JP2017156925A - Information processing device, information processing device control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device with a mechanism that can notify the server device of a firmware update result including an application result when a firmware to be updated includes a setting value to be set.SOLUTION: If an information processing device for communicating with a management device determines that firmware obtained from the management device includes a setting value to be set to the firmware, the information processing device applies the setting value to the updated firmware. Then, in response to receiving an application result of the setting value, the information processing device notifies the management device of an update result of the updated firmware together with the application result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a program.

  In selling an image forming apparatus, which is an information processing apparatus, there is a case in which a dedicated business negotiation function customized for exclusive use is provided in order to meet individual needs of customers. Since it is costly to develop the negotiation firmware individually, it is common to provide a custom switch that can be enabled and disabled by implementing the negotiation function in advance in the product firmware. is there.

  Among them, it is considered to include customization data for enabling an appropriate custom switch in accordance with each business negotiation in the firmware set and automatically import customization data immediately after firmware update. .

  On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus, in order to add a new function or modify a program, the firmware is downloaded from the content distribution server and updated, and the update result of the firmware is notified to the content distribution server. .

JP 2006-18359 A

In the case of importing customization data immediately after firmware update, if the customization data import fails even if the firmware update is successful, the image forming device is not configured as intended by the service personnel. Is assumed.
For this reason, in the above case, there is a request to notify the firmware update result notified to the content distribution server that provides the firmware as a result including the import result of the customization data.
In this case, even if the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, in Patent Document 1, the notification operation is changed according to the notification setting of the server, and therefore the notification operation cannot be changed according to the notification setting of the client. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is impossible to notify the firmware update result notified to the content distribution server together with the import result of the customization data (setting value) to be set.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to display the firmware update result including the application result when the setting value to be set in the firmware to be updated is included. It is an object to provide a mechanism capable of notifying a server device.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
An information processing apparatus that communicates with a management apparatus, wherein a first acquisition unit that acquires firmware from the management apparatus, an update unit that updates installed firmware with the acquired firmware, and the acquisition unit acquires Determining means for determining whether or not the set value to be set for the firmware is included in the updated firmware, and if it is determined that the set value is included, the set value is added to the updated firmware. Applying means for applying, and notifying means for notifying the management apparatus together with the application result of the update result of the firmware updated by the updating means in response to receiving the application result of the applying means. And

  According to the present invention, when the setting value to be set is included in the firmware to be updated, the firmware update result including the application result can be notified to the server device.

1 is a configuration diagram of a network system including an information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration that constitutes an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a content delivery server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating firmware information managed by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of customization data. It is a figure which shows the example of a firmware list file. It is a figure which shows the software structure of a content delivery server. It is a sequence diagram explaining a firmware update process. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of information processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram explaining a firmware update process.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system including an information processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as an example of the information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus having functions such as a printer, a scanner, a copy, and a FAX will be described.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an image forming apparatus having functions such as a printer, a scanner, a copy, and a FAX, and has a unique individual number assigned to the image forming apparatus 101. A content distribution server 102 is used to distribute firmware to the image forming apparatus 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes a network such as the Internet, and the image forming apparatus 101 can communicate with the content distribution server 102 via the network 103.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration that configures the image forming apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 2, 201 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a unit that executes various programs and realizes various functions. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a unit for storing various programs.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory). It is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate, and is a memory for temporarily storing various data. The CPU 201 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executes the program. The RAM 203 is configured by an FRAM (registered trademark) and an SRAM capable of holding stored contents even after the power is turned off, a DRAM whose stored contents are erased after the power is turned off, and the like.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is a unit for storing various programs. The CPU 201 loads a program stored in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executes the program. Further, the data in the RAM 203 can be stored in the HDD 204. The operation unit 205 is a unit for operating the image forming apparatus 101. A display unit 206 is a unit for displaying the UI of the image forming apparatus.

