Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To cause a large number of devices to update programs early while suppressing spread of failure due to the update of the programs.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a plurality of devices each repeating inquiry for confirming necessity of updating a program, at first intervals; and an information processing apparatus connected to the devices over a network. The information processing apparatus includes a change unit which changes the interval for inquiry to a second interval which is shorter than the first interval when the time of a second threshold or longer has passed since the number of the devices whose programs have been updated exceeds a first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] One method for efficiently updating programs (firmware, etc.) of multiple devices is for each device to automatically obtain an update program from a server connected via a network and execute the update process.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a server stores update timing information for each image forming device, and each image forming device starts updating in accordance with the information. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If an update contains a bug or other problem, and the update is applied to many devices at the same time, the problem will spread throughout the market.

[0005] On the other hand, if the intervals between application of update programs become too long for each device, there may be devices in which defects that should be resolved by update programs are not resolved for a long period of time.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to quickly update programs in a large number of devices while suppressing the spread of defects caused by program updates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, in an information processing system including a plurality of devices, each of which repeats an inquiry at a first interval to confirm whether a program update is required, and an information processing device connected to the devices via a network, the information processing device has a change unit that changes the inquiry interval to a second interval that is shorter than the first interval when the elapsed time since the number of the devices that have updated the program reached a first threshold or more is a second threshold or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This makes it possible to quickly update programs in a large number of devices while suppressing the spread of defects caused by program updates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a firmware update server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for firmware update processing. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for firmware update processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an update interval. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for changing an update interval. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for changing an update interval. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of version information for each image forming apparatus 10. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of change information. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transition of the updated number of vehicles. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a process of determining change information. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of candidates for change information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In this embodiment, the interval at which the image forming device 10 inquires of the server about the latest version of the firmware (hereinafter referred to as the "update interval") is dynamically changed depending on the likelihood that a defect has been mixed into the latest version of the firmware. Specifically, when updating the firmware of the image forming device 10 to the latest version, the update interval is relatively long until it is determined that the latest version is unlikely to contain a defect, thereby slowing down the spread of the firmware update, and once it is determined that the likelihood is low, the update interval is shortened to speed up the spread. In this way, it is possible to quickly update the firmware of a large number of image forming devices 10 while minimizing the impact of a defect being mixed in.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 are connected to a firmware update server 20 and a device management server 30 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The firmware update server 20 is connected to the device management server 30 via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0012] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is a device whose program is to be updated. In this embodiment, the firmware of the image forming apparatus 10 is the program to be updated. The image forming apparatus 10 determines whether a firmware update is necessary by making an inquiry to the firmware update server 20 every time an update interval elapses.

[0013] The firmware update server 20 is one or more computers that manage the firmware of the image forming apparatus 10 and control the updating of the firmware of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0014] The device management server 30 is one or more computers that manage information related to each image forming device 10. In this embodiment, the device management server 30 manages version information of firmware applied (installed) to each image forming device 10.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the firmware update server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The firmware update server 20 in Fig. 2 includes a drive device 200, an auxiliary storage device 202, a memory device 203, a CPU 204, and an interface device 205, all of which are interconnected via a bus B.

[0016] A program that realizes processing in the firmware update server 20 is provided by a recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 201 storing the program is set in the drive device 200, the program is installed from the recording medium 201 to the auxiliary storage device 202 via the drive device 200. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 201, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 202 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0017] When an instruction to start a program is received, the memory device 203 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 202 and stores it. The CPU 204 executes functions related to the firmware update server 20 in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 203. The interface device 205 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

[0018] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and an SD card slot 17.

[0019] The controller 11 has a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, a HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, etc. The ROM 113 stores various programs, data used by the programs, etc. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading programs, a work area for the loaded programs, etc. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing the programs loaded into the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores programs, various data used by the programs, etc. The NVRAM 115 stores various setting information, etc.

