JP2017073147A - Image formation apparatus, program updating method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily prevent the occurrence of a problem due to a mismatch between versions of programs of a main body and option unit.SOLUTION: The latest program of a main body and the latest program of an option unit are stored in a storage area of a storage device. When the option unit is connected, the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit is compared with the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area. When the comparison result shows that the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit is older, the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area is copied in a program updating region. When there is the program of the option unit in the program updating region at the time of start-up of the main body, the program of the option unit is updated by using the program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a program update method, and a program.

An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral has a CPU of a main body controller unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus, and a CPU of an option unit that individually controls optional functions such as FAX and folding functions. When the CPU of the option unit operates based on a control program corresponding to each function stored in a storage device such as a ROM, each function such as a FAX and a folding function is realized.
Conventionally, in order to use an optional function, it is necessary for a service person to install an optional unit and update the control program of the combined optional unit that matches the version of the control program of the main body. As a method for updating the control program for the option unit, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In the technique, the main body controller compares the control program version in the option unit with that on the server. Then, if the version of the option unit is older, the main body controller downloads the option unit control program on the server to the main body, and then downloads it to the option unit.

JP 2008-116660 A

An option unit such as a fax board may be used as a common option unit across a plurality of models, and is operated as the same unit number (unit + control program) from the viewpoint of easy inventory management.
However, every time a new model is produced, the control program of the option unit is often modified to cope with some problem, and naturally the program version also goes up each time. In this case, it is necessary to download an option unit program for a model already on the market after the evaluation is completed for a version of a plurality of models.
When using a new optional function, the service person first attaches the optional unit to the main body. However, since the same part number is managed as it is, the version of the control program in the option unit is often old. In the case of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in such a case, the option unit control program must be updated after accessing the server and downloading the option unit program to the main body. Also, it is necessary to determine whether the control program of the option unit corresponds to the version of the control program of the main body on the main body side.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to easily prevent the occurrence of a problem due to a mismatch between program versions of a main body and an option unit.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention obtains the latest program of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the latest program of the optional unit that can be connected to the image forming apparatus from a server device that can communicate via a network. When the option unit is connected to the acquisition unit, the storage unit that stores the latest program of the main body acquired by the acquisition unit, and the latest program of the option unit in the storage area of the storage device, A comparison means for comparing the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit and the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area, and a result of comparison by the comparison means; The option acquired from the connected option unit. Copy unit for copying the version of the option unit program stored in the storage area to the program update area when the version of the program in the storage unit is older, and the program update area when the main body is started If there is a program for the option unit, the update unit updates the program for the option unit using the program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily prevent the occurrence of a problem due to a mismatch between program versions of the main body and the option unit.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a program acquisition process from a server in a multifunction machine. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of update processing of a main body control program in a multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an update process of a control program for an option unit (fax unit, folder unit) in a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of an option unit selection screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an update process of an option unit control program when connection of an option unit in a multifunction peripheral is detected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 10.
The multifunction machine 10 includes a main body controller unit 100 and a fax unit 200 and a folder unit 300 as optional units. These optional units are detachable from the main body of the multifunction machine 10. The multi-function device 10 realizes various functions through the cooperation of the main body controller unit and the CPU of the option unit. The CPU of the main body controller of the multifunction machine 10 is connected to the CPU of each option unit via the device I / F. A control program describing the contents to be processed by each CPU of each option unit is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory (flash memory) in each option unit.

The main body controller unit 100 includes the following components.
The CPU 101 is a system control unit and controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 102 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores a control program for the CPU. The RAM 103 is configured by an SRAM or the like and stores image data. The image memory 104 is composed of a DRAM or the like and stores image data. The image processing unit 105 performs correction processing on the image data read by the scanner and outputs high-definition image data. The scanner 106 includes a CS image sensor, a document transport mechanism, and the like, and optically reads a document and converts it into electrical image data. Scan double-sided originals. The operation unit 107 includes a keyboard, a display unit, and the like, and an operator performs various input operations. The print buffer 108 is a buffer memory for one page for storing print character codes. The printer 109 is a printer such as an LBP that records received images and file data on plain paper, and can perform double-sided recording. The network I / F 110 controls the network. The device I / F 111 controls the fax unit. The device I / F 112 controls the folder unit. The IP network 113 is an IP network such as the Internet.

