Image processing device, control program

Abstract

This invention provides an image processing device and control program that enable firmware updates to comply with the required specifications. [Solution] The image processing device (10) comprises a storage unit (173) and an update processing unit (172). The storage unit (173) stores version control information, which includes setting information for setting a lower limit or upper limit for the version corresponding to each firmware. The update processing unit (172) controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on the updated version information of the firmware to be updated and one or more of the version control information stored in the storage unit (173).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] As related art, in an image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) such as a printer, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral, an image processing apparatus in which each function is realized by firmware (program) control in order to enhance added value by achieving multifunctionality is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The update of the firmware is performed, for example, by the image processing apparatus downloading an update program stored in a server apparatus via a network such as the Internet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the specifications of an image processing apparatus need to comply with laws or regulations in the country where the image processing apparatus is used. However, if the firmware of the image processing apparatus is freely updated, there is a risk that the specifications of the image processing apparatus will not comply with laws or regulations in the country where the image processing apparatus is used.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a control program that enable updating of firmware corresponding to specifications to be complied with.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage unit and an update processing unit. The storage unit stores version control information, which includes setting information for setting a lower limit or upper limit for the version corresponding to each firmware. The update processing unit controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on information about the updated version of the firmware to be updated and one or more of the version control information stored in the storage unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a control program that causes a processor of an image processing device, which has a storage unit that stores version control information including setting information for setting a lower limit or upper limit for the version corresponding to each firmware, to perform the following actions: to obtain information on the updated version of the firmware to be updated, and to control whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on the updated version and one or more pieces of version control information stored in the storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing device and a control program that enable firmware updates to comply with the required specifications. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the external appearance of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process related to updating the firmware of the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of version control information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of application condition information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of application condition information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of application condition information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [1] Overall configuration of the image processing device First, the overall configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0012] The image processing device 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a scanning function to acquire image data from a document, a printing function to form an image based on the image data, a facsimile function to transmit image data via a telephone line, and a copying function. The image processing device 10 only needs to have an image processing function that includes at least one of the functions to form an image and the function to acquire image data, and may be a printer, scanner, facsimile device, copier, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a control unit 17, and a communication unit 18. Since the automatic document feeder 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), it is denoted as "ADF" in FIG. 1 and also referred to as "ADF11" in the following description. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a main body 101. The ADF11, the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the display unit 15, the operation unit 16, the control unit 17, and the communication unit 18 are provided in the main body 101.

[0014] The ADF11 conveys the document whose image is read by the image reading unit 12. The ADF11 has a document set unit, a plurality of conveying rollers, a document holder, a paper discharge unit, and the like.

[0015] The image reading unit 12 reads an image from the document and outputs image data corresponding to the read image. The image reading unit 12 has a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like.

[0016] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method based on the image data output from the image reading unit 12. Further, the image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data input from an information processing apparatus outside the image processing apparatus 10, such as a personal computer. The image forming unit 13 has four image forming units corresponding to four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and the like. The image forming unit 13 may be configured to form an image on a sheet by an image forming method other than the electrophotographic method, such as an inkjet method.

[0017] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet using toner as a developer. When the image forming unit 13 forms an image by an inkjet method, ink (another example of a developer) is supplied instead of toner. As the toner supplied to the image forming unit 13, there are, for example, toners of a plurality of colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). The sheet after image formation by the image forming unit 13 is discharged (supplied) to an expansion device or the like for post-processing.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 14 supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 13. The paper feeding unit 14 has a paper feed cassette, a manual feed tray, a sheet conveyance path, a plurality of conveyance rollers, and the like. The image forming unit 13 forms an image on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 14. The sheet supplied to the image forming unit 13 is, as an example, paper, but is not limited to paper, and may be, for example, a resin film or the like.

[0019] The display unit 15 is a user interface for presenting (displaying) information to the user in the image processing apparatus 10. The display unit 15 displays various information according to a control instruction from the control unit 17. In this embodiment, as an example, the display unit 15 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays a display screen including various information on the liquid crystal display.