[0020] The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from an original. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line and is used to send and receive image data via FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware equipped with input means such as buttons for receiving user input and display means such as an LCD panel. The LCD panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the LCD panel also functions as an input means. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN. The SD card slot 17 is used to read programs stored on the SD card 80. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only programs stored in the ROM 113 but also programs stored on the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed. Note that the SD card 80 may be replaced with another recording medium (e.g., a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the position of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 17 may be replaced by hardware that corresponds to the type of recording medium.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 4, the device management server 30 has a device management unit 31. The device management unit 31 is implemented by a process in which one or more programs installed in the device management server 30 are executed by the CPU of the device management server 30. The device management server 30 also uses a device information storage unit 32. The device information storage unit 32 can be implemented using, for example, an auxiliary storage device of the device management server 30, or a storage device connectable to the device management server 30 via a network.

[0022] The device information storage unit 32 stores device information for each image forming device 10. In the present embodiment, the device information includes version information of firmware that has been applied (installed) to the image forming device 10. The device information may also include information indicating the history of malfunctions that have occurred in the image forming device 10.

[0023] The device management unit 31 updates the device information related to the image forming device 10 in response to information notified from the image forming device 10, and provides the information stored in the device information storage unit 32 to the firmware update server 20.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 10 has an update interval receiving unit 121, a latest firmware information acquiring unit 122, and an update control unit 123. These units are realized by processing that is executed by the CPU 111 of one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 also uses an update interval storage unit 124. The update interval storage unit 124 can be realized using, for example, the HDD 114.

[0025] The update interval receiving unit 121 receives the update interval from the firmware update server 20 and records the received update interval in the update interval storage unit 124. As described above, the update interval refers to the time interval between repeated inquiries (hereinafter referred to as "update inquiries") to confirm whether a firmware update is required.

[0026] The latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 repeatedly inquires about the latest firmware version information (hereinafter referred to as "latest firmware information") at each update interval recorded in the update interval storage unit 124. In this embodiment, the inquiry about the latest firmware information is an example of an update inquiry.

[0027] If the latest firmware related to the latest firmware information is not installed in the image forming apparatus 10, the update control unit 123 controls updating (installation) of the firmware.

[0028] The firmware update server 20 has an update interval changing unit 21, a firmware management unit 22, and a change information determination unit 23. Each of these units is realized by processing in which one or more programs installed in the firmware update server 20 are executed by the CPU 104. The firmware update server 20 also uses a firmware storage unit 24 and a change information storage unit 25. Each of these storage units can be realized using, for example, the auxiliary storage device 102, or a storage device connectable to the firmware update server 20 via a network.

[0029] Update interval change unit 21 transmits the update interval to each image forming device 10, causing each image forming device 10 to execute an update inquiry at the update interval. Furthermore, if the firmware update status (update progress status) satisfies the conditions (hereinafter referred to as "change conditions") stored in change information storage unit 25, update interval change unit 21 changes (shortens) the update interval and transmits the changed update interval to each image forming device 10.

[0030] The firmware management unit 22 transmits information, firmware, etc. stored in the firmware storage unit 24 to each image forming apparatus 10.

[0031] For example, when new firmware is released, the change information determination unit 23 determines information (hereinafter referred to as "change information") including change conditions and update intervals when the change conditions are met based on the occurrence of defects in past versions, and records the change information in the change information storage unit 25.

[0032] The following describes the processing procedures executed in the information processing system 1. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedures for firmware update processing. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the processing procedures for firmware update processing. Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams expressing the same processing procedures in different formats. In both figures, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps or corresponding steps.

[0033] The latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 of a certain image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "target image forming apparatus 10") waits for the update interval to elapse from the time of the previous execution of step S102 (S101). The value of the update interval is stored in the update interval storage unit 124.

[0034] When the update interval has elapsed and the timing for an update inquiry (hereinafter referred to as "update timing") arrives (Yes in S101), the latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 acquires the latest firmware information from the firmware update server 20 (S102). Specifically, the latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 transmits a request to acquire the latest firmware information to the firmware update server 20 (S102-1 in FIG. 6). The firmware management unit 22 of the firmware update server 20 transmits the latest firmware information stored in the firmware storage unit 24 to the target image forming apparatus 10 that sent the request.

