Update processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To accurately determine whether each update firmware included in a firmware package is eligible for update without requiring special data for the determination.SOLUTION: An update processing device includes: a compatibility determination unit 311 configured to compare the type and purpose of update firmware with active firmware installed on an image forming device to determine their compatibility; a new / old determination unit 312 configured to determine whether the update firmware determined to be compatible with the active firmware is a newer version than the active firmware; an object determination unit 313 configured to determine that the update firmware determined to be a newer version than the active firmware is eligible for update; and a firmware transmission processing unit 314 configured to transmit the update firmware determined to be eligible for update to the image forming device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an update processing device and an image forming device, and more particularly to a technique for updating firmware installed in an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] The firmware installed in image forming devices such as printers and multifunction devices may be updated when new functions are added, when a malfunction occurs, etc. For example, firmware updates are performed by downloading the update firmware from a server via a PC. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-087422 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-117587 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a possibility that unnecessary firmware updates may be performed, so it is important to determine whether the new firmware update is the target of updating the firmware installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0005] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes using a determination list to determine whether a firmware update is necessary, but the determination list must be prepared and managed in advance, and special data is required for the determination. The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 describes using application data to determine whether an application update is necessary, but the application data must be updated to the latest version. Furthermore, the inventions described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not inventions related to updates using a firmware package in which multiple update firmwares are packaged.

[0006] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to make it possible to accurately determine whether each of multiple update firmwares contained in a firmware package is subject to update without requiring special data for the determination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An update processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a communication unit that communicates with an image forming device; a consistency determination unit that performs processing to compare the type and use of each of multiple update firmwares included in a firmware package with the current firmware installed in the image forming device to determine their consistency, and to determine that update firmware that has the same type and use as the current firmware is consistent with the current firmware; a new / old determination unit that performs processing to determine whether the update firmware that the consistency determination unit determines to be consistent with the current firmware is a newer version than the current firmware; a target determination unit that performs processing to determine that the update firmware that the new / old determination unit determines to be a newer version than the current firmware is a target for update; and a firmware transmission processing unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the update firmware that the target determination unit determines to be a target for update to the image forming device.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a consistency determination unit that performs a process of comparing the type and use of each of a plurality of update firmwares included in a firmware package with the current firmware installed in the image forming apparatus to determine the consistency between the two, and determining that update firmware that has the same type and use as the current firmware is consistent with the current firmware; a new / old determination unit that performs a process of determining whether the update firmware that the consistency determination unit has determined to be consistent with the current firmware is a newer version than the current firmware; a target determination unit that performs a process of determining that the update firmware that the new / old determination unit has determined to be a newer version than the current firmware is a target for update; and a control unit that updates the current firmware with the update firmware that the target determination unit has determined to be a target for update. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine whether each of a plurality of update firmware included in a firmware package is subject to update without requiring special data for the determination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of firmware installed in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a firmware package. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comparison between update firmware and current firmware. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comparison between update firmware and current firmware. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comparison between update firmware and current firmware. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a firmware package. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An update processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The update processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an information processing device. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the entire information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The information processing system 11 is configured to include an image forming device 1, a server 2, and an information processing device 3, which are present on a network such as the Internet. The image forming device 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and has firmware installed.

[0013] 2(A) to 2(C) are diagrams showing examples of firmware installed in the image forming apparatus 1. Each of Fig. 2(A) to 2(C) shows three pieces of firmware installed in the image forming apparatus 1, along with the type, purpose, and version of each piece of firmware.

[0014] Figure 2(A) shows firmware of type "controller FW (firmware)", purpose "4in1", and version "1.0", firmware of type "engine FW", purpose "standard", and version "1.0", and firmware of type "language (Brazil) FW", purpose "standard", and version "1.0".

[0015] Figure 2(B) shows firmware of type "Controller FW", purpose "4in1", and version "1.1", firmware of type "Engine FW", purpose "Standard", and version "1.0", and firmware of type "Language (Brazil) FW", purpose "Standard", and version "1.1".

[0016] Figure 2(C) shows firmware of type "Controller FW", purpose "4in1 (Custom)", and version "1.0", firmware of type "Engine FW", purpose "Standard", and version "1.0", and firmware of type "Language (Brazil) FW", purpose "Standard", and version "1.0".

[0017] The server 2 manages a firmware package (update file) in which update firmware is packaged, and transmits the firmware package to the information processing device 3.

[0018] The information processing device 3 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage device 35. Each of these components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a communication bus.

