JP2021132325A - Electronic device and firmware selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To automatically set appropriate firmware for each electronic device.SOLUTION: In an electronic device 10, a storage medium 13 stores a plurality of pieces of firmware having different functions in advance, and a tag reader 11 reads applicable firmware which is firmware applied to the own machine from among the plurality of pieces of firmware from an IC tag 20 that stores the firmware information, and a processor 12 selects the applicable firmware from the plurality of pieces of firmware stored in the storage medium 13 according to the firmware information read by the tag reader 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and firmware selection methods.

Some electronic devices have built-in firmware. An example of an electronic device having a built-in firmware is an image processing device such as a scanner or a printer.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-216450 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-0856337

In recent years, with the increasing number of functions of electronic devices, a plurality of firmwares having different functions may be built into the electronic devices. Further, even in the same model of electronic devices, the required functions may differ depending on the electronic devices. For example, the necessity of the wireless communication function and the necessity of the voice input function may differ depending on the destination of the electronic device.

In such a case, if the manufacturing worker manually sets the firmware for each electronic device one by one according to the necessity of each function when manufacturing the electronic device at the manufacturing factory, the manufacturing cost of the electronic device is high. Will increase.

Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technique capable of automatically setting appropriate firmware for each electronic device in the electronic device.

The electronic device of the present disclosure includes a storage medium, a tag reader, and a processor. The storage medium stores a plurality of firmwares having different functions in advance. The tag reader reads the firmware information from the IC tag that stores the firmware information, which is the information indicating the applicable firmware, which is the firmware applied to the own machine among the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium. The processor selects the applicable firmware from a plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium according to the firmware information read by the tag reader.

According to the disclosed technology, the appropriate firmware for each electronic device can be automatically set in the electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of attaching an IC tag according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information stored in the IC tag of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage state of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the management information of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the electronic device of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following examples do not limit the technique of the present disclosure. Further, in the following examples, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[Example 1]
<Installation of IC tag>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of attaching an IC tag according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the IC tag (Integrated Circuit Tag) 20 is used by being attached to the outer surface of the housing of the electronic device 10, and can be attached to and removed from the electronic device 10. be. FIG. 1 shows a case where the IC tag 20 is attached to the upper surface of the electronic device 10 as an example. However, the place where the IC tag 20 is attached in the electronic device 10 is not limited to the upper surface of the electronic device 10, and may be, for example, the side surface or the lower surface of the electronic device 10. Further, the IC tag 20 may be either a passive type IC tag having no built-in battery or an active type IC tag having a built-in battery.

<Structure of information stored in IC tag>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information stored in the IC tag of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “tag information”) ST stored in the IC tag 20 includes, for example, model information MT, destination information DT, and firmware information FT. The number information NT is included. The model information MT is information indicating a model of the electronic device 10. Destination information DT is information indicating the destination area of the electronic device 10. The firmware information FT is information indicating the firmware (hereinafter, may be referred to as “applicable firmware”) applied to the electronic device 10 (that is, the own device) among a plurality of firmwares having different functions. The number-of-times information NT is information indicating the number of times the firmware information FT can be used (hereinafter, may be referred to as "information-usable number of times").

<Configuration of electronic devices>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, the electronic device 10 includes a tag reader 11, a processor 12, a storage medium 13, a power button 14, and a display 15. An example of the electronic device 10 is an image processing device such as a scanner or a printer. Examples of the processor 12 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like. Examples of the storage medium 13 include a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and the like. An example of the display 15 is a liquid crystal display. FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a case where the IC tag 20 is attached to the upper surface of the electronic device 10.

<Memory state of electronic devices>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage state of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage medium 13 stores a plurality of firmwares having different functions and the management information XA. FIG. 4 shows a case where four firmwares FW-A, FW-B, FW-C, and FW-D having different functions are stored in the storage medium 13 in advance at the time of shipment of the electronic device 10 from the manufacturing factory. Is shown as an example.

