consistent.

  Preferably, the determination unit is a case where the firmware is updated so that the application uses the function of the firmware using a predetermined key, and the application does not hold the predetermined key, or the application When the key held by the key does not match the key held by the firmware, it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware.

  Preferably, the determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware when content necessary for using the updated firmware function is not included in the content group constituting the application. .

  Preferably, the determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware when the application includes a program pattern of an application defect with respect to the updated firmware.

  Preferably, when the version information of the program used in the application is different from the version information of the program used in the updated firmware, the determination unit determines that the application does not match the updated firmware. to decide.

  Preferably, the update unit makes the image forming apparatus usable after the update of the application by the update unit is completed.

  Preferably, when it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, the update unit updates the application regardless of whether or not the operation on the application is restricted.

Preferably, the update information is stored in advance in the storage unit.
Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a communication unit for receiving update information from another apparatus.

  Preferably, the application is an application for managing other applications.

  Preferably, the application is an application operating during a standby state of the image forming apparatus.

  According to another aspect, a method for updating an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and an application that uses the function of the firmware. The update method is based on receiving the instruction to update the firmware, comparing the information about the application with the information about the updated firmware, and determining whether the application matches the updated firmware; When it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, the update information in which the update contents of the application are associated with each firmware attribute is referred to, and the firmware is associated with the updated firmware attribute. Specifying update contents, and updating a location corresponding to the update contents in the application.

  According to still another aspect, an update program for an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and an application that uses the function of the firmware. The update program compares the information related to the application and the information related to the updated firmware based on the fact that the image forming apparatus has received an instruction to update the firmware, and determines whether or not the application matches the updated firmware. Steps for determining and, when it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, refer to the update information associated with the update contents of the application for each firmware attribute, and An update content associated with the attribute of the firmware is specified, and a step of updating a location corresponding to the update content in the application is executed.

  In one aspect, the application update time associated with the firmware update can be shortened as compared with the related art while the already installed application is matched with the updated firmware.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus configured as an MFP. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the update process of the application when firmware is updated in time series. It is a figure which shows the content of update information. It is a figure which shows the content of the update information according to a modification. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of determining the consistency between the firmware and application after an update based on the update date of a file. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of judging the consistency between the firmware and application after an update based on a content. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of determining the consistency between the firmware after an update, and an application based on the source code of an application. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of determining the consistency between the firmware after an update, and an application based on the command destination of an application. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of determining the consistency between the firmware after an update, and an application using the key contained in an application. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of judging the consistency between the firmware and application after an update based on the malfunction pattern of a program. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Each embodiment and each modified example described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[Appearance of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
With reference to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus 100 configured as an MFP.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 104 for receiving an operation from a user, a scanner unit 107 for optically reading a document and obtaining image data, and a sheet based on the image data. And a printing unit 108 for printing an image on the top. A feeder 114 is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to send the document to the scanner unit 107. Below the image forming apparatus 100, a plurality of paper feeding units 119 that supply paper to the printing unit 108 are provided. At the center of the image forming apparatus 100, a tray 115 is provided on which a sheet on which an image is printed by the printing unit 108 is discharged.

[Update Method by Image Forming Apparatus 100]
With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an application update method accompanying firmware update by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Hereinafter, the firmware before update is also referred to as “old firmware”, and the firmware after update is also referred to as “new firmware”. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing, in time series, application update processing when the firmware 124 is updated from the old firmware FW1 to the new firmware FW2.

  As shown in step (A), the image forming apparatus 100 holds applications 123A to 123C and firmware 124 for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The applications 123A and 123B use the function of the old firmware FW1 before the firmware 124 is updated. The application 123C does not use the function of the old firmware FW1.

  The firmware 124 includes an application platform 127 for operating the applications 123 </ b> A to 123 </ b> C and a main body control unit 128 for controlling the hardware of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The application platform 127 is a common platform used by the applications 123A to 123C. The application platform 127 is, for example, IWS (Internal Web Server).

  The main body control unit 128 includes a control program for controlling a printing mechanism, a scanning mechanism, and the like of the image forming apparatus 100. The function of the main body control unit 128 is called from the application platform 127. By configuring the applications 123A to 123C to call the control program of the main body control unit 128 via the application platform 127, the common functions used in the application are combined into one, and the application development process is reduced.

