JP4432940B2 - Network system, client device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system capable of updating a program stored in a device directly or indirectly connected to a network.

  With the spread of network technology, a technique for providing and updating a program stored in a network-connected device from a server device on the network has been proposed.

  For example, in a version management server connected to a program execution terminal via a network, an update file for a predetermined program and its version information are received and stored, and based on the version information received from the program execution terminal A technique has been proposed in which an update file necessary for obtaining the latest version is transmitted to the program execution terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, a technique using a two-dimensional code has been proposed as a technique related to network access (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-259128 A JP 2002-111909 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the program execution terminal (update-file-provided device. The “program execution terminal” corresponds to the “client device” in the present invention, and the “update file” in the present invention. "(First) update program"), when updating a predetermined program, first, it is necessary to uniformly check the existence of the update file on the version management server (update file providing side device). . That is, the program execution terminal and the version management server communicate with each other to confirm the update of a predetermined program stored in the program execution terminal.

  Here, the communication between the program execution terminal and the version management server may result in a problem of network traffic if the program execution terminal does not need to be updated. For the version management server, the version management server From the viewpoint of the processing capability, it is necessary to execute communication for confirming the existence of the update file in addition to communication for transmission of the update program, which causes an excessive burden.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a nutwork system capable of suppressing network traffic in communication between a providing side device and a provided side device when providing an update program and executing a control program update process easily and reliably. Objective.

  The present invention, which has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, includes image reading means for reading a recording medium on which an information code relating to the update of a control program is recorded, and model information relating to the same apparatus as the first model information for identifying the client apparatus. In addition, the information code includes update program information indicating that the first control program should be updated in contrast to the first program information for identifying the first control program stored in the client device. The client device includes: a first transmission unit that requests the server device to transmit the first update program; and a first update unit that updates the first control program. A network system including a server device that transmits a first update program to the client device.

  According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application, it is possible to obtain a network system capable of suppressing network traffic when the first control program of the client device is easily, reliably and efficiently updated.

  According to the invention of claim 2, there is no need to use a recording medium in which an information code is written for each model to be updated, and a network system that can efficiently and reliably update a control program efficiently. Obtainable.

  According to the invention of claim 3, a network system capable of suppressing network traffic upon easy, reliable and efficient updating of the second control program for the terminal device capable of data communication with the client device is obtained. be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a network system capable of suppressing network traffic during easy, reliable and efficient updating of the second control program for the terminal device capable of data communication with the client device is obtained. be able to.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the client device constituting the network system according to the first aspect can be obtained.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a program capable of realizing the client device according to the fourth aspect can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present application can provide a client device and a first update program for updating a first control program of the client device stored in the client device to the client device via the network. A network system including a first server device, wherein the client device stores first control program storage means for storing the first control program and first model information for identifying the client device. 1 model information storage means, first program information storage means for storing first program information for identifying the first control program, model information recorded on a recording medium for identifying each device, and an update program Read an information code including update program information to be executed and address information of the server device. An image reading means capable of reading, the first model information judging means for judging whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information relating to the same device as the first model information, First update for determining whether the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means is information indicating that the first control program should be updated in comparison with the first program information The update program is stored in the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on the condition that the program information determination unit, the first model information determination unit, and the first update program information determination unit are positively determined. A first transmission means for transmitting the first request information of the first update program relating to the information via the network, and a first request by the first transmission means. First update program receiving means for receiving a first update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition of transmission of information, and reception of the first update program by the first update program reception means on condition First update means for updating the first control program using the first update program, wherein the server device stores update program storage means for storing the first update program, and the first update program storage means. Third receiving means for receiving request information; and third transmitting means for transmitting the first update program to the client device on condition that the first receiving information is received by the third receiving means. It is a network system.

  Thereby, when the first control program of the client device needs to be updated, that is, for updating the first control program stored in the own device for the own device (the device to which the update program is provided). On condition that it is determined that the latest first update program exists, the first transmission means requests the server device to transmit the first update program, and therefore suppresses communication between the client device and the server device. can do.

  Note that the necessity of updating the first control program can be easily and reliably determined on the receiving side of the update program by reading the information code recorded on the recording medium.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the image reading unit is capable of reading a plurality of information codes recorded on the recording medium, and the first model information determining unit is read by the image reading unit. It is possible to determine whether any of the model information of the plurality of information codes is information indicating the same device as the first model information, and the first update program information determination unit is read by the image reading unit Whether any of the update program information of the plurality of information codes is information indicating that the first control program in the first control program storage means should be updated in comparison with the first program information. The first transmission means may affirm the judgment by the first model information judgment means and the first update program information judgment means for one information code. The first request information of the first update program related to the update program information is transmitted via the network to the server device indicated by the address information included in the one information code. The network system according to Item 1.