<Structure of management information>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the management information of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the management information XA includes, for example, model information MA, destination information DA, and applied firmware information FA. The model information MA is information indicating a model of the electronic device 10. Destination information DA is information indicating the destination area of the electronic device 10. The applied firmware information FA is information indicating the firmware applied to the electronic device 10 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “applied firmware”).

<Processing of electronic devices>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the electronic device of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed in the electronic device 10 unpacked by a worker who sets the firmware after the packed electronic device 10 arrives at the destination.

In FIG. 6, in step S101, the processor 12 monitors whether or not the power button 14 is pressed, that is, whether or not the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on, and waits until the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on. (Step S101: No).

When the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on by pressing the power button 14 (step S101: Yes), in step S103, the processor 12 has the applied firmware information FA stored in the storage medium 13 "Null". It is determined whether or not it is. When the applied firmware information FA is "Null" (step S103: Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, when the applied firmware information FA is not "Null", that is, when the name of the applied firmware is already set in the applied firmware information FA (step S103: No), the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the processor 12 determines whether or not the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10. For example, the processor 12 transmits a predetermined request command using the tag reader 11, and the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10 when a predetermined response command to the transmitted request command is received from the IC tag 20. On the other hand, it is determined that the IC tag 20 is not attached to the electronic device 10 when the predetermined response command to the transmitted request command is not received. When the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10 (step S105: Yes), the process proceeds to step S107, and when the IC tag 20 is not attached to the electronic device 10 (step S105: No), the process proceeds to step S107. The process proceeds to step S137 without the process of S107 being performed.

In step S107, the processor 12 displays the warning WA on the display 15. After the process of step S107, the process proceeds to step S137.

In step S109, similarly to step S105, the processor 12 determines whether or not the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10. When the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10 (step S109: Yes), the process proceeds to step S113, and when the IC tag 20 is not attached to the electronic device 10 (step S109: No), the process proceeds. Proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, the processor 12 displays the warning WB on the display 15. After the processing of step S111, the processing proceeds to step S137.

In step S113, the processor 12 outputs the reading instruction to the tag reader 11 so that the tag reader 11 reads the tag information ST from the IC tag 20. The tag reader 11 reads the tag information ST from the IC tag 20 in response to the reading instruction from the processor 12, and outputs the read tag information ST to the processor 12. In this way, the processor 12 acquires the tag information ST from the IC tag 20. As described above, the tag information ST includes the model information MT, the destination information DT, the firmware information FT, and the number of times information NT.

Next, in step S115, the processor 12 determines whether or not the model information MT acquired in step S113 and the model information MA stored in the storage medium 13 match. When the model information MT and the model information MA match (step S115: Yes), the process proceeds to step S117, and when the model information MT and the model information MA do not match (step S115: No), the process proceeds to step S117. Proceed to S119.

In step S119, the processor 12 causes the warning WC to be displayed on the display 15. After the process of step S119, the process proceeds to step S137.

In step S117, the processor 12 determines whether or not the number of times the information can be used n set in the number-of-times information NT acquired in step S113 is “1” or more. When the number of times information can be used n is "1" or more (step S117: Yes), the process proceeds to step S121, and when the number of times information can be used n is less than "1", that is, the number of times information can be used n is When it is "0" (step S117: No), the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the processor 12 displays the warning WD on the display 15. After the processing of step S120, the processing proceeds to step S137.

In step S121, the processor 12 sets the destination information DT acquired in step S113 as the destination information DA in the management information XA stored in the storage medium 13, and stores the firmware information FT acquired in step S113 as the storage medium. Set to the applied firmware information FA stored in 13.

Next, in step S123, the processor 12 selects the applicable firmware from the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium 13 according to the firmware information FT acquired in step S113.

Next, in step S125, the processor 12 deletes the firmware other than the applicable firmware (hereinafter, may be referred to as “non-applicable firmware”) from the storage medium 13 among the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium 13.

