JP6583641B2 - Software update system, electronic device and management server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a software update system for updating software of an electronic device, an electronic device, and a management server.

  Conventionally, when a new version of firmware of an image processing apparatus occurs, the version information of the updated firmware is displayed on the wireless tag of the image processing apparatus in a state where power is not supplied to the packaged image processing apparatus from the outside. A technique for storing data by wireless communication is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). When the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is unpacked and supplied with power from the outside, and the version information newer than the version information of its own firmware is stored in the wireless tag, it is automatically updated. Download the firmware version and run a prompt to update the firmware.

JP 2007-152711 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem in that it is inconvenient because the user must execute an instruction to update the firmware to the image processing apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a software update system, an electronic device, and a management server that can improve convenience.

  The software update system of the present invention includes an electronic device and a management server that manages the electronic device, and the electronic device receives power from the outside of the electronic device, and receives power from the power source. A communication unit capable of performing communication by being supplied, and a wireless communication storage unit capable of receiving and storing update information for updating software of the electronic device by wireless communication even when power is not supplied from the power source unit When the power is supplied to the power supply unit and the update information is stored in the wireless communication storage unit, the program necessary for the update is acquired from the management server via the communication unit and the update information is stored. Update means for executing the update.

  With this configuration, the software update system of the present invention is a program required for updating software when power is supplied to the power supply unit of the electronic device and update information is stored in the wireless communication storage unit of the electronic device. Since the electronic device acquires the information from the management server and executes the software update, the convenience can be improved.

  In the software update system of the present invention, the update information includes address information indicating an address of the management server as an acquisition destination of the program, and the update unit is configured to perform the update based on the address information included in the update information. The program may be acquired from the management server.

  With this configuration, the software update system of the present invention can cope with the change of the address of the management server by the address information included in the update information, so that convenience can be improved.

  In the software update system of the present invention, the electronic device includes a display unit, and the update unit displays that the update is necessary when the program cannot be acquired via the communication unit. It may be displayed on the part.

  With this configuration, the software update system of the present invention needs to update the software only when the automatic update of the software by the electronic device fails when power is supplied to the power supply unit of the electronic device. Since it displays on the display part of an electronic device, the convenience can be improved.

  The software update system of the present invention comprises a communication device that receives the identification information of the electronic device from the wireless communication storage unit and transmits it to the management server when transmitting the update information to the wireless communication storage unit, When the management server becomes communicable with the identification information management means for managing the identification information transmitted from the communication device, and the electronic device corresponding to the identification information managed by the identification information management means In addition, when the required update has not yet been executed in the electronic device, update instruction means for instructing the electronic device to perform the update may be provided.

  With this configuration, the software update system according to the present invention enables the software from the management server to the electronic device even when the automatic update of the software by the electronic device fails when power is supplied to the power supply unit of the electronic device. Since the update is instructed, the convenience can be improved.

  The electronic device of the present invention includes a power supply unit to which power is supplied from the outside of the electronic device, a communication unit capable of performing communication by being supplied with power from the power supply unit, and no power is supplied from the power supply unit. A wireless communication storage unit capable of receiving and storing update information for software update of the electronic device by wireless communication, and when the power is supplied to the power supply unit, the update information is stored in the wireless communication storage unit Update means for acquiring a program necessary for the update via the communication unit and executing the update when the program is stored.

  With this configuration, when power is supplied to the power supply unit, the electronic device of the present invention obtains a program necessary for software update from the outside when the update information is stored in the wireless communication storage unit. Since the update is executed, the convenience can be improved.

  The management server of the present invention is a management server that manages electronic devices, and is managed by identification information management means that manages identification information of the electronic devices transmitted from the outside, and the identification information management means. An update instruction for instructing the electronic device to perform the update when a necessary update of the software of the electronic device has not yet been executed in the electronic device when communication with the electronic device corresponding to the identification information is enabled. Means.

  With this configuration, the management server of the present invention instructs the electronic device to update the software even when the automatic update of the software by the electronic device fails, so that convenience can be improved.

  The software update system, electronic device, and management server of the present invention can improve convenience.