  Thereby, the information code concerning provision of the update program of the control program stored in the client device can be selected from the plurality of information codes.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the network system includes a terminal device connected so as to be able to perform data communication with the client device, and the terminal device stores a second control program for the terminal device. Program storage means; second model information storage means for storing second model information for identifying the terminal device; second program information storage means for storing second program information for identifying the second control program; A search request receiving means for receiving a search request transmitted from the client device, including model information and update program information included in the information code read by the image reading means, and a search received by the search request receiving means A second model information judging means for judging whether the requested model information is information related to the same device as the second model information; Second update for determining whether the update program information of the search request received by the search request receiving means is information indicating that the second control program should be updated in comparison with the second program information. Subject to affirmative determination by the program information determination means, the second model information determination means, and the second update program information determination means, the client apparatus is provided with a second request for update program information of the search request. Second transmission means for transmitting a transmission request for two update programs; second reception means for receiving the second update program transmitted from the client device on condition that a transmission request is transmitted by the second transmission means; The second control program is used as the second control program on condition that the second receiving means receives the second update program. Second update means for updating the client device, wherein the client device transmits the search request and the second update program to the terminal device, and transmits the transmission request from the terminal device. A first communication unit for receiving, and the first transmission unit includes a second update program stored in the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on condition that a transmission request is received by the first communication unit. Second request information of the second update program related to the information is transmitted via the network, and the first update program receiving means is conditioned on transmission of the second request information by the first transmission means. Receiving the second update program transmitted from the network via the network, and in the server device, the update program storage means includes the second update program And the third receiving means receives the second request information, and the third transmitting means executes the second update program on the condition that the second receiving information is received by the third receiving means. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network system transmits to a client device.

  Thereby, when the second control program of the terminal device needs to be updated, that is, the second control stored in the terminal device for the terminal device capable of data communication with the client device (device to which the update program is provided). Since the first transmission means requests the server device to transmit the second update program on the condition that it is determined that there is a latest second update program for updating the program for use, it is unnecessary for the server device. Communication can be suppressed.

  Note that the necessity for updating the second control program can be easily and reliably determined on the receiving side of the update program by reading the information code recorded on the recording medium.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the network system includes a terminal device connected to the client device so as to be able to perform data communication, and the terminal device stores a second control program for the terminal device. Program storage means; second model information storage means for storing second model information for identifying the terminal device; second program information storage means for storing second program information for identifying the second control program; Second communication for receiving a search request for the second model information and second program information transmitted from the client device, and transmitting the second model information and second program information to the client device Means for receiving a second update program for updating the second control program transmitted from the client device; And a second update means for updating the second control program using the second update program on condition that a second update program is received by the second communication means. The device transmits the search request and the second update program to the terminal device, and receives the second model information and the second program information from the terminal device. And the first model information determining means can determine whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information relating to the same device as the second model information. 1 update program information judging means, wherein the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means is compared with the second program information, the second control program. It is possible to determine whether or not the information indicates that the gram should be updated, and the first transmission unit performs an affirmative determination by the first model information determination unit and the first update program information determination unit. As a condition, second request information of the second update program related to the second update program information is transmitted to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code via the network, and the first update program The reception means receives a second update program transmitted from the server apparatus via a network on condition that the second transmission information is transmitted by the first transmission means. In the server apparatus, the update program storage means The second update program is stored, the third receiving means receives the second request information, and the third transmitting means is stored in the third receiving means. The network system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second update program is transmitted to the client device on condition that the second request information is received.

  Thereby, when the second control program of the terminal device needs to be updated, that is, the second control stored in the terminal device for the terminal device capable of data communication with the client device (device to which the update program is provided). Since the first transmission means requests the server device to transmit the second update program on the condition that it is determined that there is a latest second update program for updating the program for use, it is unnecessary for the server device. Communication can be suppressed.

  Note that the necessity for updating the second control program is determined easily and reliably on the recipient side of the update program by recording an information code including information related to the update program on a recording medium and reading it. can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first update program for updating the first control program is provided from the server device capable of providing the first control program via the network, and the first update program is received. A client device capable of updating one control program, a first control program storage means for storing the first control program, and a first model information storage for storing first model information for identifying the client device Means, first program information storage means for storing first program information for identifying the first control program, model information recorded on a recording medium for identifying each device, and update program information for identifying an update program And an image reading unit capable of reading an information code including address information of the server device, and reading by the image reading unit A first model information judging means for judging whether the model information of the received information code is information relating to the same device as the first model information, and update program information of the information code read by the image reading means. First update program information determining means for determining whether the first control program should be updated as compared with the first program information; and the first model information determining means; The first request information of the first update program related to the update program information is sent to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code, subject to a positive determination by the first update program information determination means. A first transmission means for transmitting via the network, and transmission of the first request information by the first transmission means, from the server device to the network The first update program receiving means for receiving the first update program transmitted via the first update program and the first control program on the condition that the first update program receiving means receives the first update program. And a first update means for updating using an update program.

  Thereby, when the first control program of the client device needs to be updated, that is, for updating the first control program stored in the own device for the own device (the device to which the update program is provided). If the latest first update program exists, the first transmission unit may be configured to request the server device to transmit the first update program on the condition that it has been determined by the own device.

