Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To make it possible to cope with various needs related to selection of an update.SOLUTION: A storage unit 62 stores an update-function association table 67M and an update guarantee table 67C. The update-function association table 67M indicates which of the plurality of functions is to be updated in association with each of the plurality of options. The update guarantee table 67C is information indicating an update of a function other than the plurality of functions, which is required along with an update of each of the plurality of functions. Based on the update-function association table 67M and the update guarantee table 67C, the update of the functions corresponding to the option selected through a user input and the update of the other functions are executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image on a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are devices that can update multiple pieces of software individually. Patent Document 1 is a document relating to an example of such a device, in which software A to C installed on the device is selected through user input to be updated. When the selected software is updated, software other than the selected software is also updated based on a combination of version information of software whose operation is guaranteed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-230398 A (FIG. 9) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus equipped with multiple functions, there are various needs regarding the selection of updates, such as a request for a batch update across two or more functions, or a request for no update for some functions, etc. In contrast, with conventional technology, for example, it is necessary to directly select and execute individual updates for the software corresponding to each function according to the need.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can meet various needs regarding update selection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an input unit that accepts user input, a program storage unit that stores program data that allows individual updates for each of a plurality of functions including a function for forming an image on a medium, an update acquisition unit that acquires necessary update association information that associates the individual updates for each of the plurality of functions with individual updates for other functions that become necessary in conjunction with the individual updates for each of the plurality of functions, and a control unit that executes processing based on the program data stored in the program storage unit, and the update acquisition unit further acquires update function information that indicates which of the plurality of functions the individual update is to be performed for, in association with each of a plurality of options, and The information indicates updates of different contents among the plurality of options and indicates that the individual updates will be performed for two or more of the plurality of functions for at least one of the plurality of options, and the control unit executes a selection process to select one of the plurality of options based on user input via the input unit, a first function update process to perform the individual updates for functions among the plurality of functions that correspond to the option selected by the selection process based on the update function information acquired by the update acquisition unit, and a second function update process to perform the individual updates for functions among the plurality of functions other than the function that corresponds to the option selected by the selection process based on the necessary update association information acquired by the update acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] When a user selects one of multiple options, an individual update for the function corresponding to that option and individual updates for other functions that are required along with that option are performed. Any of the multiple options indicates that individual updates will be performed for two or more of the multiple functions. Therefore, it is possible to set options so that a single option can meet requests such as a batch update spanning two or more functions or not updating some functions. This allows for a variety of needs regarding update selection to be met without having to select each individual update one by one. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional parts of the printer that constitute the firmware in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 4] 10 is another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 5] 10 is yet another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 6] 10 is yet another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 7] 10 is yet another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 8] 10 shows an example of a required update information screen. [Figure 9] 10 is yet another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. [Figure 10] 10 shows an example of an allowed update information screen. [Figure 11] 10 is yet another example of a menu selection screen for selecting an update. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A printer 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11. As shown in Figure 1, printer 1 (corresponding to the "image forming apparatus" of the present invention) has an image forming unit 10, a scanner unit 20, a fax communication unit 30, a network communication unit 40, a touch panel display 50, and a control unit 60. The image forming unit 10, the scanner unit 20, the fax communication unit 30, the network communication unit 40, and the touch panel display 50 (corresponding to the "input unit" of the present invention) are electrically connected to the control unit 60 and operate under the control of the control unit 60.

[0010] The image forming unit 10 accommodates printing paper for image formation, and forms an image on the printing paper by applying a coloring material such as ink or toner to the printing paper. The image forming unit 10 may use any method for forming an image, such as an inkjet method or a laser method.

[0011] The scanner unit 20 has a reading surface on which an original is placed. The original is, for example, a sheet-like medium such as printing paper, paper, or cloth on which an image is formed or on which characters, figures, etc. are handwritten. The scanner unit 20 reads characters, figures, images, etc. formed on the surface of the original placed on the reading surface, and generates read image data representing the read image.

[0012] The fax communication unit 30 is a part that performs fax communication with an external device via a fax communication line connected to the printer 1.

[0013] The network communication unit 40 is a part that performs data communication with external devices such as the update management server 900 via a communication network N connected to the printer 1. The communication network N is a network that mediates data communication between devices such as computers based on various communication protocols. The communication network N is composed of any network such as the Internet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or a wired LAN, or a combination of these.