  The ROM 102 stores an optional unit control program incorporated in a control program 1021 used by the CPU 101 of the main body controller. That is, a fax unit control program 1022 and a folder unit control program 1023 used by each CPU of the fax unit and the folder unit are incorporated and stored. The CPU 101 performs various controls on the multifunction machine 10 based on the control program of the main body controller unit 100. On the other hand, the fax unit control program 1022 and the folder unit control program 1023 stored in the program update area of the ROM 102 are downloaded to the fax unit and the folder unit, respectively. The fax unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a rewritable nonvolatile memory (flash memory) 202 that stores a control program and the like, and a device I / F 203. The host I / F 203 of the fax unit 200 is connected to the main body controller unit 100 device I / F 111. The folder unit 300 includes a CPU 301, a rewritable nonvolatile memory (flash memory) 302 for storing a control program and the like, and a host I / F 303. The host I / F 303 in the folder unit 300 is connected to the device I / F 112 in the main body controller unit 100.

In the following embodiments including this embodiment, it is assumed that the main unit control program includes an optional unit control program. However, this does not limit the following embodiments. For example, the multifunction machine 10 may acquire and hold a file in which a main body control program and a control program for an optional unit that can be connected to the multifunction machine 10 are packed. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplification of explanation, the fax unit 200 and the folder unit 300 will be described as examples of the option unit, but the option unit is not limited to these. For example, as other optional units, there are a punch unit, a saddle stitch binding unit, and the like as shown in an embodiment described later. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of an image forming apparatus.
Hereinafter, the fax unit control program 1022 is also referred to as a fax unit control program, and the folder unit control program 1023 is also referred to as a folder unit control program.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a program acquisition process from the server in the multifunction machine 10.
In step S <b> 10, when a predetermined operation is performed by the user, the CPU 101 displays an operation screen related to update on the operation unit 107.
In step S11, the CPU 101 determines whether an update instruction has been received from the user via the operation screen. When the CPU 101 receives an update instruction from the user via the operation screen, the process proceeds to step S12. When the update instruction is not received from the user via the operation screen, the CPU 101 repeats the process of step S11.
In step S12, the CPU 101 obtains the latest main body control program from a server that can communicate via a network. As described above, the main body control program includes the latest option unit control program that can be connected to the multifunction machine 10. For example, even if there are two types of option units connected to the multifunction device 10, that is, a fax unit and a folder unit, control of other option units not connected to the multifunction device 10 such as a punch unit and saddle stitch binding unit. A program is also included.
In step S <b> 13, the CPU 101 stores the acquired main body control program in the download area of the ROM 102.
In step S <b> 14, the CPU 101 copies the main body control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102. When copying the main body control program to the program update area, the CPU 101 copies only the part other than the option unit control program included in the main body control program (that is, the actual main body control program part). May be.
In step S <b> 15, the CPU 101 restarts the main body of the multifunction machine 10.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of update processing of the main body control program in the multifunction machine 10. The process in FIG. 3 is a process subsequent to step S15 in FIG.
When the main power supply of the main body of the multifunction machine 10 is turned on, the CPU 101 executes the following processing based on the main body control program stored in the program storage area of the ROM 102. First, in step S <b> 20, the CPU 101 activates the main body of the multifunction machine 10.
In step S <b> 21, the CPU 101 determines whether there is a main body control program in the program update area of the ROM 102. If the main body control program is in the program update area of the ROM 102, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S22. If the main body control program is not in the program update area of the ROM 102, the CPU 101 ends the process shown in FIG.
In step S22, the CPU 101 shifts to the program update mode.
In step S <b> 23, the CPU 101 executes a program update process for updating the main body control program of the multifunction machine 10 to the main body control program in the program update area. For example, the CPU 101 replaces the main body control program stored in the program storage area of the ROM 102 with the main body control program in the program update area.
In step S24, the CPU 101 deletes the main body control program in the program update area.
The main body control program is updated to the latest main body control program by the processing of FIGS. Further, the multifunction machine 10 can hold the latest option unit control program that can be connected together with the latest main body control program in the download area of the ROM 102.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an update process of a control program for an option unit (fax unit, folder unit) in the multifunction machine 10.
When the main power of the main body of the multifunction device 10 is turned on, the CPU 101 executes the following processing based on the main body control program. First, in step S <b> 101, the CPU 101 activates the main body of the multifunction machine 10.
In step S <b> 102, the CPU 101 determines whether there is an option unit control program in the program update area of the ROM 102. When there is an option unit control program in the program update area of the ROM 102, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S115. On the other hand, if there is no option unit control program in the program update area of the ROM 102, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S103.
If the process shown in FIG. 4 is first executed, there is no option unit control program in the program update area. Therefore, the determination in step S102 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S103. If the option unit control program is copied to the program update area in S107 and S112, which will be described later, the determination in step S102 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S115. Then, as will be described later in S115 and S116, the option unit control program is updated.