[0019] The operation unit 32 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs commands or characters received based on user operation to the control unit 31. The operation unit 32 receives instructions input by user operation. The display unit 33 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) etc., and displays various images under the control of the control unit 31.

[0020] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from external devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 2 within a local area or on the Internet.

[0021] The storage device 35 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs, etc. An update tool 350 as a program is also installed in the storage device 35. The update tool 350 is a program for updating firmware installed in the storage device 35.

[0022] The storage device 35 also includes a firmware package (FP) storage unit 351. The firmware package storage unit 351 stores, for example, a firmware package in which a plurality of pieces of update firmware are packaged.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of each firmware in a firmware package. Fig. 3 shows that firmware package FP1 has five pieces of update firmware UFW1 to UFW5 (hereinafter collectively referred to as update firmware UFW), and shows the type, purpose, and version of each of the five pieces of update firmware UFW1 to UFW5. For example, it shows that update firmware UFW1 has a type of "controller FW," a purpose of "4 in 1," and a version of "1.1."

[0024] The control unit 31 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 31 includes a control unit 310, a consistency determination unit 311, a new / old determination unit 312, a target determination unit 313, and a firmware transmission processing unit 314.

[0025] The control unit 31 functions as a control unit 310 by operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 35, and functions as a consistency determination unit 311, a new / old determination unit 312, a target determination unit 313, and a firmware transmission processing unit 314 by operation of the processor in accordance with an update tool 350 stored in the storage device 35. However, each of the units from the control unit 310 to the firmware transmission processing unit 314 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of operation in accordance with a control program or the like by the control unit 31. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0026] The control unit 310 is responsible for overall operational control of the information processing device 3. The control unit 310 is connected to the operation unit 32, the display unit 33, the communication unit 34, and the storage device 35, and performs drive control of each of these units. For example, the control unit 310 requests the server 2 to download a firmware package via the communication unit 34, and stores the firmware package downloaded from the server 2 in the firmware package storage unit 351.

[0027] The consistency determination unit 311 compares the type and purpose of the update firmware UFW with the current firmware installed in the image forming device 1 to determine the consistency between the two, and performs processing to determine that the update firmware UFW, which has the same type and purpose as the current firmware, is consistent with the current firmware.

[0028] 2A is installed in the image forming apparatus 1, the consistency determination unit 311 determines that three of the five update firmwares UFW1 to UFW5 included in the firmware package FP1 (FIG. 3) are consistent with the current firmware: update firmware UFW1, which is of type "controller FW" and intended use "4 in 1"; update firmware UFW3, which is of type "engine FW" and intended use "standard"; and update firmware UFW4, which is of type "language (Brazil) FW" and intended use "standard." In other words, the consistency determination unit 311 determines that the two update firmwares UFW2 and UFW5 are inconsistent with the current firmware.

[0029] Furthermore, when firmware such as that shown in FIG. 2(C) is installed in the image forming device 1, the consistency determination unit 311 determines that of the five update firmwares UFW1 to UFW5 contained in the firmware package FP1 (FIG. 3) that have the same type and purpose, two of them, namely, update firmware UFW3, which has the type "engine FW" and the purpose "standard," and update firmware UFW4, which has the type "language (Brazil) FW" and the purpose "standard," are consistent with the current firmware.

[0030] The new / old determination unit 312 performs processing to determine whether or not the update firmware UFW, which has been determined by the consistency determination unit 311 to be compatible with the current firmware, is a newer version than the current firmware.

[0031] The target determining unit 313 performs processing to determine that the update firmware, which is determined by the new / old determining unit 312 to be a newer version than the current firmware, is a target for updating.

[0032] For example, when attempting to update using the five update firmwares contained in firmware package FP1, if the firmware shown in Figure 2(A) is installed on image forming device 1, as shown in Figure 4, of the five update firmwares contained in firmware package FP1, three update firmwares UFW1, UFW3, and UFW4 are consistent with the current firmware and are all newer versions than the current firmware, so the target determination unit 313 determines that these three update firmwares UFW1, UFW3, and UFW4 are targets for update.

[0033] Furthermore, when attempting to update using the five update firmwares contained in firmware package FP1, if firmware such as that shown in Figure 2(B) is installed on image forming device 1, as shown in Figure 5, of the five update firmwares contained in firmware package FP1, three, namely update firmware UFW1, UFW3, and UFW4, are consistent with the current firmware, and only update firmware UFW3 is a newer version than the current firmware, so the target determination unit 313 determines that only update firmware UFW3 is the target for update.

