Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that improves the efficiency of updating work in work of updating firmware.SOLUTION: A first image forming apparatus 11 comprises a first image forming unit 15, a first storage unit 14, and a first communication unit 13. The first image forming unit 15 forms an image on a recording medium. The first storage unit 14 is configured to be rewritable. The first communication unit 13 is configured to be able to communicate, via a terminal device 30 used by a user U, with a storage connected to a network N. The first storage unit 14 can store first firmware F1. The first communication unit 13 reads first update firmware R1 stored in the storage via the terminal device 30. The first firmware F1 stored in the first storage unit 14 is updated by the first update firmware R1 read by the first communication unit 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 reads firmware stored in a nonvolatile memory and updates the firmware. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-21246 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the image forming device described in Patent Document 1 requires the user to be present at the site where the update work is being performed when updating the firmware. In other words, the user needs to prepare a non-volatile memory or the like in which the firmware is stored and then be present at the site where the update work is being performed. Therefore, the image forming device described in Patent Document 1 has issues with the efficiency of the update work.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can improve the efficiency of firmware update work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The storage unit is configured to be rewritable. The communication unit is capable of communicating with storage connected to a network via a terminal device used by a user. The storage unit is capable of storing firmware. The communication unit reads updated firmware stored in the storage via the terminal device. The firmware stored in the storage unit is updated by the updated firmware read by the communication unit.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a terminal device, and a storage. The image reading apparatus is the one described in the first aspect. The terminal device is used by a user. The storage is connected to a network. The storage stores updated firmware. The terminal device is capable of communicating with the storage and the communication unit of the image forming apparatus. The terminal device downloads the updated firmware from the storage. The communication unit reads the downloaded updated firmware from the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus and image forming system can improve the efficiency of the update work when updating firmware of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention, and an image forming system including the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart of processing in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a first modified example of the processing of the image forming system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a second modified example of the processing of the image forming system. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a third modified example of the processing of the image forming system. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a process of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a modified example of the processing of the image forming system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first image forming apparatus 11 and an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating positions or directions, such as "upper," "lower," "horizontal," and "vertical," may be used. These terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the embodiment, and are not limited to positions or directions when actually implemented.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> [Configuration of image forming system 100] Referring to FIG. 1, a first image forming apparatus 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an image forming system 100 including the first image forming apparatus 11 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the first image forming apparatus 11 and the image forming system 100 including the first image forming apparatus 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that can be used by a user U, a terminal device 30 used by the user U, and a server device 40 (an example of storage). The image forming apparatus 10 may be configured with multiple units. The image forming apparatus 10 includes the first image forming apparatus 11.

[0012] The first image forming device 11 has a first control unit 12, a first image forming unit 15, a first storage unit 14, and a first communication unit 13. The first image forming device 11 is, for example, a network printer or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The first image forming unit 15 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper. The first storage unit 14 is rewritable. The first storage unit 14 is capable of storing first firmware F1.

[0013] The first firmware F1 is a computer program for controlling the operation, functions, etc. of the first image forming apparatus 11. The first firmware F1 is periodically updated to a new version of the first firmware F1. In the following description, the version of the first firmware F1 is indicated by a letter in parentheses after the name of the first firmware F1. The versions of the first firmware F1 are assumed to be in ascending alphabetical order. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first storage unit 14 stores the first firmware (A) F1 as version A of the first firmware F1. In addition, in the illustrations, "firmware" is abbreviated to "FW."

[0014] The server device 40 is connected to the network N. The server device 40 has a server control unit 42, a server communication unit 43, and a server storage unit 44. The server device 40 may be configured as, for example, a cloud server. The server communication unit 43 is connected to the network N and is communicatively connected to the terminal device 30 via the network N. The server storage unit 44 stores first update firmware R1. The first update firmware R1 updates the first firmware F1. The first update firmware R1 is transmitted from outside via the server communication unit 43 and stored in the server storage unit 44. That is, the first update firmware R1 is uploaded (stored) in the server device 40 (storage).

