Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus capable of improving usability of a user about firmware updating.SOLUTION: When a set value of an Update Method is Auto Update ON (S1:Auto Update ON), a timer 17 has been set (S2:YES), and access time of the Auto Update has come (S3: YES), a controller 11 executes Auto Update processing (S4). On the other hand, when a set value of the Update Method is Auto Check ON (S1:Auto Check ON) and start timing of the Auto Check has come (S5: YES), the controller 11 executes the Auto Check processing (S6).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to a printing device that allows firmware to be downloaded and updated. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that updates its own firmware with firmware acquired from a server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-232512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present application have come up with an idea to improve the ease of use for users when updating firmware.

[0005] An object of the present application is to provide a printing device that can improve user usability regarding firmware updates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the printing device described in the embodiment is a printing device comprising a memory, a network interface, a user interface, and a controller, and the controller is capable of operating the printing device by executing firmware stored in the memory, and is capable of accessing a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, downloading update firmware from the firmware server, and updating the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware, and is capable of accepting input specifying a time period via the user interface, and is capable of determining the time to access the firmware server from within the time period from the first time of the specified time period to a time a predetermined time before the end of that time period, and is capable of accessing the firmware server at the determined access time each time the day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the printing device described in the embodiment, even if multiple printing devices access the firmware server on the same day or at the same time, the access times to the firmware server are dispersed, thereby reducing the load on the firmware server from being concentrated. Furthermore, the firmware update can be attempted on a day and at a time that is convenient for the user, and there is a high possibility that the firmware update can be completed within the time that is convenient for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transition of an operation screen at the time of initial installation. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an Auto Update process at the time of initial installation. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a transition of an operation screen when changing settings. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of Firmware Update Settings screens for different update methods. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of transition of operation screens starting from an Update Method setting screen. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a Days Of Week setting screen and a Time Slot setting screen. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a firmware update process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an Auto Update process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an Auto Check process. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of transition of an operation screen in an Auto Update process. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of transition of an operation screen in an Auto Check process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process for determining an access time to a firmware server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment. The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printer 10 (an example of a printing device), a PC 30 (an example of an external device), a firmware server 40, and an SNTP server 50. SNTP is an abbreviation for Simple Network Time Protocol. The printer 10 and the PC 30 are connected to each other via a router 2, either wired or wirelessly (e.g., via a LAN), so as to be able to communicate with each other. LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. The printer 10, the firmware server 40, and the SNTP server 50 are also connected to each other via the router 2 and the Internet 3, so as to be able to communicate with each other. Note that this network configuration is merely an example. For example, the firmware server 40 or the SNTP server 50 may be located within the LAN, or the PC 30 may be located on the Internet 3. Multiple printers 10 and PCs 30 may be connected to the firmware server 40 and the SNTP server 50. Multiple PCs 30 may be connected to one printer 10, or one PC 30 may select one of multiple printers 10 to perform printing.

[0011] The printer 10 is a device capable of executing various processes such as printing, and executes these processes in accordance with a print job output from the PC 30. The printer 10 mainly comprises a controller 11, a user IF 12, a memory 13, a scanner 14, a print engine 15, a communication IF 16, and a clock 17. IF is an abbreviation for interface. These components can communicate with each other via a bus 18.

[0012] The printer 10 can communicate with the router 2 via the communication IF 16. The communication IF 16 is an interface used for communication via a LAN and a WAN. WAN is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network.

[0013] The controller 11 is configured with a CPU, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), etc., and controls the operations of the user IF 12, the scanner 14, the print engine 15, the communication IF 16, and the clock 17. The controller 11 executes processing in accordance with firmware 13A in the memory 13. The memory 13 also stores setting information 13B. The memory 13 is configured by combining RAM, NVRAM, ROM, SSD, HDD, etc. Buffers provided in the controller 11 and used when various programs are executed may also be considered part of the memory 13.

[0014] The memory 13 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0015] The user IF 12 is, for example, a touch panel integrated with a display, which displays various information such as the operation screen of the printer 10 on the display and accepts user operations on icons, buttons, etc. displayed on the display. In addition to the touch panel, the user IF 12 may also be configured with a display and hard keys separate from the display.

[0016] The scanner 14 is a component that includes an image sensor and reads images to perform scanning. The print engine 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic printing mechanism. The print engine 15 may also be an inkjet printing mechanism.

[0017] The clock 17 keeps time and may be configured as hardware or software, or partly as hardware and the rest as software. For convenience, the clock 17 and the firmware 13A are shown separately, but the controller 11 may be configured to execute processing that functions as the clock 17 in accordance with the firmware 13A. The time kept by the clock 17 is used during the firmware update process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0018] The firmware server 40 is a server that provides the printer 10 with the latest firmware.

[0019] The SNTP server 50 is a server that responds with the current time in response to a current time inquiry from the printer 10. The printer 10 can receive the current time from the SNTP server 50 and synchronize the current time of the clock 17 with this time. A server other than the SNTP server 50, such as an NTP server, may be used as the server that responds with the current time.

[0020] In this specification, the term basically refers to the processing of the controller 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program. In other words, in the following description, processes such as "judging," "extracting," "selecting," "calculating," "deciding," "identifying," "acquiring," "receiving," and "controlling" represent the processing of the controller 11. The processing by the controller 11 also includes hardware control using an OS API. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without mentioning the OS. In other words, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the OS API." In addition, the processing of the controller 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the controller 11." In addition, the processing of the controller 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in abbreviated terms, such as "performed by program A."

[0021] Note that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process of the controller 11 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the controller 11 obtaining data." Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data that has the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Furthermore, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or an instruction to the other party. Furthermore, information indicating a request or an instruction is also simply referred to as a "request" or "instruction."

[0022] Furthermore, the process by the controller 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B is present from information A." The process by the controller 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B or event C is present from information A."

[0023] The printer 10 is configured to update firmware using one of the following methods: an Auto Update method (an example of a first method), an Auto Check method (an example of a second method), and a manual method. The Auto Update method is a method in which the printer 10 accesses the firmware server 40, downloads firmware from the firmware server 40, and updates the firmware 13A with the downloaded firmware automatically, i.e., without user instructions. The Auto Check method, like the Auto Update method, automatically accesses the firmware server 40, but only checks whether the latest firmware version registered on the firmware server 40 is newer than the version of the firmware 13A. The printer 10 downloads firmware from the firmware server 40 and updates the firmware 13A with the downloaded firmware only upon user instructions. The manual method is a method in which the printer 10 also accesses the firmware server 40 in response to user instructions. Note that in this embodiment, the timing at which the printer 10 automatically accesses the firmware server 40 is based on a date and time period specified by the user in the Auto Update method, whereas the timing in the Auto Check method is specific to the printer 10 and is not specified by the user.