  Note that the necessity of updating the first control program can be easily and reliably determined on the receiving side of the update program by reading the information code recorded on the recording medium.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first update program for updating the first control program is provided from the server device that can provide the first control program via the network, and the first update program is received. A first control program storage means capable of updating one control program and storing the first control program; a first model information storage means storing first model information for identifying the client device; First program information storage means for storing first program information for identifying the first control program; model information recorded on a recording medium for identifying each device; update program information for identifying an update program; And an address reader of the server device, and an image reading unit capable of reading an information code including the computer. A computer readable program, wherein the computer determines whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information related to the same device as the first model information. The update information of the information code read by the model information determination means and the image reading means is information indicating that the first control program should be updated in comparison with the first program information. The address information included in the information code indicates that the first update program information determination means, the first model information determination means, and the first update program information determination means determine whether or not First transmission for transmitting, to the server device, first request information of the first update program related to the update program information via the network. And first update program receiving means for receiving a first update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the first request information is transmitted by the first transmission means, and the first update program. A program for causing the first control program to function as first update means for updating the first control program using the first update program on condition that the reception means receives the first update program.

  Thereby, when the first control program of the client device needs to be updated, that is, for updating the first control program stored in the own device for the own device (the device to which the update program is provided). If the latest first update program exists, the first transmission means can realize control that requests the server device to transmit the first update program on the condition that it has been determined in its own apparatus.

  Note that the necessity of updating the first control program can be easily and reliably determined on the receiving side of the update program by reading the information code recorded on the recording medium.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described below, and various configurations can be employed in the same technical idea.

Example 1
(Network system configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a multifunction machine 10 having a scanner function and other functions in addition to a printing function, a multifunction machine 10, and a local area network (hereinafter referred to as “LAN”) 90. It includes a printer 30 having only a printing function that is communicably connected, and a server 70 on the outside Internet via a router (denoted as “R” in FIG. 1) 100. Note that, for example, a portable game machine, a portable phone, or a portable music playback device connected to the multifunction device 10 locally (hereinafter, “USB connection” will be described as an example). Such a portable terminal device 50 is connected.

  The multi-function device 10 controls the multi-function device 10 and includes a control unit 11 configured by a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) that is directly connected to the LAN 90. F15, a printing unit 17, a reading unit 19 that realizes a scanner function, a control program for controlling the multifunction device 10 and a storage unit 21 that stores various data in a rewritable manner, and a predetermined unit related to the multifunction device 10. A display operation unit 23 that displays information and inputs a predetermined instruction to the multifunction machine 10 and a USB connection unit 25 are configured.

  Here, the ROM of the control unit 11 stores various programs for executing each process including the process illustrated in FIG. 2 and a process illustrated in FIG. Then, the CPU executes various processes (including another program execution process) based on this program.

  The printer 30 controls the printer 30, a control unit 31 including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, a communication I / F 35 directly connected to the LAN 90, a printing unit 37, and a control for controlling the printer 30. And a storage unit 39 that stores the rewritable program in a rewritable manner.

  The portable terminal device 50 includes a control unit 51 including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM that controls the portable terminal device 50, a storage unit 55 that stores a control program, and a USB connection unit 57. ing.

  In the printer 30 and the portable terminal device 50, various programs are stored in each ROM of the control unit 31 or the control unit 51, and the CPU of the printer 30 and the portable terminal device 50 is based on this program. Various processing (including execution processing of another program) is executed.

  The server 70 is described in a storage device that can be accessed by the server 70 (regardless of whether it is integrated or separate in relation to the server 70), which includes updates of control programs for various devices. Is a known server device that stores an update program related to a two-dimensional barcode drawn on a recorded recording medium (see FIGS. 3, 6, and 11). This is a device that can communicate with the multifunction machine 10.

(Update processing of control program for multifunction machine 10)
FIG. 2 shows processing for updating the control program stored in the storage unit 21 by the multifunction machine 10.

  First, the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 performs a document placement table (S200) when the scanner operation of the information recorded on the recording medium through the reading unit 19 is performed by the user through the display operation unit 23 (S200). The reading unit 19 is controlled so that scanning of the recording medium set to “not drawn in FIG. 1” is executed. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not at least one two-dimensional code is present in the image data scanned and temporarily stored in the RAM (S202).

  When the determination result is affirmed in S202, that is, when one or more two-dimensional codes are included (S202: Yes), the control unit 11 analyzes each of the two-dimensional codes (S204), It is determined whether or not information (“FARMWARE” in FIG. 5) related to the control program update (indicated as “update” in FIG. 2) is included in any of the scanned two-dimensional codes ( S206). Note that in the above-described processing started in S200, when one or more two-dimensional codes for which the determination in S206 is affirmative exist (S206: Yes), the recording medium scanned in this scanning operation is the control of the multifunction device 10. It is determined that the information shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 distributed by a predetermined method for notifying the update of the program for use is described.

  If the determination result is affirmed in S206, that is, if the information related to the update of the control program is included in at least one of the scanned two-dimensional codes (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to S210. The control unit 11 includes the same model code as that of the multifunction machine 10 stored in the storage unit 21 in the two-dimensional code, and controls the multifunction machine 10 stored in the storage unit 21. It is determined whether or not version information indicating that the version is the latest version is included in comparison with the version information of the program for use (S210).

  If the determination in S202 or S206 is negative (S202 or S206: No), a normal scanner operation is executed (S208), and the process ends.

