JP4363312B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that improves business performance such as a maintenance service and a pay service with improved functions by selecting rewritable firmware according to an operator who performs rewriting.

  The firmware is a control program positioned between the hardware and the software, which is incorporated to control the hardware that is an electronic device. A technique is used in which a plurality of types of firmware are prepared, and different functions are incorporated into different hardware in the same configuration. For example, in recent years, facsimile multifunction devices equipped with a copy function, a scan function, a printer function, and a FAX function have been put into practical use. By changing the type of firmware incorporated in the facsimile multifunction device, the function can be increased or decreased. Can change its function (commercial value). Further, by changing the firmware, it is possible to change the manufacturer of the destination or change the country of the destination.

  Conventionally, the firmware has been changed by exchanging the ROM in which the firmware is stored. Recently, however, a connection interface for a compact flash (registered trademark) card (hereinafter referred to as a CF card) is provided in the hardware. A method for changing (updating) firmware by connecting a CF card storing desired firmware has been proposed. According to this method, it is very easy to cope with a bug and to cope with version upgrade, the burden on the service provider is reduced, and the cost is useful.

  However, since the firmware can be easily changed with the above configuration, it is assumed that various humans perform the rewriting process. Therefore, the unauthorized person rewrites the wrong firmware, and the electronic device has a problem. In some cases, there is a possibility that even an electronic device cannot be started up.

Therefore, a firmware update method has been disclosed in which it is confirmed whether firmware update is allowed for each electronic device, and the update is performed only for the permitted electronic device (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent). Reference 2).
JP-A-11-149379 JP 2002-132368 A

  The conventional technique is to determine whether or not the electronic device is a device that may update the firmware by using an identifier. If the identifiers match, the firmware is updated. If they do not match, the firmware is not updated. However, there are various types of firmware, such as those that may be rewritten by the user of the electronic device and those that should be rewritten by the service provider. Since a uniform judgment is made regardless of the provider, etc., a check according to the operator is not performed, and an appropriate judgment cannot be made.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and improves business performance such as maintenance service and paid service with improved functions by selecting rewritable firmware according to the operator who performs rewriting. The purpose is to provide electronic devices that can be used.

An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a mounting unit capable of mounting a storage medium storing firmware attached with first specifying information for specifying a compatible device, and a first storage unit for storing the firmware. An electronic device comprising: second storage means for storing second specification information for specifying the device itself; means for reading firmware from the storage medium; first specification information attached to the read firmware; A determination unit that determines whether or not the specific information matches; a reception unit that receives an input of authentication information for guaranteeing the validity of the operator; and the determination unit includes the first specific information and the second specific information. If it is determined that the specific information does not match, when the authentication information received by the receiving unit is active, it determines to store the firmware in the first storage means, When serial authentication information is not valid, characterized in that it comprises a determination means for determining not to store the firmware in the first storage means.

In the first invention, the second specific information for specifying the device itself is stored, the firmware is read from the storage medium, and the first specific information attached to the firmware matches the second specific information. Determine whether or not. That is, it is determined whether the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device. When it is determined that the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, when the authentication information for guaranteeing the legitimacy of the operator is valid, it is determined that the firmware is stored in the first storage unit, and the authentication information When is not valid, it is determined that the firmware is not stored in the first storage means. Thereby, the firmware can be changed even when the first specific information and the second specific information do not match. In other words, it is possible to select a rewritable firmware in accordance with the operator, it is Rukoto improve the business property, such as maintenance, paid service functions up.

In the electronic device according to the second aspect of the invention, the firmware is also accompanied by first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility, and the second storage means determines hardware compatibility. The second hardware information is stored, and the determination means determines whether the first hardware information attached to the read firmware matches the second hardware information, and the determination means Is determined not to store the firmware in the first storage means when the determination means determines that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match.

In the second invention, the firmware stored in the storage medium is also accompanied by the first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility, and the second storage means has hardware compatibility. Second hardware information for determination is stored. The determination means determines that the firmware read from the storage medium is not stored in the first storage means when the determination means determines that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match. That is, when the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match, there is a possibility that the electronic device may malfunction, and in some cases it may not be possible to start up the electronic device. Ban. That is, in this case, the determination is made regardless of the authentication information.