[0020] The operation unit 16 is a user interface for receiving an operation input by the user for the display screen displayed on the display unit 15, for example. The operation unit 16 receives various operations by the user by outputting an electric signal according to the user's operation, for example. In this embodiment, as an example, the operation unit 16 has a switch, a touch panel, or the like.

[0021] Further, the image processing apparatus 10 may include, for example, a voice output unit and a voice input unit as a user interface in addition to or instead of the display unit 15 and the operation unit 16.

[0022] The control unit 17 primarily consists of a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories, and comprehensively controls the image processing device 10. In the image processing device 10, the functions of the control unit 17 are realized by one or more processors executing control programs. In this embodiment, as an example, the control unit 17 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 17 also includes one or more non-volatile memories, which pre-store information such as the control programs that cause the control unit 17 to execute various processes. Furthermore, the control unit 17 has a clock function that measures the current date and time.

[0023] The control program may be pre-recorded in one or more memories, provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium readable by a computer system, such as a memory card or optical disc. One or more processors consist of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit. Furthermore, the computer system referred to herein includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The control unit 17 may be a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that comprehensively controls the image processing device 10.

[0024] The communication unit 18 includes a disk drive into which a recording medium 19 such as a CD or DVD is inserted, and reads information from the recording medium 19 inserted into the disk drive. In other embodiments, the communication unit 18 may also include a recording medium mounting section such as a USB port into which a recording medium 19 such as a USB memory is attached, and reads information from the recording medium 19 attached to the recording medium mounting section. Specifically, the recording medium 19 stores an update program UP0 (see Figure 1) for updating a plurality of firmwares FW1 to FWn (see Figure 1) used to control the main body 101 of the image processing device 10.

[0025] Furthermore, the communication unit 18 is an interface that performs data communication between the image processing device 10 and an external device connected via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). For example, the communication unit 18 can communicate with the distribution device 20 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The distribution device 20 stores an update program UP0 (see Figure 1) for updating multiple firmwares FW1 to FWn (see Figure 1) used to control the main body 101 of the image processing device 10. The distribution device 20 is, for example, a server device connected to the internet. The distribution device 20 distributes the update program UP0 to the image processing device 10. In other words, the image processing device 10 is configured to receive the update program UP0 from the distribution device 20 by communicating with the distribution device 20 via the communication unit 18.

[0027] Incidentally, the specifications of the image processing device 10 must comply with laws and regulations in the country in which the image processing device 10 is used. However, if the firmware of the image processing device 10 is freely updated, there is a risk that the image processing device 10 may become non-compliant with laws and regulations. In response to this, this embodiment realizes an image processing device 10 that enables firmware updates to comply with the specifications to be followed, through the configuration described below.

[0028] [2] Configuration of the control unit Next, with reference to Figure 1, each functional unit included in the control unit 17 will be described in more detail. The control unit 17 includes an acquisition processing unit 171, an update processing unit 172, and a storage unit 173. In other words, the image processing device 10 is equipped with the acquisition processing unit 171, the update processing unit 172, and the storage unit 173 as functions of the control unit 17.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 17 implements multiple firmwares FW1 to FWn (where "n" is any natural number) corresponding to multiple functions. When the multiple firmwares FW1 to FWn are not particularly distinguished, each of the firmwares FW1 to FWn is referred to as "firmware FW0". In this disclosure, "firmware" refers to software for controlling a computer system (control unit 17) incorporated into the main body 101 of the image processing device 10, and means software that has been pre-written into an integrated circuit such as ROM, or a storage unit such as a storage unit 173, and incorporated into the main body 101. For example, firmware FW1 is firmware for the panel used to control the operation unit 16, and firmware FW2 is firmware for the engine used to control the image forming unit 13. Similarly, firmware FW3 is firmware used to control the control unit 17, and firmware FW4 is firmware used for control related to the facsimile function.