[0024] Here, the setting item Update Method will be described. The Update Method setting value can be set to one of three values: Auto Update On, which indicates that the Auto Update method is enabled; Auto Check On, which indicates that the Auto Check method is enabled; or Off, which indicates that neither method is enabled. The Update Method setting value can be set during initial installation of the printer 10 and when changing the settings after initial installation. FIG. 2 shows an example of the transition of the operation screen displayed on the user IF 12 during initial installation. Initial installation refers to the processing performed when the user turns on the printer 10 for the first time. In other words, initial installation refers to a series of initial settings that are performed after the user obtains the printer 10 from the vendor until the printer 10 is ready for use. In addition to setting the Update Method setting value, this initial setup also includes, for example, setting an administrator password, filling the print engine 15 with toner or ink, setting communication settings for the communication IF 16, and setting the time for the clock 17.

[0025] FIG. 2(a) shows an automatic internet connection selection screen 100. The automatic internet connection selection screen 100 is displayed on the user IF 12 at a predetermined timing during initial installation, for example, after the communication settings of the communication IF 16 have been completed. The automatic internet connection selection screen 100 is a screen for asking the user whether or not to automatically connect the printer 10 to the Internet 3 in order to update the firmware 13A. The automatic internet connection selection screen 100 includes a Yes icon 100A for selecting whether to enable automatic connection and a No icon 100B for selecting whether to disable automatic connection. When the Yes icon 100A is operated, the automatic internet connection selection screen 100 transitions to a warning display screen 101 shown in FIG. 2(b).

[0026] The warning display screen 101 includes a warning message saying, "Do not turn off the printer during firmware update. Please check the privacy policy at https: / / xxx." and an OK icon 101A for acknowledging the warning message. When the OK icon 101A is operated, the warning display screen 101 transitions to the standby screen 102 shown in FIG. 2(c). In this manner, when the Yes icon 100A is operated on the automatic internet connection selection screen 100 and the OK icon 100A is operated on the warning display screen 101, the controller 11 sets the setting value of Update Method to Auto Update On and stores the setting value as the setting information 13B. In this embodiment, the setting value of Update Method is Off by default. However, the setting value of Update Method may also be Auto Check On by default. The standby screen 102 will be described later.

[0027] The alert display screen 101 in Fig. 2(b) includes an OK icon 101A as an icon for instructing approval of the displayed alert. However, instead of this, a Yes icon and a No icon may be included, similar to the automatic internet connection permission selection screen 100 in Fig. 2(a). In this case, when the Yes icon is operated, the controller 11 may set the setting value of Update Method to Auto Update On, similar to when the OK icon 101A is operated. The alert display screen 101 may transition to the standby screen 102 in Fig. 2(c).

[0028] 2(a) 。 In this case, when the Yes icon 100A is operated, the controller 11 may set the setting value of Update Method to Auto Update On. The automatic internet connection selection screen 100 may transition to the standby screen 102 without passing through the warning display screen 101.

[0029] Furthermore, instead of the warning display screen 101, a EURA permission / denial selection screen may be displayed. EURA is an abbreviation for End-User License Agreement, which is a license agreement. The EURA permission / denial selection screen may include, for example, a statement indicating the contents of the license agreement, a Yes icon for selecting EURA permission, and a No icon for selecting EURA disallowance. When the Yes icon is operated, the controller 11 may set the setting value of Update Method to Auto Update On. The EURA permission / denial selection screen may be configured to transition to the standby screen 102.

[0030] When changing the settings after initial installation, if the Update Method setting is set to Auto Update On, the user can specify the days of the week and time periods for Auto Update via the user IF 12, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. However, during initial installation, the user cannot specify the days of the week and time periods for Auto Update via the user IF 12. When Auto Update is set to On during initial installation, default days of the week and time periods are set and stored in the setting information 13B. This is because the user is required to perform a large number of input processes during initial installation, and the burden of specifying the days of the week and time periods is not placed on the user. In this way, during initial installation, the user's input burden and the load on the printer 10 that receives user input are not increased, and after initial installation, the user can specify the desired days of the week and time periods. Note that the default days of the week are, for example, Monday through Friday, and the default time period is, for example, 12:00 to 13:00. Of course, the default days of the week and time periods are not limited to these.

[0031] In this way, when Auto Update is set to on during initial installation and default days of the week and time periods are set, the controller 11 determines the time to access the firmware server 40. The determined access time is stored as setting information 13B. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the process of determining the time to access the firmware server 40. The "Auto Update execution time period" indicates the time period stored in the setting information 13B. If this time period is, for example, 12:00 to 13:00, the Auto Update start time T1 is 12:00 and the Auto Update end time T2 is 13:00. The controller 11 sets the end time T3 of the "Auto Update start possible time period" to the time that is before the Auto Update end time T2 by the estimated time required to update the firmware (denoted as the "estimated Firm Update time" in the figure). Here, the estimated Firm Update time is the estimated maximum time required from when the controller 11 accesses the firmware server 40, to when the controller 11 downloads firmware from the firmware server 40, and when the controller 11 updates the firmware 13A with the downloaded firmware. If the start time of the period during which an auto update can start is the start time T1 of the auto update execution period, then the auto update start period spans from time T1 to time T3. If the estimated firm update time is, for example, 10 minutes, then the end time T3 of the period during which an auto update can start is 12:50.

[0032] If the controller 11 accesses the firmware server 40 at a time that falls within this Auto Update start period, the update of the firmware 13A will be completed by the end time T2 of the Auto Update execution period. Specifically, if the time to access the firmware server 40 is determined to be time T4, which falls within the Auto Update start period, the update of the firmware 13A will be completed by the end time T2 of the Auto Update execution period. The controller 11 randomly determines the access time so that it falls within the Auto Update start period. The random determination method may use a random number. The random determination method may use a random function. Access to the firmware server 40 located on the Internet will be performed by multiple printers 10. Randomly determining the access time for each of the multiple printers 10 can prevent accesses from concentrating at the same access time. In other words, problems such as delays in processing by the firmware server 40 due to concentrated access can be reduced.

[0033] On the other hand, when the No icon 100B is operated on the automatic internet connection selection screen 100 of FIG. 2(a), the automatic internet connection selection screen 100 transitions to the standby screen 102 without passing through the alert display screen 101. At this time, the setting value of Update Method is maintained at the default value, that is, Off. Also, when the alert display screen 101 includes a Yes icon and a No icon instead of the OK icon 101A, if the No icon is operated, the alert display screen 101 may transition to the standby screen 102. Even at this time, the setting value of Update Method is maintained at the default value, that is, Off. Note that when the Yes icon 100A is selected on the automatic internet connection selection screen 100, the setting value of Update Method may be set to Auto Update On without displaying the alert display screen 101.

[0034] When changing the settings after initial installation, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, the setting value for Update Method can be freely set to any of Auto Update On, Auto Check On, and Off. In contrast, only Auto Update On can be set during initial installation. This is also to avoid placing the burden on the user of having to select whether to enable the Auto Update method or the Auto Check method. In this way, the input burden on the user during initial installation and the load on the printer 10 that receives input from the user are not increased, and after initial installation, the user can set the desired Auto Update method, Auto Check method, or manual method.