In step S103, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the fax unit 200 to be controlled by the main body controller unit 100 is connected. If the fax unit 200 is connected, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S104. If the fax unit 200 is not connected, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S108.
In step S <b> 104, the CPU 101 transmits a command related to an acquisition request for the version of the control program stored in the flash memory 202 in the fax unit 200 to the connected fax unit 200. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether the version of the control program of the fax unit 200 has been acquired based on the response to the command. If the version of the control program of the fax unit 200 can be acquired, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S105. If the version of the control program of the fax unit 200 cannot be acquired, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S108.
In step S105, the CPU 101 compares the acquired version with the version of the control program of the fax unit stored in the download area of the ROM 102 of the main body controller unit.
In step S106, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the acquired version is older as a result of the comparison. As a result of comparison, if the acquired version is older, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S107. If the acquired version is not older, the process advances to step S108.

In step S <b> 107, the CPU 101 copies the fax unit control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102. More specifically, the CPU 101 copies the latest fax unit control program included in the main body control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102.
In step S <b> 108, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the folder unit 300 to be controlled by the main body controller unit 100 is connected. If the folder unit 300 is connected, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S109. If the folder unit 300 is not connected, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S114.
In step S <b> 109, the CPU 101 transmits a command related to an acquisition request for the version of the control program stored in the flash memory 202 in the folder unit 300 to the folder unit 300 to be connected. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the version of the control program for the folder unit 300 has been acquired based on the response to the command. If the version of the control program for the folder unit 300 can be acquired, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S110. If the version of the control program for the folder unit 300 cannot be acquired, the process proceeds to step S114.
In step S110, the CPU 101 compares the acquired version with the version of the folding unit control program stored in the download area of the ROM 102 of the main body controller unit.