The electronic device according to a third aspect of the present invention stores the firmware in the first storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first specific information matches the second specific information. It is comprised by these.
In the third invention, when it is determined that the first specific information and the second specific information match, the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device. The firmware is allowed to be changed because there is no risk of malfunction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: mounting means capable of mounting a storage medium storing firmware attached with first specifying information for specifying a compatible apparatus; and storage means for storing the firmware. An old firmware attached with second specifying information for specifying a compatible device is stored in the storage means, and means for reading the firmware from the storage medium and attached to the read firmware A determination unit that determines whether or not the first specific information and the second specific information match; a reception unit that receives an input of authentication information for guaranteeing the legitimacy of an operator; and the determination unit When it is determined that the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, and the authentication information received by the receiving unit is valid, the firmware Determines to store in the storage means, when the authentication information is not valid, characterized in that it comprises a determination means for determining not to store the firmware in the storage means.

In the fourth invention, the second specifying information for specifying a compatible device is attached to the old firmware already stored on the electronic device side, and the firmware is read from the storage medium and attached to the firmware. It is determined whether the first specific information matches the second specific information attached to the old firmware. That is, it is determined whether the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device. When it is determined that the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, it is determined that the firmware is stored in the storage means when the authentication information for guaranteeing the validity of the operator is valid, and the authentication information is valid If not, it is determined that the firmware is not stored in the storage means. Thereby, the firmware can be changed even when the first specific information and the second specific information do not match. In other words, rewritable firmware can be selected according to the operator, and business performance such as maintenance service and paid service with improved functions can be improved.

In the electronic device according to the fifth invention, the firmware stored in the storage medium is also accompanied by first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility.
  The storage means stores old firmware attached with second hardware information for determining hardware compatibility, and the determination means includes the first hardware information attached to the read firmware. And the second hardware information match, and the determination means determines that the determination means does not match the first hardware information and the second hardware information The firmware is determined not to be stored in the storage means.

In the fifth invention, the firmware stored in the storage medium is also accompanied with the first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility, and the storage means determines hardware compatibility. Second hardware information is stored. The determination unit determines that the firmware read from the storage medium is not stored in the storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match. In other words, when the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match, there is a possibility that the electronic device may malfunction and in some cases it may not be possible to start up the electronic device. Ban. That is, in this case, the determination is made regardless of the authentication information.

An electronic apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the invention is configured to store the firmware in the storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first specific information matches the second specific information. It is characterized by being.
In the sixth invention, if it is determined that the first specific information and the second specific information match, the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device, that is, the electronic device The firmware is allowed to be changed because there is no risk of malfunction.
In the electronic device according to a seventh aspect of the invention, the first specifying information and the second specifying information include at least one of first information indicating a model, second information indicating a function, and third information indicating a country of use. It is characterized by.
In the seventh invention, the first specifying information and the second specifying information include at least one of the first information indicating the model, the second information indicating the function, and the third information indicating the country of use, Firmware changes can be selected at different information levels. For example, an operator who is permitted to change the firmware at the model level, an operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the function level, and an operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the country name level are identified by the authentication information. The firmware can be changed according to the situation.

  According to the present invention, firmware can be changed even when the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. In other words, rewritable firmware can be selected according to the operator, and business performance such as maintenance service and paid service with improved functions can be improved. For example, by attaching the second specific information to the old firmware already stored on the electronic device side, it is possible to determine whether the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device using the second specific information. Can be determined.

  According to the present invention, when the first specific information and the second specific information include the first information indicating the model, the second information indicating the function, or the third information indicating the country of use, the respective information levels You can select to change the firmware. For example, an operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the model level, an operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the function level, and an operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the country level are identified by the authentication information. The firmware can be changed according to the situation.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when it determines with 1st hardware information and 2nd hardware information being inconsistent, a change of firmware can be prohibited and it can prevent that an electronic device malfunctions.

  According to the present invention, when it is determined that the first specific information matches the second specific information, the firmware to be changed is compatible with the electronic device, that is, the electronic device has a problem. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the processing by permitting the change of the firmware without performing the determination processing based on the authentication information.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile composite apparatus which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a flash memory 11, a RAM 12, a reading unit 13, a recording unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a codec unit 17, an image memory 18, a modem 19, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 20. , A PC interface unit 21, a memory card interface unit 22, and the like. The facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 has a reading function for reading an original by the reading unit 13 to obtain image data, read image data, image data received by facsimile communication, or image data corresponding to image data received from an externally connected PC. The recording unit 14 has a recording function and a transmission function for facsimile transmission of the read image data or the received image data.