[0035] When the setting value of Update Method is set to Auto Update On during initial installation and then the screen transitions to the standby screen 102, the controller 11 executes the Auto Update process during initial installation shown in Fig. 3 once. In Fig. 3, the controller 11 determines whether or not connection to the firmware server 40 is possible in step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S) 12. Possible states where connection is not possible include a state where the communication IF 16 is not properly configured to be able to communicate with the router 2, or a state where the communication setting for the communication IF 16 is correct but the user ID is not registered in the firmware server 40 and therefore connection to the firmware server 40 is not possible.

[0036] If the determination in S12 is that the firmware server 40 is connectable (S12: YES), the controller 11 inquires of the firmware server 40 whether the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S13). Specifically, the printer 10 uses the inquiry URL to send its own model name and the version of the current firmware 13A to the firmware server 40. The firmware server 40 compares the latest firmware version with the version of the firmware 13A sent from the printer 10. The firmware server 40 stores the latest firmware in association with the model name and firmware version of the printer 10 to be updated. The model name can also be considered information indicating the printer model. If the latest firmware is newer, the firmware server 40 sends the printer 10 the latest firmware version and a URL for downloading the latest firmware. On the other hand, if the latest firmware is not newer, i.e., if the firmware 13A is the latest version, the firmware server 40 sends the printer 10 information indicating that the firmware 13A is the latest firmware. When the download URL is received, the printer 10 can access the URL and download the latest version of the firmware from the firmware server 40. The inquiry URL may be pre-stored in the printer 10. For example, it may be stored when the printer 10 is manufactured. For example, it may be stored in the printer 10 by an administrator of the printer 10. Also, instead of the model name, some other information indicating the printer model may be used. At this time, the controller 11 displays a firmware checking screen 103 shown in FIG. 2(d) on the user IF 12.

[0037] Next, the controller 11 determines whether or not a reply has been received from the firmware server 40 indicating that the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S14). Specifically, the controller 11 determines whether or not the latest firmware version and a URL for downloading the latest firmware have been received from the firmware server 40. If a reply has been received indicating that the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S14: YES), the controller 11 determines whether or not another function that should not be executed simultaneously with the Auto Update process is currently running (S15). Examples of other functions that should not be executed simultaneously with the Auto Update process include printing using the print engine 15, scanning using the scanner 14, copying using the scanner 14 and print engine 15, and operation of the user IF 12.

[0038] If it is determined in S15 that no other functions that should not be executed simultaneously with the Auto Update process are running (S15: NO), the controller 11 downloads the new version of firmware from the firmware server 40 (S16). At this time, the controller 11 transitions the firmware checking screen 103 of the user IF 12 to a downloading screen 104 shown in FIG. 2(e).

[0039] Then, when the download of the new version of firmware is complete, the controller 11 rewrites the firmware 13A with the new version of firmware, that is, updates the firmware 13A to the latest firmware (S17). At this time, the controller 11 may transition the display of the user IF 12 to an updating screen 105 shown in FIG. 11(c), which will be described later. When the update to the latest firmware is complete, the controller 11 restarts the printer 10 (S18). That is, the Auto Update process ends. When the printer 10 restarts, the controller 11 executes processing in accordance with the updated latest firmware 13A. This processing causes the standby screen 102 shown in FIG. 2(c) to be displayed on the user IF 12. The processing in accordance with the updated latest firmware 13A may include the Firmware Update process shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later.

[0040] On the other hand, if any of the following conditions is met: it is not possible to connect to the firmware server 40 in S12 (S12: NO), if there is no reply in S14 indicating that the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S14: NO), or if another function is in operation in S15 (S15: YES), the controller 11 ends the Auto Update process without updating the firmware 13A. At this time, if the firmware checking screen 103 is displayed on the user IF 12, the controller 11 transitions from the firmware checking screen 103 to the standby screen 102 without passing through the downloading screen 104.

[0041] 2(b) is operated to set Auto Update ON, and then the screen transitions to the standby screen 102, the controller 11 may not update the firmware 13A regardless of whether the firmware 13A is the latest version. In other words, the controller 11 may not perform the Auto Update process.

[0042] Next, the setting of the Update Method setting value and the like performed when changing settings after initial installation will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the transition of operation screens displayed on the user IF 12 when changing settings after initial installation. FIG. 4(a) shows a standby screen 102. The standby screen 102 in FIG. 4(a) is the same screen as the standby screen 102 in FIG. 2(c). The standby screen 102 is a so-called HOME screen, and includes an info bar 102A, a Copy icon 102B, a Scan icon 102C, and an All Settings icon 102D. The info bar 102A is a display area for displaying various information. The Copy icon 102B is an icon corresponding to a copy process in which scan data read by the scanner 14 is printed by the print engine 15. When the Copy icon 102B is operated, the controller 11 may display a screen for instructing execution of the copy process. The screen for instructing execution of the copy process may also serve as a screen for changing setting values ​​for the copy process. When the Copy icon 102B is operated, the controller 11 may execute a copy process. The Scan icon 102C is an icon corresponding to a scan process in which an original is read by the scanner 14 to generate and output scan data, for example, the scan data is stored in a designated area of ​​the memory 13. When the Scan icon 102C is operated, the controller 11 may display a screen for instructing the execution of the scan process. The screen for instructing the execution of the scan process may also serve as a screen for changing setting values ​​for the scan process. When the Scan icon 102C is operated, the controller 11 may execute the scan process. The All Settings icon 102D is an icon corresponding to an All Settings screen 110 shown in FIG. 4(b) to be described later. When the All Settings icon 102D is operated on this standby screen 102, the controller 11 causes the user IF 12 to display the All Settings screen 110 shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0043] A plurality of setting items are displayed on the All Settings screen 110. When the Machine Info. item 110A among the setting items is operated, the All Settings screen 110 transitions to the Machine Info. screen 111 shown in FIG. 4(c). When the Firmware Update Settings item 111A is operated on the Machine Info. screen 111, the Machine Info. screen 111 transitions to one of the Firmware Update Settings screens 120, 120', and 120" shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), respectively.

[0044] The Firmware Update Settings screen 120 in FIG. 5( a) is the screen to which the screen transitions when the setting value of Update Method is Auto Update On, the Firmware Update Settings screen 120′ in FIG. 5( b) is the screen to which the screen transitions when the setting value of Update Method is Auto Check On, and the Firmware Update Settings screen 120″ in FIG. 5( c) is the screen to which the screen transitions when the setting value of Update Method is Off. As described above, the setting value of Update Method is stored in the memory 13 as setting information 13B, and therefore the controller 11 transitions the display of the user IF 12 from the Machine Info. screen 111 to one of the Firmware Update Settings screens 120, 120′, or 120″ based on the setting value of Update Method read from the memory 13.

