Information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and an information processing method which can suppress failure of downgrading a firmware for electronic equipment.SOLUTION: An information processing system 100 according to the present invention has a downgrading processing execution unit for carrying out downgrading processing for downgrading a firmware of an image forming apparatus 10 from a first version to a second version older than the first version, and a prediction processing unit for, based on a storage status of case data indicating failed cases in the downgrading processing in a storage unit of a server 20, predicting whether or not the downgrading processing unit can complete the downgrading processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a maintenance management system that, when a malfunction occurs in an electronic device such as a multifunction peripheral, can update the firmware of the electronic device so that the malfunction can be eliminated (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-43081 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the electronic device, the firmware of the electronic device may be downgraded. However, in the conventional information processing system, it is not possible to predict in advance whether the firmware downgrade will be successful, and it is not possible to prevent the firmware downgrade from failing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and an information processing method that can suppress failures in downgrading firmware in an electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system includes a downgrade process execution unit and a prediction processing unit. The downgrade process execution unit executes a downgrade process for downgrading firmware of an electronic device from a first version to a second version that is older than the first version. The prediction processing unit predicts whether the downgrade process executed by the downgrade process execution unit will succeed or fail based on a storage status of case data indicating failure cases of the downgrade process in a predetermined storage unit.

[0007] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a downgrade processing execution step and a prediction step. In the downgrade processing execution step, a downgrade processing is executed to downgrade firmware of an electronic device from a first version to a second version older than the first version. In the prediction step, success or failure of the downgrade processing by the downgrade processing execution step is predicted based on a storage status of case data indicating a failure case of the downgrade processing in a predetermined storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent failure of firmware downgrade of an electronic device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus included in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server included in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of case data used in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a success / failure prediction process executed in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Information processing system 100] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a configuration of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] 1, an information processing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a server 20. In the information processing system 100, the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 30. For example, the communication network 30 is the Internet or a LAN (local area network).

[0013] [Image forming apparatus 10] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a scanning function for reading an image of an original document, a printing function for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, a fax function, and a copy function. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an electronic device of the present invention. The present invention is applicable to electronic devices such as scanners, printers, fax machines, copy machines, personal computers, notebook computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 12, an image reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a sheet conveying unit 15, an operation display unit 16, a communication unit 17, and a storage unit 18.

[0016] The control unit 11 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a CPU 11A, a ROM 11B, and a RAM 11C. The CPU 11A is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 11B is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 11A to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 11C is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 11A. The CPU 11A executes various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 11B. This performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0017] The ADF 12 transports an original document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 13. The ADF 12 includes an original document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, an original document holder, and a paper discharge unit.

[0018] The image reading unit 13 realizes the scanning function and includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD.

[0019] The image forming unit 14 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 forms a color or monochrome image by electrophotography on a sheet transported by the sheet transport unit 15. The image forming unit 14 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, and a fixing device.

[0020] The sheet transport section 15 transports a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section 14. The sheet transport section 15 includes a paper feed cassette, a sheet transport path, and a plurality of transport rollers.

[0021] Operation display unit 16 is a user interface of image forming apparatus 10. Operation display unit 16 includes a first display unit and a first operation unit. The first display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from control unit 11. For example, the first display unit is a liquid crystal display. The first operation unit inputs various information to control unit 11 in response to user operations. For example, the first operation unit is a touch panel.

[0022] The communication unit 17 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 30 with an external communication device such as a server 20.

[0023] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 18 is a flash memory. The storage unit 18 may be a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 18 stores firmware 18A for the image forming apparatus 10.

[0025] 2, a plurality of function programs 18B (18B1, 18B2, etc.) are stored in the storage unit 18. The function programs 18B are software for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 11 can realize the functions corresponding to the function programs 18B by executing the function programs 18B.

[0026] [Server 20] Next, the configuration of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The server 20 is an information processing device capable of providing the image forming apparatus 10 with firmware 18A.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes a control unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0029] The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the server 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 21 includes a CPU 21A, a ROM 21B, and a RAM 21C. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, and the RAM 21C have the same functions as the CPU 11A, the ROM 11B, and the RAM 11C of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0030] The operation display unit 22 is a user interface of the server 20. The operation display unit 22 includes a second display unit and a second operation unit. The second display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 21. For example, the second display unit is a liquid crystal display. The second operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 21 in response to user operations. For example, the second operation unit is a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0031] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 30 with an external communication device such as the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0032] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0033] A plurality of firmware 18A of different versions are stored in the storage unit 24. When the latest version of firmware 18A is released, the latest version of firmware 18A is additionally stored in the storage unit 24. In response to a request from the image forming apparatus 10, the server 20 provides the image forming apparatus 10 with any one of the versions of firmware 18A stored in the storage unit 24.