[0030] The acquisition processing unit 171 executes an acquisition process to acquire the update program UP0. The acquisition processing unit 171 then stores the update program UP0 acquired by the acquisition process in the storage unit 173. The update program UP0 is a computer program used to update multiple firmware FW0 used to control the main unit 101. When distinguishing between multiple update programs UP0, they are referred to as "update program UPn" (where "n" is any natural number). In this embodiment, the program used to update firmware FW0 is called update program UPn, and as an example, update program UP4 is used to update firmware FW4 (see Figure 3). Note that update program UP0 may be considered to include the firmware FW0 after it has been updated by the update program UP0.

[0031] In this embodiment, the acquisition processing unit 171 reads the update program UP0 from a recording medium 19 such as a USB memory attached to the recording medium mounting section of the communication unit 18 of the image processing device 10, or from a recording medium 19 such as a CD or DVD inserted into the information reading section of the communication unit 18. In other words, in this embodiment, the image processing device 10 can acquire the update program UP0 in an offline state, without being connected to a server such as the distribution device 20.

[0032] In another embodiment, the communication unit 18 may communicate with the distribution device 20 via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN to download the update program UP0 from the distribution device 20 and obtain the update program UP0. In other words, the acquisition processing unit 171 may obtain the update program UP0 from the distribution device 20 using a download method.

[0033] The storage unit 173 stores the current version of each firmware FW0 of the image processing device 10, as well as information about the region in which the image processing device 10 is used. For example, the control unit 17 stores the information about the region in which the image processing device 10 is used in the storage unit 173 in response to user operations such as initial setup of the image processing device 10. In addition, when the firmware FW0 is updated, the control unit 17 stores the updated version of the firmware FW0 in the storage unit 173 as the current version of the firmware FW0.

[0034] Furthermore, the storage unit 173 is a storage unit where the update program UP0 is stored. Specifically, the storage unit 173 is a storage area allocated to store the update program UP0 among one or more non-volatile memories that are storage units provided in the control unit 17. The update program UP0 acquired (downloaded) by the acquisition processing unit 171 will be stored (stored) in the storage unit 173. The storage unit 173 may be a storage unit such as a hard disk drive provided outside the control unit 17.

[0035] Furthermore, the storage unit 173 is a storage unit that stores the application master D0 used in the image processing device 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the application master D0 includes version control information D11 to D14. In the following, when version control information D11 to D14 are referred to collectively without distinction, they may be called version control information D1.

[0036] Each version control information D1 includes setting information for setting the lower or upper limit of the version corresponding to each firmware FW0 of the image processing device 10. Specifically, each version control information D1 includes information such as the table name, table number, applicable region, application period, application category, and version for each firmware type. The table name and table number are information for identifying the version control information D1. The applicable region is information indicating the country name or region name, which is set in advance to determine whether the area in which the image processing device 10 is used is an area to which the version control information D1 should be applied. The application period is information indicating the year, month, and day, which is the start date of the period to which the version control information D1 should be applied.

[0037] The application category indicates whether the version control information D1 represents the upper or lower limit of the version application conditions for each firmware type. In this embodiment, "Required" and "Optional" indicate that the version application conditions for each firmware type are at the "lower limit," while "Prohibited" indicates that the version application conditions for each firmware type are at the "upper limit." The version for each firmware type indicates the version for each firmware type that should be complied with based on the version control information D1.

[0038] For example, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the application master D0 stored in the storage unit 173 of the image processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the version control information D11 for the table named "Europe 1" should apply when the image processing device 10 is used in the applicable region "Europe" and the current date and time is on or after the applicable period "August 1, 2023". In the version control information D11, the application category is "Required", the version of the panel's firmware FW1 is "1.1", and the version of the controller's firmware FW3 is "1.4". Therefore, the version control information D11 stipulates that the version of the panel's firmware FW1 should be 1.1 or higher, and the version of the controller's firmware FW3 should be 1.4 or higher.