[0015] The first update firmware R1 is typically configured as a firmware package including tools for updating the first firmware F1. In the following description, the version of the first update firmware R1, like the version of the first firmware F1, is indicated by an alphabet in parentheses after the name of the update firmware. The version of the first update firmware R1 corresponds to the version of the first firmware F1. For example, the first firmware (A)F1 becomes the first firmware (B)F1 when updated with the first update firmware (B)R1. As shown in FIG. 1, the first update firmware (A)R1 and the first update firmware (B)R1 are uploaded to the server storage unit 44, for example.

[0016] The terminal device 30 includes a terminal control unit 32, a terminal communication unit 33, a terminal storage unit 34, an input / output unit 31, an update management unit 35, and an authentication unit 36. The terminal device 30 is an information processing device used by a user U, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0017] The terminal communication unit 33 is communicably connected to the server communication unit 43 via the network N. By being communicatively connected to the server communication unit 43, the terminal communication unit 33 receives the first specified update firmware Rs1 from the server communication unit 43. The first specified update firmware Rs1 is a specific version of the first update firmware R1 selected by the user U (details will be described later). The terminal storage unit 34 stores the received first specified update firmware Rs1. That is, the terminal device 30 downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 from the server device 40 (storage).

[0018] The terminal device 30 may be configured to be able to download the first specific update firmware Rs1 from the server device 40 using an API (Application Programming Interface), a tool, or the like (for example, an HTTP REST API, a dedicated command line tool, or the like). In addition, the terminal communication unit 33 is communicably connected to the server communication unit 43, and thereby confirms with the server device 40 the version of the uploaded first update firmware R1.

[0019] The terminal communication unit 33 is communicably connected to the first communication unit 13 of the first image forming apparatus 11 by any communication means. That is, the terminal apparatus 30 is capable of communicating with the server apparatus 40 and the first image forming apparatus 11. Therefore, the first image forming apparatus 11 can receive (read) from the terminal apparatus 30 the first specified update firmware Rs1 that the terminal apparatus 30 has downloaded from the server apparatus 40. That is, the first image forming apparatus 11 can read the first update firmware R1 stored in the server apparatus 40 as the first specified update firmware Rs1 via the terminal apparatus 30.

[0020] Any communication means between the terminal communication unit 33 and the first communication unit 13 may be configured as a communication means such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, etc. The terminal communication unit 33 may be configured to communicate with the first communication unit 13 of the first image forming apparatus 11 using a protocol such as REST (Representational State Transfer) or SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

[0021] The input / output unit 31 is a user interface that has an input function for receiving operations performed by the user U on the terminal device 30 as input, and an output function for outputting various information from the terminal device 30. The input / output unit 31 is, for example, a touch panel display that has both an input function and a display function.

[0022] The update management unit 35 manages information related to updates of the first firmware F1, such as the update schedule and the version of the first firmware F1 to be updated. The information related to updates is input by the user U via the input / output unit 31. The information related to updates has a data structure such as a "table," "list," or the like, and is managed by the update management unit 35.

[0023] The authentication unit 36, for example, provides authentication to enable the terminal communication unit 33 of the terminal device 30 to communicate with the server communication unit 43 of the server device 40. The authentication unit 36, for example, works in conjunction with an authentication infrastructure to execute authentication processing to authenticate the user U who uses the image forming system 100, the terminal device 30, etc. The authentication unit 36 ​​may be configured to permit use of the image forming system 100 by a user U who has been successfully authenticated using an authentication method such as OAuth or OpenID (registered trademark) provided by the authentication infrastructure. The authentication unit 36 ​​may also be configured to be able to identify the user U who uses the image forming system 100 using the authentication infrastructure. Note that the image forming system 100 may be configured without including the authentication unit 36.