  Here, in S210, the model code of the MFP 10 is “MFP-88xx” and the version information is “1.00”. On the other hand, the recording medium scanned in S200 is shown in FIG. If it is assumed that the information shown in FIG. 5 is included in the two-dimensional code of the recording medium, the model code of the multifunction machine 10 stored in the storage unit 21 is “TYPE” information (update program) in the two-dimensional code. The version information of the control program for the MFP 10 that matches the “AAA MFP-88xx” described as “information indicating the model to which“ is applied ”and stored in the storage unit 21 is“ 2D code ”. This indicates a version older than “1.01” described as “VER” information (information indicating the version of the update program). It is positive.

  On the other hand, when the recording medium scanned in S200 is the recording medium shown in FIG. 4 (as the information included in each two-dimensional code, the model code described in the lower part of the two-dimensional code in FIG. TYPE ”information and a predetermined version (numerical value) are included as“ VER ”information.) First, the control unit 11 performs processing for a two-dimensional code related to“ MFP-80xxJN ”. When the determination of S210 is executed (in FIG. 4, which two-dimensional code is used for determination can be set as appropriate. In the first embodiment, the two-dimensional code on the right is sequentially displayed from “MFP-80xxJN”. However, a negative determination is made because the model codes do not match, and the process proceeds to S212.

  In S212, the control unit 11 determines whether there is any other two-dimensional code for which the determination in S206 is positive. In FIG. 4, in addition to the two-dimensional code related to “MFP-80xxJN”, Since there are four two-dimensional codes, an affirmative determination is made in S212, and the information of FIG. 5 is included for the two-dimensional code related to “MFP-80xx” (the two-dimensional code related to “MFP-80xx”). In step S210, the determination in S210 is performed.

  If it is determined in S212 that there is no other two-dimensional code for which the determination in S206 is affirmative (S212: Yes), the control unit 11 ends the update process of the control program.

  Next, S210 for the second time will be described. The model code of the MFP 10 stored in the storage unit 21 matches “AAA MFP-88xx” described as “TYPE” information in the two-dimensional code, and Since the version information of the control program for the MFP 10 stored in the storage unit 21 indicates a version older than “1.01” described as “VER” information in the two-dimensional code, the control unit 11 Affirms the determination in S210 (S210: Yes), and proceeds to S214.

  In the recording medium illustrated in FIG. 4, since a plurality of two-dimensional codes for the same model are not described, the process does not proceed to S210 after S214. Therefore, the “MFP-80xxJ” is related. For the two-dimensional codes after the two-dimensional code, the control unit 11 does not execute the determination of S210. That is, when it becomes clear that there is one two-dimensional code for which the determination is affirmed, even if there are other two-dimensional codes for which the determination in S206 is positive, the determination in S210 Is configured not to be executed, the update process of the control program of the multifunction machine 10 can be executed efficiently.

  In S214, the control unit 11 displays on the display control unit 23 a message for inquiring about the update of the control program.

  If the user selects update of the control program via the display control unit 23 according to the display in S214 (S216: Yes), the control unit 11 displays the two-dimensional code together with “TYPE” information and the like. The communication I / F 15 is controlled so as to access the server 70 in accordance with the “URL” information (information indicating the URL of the server 70 that can provide the update program) included in the URL (S218). In other words, the control unit 11 controls the communication I / F 15 to transmit an update program transmission request (download request) to the server 70 (S218).

  If the user does not select update of the control program according to the display in S214 (S216: No), the control unit 11 does not perform the subsequent process and ends the control program update process. .

  In S220, the control unit 11 receives the update program transmitted from the server 70 in response to the request in S218 via the communication I / F 15, and whether or not the received update program has been normally received. (For example, cyclic redundancy check, described as “CRC” in FIG. 2) is executed (S222).

  Then, the control unit 11 executes the update program on condition that the update program has been normally received as a result of the confirmation in S222, and updates the control program in the storage unit 21 (S224). The update process of the control program is terminated.

(Server 70 update program transmission processing)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an update program transmission process performed in the server 70 in response to the control program update process of the multifunction machine 10 of FIG. 2 executed by the multifunction machine 10.

  The control unit (configured by the CPU, RAM, and ROM; not drawn in FIG. 1) of the server 70 receives the update program transmission request transmitted from the MFP 10 in S218 (S600).

  Then, an update program corresponding to the transmission request is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10 that is the request source (S602), and this process is terminated.

  As described above, the first embodiment has been described. According to the above configuration, the control program of the multifunction device 10 is updated by the multifunction device 10 to be updated without using a personal computer, for example. be able to.

  In addition to the above-described processing related to the update of the control program for the multifunction device 10, the multifunction device 10 and the server 70 are network-compatible terminal devices directly connected to the LAN 90 (in FIG. 1, the printer 30 corresponds to this). Update of the control program for the printer 30 stored in the storage unit 39 or the mobile unit 55 stored in the storage unit 55 of the portable terminal device 50 indirectly connected to the LAN 90 via the multifunction device 10. The updating of the control program for the type terminal device 50 is also configured to execute the same processing as described above.