  The printing unit 207 can transmit / receive data to / from each unit via the bus 210. The printing unit 207 is a unit that can print various image data including a raster image on a recording medium or transmit the image data to an external device. The scanner unit 208 is a unit that reads a document placed on a document table and generates image data. The network unit 209 is a unit for connecting to the content distribution server 102. The units described above can transmit and receive data via the bus 210.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration that configures the content distribution server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 3, 301 to 306 and 308 are the same as 201 to 206 and 210 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. A network unit 307 is a unit for connecting to the image forming apparatus 101.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 shown in FIG. A program for realizing each component shown here is stored in the HDD 204. These programs are loaded into the RAM 203 and executed by the CPU 201, thereby realizing each component.
In FIG. 4, a setting storage unit 401 stores settings for switching the behavior of each function of the image forming apparatus 101 in the HDD 204. The setting list (Table 1) is a table showing an example of setting values stored in the setting storage unit 201.

この例では、設定Ａと設定Ｂという二つの設定が存在し、その値はともに０である状態を示している。

In this example, there are two settings, setting A and setting B, both of which are 0.

  A firmware version storage unit 402 stores the firmware version being operated in the image forming apparatus 101 in the HDD 204. The firmware version list (Table 2) is a diagram illustrating an example of firmware versions stored in the firmware version storage unit 402.

  In this example, there are three firmwares of firmware 1, 2, and 3, and four firmwares that hold customization data, and the versions are all 1.0. A firmware storage unit 403 stores firmware that operates in the image forming apparatus 101 in the HDD 204.

  Reference numeral 404 denotes a firmware update determination unit, which is means for receiving firmware update requests and determining firmware to be updated. The firmware update request is requested when the user inputs and executes the firmware update setting screen 1101 shown in FIG.

In the firmware update setting screen 1101 shown in FIG. 11, the user selects update firmware to be used from the pull-down menu, and further selects a firmware update method. Hereinafter, an example in which the content for updating firmware is designated as full update or differential update will be described.
In FIG. 11, in the firmware update method, when the button B <b> 1 for instructing differential distribution ON to update the firmware differentially is selected, only the firmware having a difference from the firmware version already installed in the image forming apparatus 101 is stored in the content distribution server. Download from 102 and update. B3 is a cancel button and B4 is an OK button.
On the other hand, when the button B2 for instructing the differential distribution OFF to select all the firmware is selected, all the firmware is acquired from the content distribution server 102, and the same version of the installed firmware is also updated by overwriting.

An example of firmware to be updated is shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing firmware information managed by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
In FIG. 5, a firmware set 601 is a collection of firmware and information files. In the example of FIG. 5, four firmwares including firmware 1, 2, and 3 and firmware named customization data 603 are included. A firmware list file 604 indicating information on the firmware set 601 is also included. The actual state of the firmware 1, 2, 3 is an executable software program.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the customization data 603 shown in FIG.
In the example of FIG. 6, the file is in an XML format, and the customized setting identifier and setting value are held. There may be a plurality of custom switches or more complicated conditions. The file format is not limited.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the firmware list file 604 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, the file is in an XML format, and a list of firmware included in the firmware set 601 is held. Each firmware has a name and a version.
For example, the firmware 1 has a version 1.1. The firmware information described in the firmware list file 604 needs to match the firmware included in the firmware set 601 or at least be in an inclusive relationship.
Information on each piece of firmware needs to hold at least two pieces of information, that is, information indicating whether the firmware is new or old and information that can identify the firmware. In addition to this, there may be a hash value for checking or information on the file size.

  In FIG. 4, the firmware update determination unit 404 performs the following determination when the user selects differential distribution ON on the firmware update setting screen 1101. The firmware version stored in the firmware version storage unit 402 is compared with the firmware version stored in the firmware list file 604 to determine whether updating is necessary.

For example, assume that the version of firmware 1 is 1.0 as shown in Table 2, and the version of firmware 1 included in the firmware set 601 is 1.1 as shown in FIG.
At this time, the firmware update determination unit 404 detects that the versions are different, and determines that the firmware 1 needs to be updated.
Further, it is assumed that the firmware 2 version is 1.0 as shown in Table 2, and the firmware 2 version included in the firmware set 601 is 1.0 as shown in FIG. At this time, the firmware update determination unit 404 detects that there is no difference in version, and determines that the firmware 2 does not need to be updated.
On the other hand, if the user selects differential distribution OFF on the firmware update setting screen 1101, it is determined that all firmware needs to be updated.
A firmware download unit 405 downloads from the content distribution server 102 the firmware determined to be updated by the firmware update determination unit 404.