[0034] Furthermore, if the target determination unit 313 determines, based on the determination result by the consistency determination unit 311, that there is at least one current firmware that is inconsistent with any of the update firmware UFW included in the firmware package, it determines that all update firmware included in the firmware package is not subject to update.

[0035] The firmware transmission processing unit 314 transmits the update firmware determined by the target determining unit 313 to be the target of update to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit .

[0036] 7 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a storage device 8.

[0037] The document feed unit 6 is configured to be openable and closable on the top surface of the document reading unit 5 using a hinge or the like (not shown), and the document feed unit 6 functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on the platen glass (not shown).

[0038] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and the like, and reads the document fed from the document feeding unit 6 or reads the document placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 is also capable of sequentially reading multiple document images sent from the document feeding unit 6.

[0039] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0040] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 is equipped with a photosensitive drum, charging device, exposure device, developing device, and primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network, to create a printed matter.

[0041] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these rollers. The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the two rollers, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper that has been fixed is then discharged to an output tray (not shown).

[0042] The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette, a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0043] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys that are operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can execute in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0044] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0045] The display unit 473 is made up of an LCD or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0046] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from external devices (for example, the server 2 or the information processing device 3) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0047] The storage device 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various control programs, etc. The storage device 8 also includes a firmware storage unit 81. The firmware storage unit 81 stores firmware such as those shown in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C).

[0048] The control unit 10 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an ASIC, or an MPU. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100.

[0049] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation of the control unit 10 in accordance with a control program. Unless otherwise specified below, this applies to each embodiment.

[0050] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feed unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, and the storage device 8, and performs drive control of each of these units and executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 100 requests a firmware update from the information processing device 3 in accordance with instructions from the user received via the operation unit 47. The control unit 100 executes a process to install firmware in the storage device 8.

[0051] Next, an example of processing related to updating firmware installed in the image forming apparatus 1 by the information processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. Note that this processing is processing that is performed by the information processing apparatus 3 when the information processing apparatus 3 receives a firmware update request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 34. In addition, the description here will be made taking as an example a case where the firmware package FP1 shown in Fig. 3 is stored in the firmware package storage unit 351.

[0052] The consistency determination unit 311 of the information processing device 3 reads and acquires attribute information (type information, use information, and version information) related to the update firmware UFW included in the firmware package FP1 stored in the firmware package storage unit 351 (S1). Furthermore, the consistency determination unit 311 requests the image forming device 1, which has requested the firmware update, to transmit attribute information (type information, use information, and version information) related to the firmware (current firmware) installed in the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 34. When the network interface unit 91 of the image forming device 1 receives the request, the control unit 100 transmits attribute information related to the firmware (current firmware) installed in the firmware storage unit 81 from the network interface unit 91 to the information processing device 3. In the information processing device 3, the communication unit 34 receives the attribute information (S2). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3.

[0053] The processes indicated by S3 to S8 are processes for comparing the update firmware UFW1 to UFW5 included in the firmware package FP1 (Figure 3) with the current firmware installed in the image forming device 1, and are performed for each current firmware (controller FW, engine FW, or language (Brazil) FW), and are repeated until processing for all current firmware is completed.

[0054] First, the consistency determination unit 311 performs a process to detect update firmware UFW of the same type as a certain current firmware based on the attribute information (S3), and determines whether update firmware UFW of the same type as the current firmware exists (S4).

[0055] If the consistency determination unit 311 determines that there is update firmware UFW of the same type as the current firmware (YES in S4), it performs a process of detecting update firmware UFW with the same purpose from among update firmware UFW of the same type as the current firmware based on the attribute information (S5), and determines whether there is update firmware UFW with the same purpose (S6).

[0056] If the consistency determination unit 311 determines that there is update firmware UFW that has the same purpose as the current firmware (YES in S6), the new / old determination unit 312 determines whether the update firmware UFW that the consistency determination unit 311 has determined to be compatible with the current firmware is a newer version than the current firmware based on the attribute information (S7).

[0057] If the new / old determination unit 312 determines that the version is newer than the current firmware (YES in S7), the target determination unit 313 determines that the update firmware UFW is to be updated and adds it to the firmware to be sent to the image forming apparatus 1 (S8). On the other hand, if the new / old determination unit 312 determines that the version is not newer than the current firmware (NO in S7), the target determination unit 313 does not determine that the update firmware UFW is to be updated.

[0058] When the processes indicated by S3 to S8 have been performed for all of the currently used firmware, the firmware transmission processing unit 314 transmits all of the update firmware UFW determined by the target determination unit 313 to be the target of update to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 34 (S9). After this, the process ends.

