JP2019016221A - Information processing apparatus, program, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To carry out installing of a printer driver and update of firmware of a printer in simple procedures.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus of the present invention acquires an installer for a printer driver from a first server, installs the printer driver, determines whether or not to update firmware of a printer on the basis of corresponding firmware versions of the printer and a current firmware version of the printer, and switches between transmitting to the printer an instruction for causing the printer to acquire firmware from a second server on the basis of the performance of the printer so as to update the firmware of the printer or transmitting to the printer an instruction for acquiring firmware from the second server and transmitting the acquired firmware to the printer so as to update the firmware of the printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for installing a printer driver.

  Each printer vendor distributes the printer driver installer as a printer accessory so that the user can easily install the printer driver on the computer. The user can install a desired printer driver in the computer simply by executing the bundled installer. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for installing a printer driver using an installer.

  However, the printer driver may be upgraded to add functions or enhance security. In this case, the printer vendor distributes the latest printer driver on the website of each company, but it is troublesome for the user to get the latest printer driver on the website.

  For this reason, there have recently been cases where a printer driver downloader is bundled as an accessory of the printer. The downloader automatically retrieves the latest printer driver installer from the printer vendor's website and installs it on the computer. Accordingly, the user can install and use the latest printer driver without browsing the website of the printer vendor.

JP 2006-252095 A

  A downloader bundled with the printer allows the user to install a printer driver using an installer acquired from the server.

  However, depending on the installed printer driver, the printer firmware may need to be updated in order to use the new function. For example, in the case of a new function that performs image processing such as sharpness and color matching on the printer side, even if only the printer driver is updated, it cannot be used unless appropriate firmware is installed.

  There are two methods for updating the printer firmware: a method in which the client downloads the firmware from the server and sends it to the printer, and a method in which the printer is instructed to download and update the firmware directly from the server. .

  However, it is a cumbersome task to investigate and carry out which method the user can update the firmware.

  On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to update printer firmware in a simple procedure together with installation of a printer driver.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
An installer that acquires a printer driver installer from the first server (S101) and installs the printer driver (S106);
First acquisition means (S102) for acquiring the firmware version of the printer corresponding to the printer driver from the first server;
Second acquisition means (S103) for acquiring the version of firmware installed in the printer from the printer;
Based on the firmware version of the printer acquired by the first acquisition unit and the firmware version of the printer acquired by the second acquisition unit, it is determined whether to update the firmware of the printer. First determination means (S104);
Second determination means (S1051) for determining whether to instruct the printer to acquire firmware from a second server and to perform an instruction to update the firmware of the printer;
The first determination unit determines to update the firmware of the printer, and the second determination unit causes the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server to update the printer firmware. When it is determined that an instruction is to be issued, an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server (S1052), and the first The determination unit determines to update the printer firmware, and the second determination unit causes the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and does not give the instruction to update the printer firmware. If it is determined that the second server Transmitting means for acquiring the firmware and transmitting the acquired firmware to the printer to transmit an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer to the printer (S1055). .

  According to the present invention, the printer driver can be installed and the printer firmware can be updated in a simple procedure.