Next, in step S127, the processor 12 sets the free area generated by the deletion of the non-applied firmware in the storage medium 13 as the user area.

Next, in step S129, the processor 12 decrements the information usable number n set in the number information NT acquired in step S113. Then, the processor 12 updates the information usable number n set in the number information NT stored in the IC tag 20 by the information usable number n after the decrement via the tag reader 11. That is, in step S129, the processor 12 decrements the information usable number n stored in the IC tag 20 via the tag reader 11.

Next, in step S131, the processor 12 determines whether or not the number of times the information can be used n after decrementing in step S129 is “0”. When the number of times the information can be used after decrement n is "0" (step S131: Yes), the process proceeds to step S133, and when the number of times the information can be used after decrement n is not "0" (step S131: No). ), The process proceeds to step S135 without the process of step S133 being performed.

In step S133, the processor 12 invalidates the tag information ST stored in the IC tag 20 via the tag reader 11.

In step S135, the processor 12 displays the warning WE on the display 15. After the process of step S135, the process proceeds to step S137.

In step S137, the processor 12 turns off the power of the electronic device 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 ends with the process of step S137.

<Operation of electronic devices>
7 to 11 are diagrams provided for explaining an operation example of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a setting example of the tag information ST. In the following, as shown in FIG. 7, in the tag information ST, for example, the model name "PF6800X" is set for the model information MT, the region "North America" is set for the destination information DT, and the firmware information FT. Is set to two different firmware names, "FW-A" and "FW-B", and the number of times information NT is set to "n (times)", which is the number of times the information can be used. An operation example of the electronic device 10 will be described. The number of times the information can be used "n" is set to, for example, the same number as the number of shipments of one lot to the destination of the electronic device 10.

The model information MT, destination information DT, firmware information FT, and frequency information NT for the tag information ST are set by using a tag writer, and can be performed at either the manufacturing factory of the electronic device 10 or the destination of the electronic device 10. You may be broken.

When the tag information ST is set at the manufacturing factory of the electronic device 10, the IC tag 20 to which the tag information ST is set is attached at the time of manufacturing the electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10 to which the IC tag 20 is attached is attached at the manufacturing factory. Is shipped to the destination. The tag information ST may be set before or after the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10. Further, when the tag information ST is set after the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10, the tag information ST may be set either before or after packing the electronic device 10 in the cardboard box. good.

Further, when the tag information ST is set at the destination of the electronic device 10, the IC tag 20 is not attached to the electronic device 10 at the time of shipment of the electronic device 10 from the manufacturing factory to the destination, and the electronic device 10 is used. After arriving at the destination, the IC tag 20 for which the tag information ST is set at the destination is attached to the electronic device 10 by a worker who sets the firmware.

FIG. 8 shows a setting example of the management information XA. In the following, as shown in FIG. 8, at the time of shipment of the electronic device 10, in the management information XA, for example, the model name "PF6800X" is set in the model information MA, and the destination information DA and the applied firmware information FA are set. Will explain an operation example of the electronic device 10 by taking the case where "NUML" is set as an example.

Here, when the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on (step S101: Yes), it is determined whether or not the applied firmware information FA in the management information XA is "Null" (step S103). On the other hand, in step S121, the destination information DT in the tag information ST is set in the destination information DA in the management information XA, and the firmware information FT in the tag information ST is set in the applied firmware information FA in the management information XA. That is, in step S121, as shown in FIG. 9, in the management information XA, the destination information DA is updated from "Null" (FIG. 8) to "North America" (FIG. 9), and the applied firmware information FA is "NULL". "(FIG. 8) is updated to" FW-A "and" FW-B "(FIG. 9). Further, since the process of step S121 is performed only when the applied firmware information FA in the management information XA is "Null" (step S103: Yes), it is a process performed only once for one electronic device 10. be. Therefore, when the applied firmware information FA is determined to be "Null" in step S103, it corresponds to the case where the power-on in step S101 is the first power-on to the electronic device 10, and it has been applied in step S103. When it is determined that the firmware information FA is not "Null", it corresponds to the case where the power-on in step S101 is the second and subsequent power-on for the electronic device 10. That is, in step S103, the processor 12 determines whether or not the power-on of the electronic device 10 is the first power-on by determining whether or not the applied firmware information FA is "Null". There is.