[0034] The storage unit 24 also stores first list data 24A shown in Fig. 3. The first list data 24A is data in which versions of firmware 18A are listed in ascending or descending order. In the first list data 24A, each version of firmware 18A is associated with information indicating functions added in that version. The first list data 24A is updated every time the latest version of firmware 18A is released. The first list data 24A is provided for each type of firmware 18A.

[0035] Incidentally, the firmware 18A may be downgraded in the image forming apparatus 10. However, in a conventional information processing system, it is not possible to predict in advance whether the downgrading of the firmware 18A will be successful, and it is not possible to prevent failure of the downgrading of the firmware 18A.

[0036] In contrast, in the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described below, it is possible to suppress failure in downgrading the firmware 18A.

[0037] Specifically, the storage unit 24 stores a plurality of case data 24B (24B1, 24B2, . . . ) indicating failure cases of downgrading the firmware 18A.

[0038] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, case data 24B includes identification ID information, model name information, firmware name information, pre-change version information, post-change version information, and failure date and time information. The identification ID information is information used to identify case data 24B. The model name information is information indicating the model name of image forming device 10. The firmware name information is information indicating the type of firmware 18A. The pre-change version information is information indicating the version of firmware 18A before downgrading. The post-change version information is information indicating the version of firmware 18A after downgrading. The failure date and time information is information indicating the date and time of failure of downgrading firmware 18A.

[0039] In the information processing system 100, a downgrade of the firmware 18A is identified by a combination of the model name information, the firmware name information, the pre-change version information, and the post-change version information. Hereinafter, information configured by a combination of the model name information, the firmware name information, the pre-change version information, and the post-change version information is referred to as "downgrade identification information."

[0040] For example, the case data 24B is generated by an image forming apparatus 10 that has failed in downgrading the firmware 18A, and is stored in the storage unit 24. Note that the case data 24B may be generated based on the results of an experiment that investigates whether downgrading the firmware 18A has been successful for each combination of the model of the image forming apparatus 10, the type of the firmware 18A, the version before the downgrade, and the version after the downgrade.

[0041] The storage unit 24 also stores second list data 24C shown in Fig. 3. The second list data 24C is data in which the downgrade identification information associated with predetermined pre-processing is listed.

[0042] For example, when new case data 24B is stored in the storage unit 24, the developer of the firmware 18A investigates whether there is a process that can avoid a downgrade failure identified by the downgrade identification information included in the new case data 24B. Then, when the developer finds a process that can avoid a downgrade failure, the developer associates the found process with the downgrade identification information as the pre-processing, and adds the downgrade identification information associated with the pre-processing to the second list data 24C.

[0043] For example, the pre-processing includes a process of restricting a part or all of one or more functions of the image forming apparatus 10. The pre-processing also includes a process of changing a setting value used for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0044] 2, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a downgrade processing execution unit 41, a prediction processing unit 42, a restriction processing unit 43, a pre-processing execution unit 44, and a storage processing unit 45. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing system of the present invention.

[0045] Specifically, an operation control program for causing control unit 11 to function as each of the functional units shown in Fig. 2 is stored in advance in storage unit 18 of image forming apparatus 10. CPU 11A of control unit 11 executes the operation control program to function as each of the functional units shown in Fig. 2.

[0046] The operation control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in the memory unit 18. Some or all of the functional units included in the control unit 11 may be configured with electronic circuits. The operation control program may be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as each functional unit included in the control unit 11.

[0047] The downgrade process execution unit 41 executes a downgrade process for downgrading the firmware 18A of the image forming apparatus 10 from a first version to a second version that is older than the first version.

[0048] Here, the first version is the current version of the firmware 18A, and the second version is the version of the firmware 18A after downgrading designated by the user.

[0049] For example, the downgrade process execution unit 41 displays a reception screen for receiving a designation operation for designating the second version on the operation display unit 16 in response to a predetermined calling operation. Then, when the designation operation is received on the reception screen, the downgrade process execution unit 41 executes the downgrade process. In other words, the designation operation also serves as an input operation for an instruction to execute the downgrade process.

[0050] Specifically, in the downgrade process, the second version of firmware 18A is acquired from the server 20, and the acquired second version of firmware 18A is stored in the storage unit 18. In the downgrade process, the image forming apparatus 10 is restarted based on the second version of firmware 18A stored in the storage unit 18. In the downgrade process, if the restart of the image forming apparatus 10 is successful, the first version of firmware 18A stored in the storage unit 18 is erased. In addition, if the restart of the image forming apparatus 10 fails, the downgrade process is canceled. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 is restarted based on the first version of firmware 18A stored in the storage unit 18.

[0051] For example, before executing the downgrade process, the downgrade process executing unit 41 executes a restriction process for restricting functions added in the revision process from the second version to the first version. Specifically, in the restriction process, functions added in the revision process from the second version to the first version are identified based on first list data 24A stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 20. Also, in the restriction process, the function program 18B corresponding to the functions added in the revision process from the second version to the first version is disabled.