It is a figure which shows the connection form of a printing system. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a computer. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a driver downloader. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the driver downloader in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows a driver version and the corresponding firmware version in each. It is a figure which shows the firmware update process flow of a driver downloader. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the driver downloader in Example 2. FIG.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection form of a computer 1000, a printer 2000, and a server 3000 in the printing system according to the first embodiment. The computer 1000 is an example of an information processing apparatus. In this embodiment, two connection modes are assumed. In the connection form shown in FIG. 1A, the computer 1000 and the printer 2000 are connected by USB, and the computer 1000 and the server 3000 are connected by a network such as the Internet. In this mode, the printer 2000 is not connected to the network. In the connection form shown in FIG. 1B, the computer 1000, the printer 2000, and the server 3000 are connected via a network, and can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the computer 1000. The computer 1000 is entirely controlled by a control unit 1040 including a CPU 1041 and a memory 1042. A display unit 1010 indicates an output device such as a display, and an operation unit 1020 indicates an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The storage unit 1030 stores software such as an OS 1032, various applications 1033, and a printer driver 1031. Those programs are loaded into the memory 1042 as necessary, and are executed by the CPU 1041. The OS 1032 is software that controls the basic operation of the computer 1000. A network communication unit 1050 connects to a network and inputs / outputs data to / from an external device. The USB communication unit 1060 performs data input / output with an external device through USB connection. The processing of each step in each flowchart in this specification is realized by loading the software stored in the storage unit 1030 into the memory 1042 in the control unit 1040 and executing it by the CPU 1041. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer. The printer 20 is entirely controlled by a control unit 2040 including a CPU 2041 and a memory 2042. A display unit 2010 indicates an output device such as a liquid crystal panel, and an operation unit 2020 indicates an input device using a touch panel or various buttons. The storage unit 2030 stores an OS 2032, a firmware (firmware) 2031, and various applications 2033 that operate on the OS 2032. These software are loaded into the memory 2042 as necessary, and are executed by the CPU 2041. The OS 2032 is software that controls the basic operation of the printer 2000. A network communication unit 2050 connects to a network and inputs / outputs data to / from an external device. The USB communication unit 2060 inputs and outputs data with an external device through USB connection. The printing unit 2080 prints digital data in the memory 2042 on physical paper in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 2040. The printing method may be an ink method or a toner method.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driver downloader 500 in this embodiment. The downloader 500 is a kind of application 1033 that operates on a computer, and is usually stored in a CD or DVD that is included in the box of the printer 2000 when the printer 2000 is purchased.

  The control unit 504 controls all processes of the downloader 500. The server communication unit 501 is connected to an external server 3000 via the network communication unit 1050 to input / output data. The device communication unit 507 is connected to an external device, here the printer 2000, via the USB communication unit 1060 or the network communication unit 1050, and inputs and outputs data.

  The driver installer acquisition unit 502 acquires a driver installer from the external server 3000 via the server communication unit 501. The driver installer contains the substance (binary) of the driver to be installed. The driver installer acquisition unit 502 also acquires firmware version information corresponding to the driver, details of which will be described later.

  The firmware update tool acquisition unit 503 acquires a firmware update tool from the external server 3000 via the server communication unit 501. The firmware update tool is a tool for updating the firmware 2031 inside the printer connected to the computer, and includes the entity (binary) of the firmware to be updated.

  A device information acquisition unit 505 acquires information of the printer 2000 connected to the outside via the device communication unit 507. Information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 505 includes version information of the firmware 2031 in the printer 2000.

  The firmware update instruction unit 506 instructs the printer 2000 connected to the outside via the device communication unit 507 to update the firmware. At this time, the entity of the firmware is not transmitted to the printer 2000, but only the firmware version information is transmitted to the printer 2000 to instruct the update of the version to the firmware. A driver installer execution unit 508 executes the driver installer acquired by the driver installer acquisition unit 502. As a result, the driver installer installs the included driver entity in the OS 1032. The firmware update tool execution unit 509 executes the firmware update tool acquired by the firmware update tool acquisition unit 503. As a result, the firm update tool transmits the contained firm entity to the printer 2000 and overwrites and replaces the firm 2031 in the printer 2000.

  Next, processing of the driver downloader 500 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing of the downloader 500 described here is loaded into the memory 1042 and executed by the CPU 1041.

  When executed by the user on the computer 1000, the downloader 500 uses the driver installer acquisition unit 502 to acquire the latest driver installer from the server 3000 (S101). Here, it is assumed that the latest driver version is V3.00, and a V3.00 driver installer is acquired.