  In step (B), the image forming apparatus 100 receives an instruction to update the firmware 124 from the old firmware FW1 to the new firmware FW2. Based on receiving the instruction, the image forming apparatus 100 compares information regarding the application 123 with information regarding the new firmware FW2, and determines whether the application 123 matches the new firmware FW2. Since the applications 123A and 123B use the function of the old firmware FW1, the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the applications 123A and 123B are not consistent with the new firmware FW2.

  In step (C), the image forming apparatus 100 updates the applications 123A and 123B that are determined not to match the new firmware FW2 to match the new firmware FW2. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 updates the applications 123A and 123B with reference to update information in which the update contents of the application are associated with each firmware attribute. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the update information 125.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the update information 125, application update content is associated with each attribute of the firmware 124. The attribute of the firmware 124 is information for uniquely specifying the type of the firmware 124. As an example, the firmware attributes include firmware version information, the version of the application platform 127, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the update information 125 and identifies the update contents of the application associated with the attribute of the new firmware FW2. For example, when the version of the new firmware FW2 is “1.1” and the version of the application platform 127 is “2.0”, the image forming apparatus 100 selects the update content “C”. The image forming apparatus 100 updates the location corresponding to the update content “C” in the update target application.

  As an example, the update content defines a source code before update and a source code after update. The image forming apparatus 100 searches the program corresponding to the update target application for a location that matches the source code before the update, and replaces the location with the updated source code. This makes the application consistent with the new firmware.

  The update information 125 may be downloaded from the server when the firmware 124 is updated, or may be downloaded in advance from the server before the firmware 124 is updated. Alternatively, the update information 125 may be stored in advance in the storage device 120 (see FIG. 13) of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the update information 125 may be downloaded from an external database or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the image forming apparatus 100 has a plurality of applications, the update information 125 is prepared for each type of application. That is, each update information 125 is associated with identification information (for example, ID (Identification)) for uniquely identifying the application, and the image forming apparatus 100 updates the update corresponding to the update target application. Information 125 is acquired. The image forming apparatus 100 updates the update target application based on the acquired update information 125. When there is one application, there is no need to specify the application to be updated, and thus it is not necessary to associate the application identification information with the update information 125.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 updates only a necessary part of the application so as to be consistent with the new firmware FW2. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 100 can shorten the update time of the application accompanying the update of the firmware while matching the already incorporated application with the new firmware.

  In addition, since only the necessary part of the application is updated, the user setting of the application is not changed as the firmware is updated. Therefore, the user does not need to set the application again, and the user's trouble is reduced. Further, only the necessary part of the application is updated, so that resources required when updating the application can be reduced. Furthermore, since the user and the service person do not need to download the application again as the firmware is updated, the trouble of the user and the service person is saved.

(Modification)
A modification of the update information 125 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the update information 125A according to the modification.

  In the update information 125 of FIG. 3, the update contents of the application are associated with each attribute of the firmware 124. On the other hand, in the update information 125A according to the modification, the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100 is further associated with the update content. That is, in the update information 125A, each of the firmware attributes, each of the setting information related to the setting of the image forming apparatus 100, and each of the update contents of the application are associated with each other.

  The update information 125A may be downloaded from the server when the firmware 124 is updated, or may be downloaded in advance from the server before the firmware 124 is updated. Alternatively, the update information 125A may be stored in advance in the storage device 120 (see FIG. 13) of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As an example, the setting information of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a region setting of the image forming apparatus 100, a manufacturer setting of the image forming apparatus 100, and a hardware setting.

  The region setting is a setting indicating a region to which the image forming apparatus 100 currently belongs. For example, the region setting includes a setting for each region directed to regions such as Japan and the United States. By performing the regional setting, settings suitable for the region to which the image forming apparatus 100 belongs are reflected in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The manufacturer setting reflects the setting for each manufacturer. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is sold under its own brand, the manufacturer setting is set to “OWN”. In this case, the setting associated with the manufacturer setting “OWN” is reflected in the image forming apparatus 100. When the image forming apparatus 100 is sold under the brand of another company, the manufacturer setting is set to “OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)”. In this case, the setting associated with the manufacturer setting “OEM” is reflected in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The hardware setting is a setting that defines the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. By performing the hardware setting, the setting that matches the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is reflected in the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the hardware settings include “A3 machine”, “A4 machine”, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the update information 125A, and selects the update content associated with the combination of the attribute of the new firmware FW2 and the current setting information of the image forming apparatus 100. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100 updates the location corresponding to the selected update content for the update target application.