[0014] The touch panel display 50 has a screen that displays characters, images, etc. for a graphical user interface. When a finger or the like touches the screen, the touch panel display 50 detects the contact position and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60. As a result, various user inputs are executed through the touch panel display 50.

[0015] The control unit 60 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 61, a storage unit 62 including storage devices such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), and other electronic devices such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The storage unit 62 (corresponding to the "program storage unit" of the present invention) stores program data executed by the CPU 31 and the ASIC, an update association table 67M and an update guarantee table 67C (described later), image data used for a graphical user interface, and the like. The hardware CPU 61 executes various processes independently or in cooperation with the ASIC in accordance with the program data, which is software, stored in the storage unit 62. Hereinafter, the execution of various processes by the CPU 61 may be referred to as the execution of various processes by the control unit 60.

[0016] The program data includes data representing a firmware program (hereinafter referred to as "firmware") 66 for implementing multiple functions. The multiple functions provided by the firmware 66 according to this embodiment include, for example, six functions: print, copy, scan, fax, UI (User Interface), and data communication. As shown in FIG. 2, the firmware 66 includes a print processing unit 66P, a copy processing unit 66C, a scan processing unit 66S, a fax processing unit 66F, a UI (User Interface) processing unit 66U, and a data communication processing unit 66D, which correspond to these six functions, respectively. The firmware 66 also includes an update processing unit 66T that handles update processing for these processing units.

[0017] The processing of the control unit 60 based on the print processing unit 66P, copy processing unit 66C, scan processing unit 66S, fax processing unit 66F, UI processing unit 66U and data communication processing unit 66D is as follows.

[0018] The processing based on the print processing unit 66P is processing that causes the image forming unit 10 to form an image based on image data acquired from an external device such as a PC. The processing based on the copy processing unit 66C is processing that causes the scanner unit 20 to read an original document and generate read image data, and causes the image forming unit 10 to form an image based on the read image data. The processing based on the scan processing unit 66S is processing that causes the scanner unit 20 to read an original document and generate read image data.

[0019] The processing based on the fax processing unit 66F is processing related to sending and receiving faxes. In sending a fax, the control unit 60 causes the scanner unit 20 to read an original and causes the fax communication unit 30 to transmit an image represented by the generated scanned image data to an external device via a fax communication line. In receiving a fax, the control unit 60 causes the fax communication unit 30 to receive an image from an external device via the fax communication line and causes the image forming unit 10 to form an image based on the image data representing the received image.

[0020] The processing based on the UI processing unit 66U is processing for displaying an image for a graphical user interface on the touch panel display 50 and accepting user input through the touch panel display 50. The processing based on the data communication processing unit 66D is processing for causing the network communication unit 40 to perform data communication through the communication network N.

[0021] The processing based on the update processing unit 66T is an update processing according to the contents of the user input received by the processing based on the UI processing unit 66U. The firmware 66 is upgraded at an appropriate timing by its provider for the purpose of improving or adding functions, fixing bugs, etc. The update processing is a processing for updating the firmware 66 after such an upgrade has been performed. Update program data for upgrading the firmware 66 is distributed via the update management server 900.

[0022] There are various needs for updating the firmware 66, such as a request for a batch update across two or more functions, or for not updating some functions at all. For this reason, the update process according to this embodiment allows for individual updates for each function. In other words, it is possible to update each of the print processing unit 66P, copy processing unit 66C, scan processing unit 66S, fax processing unit 66F, UI processing unit 66U, and data communication processing unit 66D.

[0023] The user selects one or more functions and update versions to be updated by user input via the touch panel display 50. The control unit 60 accepts this user input through processing based on the UI processing unit 66U. Then, the control unit 60 causes the network communication unit 40 to send an update request corresponding to the one or more functions and versions selected by the user input to the update management server 900 through processing based on the update processing unit 66T and the data communication processing unit 66D. In response, the update management server 900 sends update program data for the requested version to the printer 1. The control unit 60 replaces the program data of the firmware 66 with the update program data received by the network communication unit 40 through processing based on the update processing unit 66T and the data communication processing unit 66D.