[0045] The Firmware Update Settings screen 120 in FIG. 5(a) displays an Update Method item 120A, a Days Of Week item 120B, and a Time Slot item 120C. The Update Method item 120A is used to specify a firmware update method, and the Update Method item 120A displays the currently set update method, Auto Update. The Days Of Week item 120B is used to specify the days of the week on which Auto Update is to be performed, and the Days Of Week item 120B displays the currently set days of the week, Monday through Friday. The Time Slot item 120C is used to specify the time period on which Auto Update is to be performed, and the Time Slot item 120C displays the currently set time period, 12:00 to 13:00. Note that the days of the week displayed in the Days Of Week item 120B and the time period displayed in the Time Slot item 120C in FIG. 5(a) are default values. In other words, these days of the week and time period are automatically set when Auto Update is set to On during initial installation.

[0046] When the Update Method item 120A included in the Firmware Update Settings screen 120 is operated, the Firmware Update Settings screen 120 transitions to an Update Method setting screen 130 shown in FIG. 6(a). The Update Method setting screen 130 displays items 130A to 130C indicating a plurality of update methods that can be specified. When the item 130A indicating the Auto Update method is operated, the Update Method setting screen 130 transitions to an Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140. Note that when the item 130A indicating the Auto Update method is operated, if the current setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Update On, the controller 11 may maintain the current setting value. In this case, the controller 11 may not cause the user IF 12 to display the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140.

[0047] A warning is displayed on the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140, stating that the firmware will be automatically updated if the Auto Update method is selected and enabled. This is to warn the user that, when the Auto Update method is enabled, firmware updates will be performed automatically without any command input.

[0048] When the Yes icon 140A included in the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140 is operated, the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140 transitions to the attention display screen 101 shown in FIG. 6(c). This attention display screen 101 is the same as the attention display screen 101 in FIG. 2(b). When the OK icon 101A included in the attention display screen 101 is operated, the controller 11 sets the setting value of Update Method to Auto Update On and stores this in the setting information 13B. The attention display screen 101 transitions to the Firmware Update Settings screen 120 shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the controller 11 determines the time of access to the firmware server 40 and stores the determined access time in the setting information 13B. The details of the process of determining the access time have been described above with reference to FIG. 13, so a repeated description will not be given here.

[0049] On the other hand, when the No icon 140B included in the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140 is operated, the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140 returns to one of the Firmware Update Settings screens 120, 120′, and 120″ that were displayed before transitioning to the Update Method setting screen 130.

[0050] On the other hand, when the item 130B indicating the Auto Check method is operated on the Update Method setting screen 130, the Update Method setting screen 130 transitions to an Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 shown in FIG. 6(d).

[0051] When the Yes icon 150A included in the Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 is operated, the controller 11 sets the setting value of Update Method to Auto Check On and stores the setting in the setting information 13B. Even if the Auto Check method is selected and enabled, the firmware will not be automatically updated, so the Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 does not display a warning like the one displayed on the Auto Update method setting confirmation screen 140. In this way, a warning about automatic firmware update can be appropriately displayed depending on whether the Auto Update method, which does not require instruction input, or the Auto Check method, which requires instruction input, is enabled for firmware update. The Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 transitions to the Firmware Update Settings screen 120′ shown in FIG. 5(b). Note that when the item 130B indicating the Auto Check method is operated, if the current setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Check On, the controller 11 may maintain the current setting. In this case, the controller 11 does not need to display the Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 on the user IF 12. Here, the Firmware Update Settings screen 120' displays the Update Method item 120'A, but the Days Of Week item and the Time Slot item are grayed out. That is, when the setting value of the Update Method is Auto Check On, the Days Of Week item and the Time Slot item cannot be operated. In other words, when updating firmware using the Auto Check method, unlike when updating firmware using the Auto Update method, the user cannot decide when to update the firmware.

[0052] On the other hand, when the No icon 150B included in the Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 is selected, the Auto Check method setting confirmation screen 150 returns to one of the Firmware Update Settings screens 120, 120', and 120'' that were displayed before transitioning to the Update Method setting screen .

[0053] Furthermore, when item 130C indicating OFF is operated on the Update Method setting screen 130, the controller 11 sets the setting value of Update Method to OFF and stores this in the setting information 13B. Then, the Update Method setting screen 130 transitions to a Firmware Update Settings screen 120'' shown in FIG. 5(c). The Firmware Update Settings screen 120'' also displays Update Method item 120''A, but the Days Of Week item and Time Slot item are grayed out. Update Method item 120''A displays OFF, indicating that the setting value of Update Method is OFF. In this way, the Days Of Week item and Time Slot item are grayed out indicating that when the setting value of Update Method is OFF, that is, when updating firmware manually, the Days Of Week item and Time Slot item cannot be operated.

[0054] On the other hand, when the Days of Week item 120B is operated on the Firmware Update Settings screen 120, the Firmware Update Settings screen 120 transitions to a Days of Week setting screen 160 shown in FIG. 7( a). On the Days of Week setting screen 160, the user operates the Up icon 160A and the Down icon 160B to display each day of the week, and then operates the check boxes 160C provided adjacent to each day of the week to specify the day of the week. On the Days of Week setting screen 160, the currently set day of the week, that is, the day of the week stored in the setting information 13B of the memory 13, is displayed with a check mark in the check box 160C. This allows the user to specify the day of the week to change the setting while referring to the currently set day of the week. After specifying the day of the week, operating the OK icon 160D confirms the day of the week on which the firmware server 40 is accessed to update the firmware, and the Days of Week setting screen 160 returns to the Firmware Update Settings screen 120. At this time, the controller 11 associates the specified day of the week with Auto Update ON and stores it in the setting information 13B.

[0055] On the other hand, when the Time Slot item 120C is operated on the Firmware Update Settings screen 120, the Firmware Update Settings screen 120 transitions to a Time Slot setting screen 170 shown in FIG. 7B. On the Time Slot setting screen 170, a time slot is specified by moving the position of a cursor (not shown) displayed in a time slot setting area 170A using a left movement icon 170C and a right movement icon 170D, and inputting a start time and an end time using a delete icon 170B and a numeric keypad 170E. On the Time Slot setting screen 170, as on the Days of Week setting screen 160, the currently set time slot, i.e., the time slot stored in the setting information 13B of the memory 13, is displayed in the time slot setting area 170A. This allows the user to specify a time slot whose setting is to be changed based on the currently set time slot. In this embodiment, the time slot can be specified in units of hours, not minutes, but may be specified in units of minutes. The reason for specifying the time slot during which the firmware update is to be executed in this manner is to distribute the load caused by simultaneous accesses to the firmware server 40. On the Time Slot setting screen 170, the user can specify a time period by inputting any time, albeit in hourly units, so that an input specifying a nighttime time period, a daytime time period, an early morning time period, or an evening time period is possible. After specifying the time period, operating the OK icon 170F confirms the time period for accessing the firmware server 40 to update the firmware, and the Time Slot setting screen 170 returns to the Firmware Update Settings screen 120. At this time, the controller 11 associates the specified time period with Auto Update On and stores it in the setting information 13B.