[0040] Furthermore, the version control information D12 for the table named "Europe 2" should apply when the image processing device 10 is used in the applicable region "Europe" and the current date and time is on or after the applicable period "September 1, 2023". In the version control information D12, the application category is "arbitrary", the engine firmware FW2 version is "1.2", and the controller firmware FW3 version is "1.4". Therefore, the version control information D12 stipulates that the engine firmware FW2 version should be 1.2 or higher, and the controller firmware FW3 version should be 1.4 or higher.

[0041] Furthermore, version control information D13 for table name "USA1" should apply when the image processing device 10 is used in the applicable region "USA" and the current date and time is on or after the applicable period "October 1, 2023". In version control information D13, the application category is "Required", the engine firmware FW2 version is "1.1", the controller firmware FW3 version is "1.4", and the FAX firmware FW4 version is "1.1". Therefore, version control information D13 stipulates that the engine firmware FW2 version should be 1.1 or higher, the controller firmware FW3 version should be 1.4 or higher, and the FAX firmware FW4 version should be 1.1 or higher.

[0042] Furthermore, version control information D14 for table name "USA2" should apply when the image processing device 10 is used in the applicable region "USA" and the current date and time is on or after the applicable period "September 1, 2023". In version control information D14, the application category is "arbitrary", the version of the panel firmware FW1 is "1.0", the version of the controller firmware FW3 is "1.3", and the version of the FAX firmware FW4 is "1.1". Therefore, version control information D14 stipulates that the version of the panel firmware FW1 should be 1.0 or higher, the version of the controller firmware FW3 should be 1.3 or higher, and the version of the FAX firmware FW4 should be 1.1 or higher.

[0043] Furthermore, version control information D14 for table name "Europe 3" should apply when the image processing device 10 is used in the applicable region "Europe" and the current date and time is on or after the applicable period "October 1, 2023". In version control information D14, the application category is "prohibited" and the version of the panel's firmware FW1 is "1.3". Therefore, version control information D14 stipulates that the version of the panel's firmware FW1 should be 1.3 or lower.

[0044] The update processing unit 172 executes an update process to update the firmware FW0 based on the update program UP0. Specifically, the update processing unit 172 updates the firmware FW0 implemented in the control unit 17 based on the update program UP0 stored in the storage unit 173. Here, the update processing unit 172 updates the firmware FWn using the update program UPn, so as an example, the firmware FW1 will be updated using the update program UP1 (see Figure 3). The update program UP0 used by the update processing unit 172 for the update may be deleted (erased) from the storage unit 173 after the update is completed.

[0045] In particular, the update processing unit 172 controls whether or not to update the firmware FW0 to be updated based on the updated version information of the firmware FW0 to be updated and one or more version control information D1 stored in the storage unit 173. Specifically, the update processing unit 172 determines that the firmware FW0 can be updated if the updated version of the firmware FW0 is less than or equal to the upper limit of the firmware FW0 defined in the version control information D1, or greater than or equal to the lower limit of the firmware FW0 defined in the version control information D1. In other words, the update processing unit 172 determines that the firmware FW0 cannot be updated if the updated version of the firmware FW0 is greater than the upper limit of the firmware FW0 defined in the version control information D1, or less than the lower limit of the firmware FW0 defined in the version control information D1. Furthermore, the update processing unit 172 can update or add version control information D1 independently of the firmware FW0 update.

[0046] In the image processing device 10 configured in this way, the acquisition processing unit 171 individually acquires an update program UP0 for each firmware FW0, which is one of several firmware FW0s used to control the main unit 101. Then, the update processing unit 172 individually updates the firmware FW0 based on the update program UP0.

[0047] In short, the acquisition processing unit 171, which acquires (downloads) the update program UP0, is configured to acquire the update program UP0 individually for each firmware FW0, for at least some of the firmwares FW1 to FWn. For example, the acquisition processing unit 171 can acquire the update program UP1 (see Figure 3) for updating firmware FW1 (see Figure 3), one of the multiple firmwares FW1 to FW4 (see Figure 3), separately from the other update programs UP2 to UP4 (see Figure 3).