  The firmware update unit 406 performs a process of updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus 101 with the firmware downloaded by the firmware download unit 405. The firmware is stored in the firmware version storage unit 402, and the firmware is overwritten and updated.

  The customization data application unit 407 is means for applying the custom switch stored in the customization data 603 to the setting value stored in the setting storage unit 401. For example, when the customization data 603 shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the image forming apparatus 101 that holds the setting values shown in Table 1, the setting value of the setting B is changed from “0” to “1”.

The customization data application result notification unit 408 is means for notifying the request source of the application result of the customization data. When the application result of the customization data is requested from the firmware update result determination unit 409, the application result is notified from the customization data application result notification unit 408 to the firmware update result determination unit 409 after the application of the customization data is completed. The content of the notification here may be more detailed as well as success / failure.
For example, the reason why application of the customization data 603 has failed may be included. As an example of the reason for the failure, a case where a job depending on the customization data 603 is being executed or a case where the customization data 603 itself is damaged is assumed.

The firmware update result determination unit 409 determines the firmware update result notified to the content distribution server 102. When only the firmware update is performed, it is determined that only the firmware update result is notified to the content distribution server 102.
On the other hand, when the customization data is applied in addition to the firmware update, it is determined that the content distribution server 102 is notified as the firmware update result including the customization data application result.
The firmware update result notification unit 410 notifies the content distribution server 102 of the firmware update result determined by the firmware update result determination unit 409.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the content distribution server 102 shown in FIG. Programs for realizing the components shown here are stored in the HDD 304. These programs are loaded into the RAM 303 and executed by the CPU 301 to realize each component.
In FIG. 8, a firmware registration unit 501 provides a UI for registering firmware to be distributed to the image forming apparatus 101. A firmware storage unit 502 stores the firmware registered by the firmware registration unit 501 in the HDD 304. A firmware version storage unit 503 stores firmware versions registered in the content distribution server 102.

  A firmware search unit 504 compares the firmware version received from the image forming apparatus 101 with the firmware version stored in the firmware storage unit 502 and searches for firmware that can be updated. Reference numeral 505 denotes a firmware distribution unit that distributes the firmware searched by the firmware search unit 504 to the image forming apparatus 101.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating firmware update processing in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The flow up to the firmware update result notification in the image forming apparatus 101 will be described below.
In step S901, the user instructs to search for a firmware set that can be updated. In step S <b> 902, the firmware update determination unit 404 acquires a list of firmware sets that can be updated.

  In step S903, the user selects a firmware set to be updated on the firmware update setting screen 1101, and performs update setting. The firmware update determination unit 404 determines the firmware that needs to be updated based on the update setting. In step S <b> 904, the firmware download unit 405 acquires firmware that is determined to be updated by the firmware update determination unit 404. In step S905, the firmware update unit 406 updates the firmware.

S906 is a step in the case where customization data is included in the update target. The customization data application unit 407 applies the customization data immediately after the firmware update, and the customization data application result notification unit 408 notifies the firmware update result determination unit 409 of the application result.
In step S <b> 907, the firmware update result notification unit 410 notifies the content distribution server 102 of the firmware update result determined by the firmware update result determination unit 409.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is a firmware update result notification example in the image forming apparatus 101. Each step is realized by the CPU 201 executing a control program (including software shown in FIG. 4) stored therein.
In step S903 shown in FIG. 9, when the user selects and executes a firmware set to be updated on the firmware update setting screen 1101 and selects an update method, the process starts in step S1001.
In step S <b> 1002, the firmware download unit 405 downloads firmware from the content distribution server 102. In step S <b> 1003, the firmware update unit 406 updates the firmware downloaded from the content distribution server 102 in the image forming apparatus 101.

  In step S <b> 1004, the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines whether the customization data 603 exists in the firmware list file 604. If the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the customization data 603 does not exist in the firmware list file 604, the process advances to step S1009. On the other hand, when the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the customization data 603 exists in the firmware list file 604, the process proceeds to S1005.

  In step S <b> 1005, the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines whether or not differential distribution is ON using the firmware update method. If the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the difference distribution is ON, the process advances to step S1006. On the other hand, if the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the difference distribution is OFF, the processing proceeds to S1007.