  Specifically, the control unit 10 is constituted by a CPU, and is connected to the above-described hardware units of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 to control them and according to a control program stored in the flash memory 11. Perform various software functions. The flash memory 11 is an internal memory (built-in memory) built in the apparatus in advance, and stores firmware 11a, which is various control programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1, in advance. It is the gist of the present invention to prevent changes from being made. The firmware 11a is attached with second specifying information for specifying a compatible device, that is, specifying a compatible device attribute. The second specifying information includes model information, function information, country name information, and hardware information. The RAM 12 stores temporary data generated when executing a software function.

  The model information is information that can identify a model such as a manufacturer name and product name, the function information is information that can identify functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a printer function, and a FAX function, and the country name information is information that can identify a country of use. Further, the hardware information is information such as the product number of the board that causes a malfunction when firmware is installed in a non-conforming device.

  The reading unit 13 reads a document using a CCD image sensor, for example, and outputs the read image data. The optical unit irradiates and scans the original fed to the platen glass, and the reflected light from the original is taken into the CCD image sensor via a mirror, a lens, etc., and the scanned original image data is read. The read image data is output after being subjected to shading processing or the like.

  The recording unit 14 is an electrophotographic printer device, and is an image corresponding to image data of a document read by the reading unit 13, image data received by facsimile communication, image data sent from an external PC, and the like. On the paper. The display unit 15 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display, displays the operating state of the facsimile multifunction device 1, displays a screen prompting the user to input an operation, or reads an image of a document read for transmission. Data, image data transmitted from other facsimile machines or PCs, etc. are displayed.

  The codec unit 17 encodes and compresses the image data and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The image memory 18 stores image data encoded by reading a document, image data received from another facsimile multifunction peripheral or PC, and encoded.

  The modem 19 is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 19 is directly connected to the NCU 20. The NCU 20 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line L1 with a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and connects the modem 19 to the PSTN as necessary. The facsimile complex apparatus 1 is connected to other facsimile apparatuses by PSTN so that normal facsimile communication can be performed. The PC interface unit 21 is connected to an external PC via a communication line L2 such as a LAN, and exchanges data with the PC. Various image data created and edited by an external PC are transmitted to the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 (PC interface unit 21) via the communication line L2, and an image corresponding to the transmitted image data is transmitted to the facsimile multifunction apparatus. 1 (recording unit 14) is printed out on paper.

  The memory card interface unit 22 is a connection unit for mounting a CF card 30 that is an external storage medium (portable storage medium) that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus. The firmware 30a attached with the first specifying information for specifying the device attribute is stored. The first specific information is model information, function information, country name information, and hardware information, like the second specific information. That is, the first specific information and the second specific information are used to determine the firmware to be written in the facsimile multifunction apparatus.

  When a user such as a service provider connects (inserts) the CF card 30 to the memory card interface unit 22, the control unit 10 appropriately stores the firmware 30 a stored in the CF card 30 through the memory card interface unit 22. to access.

  The operation unit 16 is for operating the multifunction facsimile apparatus and includes various function keys. As function keys characteristic of the present invention, there are a firmware change key 16a for setting whether or not to change firmware, and an authentication information input key 16b for accepting input of authentication information from the user. When the authentication information is a character string such as a general password, the authentication information input key 16b is specifically composed of a character key, a numeric keypad, and the like. Authentication information is generally a password, but is not limited as long as it can guarantee the legitimacy of the operator. For example, it uses human physical features such as fingerprints, retina, iris and voiceprint. The security level can be increased by using biometric authentication. Needless to say, a short dial key, a one-touch dial key, and the like (not shown) are provided as in the conventional facsimile multifunction apparatus. In addition, by using the touch panel system for the display unit 15, some or all of the various function keys of the operation unit 16 can be substituted.

Next, the operation of the firmware change process in the facsimile multifunction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the firmware update process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The control unit 10 determines whether or not firmware change processing is set based on whether or not the firmware change key 16a is pressed (step S1). When the firmware update process is not set (S1: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to S1.

  When the firmware change process is set (S1: YES), the control unit 10 reads the firmware 30a stored in the CF card 30 through the memory card interface unit 22, and the first identification attached to the firmware 30a. Information (first model information, first function information, first country name information, first hardware information) is extracted (step S2). In addition, the control unit 10 extracts second specific information (second model information, second function information, second country name information, second hardware information) attached to the firmware 11 a stored in the flash memory 11. (Step S3).