[0048] Furthermore, the update processing unit 172 is configured to individually update firmware FW0 based on the update program UP0. For example, the update processing unit 172 can update only firmware FW1 out of multiple firmwares FW1 to FW4 (see Figure 3) based on the update program UP1 (see Figure 3).

[0049] [3] Control method for image processing device Hereinafter, an example of the operation related to updating the firmware FW0 in the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Here, steps S1, S2, etc., in the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 and 6 represent the processing procedure (step) numbers executed by the image processing device 10.

[0050] [Version control information registration process] First, the version control information registration process performed by the control unit 17 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The version control information registration process is a process for registering or updating version control information D1 in the applicable master D0.

[0051] <Step S1> In step S1, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether a request to add version control information D1 to the applicable master D0 has occurred. For example, the update processing unit 172 determines that the request has occurred when a user operation to add version control information D1 to the applicable master D0 is performed on the operation unit 16 or the like. Specifically, the user operation is an operation in which the user inputs the content of the version control information D1 to be added using the operation unit 16. Alternatively, the user operation may be an operation to select the source of the version control information D1 to be added (such as the recording medium 19 or the distribution device 20) or the version control information D1 to be added. The update processing unit 172 may also determine that the request has occurred when version control information D1 to be added to the applicable master D0 is read from the recording medium 19, or when version control information D1 to be added to the applicable master D0 is received from the distribution device 20. If it is determined that the request has occurred (S1:Yes), the process moves to step S2, and if it is determined that the request has not occurred (S1:No), the process moves to step S4.

[0052] <Step S2> In step S2, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether or not it is possible to add the version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request to the application master D0. For example, the update processing unit 172 determines that it is not possible to add the version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request if the version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request is inconsistent (conflicting) with other version control information D1 already registered in the application master D0. The update processing unit 172 may also determine that it is not possible to add the version control information D1 if the table name of the version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request is the same as the table name of the other version control information D1 already registered in the application master D0. If it is determined that the version control information D1 can be added (S2: Yes), the process moves to step S3, and if it is determined that the version control information D1 cannot be added (S2: No), the process moves to step S8.

[0053] <Step S3> In step S3, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 adds version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request to the application master D0. For example, the update processing unit 172 assigns a sequential table number to the application master D0, associates the table number with the version control information D1 corresponding to the addition request, and adds it to the application master D0 as a new record.

[0054] <Step S4> In step S4, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether an update request has occurred for the version control information D1 already registered in the applicable master D0. For example, the update processing unit 172 determines that an update request has occurred when a user operation to update the version control information D1 is performed on the operation unit 16, etc. Alternatively, the update processing unit 172 may determine that an update request has occurred when it receives version control information D1 of the table name and table number already registered in the applicable master D0 from the distribution device 20. If it is determined that an update request has occurred (S4:Yes), the process moves to step S5, and if it is determined that no update request has occurred (S4:No), the process returns to step S1.

[0055] <Step S5> In step S5, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 accepts user operations to change version control information D1 already registered in the applicable master D0. For example, the update processing unit 172 accepts the changes to the version control information D1 in response to user operations on the operation unit 16, etc. After that, when a user operation is performed to confirm the update of the version control information D1, the update processing unit 172 proceeds to step S6. If version control information D1 of a table name and table number already registered in the applicable master D0 is received from the distribution device 20, the contents of the received version control information D1 are accepted as the changes to the version control information D1.

[0056] <Step S6> In step S6, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether the version control information D1 in the applicable master D0 can be updated based on the changes to the version control information D1 received in step S5. For example, the update processing unit 172 determines that the update is not possible if the updated version control information D1 is inconsistent (conflicting) with other version control information D1 already registered in the applicable master D0. If it is determined that the version control information D1 can be updated (S6: Yes), the process moves to step S7, and if it is determined that the version control information D1 cannot be updated (S6: No), the process moves to step S8.