Then, when the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on for the first time (step S103: Yes) and the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10 (step S109: Yes), the processor 12 is a tag reader. 11 is made to read the tag information ST including the firmware information FT from the IC tag 20 (step S113).

Further, when the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on for the first time (step S103: Yes) and the IC tag 20 is not attached to the electronic device 10 (step S109: No), the processor 12 displays. Using the display of 15, a warning is issued as a warning WB to urge the IC tag 20 to be attached to the electronic device 10 (step S111).

Further, when the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on for the second time or later (step S103: No) and the IC tag 20 is attached to the electronic device 10, the processor 12 is turned on (step S105: Yes). , A warning urging the IC tag 20 to be removed from the electronic device 10 is issued as a warning WA using the display of the display 15 (step S107).

Further, since the firmware information FT acquired in step S113 of the processor 12 is “FW-A” and “FW-B” (FIG. 7), in step S123, the firmware information FT is stored in the storage medium 13 at the time of shipment of the electronic device 10. Of the four firmwares FW-A, FW-B, FW-C, and FW-D, two firmwares, firmware FW-A and FW-B, are selected as the applicable firmware. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the processor 12 deletes the two firmwares FW-C and FW-D, which are non-applicable firmwares, from the storage medium 13 in step S125, and in step S127, the firmware FW Set the free area created by deleting -C and FW-D to the user area.

Further, here, since the model information MT (FIG. 7) in the tag information ST and the model information MA (FIGS. 8 and 9) in the management information XA coincide with each other in “PF6800X” (step S115: Yes). The application firmware is selected in step S123. However, as an example, the application firmware is selected in step S123 when the number of times the information can be used n indicated by the number-of-times information NT acquired in step S113 is one or more (step S117: Yes).

Further, for example, when the model information MT in the tag information ST does not match the model information MA "PF6800X" in the management information XA, that is, when the model indicated by the model information MT does not match the model of the electronic device 10. (Step S115: No), the processor 12 uses the display of the display 15 to attach an appropriate IC tag 20 that stores "PF6800X" as the model information MT in the tag information ST as a warning WC to its own machine. A urging warning is issued (step S119).

Further, when the information usable number n is decremented in step S129 and the information usable number n indicated by the information NT acquired in step S113 is 0 (step S117: No), the processor 12 Uses the display of the display 15 to urge the user to attach an appropriate IC tag 20 that stores "1" or more information usable times n as the number of times information NT in the tag information ST as a warning WD. Is issued (step S120).

Further, after selecting the applicable firmware in step S123, the processor 12 issues a warning urging the IC tag 20 to be removed from the electronic device 10 as a warning WE using the display of the display 15 (step S135).

Further, after selecting the applicable firmware in step S123, the processor 12 reduces the number of times information n that can be used in the number information NT stored in the IC tag 20 by one (step S129). Then, when the number of times the information can be used n after being decremented by one is 0 (step S131: Yes), the processor 12 is stored in the IC tag 20 via the tag reader 11 as shown in FIG. All of the model information MT, the destination information DT, the firmware information FT, and the number of times information NT included in the tag information ST are invalidated by updating to "NULL". The processor 12 recognizes that the information set in "Null" is invalid information.

The first embodiment has been described above.

[Example 2]
All or part of each process in the above description in the electronic device 10 may be realized by causing the processor 12 to execute a program corresponding to each process. For example, the program corresponding to each process in the above description may be stored in the storage medium 13, and the program may be read from the storage medium 13 by the processor 12 and executed. Further, the program is stored in a program server connected to the electronic device 10 via an arbitrary network, downloaded from the program server to the electronic device 10 and executed, or stored in a recording medium readable by the electronic device 10. It may be read from the recording medium and executed. The recording medium that can be read by the electronic device 10 includes, for example, a memory card, a USB memory, an SD card, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk. Storage medium is included. The program is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or an arbitrary description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. In addition, the program is not necessarily limited to a single program, but is distributed as multiple modules or multiple libraries, or cooperates with a separate program represented by the OS to achieve its function. Including things.