[0056] Next, the firmware update process executed by the printer 10, particularly the controller 11, will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processes executed by the controller 11 in accordance with the firmware 13A after initial installation, focusing on the Auto Update process, which updates the firmware 13A using the Auto Update method, and the Auto Check process, which updates the firmware 13A using the Auto Check method, while omitting other processes. Of course, the printer 10 executes processes in accordance with the firmware 13A every time it starts up.

[0057] 8, in S1, the controller 11 determines whether the setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Update On, Auto Check On, or Off. A setting value indicating Auto Update On can also be considered a setting value indicating that the Auto Update method is enabled. A setting value indicating Auto Check On can also be considered a setting value indicating that the Auto Check method is enabled. A setting value indicating Off can also be considered a setting value indicating that both the Auto Update method and the Auto Check method are disabled. A setting value indicating Off can also be considered a setting value indicating that the manual method is enabled. As described above, the setting value of Update Method is stored in the memory 13 as setting information 13B. Therefore, in S1, the controller 11 determines whether the setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Update On, Auto Check On, or Off, based on the setting value of Update Method read from the memory 13.

[0058] If the setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Update On in the determination of S1 (S1: Auto Update On), the controller 11 determines whether the clock 17 has been set (S2). Various states are conceivable for the clock 17 to be in a set state. For example, as in the image forming system 1, a state is conceivable in which, in a situation where the printer 10 can access the SNTP server 50, the time on the clock 17 is manually set without selecting to access the SNTP server 50. In such a situation, a state is also conceivable in which the printer 10 selects to access the SNTP server 50 and synchronizes the time on the clock 17 with the SNTP server 50. Furthermore, a state is conceivable in which the time measured by the clock 17 is not displayed on the user IF 12, but the clock 17 is operating within the printer 10. Even in this state, the time on the clock 17 may be set manually or using the SNTP server 50.

[0059] If it is determined in S2 that the clock 17 has already been set (S2: YES), the controller 11 determines whether it is time to access the firmware server 40 (S3). Since the access time has been determined at this point and stored in the setting information 13B, the controller 11 can determine whether it is time to access the firmware server 40 by comparing the time kept by the clock 17 with the access time.

[0060] If it is determined in S3 that it is access time (S3: YES), the controller 11 executes the Auto Update process (S4) and then returns the process to S1.

[0061] Figure 9 shows the detailed procedure for the Auto Update process. In Figure 9, processes that are the same as those in Figure 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of those processes will be omitted where appropriate. The Auto Update process in Figure 9 differs from the Auto Update process at the time of initial installation in Figure 3 in that S10, S11, and S19 have been added.

[0062] 9, the controller 11 determines the access time to the firmware server 40 (S10). This determination process is a process for determining the access time for the next Auto Update. The determined time is stored in the setting information 13B. Note that the details of the process for determining the access time have been described above with reference to FIG. 13, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0063] Next, the controller 11 determines whether print data for storage printing (an example of specific print data) is stored in the volatile memory (S11). If this determination determines that print data for storage printing is stored in the volatile memory (S11: YES), the controller 11 ends the Auto Update process. On the other hand, if print data for storage printing is not stored in the volatile memory (S11: NO), the controller 11 proceeds to the next step S12.

[0064] Accumulated printing is a printing method in which unprinted print data based on a print job received from an external device such as a PC 30 or a smartphone is accumulated in memory 13, and the accumulated print data is printed upon receiving an instruction via the user interface 12. Memory 13 includes rewritable volatile memory, such as RAM, and rewritable nonvolatile memory, such as NVRAM. Firmware 13A and configuration information 13B are stored in the rewritable nonvolatile memory. Accumulated printing print data is stored in the rewritable volatile memory. When the process proceeds from S17 to S18 and the printer 10 restarts, the data stored before the restart no longer remains in the volatile memory. With Auto Update, the process may automatically proceed from S17 to S18 at the access time without the user noticing. In other words, there is a possibility that print data may disappear from memory 13 without being printed without the user noticing. Therefore, the possibility of such a situation occurring can be reduced by including a determination step (S11) of whether print data for accumulated printing is stored in volatile memory.

[0065] The print data for accumulated printing may also be stored in non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be an external memory such as a USB memory attached to the printer 10. In this configuration, even if print data for accumulated printing is stored in non-volatile memory, if print data for accumulated printing is not stored in volatile memory, the determination may be NO. Also, the configuration may be such that, upon restart, print data for accumulated printing that was stored in non-volatile memory before restart cannot be printed. In this configuration, the determination may be YES when print data for accumulated printing is stored in non-volatile memory.

[0066] The controller 11 executes the processes of S12 to S18 as described above. Then, when the restart of S18 is completed, the controller 11 executes the process of S19 and displays that the firmware has been updated in the info bar 102'A on the standby screen 102', as shown in Fig. 11(d).

[0067] Fig. 11 shows an example of the transition of the operation screen in the Auto Update process. Fig. 11(a) shows the same standby screen 102 as Fig. 2(c) and Fig. 4(a) described above. When the Firmware Update process proceeds from S3 to S4 while the standby screen 102 is displayed, and then proceeds to S16 via S10 to S15 of the Auto Update process shown in Fig. 9, and a new version of firmware is downloaded from the firmware server 40, the controller 11 transitions the standby screen 102 to a downloading screen 104 shown in Fig. 11(b). The downloading screen 104 in Fig. 11(b) is the same as the downloading screen 104 in Fig. 2(e) described above.

[0068] Then, when the download of the latest firmware is complete, the controller 11 updates the firmware 13A with the latest firmware (S17). At this time, the controller 11 transitions the downloading screen 104 of the user IF 12 to an updating screen 105 shown in FIG. 11(c). Note that the updating screen 105 in FIG. 11(c) has the same appearance as the firmware checking screen 103 in FIG. 2(d). When the update with the latest firmware is complete, the controller 11 restarts the printer 10 (S18). In other words, the Auto Update process ends. When the printer 10 restarts, the controller 11 executes processing in accordance with the updated, latest firmware 13A. If the firmware 13A is updated to the latest firmware in the Auto Update process executed in the Firmware Update process after the initial installation, the controller 11 causes the user IF 12 to display a standby screen 102′ shown in FIG. 11(d).

[0069] On the standby screen 102' in Fig. 11(d), a message indicating that the firmware has been updated is displayed in the info bar 102'A. When the info bar 102'A, which is displaying the message indicating that the firmware has been updated, is operated, the controller 11 displays an Auto Update completion confirmation screen 180 shown in Fig. 11(e). Then, when an OK icon 180A included in the Auto Update completion confirmation screen 180 is operated, the controller 11 displays the standby screen 102 shown in Fig. 11(a).

[0070] On the other hand, if the determination in S2 of FIG. 8 shows that the clock 17 has not been set (S2: NO), or if the determination in S3 shows that it is not yet access time (S3: NO), the controller 11 returns the process to S1.