  Next, the downloader 500 acquires the firmware version range corresponding to the driver version acquired using the driver installer acquisition unit 502 from the server 3000 (S102). Specifically, information such as “minimum: V5.0, maximum: V29.99” is acquired. In the server 3000, various printer drivers and firmware version range information for using the functions of the respective printer drivers are registered in advance by a printer vendor. The server 3000 transmits the pre-registered range information to the downloader 500. An example of registered information is shown in FIG. In this example, the minimum firmware version corresponding to each driver is increased as the driver version is increased. The firmware version range corresponding to the driver version V3.00 is “minimum: V5.0, maximum: V29.99”. The firmware version range only needs to include either the minimum or the maximum.

  Next, the downloader 500 uses the device information acquisition unit 505 to acquire the version of the current firmware 2031 installed in the printer 2000 from the printer 2000 (S103). Next, the downloader 500 checks whether the current firmware version is within the range of the corresponding firmware version (S104). In the above example, if the current firmware version is V6.0, it is determined that it is within the range, and if it is V4.0, it is determined that it is not within the range. If not within the range, the downloader 500 performs a firmware update process (S105). Details of the firmware update process S105 will be described later.

  In this way, the downloader determines whether or not to update the printer firmware based on the printer firmware version acquired in S102 and the printer firmware version acquired in S103.

  If it is within the range, or when the firmware update process is completed, the downloader 500 uses the driver installer execution unit 508 to install the printer driver (S106). Since driver installation by the driver installer is an existing technology, a description thereof will be omitted. By taking the above flow, the firmware update process can be skipped if the current firmware 2031 version is already in the firmware version range corresponding to the driver.

  Here, an example in which there is only one printer driver has been described. However, there are printers that actually support a plurality of PDLs (Page Description Language) and require a plurality of drivers. Further, there are devices that require a plurality of device drivers such as a scanner driver and a FAX driver, such as a multifunction peripheral. The present invention is also applicable to such a case. Specifically, the downloader 500 repeatedly performs the flow shown in FIG. 5 for all the latest drivers. As a result, it is possible to update to a firmware version that can use the latest functions in all the drivers, and in any case, if the update is unnecessary, the firmware update process can be skipped.

  Next, details of the firmware update process S105 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing of the downloader 500 described here is loaded into the memory 1042 and executed by the CPU 1041.

  First, the downloader 500 determines whether the printer 2000 is compatible with a method of directly acquiring firmware from the server and updating its own firmware (S1051). Note that the server in this step may be the same as the server 3000, or another server that provides firmware. When the printer 2000 supports this method, the computer 1000 can update the firmware of the printer 2000 only by giving an instruction to the printer 2000. When the printer 2000 directly acquires the firmware and supports the method of updating its own firmware, the downloader 500 uses the firmware update instruction unit 506 to instruct the printer 2000 to update the firmware (S1052). At this time, the printer 2000 is instructed together with information on the firmware version range acquired in S102. In the above example, an instruction is given together with the information “minimum: V5.0, maximum: V29.99”. Upon receiving the firmware update instruction, the printer 2000 transmits a firmware request for the acquired version range to the server 3000. Normally, the server 3000 transmits the newest firmware among the firmware in the requested version range to the printer 2000. The printer replaces its own farm 2031 with the acquired new farm.

  If the connection mode with the printer 2000 is other than USB connection (for example, network connection), the firmware update may be instructed. In such a configuration, in S1051, the downloader 500 checks whether the connection form between the computer 1000 and the printer 2000 is USB connection. In S1052, if the USB connection is not performed in the form as shown in FIG. 1B, the downloader 500 uses the firmware update instruction unit 506 to instruct the printer 2000 to update the firmware. If the printer 2000 does not support the firmware update instruction, it is determined in S1053 that the firmware update has failed. If the USB connection is made in S1051 in the form shown in FIG. 1A, or if it is determined in S1053 that the firmware has not been updated, the firmware has not been updated and the downloader 500 determines that the firmware has not been updated in S1054. Proceed to

