Image forming device, control method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: a body that can realize a function including image formation; an operation unit that receives a user's operation; a management microcomputer connected to the body and the operation unit so as to be communicable; and a display unit that displays the update state of firmware. The management microcomputer receives, when the firmware of at least one of the body and the operation unit is being updated, information indicating the update state of the firmware, and controls displaying of the display unit on the basis of the update state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In conventional image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs), firmware used in a main control unit and an operation unit control unit is updated as needed.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes that when the main control means is performing an update process on firmware used by the operation unit control means, the main control means displays at least one of information indicating the progress of the firmware update process and information indicating the result of the firmware update process on the display means without going through the operation unit control means. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional technology, if an abnormality occurs in the main control means during a firmware update, the update status and results cannot be displayed on the display means, and the update is treated as an abnormal termination, etc., which reduces user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises a main body capable of performing functions including image formation, an operation unit that accepts user operations, a management microcomputer that is communicatively connected to the main body and the operation unit, and a display unit that displays the firmware update status, wherein when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, the management microcomputer receives information indicating the firmware update status and controls the display of the display unit based on the update status. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a display unit is mounted on the operation unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management microcomputer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content displayed on the display unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a firmware update procedure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), which is one aspect of an image forming apparatus, will be described as an example of a device according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having multiple different functions, such as a copy function, a scanner function, a print function, and a fax function.

[0009] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a main body 10 capable of implementing various functions, including image formation, such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that accepts user operations. Note that accepting user operations includes the concept of accepting information (including signals indicating screen coordinate values) input in response to the user's operations. The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a dedicated communication path 30. The communication path 30 may be, for example, one conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be any standard, whether wired or wireless.

[0010] The main body 10 can perform operations in accordance with operations received by the operation unit 20. The main body 10 can also communicate with external devices such as client PCs (personal computers), and can perform operations in accordance with instructions received from the external devices.

[0011] First, we will explain the hardware configuration of the main body 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the main body 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD (hard disk drive) 14, a communication I / F (interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, an engine unit 17, and a power supply control unit 18, which are interconnected via a system bus 19.

[0012] The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 executes programs stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14, etc., using the RAM 13 as a work area, thereby controlling the operation of the entire main body 10 and realizing various functions such as the copy function, scanner function, fax function, and printer function described above.

[0013] The communication I / F 15 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 30.

[0014] The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication to realize the copy function, scanner function, fax function, and printer function. For example, it includes a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads images of documents, a plotter (image forming unit) that prints on sheets such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. It can also include specific options such as a finisher that sorts printed sheets and an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds documents.

[0015] Power supply control unit 18 supplies power to each unit of MFP 1 and controls the startup and shutdown of MFP 1. Power button 18a is connected to power supply control unit 18, and when a user presses power button 18a while MFP 1 is not started (shut down), MFP 1 starts up, and when a user presses power button 18a while MFP 1 is started up, MFP 1 shuts down. When MFP 1 shuts down, power supply control unit 18 shuts down main body 10 and operation unit 20.

[0016] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a communication I / F 25, a connection I / F 26, and an operation panel 27, which are interconnected via a system bus 28. The operation unit 20 also includes a management microcomputer 40 and a display unit 41 connected to the management microcomputer 40.

[0017] The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 executes programs stored in the ROM 22, flash memory 24, or the like using the RAM 23 as a work area, thereby controlling the operation of the entire operation unit 20 and realizing various functions described below, such as displaying information (images) according to input received from a user. Note that instead of the CPU 21, a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) may comprehensively control the operation of the operation unit 20.

[0018] The communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the main body 10 via the communication path 30.

[0019] Operation panel 27 accepts various inputs in response to user operations and displays various information (for example, information in response to the accepted operations, information indicating the operating status of MFP1, information indicating the setting state, etc.). In this example, operation panel 27 is configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD) equipped with a touch panel function, but is not limited to this. For example, operation panel 27 may be configured as an organic EL display equipped with a touch panel function. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of this, operation units such as hardware keys and display units such as lamps may also be provided.

[0020] The management microcomputer 40 is connected to the CPU 11, the CPU 21, and the power supply control unit 18 by dedicated signal lines 50, 51, and 52, respectively, and controls the display on the display unit 41 and the operation of the power supply control unit 18 when the firmware of the main body 10 or the operation unit 20 is updated. The display unit 41 is composed of indicators such as multiple LEDs and lamps, and is controlled by the management microcomputer 40 to light, blink, or turn off depending on the firmware update status.