[0057] <Step S7> In step S7, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 updates the content of the version control information D1 in the applicable master D0 based on the changes requested in step S4.

[0058] <Step S8> In step S8, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 executes error notification processing to notify various errors according to the content of the error. For example, in the error notification processing, the error is displayed on the display unit 15, etc. Specifically, in the error notification processing, if it is determined in step S2 that the addition is not possible, a message is displayed indicating that the addition of version control information D1 is not possible. Similarly, in the error notification processing, if it is determined in step S6 that the update is not possible, a message is displayed indicating that the update of version control information D1 is not possible.

[0059] [Firmware update process] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the firmware update process performed by the control unit 17 will be described. The firmware update process is a process for updating the firmware FW0.

[0060] <Step S11> In step S11, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether or not a firmware update request for FW0 has occurred. Specifically, the update processing unit 172 determines that an update request has occurred when a user operation is performed on the operation unit 16 or the like to execute the update program UP0 for updating firmware FW0. For example, the user operation is an operation to select the firmware FW0 to be updated or the update program UP0. The update processing unit 172 may also determine that an update request has occurred when it reads the update program UP0 from the recording medium 19 or when it receives the update program UP0 from the distribution device 20. If it is determined that an update request has occurred (S11:Yes), the process moves to step S12, and as long as it is determined that no update request has occurred (S11:No), the process waits in step S11.

[0061] <Step S12> In step S12, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 selects the version control information D1 to be applied to the image processing device 10 from the applicable master D0. Specifically, the update processing unit 172 selects the version control information D1 to be used when controlling whether or not to update the firmware FW0 in the image processing device 10, which has an applicable region that is the usage region of the image processing device 10 stored in the storage unit 173 and whose application period has already arrived. For example, if the usage region of the image processing device 10 is "Europe" and the current date and time is "2023 / 11 / 02", then among the version control information D11, D12, and D15 whose applicable region is "Europe", version control information D11 and D15 whose application period has arrived and whose application classification is "mandatory" and "prohibited" will be selected. In this case, even though the applicable region of version control information D12 is "Europe" and the current date and time is "2023 / 11 / 02", the application classification is "optional", so it is not selected as the version control information D1 to be applied. Furthermore, the update processing unit 172 may arbitrarily select the version control information D1 to be applied to the image processing device 10 from the applicable master D0 in response to user operations. For example, the update processing unit 172 can select version control information D12, whose application category is "arbitrary," as the version control information D1 to be applied in response to user operations. In addition, the update processing unit 172 can also select version control information D1 whose application area is different from the area in which the image processing device 10 is used, in response to user operations.

[0062] <Step S13> In step S13, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 creates application condition information D2 based on one or more version control information D1 selected in step S12. The application condition information D2 is an integrated version of one or more version control information D1 selected in step S12, based on the content of each version control information D1.

[0063] Specifically, if the version control information D1 selected in step S12 is version control information D11 or D15, then application condition information D21 is created as application condition information D2, as shown in Figure 7. Specifically, the version of firmware FW1 specified as mandatory in version control information D11 is 1.1, and the version of firmware FW3 is 1.3. Also, the version of firmware FW1 specified as prohibited in version control information D15 is 1.3. In this case, in the application condition information D21 shown in Figure 7, the lower limit of the firmware FW1 version is set to 1.1, and the upper limit of the firmware FW1 version is set to 1.3. Also, in the application condition information D21 shown in Figure 7, the lower limit of the firmware FW3 version is set to 1.3.

