Reader control apparatus and control apparatus

Abstract

To make it possible for any of a plurality of control apparatus forming a P2P network to update each of firm wares in the plurality of control apparatus.SOLUTION: The present invention is directed to a reader control apparatus forming a Peer to Peer network together with a plurality of control apparatus respectively set with first firm wares. The reader control apparatus has a storage unit for storing a second firm ware, a file indicating that the second firm wares for the plurality of control apparatus are ready, and peer information indicating each of acquisition status of the second firm wares by the plurality of control apparatus, and means for receiving a completion message transmitted from the control apparatus and indicating completion of updating from the first firm ware to the second firm ware.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reader control device and a control device, and more particularly to a reader control device and a control device that updates firmware in multiple control devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Control devices such as monitoring terminals are installed in various facilities such as waterworks, factories, etc. As infrastructure facilities and infrastructure equipment become more complex, the number of installed control devices increases.

[0003] As the number of control devices to be operated increases, the burden on the operator increases. When the burden increases, for example, when updating the firmware in all control devices, the operator may forget to update the firmware in some control devices.

[0004] To solve the above problems, a method for automatically updating firmware in a control device by using a peer-to-peer (hereinafter also referred to as P2P) network can be considered. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a scalable and adaptable method and device for dynamically changing environmental firmware or a patch deployment system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-212423 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] By using the device described in Patent Document 1, an operator can update the firmware of each of the multiple control devices that make up a P2P network without any omissions.

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, the server that manages the P2P network does not constitute the P2P network. In other words, Patent Document 1 does not describe a system in which any one of the multiple control devices that constitute the P2P network is a server that manages the P2P network and updates the firmware in the control devices.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable any one of a plurality of control devices constituting a P2P network to update the firmware of each of the plurality of control devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The leader control device according to the present disclosure is a leader control device that forms a peer-to-peer network with multiple control devices, each of which has a first firmware set, and includes a memory unit that stores second firmware, a file indicating that the second firmware is prepared for the multiple control devices, and peer information indicating the respective acquisition statuses of the second firmware by the multiple control devices, and includes a means for receiving a completion message sent by the control device after the update from the first firmware to the second firmware is completed.

[0010] The control device according to the present disclosure is a control device in which a first firmware is set, and which forms a peer-to-peer network with a plurality of control devices other than the control device and a leader control device, and includes a confirmation unit that checks at predetermined intervals whether a file indicating that a second firmware is prepared is stored in the memory unit of the leader control device, and an acquisition unit that acquires peer information from the memory unit when it is confirmed that the file is stored in the memory unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, any one of the plurality of control devices that make up the P2P network can update the firmware in each of the plurality of control devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a firmware updating system 1000 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a control device 100 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a reader control device 200 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of peer information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shared information file. [Figure 6] 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a firmware update process by the firmware update system 1000 according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a firmware update process by the firmware update system 1000 according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device 100 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a reader control device 200 according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a firmware update system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present disclosure, the drawings may be associated with one or more embodiments.

[0014] [Configuration Description] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a firmware updating system 1000 according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Common methods for updating firmware include, for example, having a large number of devices download new firmware from a server that provides new firmware, or manually updating each device with new firmware.

[0016] Compared to typical methods of updating firmware, the firmware updating system 1000 of this embodiment can reduce the burden on the server that centrally manages firmware and on the operator of the control device.

[0017] Specifically, the firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment can reduce the burden on the person in charge of operating the servers and control devices by updating each firmware in a large number of control devices that control equipment using a P2P method.

[0018] The firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment updates firmware using a hybrid P2P method, which is a P2P method used in protocols such as BitTorrent. Note that the term "large number" in this embodiment refers to a number that places a heavy burden on the operator.

[0019] The firmware update system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N and a leader control device 200 (N is a natural number of 2 or more). N These will also be collectively referred to as the control device 100.

[0020] The control device 100 is a device that can be connected to a network and has a sufficient storage capacity. The control device 100 is, for example, an IoT (Internet of Things) device.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N The reader control device 200 is communicably connected to the plurality of control devices 1001 to 1002. Nand the reader control device 200 constitute the P2P network shown in Fig. 1. When the P2P network is constituted, the firmware update system 1000 shown in Fig. 1 employs a hybrid P2P method in which the reader control device 200 serves as a server.