1 is a block diagram of a software update system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the management server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the communication apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of an operation of the software update system shown in FIG. 1 when update information is stored in an NFC tag of the MFP. It is a sequence diagram of operation | movement of the software update system shown in FIG. 1 when update information is confirmed. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when a power supply unit in a state where power is supplied is turned on. It is a figure which shows an example of the update required notification screen displayed in the operation | movement shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the update process shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of an operation of the software update system shown in FIG. 1 when a power supply unit of an MFP in a state where power is supplied is turned on.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the software update system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a software update system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the software update system 10 includes a wireless communication between an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an electronic device, a management server 30 that manages the MFP 20, and an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag (described later) of the MFP 20. And a communication device 40 capable of communication.

  The MFP 20 includes a power supply unit 20 a to which power is supplied from the outside of the MFP 20.

  The MFP 20 and the management server 30 can communicate with each other via the network 11 such as the Internet. Similarly, the management server 30 and the communication device 40 can communicate with each other via the network 11.

  The software update system 10 can include at least one MFP similar to the MFP 20. The management server 30 can behave similarly to the MFP 20 for MFPs other than the MFP 20 included in the software update system 10.

  The software update system 10 can include at least one communication device similar to the communication device 40. The management server 30 can behave in the same manner as the communication device 40 for communication devices other than the communication device 40 included in the software update system 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A scanner 23 that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and a communication line such as a public telephone line No power is supplied from the fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device that performs fax communication, the communication unit 26, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and the power supply unit 20a. N as a wireless communication storage unit capable of storing information received through wireless communication An FC tag 27, a semiconductor memory that stores various information, a storage unit 28 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a control unit 29 that controls the entire MFP 20 are provided.

  The display unit 22, scanner 23, printer 24, fax communication unit 25, communication unit 26, storage unit 28, and control unit 29 function when power is supplied from the power supply unit 20a. For example, when power is not supplied to the power supply unit 20a, such as when the MFP 20 is packed, the communication unit 26 cannot perform power supply from the power supply unit 20a, and thus can perform communication. It cannot function and functions when power is supplied from the power supply unit 20a, and communication is possible.

  The storage unit 28 stores firmware 28 a as software of the MFP 20.

  The NFC tag 27 can receive update information for updating the firmware 28a, and can store the received update information as it is as update information 27a. The update information 27a includes update instruction information 27b indicating that the firmware 28a needs to be updated, version information 27c indicating a new version of the firmware 28a, and a program necessary for updating the firmware 28a (hereinafter referred to as “update program”). And address information 27d indicating the address of the management server 30 (see FIG. 1) as an acquisition destination.

  Further, the NFC tag 27 stores a serial number 27 e as identification information of the MFP 20.

  The control unit 29 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. Yes. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28.

  The control unit 29 implements an update unit 29a that controls the update of the firmware 28a by executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the management server 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 30 has an operation unit 31 that is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard for inputting various operations by a user, and a display that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information. A communication unit 33 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device via the network 11, a storage unit 34 that is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various data, And a control unit 35 that controls the entire management server 30. For example, the management server 30 is configured by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34.

  The control unit 35 executes an identification information management unit 35a that manages the serial number of the MFP and an update instruction unit 35b that instructs the MFP to update the firmware by executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34. Realize.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the communication device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 40 includes an operation unit 41 that is an input device to which various operations by a user are input, a display unit 42 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a network, 11 (refer to FIG. 1), a communication unit 43 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device via N 11, an NFC communication unit 44 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device via NFC, and stores various data. A storage unit 45 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD, and a control unit 46 that controls the entire communication device 40. For example, the communication device 40 is configured by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

  The control unit 46 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 45.

  The control unit 46, by executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 45, transmits update information of the firmware of the MFP to the NFC tag of the MFP via the NFC communication unit 44; When the update information is transmitted to the NFC tag of the MFP by the update information transmitting unit 46a, the identification information receiving unit 46b that receives the serial number of the MFP from the NFC tag via the NFC communication unit 44 and the identification information receiving unit 46b An identification information transmitting unit 46c that transmits a serial number to the management server 30 via the communication unit 43; an update information receiving unit 46d that receives firmware update information of the MFP from the NFC tag of the MFP via the NFC communication unit 44; Update information To realize the update information display unit 46e for displaying on the display unit 42 updates information received by signal means 46d.