In step S <b> 1006, the firmware update result determination unit 409 compares the version of the customization data 603 before updating the firmware with the version of the customization data 603 in the updated firmware list file to determine whether they match. If the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that there is a difference in version, the process advances to step S1007.
On the other hand, if the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that there is no difference in version, the process advances to step S1009. The above steps S1004 to S1006 are steps in which the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines whether or not the customization data 603 is an application target.
In step S1007, the firmware update result determination unit 409 waits for notification of the application result of the customization data 603 when the customization data 603 is included in the application target. In step S1008, the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines whether the customization data application result has been received. If the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that it has been received, the process advances to step S1009.
On the other hand, if the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that it has not been received, the process advances to step S1010.
In step S1009, the firmware update result notifying unit 410 notifies the content distribution server 102 of the firmware update result notification.

In step S1010, the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines whether the timeout time has passed. If the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the timeout period has passed, the firmware update result determination unit 409 generates a timeout error in S1011 and the process proceeds to S1009.
On the other hand, if the firmware update result determination unit 409 determines that the timeout period has not passed, the process advances to step S1007 to wait for notification of the customization data application result. As described above, the update result of the firmware including the application result of the customization data can be grasped from a remote place.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to notify the content distribution server of the firmware update result in consideration of both cases where customization data is imported and not.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment is an embodiment for returning to the standard setting when the application of customization data fails in the firmware update process in the first embodiment.
When the customization data application process described above fails, the service person knows that the customization data application has failed from a remote location according to the first embodiment, and maintenance is performed to bring the image forming apparatus 101 into the intended state. It is assumed that they will be dispatched for this purpose. However, since it may take time until the service person is dispatched, this embodiment is performed until the setting is returned to the standard setting.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow until the firmware update result notification in the image forming apparatus 101.
The steps from S901 to S906 are the same as those in FIG.
In FIG. 12, steps S1207 to S1209 are added when the application of customization data fails, and a difference including the application result of the standard setting value data is notified in S1210, which is a difference from the first embodiment. In step S1207, the firmware download unit 405 acquires standard set value data. In step S1208, the customization data application unit 407 applies standard set value data. In step S1209, the customization data application result notification unit 408 notifies the application result of the standard setting value data. In step S1210, the firmware update result notification unit 410 notifies the firmware update result.
According to the second embodiment, even if a case where the application of the customization data fails, the user can form an image with the standard setting value by returning the content of the setting value to the standard setting value for the updated firmware. The apparatus 101 can be used.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 image forming apparatus 102 content distribution server

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that communicates with a management apparatus,
First acquisition means for acquiring firmware from the management device;
Update means for updating the installed firmware with the acquired firmware;
Determination means for determining whether the firmware acquired by the acquisition means includes a setting value to be set for the firmware;
When it is determined that the setting value is included, an application unit that applies the setting value to the updated firmware;
A notification means for notifying the management apparatus together with the application result of the update result of the firmware updated by the update means in response to receiving the application result of the application means;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising designation means for designating whether the content for updating the firmware is a full update or a differential update. A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the setting value applying process by the applying unit is completed;
The said notification means notifies the update result of a firmware and the result of an application process to the said management apparatus, when it determines with the application process by the said application means not being completed, The said management apparatus is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. Second determination means for determining whether the version of the setting value included in the firmware matches the version of the firmware setting value before update;
The said notification means notifies the update result of the said firmware to the said management apparatus, when the said 2nd determination means determines that the version of the said setting value corresponds, The said management apparatus is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. When it is determined that the application process by the application unit has not been completed, the second acquisition unit acquires a standard setting value for the setting value included in the firmware from the management device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applying unit applies the updated firmware to the standard setting value acquired by the second acquiring unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the notification unit notifies the management apparatus that the standard setting value has been applied to updated firmware.
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that communicates with a management apparatus,
A first acquisition step of acquiring firmware from the management device;
An update process to update the installed firmware with the acquired firmware;
A determination step of determining whether the firmware acquired in the acquisition step includes a setting value to be set for the firmware;
When it is determined that the setting value is included, an application step of applying the setting value to the updated firmware;
In response to receiving the application result of the application process, a notification means for notifying the management apparatus together with the application result of the update result of the firmware updated in the update process;
An information processing apparatus control method comprising:   A program that causes a computer to execute the control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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