  Next, the downloader 500 uses the device information acquisition unit 505 to check with the printer 2000 as to whether or not the firmware 2031 has been successfully updated (S1053). Although not shown in the flow, since the update may take time, the downloader 500 may check with the printer 2000 in multiple steps in S1053. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1051 that the printer 2000 does not support the method for acquiring and updating firmware from the server, or if it is determined in step S1053 that the firmware has not been updated, the firmware has been updated. Therefore, the downloader 500 proceeds to the next step. Next, the downloader 500 uses the firmware update tool acquisition unit 503 to acquire the firmware update tool from the server 3000 (S1054). At this time, the downloader 500 makes a firmware update tool request to the server 3000 together with information on the firmware version range acquired in S102. When the server 3000 receives a request for a firmware update tool from the computer 1000, the server 3000 normally transmits a farm update tool including the newest farm among the farms in the requested version range to the computer. The downloader 500 that has acquired the firmware update tool in S1054 next executes the firmware update tool using the firmware update tool execution unit 509 (S1055). When the firmware update tool is executed, it transmits a new firmware contained therein to the printer 2000 and instructs to overwrite the firmware 2031 in the printer 2000 with the new firmware. A method for updating the firmware 2031 of the printer 2000 itself with the firmware received by the printer 2000 can use an existing technique, and therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted here. Note that, in both the processing of S1052 and the processing of S1055, when the printer firmware 2031 is updated, the printer 2000 is always down. During that time, the printer 2000 cannot be used. Further, the server that provides the firmware update tool may be the server 3000 or the same server as S1051 that provides the firmware.

  By performing the above flow, the downloader 500 can update the firmware corresponding to the corresponding printer driver without downloading the firmware to the computer 1000 according to the situation. Furthermore, when the current firmware version is in the firmware version range corresponding to the printer driver, the firmware is not updated, so the frequency of downtime of the printer 2000 can be suppressed.

[Example 2]
In the first embodiment, the procedure for updating the printer driver 1031 and the firmware 2031 that are generally used has been described. However, in the market, a printer may be used in a combination of a customized driver and a customized farm depending on the customer's workflow and policy. For example, it may be necessary to perform dedicated color processing when printing the company's logo mark. In order to change the color processing inside the printer driver and the color processing inside the farm to dedicated color processing suitable for the customer, there are cases where customized ones are used. Example 2 describes a flow when the present invention is implemented in such a situation.

  The downloader 500 according to the second embodiment uses a customized downloader 500 for the customer, but the description from the connection form of the server 3000 and the printer 2000 to the configuration of the downloader 500 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Omit. The downloader 500 holds an identifier for the customer, and it is assumed that a printer driver and a firmware corresponding to the identifier are also prepared on the server 3000. The identifier may be any ID as long as it can specify the customization content. However, since it is expected to increase according to the situation, a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is used here.

  Processing of the downloader 500 in the second embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The processing of the downloader 500 described here is loaded into the memory 1042 and executed by the CPU 1041.

  When executed by the user on the computer 1000, the downloader 500 obtains the latest customized driver installer from the server 3000 (S201). Specifically, the server 3000 is inquired based on the above UUID, and the latest driver installer specified by the UUID is acquired. Next, the downloader 500 acquires the firmware ID and firmware version range corresponding to the acquired driver from the server 3000 (S202). In the server 3000, information on the firmware ID corresponding to the printer driver corresponding to each UUID is registered in advance. The server 3000 transmits the previously registered firmware ID to the downloader 500. Next, the downloader 500 acquires the current firmware ID and firmware version from the printer 2000 (S203). Next, the downloader 500 confirms whether the current firmware ID is the same as the corresponding firmware ID (S204). If they are the same, then the downloader 500 checks whether the current firmware version is within the range of the corresponding firmware version (S205). The confirmation method here is the same as that described in the first embodiment. If the firmware IDs are different in S204, and if they are not within the range in S205, the downloader 500 performs a firmware update process (S206). The details of the firmware update process S206 are the same as those shown in FIG. The only difference is that the firmware is always updated with the firmware having the firmware ID acquired in S202. When the current firmware 2031 is within the range of the corresponding firmware version or when the firmware update process is completed, the downloader 500 uses the driver installer execution unit 508 to install a customized printer driver (S207). This process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment.