In step S111, the CPU 101 determines whether the acquired version is older as a result of the comparison. As a result of comparison, if the acquired version is older, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S1112. If the acquired version is not older, the process advances to step S114.
In step S <b> 112, the CPU 101 copies the folder unit control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102. More specifically, the CPU 101 copies the latest folder unit control program included in the main body control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102.
In step S113, the CPU 101 restarts the main body of the multifunction machine 10.
On the other hand, in step S114, the CPU 101 activates the main body of the multifunction machine 10 as it is as usual.
On the other hand, in step S115, the program update mode is entered.
In step S116, the CPU 101 executes a program update process. For example, when there is the latest fax unit control program in the program update area, the CPU 101 executes a process of updating the fax unit control program stored in the flash memory 202 of the fax unit 200 with the control program. Further, for example, when there is the latest control unit control program in the program update area, the CPU 101 updates the folding unit control program stored in the flash memory 302 of the folding unit 300 with the control program. Execute.
In step S117, the CPU 101 deletes the option unit control program in the program update area.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the CPU 101 has been described so as to acquire and hold a main body control program including all the latest control programs of option units that can be connected to the main body controller unit 100 from the server.
However, holding the main body control program including the latest control programs of all the optional units that can be connected is a waste of memory.
Therefore, when the CPU 101 of this embodiment detects a predetermined operation, the CPU 101 displays an option unit selection screen shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the option unit selection screen. On the option unit selection screen as shown in FIG. 5, the user selects an option unit that does not hold the latest program, and selects an OK button. Thus, the user can select an option unit that does not hold the latest program. On the option unit selection screen, the CPU 101 sets the selected option unit as an option unit that does not hold the latest program, and stores setting information or the like in the ROM 102 or the like.
Based on the setting information, the CPU 101 may acquire a main body control program including only the latest option unit control program required by the user from the server. That is, the CPU 101 may acquire from the server a main body control program including option units other than the option units set as option units that do not hold the latest program based on the setting information. In addition, the CPU 101 may once obtain a main body control program similar to that of the first embodiment from the server, delete unnecessary control programs for optional units from the main body control program, and save them based on the setting information. Good.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the update process of the option unit control program when the connection of the option unit in the multifunction machine 10 is detected.
In step S <b> 200, the CPU 101 determines whether connection of an option unit to the main body controller unit 100 is detected. If the connection of the option unit is detected, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S201. If the connection of the option unit is not detected, the CPU 101 repeats the process of step S200.
In step S201, the CPU 101 determines, based on the setting information, whether the option unit for which connection has been detected is an option unit that is set not to hold the latest program. If the option unit whose connection is detected is an option unit that is set not to hold the latest program, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S205. On the other hand, if the option unit whose connection has been detected is an option unit that has not been set unless it holds the latest program, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the CPU 101 compares the version of the option unit control program acquired from the option unit detected to be connected with the version of the option unit control program stored in the ROM 102 download area of the main body controller unit. To do.
In step S203, the CPU 101 determines whether the version acquired from the option unit is older as a result of the comparison. As a result of comparison, if the version acquired from the option unit is older, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S204. If the acquired version is not older, the process returns to step S200.
In step S <b> 204, the CPU 101 copies the option unit control program stored in the download area to the program update area of the ROM 102.

On the other hand, in step S205, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the server has the latest control program for the option unit whose connection has been detected. For example, the CPU 101 acquires the version of the control program of the option unit from the option unit whose connection is detected. Then, the CPU 101 transmits a command for inquiring whether a newer version of the option unit than the version exists in the server. Then, the CPU 101 may determine whether or not the server has a version newer than the version of the option unit based on a response from the server to the command.
If the server has the latest control program for the option unit for which connection is detected, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S206. If the server does not have the latest control program for the option unit for which connection has been detected, the process proceeds to step S200. Return to.

In step S206, the CPU 101 acquires the latest control program of the option unit for which the connection is detected from the server (acquires the latest program). Note that the CPU 101 may acquire only the latest control program of the option unit in which the connection is detected from the server, or may acquire a main body control program including the latest control program of the option unit. May be.
In step S207, the CPU 101 copies the acquired latest control program of the option unit to the program update area (latest program copy).
In step S <b> 208, the CPU 101 changes the setting information and the like so as to delete the option unit detected to be connected from the option unit that does not hold the latest program. Alternatively, the CPU 101 sets the option unit in which the connection is detected as the option unit that holds the latest program in the setting information or the like.
In step S209, the CPU 101 restarts the main body of the multifunction machine 10.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, when a new option unit is installed, it is possible to automatically download a program of an option unit that has been combined with the main body program. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the occurrence of a problem due to a mismatch between the program versions of the main body and the option unit. In addition, even when a common option unit can be used for a plurality of types of multifunction peripherals, it can be automatically updated to a control program that is most suitable for that model. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work and the management of option units.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

An option unit such as a fax board may be used as a common option unit across a plurality of models, and is operated as the same unit number (unit + control program) from the viewpoint of easy inventory management.
However, every time a new model is produced, the control program of the option unit is often modified to cope with some problem, and naturally the program version also goes up each time. In this case, it is necessary to download an option unit program for a model already on the market after the evaluation is completed for a version of a plurality of models.
When using a new optional function, the service person first attaches the optional unit to the main body. However, since the same part number is managed as it is, the version of the control program in the option unit is often old. In the case of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in such a case, the option unit control program must be updated after accessing the server and downloading the option unit program to the main body .