[0059] According to the series of processes shown in S1 to S9 above, when firmware such as the example shown in Fig. 2(A) is installed in the image forming apparatus 1, update firmware UFW1, UFW3, and UFW4 are determined to be the target of update, as shown in Fig. 4, and are sent to the image forming apparatus 1. Also, when firmware such as the example shown in Fig. 2(B) is installed in the image forming apparatus 1, update firmware UFW3 is determined to be the target of update, and is sent to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0060] As described above, after the information processing device 3 transmits all update firmware UFW determined by the target determination unit 313 to the image forming device 1 from the communication unit 34, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the update firmware UFW transmitted via the network interface unit 91, stores the received update firmware UFW in the firmware storage unit 81, and executes a process of updating the firmware using the update firmware UFW.

[0061] In the above series of processes, if the consistency determination unit 311 determines in S4 that there is not even one update firmware UFW of the same type as the current firmware (NO in S4), or if the consistency determination unit 311 determines in S6 that there is not even one update firmware UFW of the same purpose as the current firmware (NO in S6), the target determination unit 313 determines that all update firmware UFW1 to UFW5 included in firmware package FP1 are not targets for update. In this case, the process ends.

[0062] According to the above embodiment, consistency with the current firmware is determined based on the type and purpose, and whether or not the firmware is subject to update is determined based on whether the version is newer or older. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not each of the multiple update firmware included in the firmware package is subject to update without requiring special data for the determination.

[0063] As another example of the above embodiment, the following process may be adopted: For example, when attempting to update using five pieces of update firmware contained in firmware package FP1, if the firmware shown in FIG. 2C is installed in image forming apparatus 1, there is no update firmware UFW that is compatible with the current firmware whose type is "controller FW" and whose purpose is "4 in 1 (custom)" among the five pieces of update firmware UFW1 to UFW5 contained in firmware package FP1 (FIG. 3).

[0064] In this way, when the consistency determination unit 311 determines that there is even one piece of current firmware that is inconsistent with any of the update firmware UFW included in the firmware package, the target determination unit 313 may determine that all of the update firmware UFW1 to UFW5 in the firmware package FP1 are not targets for update, as shown in Fig. 6. For example, when viewed individually, update firmware UFW3 and UFW4 satisfy the update conditions but are not targets for update.

[0065] This means that if there is even one currently used firmware that is not compatible with any of the update firmware UFWs contained in the firmware package, the firmware package itself is deemed unsuitable for updating, and can be excluded from the update target on a firmware package basis.

[0066] However, in the image forming apparatus 1, there is a possibility that a normal update may not be sufficient to expand the functionality of the device. For example, there may be cases where an update using update firmware that is not recognized as being compatible with the current firmware, or an update that reverts to an older version is required.

[0067] Therefore, as yet another embodiment, the target determination unit 313 may not use either the consistency determination by the consistency determination unit 311 or the new / old determination by the new / old determination unit 312, which are specified by instructions received by the operation unit 32, as a factor for denying the determination that the update firmware is to be updated, regardless of the determination result.

[0068] For example, when the operation unit 32 receives an instruction to not adopt the use determination made by the compatibility determination unit 311, the target determination unit 313 processes the update firmware UFW as having been determined to be compatible with the current firmware by the compatibility determination unit 311 if it is determined to be the same type as the current firmware, regardless of the result of the use determination made by the compatibility determination unit 311. Alternatively, when the operation unit 32 receives an instruction to not adopt the determination made by the new / old determination unit 312, the target determination unit 313 determines that the update firmware UFW, which has been determined to be compatible with the current firmware by the compatibility determination unit 311, is the target of the update, regardless of the result of the version old / new determination made by the new / old determination unit 312.

[0069] In addition, when there are multiple update firmware UFWs of the same type as the current firmware, the consistency determination unit 311 may determine that the update firmware UFW with the closest use to the current firmware is consistent with the current firmware.

[0070] In yet another embodiment, if the firmware package contains predetermined judgment change information, the target judgment unit 313 may determine that the update firmware is a target for update, in accordance with instructions received by the operation unit 32, regardless of the results of judgment by the consistency judgment unit 311 and the new / old judgment unit 312.

[0071] An example of this further embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. Note that only the parts that differ from the contents of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 will be described here.

[0072] In S6, if the consistency determination unit 311 determines that there is no update firmware UFW with the same purpose as the current firmware (NO in S6), it determines whether the firmware package contains the above-mentioned determination change information (i.e., whether updating with update firmware UFW for a different purpose is permitted) (S10).