(Example 2)
The second embodiment shows a specific example related to the update of the control program for the printer 30, which is a network-compatible terminal device directly connected to the LAN 90, which is executed via the multifunction machine 10. The network configuration in the second embodiment is as shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(MFP side processing related to update of control program for devices directly connected to LAN 90)
FIG. 7 shows processing executed by the multifunction device 10 in connection with processing for updating a control program stored in the storage unit 39 by a network compatible device (drawing the printer 30 in FIG. 1) directly connected to the LAN 90. Is.

  First, the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 performs a document placement table (S700) when the scanner operation of the information recorded on the recording medium via the reading unit 19 is performed by the user via the display operation unit 23 (S700). The reading unit 19 is controlled so that scanning of the recording medium set to “not drawn in FIG. 1” is executed. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not at least one two-dimensional code exists in the scanned image data temporarily stored in the RAM (S702).

  When the determination result is affirmed in S702, that is, when one or more two-dimensional codes are included (S702: Yes), the control unit 11 analyzes each of the two-dimensional codes (S704), Two-dimensional scanned information (hereinafter, “FARMWARE”, “TYPE”, and “VER.” In FIG. 10) related to the update of the control program (described as “update” in FIG. 7). It is determined whether it is included in the code (when the recording medium is in the form of FIG. 8) or is included in any one (when the recording medium is in the form of FIG. 9). (S706). In the above-described processing started in S700, when one or more two-dimensional codes for which the determination in S706 is affirmative are present (S706: Yes), the recording medium scanned by this scanning operation is used for controlling the printer 30. It is determined that the description shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 distributed by a predetermined method for notifying the update of the program has been made.

  On the other hand, when the determination in S702 or S706 is negative (S702 or S706: No), a normal scanner operation is executed (S708), and the process of FIG.

  When the determination result is affirmed in S706, that is, when information related to the update of the control program is included in at least one of the scanned two-dimensional codes (S706: Yes), the control unit 11 For the device directly connected to the LAN 90 (in FIG. 1, only the printer 30 is drawn. Hereinafter, the printer 30 is described as an object), for example, for controlling the device itself by a broadcast or multicast method. The communication I / F is controlled so as to transmit a search packet for confirming program update (S710).

  Assuming that the recording medium (see FIG. 8) on which the two-dimensional code having the information of FIG. 10 is written has been scanned in S700, more specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the determination target in S706 is The communication I / F is transmitted so as to transmit a search packet including “AAA PRT-88xx” related to “TYPE” information and “1.01” related to “VER.” Information included in the two-dimensional code. Is controlled (S710). In S710, the amount of information included in one search packet can be set as appropriate.

  Then, after transmitting the search packet in S710, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a reply packet has been received in response to the transmission of the search packet (S712). This reply packet is “AAA PRT-88xx” described as “TYPE” information (information indicating a model to which the update program is applied) in the two-dimensional code scanned in S700 in S1110 of FIG. 11 described later. ”And“ 1.01 ”described as“ VER. ”Information (information indicating the version of the update program) in the two-dimensional code scanned in S700. When it is determined that the version information of the control program of the printer 30 indicates an older version (S1106: Yes), the version information is transmitted from the printer 30.

  Here, when the determination result is affirmed in S712 (S712: Yes), the process proceeds to S714, and the control unit 11 returns a response from the printer 30 that should update the control program (S808 in FIG. 11). Based on the above, a message is displayed on the display operation unit 23 to inquire whether or not to update the control program for the printer 30 (S714). If the determination result is negative in S712 (S712: No), the process proceeds to S726.

  When the user selects update of the control program via the display control unit 23 according to the display in S714 (S716: Yes), the control unit 11 displays the two-dimensional code together with “TYPE” information and the like. The communication I / F 15 is controlled to access the server 70 in accordance with the “URL” information (information indicating the URL of the server 70 that can provide the update program) included in the URL (S718). In other words, the control unit 11 controls the communication I / F 15 so as to transmit an update program transmission request (download request) of the printer 30 to the server 70 (S718). In S716, when the determination result is negative (S716: No), the control unit 11 proceeds to S726.

  Next, the control unit 11 receives the update program transmitted from the server 70 in response to the request of S718 via the communication I / F 15 (S720), and normally receives the update program received. Whether or not the data has been received is confirmed (for example, cyclic redundancy check, described as “CRC” in FIG. 7) (S722).

  In S724, the control unit 11 transmits the update program to the printer 30 via the LAN 90 via the communication I / F 15 on the condition that the update program has been normally received as a result of the confirmation in S722. Migrate to

  In S726, the control unit 11 determines whether there is any other two-dimensional code for which the determination in S706 is positive. In the above description after S710, it is assumed that the recording medium (see FIG. 8) on which the two-dimensional code containing the information of FIG. 10 is scanned has been scanned in S700. Then (S726: No), the control unit 11 ends the update process of the control program.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of two-dimensional codes (model information described in the lower part of the two-dimensional code in FIG. 9 as information included in each two-dimensional code is included as “TYPE” information. , It is assumed that a recording medium in which a predetermined version (numerical value) is included as “VER” information) is scanned in S700. First, in S710, the control unit 11 controls the communication I / F so as to transmit a search packet including “TYPE” information and “VER.” Information included in the two-dimensional code related to “PRT-80xxJN” (S710). In S710 of the second embodiment, search packets relating to the two-dimensional code on the right side are transmitted in order from “MFP-80xxJN”.