[0024] However, when there are multiple functions to be updated, it is inconvenient for the user to select individual updates one by one. Furthermore, rather than updating specific functions such as printing, copying, and scanning, there are cases where users want to perform updates that meet more abstract objectives, such as an update to enhance security or an update that does not change the user experience. To accommodate these diverse needs, the control unit 60 according to this embodiment is configured to execute the update process as follows.

[0025] The control unit 60 acquires an update function association table (corresponding to "update function information" of the present invention) 67M from the update management server 900. This function corresponds to the function of the "update acquisition unit" of the present invention. The update function association table 67M associates an update summary with one or more functions. The update summary corresponds to options that can be selected according to user input, as described below. The one or more functions indicate functions that are updated according to the selected update summary.

[0026] [Table 1]

[0027] Table 1 above is an example of the update function association table 67M. In Table 1, the update summary indicates an abstract purpose of the update, such as "I want to keep security up to date" or "I don't want to change the user experience." In the row corresponding to each update summary, the column for each function, such as print or copy, contains either "--", a version number, or "◎." "--" indicates that the update summary and the function are not associated. In this case, the minimum required update (the update corresponding to the "second function update process" of the present invention) is performed for that function. Such updates will be described later. The version number indicates that an update up to that version (the update corresponding to the "first function update process" of the present invention) will be performed. The larger the version number, the closer to the latest version. "◎" indicates that an update up to the latest version (the update corresponding to the "first function update process" of the present invention) will be performed. Note that shaded columns in Table 1 indicate that the update summary and the function are associated. Unshaded columns indicate that the update summary and the function are not associated.

[0028] For example, in Table 1, the option "Update security to the latest version" is associated with an update that updates the data communication function to the latest version and also updates other functions to the minimum required version. This is because updating the data communication version is necessary to update security. Therefore, when this option is selected, updates are performed so that the data communication processing unit 66D is updated to the latest version and the other processing units are updated to the minimum required version.

[0029] Additionally, the option "I don't want to change the operation feel" is associated with an update that brings the UI to version 4 and brings other functions to the minimum required versions. This is because when the UI is updated to a version higher than 4, an update that changes the operation feel is implemented. An update that changes the operation feel corresponds to an update that substantially changes the contents of the UI by changing the images, input method, etc. used in the UI. When this option is selected, the UI processing unit 66U is brought to version 4, and updates are executed so that the other processing units are brought to the minimum required versions.

[0030] Furthermore, the option "Update print-related functions to the latest version" is associated with an update that updates the print, copy, and fax functions to the latest versions and updates the other functions to the minimum required versions. This is because, of the six functions, print, copy, and fax are the printing-related functions. Therefore, when this option is selected, updates are performed so that the print processing unit 66P, copy processing unit 66C, and fax processing unit 66F are updated to the latest versions and the other processing units are updated to the minimum required versions.

[0031] Additionally, the option "Update SCAN-related functions" is associated with an update that updates the copy, scan, and fax functions to the latest versions and also updates the other functions to the minimum required versions. This is because, of the six functions, the print-related functions are copy, scan, and fax. Therefore, when this option is selected, the copy processing unit 66C, scan processing unit 66S, and fax processing unit 66F are updated to the latest versions, and updates are performed so that the other processing units are updated to the minimum required versions.

[0032] Updating to the minimum required version is as follows: The control unit 60 obtains the update guarantee table 67C (corresponding to the "required update association information" of the present invention) from the update management server 900. This table associates the versions of each function, including print, copy, scan, fax, UI, and data communication, with the minimum versions of other functions required to update each function to that version.

[0033] [Table 2]

[0034] Table 2 above is an example of an update guarantee table 67C. This example associates each version of the print function with each version of other functions. In Table 2, "1" indicates that no update is required, while "2," "3," "4," etc. indicate the minimum version required for other functions when updating the print function to each version. Similar tables are prepared for functions other than the print function, i.e., copy, scan, fax, UI, and data communication.

[0035] For example, in Table 2, print version 2 is associated with copy version 2, scan version 1, fax version 1, UI version 1, and data communication version 1. This indicates that in order to update print to version 2, copy version must be at least 2, that is, 2 or higher (2, 3, 4, ... the latest), and there is no need to update other functions.

[0036] Furthermore, in Table 2, print version 3 is associated with copy version 3, scan version 1, fax version 2, UI version 2, and data communication version 1. This indicates that in order to update print to version 3, copy version must be 3 or higher, fax and UI versions must be 2 or higher, and no updates are required for other functions.