[0022] In particular, the control devices that make up the P2P network are called peers. N and leader control device 200 all correspond to peers.

[0023] In the following description, a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N It is also assumed that the leader control device 200 does not constitute a P2P network. The firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment updates firmware across multiple control devices 100 using a hybrid P2P method.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the operator of the firmware updating system 1000 operates the reader control device 200 directly.

[0025] 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a control device 100 according to the present disclosure. The control device 100 shown in FIG.

[0026] The communication unit 110 has a function of communicating with other control devices and computers, and the control unit 120 has a function of controlling the control device 100.

[0027] The storage unit 130 includes a P2P connection unit 131 , a monitoring unit 132 , and a storage area 133 . The P2P connection unit 131 has a function of connecting to the leader control device 200 in a P2P manner when the control device 100 has not yet configured a P2P network.

[0028] The monitor 132 also has a function of monitoring the reader control device 200 at predetermined time intervals and downloading a shared information file, which will be described later.

[0029] The storage area 133 also stores firmware set in the control device 100, control information, logs, and the like.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a reader control device 200 according to the present disclosure. The reader control device 200 is a single control device that stores new firmware, information such as IP addresses and download status of terminals constituting the P2P network, files indicating information about files to be shared, and folders for providing the files.

[0031] The reader control device 200 shown in FIG. 3 includes a reader communication unit 210, a reader control unit 220, a reader storage unit 230, and a display unit 240.

[0032] The reader communication unit 210 has a function of communicating with other control devices and computers, and the reader control unit 220 has a function of controlling the reader control device 200.

[0033] The reader storage unit 230 has a reader P2P connection unit 231, a reader storage area 232, and a monitoring destination folder 233. The reader P2P connection unit 231 has a function of connecting to the control device 100 by P2P when the reader control device 200 has not yet configured a P2P network.

[0034] The reader storage area 232 also stores firmware set in the reader control device 200, peer information (described later), control information, logs, etc. When an operator updates the firmware currently in use (first firmware (described later)) to new firmware (second firmware (described later), the new firmware is stored in the reader storage area 232.

[0035] Furthermore, the operator uploads a shared information file to the monitoring destination folder 233. The reader control unit 220 stores new firmware, peer information, and the shared information file in the reader storage unit 230.

[0036] In the firmware updating system 1000 of this embodiment, the control device having the monitoring destination folder 233 corresponds to the leader control device 200 .

[0037] Specifically, before updating the firmware, the operator pre-configures one of the multiple control devices to hold the peer information and the monitoring destination folder 233. The control device that holds the peer information and the monitoring destination folder 233 becomes the leader control device 200. The operator also configures the control devices 100 other than the leader control device 200 to monitor the monitoring destination folder 233.

[0038] In addition, in a typical P2P system, when a file is uploaded to a monitored folder, the download process starts immediately. However, because the frequency of firmware updates in the control device 100 is lower than the frequency of updates for general software, the operator sets the control device 100 to monitor the monitored folder 233 every few hours.

[0039] In this embodiment, the role of distributing the shared information file may be played by a plurality of control devices 100 instead of only by the leader control device 200.

[0040] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of peer information. As shown in FIG. 4, the peer information includes the IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and port numbers of all peers that make up the P2P network.

[0041] The peer information also includes the download progress of all peers, which indicates for each peer whether "new firmware download complete", "new firmware download in progress", or "new firmware upload in progress".

[0042] Note that "uploading new firmware in progress" indicates a state in which a control device 100 that has already downloaded new firmware is uploading the new firmware using the P2P method to a control device 100 that has not yet downloaded the new firmware.

[0043] That is, the peer information is stored in the plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N The following shows the status of each new firmware acquisition.

[0044] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shared information file. As shown in Fig. 5, the shared information file includes a file name, a file size, and a hash value of the file.

[0045] The shared information file contains information about new firmware. N This indicates that new firmware is available for the

[0046] The file name is the name of the file (new firmware) to be shared, the file size is the size of the file to be shared, and the file hash value is a value used as a unique identifier for the file to be shared.