[0071] On the other hand, if the setting value of Update Method indicates Auto Check ON in the determination of S1 (S1: Auto Check ON), the controller 11 determines whether it is time to start Auto Check (S5). A. The timing when the printer 10 was turned on B. With the printer 10 powered on, 24 hours or more have passed since the last time the firmware server 40 was accessed and no new firmware was registered, and the controller 11 is not in a power saving state. C. The printer 10 is still powered on, and the firmware server 40 was accessed the last time new firmware was registered, but 30 days or more have passed since the user declined the firmware update, and the controller 11 is not in a power saving state. The controller 11 may be configured not to execute the firmware update process shown in Fig. 8 in the power saving state. The controller 11 may also be configured not to execute the process according to the firmware 13A in the power saving state. In either case, S5 will never become YES.

[0072] If the determination in S5 is that it is time to start Auto Check (S5: YES), the controller 11 executes Auto Check processing (S6) and then returns the processing to S1. On the other hand, if the determination in S5 is that it is not time to start Auto Check (S5: NO), the controller 11 returns the processing to S1. Also, if the determination in S1 is that the set value of Update Method indicates off (S1: off), the controller 11 returns the processing to S1.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows detailed steps of the Auto Check process. In FIG. 10, processes similar to those in the Auto Update process of FIG. 9 are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions of those processes will be omitted where appropriate. In FIG. 10, if the controller 11 can connect to the firmware server 40 (S12: YES), it inquires of the firmware server 40 whether or not the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S13). Then, if the firmware server 40 replies indicating that the firmware 13A needs to be updated (S14: YES), the controller 11 displays in the info bar of the standby screen that a new version of firmware is available (S20). FIG. 12(b) shows this standby screen 102″. The info bar 102″A of the standby screen 102″ displays that a new version of firmware is available. In other words, the standby screen 102 shown in FIG. 12(a) is displayed on the user IF 12 before the process proceeds to S20, but when the process proceeds to S20, the standby screen 102 transitions to the standby screen 102″.

[0074] Next, the controller 11 waits until the info bar 102"A on the standby screen 102" is operated (S21: NO), and when the info bar 102"A is operated (S21: YES), the controller 11 displays a firmware update execution selection screen 190 on the user IF 12 (S22). Figure 12(c) shows the firmware update execution selection screen 190. When the Yes icon 190A included in the firmware update execution selection screen 190 is operated (S23: YES), the controller 11 displays the attention display screen 101 shown in Figure 12(d) on the user IF 12.

[0075] Then, when the OK icon 101A included in the warning display screen 101 is operated (S25: YES), the controller 11 downloads the latest firmware from the firmware server 40 (S16), updates the firmware 13A with the latest firmware (S17), restarts the printer 10 (S18), and then ends the Auto Check processing without displaying in the info bar 102A of the standby screen 102 that the firmware has been updated. Figure 12(e) shows a downloading screen 104 that is displayed on the user IF 12 during the processing of S14, and Figure 12(f) shows an updating screen 105 that is displayed on the user IF 12 during the processing of S15.

[0076] As described above, with the printer 10 of this embodiment, even if multiple printers 10 access the firmware server 40 on the same day and at the same time, the access times to the firmware server 40 are dispersed, thereby reducing the concentration of load on the firmware server 40. Furthermore, the firmware update can be attempted on a day and at a time that is convenient for the user, and there is a high possibility that the firmware update can be completed within a time period that is convenient for the user.

[0077] Furthermore, with the printer 10 of this embodiment, the user can enable the Auto Update method on the printer 10 to have it attempt to update the firmware on a day and at a time that is convenient for the user, or can enable the Auto Check method to have it attempt to update the firmware every time the printer 10 is started.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, when the Auto Update method is enabled, the time period during which the firmware is updated is the time period designated by the user, so the user is not required to input a firmware update instruction into the user IF 12 before updating the firmware, but is notified after the firmware is updated. When the Auto Check method is enabled, the time period during which the firmware is updated is not the time period designated by the user, so the user is required to input a firmware update instruction into the user IF 12 before updating the firmware, but is not notified after the firmware is updated. In this way, it is possible to display information on the user IF 12 at a timing appropriate for each of the Auto Update method and the Auto Check method.

[0079] Furthermore, with the printer 10 of this embodiment, the time period can be specified by inputting a time period that is nighttime, daytime, early morning, or evening, thereby providing a wide range of time periods for firmware updates. When the Auto Update method is enabled, even if the user selects a time period during which the printer 10 will not be used from the wide range of time periods, the user is not prompted to input a firmware update instruction to the user IF 12 before updating the firmware, so the firmware update is not interrupted, and a display indicating that the firmware has been updated is displayed, allowing the user to know that the firmware has been updated when using the printer 10 after the firmware update has been completed.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the day of the week on which the firmware is updated can be set. Therefore, when the Auto Update method is enabled, even if the user specifies a day on which the printer 10 is not used, the user is not prompted to input a firmware update instruction into the user IF 12 before updating the firmware, so the firmware update is not hindered, and a message is displayed indicating that the firmware has been updated, so the user can know that the firmware has been updated when using the printer 10 after the firmware has been updated.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, regardless of whether the Auto Update method or the Auto Check method is enabled, the firmware update status is displayed in the info bar 102A of the standby screen 102, which includes the Copy icon 102B and the Scan icon 102C, so that the user can be informed of the firmware update status when operating the Copy icon 102B, the Scan icon 102C, etc.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, if the clock 17 is set to be valid, the Auto Update method can be enabled and used to update the firmware, and even if there are circumstances that prevent the clock 17 from being set to be valid, the Auto Check method can be enabled and used to update the firmware.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, regardless of whether the Auto Update method or the Auto Check method is enabled, in the Firmware Update process shown in FIG. 8, either the Auto Update process or the Auto Check process is repeatedly executed, so that firmware updates can be repeatedly attempted.

[0084] (Variation 1) As described above with reference to FIG. 13 , the printer 10 of this embodiment is configured to complete the firmware update within the “Auto Update execution time zone” by setting the access time within the “Auto Update start time zone.” However, the configuration may also allow the firmware update to be completed slightly after the Auto Update execution time zone. Specifically, the controller 11 may determine the access time from within the “Auto Update execution time zone,” not necessarily within the “Auto Update start time zone.” In this case, depending on the start time of the automatic firmware update, the automatic firmware update may not be completed within the Auto Update execution time zone. However, this does not deviate from the spirit of the present application. In other words, even in this first variation, even if the printer of this variation and another printer access the firmware server 40 on the same day and during the same time zone, the access times of the printer of this variation and another printer to the firmware server 40 are dispersed, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the concentration of load on the firmware server 40. Furthermore, although there is a slight possibility that the firmware update cannot be completed within a time zone convenient for the user, the firmware can be updated on a day and at a time convenient for the user.