[0035] Next, the update control unit 123 of the target image forming device 10 compares the latest firmware information acquired by the latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 with the version information of the firmware already installed in the target image forming device 10, and determines whether the latest version has already been installed in the target image forming device 10 (S103). If the latest version has already been installed (Yes in S103), the process returns to step S101. In this case, the latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 waits for the update interval to elapse from the current time.

[0036] If the latest version has not been installed (No in S103), the update control unit 123 determines whether the latest version of firmware has been downloaded (S104). For example, if the last downloaded firmware is stored in the HDD 114, the update control unit 123 determines whether the firmware is the latest version.

[0037] If the latest version of the firmware has been downloaded (Yes in S104), the process proceeds to step S106. If the latest version of the firmware has not been downloaded (No in S104), the update control unit 123 downloads the firmware from the firmware update server 20 (S105), and the process proceeds to step S106. Specifically, the update control unit 123 transmits a download request for the latest version of the firmware to the firmware update server 20 (S105-1 in FIG. 6). The firmware management unit 22 of the firmware update server 20 transmits the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit 24 to the target image forming apparatus 10 that is the sender of the download request (S105-2 in FIG. 6).

[0038] In step S106, the update control unit 123 determines whether the target image forming device 10 is in use (operating). If it is in use (Yes in S106), the process returns to step S101 and the firmware update is skipped (avoided). In this case, the latest firmware information acquisition unit 122 waits for the update interval to elapse from the current time. The firmware update is avoided while the target image forming device 10 is in use because a program currently executing a process on the target image forming device 10 conflicts (interferes) with a program deployed in the firmware update in memory.

[0039] If the target image forming device 10 is not in use (No in S106), the update control unit 123 updates the firmware of the target image forming device 10 by installing the latest version of the firmware in the target image forming device 10 (S107).

[0040] If the installation is successful, the update control unit 123 transmits version information of the installed firmware to the device management server 30. Upon receiving the version information, the device management unit 31 of the device management server 30 updates the firmware version information stored in the device information storage unit 32 for the image forming device 10 that transmitted the version information to the received version information.

[0041] After step S107 is executed, the process returns to step S101. Therefore, steps S102 and onward are repeatedly executed each time the update interval elapses from the time of the firmware update, but the firmware update is skipped based on the determination in step S103. However, if a new version is released, the skip is canceled and steps S105 and onward are executed.

[0042] Furthermore, if the firmware update is skipped in step S106 because the target image forming device 10 is in use, step S102 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed at each update interval. As a result, when the target image forming device 10 is taken out of service, the firmware is updated. If a version (hereinafter referred to as "version N+1") next to the version to be updated (hereinafter referred to as "version N") is released during this repetition, version N+1 is downloaded, and after the target image forming device 10 is taken out of service, version N+1 is installed. Therefore, in this case, the installation of version N is skipped.

[0043] For example, if version N is 2.86, the previous version is 2.85, and version N+1 is 2.87, the firmware version transition of the image forming apparatus 10 skips version 2.86, and 2.85 → 2.87 This becomes:

[0044] The update interval is, for example, 24h x n + αh (h is 1 hour, n is any integer, α>1.0). The reason why α hours are added to multiples of 24 hours (1 day) is that, for example, if a user operates image forming device 10 at the same time every day, if an update is skipped because the image forming device 10 is in use once, there is a high possibility that the image forming device 10 will also be in use at subsequent update times. In other words, by adding α hours, the time periods for subsequent update times can be shifted.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an update interval, which shows update timing when the update interval is 24h x 3 + 4h = 76h.

[0046] The timing at which updates are performed for an image forming device 10 that operates from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM every day is shown. For example, assume that the first update was performed at 14:00 PM on January 6th. Since an image forming device 10 that operates from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM every day is in use at the first update, the update is skipped. The next update is performed at 18:00 PM on January 9th. Since 18:00 is outside the operating hours, there is a high possibility that an update will be performed. If the update interval were a multiple of 24 hours, the second and subsequent update times would also be at 14:00, which would increase the possibility that it would take a long time for an update to be performed.