[0037] Furthermore, Table 2 associates the latest version of print with the latest version of copy, the latest version of scan, fax version 10, UI version 10, and the latest version of data communication. This indicates that in order to update print to the latest version, the versions of copy, scan, and data communication must be the latest, and the versions of fax and UI must be 10 or higher.

[0038] For example, when "Update printing functions" is selected based on Table 1, updates are performed to update the print, copy, and fax functions to the latest versions for the shaded columns in Table 1. In contrast, for functions other than print, copy, and fax, which correspond to unshaded columns in Table 1, the control unit 60 refers to the update guarantee table 67C and performs the minimum necessary version upgrades. For example, according to Table 2, to update the print function, the copy, scan, and data communication versions must be updated to the latest versions, and the fax and UI versions must be 10 or higher. Accordingly, for the scan, UI, and data communication functions, which correspond to the unshaded columns in Table 1, the control unit 60 updates the scan and data communication versions to the latest versions and the UI version to 10 or higher.

[0039] 3 to 11, a series of processes until the control unit 60 executes an update for one or more functions based on a user input via the touch panel display 50. Note that the following processes by the control unit 60 may be started when the user inputs via the touch panel display 50 that he or she wishes to start the update process, or may be started by the control unit 60 at a predetermined timing, for example, at regular intervals.

[0040] First, the control unit 60 displays a menu selection screen 110 shown in Fig. 3 on the touch panel display 50. The menu selection screen 110 includes option images 111 and 112, each of which can be selected by a user input. The option image 111 is an image containing the character string "Update everything to the latest version." The option image 112 is an image containing the character string "Individual version upgrade." When the option image 111 is selected, the control unit 60 executes an update so that the firmware 66 for all functions, including printing, copying, scanning, faxing, UI, and data communication, is updated to the latest version.

[0041] When option image 112 is selected, control unit 60 causes menu selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 4 to be displayed on touch panel display 50. Menu selection screen 120 includes option images 121 and 122, each of which is selectable by user input. Option image 121 is an image including the character string "Automatic Update." Option image 122 is an image including the character string "Custom Update." When option image 121 is selected, update selection processing is executed via menu selection screen 130 in FIG. 5. When option image 122 is selected, update selection processing is executed via menu selection screen 140 in FIG. 6.

[0042] The update selection process (corresponding to the "selection process" of the present invention) via the menu selection screen 130 of FIG. 5 is as follows. The menu selection screen 130 includes option images 131-134, each of which can be selected by user input. The option images 131-134 are images containing the text "Update security," "Don't want to change the operational feel," "Update print functions," and "Update scan functions." These images represent information corresponding to the four update summaries shown in Table 1 above. Note that the process of displaying the update summary on the touch panel display 50 in this manner corresponds to the "update summary display process" of the present invention.

[0043] When one of the option images 131-134 is selected, the control unit 60 refers to the update function association table 67M in Table 1 and performs an update for the function and version corresponding to the selected image. That is, for option image 131, an update is performed so that data communication is updated to the latest version. The control unit 60 also performs the minimum updates required to update data communication for each of the other functions, namely, print, copy, scan, fax, and UI, based on the update guarantee table 67C (see Table 2 above). Note that the information "I want to update security" indicated by option image 131 is information representing content other than "data communication," which is the function to be updated. This corresponds to "representing content other than the function related to the update" in the present invention.

[0044] Similarly, when option image 132 is selected, the control unit 60 updates the UI to version 4, and also updates other functions at a minimum required level based on the update guarantee table 67C. Note that the information "I don't want to change the operational feel" shown by option image 132 represents content other than the "UI," which is the function targeted for the update. This corresponds to "representing content other than the function related to the update" in the present invention.

[0045] When option image 133 is selected, an update is performed to bring the print and copy functions to the latest versions, and the minimum necessary updates are also performed for the other functions based on the update guarantee table 67C. Note that the information "update print functions" shown in option image 133 is information that comprehensively represents the functions to be updated, i.e., print, copy, and fax. This corresponds to "comprehensively representing all of the functions related to the update" in the present invention.