  Next, the operation of the software update system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the software update system 10 when the update information 27a is stored in the NFC tag 27 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the software update system 10 when the update information 27 a is stored in the NFC tag 27.

  When the operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed, the MFP 20 is in a packed state, that is, in a state where power is not supplied to the power supply unit 20a from the outside of the MFP 20, for example. When the operation shown in FIG. 5 is executed, the MFP 20 is placed at the shipping source together with other MFPs, for example, before shipping.

  When the operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is performed, the communication device 40 is used by, for example, a shipping operator. When the operation shown in FIG. 5 is executed, update information of the firmware 28 a of the MFP 20 is stored in advance in the RAM or the storage unit 45 in the communication device 40.

  The control unit 46 of the communication device 40 starts the operation illustrated in FIG. 5 when an instruction to store the update information in the MFP 20 is input via the operation unit 41 and the communication device 40 approaches the NFC tag 27 of the MFP 20. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the identification information receiving unit 46b of the communication device 40 requests the NFC tag 27 for the serial number of the MFP 20 via the NFC communication unit 44 (S101). Therefore, the NFC tag 27 transmits the serial number 27e to the communication device 40 (S102). That is, the identification information receiving unit 46 b receives the serial number 27 e of the MFP 20 from the NFC tag 27 via the NFC communication unit 44.

  Next, the update information transmission unit 46a of the communication device 40 transmits the update information of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 stored in the RAM or the storage unit 45 to the NFC tag 27 via the NFC communication unit 44 (S103). Therefore, the NFC tag 27 stores the update information transmitted in S103 as update information 27a (S104).

  Next, the identification information transmission unit 46c of the communication device 40 transmits the serial number received in S102 to the management server 30 via the communication unit 43 (S105). Therefore, the identification information management unit 35a of the management server 30 stores the serial number transmitted in S105, for example, in the storage unit 34 (S106).

  Note that the process of S103 may be executed before the process of S101. Further, when the process of S101 is executed before the process of S103, the process of S105 may be executed before the process of S103.

  Next, the operation of the software update system 10 when the update information 27a is confirmed will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the software update system 10 when the update information 27a is confirmed.

  When the operation illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed, the MFP 20 is in a packed state, that is, a state in which no power is supplied from the outside of the MFP 20 to the power supply unit 20a. Further, when the operation illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed, the MFP 20 is placed, for example, at a shipping destination.

  When the operation illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed, the communication device 40 is used by, for example, a service person who performs setup such as initial setting of the MFP 20 at the shipping destination. Note that the communication device 40 in the operation shown in FIG. 5 and the communication device 40 in the operation shown in FIG. 6 may be separate devices.

  When an instruction to acquire the update information of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 is input from the MFP 20 via the operation unit 41 and the communication device 40 is brought close to the NFC tag 27 of the MFP 20, the control unit 46 of the communication device 40 is shown in FIG. Start the operation shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the update information receiving unit 46d of the communication device 40 requests the NFC tag 27 for update information of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 via the NFC communication unit 44 (S131). Therefore, the NFC tag 27 transmits the update information 27a to the communication device 40 (S132). That is, the update information receiving unit 46 d receives the update information 27 a from the NFC tag 27 via the NFC communication unit 44.

  Next, the update information display unit 46e of the communication device 40 displays the update information received in S132 on the display unit 42 (S133).

  Therefore, for example, the service person can confirm whether or not the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 needs to be updated via the display unit 42 before unpacking the MFP 20. The service person confirms whether or not the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 needs to be updated before unpacking the MFP 20, for example, predicting the time required for setting up the MFP 20 to some extent before unpacking the MFP 20. can do.

  Next, an operation of the MFP 20 when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on.