[0047] The control unit 120 of the control device 100 that has acquired the shared information file from the monitored folder 233 analyzes the shared information file. Next, if a P2P network is not configured with the leader control device 200, the communication unit 110 of the control device 100 transmits a message to the leader control device 200 to act as a P2P client (peer) only for the new firmware indicated in the shared information file.

[0048] If the sent message is permitted by the leader control device 200, the control device 100 acts as a P2P client only for the new firmware according to the contents of the shared information file. Then, the communication unit 110 of the control device 100 receives peer information from the leader control device 200.

[0049] The control devices 100 that have become P2P clients form a P2P network as shown in Fig. 1. When a control device 100 on the P2P network communicates with a leader control device 200, the communication unit 110 of the control device 100 acquires information (peer information) indicating peers with which data can be exchanged. Next, the communication unit 110 downloads data from the peers with which data can be exchanged.

[0050] The reader communication unit 210 of the reader control device 200 receives a message from the control device 100 indicating that the download of new firmware or the update has been completed. The display unit 240 of the reader control device 200 has a function of visualizing the firmware update status of the control device 100 using a browser or a dedicated application based on the received message. When the update status is visualized, the operation staff can easily check the update status of each firmware of a large number of control devices 100.

[0051] As described above, the control device 100 of this embodiment has a function of updating firmware using the hybrid P2P method when a shared information file is uploaded to a monitoring destination.

[0052] The leader control device 200 of this embodiment also has a function of storing new firmware, the IP address and status of the control device 100, and folders to be monitored by the control device 100. The leader control device 200 also has a function of managing the P2P network by generating appropriate peers.

[0053] The control devices 100 constituting the P2P network other than the leader control device 200 monitor the monitoring destination folder 233, and start downloading the shared information file when the shared information file is uploaded.

[0054] Next, the control device 100 analyzes the downloaded shared information file. If the analysis determines that new firmware has not been acquired, the control device 100 acquires peer information from the leader control device 200. Based on the acquired peer information, the control device 100 can acquire new firmware to be updated from the leader control device 200 or another control device 100 that has acquired new firmware.

[0055] [Explanation of operation] The operation of updating firmware in the firmware updating system 1000 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 7. Figures 6 to 7 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of firmware updating processing by the firmware updating system 1000 according to the present disclosure.

[0056] The process shown in Fig. 7 is a subsequent process to the process shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, it is assumed that the control devices 1001 and 1002 have not configured a P2P network with the leader control device 200 before the processes shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are started.

[0057] First, the operator updates only the firmware in the reader control device 200 to new firmware (step S101).

[0058] Next, the operator creates a shared information file corresponding to the new firmware, and uploads the created shared information file to the monitoring destination folder 233 stored in the reader storage unit 230 of the reader control device 200 (step S102).

[0059] Next, the communication unit 110 of the control device 1001 monitors whether or not a shared information file has been uploaded to the monitoring destination folder 233 of the leader control device 200 at predetermined time intervals in response to an instruction from the monitoring unit 132 (step S103).

[0060] If the shared information file has been uploaded to the monitoring destination folder 233, the communication unit 110 downloads the shared information file from the reader control device 200 in response to an instruction from the monitoring unit 132 (step S104).

[0061] Next, the control unit 120 of the control device 1001 analyzes the downloaded shared information file. If it is confirmed that the control device 1001 itself has not acquired the new firmware indicated by the analysis result, the P2P connection unit 131 generates a message to become a P2P client. Next, in response to an instruction from the P2P connection unit 131, the communication unit 110 transmits the message to become a P2P client to the leader control device 200 (step S105).

[0062] Next, the leader P2P connection unit 231 of the leader control device 200 authorizes the transmitted message. If the message is authorized, the communication unit 110 downloads the peer information from the leader control device 200 (step S106).

[0063] If the control device 1001 has already configured a P2P network with the leader control device 200 from the beginning, the process of transmitting a message to the leader control device 200 and the process of authorizing the transmitted message are omitted.

[0064] Next, the P2P connection unit 131 of the control device 1001 analyzes the downloaded peer information. N If the peer information indicates that none of the peers have yet downloaded the new firmware, the communication unit 110, in response to an instruction from the P2P connection unit 131, downloads the new firmware from the leader control device 200 that first holds the new firmware (step S107). That is, the P2P connection unit 131 shares the new firmware with the leader P2P connection unit 231.