[0021] 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a display unit 41 is mounted on the operation unit 20. In this example, the operation panel 27 is located in the center of the operation unit 20, and the display unit 41 consisting of three indicators is located in the lower left portion, but the display unit 41 may be located in another portion as long as it is located in a position that is easy for the user to see. For example, the display unit 41 may be located in the lower right or upper left of the operation unit 20. Furthermore, the number of indicators that make up the display unit 41 may be other than three, and the display unit 41 may include a display screen such as an LCD panel in addition to the indicators.

[0022] The signal lines 50, 51, and 52 used to connect the CPUs 11, 21, and power supply control unit 18 to the management microcomputer 40 are independent of the signal lines used for connection to the system buses 19 and 28 and for the communication path 30. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the main body 10 or the operation unit 20, the management microcomputer 40 can operate independently and can control the display on the display unit 41 and the operation of the power supply control unit 18.

[0023] 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management microcomputer 40 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the management microcomputer 40 executes a program related to firmware update processing to realize the functions of an update status receiving unit 101, a status display control unit 102, and a power operation control unit 103.

[0024] When the firmware of the main body 10 or the operation unit 20 is being updated, the update status receiving unit 101 receives information indicating the update status from the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 via dedicated signal lines 50, 51, respectively. Here, the update status includes "updating in progress" and "normal completion." The update status receiving unit 101 also performs a reception process at regular intervals to check whether the update status has been transmitted to the management microcomputer 40. Note that information indicating the update status of the firmware of the main body 10 is transmitted to the management microcomputer 40 without passing through the operation unit 20, and information indicating the update status of the firmware of the operation unit 20 is transmitted to the management microcomputer 40 without passing through the main body 10, and the update status receiving unit 101 receives this information.

[0025] The status display control unit 102 determines the firmware update status based on the update status received from the main body 10 and the operation unit 20, and controls the display on the display unit 41. If the received update status indicates that updating is in progress, the status display control unit 102 determines that the firmware update is in progress, and if the received update status indicates that the update has completed successfully, the status display control unit 102 determines that the firmware update has completed successfully. Furthermore, if the update status receiving unit 101 does not receive the update status for a predetermined period of time (if the main body 10 or the operation unit 20 does not transmit the update status to the management microcomputer 40), the status display control unit 102 determines that an abnormality has occurred during the firmware update.

[0026] If the display unit 41 includes an indicator showing the update status of the firmware of the main body 10 and an indicator showing the update status of the firmware of the operation unit 20, each indicator is controlled to light up, blink, or turn off according to the update status of each firmware. Also, if the display unit 41 includes a display screen such as an LCD, the status display control unit 102 may control the display unit 41 so that the update status of each firmware is displayed using characters, icons, etc.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content displayed on the display unit 41. FIG. 4(a) shows an example in which the display unit 41 includes an indicator (main unit indicator) indicating the update status of the firmware of the main unit 10 and an indicator (operation unit indicator) indicating the update status of the firmware of the operation unit 20. For example, the main unit indicator blinks in a specific pattern when the firmware of the main unit 10 is being updated, turns off when the update has been successfully completed, and turns on when an error occurs during the update. The specific pattern used for blinking the indicator may be a pattern in which the indicator turns on and off at a fixed interval, or the blinking interval may be different between when the update starts and when it is completed. For example, the interval before the update is completed may be shorter (or longer) than when the update starts, thereby presenting the progress of the update to the user. Furthermore, the status display control unit 102 may cause the display unit 41 to blink continuously for a predetermined period of time and then turn it off, or may cause the indicator to continue blinking until the update status changes from "updating." In FIG. 4(a), the display definitions of the main body indicator and the operation unit indicator are the same, but the display definitions of the main body indicator and the operation unit indicator may be different.

[0028] 4(b) and (c) are examples of images showing the firmware update status displayed on the display screen when the display unit 41 includes a display screen such as an LCD. In this example, the update status of each firmware is displayed using characters and symbols. FIG. 4(b) shows that the firmware for the main unit 10 is currently being updated, and the firmware for the operation unit 20 has been successfully updated. FIG. 4(c) shows that the update status of the firmware for the main unit 10 is "◯" (successful completion), and the update status of the firmware for the operation unit 20 is "×" (abnormality has occurred). The update status may be displayed using graphics, icons, or the like instead of the symbols shown in FIG. 4(c). The display unit 41 may also display explanatory diagrams and descriptions of each indicator (e.g., which of the indicators mounted on the display unit 41 indicates the update status of the main unit 10 and which indicates the update status of the operation unit 20), the progress of the update, etc.