  In this manner, the update contents of the application can be further subdivided by further increasing the factors for specifying the update contents of the application. As a result, it becomes possible to cope with update processing of various applications, and versatility of the update processing is improved.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
The function of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a determination unit 150, a communication unit 152, and an update unit 154 as functional configurations.

  Based on receiving the firmware update command, the determination unit 150 compares information regarding the application 123 with information regarding the new firmware, and determines whether the application 123 matches the new firmware. More specifically, the determination unit 150 determines whether the attribute of the application 123 corresponds to the attribute of the new firmware. Details of the determination method by the determination unit 150 will be described later. If it is determined that the application 123 does not match the new firmware, the determination unit 150 outputs that fact to the update unit 154.

  When the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware, the communication unit 152 receives the update information 125 (see FIG. 3) from another device (for example, the server 200). The communication unit 152 outputs the received update information 125 to the update unit 154.

  When the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware, the update unit 154 refers to the update information 125 and identifies the update content associated with the attribute of the new firmware. The update unit 154 updates the location of the application 123 corresponding to the specified update content.

  Some applications may be restricted from being updated, deleted, registered, etc. by setting. The update unit 154 updates the application 123 regardless of whether operations (for example, update operation, delete operation, registration operation, etc.) on the application 123 are restricted. Thereby, the update unit 154 can more reliably match the application 123 with the new firmware.

  Preferably, the update unit 154 makes the image forming apparatus 100 usable after the update of the application is completed. As a result, the user can use the application in a state corresponding to the new firmware, and a failure such as an error does not occur due to the use of the application.

[Judgment Method by Judgment Unit 150]
The determination unit 150 (see FIG. 4) determines whether or not the application matches the new firmware by comparing the information about the already installed application with the information about the new firmware. Hereinafter, a method for determining consistency by the determination unit 150 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Specific example 1)
With reference to FIG. 6, the specific 1 of the determination method of the consistency by the determination part 150 is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for determining consistency between the new firmware and the application based on the update date and time of the file.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the application 123 is composed of a plurality of file groups. The determination unit 150 determines that the update date / time of at least one file in the file group is earlier than the date / time (hereinafter also referred to as “reference date / time”) that is a criterion for determining whether the file corresponds to the new firmware. , Determine that the application is not consistent with the new firmware. The reference date and time is predetermined by, for example, a new firmware designer. As an example, the reference date and time is distributed when the firmware is updated.

  If the reference date is “August 1, 2015”, for example, the determination unit 150 determines that the file “json1.json” whose update date is earlier than the reference date is not consistent with the new firmware. To do.

  The update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) replaces the file “json1.json” that does not correspond to the new firmware with a new file “json2.json” that corresponds to the new firmware. Thereby, the update unit 154 matches the application 123 with the new firmware. The new file to be matched with the new firmware is included in, for example, “application update contents” (see FIG. 3) of the update information 125.

(Specific example 2)
With reference to FIG. 7, specific 2 of the consistency determination method by the determination part 150 (refer FIG. 5) is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for determining consistency between new firmware and an application based on content.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the application 123 is composed of a plurality of content groups. The image forming apparatus 100 acquires a content list that defines a content group necessary for using the function of the new firmware. The content list is distributed, for example, when the firmware is updated. The determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 is not compatible with the new firmware when the content specified in the content list is not included in the content group constituting the application 123.

  As an example, the content list defines an execution file, data, and the like. As an example, assume that a file “index.html”, a file “app1.css”, and a file “json2.json” are defined in the content list. Since the file “json2.json” is not included in the application 123 before the update, the update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) supports the file “json1.json” that is not compatible with the new firmware. Replace with the new file “json2.json”. A new file for making it correspond to the new firmware is included in “update contents of application” (see FIG. 3) of the update information 125, for example.