[0085] (Variation 2) The printer 10 of this embodiment is configured to allow the firmware update method to be set to any one of the Auto Update method, the Auto Check method, and the manual method, but a specific method for updating firmware using the manual method has not been described. Specifically, the manual method involves the controller 11 receiving, via the user IF 12, an instruction to display an input screen (an example of a first input), causing the user IF 12 to display an input screen for receiving an input instructing access to the firmware server 40, and then accessing the firmware server 40 when receiving, via the input screen, an input instructing access (an example of a second input). According to the printer of this second variation, the user can enable the Auto Update method to have the printer attempt to update the firmware on a day and time convenient for the user, or enable the manual method to have the user IF 12 display an input screen and attempt the firmware update at a time convenient for the user, or enable the Auto Check method to have the printer attempt a firmware update each time the printer is started.

[0086] (Variation 3) In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the day of the week is set as the day on which the firmware server 40 is accessed, but this is not limiting and the setting may be anything related to the day, such as the date, the number of days that have passed since the last access date, the day of the month, or every month. According to the printer of this modified example 3, when the Auto Update method is enabled, even if the user sets a day on which the printer of this modified example 3 will not be used, the user is not prompted to input a firmware update instruction into the user IF 12 before updating the firmware, so the firmware update is not hindered, and a display is displayed indicating that the firmware has been updated, so the user can know that the firmware has been updated when using the printer of this modified example 3 after the firmware has been updated.

[0087] (Variation 4) In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the firmware update method and the day and time period for accessing the firmware server 40 are set via the user IF 12, but this is not limiting and the method may be set using the PC 30. Specifically, the firmware 13A includes a program that functions as a Web server for an EWS (Embedded Web Server) when executed by the controller 11, and when the administrator of the printer 10 starts a browser on the PC 30 and enters a predetermined URL for the EWS in the browser's URL input field, a browser screen for setting up the printer 10 is displayed on the display (not shown) of the PC 30. The administrator performs predetermined operations on the browser screen for setting up and proceeds with the setting change process, thereby setting up the firmware update method and the day and time period for accessing the firmware server 40.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0089] (1) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is used as an example of the printing device, but this is merely an example. The printing device may be a multifunction device equipped with a FAXIF.

[0090] (2) In the above embodiment, the PC 30 is used as an example of the external device. The external device may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0091] (3) In the above embodiment, the SNTP server 50 is a component of the image forming system 1. However, the SNTP server 50 may be removed from the components of the image forming system 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...image forming system, 2...router, 3...Internet, 10...printer, 11...controller, 12...user IF, 13...memory, 13A...firmware, 13B...setting information, 14...scanner, 15...print engine, 16...communication IF, 17...clock, 40...firmware server, 50...SNTP server.

Claims

1. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; The time to access the firmware server can be determined from within a time period from the first time of the designated time period to a time a predetermined time before the last time of the time period, Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the determined access time. A printing device characterized by:

2. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; The time to access the firmware server can be determined within a time period from the first time of the designated time period to the last time of the time period, Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the determined access time. A printing device characterized by:

3. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; Each time the firmware server is accessed, If the printing device is not in a state where firmware updating is prohibited at the specified time in the time period, the printing device accesses the firmware server; If the printing device is in a state where firmware updating is prohibited at the time of the specified time period, it does not access the firmware server, and if the printing device is not in a state where firmware updating is prohibited on the next day when it accesses the firmware server, it can access the firmware server. A printing device characterized by:

4. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; via the user interface, input regarding a time to access the firmware server is accepted; Each time the firmware server is accessed, If the printing device is not in a state where firmware updating is prohibited at the time based on the received input, access the firmware server, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; If the printing device is in a state where firmware updating is not permitted at the time based on the received input, the firmware server is accessed, update firmware is downloaded from the firmware server, and after the printing device is no longer in a state where firmware updating is not permitted, the firmware stored in the memory is updated with the downloaded update firmware. A printing device characterized by:

5. the controller is capable of accepting an input specifying a day of the week via the user interface; The day on which the firmware server is accessed is the specified day of the week.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer.

6. The controller an input specifying the time period can be received from an external device connected via the network interface; 4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer.

7. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; an input to enable the first method can be received via the user interface; an input to enable the second method may be received via the user interface; When the first method is enabled, the second method cannot be enabled, and when the second method is enabled, the first method cannot be enabled, When the first method is enabled, Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time during the designated time period; When the second method is enabled, The printing device is capable of accessing the firmware server each time it starts up. A printing device characterized by:

8. The controller When the first method is enabled, Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is not required via the user interface, but the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, a display indicating that the firmware has been updated is made on the user interface; When the second method is enabled, Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is requested via the user interface, and if the input is received, the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, the user interface is prevented from displaying a message indicating that the firmware has been updated.

8. The printing device according to claim 7.

9. The controller As the input specifying the time period, it is possible to accept an input specifying a night time period, an input specifying a daytime time period, an input specifying a early morning time period, and an input specifying an evening time period.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

10. the controller is capable of accepting an input specifying a day of the week via the user interface; The day on which the firmware server is accessed is the specified day of the week.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

11. The controller via the user interface, input regarding a date for accessing the firmware server is accepted; The firmware server can be accessed at the specified time during the time period whenever the day for accessing the firmware server based on the received input arrives.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

12. The controller A standby screen including a plurality of icons can be displayed on the user interface; The plurality of icons may include a copy icon and a scan icon, and when the copy icon is operated, a process for executing a copy is performed, and when the scan icon is operated, a process for executing a scan is performed; When the first method is enabled, After updating the firmware, the user interface is capable of accepting an operation on the plurality of icons and displaying the standby screen indicating that the firmware has been updated; When the second method is enabled, before updating the firmware, the user interface is capable of accepting an operation on the plurality of icons and displaying the standby screen for requesting an input for instructing to update the firmware; 9. The printing device according to claim 8.

13. The controller When the first method is enabled, causing the user interface to display a warning that firmware will be automatically updated; When the second method is enabled, It is possible to prevent the user interface from displaying a warning that the firmware will be automatically updated.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

14. The controller When the first method is enabled, Even if the designated time period arrives on a day when the firmware server is accessed but firmware has not been downloaded from the firmware server, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time period on the next day when the firmware server is accessed, When the second method is enabled, Even if the printing device has started up but has not downloaded firmware from the firmware server, the printing device can access the firmware server after a predetermined time has elapsed.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

15. The controller When specific print data is stored in the memory, When the first method is enabled, the firmware update is not executed, If the second method is enabled, the firmware is updated.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

16. The printing device further comprises: Equipped with a clock, The controller When the clock is set to be valid and the first method is enabled, the firmware server can be accessed at the specified time in the time zone each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed; When the second method is enabled, the printing device can access the firmware server every time it starts up, regardless of whether the clock is enabled or not.

8. The printing device according to claim 7.

17. The controller When the printing device is initially installed, a screen that can accept an input to enable the first method but cannot accept an input to enable the second method can be displayed on the user interface before displaying the standby screen of the printing device; 8. The printing device according to claim 7.