The second embodiment has been described above.

As described above, the electronic device of the present disclosure (electronic device 10 of Example 1) includes a storage medium (storage medium 13 of Example 1), a tag reader (tag reader 11 of Example 1), and a processor (Example 1). The processor 12) and. The storage medium stores in advance a plurality of firmwares (firmwares FW-A, FW-B, FW-C, FW-D of the first embodiment) having different functions from each other. The tag reader is firmware information (firmware FW-A, FW-B of the first embodiment) which is the firmware applied to the own machine (electronic device 10 of the first embodiment) among a plurality of firmwares. The firmware information is read from the IC tag (IC tag 20 of the first embodiment) that stores the firmware information FT of the first embodiment. The processor selects the applicable firmware from a plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium according to the firmware information read by the tag reader.

By doing so, the appropriate firmware corresponding to each electronic device can be automatically set in the electronic device, so that the man-hours required for setting the firmware can be reduced.

Further, the IC tag of the present disclosure is an IC tag that can be attached to and removed from the own machine.

By doing so, the same firmware can be set for a plurality of electronic devices using one IC tag.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure determines whether or not the power-on of the own machine is the first power-on and whether or not the IC tag is attached to the own machine, and the power-on is the first power-on and the power is turned on. When the IC tag is attached to the own machine, have the tag reader read the firmware information from the IC tag.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the tag reader from failing to read the firmware information from the IC tag.

In addition, the processor of the present disclosure warns that the IC tag should be attached to the own machine when the power of the own machine is the first power-on and the IC tag is not attached to the own machine (implementation). Issue the warning WB) of Example 1.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the IC tag from not being attached to the electronic device when reading the firmware information from the IC tag.

In addition, the processor of the present disclosure warns that the IC tag should be removed from the own machine when the power of the own machine is turned on for the second time or later and the IC tag is attached to the own machine. The warning WA) of the first embodiment is issued.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the IC tag from being left attached to the electronic device for which the firmware has already been set.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure deletes non-applicable firmware (firmware FW-C, FW-D of Example 1), which is firmware other than the applicable firmware, from the storage medium among the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium. ..

By doing so, unnecessary firmware can be deleted and free space can be provided in the storage medium.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure sets a free area generated by the deletion of non-applied firmware in the storage medium as a user area.

By doing so, the free area of the storage medium can be effectively utilized as the user area.

Further, the tag reader of the present disclosure reads the firmware information and the model information from the IC tag that stores the firmware information and the model information (model information MT of the first embodiment) which is the information indicating the model of the electronic device. Further, the processor of the present disclosure selects the applicable firmware when the model indicated by the model information matches the model of the own machine (“PF6800X” of the first embodiment).

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the firmware applied to the electronic devices of different models from being accidentally set in the own device.

In addition, the processor of the present disclosure warns that when the model indicated by the model information does not match the model of the own machine, an appropriate IC tag for storing the model information of the own machine is attached to the own machine (Example 1). Warning WC) is issued.

By doing so, the firmware setting interrupted by the invalid IC tag can be redone using the appropriate IC tag.

Further, the tag reader of the present disclosure is an IC that stores the firmware information and the number of times information (number of times information NT of the first embodiment) that is information indicating the number of times the firmware information can be used (the number of times the information can be used in the first embodiment n). Read the firmware information and the number of times information from the tag. Further, the processor of the present disclosure selects the applicable firmware when the number of times of use indicated by the number-of-times information is one or more (that is, when n ≧ 1 in Example 1).