  In one aspect, the update unit 154 adds the file “json2.json” after deleting the file “json1.json” that does not support the new firmware. Thereby, the capacity of the image forming apparatus 100 is reduced.

  In another aspect, the update unit 154 adds the file “json2.json” without deleting the file “json1.json”. As a result, when the new firmware is returned to the old firmware, the update unit 154 does not need to reinstall the file “json1.json”, and can easily return the firmware version.

(Specific example 3)
With reference to FIG. 8, the specific 3 of the consistency determination method by the determination part 150 (refer FIG. 5) is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for determining consistency between new firmware and an application based on the application source code.

  As shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the application 123 is generated from the source code 132A. That is, the application 123 is generated when the source code 132A is compiled.

  When the source code 132A includes a predetermined source code that does not correspond to the new firmware, the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware. Source code that does not correspond to the new firmware is distributed, for example, when the firmware is updated.

  The update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) replaces source code that does not correspond to the new firmware with source code that corresponds to the new firmware. The new source code is included in “update contents of application” (see FIG. 3) of the update information 125, for example.

  As an example, assume that the source code “fw1” does not correspond to the new firmware. In this case, the update unit 154 searches the source code 132A for the source code “fw1”, and replaces the source code “fw1” with the source code “fw2” corresponding to the new firmware as indicated by the source code 132B. . As a result, the update unit 154 can match the application 123 with the new firmware.

(Specific example 4)
With reference to FIG. 9, specific 4 of the consistency determination method by the determination unit 150 (see FIG. 5) will be described. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for determining consistency between the new firmware and the application based on the instruction destination of the application.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the firmware 124 includes an application platform 127 for operating the application 123 and a main body control unit 128 for controlling the hardware of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Assume that the firmware 124 is updated so that all applications call the main body control unit 128 via the application platform 127 in step (A). At this time, when the application 123 includes a program that calls the main body control unit 128 without using the application platform 127, the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 is not compatible with the new firmware.

  In step (B), the update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) changes the part of the source code of the application 123 that calls the function of the main body control unit 128 from the application platform 127. As a result, the application 123 becomes consistent with the new firmware.

(Specific example 5)
With reference to FIG. 10, specific 5 of the consistency determination method by the determination unit 150 (see FIG. 5) will be described. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for determining consistency between new firmware and an application using a key included in the application.

  As shown in steps (A) and (B), it is assumed that the firmware is updated such that an application incorporated in the image forming apparatus 100 uses the function of the firmware 124 using the key 129. The key is used to distinguish between a trusted application and an illegally installed application. That is, an application installed in the image forming apparatus 100 cannot use the function of the firmware 124 unless it holds a key corresponding to the key 129. Since an application that does not hold a key corresponding to the key 129 cannot use the function of the firmware 124, an illegally installed application can be excluded. The key is represented by a value, and the key value is predetermined.

  In one aspect, when the firmware is updated so that an already installed application uses the function of the firmware 124 using the key 129, the determination unit 150 may not be holding the key 129. It is determined that the application 123 does not match the new firmware. In the example of step (B), since the application 123 does not hold the key 129, the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware.

  In another aspect, the determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware when the key held by the application 123 does not match the key 129 held by the new firmware.

  As shown in step (C), the update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) also causes the application 123 to hold the same key as the key 129 held by the new firmware or the corresponding key. As a result, the application 123 becomes consistent with the new firmware.

(Specific example 6)
With reference to FIG. 11, the specific 6 of the consistency determination method by the determination part 150 (refer FIG. 5) is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for determining consistency between new firmware and an application based on a defect pattern of a program.

  As shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the application 123 is generated from the source code 133A. That is, the application 123 is generated when the source code 133A is compiled.

  The determination unit 150 determines that the application 123 does not match the new firmware when the defect pattern 136 that defines the defect of the application 123 with respect to the new firmware is included in the source code 133A of the application 123. The defect pattern 136 defines a program pattern that does not support the new firmware. As an example, the defect pattern 136 defines functions that are not compatible with the new firmware, the order of functions, and the like. The defect pattern 136 is distributed, for example, when firmware is updated.