[0024] The first control unit 12, server control unit 42, and terminal control unit 32 described above each include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The first memory unit 14, server memory unit 44, and terminal memory unit 34 each include a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The first memory unit 14, server memory unit 44, and terminal memory unit 34 each store data and computer programs. The processor of the first control unit 12 executes the computer program stored in the storage device of the first memory unit 14 to control the first communication unit 13 and the first image forming unit 15. The processor of the terminal control unit 32 executes the computer program stored in the storage device of the terminal memory unit 34 to control the terminal communication unit 33, update management unit 35, and input / output unit 31. The processor of the server control unit 42 executes the computer program stored in the storage device of the server memory unit 44 to control the server communication unit 43.

[0025] [Processing of Image Forming System 100] Next, processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. First, in step S21 of Fig. 2, for the first image forming apparatus 11 used by the user U, the first update firmware R1 of the version used by the user U is uploaded to the server device 40. The first update firmware R1 is uploaded periodically by, for example, an administrator of the image forming system 100.

[0026] Next, the input / output unit 31 of the terminal device 30 receives from the user U a selection of the first image forming device 11 among the image forming devices 10 as the target for updating the firmware F (step S1). Then, the terminal storage unit 34 of the terminal device 30 stores the first image forming device 11 selected by the user U (step S11).

[0027] The terminal communication unit 33 of the terminal device 30 confirms with the server device 40 the version of the first update firmware R1 that has already been uploaded for the selected first image forming device 11 (step S12). The input / output unit 31 displays information related to the confirmed version of the uploaded first update firmware R1 to the user U (step S12). The input / output unit 31 then accepts the user U's selection of the version of the first update firmware R1 (step S2). The terminal storage unit 34 stores the version of the update firmware selected by the user U (step S13). The terminal communication unit 33 requests the server device 40 to transmit the selected version of the first update firmware R1 (step S14).

[0028] For example, in FIG. 1, the terminal communication unit 33 confirms that the first update firmware (A)R1 and the first update firmware (B)R1 have been uploaded to the server device 40 (step S12). The input / output unit 31 displays the first update firmware (A)R1 and the first update firmware (B)R1 to the user U and accepts the user U's selection (step S12). For example, if the user U selects the first update firmware (B)R1 in step S2, the terminal storage unit 34 stores the first update firmware (B)R1 (step S13). The terminal communication unit 33 requests the server device 40 to transmit the selected first update firmware (B)R1 (step S14).

[0029] The server communication unit 43 of the server device 40 receives the request (step S22) and transmits the selected version of first update firmware R1 as first specified update firmware Rs1 (an example of the specific version of first update firmware R1 selected by the user U) to the terminal device 30 (step S23). The terminal device 30 downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S15).

[0030] The terminal communication unit 33 transmits the downloaded first specified update firmware Rs1 to the first image forming device 11 (step S16). The first communication unit 13 of the first image forming device 11 reads the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S31). Upon reading the first specified update firmware Rs1, the first control unit 12 of the first image forming device 11 updates the first firmware F1 stored in the first storage unit 14 using the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S32). The first image forming device 11 then restarts (step S33). Thus, the first firmware F1 stored in the first storage unit 14 of the first image forming device 11 is updated by the first update firmware R1 read by the first communication unit 13.

[0031] 1, for example, the server communication unit 43 transmits the first update firmware (B)R1 to the terminal device 30 as the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S23). Then, the terminal device 30 downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 and transmits it to the first image forming device 11 (steps S15 and S16). The first image forming device 11 reads the first specified update firmware Rs1 and updates the first firmware (A)F1 (steps S31, S32, and S33). Thus, the first image forming device 11 updates the first firmware (A)F1 to the first firmware (B)F1.

[0032] Thereafter, the terminal communication unit 33 requests the first image forming apparatus 11 to transmit information related to the current version of the first firmware F1 (step S17). The first communication unit 13 of the first image forming apparatus 11 receives the request from the terminal communication unit 33 (step S34) and transmits the information related to the current version of the first firmware F1 to the terminal apparatus 30 (step S35). The terminal apparatus 30 receives the current version of the first firmware F1 from the first image forming apparatus 11 (step S18).

[0033] The terminal device 30 checks whether the current version of the first firmware F1 is the same as the version selected by the user U in step S2 (step S19). If the current version is the same as the selected version (Yes in step S19), the process ends (END). If the current version is different from the selected version (No in step S19), the terminal device 30 returns to, for example, step S14 and requests the server device 40 to send the selected version of the first update firmware R1 again.