[0046] When option image 134 is selected, updates are performed to bring the copy, scan, and fax functions to the latest versions, and the minimum necessary updates are also performed for the other functions based on update guarantee table 67C. Note that the information "Update SCAN functions to the latest version" shown in option image 134 is information that comprehensively represents the functions to be updated, i.e., copy, scan, and fax. Therefore, this information corresponds to "comprehensively representing all of the functions related to the update" in the present invention.

[0047] The update selection process through the menu selection screen 140 of FIG. 6 is as follows. The menu selection screen 140 includes option images 141 to 143, each of which is selectable by user input. The option images 141 to 143 are images containing the character strings "I want to update some functions," "I want to update all but some functions," and "Custom," respectively. When option image 141 is selected, the update selection process is executed through the menu selection screen 150 of FIG. 7. When option image 142 is selected, the update selection process is executed through the menu selection screen 170 of FIG. 9. When option image 143 is selected, the update selection process is executed through the menu selection screen 190 of FIG. 11.

[0048] The update selection process via the menu selection screen 150 in Fig. 7 is as follows. The menu selection screen 150 includes option images 151 to 157, each of which can be selected by user input. Of these, option images 151 to 156 are images containing the character strings "Print," "Copy," "SCAN," "Fax," "UI," and "Net." These are character strings corresponding to six functions: print, copy, scan, fax, UI, and data communication, and represent options for the functions you want to update.

[0049] All of the option images 151 to 156 are displayed in the menu selection screen 150 so as to switch between a selected state and an unselected state. The selected state and the unselected state may be in any state as long as they are clearly distinguishable from each other in appearance. As an example, the former state may be in black text on a white background, and the latter state may be in white text on a black background. Only one of the option images 151 to 156 may be selected, or two or more may be selected.

[0050] When option image 157 is selected while one or more of option images 151 to 156 are selected, control unit 60 acquires information on the minimum required updates based on the update guarantee information (see Table 2 above). The information to be acquired is information on the minimum required updates for functions other than the function corresponding to the selected option image when it is updated to the latest version. Then, based on the acquired information, control unit 60 causes touch panel display 50 to display a required update information screen related to the information on the minimum required updates. This screen is used to obtain user approval for the minimum required updates.

[0051] Fig. 8 shows an example of a required update information screen when option image 151 is selected. Required update information screen 160 in Fig. 8 includes an information display field 161, approval / disapproval selection images 162 and 163, and a custom selection image 164. Information display field 161 is a field that displays information about updates for other functions that are the minimum required for updating the function corresponding to the selected option image. The example in Fig. 8 shows that the minimum updates required to update the print function to the latest version are copy, scan, and data communication.

[0052] When the approval / rejection selection image 162 is selected, the control unit 60 updates the print function to the latest version, and also updates the copy, scan, and data communication functions to the latest versions. When the approval / rejection selection image 163 is selected, the control unit 60 ends the series of processes related to the update. When the custom selection image 164 is selected, an update selection process is executed via the menu selection screen 190 in FIG. 11, which will be described later.

[0053] The update selection process (corresponding to the "selection process" of the present invention) via the menu selection screen 170 of Fig. 9 is as follows. The menu selection screen 170 includes option images 171 to 177, each of which can be selected by user input. Of these, option images 171 to 176 are images containing the character strings "Print," "Copy," "SCAN," "Fax," "UI," and "Net." These are character strings corresponding to six functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax, UI, and Data Communication, and represent options for functions that you do not want to update.

[0054] All of the option images 171-176 are displayed in the menu selection screen 170 so as to switch between a selected state and an unselected state. The selected state and the unselected state may be in any state as long as they are clearly distinguishable from each other in appearance. As an example, the former state may be in black text on a white background, and the latter state may be in white text on a black background. Only one of the option images 171-176 may be selected, or two or more may be selected.

[0055] When option image 177 is selected while one or more of option images 171 to 176 are selected, control unit 60 acquires information on minimum required updates based on the update guarantee information (see Table 2 above). Then, control unit 60 acquires information on allowed updates based on the acquired information on minimum required updates. An allowed update is an update to the latest possible version of other functions, assuming that the function corresponding to the selected option image is maintained at its current version. Then, control unit 60 displays an allowed update information screen on touch panel display 50 regarding the information on allowed updates. This screen is used to obtain user approval for the allowed updates.