  As shown in the source code 133B, the update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) searches the source code 133A for a location that matches the defect pattern 136, and replaces the location with the update pattern 137 corresponding to the new firmware. As a result, the application 123 becomes consistent with the new firmware.

(Specific example 7)
Below, the specific 7 of the consistency determination method by the determination part 150 (refer FIG. 5) is demonstrated.

  The determination unit 150 determines that the application does not match the new firmware when the version information of the program used in the application is different from the version information of the program used in the new firmware. As an example, the program is HTML (HyperText Markup Language). The determination unit 150 determines that the application does not match the new firmware when the HTML version used in the application is different from the HTML version used in the firmware.

  The update unit 154 (see FIG. 5) acquires the update content corresponding to the HTML version of the new firmware from the update information 125 (see FIG. 3) as the attribute of the new firmware. The update unit 154 updates the application according to the acquired update content. As a result, the application 123 becomes consistent with the new firmware.

[Control Structure of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
A control structure of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by image forming apparatus 100. The processing in FIG. 12 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 (see FIG. 13) of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program. In other aspects, some or all of the processing may be performed by circuit elements or other hardware.

  In step S <b> 10, the CPU 102 determines whether an instruction for updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus 100 has been received. As an example, the command is issued from the server every predetermined period (for example, one month). Alternatively, the instruction is issued each time new firmware is distributed. Alternatively, the command is issued by a firmware update operation by the user. When CPU 102 determines that an instruction to update the firmware has been received (YES in step S10), CPU 102 switches control to step S12. When that is not right (in step S10 NO), CPU102 performs the process of step S10 again.

  In step S12, the CPU 102 receives a firmware update program from a server or the like. The CPU 102 updates the firmware by executing the update program.

  In step S <b> 20, the CPU 102 determines, as the determination unit 150 (see FIG. 5), whether an application incorporated in the image forming apparatus 100 is consistent with the new firmware. Since the method for determining consistency is as described above, description thereof will not be repeated. When CPU 102 determines that the application incorporated in image forming apparatus 100 is consistent with the new firmware (YES in step S20), CPU 102 ends the update process according to the present embodiment. If not (NO in step S20), CPU 102 switches control to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the CPU 102 receives the update information 125 (see FIG. 3) from the server as the update unit 154 (see FIG. 5), and refers to the update information 125 and updates associated with the new firmware attribute. The content is specified, and the corresponding part of the application is updated according to the updated content.

[Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
With reference to FIG. 13, an example of a hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101, a CPU 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an operation panel 104, a network interface 105, a scanner unit 107, A printing unit 108 and a storage device 120 are included.

  The ROM 101 stores an operating system, a control program executed by the image forming apparatus 100, and the like. The CPU 102 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing various programs such as a control program for the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 103 functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data necessary for program execution.

  The operation panel 104 includes a display and a touch sensor, and is configured as a touch panel. For example, the operation panel 104 receives an update operation of the firmware 124 and displays an update result of the application 123 and the firmware 124 and the like.

  An antenna or the like is connected to the network interface 105. The image forming apparatus 100 exchanges data with other communication devices via the antenna. Other communication devices include, for example, a server. The image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the update program 122, the application 123, the firmware 124, and the update information 125 can be downloaded from the server via the antenna.

  The scanner unit 107 scans a document set on the image forming apparatus 100 and generates image data of the document. A known method can be adopted as a method for generating image data in the scanner unit 107.

  The print unit 108 converts image data read by the scanner unit 107 or print data transmitted from an external terminal into data for printing by using, for example, an electrophotographic method, and a document or the like based on the converted data. Print the image. A known method may be employed as the image forming method.

  The storage device 120 is a storage medium such as a hard disk or an external storage device. As an example, the storage device 120 stores an update program 122, an application 123, firmware 124, update information 125, and the like according to the present embodiment. The application 123 is, for example, a management application for managing other applications, an application operating in the background while the image forming apparatus 100 is in a standby state, or the like.

  Note that the update program 122 may be provided by being incorporated in a part of an arbitrary program, not as a single program. In this case, the processing according to the present embodiment is realized in cooperation with an arbitrary program. Even such a program that does not include some modules does not depart from the spirit of the update program 122 according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, some or all of the functions provided by the update program 122 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in the form of a so-called cloud service in which at least one server realizes processing according to the present embodiment.