[0034] Through the above process, the first firmware F1 of the first image forming device 11 is updated by the first update firmware R1 uploaded to the server device 40. The first firmware F1 of the first image forming device 11 is updated by the update file of the version selected by the user U from the versions of the first update firmware R1 confirmed by the terminal device 30. Therefore, when the first image forming device 11 updates the first firmware F1, the user U does not need to be present, for example, with a non-volatile memory storing the first update firmware R1. As a result, the image forming system 100 can improve the efficiency of the update work of the first firmware F1.

[0035] (Variation 1: Updated according to schedule) Next, a first modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the first modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. Steps S1 to S2, steps S11 to S13, and step S21 shown in Fig. 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 2, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] In FIG. 3, after the update FW is selected in step S2, the input / output unit 31 of the terminal device 30 receives an input from the user U as a confirmation schedule (an example of a predetermined timing) for confirming the version of the first update firmware R1 with the server device 40 (step S3). The terminal storage unit 34 of the terminal device 30 then stores the confirmation schedule input by the user U (step S41). The terminal control unit 32 of the terminal device 30 then checks the current date and time at a predetermined interval (e.g., once a day) previously set by the user U (step S42). The terminal control unit 32 then checks whether the checked current date and time are the same as the date and time stored as the confirmation schedule (step S43). If the current date and time are the same as the update schedule (Yes in step S43), the terminal communication unit 33 of the terminal device 30 requests the server device 40 to transmit the version of the first update firmware R1 selected by the user U (step S44). The server communication unit 43 of the server device 40 receives the request (step S22) and transmits the first specified update firmware Rs1 to the terminal device 30 (step S23). The terminal device 30 then downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S45). If the current date and time differs from the update schedule (No in step S43), the terminal device 30 returns to step S42 and checks the current date and time again. The subsequent processing is the same as steps S16 to S19 and steps S31 to S35 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] That is, the first communication unit 13 of the first image forming apparatus 11 reads the first update firmware R1 and updates the first firmware F1 in accordance with the confirmation schedule. The confirmation schedule is set by the user U of the first image forming apparatus 11. Through the above process, the first image forming apparatus 11 periodically checks and updates the first firmware F1 in accordance with the confirmation schedule, which is input in advance by the user U. Therefore, the first image forming apparatus 11 does not require the user U to be present periodically when updating the first firmware F1. As a result, the image forming system 100 can improve the efficiency of the update work of the first firmware F1.

[0038] (Variation 2: Automatic version check function) Next, a second modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the second modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. Steps S1, S11, and S21 shown in Fig. 4 are the same as the processing of the first embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 2, and therefore will not be described again.

[0039] 4, the terminal communication unit 33 of the terminal device 30 checks the first update firmware R1 for the first image forming device 11 selected by the user U in step S1. Specifically, the terminal communication unit 33 checks with the server device 40 for the latest version of the first update firmware R1 among the versions uploaded to the server device 40 (step S51). The terminal communication unit 33 may be configured to check (for example, search) with the server device 40 at a predetermined interval (e.g., once a day) that is set in advance for the user U.

[0040] The terminal control unit 32 then checks whether the confirmed latest version is newer (an example of usability) than the current version of the first firmware F1 stored in the first storage unit 14 (step S52). If the confirmed latest version is newer than the current version (Yes in step S52), the terminal communication unit 33 requests the server device 40 to transmit the latest version of the first update firmware R1 (step S53).

[0041] The server device 40 receives the request from the terminal device 30 (step S22) and transmits the latest version of the first update firmware R1 to the terminal device 30 as first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S24). The terminal device 30 then downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S54). If the confirmed latest version is not newer than the current version (No in step S52), the terminal device 30 returns to step S51 and again confirms with the server device 40 the latest version of the first update firmware R1. The subsequent processing is similar to steps S16 to S19 and steps S31 to S35 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] That is, the terminal device 30 checks at predetermined intervals for the first updated firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40. Then, if the first updated firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40 is available, the terminal device 30 downloads the first updated firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40.