  When the operation shown in FIG. 7 is executed, the MFP 20 is in a state where it is unpacked and installed at the shipping destination, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on, the update unit 29a of the MFP 20 determines whether update information 27a is stored in the NFC tag 27 (S161). ). Here, when the update instruction information 27 b is stored in the NFC tag 27, the update unit 29 a determines that the update information 27 a is stored in the NFC tag 27.

  When the update unit 29a determines in S161 that the update information 27a is stored in the NFC tag 27, the update unit 29a attempts to access the management server 30 via the communication unit 26 based on the address information 27d included in the update information 27a (S162). ).

  Next, the update unit 29a determines whether or not the management server 30 is accessible (S163).

  If the update unit 29a determines in S163 that the management server 30 is not accessible in S163, the update unit 29a displays an update required notification screen 50 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 22 to notify that the firmware 28a needs to be updated. (S164).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the update required notification screen 50.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the update required notification screen 50 includes a message 51 indicating that the firmware 28a needs to be updated, and an OK button 52. When the OK button 52 is pressed via the operation unit 21, the update unit 29a ends the display of the update required notification screen 50.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the update unit 29a determines in S161 that the update information 27a is not stored in the NFC tag 27 or executes the process of S164, the update unit 29a starts normally without executing the update of the firmware 28a. (S165), the operation shown in FIG.

  If the update unit 29a determines in S163 that the management server 30 is accessible in S163, the update unit 29a executes the update process shown in FIG. 9 for updating the firmware 28a (S166).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the update process.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the update unit 29a acquires the update program for the firmware 28a from the management server 30 via the communication unit 26 (S201). Here, the update unit 29a requests the management server 30 for an update program for updating the firmware 28a to the version indicated by the version information 27c included in the update information 27a.

  The new version of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 may be determined by the management server 30 every time an update program for the firmware 28a is requested from the MFP 20 to the management server 30 in S201. When a new version is determined by the management server 30, the update information 27a may not include the version information 27c.

  Note that the MFP firmware may be customized for a specific user of the MFP and provided from the MFP manufacturer. Therefore, the latest version of all the versions managed by the management server 30 as the firmware version of the MFP of the same model as the MFP 20 is not necessarily an appropriate version for the MFP 20. Accordingly, when the management server 30 determines a new version of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20, the current version of the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 is transmitted from the MFP 20 to the management server 30, so that the management server 30 can update the firmware 28a of the MFP 20. Based on the current version of, a new version to be updated can be appropriately determined.

  After the process of S201, the update unit 29a updates the firmware 28a by the update program acquired in S201 (S202).

  Next, the update unit 29a deletes the update information 27a from the NFC tag 27 (S203), starts the restart process of the MFP 20 (S204), and ends the operation shown in FIG. Therefore, the update unit 29a performs the operation shown in FIG. 7 again when the MFP 20 is restarted, in which the power supply unit 20a is once turned off and then turned on again. In this operation, the update unit 29a determines that the update information 27a is not stored in the NFC tag 27 this time in S161, and normally starts in S165 without executing the update of the firmware 28a.

  Next, the operation of the software update system 10 when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the software update system 10 when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on.

  The MFP 20 can communicate with the management server 30 via the communication unit 26 when the power supply unit 20a in a state where power is supplied is turned on. When the update instruction unit 35b of the management server 30 determines in S106 that communication with the MFP 20 corresponding to the serial number stored in the storage unit 34 is possible, the operation shown in FIG. 10 is executed. Here, since the firmware 28a of the MFP 20 may be updated by the operation shown in FIG. 7 after the power supply unit 20a of the MFP 20 is turned on, the management server 30 is stored in the storage unit 34 in S106. After determining that communication with the MFP 20 corresponding to the serial number has become possible, the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the update instruction unit 35b inquires of the MFP 20 whether the necessary update of the firmware 28a has not yet been executed in the MFP 20 (S231).

  The update unit 29a of the MFP 20 determines whether the necessary update of the firmware 28a has not yet been executed in the MFP 20 (S232). Here, when the update information 27a is stored in the NFC tag 27, the update unit 29a determines that the necessary update of the firmware 28a has not yet been executed in the MFP 20. On the other hand, when the update information 27a is not stored in the NFC tag 27, the update unit 29a determines that there is no necessary update of the firmware 28a that has not yet been executed in the MFP 20.