  And the control part 10 determines whether 1st hardware information and 2nd hardware information correspond, ie, it is hardware compatibility (step S4). In S4, when it is determined that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match (S4: NO), an operation failure occurs, so that the control unit 10 is prohibited from changing the firmware. An error display indicating that it is present is displayed on the display unit 15 to notify the user (step S15). In this way, the firmware is prohibited from being changed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S4 that the first hardware information and the second hardware information match (S4: YES), the control unit 10 determines that the first model information and the second model information are It is determined whether or not they match (step S5).

  If it is determined in S5 that the first model information and the second model information do not match (S5: NO), the control unit 10 accepts input of authentication information from the user using the authentication information input key 16b. (Step S6), it is determined whether or not the received authentication information is valid (Step S7). If the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) in S7 (S7: NO), the process proceeds to S15, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S7: YES) and when it is determined that the first model information matches the second model information (S5: YES), the control unit 10 It is determined whether or not the first function information matches the second function information (step S8).

  When it is determined in S8 that the first function information and the second function information do not match (S8: NO), the control unit 10 accepts the authentication information input from the user with the authentication information input key 16b. (Step S9), it is determined whether or not the received authentication information is valid (Step S10). If the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) in S10 (S10: NO), the process proceeds to S15, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S10: YES), and when it is determined that the first function information matches the second function information (S8: YES), the control unit 10 It is determined whether or not the first country name information matches the second country name information (step S11).

  When it is determined in S11 that the first country name information and the second country name information do not match (S11: NO), the control unit 10 accepts the input of authentication information from the user with the authentication information input key 16b. (Step S12), it is determined whether or not the received authentication information is valid (Step S13). In S13, when the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) (S13: NO), the process proceeds to S15, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S13: YES) and when it is determined that the first country name information and the second country name information match (S11: YES), the control unit 10 The firmware 30a read from the CF card 30 is transmitted to the flash memory 11 (step S14). As a result, the firmware 11a of the facsimile multifunction machine 1 is changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, the firmware can be changed when the received authentication information is valid. In other words, the operator who is permitted to change the firmware at the model level, the operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the function level, and the operator who is allowed to change the firmware at the country level are identified by the authentication information. The firmware can be changed according to the situation. Therefore, rewritable firmware can be selected according to the operator, and business performance such as maintenance service and paid service with improved functions can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the first model information, the first function information, and the first country name information in the first identification information, and the second model information, the second function information, and the first in the second identification information. When the two country name information does not match each other, the input of the authentication information is accepted. When the authentication information is valid, the firmware is changed even if the first specific information and the second specific information do not match. First, input of authentication information is accepted, and if the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, it may be determined whether or not the firmware is still changed. This is the second embodiment.

  Since the configuration of the facsimile multifunction peripheral which is an example of the electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted and the operation procedure is described. Clarify the differences.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the firmware update process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The control unit 10 determines whether or not the firmware change process is set based on whether or not the firmware change key 16a is pressed (step S21). If the firmware update process is not set (S21: NO), the process returns to S21.

  When the firmware update process is set (S21: YES), the control unit 10 receives an input of authentication information from the user using the authentication information input key 16b (step S22). Then, the control unit 10 reads the firmware 30a stored in the CF card 30 through the memory card interface unit 22, and the first specific information (first model information, first function information, first information attached to the firmware 30a). 1 country name information and 1st hardware information) are extracted (step S23). In addition, the control unit 10 extracts second specific information (second model information, second function information, second country name information, second hardware information) attached to the firmware 11 a stored in the flash memory 11. (Step S24).

  Then, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the first hardware information and the second hardware information match, that is, whether or not there is hardware compatibility (step S25). When it is determined in S25 that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match (S25: NO), the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. 15 to notify the user (step S33). On the other hand, when it is determined in S25 that the first hardware information and the second hardware information match (S25: YES), the control unit 10 determines that the first model information and the second model information are the same. It is determined whether or not they match (step S26).

  If it is determined in S26 that the first model information does not match the second model information (S26: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether the authentication information received in S22 is valid. (Step S27). If the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) in S27 (S27: NO), the process proceeds to S33, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S27: YES) and when it is determined that the first model information and the second model information match (S26: YES), the control unit 10 It is determined whether or not the first function information matches the second function information (step S28).

  When it is determined in S28 that the first function information and the second function information do not match (S28: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the authentication information received in S22 is valid. (Step S29). If the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) in S29 (S29: NO), the process proceeds to S33, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S29: YES) and when it is determined that the first function information matches the second function information (S28: YES), the control unit 10 It is determined whether or not the first country name information matches the second country name information (step S30).