  Here, the processing of S710 to S726 will be described in detail. In the network system 1 of the second embodiment, the devices (except for the multifunction machine 10) that are directly connected to the LAN 90 and are the processing target of FIG. Since only the printer 30 related to the model code “PRT-88xx” is present, if the search bucket transmitted in S710 is a two-dimensional code related to “PRT-80xxJN”, the determination in S712 is negative (S712: No). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S726.

  In S726, whether or not there is a two-dimensional code for which the determination in S706 has been affirmed and a search packet containing information included in the two-dimensional code is not transmitted in S710. In the case of the recording medium of FIG. 9, the two-dimensional codes related to “PRT-88xxJ”, “PRT-88xxJN”, and “PRT-94xxJN” exist as unsolved ones. For the two-dimensional code, the processes of S710 to S726 are sequentially executed in the same manner as described above.

  Then, when the processes after S710 are executed for the final “PRT-94xxJN”, the determination is denied in S726 that there is no unresolved two-dimensional code, and the control unit 11 performs the process of FIG. Exit.

  In the second embodiment, even if a reply packet corresponding to the search packet in S710 is received from one of the devices directly connected to the LAN 90 (the printer 30 in the above example), the unresolved As long as the two-dimensional code exists, the process returns to S710 again, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. This is because a plurality of types of devices may be connected to the LAN 90, and update processing of the control program for the devices is executed for all these devices. That is, when there are a plurality of devices to be updated, the update notification is made in the form shown in FIG. 9, and the multifunction device 10 executes the processing shown in FIG. 7, thereby controlling the device directly connected to the LAN 90. The update process can be executed efficiently.

(Updating process of control program for printer 30)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating processing performed in the printer 30 in response to the processing in FIG. 7 executed by the multifunction machine 10.

  First, when receiving a search packet transmitted from the multifunction machine 10 (S1100), the control unit 31 of the printer 30 analyzes the search packet (S1102).

  Next, as a result of this analysis, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the search packet received in S1100 has been transmitted in S710 of FIG. 7 (S1104).

  If the determination in S1104 is negative (S1104: No), the control unit 31 determines that the search packet from the multifunction machine 10 does not relate to the update of the control program for the printer 30, and this printer 30 The update process of the control program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines in S1104 that the search packet has been transmitted in S710 (S1104: Yes), the model code of the printer 30 stored in the storage unit 39 is It is the same as, for example, “AAA PRT-88xx” described as “TYPE” information (information indicating the model to which the update program is applied) included in the search packet transmitted from the MFP 10 in S710, and Similarly, it is determined whether or not it indicates a version older than “1.01” described as “VER” information (information indicating the version of the update program) included in the search packet received in S800. .

  Note that the “TYPE” information and “VER” information included in the search packet are set as described in “MFP side processing related to update of control program for device directly connected to LAN 90”.

  If this determination is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that the control program for the printer 30 stored in the storage unit 39 should be updated (S1106: Yes), the process proceeds to S1108. On the other hand, if this determination is negative (S1106: No), the control unit 31 ends the update process of the control program for the printer 30 as in S1104.

  In step S <b> 1108, the control unit 31 controls the communication I / F 35 to transmit a reply packet including the model code and version information stored in the storage unit 39 to the multifunction device 10. Then, after transmitting this reply packet, the control unit 31 waits until an update program is transmitted from the multifunction device 10.

  When the update program transmitted from the multi-function device 10 is received in S724 after the transmission of the reply packet in S1108 (S1110), this update program is executed and the control program in the storage unit 39 is updated (S1112). ), The control program update processing is terminated.

  When the reading unit 19 of the multifunction device 10 scans the recording medium in the form of FIG. 9, every time the search packet transmitted in S710 after the first determination in S710 and S726 is received is received. (S1100), the processing after S1102 is executed.

(Server 70 update program transmission processing)
The update program transmission process performed in the server 70 in response to the MFP-side process related to the update of the control program for the device directly connected to the LAN 90 in FIG. This is the same as FIG.

  That is, the control unit of the server 70 receives the update program transmission request transmitted from the multifunction machine 10 in S718 (S600).

  Then, an update program corresponding to the transmission request is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10 that is the request source (S602), and this process is terminated.

  The configuration for updating the control program for the printer 30 directly connected to the LAN 90 and other devices compatible with the network has been described above. However, the above configuration is also applied to the portable terminal device 50 indirectly connected to the LAN 90. Is possible. That is, in the case of the printer 30 or the like, the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 transmits a search packet to the LAN 90 (S710), but a command including the same information as the search packet is sent to the USB connection unit 25 and the USB 30. If the configuration for transmitting and receiving via the connection unit 57 is adopted, the control unit 51 can update the control program in the storage unit 55.