[0065] After the download of the new firmware is completed, the communication unit 110 transmits a completion message to the leader control device 200 (step S108). Next, the leader P2P connection unit 231 of the leader control device 200 updates the information on the download progress status for the control device 1001 that transmitted the completion message, which is included in the peer information.

[0066] Next, the communication unit 110 of the control device 1002 also monitors whether or not a shared information file has been uploaded to the monitoring destination folder 233 of the leader control device 200 at predetermined time intervals in response to an instruction from the monitoring unit 132 (step S109).

[0067] If the shared information file has been uploaded to the monitoring destination folder 233, the communication unit 110 downloads the shared information file from the reader control device 200 in response to an instruction from the monitoring unit 132 (step S110).

[0068] Next, the control unit 120 of the control device 1002 analyzes the downloaded shared information file. If it is confirmed that the control device 1002 itself has not acquired the new firmware indicated by the analysis result, the P2P connection unit 131 generates a message for becoming a P2P client. Next, in response to an instruction from the P2P connection unit 131, the communication unit 110 transmits the message for becoming a P2P client to the leader control device 200 (step S111).

[0069] Next, the leader P2P connection unit 231 of the leader control device 200 authorizes the transmitted message. If the message is authorized, the communication unit 110 downloads the peer information from the leader control device 200 (step S112).

[0070] If the control device 1002 has already configured a P2P network with the leader control device 200 from the beginning, the process of transmitting a message to the leader control device 200 and the process of authorizing the transmitted message are omitted.

[0071] Next, the P2P connection unit 131 of the control device 1002 analyzes the downloaded peer information. N If the peer information indicates that any number of peers have downloaded the new firmware, the communication unit 110, in response to an instruction from the P2P connection unit 131, downloads the new firmware from any number of peers that have completed the download.

[0072] In particular, the communication unit 110 downloads the new firmware from the control device 1001, which is a peer that is not "uploading new firmware" among any number of peers that have completed the download (step S113). That is, the P2P connection unit 131 of the control device 1002 shares the new firmware with the P2P connection unit 131 of the control device 1001.

[0073] After the download of the new firmware is completed, the communication unit 110 transmits a completion message to the leader control device 200 (step S114). Next, the leader P2P connection unit 231 of the leader control device 200 updates the information on the download progress status for the control device 1002 that transmitted the completion message, which is included in the peer information.

[0074] By repeatedly executing the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the firmware in each of the many control devices 100 is updated without exception.

[0075] In steps S108 and S114, the communication unit 110 can transmit not only a download completion message for the new firmware but also an update completion message. That is, when the control unit 120 completes the update to the new firmware, the communication unit 110 can transmit an update completion message.

[0076] The display unit 240 of the reader control device 200 can visualize the received update completion message using a browser or a dedicated application. When the display unit 240 visualizes the update completion message, the operation staff can confirm that many control devices 100 have completed updating to the new firmware.

[0077] As described above, the firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment includes a plurality of control devices 1001 to 1000, each of which has the first firmware set therein. N and a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N and a leader control device 200 that configures a peer-to-peer network between the two.

[0078] The reader control device 200 includes a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N A shared information file indicating that second firmware is prepared for the plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N The reader storage unit 230 stores peer information indicating the acquisition status of the second firmware by the respective peers.

[0079] The communication unit 110 of the control device 100 checks at predetermined time intervals whether a shared information file is stored, and if it is confirmed that a shared information file is stored, acquires peer information from the leader memory unit 230.

[0080] The reader storage unit 230 stores the second firmware. N If the peer information indicates that none of the peers have yet acquired the second firmware, the second firmware is acquired from the reader storage unit 230.

[0081] The communication unit 110 also communicates with a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N If the peer information indicates that any number of the control devices 100 have acquired the second firmware, the second firmware is acquired from any of the any number of the control devices 100.

[0082] The control device 100 also includes a control unit 120 that updates the first firmware to the second firmware. The communication unit 110 also transmits a completion message to the reader control device 200 after the update is complete.