[0047] Next, the update interval change process will be described. The update interval that becomes the waiting period in step S101 is dynamically changed by the processing procedure described below.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for changing an update interval. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for changing an update interval. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams expressing the same processing procedure in different formats. In both figures, the same steps or corresponding steps are assigned the same step numbers. The processing procedures in FIGS. 8 and 9 are started every time a new version of firmware is released. Therefore, these processing procedures are executed in parallel with the processing procedures in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0049] When new firmware is released, the update interval change unit 21 of the firmware update server 20 resets the update interval (S201). Resetting the update interval means setting the update interval to a default value (initial value). For example, the default value may be 128h.

[0050] Next, the update interval change unit 21 transmits a notification of the reset of the update interval to each image forming apparatus 10 (S202-1). In response to the notification, the update interval reception unit 121 of each image forming apparatus 10 updates the update interval stored in the update interval storage unit 124 to a default value (S202-2 in FIG. 9). Note that in step S202-1, the reset update interval may be transmitted to each image forming apparatus 10, or only a notification that the update interval will be reset may be transmitted to each image forming apparatus 10. In the former case, the update interval reception unit 121 of each image forming apparatus 10 may record the received update interval in the update interval storage unit 124. In the latter case, the default value of the update interval is known to the update interval reception unit 121 of each image forming apparatus 10, and the update interval reception unit 121 may record the update interval in the update interval storage unit 124. Alternatively, a default value may be saved in the update interval storage unit 124, and the update interval reception unit 121 may activate the saved default value.

[0051] When the default value is recorded in the update interval storage unit 124, each image forming apparatus 10 waits for the default value of time to elapse in step S101.

[0052] The update interval is reset each time a new version is released because the update interval may have been changed after the previous version was released, as will be described later.

[0053] Next, the update interval changing unit 21 acquires version information of the firmware applied to each image forming device 10 from the device management unit 31 of the device management server 30 (S202). Specifically, the update interval changing unit 21 transmits a request to acquire version information for each image forming device 10 to the device management unit 31 (S202-1 in FIG. 9). The device management unit 31 acquires the version information for each image forming device 10 from the device information storage unit 32, and transmits the acquired information to the update interval changing unit 21 (S202-2 in FIG. 9).

[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of version information for each image forming device 10. FIG. 10 shows the installed firmware version for each model number of the image forming device 10. The model number is identification information for the image forming device 10 (individual). The installed firmware version is version information of the firmware installed in the image forming device 10 associated with the model number. Note that FIG. 10 shows an example in which the latest version is 2.87. The update interval change unit 21 can count the number of image forming devices 10 that have been updated to the latest version by referring to the version information for each image forming device 10.

[0055] Next, the update interval change unit 21 determines whether the update status of the latest version satisfies the change condition included in the change information stored in the change information storage unit 25 (S204).

[0056] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of change information. In Fig. 11, the change information includes parameters (items) such as the number of vehicles, the number of days, and change values. Of these, the number of vehicles and the number of days are change conditions.

[0057] The number of devices is a threshold for the number of image forming devices 10 that have been updated to the latest version. The number of days is a threshold for the number of days without a malfunction occurring when the required number of devices is met. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the threshold for the elapsed time is set in days, but the threshold for the elapsed time may be set in other units, such as weeks, months, or years. The change value is the value after the update interval is changed when the change condition defined by the number of devices and the number of days is met. That is, in FIG. 11, the change condition is "no malfunction has occurred even after two or more days have passed since the latest firmware was applied to 20,000 or more devices." The change value is set to a value shorter than the default (initial) value of the update interval. The change value may also be a value that satisfies the above 24h × n + α. However, the change value n is smaller than the default value n.