[0029] When the firmware of the main body 10 or the operation unit 20 is being updated, the power operation control unit 103 controls the operation of the power control unit 18 via a dedicated signal line 52. For example, when the status display control unit 102 determines that at least one piece of firmware is being updated, the power operation control unit 103 controls the power control unit 18 so that the MFP 1 does not shut down even if the power button 18a is pressed by mistake.

[0030] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a firmware update procedure according to the first embodiment. First, the MFP 1 is started in a firmware update mode (update mode) (step S10), and firmware updates are executed for the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 (step S11). Here, there are cases where only one firmware update is available, or where even if both are available, one is updated at a time depending on the settings of the MFP 1, and therefore the firmware update may be executed for only the main body 10 or only the operation unit 20.

[0031] Next, if each firmware update is successful (step S12: Yes), the update status of each firmware is notified to the update status receiving unit 101 of the management microcomputer 40 via dedicated signal lines 50, 51 (step S13), and the status display control unit 102 causes the main unit indicator and / or the operation unit indicator to flash in a specific pattern for a predetermined period of time (step S14). Next, it is checked whether or not updates are still available for each firmware (step S15). Since multiple firmware versions may become available at the same time, for example, an update to version 2.3.1 is executed in step S15, and it is checked in step S15 whether or not any available updates (versions 2.3.2, 2.3.3, etc.) remain.

[0032] If there are no firmware updates remaining (step S15: No), and if all updates have been successful (step S16: Yes), the MFP1 is restarted in normal mode (step S17), and if there are any updates that have not been successful (step S16: No), the MFP1 is restarted in update mode (step S18).

[0033] On the other hand, if either update is unsuccessful (step S12: No), update status receiving unit 101 continues to perform the reception process at regular time intervals. If the update status is not received from main unit 10 for a predetermined time, the main unit indicator is turned on (step S20), and if the update status is not received from operation unit 20 for a predetermined time, the operation unit indicator is turned on (step S21). In this case, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the update in either main unit 10 or operation unit 20, and therefore the processes from step S15 onwards are executed for the one for which the update was successful (main unit 10 or operation unit 20). Furthermore, the turned on indicator is turned off the next time MFP1 is restarted.

[0034] In step S15, if there is still firmware update to be performed (step S15: Yes), the process returns to step S11. At this time, if the update of the main body 10 has been completed, the main body 10 notifies the management microcomputer 40 of the update status indicating the completion of the update (step S30), and the status display control unit 102 turns off the main body indicator (step S31). Also, if the update of the operation unit 20 has been completed, the operation unit 20 notifies the management microcomputer 40 of the update status indicating the completion of the update (step S32), and the status display control unit 102 turns off the operation unit indicator (step S33). Note that if the updates of neither the main body 10 nor the operation unit 20 have been completed, the process also returns to step S11.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, the management microcomputer receives the update status using a dedicated signal line that does not pass through the main unit or the operation unit. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the main unit or the operation unit, the firmware update status can be displayed on the display unit and presented to the user. Furthermore, even if the user accidentally presses the power button during a firmware update, the MPF will not shut down, and the firmware update process can continue. These features improve user convenience.

[0036] (Second embodiment) 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP 1 according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the management microcomputer 40 and the display unit 41 are included in the main body 10, not in the operation unit 20. The operation of each unit, the functional configuration, and the firmware update procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] Thus, according to this embodiment, by mounting the management microcomputer and update status display unit on the main body side, the operation unit can be made compact, and if the indicator on the main body is easier to see than the operation unit depending on the installation location of the MFP, user convenience can be improved.

[0038] (Third embodiment) 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP 1 according to the third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the management microcomputer 40 is included in the main body 10, not the operation unit 20. The operation of each unit, the functional configuration, and the firmware update procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Thus, according to this embodiment, by installing the management microcomputer on the main body side, the operation unit can be made compact, and if the indicator on the operation unit is easier to see than on the main body due to the installation location of the MFP, user convenience can be improved.