  If it is determined in S30 that the first country name information and the second country name information do not match (S30: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the authentication information received in S22 is valid. (Step S31). In S31, when the received authentication information is not valid (invalid) (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S33, and the control unit 10 displays an error display indicating that the firmware change is prohibited. To display to the user. On the other hand, when the received authentication information is valid (S31: YES) and when it is determined that the first country name information and the second country name information match (S30: YES), the control unit 10 The firmware 30a read from the CF card 30 is transmitted to the flash memory 11 (step S32). As a result, the firmware 11a of the facsimile multifunction machine 1 is changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, the firmware can be changed when the received authentication information is valid. That is, similar to the first embodiment, rewritable firmware can be selected according to the operator, and business performance such as maintenance service and paid service with improved functions can be improved. Further, according to the present embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, the authentication information needs to be input only once, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In each embodiment, the processing related to the firmware change is executed by pressing the firmware change key 16a. However, when the CF card 30 is mounted on the memory card interface unit 22, the user can change the firmware. Therefore, if the controller 10 detects that the CF card 30 is inserted, the controller 10 may execute the process without pressing the firmware change key 16a.

  In each embodiment, the case where the first specific information and the second specific information include model information, function information, country name information, and hardware information has been described. However, at least one of the above-described information is included. It may be the case. The external storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus is not limited to the CF card, but may be a small memory card such as an SD memory card, a memory stick, or smart media, or a small hard disk apparatus such as a microdrive. Good.

  In each embodiment, the case where the second specific information is attached to the firmware 11a (old firmware) stored in the flash memory 11 has been described. However, the second specific information is information that identifies the device itself, In other words, the information may be stored in the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 as information for specifying its own attribute, and the first specific information and the second specific information do not match by the same processing as in each embodiment. Even in this case, the firmware can be changed when the received authentication information is valid.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment, the facsimile composite apparatus has been described as an electronic device. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an electronic device controlled by firmware.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the facsimile compound apparatus which is an example of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the firmware change process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the firmware change process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the firmware change process which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the firmware change process which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile compound machine 10 Control part 11 Flash memory 11a Firmware 15 Display part 16 Operation part 16a Firmware change key 16b Authentication information input key 22 Memory card interface part 30 Compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card)
30a firmware

Claims (7)

Mounting means capable of mounting a storage medium storing firmware attached with first specifying information for specifying a compatible device;
An electronic device comprising: first storage means for storing firmware;
Second storage means for storing second specifying information for specifying the device itself;
Means for reading firmware from the storage medium;
Determination means for determining whether or not the first specific information attached to the read firmware matches the second specific information;
Accepting means for accepting input of authentication information for guaranteeing the legitimacy of the operator ;
When the determination means determines that the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, and the authentication information received by the reception means is valid , the firmware is stored in the first storage means. An electronic device comprising: a determination unit that determines to store and determines that the firmware is not stored in the first storage unit when the authentication information is not valid . The firmware is also accompanied by first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility,
The second storage means stores second hardware information for determining hardware compatibility,
The determination unit determines whether the first hardware information attached to the read firmware matches the second hardware information,
The determination unit determines not to store the firmware in the first storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match.
The electronic device according to claim 1 . The firmware is stored in the first storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first specific information and the second specific information match. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2. Mounting means capable of mounting a storage medium storing firmware attached with first specifying information for specifying a compatible device;
Storage means for storing firmware; and
An electronic device comprising:
The storage means stores old firmware attached with second specifying information for specifying a compatible device,
Means for reading firmware from the storage medium;
Determination means for determining whether or not the first specific information attached to the read firmware matches the second specific information;
Accepting means for accepting input of authentication information for guaranteeing the legitimacy of the operator;
When the determination means determines that the first specific information and the second specific information do not match, and the authentication information received by the reception means is valid, the firmware is stored in the storage means Determining means for determining that the firmware is not stored in the storage means when the authentication information is not valid;
An electronic device comprising: The firmware stored in the storage medium is also accompanied by first hardware information for determining hardware compatibility.
The storage means stores old firmware attached with second hardware information for determining hardware compatibility,
The determination means determines whether the first hardware information attached to the read firmware matches the second hardware information,
The determination unit determines not to store the firmware in the storage unit when the determination unit determines that the first hardware information and the second hardware information do not match.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4. The firmware is stored in the storage means when the determination means determines that the first specific information and the second specific information match.
The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The first specific information and the second specific information include at least one of first information indicating a model, second information indicating a function, and third information indicating a country of use.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein:

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