By doing so, the number of electronic devices for which the firmware is set can be limited to a desired number.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure stores one or more usable times as the number of times information when the number of times of use indicated by the number of times information is 0 (that is, when n = 0 in Example 1). It issues a warning (warning WD of Example 1) prompting that an appropriate IC tag be attached to the own machine.

By doing so, the firmware setting interrupted by the invalid IC tag can be redone using the appropriate IC tag.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure issues a warning (warning WE of the first embodiment) prompting the user to remove the IC tag from the own machine after selecting the applicable firmware.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the IC tag from the electronic device for which the firmware has been set.

Further, the processor of the present disclosure reduces the usable number of times in the number-of-times information stored in the IC tag by 1 time after selecting the applicable firmware, and when the usable number of times after the 1-time reduction is 0 (that is,). , When n = 0 after decrement of n in Example 1), the firmware information stored in the IC tag is invalidated.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the used IC tag.

10 Electronic equipment 11 Tag reader 12 Processor 13 Storage medium 14 Power button 15 Display 20 IC tag

Claims (14)

A storage medium that stores multiple firmwares with different functions in advance,
A tag reader that reads the firmware information from an IC tag that stores firmware information that is information indicating the applicable firmware that is the firmware that is applied to the own machine among the plurality of firmwares.
A processor that selects the applicable firmware from the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium according to the firmware information read by the tag reader.
Electronic device equipped with. The IC tag is an IC tag that can be attached to and removed from the own machine.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The processor determines whether or not the power-on of the own machine is the first power-on and whether or not the IC tag is attached to the own machine, and the power-on is the first power-on and the IC. When the tag is attached to the own machine, the tag reader is made to read the firmware information from the IC tag.
The electronic device according to claim 1. When the power-on is the first power-on and the IC tag is not attached to the own machine, the processor issues a warning urging the IC tag to be attached to the own machine.
The electronic device according to claim 3. When the power is turned on for the second time or later and the IC tag is attached to the own machine, the processor issues a warning urging the IC tag to be removed from the own machine.
The electronic device according to claim 3. The processor deletes non-applicable firmware, which is firmware other than the applicable firmware, from the storage medium among the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The processor sets a free area generated by the deletion of the non-applicable firmware in the storage medium as a user area.
The electronic device according to claim 6. The tag reader reads the firmware information and the model information from the IC tag that stores the firmware information and model information that is information indicating a model of an electronic device.
The processor selects the applicable firmware when the model indicated by the model information matches the model of the own machine.
The electronic device according to claim 1. When the model indicated by the model information does not match the model of the own machine, the processor issues a warning prompting the player to attach an appropriate IC tag for storing the model information of the own machine to the own machine.
The electronic device according to claim 8. The tag reader reads the firmware information and the number of times information from the IC tag that stores the firmware information and the number of times information indicating the number of times the firmware information can be used.
The processor selects the applicable firmware when the usable number of times indicated by the number-of-times information is one or more times.
The electronic device according to claim 1. When the usable number of times indicated by the number-of-times information is 0, the processor prompts the user to attach an appropriate IC tag that stores one or more usable times as the number-of-times information. Emit,
The electronic device according to claim 10. After selecting the applicable firmware, the processor issues a warning prompting the user to remove the IC tag from the machine.
The electronic device according to claim 1. After selecting the applicable firmware, the processor reduces the usable number of times in the number-of-times information stored in the IC tag by one, and when the usable number of times after subtracting by one is 0, the processor The firmware information stored in the IC tag is invalidated.
The electronic device according to claim 10. This is a firmware selection method for electronic devices.
The storage medium included in the electronic device previously stores a plurality of firmwares having different functions.
The tag reader included in the electronic device reads the firmware information from the IC tag that stores the firmware information which is the information indicating the applicable firmware which is the firmware applied to the electronic device among the plurality of firmwares.
The processor included in the electronic device selects the applicable firmware from the plurality of firmwares stored in the storage medium according to the firmware information read by the tag reader.
Firmware selection method.

Images