[0052] The prediction processing unit 42 predicts the success or failure of the downgrade processing by the downgrade processing execution unit 41 based on the storage status of specific case data (an example of case data of the present invention) indicating failed cases of the downgrade processing in the memory unit 24 of the server 20.

[0053] Here, the specific case data is case data 24B among the multiple case data 24B stored in the memory unit 24, which includes a combination of the model of the image forming device 10 performing the downgrade process, the type of firmware 18A, the first version, and the second version.

[0054] For example, when the specific case data is stored in the storage unit 24, the prediction processing unit 42 predicts that the downgrade process will fail.

[0055] The prediction processing unit 42 may predict the success or failure of the downgrade process based on the number of the specific case data stored in the storage unit 24. For example, even if the specific case data is stored in the storage unit 24, the prediction processing unit 42 may predict the success of the downgrade process when the number of the specific case data is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value.

[0056] Furthermore, the storage unit 24 may store success case data indicating successful cases of downgrading the firmware 18A. The success case data may include the downgrade identification information. In this case, the prediction processing unit 42 may predict the success or failure of the downgrade process based on the ratio between the number of the success case data including a combination of the model of the image forming apparatus 10 that performs the downgrade process, the type of the firmware 18A, the first version, and the second version, among the success case data stored in the storage unit 24, and the number of the specific case data.

[0057] The restriction processing unit 43 restricts the execution of the downgrade process by the downgrade process execution unit 41 when the prediction processing unit 42 predicts failure of the downgrade process.

[0058] The pre-processing execution unit 44 executes the pre-processing associated with the downgrade process when the prediction processing unit 42 predicts failure of the downgrade process and when the pre-processing associated with the downgrade process exists.

[0059] For example, when the downgrade identification information included in the specific case data is registered in the second list data 24C, the pre-processing execution unit 44 determines that the pre-processing associated with the downgrade processing exists.

[0060] Here, when the pre-processing execution unit 44 executes the pre-processing, the restriction processing unit 43 removes the restriction on the execution of the downgrade process.

[0061] The storage processing unit 45 generates new case data 24B and stores it in the storage unit 24 when the downgrade process executed by the downgrade process execution unit 41 fails.

[0062] [Success / failure prediction process] 5, an example of a procedure of a success / failure prediction process executed by the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 in the information processing system 100 and an information processing method of the present invention will be described. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 11.

[0063] For example, the success / failure prediction process is executed when the designation operation for designating the second version is accepted on the acceptance screen. Hereinafter, the downgrade process executed in response to the designation operation is referred to as a specific downgrade process.

[0064] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 11 predicts whether the specific downgrade process will be successful or not, based on the storage status of the specific case data in the memory unit 24. Here, the process of step S11 is an example of a prediction step of the present invention, and is executed by the prediction processing unit 42 of the control unit 11.

[0065] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 11 determines whether or not failure of the specific downgrade process has been predicted by the process in step S11.

[0066] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that failure of the specific downgrade process is predicted (Yes side of S12), it shifts the process to step S13. In this case, the execution of the specific downgrade process is restricted. On the other hand, if failure of the specific downgrade process is not predicted (No side of S12), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S16. In this case, the specific downgrade process is executed. Here, the process of step S12 is executed by the restriction processing unit 43 of the control unit 11.

[0067] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the pre-processing associated with the specific downgrade process exists. The process in step S13 is executed by the pre-processing execution unit 44 of the control unit 11.

[0068] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that the pre-processing associated with the specific downgrade process exists (Yes side of S13), it shifts the process to step S14. On the other hand, when the pre-processing associated with the specific downgrade process does not exist (No side of S13), it shifts the process to step S31.

[0069] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the specific downgrade process cannot be executed. For example, the control unit 11 causes the operation display unit 16 to display a message indicating that the specific downgrade process cannot be executed because the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be started after the specific downgrade process.

[0070] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 11 executes the pre-processing associated with the specific downgrade process. Here, the process of step S14 is executed by the pre-processing execution unit 44 of the control unit 11.

[0071] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the pre-processing has been completed.

[0072] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that the pre-processing has ended (Yes side of S15), it shifts the process to step S16. In this case, the restriction on the execution of the specific downgrade process is lifted. Also, if the pre-processing has not ended (No side of S15), the control unit 11 waits for the pre-processing to end. Here, the process of step S15 is executed by the restriction processing unit 43 of the control unit 11.

[0073] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 11 executes the specific downgrade process. The process in step S16 is an example of a downgrade process execution step of the present invention, and is executed by the downgrade process execution unit 41 of the control unit 11.

[0074] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the specific downgrade process has been successful.