[0083] Furthermore, the leader control device 200 determines whether the plurality of control devices 1001 to 1000 are connected to the same network based on the transmitted completion message. N The display unit 240 displays the status of each update to the second firmware.

[0084] [Effect description] When an operator updates firmware for multiple control devices, the operator must update the firmware for each control device individually, which places a heavy burden on the operator and may result in firmware updates being overlooked.

[0085] Furthermore, when a large number of control devices communicate with a server that has new firmware, the load on the server increases as the number of control devices increases.

[0086] The firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment aims to reduce the burden on the operator and eliminate oversight of updates by updating each firmware in a plurality of control devices using a P2P method.

[0087] Multiple control devices 1001 to 100 NThe firmware update system 1000 can automatically update the firmware in a large number of control devices by utilizing the P2P network configured by the leader control device 200. By using the firmware update system 1000, the operator can save the trouble of individually updating the firmware for all of the control devices to be operated.

[0088] Furthermore, since the load is distributed compared to a method in which many control devices communicate intensively with one server, the load on the server (leader control device 200) is reduced. The operator can update the firmware in all control devices to be operated by simply updating the firmware in one control device (leader control device 200) and uploading the shared information file.

[0089] When the firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment is used, the firmware is simply stored in a permanent memory area of ​​the reader control device 200, and the user of the control device 100 can freely decide whether or not to update the firmware.

[0090] For example, an operator can select "a setting to apply new firmware without confirmation when new firmware is downloaded" or "a setting to display a confirmation screen when new firmware is downloaded" for the entire firmware update system 1000. When the latter setting is selected and the confirmation screen is displayed, the user of the control device 100 can decide whether or not to update the firmware.

[0091] The firmware update system 1000 of this embodiment is considered to be used for a plurality of control devices that can be connected to the Internet, particularly a plurality of control devices that have a function for communicating between the devices.

[0092] The following describes a specific example of the hardware configuration of the control device 100. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0093] 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an auxiliary memory unit 14. It also includes an input unit 15 for user operation and an output unit 16 for presenting the processing results or the progress of the processing contents to the user.

[0094] The control device 100 is realized by software when the CPU 11 shown in FIG. 8 executes a program that provides the functions of each component.

[0095] That is, the CPU 11 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 14 into the main storage unit 12, executes it, and controls the operation of the control device 100, thereby realizing each function by software.

[0096] The control device 100 shown in Fig. 8 may include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of the CPU 11. Alternatively, the control device 100 shown in Fig. 8 may include both the CPU 11 and a DSP.

[0097] The main memory unit 12 is used as a data working area and a data temporary saving area. The main memory unit 12 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 130 is realized by the main memory unit 12.

[0098] The communication unit 13 has a function of inputting and outputting data to and from peripheral devices via a wired network or a wireless network (information communication network).

[0099] The auxiliary storage unit 14 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium, such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a semiconductor memory.

[0100] The input unit 15 has a function of inputting data and processing commands, and is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0101] The output unit 16 has a function of outputting data and is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, or a printing device such as a printer.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 8, in the control device 100, each component is connected to a system bus 17.

[0103] The auxiliary storage unit 14 stores a program for realizing the control unit 120 in the control device 100.

[0104] The control device 100 may be implemented with a circuit including hardware components such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) that realizes the functions shown in FIG. 2 inside.

[0105] Next, a specific example of the hardware configuration of the reader control device 200 will be described. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the reader control device 200 according to the present disclosure.

[0106] 9 includes a CPU 21, a main memory unit 22, a communication unit 23, and an auxiliary memory unit 24. It also includes an input unit 25 for user operation and an output unit 26 for presenting the processing results or the progress of the processing contents to the user.

[0107] The reader control device 200 is realized by software when the CPU 21 shown in FIG. 9 executes a program that provides the functions of each component element.

[0108] That is, the CPU 21 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 24 into the main storage unit 22, executes it, and controls the operation of the reader control device 200, thereby realizing each function by software.

[0109] The reader control device 200 shown in Fig. 9 may include a DSP instead of the CPU 21. Alternatively, the reader control device 200 shown in Fig. 9 may include both the CPU 21 and a DSP.