[0064] Similarly, if the version control information D1 selected in step S12 is version control information D11, D12, or D15, then application condition information D22 is created as application condition information D2, as shown in Figure 8. Specifically, the version of firmware FW1 specified as mandatory in version control information D11 is 1.1, and the version of firmware FW3 is 1.3. Also, the version of firmware FW2 specified as optional in version control information D12 is 1.2, and the version of firmware FW3 is 1.4. Furthermore, the version of firmware FW1 specified as prohibited in version control information D15 is 1.3. In this case, in the application condition information D22 shown in Figure 8, the lower limit of the firmware FW1 version is set to 1.1, and the upper limit of the firmware FW1 version is set to 1.3. Also, in the application condition information D22, the lower limit of the firmware FW2 version is set to 1.2, and the lower limit of the firmware FW3 version is set to 1.4. Furthermore, version control information D1, for which the application category is arbitrary, may not only define a lower limit for the version, but also define an upper limit for the version control information D1. In addition, the update processing unit 172 may select the type of definition for version control information D1, for which the application category is arbitrary, from upper and lower limits, depending on the user operation.

[0065] Furthermore, if the version control information D1 selected in step S12 is all of the version control information D11 to D15, then as shown in Figure 9, application condition information D23 is created as application condition information D2. Specifically, the version of firmware FW1 specified as mandatory in version control information D11 is 1.1, and the version of firmware FW3 is 1.3. Also, the version of firmware FW2 specified as optional in version control information D12 is 1.2, and the version of firmware FW3 is 1.4. Also, the version of firmware FW2 specified as mandatory in version control information D12 is 1.1, the version of firmware FW3 is 1.4, and the version of firmware FW4 is 1.1. Also, the version of firmware FW1 specified as optional in version control information D14 is 1.0, the version of firmware FW3 is 1.3, and the version of firmware FW4 is 1.1. Furthermore, the version of firmware FW1 specified as prohibited in version control information D15 is 1.3. In this case, the application condition information D23 shown in Figure 9 sets the lower limit of the firmware FW1 version to 1.1 and the upper limit of the firmware FW1 version to 1.3. Furthermore, the application condition information D23 sets the lower limit of the firmware FW2 version to 1.2, the lower limit of the firmware FW3 version to 1.4, and the lower limit of the firmware FW4 version to 1.1.

[0066] <Step S14> In step S14, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 determines whether the updated version of firmware FW0, which is updated by the update program UP0 corresponding to the update request in step S11, satisfies the application conditions set in the application condition information D2 created in step S13. If it is determined that the application conditions are met (S14: Yes), the process moves to step S15; if it is determined that the application conditions are not met (S14: Yes), the process moves to step S16. In other words, the update processing unit 172 controls whether or not to update firmware FW0 based on the application conditions in the application condition information D2.

[0067] Specifically, if the application condition information D21 in Figure 7 is created as application condition information D2, then for firmware FW1, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW1 version is 1.1 or higher and 1.3 or lower. Similarly, for firmware FW3, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW3 version is 1.3 or higher.

[0068] Furthermore, if the application condition information D22 in Figure 8 is created as application condition information D2, then for firmware FW1, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW1 version is 1.1 or higher and 1.3 or lower. For firmware FW2, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW2 version is 1.2 or higher. And for firmware FW3, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW3 version is 1.4 or higher.

[0069] Furthermore, if the application condition information D23 in Figure 9 is created as application condition information D2, then for firmware FW1, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW1 version is 1.1 or higher and 1.3 or lower. Similarly, for firmware FW2, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW2 version is 1.2 or higher. Furthermore, for firmware FW3, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW3 version is 1.4 or higher. Likewise, for firmware FW4, the application condition is determined to be met if the updated firmware FW4 version is 1.1 or higher.

[0070] Furthermore, if multiple firmware FW0s are to be updated, in step S14, it may be determined individually whether each of the multiple firmware FW0s satisfies the application conditions, or it may be determined whether all of the application conditions for the firmware FW0s are satisfied. In another embodiment, in step S14, the update processing unit 172 may also determine whether the current firmware FW0 version of the image processing device 10, which is not updated by the update program UP0 corresponding to the update request in step S11, satisfies the application conditions set in the application condition information D2 created in step S13. This makes it possible to notify the user if the current firmware FW0 version of the image processing device 10 no longer satisfies the application conditions due to the addition or update of version control information D1.