[0056] Fig. 10 shows an example of the allowable update information screen when option image 175 is selected. The allowable update information screen 180 in Fig. 10 includes an information display field 181, approval / disapproval selection images 182 and 183, and a custom selection image 184. The information display field 181 is a field that displays information about allowable updates for functions other than the function corresponding to the selected option image. The example in Fig. 10 shows, based on the allowable update information, that if the UI is not updated, the fax and data communication functions can be updated to the latest versions, but the print, copy, and scan functions cannot be updated to the latest versions.

[0057] When the approval / rejection selection image 182 is selected, the control unit 60 updates the fax and data communication functions to the latest versions, and also updates the print, copy, and scan functions to the versions indicated by the information on the permitted update. When the approval / rejection selection image 183 is selected, the control unit 60 ends the series of processes related to the update. When the custom selection image 184 is selected, the update selection process is executed via the menu selection screen 190 in FIG. 11.

[0058] In this way, updates are performed for functions other than the function corresponding to the option image 171 selected on the menu selection screen 170 of Fig. 9. This indicates that information indicating the association between each option image 171 and the function for which the update is to be performed is stored in the storage unit 62 of the control unit 60, and the control unit 60 performs the update based on the information indicating the association. Such association information corresponds to "update function information" of the present invention. Furthermore, the function of the control unit 60 (CPU 61) to acquire the association information from the storage unit 62 corresponds to the function of the "update acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0059] The update selection process via the menu selection screen 190 of Fig. 11 is as follows. The menu selection screen 190 includes option images 191 to 206, each of which can be selected by user input. Of these, option images 191 to 196 are images containing the character strings "Print," "Copy," "SCAN," "Fax," "UI," and "Net." These are character strings corresponding to six functions: print, copy, scan, fax, UI, and data communication, and represent options for the functions you want to update.

[0060] All of the option images 191-196 are displayed in the menu selection screen 190 so as to switch between a selected state and an unselected state. The selected state and the unselected state may be in any state as long as they are clearly distinguishable from each other in appearance. As an example, the former state may be in black text on a white background, and the latter state may be in white text on a black background. Only one of the option images 191-196 may be selected, or two or more may be selected.

[0061] The option images 201 to 206 are images for inputting the version to be updated to, and each includes a number representing the version. When an option image 201 to 206 is selected, the user can input the number using a drop-down menu, a software keyboard, or the like.

[0062] When option image 197 is selected while one or more of option images 191-196 are selected, control unit 60 acquires information about the minimum required update based on the update guarantee information (see Table 2 above). Then, control unit 60 determines, based on the acquired information about the minimum required update, whether or not an update that updates the function corresponding to the option image selected from option images 191-196 to the version indicated by the numerical value entered in option images 201-206 is permitted. If control unit 60 determines that the update is permitted, control unit 60 executes such an update. On the other hand, if control unit 60 determines that the update is not permitted, control unit 60 displays an error screen on touch panel display 50 indicating that the update is not permitted, and then ends the series of processes.

[0063] Note that instead of the above-described process of determining whether or not an update is permitted after selection of option image 197, the following process may be performed. That is, when any of option images 191-196 is selected and when a numerical value is input for any of option images 201-206, it is determined whether or not the update indicated by the state after such selection or input is permitted. Then, if permitted, the selection or input is reflected on menu selection screen 190, but if not permitted, the selection or input is not reflected on menu selection screen 190.

[0064] According to the embodiment described above, when a user selects one of a plurality of options, an update is performed for the function corresponding to that option, as well as updates for other functions that are required in conjunction with that option. For example, when "Update printing functions" is selected from the overview in Table 1, updates are performed for the shaded columns in Table 1 to update the print, copy, and fax functions to their latest versions. At the same time, for the non-shaded columns in Table 1, an update is performed based on, for example, Table 2, to update the print version to the latest version, as well as update the scan and data communication versions and update the UI to version 10 or higher.

[0065] Here, any of the multiple options indicates that updates will be made for two or more of the multiple functions. For example, in Table 1, the option "Update print functions" indicates that updates will be made for the three functions of print, copy, and fax. Also, the option "Update scan functions" indicates that updates will be made for the three functions of copy, scan, and fax. Furthermore, each of option images 171 to 176 in FIG. 9 indicates that updates will be made for five functions other than the function corresponding to the option image.