[0043] Through the above process, the image forming system 100 allows the terminal device 30 to periodically check the version of the first update firmware R1 with the server device 40 at predetermined intervals. Then, when available first update firmware R1 is uploaded, the image forming system 100 automatically downloads the available first update firmware R1. The image forming system 100 automatically updates the first firmware F1 using the downloaded first update firmware R1. Therefore, the first image forming device 11 does not require the user U to be present periodically when updating the first firmware F1. As a result, the image forming system 100 can improve the operability of the first firmware F1 update process.

[0044] (Variation 3: Update after notifying user U) Next, a third modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the third modification of the processing of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. Steps S1, S11, and S21 shown in FIG. 5 are the same as the processes in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore will not be described again.

[0045] 5, the input / output unit 31 of the terminal device 30 accepts a selection by the user U regarding a method of notification from the terminal device 30 to the user U. Then, the terminal storage unit 34 of the terminal device 30 stores the method of notification to the user U selected by the user U (step S61). Note that the notification method may be, for example, notification to a smartphone used by the user U, notification to a personal terminal used by the user U, etc.

[0046] The terminal communication unit 33 checks the first update firmware R1 for the first image forming apparatus 11 selected by the user U. Specifically, the terminal communication unit 33 checks with the server device 40 at predetermined intervals for the latest version of the first update firmware R1 uploaded to the server (step S62). The terminal control unit 32 then checks whether the latest version is newer than the current version of the first firmware F1 stored in the first storage unit 14 (an example of usability) (step S63).

[0047] If the confirmed latest version is newer than the current version (Yes in step S63), the terminal communication unit 33 notifies the user U that the first update firmware R1 is available (step S64). The device communication unit 33 notifies the user U that the first update firmware R1 is available in step S61 according to a notification method stored in advance, and the notification is received by the user U (step S5). The input / output unit 31 of the terminal device 30 then accepts the user U's selection as to whether or not to update the first firmware F1 (step S6). If the user U selects to update the first firmware F1 (Yes in step S6), the terminal device 30 requests the server device 40 to transmit the latest version of the first update firmware R1 (step S65). The server device 40 receives the request from the terminal device 30 (step S22) and transmits the latest version of the first update firmware R1 to the terminal device 30 as first specified update firmware Rs1 (step S24).

[0048] If the user U does not select to update the first firmware F1 (No in step S6), the process ends (END). Then, the terminal device 30 downloads the first specific update firmware Rs1 (step S54). If the confirmed latest version is not newer than the current version (No in step S63), the terminal device 30 returns to step S62 and again confirms with the server device 40 the latest version of the first update firmware R1. The subsequent processes are the same as steps S16 to S19 and steps S31 to S35 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore will not be described again.

[0049] That is, if there is a first update firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40, the terminal device 30 asks the user U whether or not to update the first update firmware R1. If the user U replies that an update is necessary, the terminal device 30 downloads the first update firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40. On the other hand, if the user U replies that an update is not necessary, the terminal device 30 does not download the first update firmware R1 that has been newly uploaded to the server device 40.

[0050] Through the above process, when a new version is uploaded, the image forming system 100 automatically notifies the user U that the latest version of the first update firmware R1 is available. The image forming system 100 then remotely receives a response from the user U regarding whether an update is necessary, and updates the first update firmware R1 accordingly. Therefore, when updating the first firmware F1, the image forming system 100 does not require the user U to be present, and can appropriately perform the update as needed by receiving a response from the user U regarding whether an update is necessary via the terminal device 30. As a result, the image forming system 100 improves the efficiency of the update work for the first firmware F1 and can appropriately perform the update work.