  By using the above-described flow, the effect of the present invention can be obtained by only slightly changing the downloader 500 even in a customized printer driver / firmware combination that is not a general printer driver / firmware combination. That is, it is possible to update the firmware corresponding to the customized printer driver without downloading the firmware to the computer 1000 according to the situation. Further, when the current version of the firmware 2031 is in the firmware version range corresponding to the printer driver, the firmware 2031 is not updated, so the frequency of downtime of the printer 2000 can be suppressed.

  The embodiment of the present invention and the effects thereof have been described with reference to the drawings using the first and second embodiments. It should be noted that publicly known techniques that are not directly related to the effects of the present invention have been omitted. Further, the details such as the actual processing flow may not be implemented as in the present embodiment. In the embodiment, the printer driver 1031 and the firmware 2031 for the printer are taken as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by performing similar processing in peripheral devices other than the printer. Further, although the web server provided by the printer vendor has been described as an example of the server 3000, it can be implemented by an on-premises server in the company, various cloud services, and a server provided by the OS vendor.

(Other examples)
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.

1000 computers 2000 printers 3000 servers

Claims (13)

Installation means for obtaining a printer driver installer from the first server and installing the printer driver;
First acquisition means for acquiring the firmware version of the printer corresponding to the printer driver from the first server;
Second acquisition means for acquiring from the printer the version of the firmware installed in the printer;
Based on the firmware version of the printer acquired by the first acquisition unit and the firmware version of the printer acquired by the second acquisition unit, it is determined whether to update the firmware of the printer. A first determination means;
Second determining means for determining whether to instruct the printer to acquire firmware from a second server and to perform an instruction to update the firmware of the printer;
The first determination unit determines to update the firmware of the printer, and the second determination unit causes the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server to update the printer firmware. When it is determined that an instruction is to be issued, an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server. It is determined that the firmware of the printer is to be updated, and the second determination means determines that the instruction to cause the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer is not performed. The second server to the farm An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to acquire an instruction for transmitting the firmware to the printer by transmitting the acquired firmware to the printer; . The second determination unit is configured to determine whether or not to issue the instruction to cause the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer. To determine whether it supports the method for obtaining and updating the firmware from
In the method, the transmission unit is determined to update the firmware of the printer by the first determination unit, and the printer acquires the firmware from the second server and updates the printer by the second determination unit. When it is determined that the printer is compatible, the printer transmits the instruction to update the firmware of the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server, and the first determination is performed. When it is determined by the means that the firmware of the printer is to be updated, and when the second determination means determines that the printer does not support the method for acquiring and updating the firmware from the second server , Obtaining the firmware from the second server, and obtaining the firmware The information processing apparatus according to the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer by sending the A to the printer in claim 1, characterized by transmitting to the printer. The second determination unit is configured to determine whether to instruct the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer. Determine whether the connection type is a specific connection type,
The transmitting means determines that the firmware of the printer is updated by the first determining means, and the connection form between the information processing apparatus and the printer is not the specific connection form by the second determining means. If so, the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server, and the printer firmware is transmitted by the first determination unit. And when the second determination means determines that the connection form of the information processing apparatus and the printer is the specific connection form, the firmware is acquired from the second server. The firmware of the printer is transmitted by transmitting the acquired firmware to the printer. The information processing apparatus according to the instruction for updating the firmware to claim 1, characterized by transmitting to the printer.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific connection form is a USB connection.   The said 1st acquisition means acquires the version containing at least one of the minimum and the maximum from the said 1st server as a version of the firmware of the said printer corresponding to the said printer driver, The said 1st server is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device.   The transmission unit, when the printer requires a plurality of drivers, transmits the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer to a version corresponding to the plurality of drivers to the printer. Item 5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4. On the computer,