[0071] <Step S15> In step S15, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 updates the firmware FW0 based on the update program UP0 corresponding to the update request in step S11.

[0072] <Step S16> In step S16, the update processing unit 172 of the control unit 17 executes error notification processing to notify various types of errors according to the nature of the error. For example, in the error notification processing, the error is displayed on the display unit 15, etc. In addition, the error notification processing displays a message indicating that the application conditions are not met, the version of the firmware FW0 to be updated by the update program UP0, and the contents of the application condition information D2 (lower and upper limits of the version).

[0073] As described above, in the image processing system 100 according to this embodiment, the ability to update the firmware FW0 to be updated is controlled based on the updated version information and version control information D1. This enables the image processing system 100 to update the firmware FW0 to comply with the required specifications. In particular, since the version control information D1 is managed in the image processing device 10, the image processing device 10 alone can update the firmware FW0 to comply with the required specifications.

[0074] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0075] <Note 1> A storage unit that stores version control information, including setting information for setting the lower or upper limit of the version corresponding to each firmware, An update processing unit controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on information about the updated version of the firmware to be updated and one or more of the version control information stored in the storage unit. An image processing device equipped with the following features.

[0076] <Note 2> The update processing unit is capable of updating or adding the version control information. The image processing apparatus described in Appendix 1.

[0077] <Note 3> The version control information includes information about the area in which the image processing device is used. The update processing unit controls whether or not to perform an update based on the version control information corresponding to the usage area of ​​the image processing device. The image processing apparatus described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0078] <Note 4> The aforementioned version control information includes information on the application period. The update processing unit controls whether or not to perform the update based on the version control information for which the application period has arrived. An image processing device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 3.

[0079] <Note 5> The update processing unit generates application information, including the lower and upper limits of the version corresponding to each of the firmwares, based on a plurality of version control pieces of information, and controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on the application information. An image processing device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 4.

[0080] <Note 6> The update processing unit updates the firmware to be updated to the firmware corresponding to the updated version read from the recording medium by the image processing unit. An image processing device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0081] <Note 7> A processor in an image processing device, which includes a storage unit that stores version control information including setting information for setting the lower or upper limit of the version corresponding to each firmware, To obtain information about the updated version of the firmware to be updated, The ability to update the firmware to be updated is controlled based on the updated version and one or more versions of the version control information stored in the storage unit. A control program to execute the program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 10 Image Processing Device 100 Image Processing Systems 101 Main Unit 171 Acquisition Processing Unit 172 Update Processing Unit 173 Storage Unit UP0, UP1~UP4 update program FW0, FW1~FW4 firmware D0 Applicable Master D1, D11~D14 Version Control Information D2, D21~D23 Applicable condition information

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores version control information, including setting information for setting the lower or upper limit of the version corresponding to each firmware, An update processing unit controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on information about the updated version of the firmware to be updated and one or more of the version control information stored in the storage unit. An image processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The update processing unit is capable of updating or adding the version control information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The version control information includes information about the area in which the image processing device is used. The update processing unit controls whether or not to perform an update based on the version control information corresponding to the usage area of ​​the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned version control information includes information on the application period. The update processing unit controls whether or not to perform the update based on the version control information for which the application period has arrived. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The update processing unit generates application information, including the lower and upper limits of the version corresponding to each of the firmwares, based on a plurality of version control pieces of information, and controls whether or not to update the firmware to be updated based on the application information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The update processing unit updates the firmware to be updated to the firmware corresponding to the updated version read from the recording medium by the image processing unit. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A processor in an image processing device, which includes a storage unit that stores version control information including setting information for setting the lower or upper limit of the version corresponding to each firmware, To obtain information about the updated version of the firmware to be updated, The ability to update the firmware to be updated is controlled based on the updated version and one or more versions of the version control information stored in the storage unit. A control program to execute the program.

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