[0110] The main memory unit 22 is used as a data working area and a data temporary saving area. The main memory unit 22 is, for example, a RAM. The reader memory unit 230 is realized by the main memory unit 22.

[0111] The communication unit 23 has a function of inputting and outputting data to and from peripheral devices via a wired network or a wireless network (information communication network). The reader communication unit 210 is realized by the communication unit 23.

[0112] The auxiliary storage unit 24 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium, such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0113] The input unit 25 has a function of inputting data and processing commands, and is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0114] The output unit 26 has a function of outputting data and is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, or a printing device such as a printer.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 9, in the reader control device 200, each component is connected to a system bus 27.

[0116] In the reader control device 200, the auxiliary storage unit 24 stores programs for implementing the reader control unit 220 and the display unit 240.

[0117] The reader control device 200 may be implemented with a circuit including hardware components such as an LSI that realizes the functions shown in FIG.

[0118] The control device 100 and the reader control device 200 may also be realized by hardware that does not include computer functions using elements such as a CPU. For example, some or all of the components may be realized by general-purpose circuits, dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip (e.g., the above-mentioned LSI), or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits, etc., and a program.

[0119] Furthermore, some or all of the components of the control device 100 and the reader control device 200 may be configured by one or more information processing devices each having a calculation unit and a storage unit.

[0120] When some or all of the components are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which they are connected via a communication network.

[0121] Next, an outline of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of a firmware update system according to the present disclosure. The firmware update system 30 according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of control devices 401 to 400, each of which has a first firmware set therein. N(For example, a plurality of control devices 1001 to 100 N ) and a plurality of control devices 401 to 40 N and a leader control device 50 that configures a peer-to-peer network between the leader control device 50 and a plurality of control devices 401 to 40 N a file indicating that second firmware is prepared for the plurality of control devices 401 to 40 N The control device 401 includes a memory unit 51 (e.g., a reader memory unit 230) that stores peer information indicating each acquisition status of the second firmware by the file server 401 and the peer information indicating each acquisition status of the second firmware by the file server 401, and the control device 401 includes a confirmation unit 41 (e.g., a communication unit 110) that checks whether a file is stored at predetermined time intervals, and an acquisition unit 42 (e.g., a communication unit 110) that acquires the peer information from the memory unit 51 when it is confirmed that the file is stored.

[0122] When a firmware update system with such a configuration is used, any one of the multiple control devices that make up the P2P network can update the firmware in each of the multiple control devices.

[0123] The storage unit 51 stores the second firmware, and the acquisition unit 42 acquires the firmware from the plurality of control devices 401 to 40. N If the peer information indicates that none of the peers have yet acquired the second firmware, the second firmware may be acquired from the storage unit 51.

[0124] The acquisition unit 42 also acquires the information of the plurality of control devices 401 to 40 N If the peer information indicates that any number of the controllers have obtained the second firmware, the second firmware may be obtained from any of the number of the controllers.

[0125] When a firmware update system having such a configuration is used, the load on the control device that plays the role of a server in the P2P network is reduced.

[0126] The control device 401 may also include an update unit (e.g., a control unit 120) that updates the first firmware to the second firmware, and a transmission unit (e.g., a communication unit 110) that transmits a completion message to the reader control device 50 after the update is completed.

[0127] Furthermore, the leader control device 50 determines whether the plurality of control devices 401 to 404 are connected to the same network based on the transmitted completion message. N The second firmware update unit 200 may be provided with a display unit (for example, the display unit 240) that displays each update status to the second firmware.

[0128] When a firmware update system with such a configuration is used, the operator can easily grasp the update status of the firmware of each control device.

[0129] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0130] (Appendix 1) A firmware update system including a plurality of control devices each having a first firmware set therein, and a leader control device forming a peer-to-peer network between the plurality of control devices, The reader control device a storage unit that stores a file indicating that second firmware is prepared for the plurality of control devices and peer information that indicates each acquisition status of the second firmware by the plurality of control devices; The control device a confirmation unit that checks whether the file is stored at predetermined intervals; an acquisition unit that acquires the peer information from the storage unit when it is confirmed that the file is stored; Firmware update system characterized by:

[0131] (Appendix 2) the storage unit stores the second firmware; The acquisition unit acquires the second firmware from the storage unit when the peer information indicates that none of the plurality of control devices has yet acquired the second firmware. Firmware update system as described in Appendix 1.