  The update unit 29a returns to the management server 30 whether or not the necessary update of the firmware 28a has been executed in the MFP 20 (S233).

  When the MFP 20 replies in S233 that the necessary update of the firmware 28a has not yet been executed in the MFP 20, the update instruction unit 35b of the management server 30 instructs the MFP 20 to update the firmware 28a (S234). On the other hand, the update instruction unit 35b does not instruct the MFP 20 to update the firmware 28a when the MFP 20 responds in S233 that there is no necessary update of the firmware 28a that has not yet been executed in the MFP 20.

  When the update of the firmware 28a is instructed from the management server 30 in S234, the update unit 29a of the MFP 20 performs the update of the firmware 28a by executing the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the power is supplied to the power supply unit 20a of the MFP 20, the software update system 10 has the firmware 28a when the update information 27a is stored in the NFC tag 27 of the MFP 20 (YES in S161). Since the MFP 20 obtains the update program from the management server 30 (S201) and executes the update of the firmware 28a (S202), the convenience can be improved.

  The software update system 10 can cope with the change of the address of the management server 30 by using the address information 27d included in the update information 27a, so that the convenience can be improved.

  In the software update system 10, when the MFP 20 cannot acquire the update program via the communication unit 26 (NO in S163), the MFP 20 displays on the display unit 22 that the firmware 28a needs to be updated (S164). ). With this configuration, the software update system 10 indicates that the firmware 20a needs to be updated only when the automatic update of the firmware 28a by the MFP 20 fails when power is supplied to the power supply unit 20a of the MFP 20. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

  The software update system 10 instructs the MFP 20 to update the firmware 28a from the management server 30 even when the automatic update of the firmware 28a by the MFP 20 fails when power is supplied to the power supply unit 20a of the MFP 20. Since (S234), convenience can be improved.

  The software update system 10 uses the MFP firmware as the update target software in the present embodiment, but the MFP software other than the firmware may be the update target software.

  Although the software update system 10 employs NFC as the short-range wireless communication technology in the present embodiment, a short-range wireless communication technology other than NFC may be employed.

  The electronic apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a scanner dedicated machine, a FAX dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or a PC, for example. Electronic equipment other than the image forming apparatus may be used.

10 Software update system 20 MFP (electronic equipment)
20a Power supply unit 22 Display unit 26 Communication unit 27 NFC tag (wireless communication storage unit)
27a Update information 27d Address information 27e Serial number (identification information)
28a Firmware (software)
29a Update means 30 Management server 35a Identification information management means 35b Update instruction means 40 Communication device

Claims (3)

Electronic equipment,
A software update system Ru and a management server for managing the electronic device,
The electronic device is
A power supply unit to which power is supplied from the outside of the electronic device;
A communication unit capable of performing communication with power supplied from the power supply unit;
A wireless communication storage unit capable of receiving and storing update information for software update of the electronic device by wireless communication even when power is not supplied from the power supply unit,
When the power is supplied to the power supply unit and the update information is stored in the wireless communication storage unit, a program necessary for the update is acquired from the management server via the communication unit and the update is performed. a update unit for execution,
The software update system includes a communication device that receives the identification information of the electronic device from the wireless communication storage unit and transmits it to the management server when transmitting the update information to the wireless communication storage unit,
The management server is
Identification information management means for managing the identification information transmitted from the communication device;
When it becomes possible to communicate with the electronic device corresponding to the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the update to the electronic device is performed when the necessary update has not yet been executed in the electronic device. Update instruction means for instructing
Software update system comprising: a. The update information includes address information indicating an address of the management server as an acquisition destination of the program,
The software update system according to claim 1, wherein the update unit acquires the program from the management server based on the address information included in the update information. The electronic device includes a display unit,
3. The update unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the program cannot be acquired via the communication unit, the update unit displays on the display unit that the update is necessary. Software update system.

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