[0073] If the consistency determination unit 311 determines that the firmware package contains the above-mentioned determination change information (YES in S10), the target determination unit 313 determines that the update firmware UFW, which has the same type but not the same purpose, is the target for update, and adds it to the firmware to be sent to the image forming device 1 (S8).

[0074] In S7, if the new / old determination unit 312 determines that the update firmware UFW, which is of the same type and has the same purpose, is not a newer version than the current firmware (NO in S7), the target determination unit 313 determines whether the firmware package contains the above-mentioned determination change information (i.e., whether updating using update firmware UFW with a newer version is permitted) (S11).

[0075] If the target determination unit 313 determines that the firmware package contains the above-mentioned determination change information (YES in S11), it determines that the update firmware UFW, which is not a newer version but has the same type and purpose, is the target for update and adds it to the firmware to be sent to the image forming device 1 (S8).

[0076] For example, as shown in Figure 9, if firmware package FP2 has five update firmwares UFW1 to UFW5 and also has the above-mentioned judgment change information, and firmware such as that shown in Figure 2 (C) is installed in the image forming device 1, the consistency judgment unit 311 will determine that the update firmware UFW1 in firmware package FP2 (Figure 9) and the current firmware "controller FW" do not have the same purpose. However, since firmware package FP2 has the above-mentioned judgment change information, the target judgment unit 313 will determine that the update firmware UFW1 is consistent with the current firmware and that the update firmware UFW1 is the target for update, regardless of the result of the judgment by the consistency judgment unit 311.

[0077] Up to this point, we have described the case where the information processing device 3 is equipped with a consistency determination unit 311, a new / old determination unit 312, and a target determination unit 313. However, in another embodiment, the image forming device 1 may be equipped with these consistency determination unit 311, new / old determination unit 312, and target determination unit 313, and may determine whether the image forming device 1 is a target for updating the update firmware.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 10 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 22 Control section 100 control section 3. Information processing equipment 31 Control Unit 310 Control Unit 311 Consistency judgment part 312 Old and New Judgment Department 313 Object Determination Unit 314 Firmware transmission processing unit 32 Operation section 34 Communications Department 35 Storage device 350 Update Tool 351 Firmware package storage unit

Claims

1. a communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus; a consistency determination unit that performs a process of comparing the type and purpose of each of a plurality of update firmwares included in a firmware package with the type and purpose of the current firmware installed in the image forming apparatus to determine the consistency between the two, and determining that the update firmware that has the same type and purpose as the current firmware is consistent with the current firmware; an old / new determination unit that performs a process of determining whether the update firmware, which has been determined by the consistency determination unit to be compatible with the current firmware, is a newer version than the current firmware; an object determining unit that performs processing to determine that the update firmware, which is determined by the new / old determining unit to be a newer version than the current firmware, is an object to be updated; an update processing device including: a firmware transmission processing unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the update firmware determined by the target determination unit to be an update target to the image forming device.

2. 2. The update processing device according to claim 1, wherein the target determination unit determines that there is at least one current firmware that is incompatible with any of the update firmware included in the firmware package based on the determination result by the consistency determination unit, and determines that all of the update firmware included in the firmware package are not eligible for update.

3. further comprising an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user, 3. The update processing device according to claim 1, wherein the target determination unit does not use either the consistency determination by the consistency determination unit or the new / old determination by the new / old determination unit, as specified by an instruction received by the instruction receiving unit, as a factor for denying the determination that the update firmware is the target for update, regardless of the result of the determination.

4. 3. The update processing device described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when the firmware package contains predetermined judgment change information, the target judgment unit judges the update firmware to be a target for update in accordance with the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit, regardless of the results of judgment by the consistency judgment unit and the new / old judgment unit.

5. An image forming apparatus, a consistency determination unit that performs a process of comparing the type and purpose of each of a plurality of update firmwares included in a firmware package with the type and purpose of the current firmware installed in the image forming apparatus to determine the consistency between the two, and determining that the update firmware that has the same type and purpose as the current firmware is consistent with the current firmware; an old / new determination unit that performs a process of determining whether the update firmware, which has been determined by the consistency determination unit to be compatible with the current firmware, is a newer version than the current firmware; an object determining unit that performs processing to determine that the update firmware, which is determined by the new / old determining unit to be a newer version than the current firmware, is an object to be updated; a control unit that updates the current firmware with the update firmware that is determined to be an update target by the target determination unit.

Images