An installation step of obtaining a printer driver installer from the first server and installing the printer driver;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a firmware version of a printer corresponding to the printer driver from the first server;
A second obtaining step of obtaining from the printer a version of firmware installed in the printer;
Whether to update the printer firmware is determined based on the firmware version of the printer acquired in the first acquisition step and the firmware version of the printer acquired in the second acquisition step. A first determination step;
A second determination step of determining whether to instruct the printer to acquire firmware from a second server and to instruct to update the firmware of the printer;
The first determination step determines that the printer firmware is to be updated, and the second determination step causes the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the printer firmware. When it is determined that an instruction is to be issued, an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server. It is determined that the firmware of the printer is to be updated, and it is determined that the instruction to cause the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer is not performed in the second determination step. The second server to the farm Acquires E A program for causing execute a transmission step of transmitting an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer to the printer by sending the acquired firmware in the printer, the. In the second determination step, the printer determines whether to issue the instruction to cause the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer. To determine whether it supports the method for obtaining and updating the firmware from
In the method, the transmitting step is determined to update the firmware of the printer by the first determining step, and the printer acquires and updates the firmware from the second server by the second determining step. When it is determined that the printer is compatible, the printer transmits the instruction to update the firmware of the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server, and the first determination is performed. When it is determined that the firmware of the printer is updated by the process, and the printer is not compatible with the method of acquiring and updating the firmware from the second server by the second determination process. , Obtaining the firmware from the second server, and obtaining the firmware The program according to the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer by sending the A to the printer in claim 7, characterized in that transmitting to the printer. In the second determination step, a connection mode between the computer and the printer is determined as a determination as to whether or not to instruct the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer. Determine whether is a specific connection type,
In the transmission step, it is determined that the firmware of the printer is updated in the first determination step, and it is determined in the second determination step that the connection form between the computer and the printer is not the specific connection form. In this case, the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server, and the firmware of the printer is updated by the first determination step. And when the second determination step determines that the connection form between the computer and the printer is the specific connection form, the firmware is obtained from the second server and obtained. The firmware of the printer is transmitted by transmitting the firmware to the printer. The program according to the instruction for updating the firmware to claim 7, characterized in that transmitting to the printer.   The program according to claim 9, wherein the specific connection form is a USB connection.   8. The first acquisition step of acquiring from the first server a version including at least one of a minimum and a maximum as a firmware version of the printer corresponding to the printer driver. Program.   The transmission step transmits the instruction for updating the firmware of the printer to a version corresponding to the plurality of drivers when the printer requires a plurality of drivers. Item 11. The program according to any one of Items 7 to 10. An installation step of obtaining a printer driver installer from the first server and installing the printer driver;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a firmware version of a printer corresponding to the printer driver from the first server;
A second obtaining step of obtaining from the printer a version of firmware installed in the printer;
Whether to update the printer firmware is determined based on the firmware version of the printer acquired in the first acquisition step and the firmware version of the printer acquired in the second acquisition step. A first determination step;
A second determination step of determining whether to instruct the printer to acquire firmware from a second server and to instruct to update the firmware of the printer;
The first determination step determines that the printer firmware is to be updated, and the second determination step causes the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the printer firmware. When it is determined that an instruction is to be issued, an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer is transmitted to the printer by causing the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server. It is determined that the firmware of the printer is to be updated, and it is determined that the instruction to cause the printer to acquire the firmware from the second server and update the firmware of the printer is not performed in the second determination step. The second server to the farm Acquires E A, control method characterized by and a transmission step of transmitting an instruction for updating the firmware of the printer to the printer by sending the acquired firmware in the printer.

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