  In the above-described configuration, whether the update of the control program for the printer 30 or the like is determined is determined by the printer 30 or the like (S1106). However, as in the first embodiment, the configuration determined by the multifunction device 10 is employed. (In this case, S1106 is unnecessary).

  This configuration will be described based on FIG. 12 (multifunction device 10) and FIG. 13 (printer 30 and other network compatible devices. In the following description, description will be made based on the printer 30 according to FIG. 1) (in this case, 6 executed by the server 70 is not changed.) The control unit 11 of the multi-function device 10 determines the model code of its own device and the version information of the control program for the printer 30 and other devices directly connected to the LAN 90. A search packet for requesting transmission is transmitted (S1210), and a reply packet returned in response to this transmission is received in S1212 (S1212).

  Then, the model code included in the reply packet is compared with the information included in the two-dimensional code for which the determination in S1206 is affirmed (S1213), and the determination based on the comparison is affirmed (S1213: Yes). On the other hand, if the determination is negative (S1213: No), the process proceeds to S1226.

  S1200 to S1208 correspond to S700 to S708 in FIG. 7, and S1214 to S1226 correspond to S714 to S726. Therefore, details are as described above, and will be omitted.

  On the other hand, in the printer 30, on the condition that it is a search packet for the model code and version information (S1304: Yes), it is determined whether or not the storage unit 39 stores the model code and version information (S1306). .

  If the determination in S1306 is affirmative (S1306: Yes), the control unit 31 controls the communication I / F 35 to send back a reply packet including the model code and the like in the storage unit 39, while the determination in S1306 is performed. If the determination is affirmative (S1306: No), the control unit 31 ends the update process of the control program for the printer 30 without returning a reply packet. Here, when the determination in S1306 is negative, the printer 30 employs a configuration in which a reply packet having the content is not transmitted, but this considers traffic on the LAN 90.

  Note that S1300 to S1304 correspond to S1100 to S1104 in FIG. 10, and S1308 to S1312 correspond to S1108 to S1112. Therefore, details are as described above, and will be omitted.

The figure which shows the network system in the Example of this invention The figure which shows the update process of the control program of the multifunction machine which the multifunction machine in Example 1 of this invention performs The figure which shows the recording medium which notifies the update of the control program which concerns on the single model multifunctional machine in Example 1 of this invention The figure which shows the recording medium which notifies the update of the program for control which concerns on the multifunction device of multiple models in Example 1 of this invention The figure which shows the information contained in the two-dimensional code of the recording medium which notifies the update of the control program of the multifunctional device in Example 1 of this invention The figure which shows the transmission process of the program for the update which the server in the Example of this invention performs The figure which shows one update process of the control program of the printer which the multifunctional machine in Example 2 of this invention performs The figure which shows the recording medium which notifies the update of the control program which concerns on the single model printer in Example 2 of this invention FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a recording medium that notifies update of a control program related to a plurality of types of printers according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure which shows the information contained in the two-dimensional code of the recording medium which notifies the update of the control program of the printer in Example 2 of this invention The figure which shows one update process of the program for control which the printer in Example 2 of this invention performs The figure which shows the other update process of the control program of the printer which the multifunctional machine in Example 2 of this invention performs The figure which shows the other update process of the program for control which the printer in Example 2 of this invention performs

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network system 10 Multifunction machine 11 Control part 15 Communication I / F
19 Reading unit 21 Storage unit 25 USB connection unit 30 Printer 31 Control unit 35 Communication I / F
39 Storage Unit 50 Portable Terminal Device 51 Control Unit 55 Storage Unit 57 USB Connection Unit 70 Server 90 LAN

Claims (6)