18. The controller When the first method is enabled at the time of initial installation of the printing device, it is possible to set a predetermined time period without accepting an input specifying the time period via the user interface, After initial installation of the printing device, A standby screen including a plurality of icons can be displayed on the user interface; The plurality of icons may include a copy icon and a scan icon, and when the copy icon is operated, a process for executing a copy is performed, and when the scan icon is operated, a process for executing a scan is performed; After displaying the standby screen, by accepting an operation via the user interface, it is possible to cause the user interface to display a setting screen for accepting an input for designating the time period, When the first method is enabled, Each time the firmware server is accessed, If an input specifying the time period is not received, the firmware server can be accessed at the time of the predetermined time period set at the time of the initial installation, If an input specifying the time period is accepted, it is possible to access the firmware server at the time of the specified time period.

18. The printing device according to claim 17.

19. The controller After initial installation of the printing device, A standby screen including a plurality of icons can be displayed on the user interface; The plurality of icons may include a copy icon and a scan icon, and when the copy icon is operated, a process for executing a copy is performed, and when the scan icon is operated, a process for executing a scan is performed; After displaying the standby screen, by accepting an operation via the user interface, it is possible to cause the user interface to display a setting screen for accepting an input for enabling the second method.

18. The printing device according to claim 17.

20. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time during the designated time period; The printing device is capable of accessing the firmware server each time it boots up; When a first input is received via the user interface, an input screen for receiving an input instructing access to the firmware server is displayed on the user interface, and when a second input is received via the input screen, the firmware server can be accessed. A printing device characterized by:

21. The controller an input to enable the first method can be received via the user interface; an input to enable the second method may be received via the user interface; When the first method is enabled, Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time during the designated time period; When the second method is enabled, The printing device is capable of accessing the firmware server each time it boots up; In either case where the first method is enabled or the second method is enabled, When the first input is received via the user interface, the input screen for receiving an input instructing access to the firmware server is displayed on the user interface, and when the second input is received via the input screen, the firmware server can be accessed.

21. The printing device according to claim 20.

22. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; via the user interface, input regarding a time to access the firmware server is accepted; an input to enable the first method can be received via the user interface; an input to enable the second method may be received via the user interface; When the first method is enabled, the second method cannot be enabled, and when the second method is enabled, the first method cannot be enabled, When the first method is enabled, Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at a time based on the received input, When the second method is enabled, The printing device is capable of accessing the firmware server each time it starts up. A printing device characterized by:

23. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; via the user interface, input regarding a time to access the firmware server is accepted; Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at a time based on the received input, The printing device is capable of accessing the firmware server each time it boots up; When a first input is received via the user interface, an input screen for receiving an input instructing access to the firmware server is displayed on the user interface, and when a second input is received via the input screen, the firmware server can be accessed. A printing device characterized by:

24. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; via the user interface, an input specifying a nighttime time period, an input specifying a daytime time period, an input specifying an early morning time period, and an input specifying an evening time period can be accepted; Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time during the designated time period; Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is not required via the user interface, but the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, the user interface is allowed to display a message indicating that the firmware has been updated. A printing device characterized by:

25. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a day of the week can be accepted via the user interface; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; The firmware server can be accessed at the specified time during the specified time period each time the specified day of the week occurs, Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is not required via the user interface, but the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, the user interface is allowed to display a message indicating that the firmware has been updated. A printing device characterized by:

26. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; via the user interface, input regarding a date for accessing the firmware server is accepted; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; The firmware server can be accessed at the specified time during the time period whenever a day for accessing the firmware server based on the received input arrives, Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is not required via the user interface, but the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, the user interface is allowed to display a message indicating that the firmware has been updated. A printing device characterized by:

27. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; Each time a day comes when the firmware server is to be accessed, the firmware server can be accessed at the designated time during the designated time period; When the printing device is initially installed, a predetermined time period can be set without receiving an input specifying the time period via the user interface; After initial installation of the printing device, A standby screen including a plurality of icons can be displayed on the user interface; The plurality of icons may include a copy icon and a scan icon, and when the copy icon is operated, a process for executing a copy is performed, and when the scan icon is operated, a process for executing a scan is performed; After displaying the standby screen, by accepting an operation via the user interface, it is possible to cause the user interface to display a setting screen for accepting an input for designating the time period, Each time the firmware server is accessed, If an input specifying the time period is not received, the firmware server can be accessed at the time of the predetermined time period set at the time of the initial installation, If an input specifying the time period is accepted, it is possible to access the firmware server at the time of the specified time period. A printing device characterized by:

28. The controller Before updating the firmware stored in the memory, an input instructing to update the firmware is not required via the user interface, but the firmware stored in the memory is updated with firmware downloaded from the accessed firmware server, and after the update, the user interface is allowed to display a message indicating that the firmware has been updated.

28. The printing device of claim 27.

29. Memory and A network interface; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: The controller The firmware stored in the memory can be executed to operate the printing device, It is possible to access a firmware server on the Internet via the network interface, download update firmware from the firmware server, and update the firmware stored in the memory with the downloaded update firmware; an input specifying a time period can be received via the user interface; an input specifying a day of the week can be accepted via the user interface; The designated time period and the designated day of the week can be registered in the memory, Whenever the day of the week registered in the memory occurs, the firmware server can be accessed at the time of the time period registered in the memory, A standby screen including a plurality of icons can be displayed on the user interface; The plurality of icons may include a copy icon and a scan icon, and when the copy icon is operated, a process for executing a copy is performed, and when the scan icon is operated, a process for executing a scan is performed; After the standby screen is displayed, in response to receiving a predetermined operation via the user interface, a screen including options indicating the days of the week registered in the memory and options indicating the time periods registered in the memory can be displayed on the user interface; the day of the week registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the option indicating the day of the week registered in the memory, the time period registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the option indicating the time period registered in the memory; A printing device characterized by:

30. The controller It is possible to register valid methods in the memory, When the first method is registered in the memory as being valid, the firmware server can be accessed at the time of the time period registered in the memory every time the day of the week registered in the memory occurs, The firmware server can be accessed even when the second method is registered as valid in the memory, After the standby screen is displayed, in response to receiving a predetermined operation via the user interface, a screen including an option indicating the valid method registered in the memory, an option indicating the day of the week registered in the memory, and an option indicating the time period registered in the memory can be displayed on the user interface; the valid method registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the option indicating the valid method registered in the memory; 30. The printing device of claim 29.

31. The controller After the standby screen is displayed, in response to receiving a predetermined operation via the user interface, If the first method is registered as valid in the memory, a screen including options indicating the valid methods registered in the memory, valid options indicating the days of the week registered in the memory, and valid options indicating the time periods registered in the memory can be displayed on the user interface; the valid method registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including a selection of the option indicating the valid method registered in the memory; the day of the week registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the valid option indicating the day of the week registered in the memory, the time period registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the valid option indicating the time period registered in the memory, If the second method is registered as valid in the memory, a screen including an option indicating the valid method registered in the memory, and not including the valid option indicating the day of the week registered in the memory and the valid option indicating the time period registered in the memory, can be displayed on the user interface; the valid method registered in the memory can be changed in response to receiving, via the user interface, an operation including selection of the option indicating the valid method registered in the memory; 31. The printing device of claim 30.

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