[0132] (Appendix 3) When the peer information indicates that an arbitrary number of the plurality of control devices have acquired the second firmware, the acquisition unit acquires the second firmware from any of the arbitrary number of control devices. Firmware update system as described in Appendix 1.

[0133] (Appendix 4) The control device includes an update unit that updates the first firmware to the second firmware, and a transmission unit that transmits a completion message to the reader control device after the update is completed. 2. A firmware update system as defined in claim 2 or claim 3.

[0134] (Appendix 5) The reader control device has a display unit that displays the update status of each of the plurality of control devices to the second firmware based on the transmitted completion message. Firmware update system as described in Appendix 4.

[0135] (Appendix 6) A firmware update method executed in a firmware update system including a plurality of control devices each having a first firmware set therein, and a leader control device that forms a peer-to-peer network with the plurality of control devices and has a storage unit, The reader control device, storing in the storage unit a file indicating that second firmware is prepared for the plurality of control devices and peer information indicating each acquisition status of the second firmware by the plurality of control devices; The control device Check whether the file is stored at predetermined intervals; If it is confirmed that the file is stored, the peer information is acquired from the storage unit. A firmware update method comprising:

[0136] (Appendix 7) A reader control device storing the second firmware in a storage unit; The control device If the peer information indicates that none of the plurality of control devices has yet acquired the second firmware, the second firmware is acquired from the storage unit. Firmware update method described in Appendix 6.

[0137] (Appendix 8) The control device If the peer information indicates that any number of the plurality of control devices have acquired the second firmware, the second firmware is acquired from any of the any number of control devices. Firmware update method described in Appendix 6.

[0138] (Appendix 9) The control device Update the first firmware to the second firmware, Send a completion message to the reader controller after the update is complete Firmware update method described in Appendix 7 or Appendix 8.

[0139] (Appendix 10) A reader control device Based on the transmitted completion message, the update status of each of the plurality of control devices to the second firmware is displayed. Firmware update method described in Appendix 9.

[0140] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 11, 21 CPUs 12, 22 Main memory 13, 23, 110 Communications Department 14, 24 Auxiliary storage 15, 25 Input section 16, 26 Output section 17, 27 System Bus 30, 1000 firmware update system 401~40 N , 100, 1001~100 N control device 41 Verification Department 42 Acquisition Department 50, 200 Reader control device 51, 130 Storage section 120 control section 131 P2P connection 132 Monitoring Department 133 Storage area 210 Reader communication unit 220 Reader control unit 230 Reader memory unit 231 Leader P2P connection 232 Reader Storage Area 233 Monitored Folder 240 Display section

Claims

1. A leader control device that configures a peer-to-peer network with a plurality of control devices, each of which has a first firmware set therein, a storage unit that stores second firmware, a file indicating that the second firmware is prepared for the plurality of control devices, and peer information that indicates each acquisition status of the second firmware by the plurality of control devices; a means for receiving a completion message transmitted by the control device from the first firmware to the second firmware after the update is completed; Reader control device.

2. a display unit that displays the update status of each of the plurality of control devices to the second firmware based on the completion message; The reader control device according to claim 1 .

3. A control device in which first firmware is set, A peer-to-peer network is configured with a plurality of control devices other than the control device and a leader control device, a confirmation unit that checks at predetermined time intervals whether a file indicating that second firmware is prepared is stored in a storage unit of the reader control device; an acquisition unit that acquires peer information from the storage unit when it is confirmed that the file is stored in the storage unit; A control device comprising:

4. The acquisition unit acquires the second firmware from the storage unit when the peer information indicates that none of the plurality of control devices has yet acquired the second firmware. The control device according to claim 3 .

5. When the peer information indicates that an arbitrary number of the plurality of control devices have acquired the second firmware, the acquisition unit acquires the second firmware from any of the arbitrary number of control devices. The control device according to claim 3 .

6. an update unit that updates the first firmware to the second firmware; a transmitter for transmitting a completion message to the reader control device after the update is completed. The control device according to claim 4 or 5.

Images