[0051] The update-related information described above is managed by the update management unit 35 in a state where it can be used later. The update-related information includes the version of the first firmware F1 of the first image forming apparatus 11, the latest version of the first update firmware R1, a confirmation schedule, and a predetermined interval for checking with the server apparatus 40. Specifically, the update-related information is managed in a table or the like, linked to, for example, identification information that identifies the first image forming apparatus 11. The update-related information can then be used later by being searched for using, for example, an SQL query using the identification information of the first image forming apparatus 11.

[0052] <Embodiment 2: Updating multiple image processing devices> [Configuration of image forming system 200] Next, an image forming system 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 again. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 of the image forming system 200 further includes a second image forming apparatus 21. In other words, the image forming system 200 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 that can be used by a user U.

[0053] The second image forming apparatus 21 includes a second control unit 22, a second communication unit 23, a second storage unit 24, and a second image forming unit 25. The second control unit 22 is configured similarly to the first control unit 12, the second communication unit 23 is configured similarly to the first communication unit 13, the second storage unit 24 is configured similarly to the first storage unit 14, and the second image forming unit 25 is configured similarly to the first image forming unit 15. The second communication unit 23 can communicate with a server device 40 connected to the network N via a terminal device 30. The second storage unit 24 can store second firmware F2. The second image forming apparatus 21 can read second update firmware R2 stored in the server device 40 as second specific update firmware Rs2 via the terminal device 30.

[0054] 1, for example, second firmware (B)F2 is stored in the second storage unit 24. Also, for example, second update firmware (A)R2, second update firmware (B)R2, and second update firmware (C)R2 are uploaded to the server storage unit 44.

[0055] [Processing of image forming system 200] Next, the processing of the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the processing of the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment. In the following description of the second embodiment, the first control unit 12 and the second control unit 22 may be collectively referred to as the control unit 2, the first communication unit 13 and the second communication unit 23 may be collectively referred to as the communication unit 3, and the first storage unit 14 and the second storage unit 24 may be collectively referred to as the storage unit 4. Similarly, the first firmware F1 and the second firmware F2 may be collectively referred to as firmware F, the first update firmware R1 and the second update firmware R2 may be collectively referred to as update firmware R, and the first specific update firmware Rs1 and the second specific update firmware Rs2 may be collectively referred to as the specific update firmware Rs.

[0056] Step S21 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the process of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore its description will be omitted. In FIG. 6, in step S71, the terminal control unit 32 checks all image forming devices 10 available to the user U (step S71). The terminal communication unit 33 checks with the server device 40 at predetermined intervals for the latest versions of update firmware R corresponding to each of the image forming devices 10 available to the user U that have been uploaded to the server device 40 (step S72). The terminal control unit 32 then checks whether there are any image forming devices 10 for which the latest version of update firmware R is newer than the current version of firmware F (hereinafter referred to as update-target image forming devices) (step S73). If there are any update-target image forming devices (Yes in step S73), the terminal communication unit 33 requests the server device 40 to transmit the latest version of update firmware R for each update-target image forming device (step S74). On the other hand, if there is no image forming apparatus to be updated (No in step S73), the process returns to step S72 and the terminal communication unit 33 checks with the server device 40 again to see if the latest version of the update firmware R is available.

[0057] For example, in FIG. 1, first update firmware (A)R1 and first update firmware (B)R1 are uploaded to the server device 40 as the first update firmware R1 (step S72). Also, second update firmware (A)R2, second update firmware (B)R2, and second update firmware (C)R2 are uploaded as the second update firmware R2 (step S72). Here, the first storage unit 14 of the first image forming device 11 stores the first firmware (A)F1, and the second storage unit 24 of the second image forming device 21 stores the second firmware (B)F2. Therefore, the first image forming device 11 can use the first update firmware (B)R1, which is a newer version than the first firmware (A)F1. Also, the second image forming device 21 can use the second update firmware (C)R2, which is a newer version than the second firmware (B)F2. Therefore, both the first image forming apparatus 11 and the second image forming apparatus 21 correspond to the image forming apparatuses to be updated (Yes in step S73). The terminal communication unit 33 requests the server device 40 to transmit the first update firmware (B)R1 for the first image forming apparatus 11 and the second update firmware (C)R2 for the second image forming apparatus 21 (step S74).