[0040] (Fourth embodiment) 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP1 according to the fourth embodiment. The differences from the first embodiment are that a management microcomputer 40 is included in the main body 10 rather than in the operation unit 20, and that a display unit 41 is connected to the management microcomputer 40 from outside the MFP1. The operation of each unit, the functional configuration, and the firmware update procedure are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0041] The display unit 41 may be, for example, an external device equipped with only an LED indicator, or may be a device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal that can communicate with the management microcomputer 40.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, by mounting the management microcomputer on the main body, the operation unit can be made compact, and even if it is difficult to see the indicators on the MFP main body or operation unit, the update status displayed on the display unit can be checked at a location of the user's choice. These features improve user convenience.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments.

[0044] Note that the functions of the management microcomputer 40 described above (update status receiving unit 101, status display control unit 102, power operation control unit 103) are realized by executing a program that runs on the management microcomputer 40, but this is not limited to this. For example, at least some of the above functions may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., a semiconductor integrated circuit, etc.).

[0045] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other on different operating systems, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 may operate on the same operating system.

[0046] The programs executed in the above-described embodiments may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB, or may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Also, various programs may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0047] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> This image forming device comprises a main body capable of performing functions including image formation, an operation unit that accepts user operations, a management microcomputer that is communicatively connected to the main body and the operation unit, and a display unit that displays the firmware update status, wherein the management microcomputer receives information indicating the firmware update status when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, and controls the display of the display unit based on the update status. <2> the management microcomputer controls the shutdown of the main body based on the update status; <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <3> The main body and the operation unit are directly connected to the management microcomputer by dedicated signal lines, and information indicating the update status of the firmware of the main body is sent to the management microcomputer without passing through the operation unit, and information indicating the update status of the firmware of the operation unit is sent to the management microcomputer without passing through the main body. <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <4> The management microcomputer receives the update status of the firmware at regular intervals. <1> ~ <3> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <5> When a power button is pressed, the management microcomputer controls the shutdown of the main body based on whether firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated. <2> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <6> the management microcomputer displays, on the display unit, information indicating that firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated based on the update status; <1> ~ <5> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <7> a main body capable of realizing functions including image formation, and an operation unit that accepts user operations; A control method for an image forming device having a management microcomputer communicatively connected to the main body and the operation unit, and a display unit that displays the update status of firmware, the control method comprising: when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, the management microcomputer receives information indicating the update status of the firmware; and when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, the management microcomputer controls the display of the display unit based on the update status. <8> This program causes a computer to function as a means for the management microcomputer to receive information indicating the firmware update status when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, and as a means for the management microcomputer to control the display of the display unit based on the update status when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, in an image forming device that includes a main body capable of performing functions including image formation, an operation unit that accepts user operations, a management microcomputer that is communicatively connected to the main body and the operation unit, and a display unit that displays the firmware update status. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 MFP 10 Main Unit 18 Power supply control unit 20 Control section 40 Management microcomputer 41 Display section 101 Update status receiver 102 Status display control unit 103 Power supply operation control section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0049] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-129945

Claims

1. a main body capable of performing functions including image formation; an operation unit that accepts user operations; a management microcomputer communicably connected to the main body and the operation unit; a display unit that displays the firmware update status; Equipped with The management microcomputer When the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, receiving information indicating an update status of the firmware; controlling the display of the display unit based on the update state; Image forming device.

2. The management microcomputer Controlling shutdown of the main body based on the update status. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The main body and the operation unit are directly connected to the management microcomputer by dedicated signal lines, The information indicating the update status of the firmware of the main body is transmitted to the management microcomputer without going through the operation unit, The information indicating the update status of the firmware of the operation unit is transmitted to the management microcomputer without passing through the main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. The management microcomputer receives the update status of the firmware at regular intervals. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The management microcomputer When the power button is pressed, controlling shutdown of the main body based on whether firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The management microcomputer and displaying, on the display unit, information indicating that firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated based on the update status. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. a main body capable of performing functions including image formation; an operation unit that accepts user operations; a management microcomputer communicably connected to the main body and the operation unit; a display unit that displays the firmware update status; A control method for an image forming apparatus comprising: When the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, the management microcomputer receives information indicating an update status of the firmware; When firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated, the management microcomputer controls the display of the display unit based on the update status; Equipped with Control method.

8. Computer, a main body capable of performing functions including image formation; an operation unit that accepts user operations; a management microcomputer communicably connected to the main body and the operation unit; a display unit that displays the firmware update status; In an image forming apparatus comprising: a means for receiving information indicating an update status of the firmware when the firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated by the management microcomputer; a means for controlling the display of the display unit based on the update status when firmware of at least one of the main body and the operation unit is being updated by the management microcomputer; To function as, program.

Images