[0075] Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the specific downgrade process has been successful when the image forming apparatus 10 has been successfully restarted based on the second version of the firmware 18A.

[0076] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that the specific downgrade process is successful (Yes side of S17), it ends the success / failure prediction process. On the other hand, when the specific downgrade process is unsuccessful (No side of S17), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S21.

[0077] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 11 generates new case data 24B indicating a failure of the specific downgrade process, and stores the new case data 24B in the storage unit 24. Here, the process of step S21 is executed by the storage processing unit 45 of the control unit 11.

[0078] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the failure of the specific downgrade process. For example, the control unit 11 causes the operation display unit 16 to display a message indicating the failure of the specific downgrade process.

[0079] In this way, in the information processing system 100, when the downgrade process is executed by the downgrade process execution unit 41, the success or failure of the downgrade process is predicted based on the storage status of the specific case data indicating a failure case of the downgrade process in the memory unit 24 of the server 20. This makes it possible to restrict the execution of the downgrade process when a failure of the downgrade process is predicted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress failure of the downgrade of the firmware 18A.

[0080] In addition, some or all of the prediction processing unit 42, the restriction processing unit 43, the pre-processing execution unit 44, and the storage processing unit 45 may be included in the control unit 21 of the server 20.

[0081] The first list data 24A, the example data 24B, and the second list data 24C may be stored in the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0082] [Notes on the invention] The following will provide an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0083] <Appendix 1> An information processing system comprising: a downgrade processing execution unit that executes a downgrade processing to downgrade the firmware of an electronic device from a first version to a second version that is older than the first version; and a prediction processing unit that predicts the success or failure of the downgrade processing by the downgrade processing execution unit based on the storage status of case data indicating failure cases of the downgrade processing in a predetermined memory unit.

[0084] <Appendix 2> An information processing system as described in Appendix 1, further comprising a restriction processing unit that restricts the execution of the downgrade process by the downgrade process execution unit when the prediction processing unit predicts failure of the downgrade process.

[0085] <Appendix 3> The information processing system described in Appendix 2, further comprising a pre-processing execution unit that executes the pre-processing associated with the downgrade process when the prediction processing unit predicts failure of the downgrade process and there is pre-processing associated with the downgrade process, and the restriction processing unit releases the execution restriction of the downgrade process when the pre-processing is executed by the pre-processing execution unit.

[0086] <Appendix 4> An information processing system as described in any one of appendices 1 to 3, further comprising a storage processing unit that generates new case data and stores it in the memory unit when the downgrade process executed by the downgrade process execution unit fails.

[0087] <Appendix 5> An information processing system described in any of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the downgrade processing execution unit executes a restriction process to restrict functions added during the revision process from the second version to the first version before executing the downgrade process.

[0088] <Appendix 6> An information processing method including: a downgrade processing execution step of executing a downgrade processing to downgrade firmware of an electronic device from a first version to a second version older than the first version; and a prediction step of predicting the success or failure of the downgrade processing by the downgrade processing execution step based on the storage status of case data indicating failure cases of the downgrade processing in a predetermined memory unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 18 Memory section 18A Firmware 20 Servers 24 Memory section 24A First List Data 24B Case Data 24C Second List Data 41 Downgrade Processing Execution Unit 42 Prediction processing unit 43 Restriction Processing Unit 44 Pre-processing execution unit 45 Storage processing unit 100 Information Processing Systems

Claims

1. a downgrade process execution unit that executes a downgrade process for downgrading firmware of the electronic device from a first version to a second version that is older than the first version; a prediction processing unit that predicts whether the downgrade processing performed by the downgrade processing execution unit will be successful or not based on a storage status of case data indicating a failure case of the downgrade processing in a predetermined storage unit; An information processing system comprising:

2. a restriction processing unit that restricts execution of the downgrade process by the downgrade process execution unit when the prediction processing unit predicts failure of the downgrade process; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. a pre-processing execution unit that executes a pre-processing associated with the downgrade process when the prediction processing unit predicts a failure of the downgrade process and a pre-processing associated with the downgrade process exists, the restriction processing unit releases the restriction on execution of the downgrade process when the pre-processing has been executed by the pre-processing execution unit. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. a storage processing unit that generates new case data and stores the new case data in the storage unit when the downgrade process executed by the downgrade process execution unit fails.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1.

5. the downgrade process execution unit executes a restriction process for restricting a function added during a revision process from the second version to the first version before the downgrade process is executed.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1.

6. a downgrade processing execution step of executing a downgrade processing for downgrading firmware of the electronic device from a first version to a second version that is older than the first version; a prediction step of predicting whether the downgrade process performed in the downgrade process execution step will be successful or not, based on a storage status of case data indicating a failure case of the downgrade process in a predetermined storage unit; An information processing method comprising:

Images