[0058] The server device 40 receives the request from the terminal device 30 (step S22), and transmits the latest version of update firmware R for each image forming device to be updated as specific update firmware Rs to the terminal device 30 (step S25).

[0059] The terminal device 30 then downloads the specific update firmware Rs (step S75) and transmits it to each of the image forming devices to be updated (step S76). The communication unit 3 of each of the image forming devices to be updated receives (reads) the specific update firmware Rs (step S31). The control unit 2 of each of the image forming devices to be updated then updates the firmware F stored in its storage unit 4 upon reading the specific update firmware Rs (step S32). Thereafter, each of the image forming devices to be updated restarts (step S33).

[0060] 1, for example, the server communication unit 43 transmits the first update firmware (B)R1 as the first specified update firmware Rs1 to the first image forming apparatus 11 (step S25). The server communication unit 43 also transmits the second update firmware (C)R2 as the second specified update firmware Rs2 to the second image forming apparatus 21 (step S25).

[0061] The terminal device 30 downloads the first specified update firmware Rs1 and the second specified update firmware Rs2 (step S75) and transmits them to the first image forming device 11 and the second image forming device 21, which are the image forming devices to be updated (step S76). The first image forming device 11 then reads the first specified update firmware Rs1, and the first firmware (A)F1 is updated, and the firmware F becomes the first firmware (B)F1 (steps S31, S32, and S33). The second image forming device 21 also reads the second specified update firmware Rs2, and the second firmware (B)F2 is updated, and the firmware F becomes the second firmware (C)F2 (steps S31, S32, and S33).

[0062] The server device 40 also creates a list of image forming devices to be updated and transmits the list to the terminal device 30 (step S26). The terminal device 30 receives the list (step S77). The input / output unit 31 of the terminal device 30 checks the update status of the image forming devices to be updated in the list and outputs the update status (step S78).

[0063] The terminal control unit 32 of the terminal device 30 also checks whether the specific update firmware Rs has been sent to all of the image forming devices to be updated in the list (step S79). If the specific update firmware Rs has been sent to all of the image forming devices to be updated in the list (Yes in step S79), the process ends (END). On the other hand, if the specific update firmware Rs has not been sent to all of the image forming devices 10 in the list (No in step S79), the process returns to step S76 and sends the specific update firmware Rs to all of the image forming devices to be updated that have not received the specific update firmware Rs.

[0064] That is, the terminal device 30 downloads the update firmware R to all of the image forming devices 10 that are to be updated and that can use the update firmware R. Through the above process, the image forming system 200 automatically updates the firmware F of all of the image forming devices that are to be updated when the available update firmware R is uploaded to the server device 40. Therefore, the image forming system 200 can update the firmware F of all of the image forming devices that are to be updated without requiring the user U to be present when updating the firmware F. As a result, the image forming system 200 can significantly improve the efficiency of the firmware F update work.

[0065] (Variation: Update the image processing device selected by user U) Next, a modified example of the processing of the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a modified example of the processing of the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0066] 7, step S21 is the same as the process according to the second embodiment described above, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted by referring to the above description. The terminal control unit 32 of the terminal device 30 accepts a selection by the user U of one or more image forming devices 10 that require an update of firmware F, from among a plurality of image forming devices 10 available to the user U (step S7). The terminal storage unit 34 then stores the image forming devices 10 selected by the user U (step S81).

[0067] The terminal communication unit 33 checks with the server device 40 at predetermined intervals to see if the latest version of the update firmware R for each of the selected image forming devices 10 has been uploaded to the server device 40 (step S82). Then, the terminal control unit 32 checks whether any of the selected image forming devices 10 is an image forming device to be updated (step S83).

[0068] If there is an image forming device to be updated (Yes in step S83), the subsequent processing is the same as the processing from step S74 onwards on the terminal device 30 and the processing from step S22 onwards on the server device 40 described above with reference to Fig. 6, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, if there is no image forming device to be updated (No in step S83), the process returns to step S82 and the terminal communication unit 33 again checks with the server device 40 for the latest version of the update firmware R.