[Brief Summary]
As described above, when the firmware is updated, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether an already installed application matches the new firmware. The image forming apparatus 100 identifies a part of the application that does not correspond to the new firmware, and updates the part to correspond to the new firmware. Since only the part inconsistent with the new firmware is updated, the application update time is shortened.

  In addition, since only the necessary part of the application is updated, the user setting of the application is not changed as the firmware is updated. Therefore, the user does not need to set the application again, and the user's trouble is reduced.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  100 image forming apparatus, 101 ROM, 102 CPU, 103 RAM, 104 operation panel, 105 network interface, 107 scanner unit, 108 printing unit, 114 feeder, 115 tray, 119 paper feeding unit, 120 storage device, 122 update program, 123 , 123A to 123C application, 124 firmware, 125, 125A update information, 127 application platform, 128 main body control unit, 129 key, 132A, 132B, 133A, 133B source code, 136 defect pattern, 137 update pattern, 150 determination unit, 152 Communication unit, 154 update unit, 200 servers.

Claims (17)

An image forming apparatus,
A storage unit for storing firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and an application that uses the function of the firmware;
Based on receiving the instruction to update the firmware, the information for comparing the information related to the application and the information related to the updated firmware, and determining whether the application matches the updated firmware And
When it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, the update information in which the update content of the application is associated with each firmware attribute is referred to, and the updated firmware attribute is set. An image forming apparatus comprising: an update unit for specifying update contents associated with each other and updating a portion corresponding to the update contents in the application. Each update content included in the update information is further associated with setting information of the image forming apparatus,
The update unit refers to the update information, specifies update contents associated with a combination of the updated firmware attribute and the current setting information of the image forming apparatus, and updates the update in the application The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location corresponding to the content is updated.   The determination unit, when the update date and time of at least one file of the file group constituting the application is earlier than a predetermined reference date and time that is a criterion of whether or not it corresponds to the firmware after the update The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the application does not match the updated firmware.   The determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware when the application includes source code that does not correspond to the updated firmware. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The firmware is
A platform for operating the application;
A main body control unit for controlling hardware of the image forming apparatus,
When the firmware is updated so that the application calls the main body control unit via the platform, the determination unit includes a program for calling the main body control unit without passing through the platform. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application determines that the application does not match the updated firmware.   The determination unit is a case where the firmware is updated so that the application uses a function of the firmware using a predetermined key, and the application does not hold the predetermined key. Or when the key held by the application and the key held by the firmware do not match, it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   If the content necessary for using the function of the updated firmware is not included in the content group constituting the application, the determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined.   The determination unit determines that the application is not consistent with the updated firmware when the application includes a program pattern of a defect of the application with respect to the updated firmware. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7 above.   When the version information of the program used in the application is different from the version information of the program used in the updated firmware, the determination unit matches the updated firmware. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined not to be present.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update unit makes the image forming apparatus usable after the update of the application by the update unit is completed.   The update unit updates the application regardless of whether or not an operation on the application is restricted when it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update information is stored in advance in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit configured to receive the update information from another apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application is an application for managing another application.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application is an application operating during a standby state of the image forming apparatus. An update method for an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and an application that uses the function of the firmware.
The update method is:
Comparing the information about the application with information about the updated firmware based on receiving the instruction to update the firmware, and determining whether the application matches the updated firmware;
When it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, the update information in which the update content of the application is associated with each firmware attribute is referred to, and the updated firmware attribute is set. An update method comprising: specifying update contents associated with each other and updating a location corresponding to the update contents in the application. An update program for an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing firmware for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus and an application that uses the function of the firmware.
The update program is stored in the image forming apparatus.
Based on receiving the instruction to update the firmware, the information for comparing the information related to the application and the information related to the updated firmware, and determining whether the application matches the updated firmware And steps to
When it is determined that the application does not match the updated firmware, the update information in which the update content of the application is associated with each firmware attribute is referred to, and the updated firmware attribute is set. An update program that specifies the associated update content and updates a location corresponding to the update content in the application.