An object of the present invention is to update an option unit program using an update program stored in advance .

Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing printing, and includes a connection interface for connecting an option unit to the image forming apparatus, and an update control program for controlling the option unit. And an update main body control program that is a control program that can operate together with the update control program and that controls the image forming apparatus main body. Receiving means for receiving via the network before the unit is connected, storage means for storing the update control program and the update main body control program received by the receiving means, and the image forming apparatus is activated Then, the main body control program for update stored in the storage means is read. The option unit that controls the image forming apparatus using the read update main body control program and reads and reads the update control program for controlling the option unit stored in the storage unit Control means for operating an option unit connected to the connection interface using an update control program for controlling the connection interface .

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of executing printing, a connection interface for connecting an option unit to the image forming apparatus, a control program for updating for controlling the option unit, and the updating And an update unit control program that is a control program that can operate together with the control program for controlling the image forming apparatus main unit, and the optional unit is connected to the connection interface. The update control program and the update main unit control program received via the network are stored, and when the image forming apparatus is activated, the stored update main unit control program is read. Controlling the image forming apparatus using the read update main body control program, The control program for updating for controlling the stored option unit is read out, and connected to the connection interface using the control program for updating for controlling the read option unit. A method of operating an optional unit can be provided .

Claims (5)

An acquisition means for acquiring the latest program of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the latest program of an optional unit that can be connected to the image forming apparatus from a server device capable of communicating via a network;
Storage means for storing the latest program of the main body and the latest program of the option unit acquired by the acquisition means in a storage area of a storage device;
When an option unit is connected, comparing means for comparing the version of the option unit program acquired from the connected option unit with the version of the option unit program stored in the storage area;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit is older, the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area is set in the program update area. A copy means for copying;
When the main unit is activated, if there is a program of the option unit in the program update area, an update unit that updates the program of the option unit using the program;
An image forming apparatus. It further has a display means for displaying on the operation unit a selection screen for selecting an option unit that does not hold the latest program,
The acquisition unit acquires the latest program of an option unit that can be connected to the image forming apparatus other than the option unit selected when the latest program is not held via the selection screen from the server apparatus. Image forming apparatus. Latest option acquisition means for acquiring the latest program of the option unit from the server device when the option unit selected to hold the latest program on the selection screen is connected;
Latest program copy means for copying the latest program of the option unit acquired by the latest program acquisition means to the program update area;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A program update method executed by an image forming apparatus,
An acquisition step of acquiring the latest program of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the latest program of an optional unit that can be connected to the image forming apparatus from a server device capable of communicating via a network;
A storage step of storing the latest program of the main body and the latest program of the option unit acquired by the acquisition step in a storage area of a storage device;
A comparison step of comparing the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit with the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area when the option unit is connected;
As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, if the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit is older, the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area is set in the program update area. A copy step to copy,
When there is a program of the option unit in the program update area at the time of starting the main body, an update step of updating the program of the option unit using the program;
Program update method including: On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring the latest program of the main body of the computer and the latest program of an optional unit that can be connected to the computer from a server device capable of communicating via a network;
A storage step of storing the latest program of the main body and the latest program of the option unit acquired by the acquisition step in a storage area of a storage device;
A comparison step of comparing the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit with the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area when the option unit is connected;
As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, if the version of the program of the option unit acquired from the connected option unit is older, the version of the program of the option unit stored in the storage area is set in the program update area. A copy step to copy,
When there is a program of the option unit in the program update area at the time of starting the main body, an update step of updating the program of the option unit using the program;
A program for running

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