[0069] That is, the terminal device 30 downloads the update firmware R to the image forming device 10 selected by the user U from among the multiple image forming devices 10. Through the above process, the image forming system 200 automatically updates the firmware F of the image forming device 10 pre-selected by the user U when the available update firmware R is uploaded to the server device 40.

[0070] Therefore, the image forming system 200 does not require the user U to be present when updating the firmware F, and can accurately update the firmware F for one or more image forming apparatuses 10 that require updating the firmware F based on the remote judgment of the user U. As a result, the image forming system 200 significantly improves the efficiency of the firmware F update work, and can accurately perform the update work.

[0071] 1, the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 include two image forming apparatuses 10, a first image forming apparatus 11 and a second image forming apparatus 21, but the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 may be configured to include three or more image forming apparatuses 10. The multiple image forming apparatuses 10 may be configured to include image forming apparatuses 10 of the same model that can use the same firmware F, or may be configured to include a mixture of image forming apparatuses 10 of different models. When a mixture of image forming apparatuses 10 of different models is included, the selection of an image forming apparatus 10 by the user U described above (step S7) may be configured to select the image forming apparatus 10 by selecting the model of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0072] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The present invention is useful in the fields of image forming apparatuses and image forming systems, for example, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] N Network U User F Firmware F1 1st firmware F2 Second firmware R Update Firmware R1 1st firmware update R2 2nd update firmware RS specific update firmware Rs1 1st specific update firmware Rs2 2nd specific update firmware 2. Control section 3. Communications Department 4 Storage section 5. Image forming unit 10 Image forming device 11 First image forming device 12 First Control Section 13 First Communications Department 14 1st memory section 15 First image forming unit 21 Second image forming device 22 Second Control Section 23 Second Communications Department 24 2nd memory section 25 Second image forming unit 30 Terminal Equipment 31 Input / output section 32 Terminal control unit 33 Terminal communication unit 34 Terminal memory section 35 Update Management Department 36 Authentication Section 40 Server equipment 42 Server control unit 43 Server Communication Department 44 Server Storage 100 Image forming system

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; A rewritable storage unit; a communication unit capable of communicating with storage connected to a network via a terminal device used by a user; Equipped with the storage unit is capable of storing firmware; the communication unit reads the updated firmware stored in the storage via the terminal device; The image forming apparatus, wherein the firmware stored in the storage unit is updated by the update firmware read by the communication unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ; the terminal device used by the user; the storage connected to the network; Equipped with the storage stores the updated firmware; The terminal device capable of communicating with the storage and the communication unit of the image forming apparatus; downloading the updated firmware from the storage; The communication unit reads the downloaded update firmware from the terminal device.

3. The terminal device downloading the particular version of the updated firmware selected by the user; The image forming system according to claim 2 .

4. The terminal device Checking the version of the updated firmware; 4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

5. the communication unit reads the update firmware at a predetermined timing and updates the firmware.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

6. The timing is set by the user of the image forming device; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. The terminal device Searching for the updated firmware newly stored in the storage; When the updated firmware newly stored in the storage is available, downloading the updated firmware newly stored in the storage; 4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

8. The terminal device Searching for the updated firmware that has been newly stored in the storage, and If the updated firmware is newly stored in the storage, the user is asked whether or not the updated firmware needs to be updated; When the user responds that an update is necessary, the updated firmware is downloaded from the storage device.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

9. The terminal device Searching for the updated firmware that has been newly stored in the storage, and If the updated firmware is newly stored in the storage, the user is asked whether or not the updated firmware needs to be updated; When the user replies that the update is not to be performed, the update firmware newly stored in the storage is not downloaded.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

10. a plurality of image forming apparatuses communicably connected to the terminal device; The terminal device downloading the updated firmware to all of the plurality of image forming devices; 4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

11. a plurality of image forming apparatuses communicably connected to the terminal device; The terminal device downloading the updated firmware to an image forming apparatus selected by the user from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses; 4. The image forming system according to claim 2.

Images