[0066] As a result, options are set up so that requests for a batch update spanning two or more functions, or for not updating some functions, can be met with a single option. This makes it possible to meet a variety of needs regarding update selection without having to select individual updates for each function one by one.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in an example of the menu selection screen 130 in Fig. 5, option images showing an overview of the entire update for each option are displayed on the touch panel display 50. This makes it easy for the user to intuitively understand the contents of the entire update for each option.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the case of an update that spans multiple functions, summary information that comprehensively represents all of the functions related to the update is displayed on the display, as shown by the example of option images 133 and 134 in Fig. 5. This makes it easy for the user to understand what kind of update will be performed on the functions.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, summary information indicating content other than the function related to the update is displayed on the display, as shown by example in option images 131 and 132 in Fig. 5. For example, option image 131 indicates that an update related to data communication will be performed, but has as its summary information other than data communication, such as "update security." Also, option image 132 indicates that an update related to the UI will be performed, but has as its summary information other than the UI, such as "don't want to change the operation feel." Therefore, the type of update to be performed is clearly expressed to the user by content other than the function.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when one of the option images 171 to 176 is selected, all functions except the function corresponding to the selected image are updated, as shown in an example of the menu selection screen 170 in Fig. 9. This allows for the user to update all functions without updating some of the functions.

[0071] Furthermore, the printer 1 according to this embodiment is an image forming device that has multiple functions such as printing, copying, scanning, faxing, etc. In such a device, it is possible to meet various needs regarding update selection without having to select individual updates for each function one by one.

[0072] <Modification> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations should not be considered to be limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 60 acquires the update function association table 67M from the update management server 900. Alternatively, the update function association table 67M may be stored in advance in the printer 1, and the update selection process may be performed based on the previously stored update function association table 67M.

[0074] Additionally, in the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described as being applied to a printer that deposits ink onto printing paper. However, the present invention may also be applied to other inkjet-type image forming devices that eject ink from a head, such as multifunction peripherals and copiers. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applied to laser-type image forming devices that perform image recording processing by depositing toner (corresponding to the "colorant" of the present invention) onto printing paper, instead of depositing ink onto printing paper using an inkjet method. In this case, a toner cartridge (corresponding to the "cartridge" of the present invention) containing toner is detachably mounted in the image forming device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Printer 10 Image forming unit 20 Scanner unit 30 Fax Communication Department 40 Network Communications Department 50 Touch Panel Display 60 Control Unit 62 Memory section Firmware 66 66C Copy processing section 66D Data communication processing unit 66F Fax Processing Unit 66P Print processing unit 66S Scan Processing Unit 66U UI processing unit 66T update processing section 67C Update Warranty Table 67M Update Function Association Table 110~150, 170, 190 Menu selection screen 160 Required Update Information Screen 180 Allowed Update Information Screen

Claims

1. an input unit for accepting user input; a program storage unit that stores program data that can be individually updated for each of a plurality of functions including a function for forming an image on a medium; an update acquisition unit that acquires necessary update association information, which is information that associates the individual updates for each of the plurality of functions with the individual updates for other functions that are required in conjunction with the individual updates for each of the plurality of functions; a control unit that executes processing based on the program data stored in the program storage unit, the update acquisition unit further acquires update function information indicating which of the plurality of functions the individual update is to be performed for, in association with each of the plurality of options; the update function information indicates that the plurality of options have different update contents, and indicates that the individual updates will be performed for two or more of the plurality of functions in at least one of the plurality of options; The control unit a selection process of selecting one of the plurality of options based on a user input via the input unit; a first function update process for individually updating the functions corresponding to the options selected by the selection process among the plurality of functions, based on the update function information acquired by the update acquisition unit; and a second function update process that performs the individual updates for functions other than the functions corresponding to the options selected by the selection process among the plurality of functions, based on the required update association information acquired by the update acquisition unit.

2. It also has a display, The control unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an update summary display process for displaying, for each of the plurality of options, information on the display that represents an overview of the entire individual update that is performed by selecting that option.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information representing the overview comprehensively represents all of the functions related to the update.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information representing the overview represents content other than the function related to the update.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update function information indicates that the individual update is to be performed for all but a portion of the plurality of functions in at least one of the plurality of options.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plurality of functions include at least two of the following functions: a function for forming an image on a medium, a function for reading an image from a document, a function for fax communication, a function for user input through the input unit, and a function for data communication with the outside.

Images