A network system including a client device and a server device capable of providing the client device with a first update program for updating a first control program stored in the client device via the network. There,
The client device is
First control program storage means for storing the first control program;
First model information storage means for storing first model information for identifying the client device;
First program information storage means for storing first program information for identifying the first control program;
Image reading means capable of reading an information code recorded on a recording medium and including model information for identifying each device, update program information for identifying an update program, and address information of the server device;
First model information determining means for determining whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information relating to the same device as the first model information;
First determining whether the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means is information indicating that the first control program should be updated in comparison with the first program information. Update program information judging means;
The first update related to the update program information is sent to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on the condition that an affirmative determination is made by the first model information determination means and the first update program information determination means. First transmission means for transmitting first request information of a program via the network;
First update program receiving means for receiving a first update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the first transmission means transmits first request information;
First update means for updating the first control program using the first update program on condition that the first update program receiving means receives the first update program;
The server device
Update program storage means for storing the first update program;
Third receiving means for receiving the first request information;
A network system comprising: third transmission means for transmitting the first update program to the client apparatus on condition that the third request means receives first request information. The image reading means is capable of reading a plurality of information codes recorded on the recording medium,
The first model information determining means can determine whether any of the model information of the plurality of information codes read by the image reading means is information indicating the same device as the first model information,
The first update program information judging means is configured such that any one of the update program information of the plurality of information codes read by the image reading means is compared with the first program information in the first control program storage means. It is possible to determine whether the information indicates that the first control program should be updated,
The first transmitting means is included in the one information code on condition that the judgment by the first model information judging means and the first update program information judging means is affirmed for one information code. The network system according to claim 1, wherein first request information of a first update program related to the update program information is transmitted to the server device indicated by the address information via the network. The network system includes a terminal device connected to be able to perform data communication with the client device,
The terminal device
Second control program storage means for storing a second control program of the terminal device;
Second model information storage means for storing second model information for identifying the terminal device;
Second program information storage means for storing second program information for identifying the second control program;
Search request receiving means for receiving a search request transmitted from the client device, including model information and update program information included in the information code read by the image reading means;
Second model information determining means for determining whether the model information of the search request received by the search request receiving means is information relating to the same device as the second model information;
A second determination is made as to whether the update program information of the search request received by the search request receiving means is information indicating that the second control program should be updated in comparison with the second program information. Update program information judging means;
A request to send a second update program related to the update program information of the search request to the client device on condition that a positive determination is made by the second model information determination unit and the second update program information determination unit. Second transmitting means for transmitting
Second receiving means for receiving the second update program transmitted from the client device on condition of transmission of a transmission request by the second transmitting means;
Second update means for updating the second control program using the second update program on condition that the second update program is received by the second receiving means;
The client device is
A first communication means for transmitting the search request and the second update program to the terminal device and receiving a transmission request from the terminal device;
The first transmission means sends a second update program second related to the second update program information to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on condition that the transmission request is received by the first communication means. Sending request information over the network;
The first update program receiving unit receives a second update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the second request information is transmitted by the first transmission unit;
In the server device,
The update program storage means stores a second update program,
The third receiving means receives the second request information;
The said 3rd transmission means transmits the said 2nd update program to the said client apparatus on the conditions on reception of the 2nd request information by the said 3rd reception means, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Network system. The network system includes a terminal device connected to be able to perform data communication with the client device,
The terminal device
Second control program storage means for storing a second control program of the terminal device;
Second model information storage means for storing second model information for identifying the terminal device;
Second program information storage means for storing second program information for identifying the second control program;
Second communication for receiving a search request for the second model information and second program information transmitted from the client device, and transmitting the second model information and second program information to the client device Means,
Second receiving means for receiving a second update program for updating the second control program transmitted from the client device;
Second update means for updating the second control program using the second update program on condition that the second communication program receives the second update program;
The client device is
And a first communication means for transmitting the search request and the second update program to the terminal device and receiving the second model information and the second program information from the terminal device. ,
The first model information determining means can determine whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information related to the same device as the second model information;
The first update program information judging means should update the second control program by comparing the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means with the second program information. Can determine whether the information is
The first transmission unit is configured to send a server device indicated by the address information included in the information code to the server device indicated by the address code, on condition that a positive determination is made by the first model information determination unit and the first update program information determination unit. Transmitting the second request information of the second update program related to the second update program information via the network;
The first update program receiving unit receives a second update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the second request information is transmitted by the first transmission unit;
In the server device,
The update program storage means stores a second update program,
The third receiving means receives the second request information;
The said 3rd transmission means transmits the said 2nd update program to the said client apparatus on the conditions on reception of the 2nd request information by the said 3rd reception means, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Network system. The first update program for updating the first control program can be updated by receiving the provision of the first update program from a server device that can provide the first control program via the network. A client device,
First control program storage means for storing the first control program;
First model information storage means for storing first model information for identifying the client device;
First program information storage means for storing first program information for identifying the first control program;
Image reading means capable of reading an information code recorded on a recording medium and including model information for identifying each device, update program information for identifying an update program, and address information of the server device;
First model information determining means for determining whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information relating to the same device as the first model information;
First determining whether the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means is information indicating that the first control program should be updated in comparison with the first program information. Update program information judging means;
The first update related to the update program information is sent to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on the condition that an affirmative determination is made by the first model information determination means and the first update program information determination means. First transmission means for transmitting first request information of a program via the network;
First update program receiving means for receiving a first update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the first transmission means transmits first request information;
A client comprising: first update means for updating the first control program using the first update program on condition that the first update program receiving means receives the first update program. apparatus. The first update program for updating the first control program can be updated by receiving the provision of the first update program from the server device that can provide the first control program via the network. And identifying first control program storage means for storing the first control program, first model information storage means for storing first model information for identifying the client device, and the first control program. First program information storing means for storing first program information, model information recorded on a recording medium for identifying each device, update program information for identifying an update program, and address information of the server device, A computer for controlling a client device comprising image reading means capable of reading an information code including A program,
The computer,
First model information determining means for determining whether the model information of the information code read by the image reading means is information relating to the same device as the first model information;
First determining whether the update program information of the information code read by the image reading means is information indicating that the first control program should be updated in comparison with the first program information. Update program information judging means;
The first update related to the update program information is sent to the server device indicated by the address information included in the information code on the condition that an affirmative determination is made by the first model information determination unit and the first update program information determination unit. First transmission means for transmitting first request information of a program via the network;
First update program receiving means for receiving a first update program transmitted from the server device via a network on condition that the first transmission means transmits first request information;
A program for causing the first control program to function as first update means for updating the first control program using the first update program on condition that the first update program receiving means receives the first update program.

Images