[0058] The update interval change unit 21 determines whether the number condition is satisfied by referencing the version information for each image forming device 10 illustrated in FIG. 10 and counting the number of image forming devices 10 corresponding to the latest version information. If the number condition is satisfied, the update interval change unit 21 records the time when the number condition was satisfied and calculates the elapsed time since that time. If the elapsed time satisfies the number of days condition, the update interval change unit 21 determines whether a malfunction has occurred in the image forming device 10 to which the latest firmware has been applied since the release of the latest firmware. The presence or absence of a malfunction may be confirmed by inquiring of the device management server 30. In this case, the device management server 30 may record a history of information indicating a malfunction (abnormality) that has occurred in each image forming device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "malfunction information") based on notifications from each image forming device 10.

[0059] The number of days condition indicates that "no malfunctions have occurred even after the specified number of days have passed." However, this "no malfunctions" situation does not necessarily mean that no malfunctions have occurred (i.e., no malfunctions have occurred in any image forming apparatus 10). A situation in which one or several image forming apparatuses 10 are experiencing malfunctions does not necessarily mean that a firmware update is the cause of the malfunctions. Therefore, the "no malfunctions" situation may be defined taking into account the possibility that a firmware update is the cause of the malfunctions. For example, a "no malfunctions" situation may be defined as a situation in which the number of malfunctions in an image forming apparatus 10 to which the latest firmware has been applied is clearly (e.g., statistically) less than the number of malfunctions in an image forming apparatus 10 to which the latest firmware has not been applied. Alternatively, a "no malfunctions" situation may be defined as a situation in which the number of malfunctions in an image forming apparatus 10 to which the latest firmware has been applied is clearly (e.g., statistically) decreasing compared to before the latest firmware was applied.

[0060] If the change condition is not satisfied (No in S204), the update interval change unit 21 repeats step S203 and subsequent steps. At this time, step S203 and subsequent steps may be repeated after waiting for a certain period of time. There is a possibility that the change condition will be satisfied during the period in which step S203 and subsequent steps are repeated.

[0061] If the change condition is met (Yes in S204), the update interval change unit 21 changes the update interval to the change value in the change information including the change condition (S205). According to the example in Fig. 11, the update interval is shortened to 28 hours.

[0062] Next, the update interval change unit 21 transmits an update interval change notice including the changed update interval to each image forming device 10 (S206-1). Here, the destination of the update interval change notice may be limited to image forming devices 10 to which the latest version has not yet been applied. Upon receiving the update interval change notice, the update interval receiving unit 121 of each image forming device 10 updates the update interval stored in the update interval storage unit 124 based on the update interval included in the update interval change notice (S206-2 in FIG. 9).

[0063] If the next version is released without the change conditions being met, the processing procedure being executed is discarded and step S201 and subsequent steps are executed again.

[0064] By changing the update interval according to the processing procedure in FIG. 8, the number of image forming devices 10 that are updated to the latest firmware (hereinafter referred to as the "updated number") changes, for example, as shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the updated number. In FIG. 12, the default value of the update interval is 148 hours.

[0065] Time t1 is the point at which the change condition is met: the latest firmware has been applied to more than 20,000 devices for more than two days. From the start of the release of the latest firmware until time t1, the number of updated devices increases gradually. Therefore, even if a bug occurs in waves up until time t1, the large-scale spread of the bug can be prevented.

[0066] When the update interval is changed from 148 hours to 28 hours at time t1, the rate at which the number of updated devices increases increases. As a result, at time t2, approximately seven days after the start of the release of the latest firmware, 95% of the image forming devices 10 can be considered to have been updated.

[0067] Note that multiple pieces of change information with different change conditions and change values ​​may be set, in which case the update interval can be changed in three or more stages.

[0068] Next, the determination of change information will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing procedure for determining change information. The processing procedure in Fig. 13 is executed every time a new version of firmware is released, similar to Fig. 8. For example, in Fig. 8, the processing procedure in Fig. 13 may be inserted before step S203.

[0069] In step S301, the change information determination unit 23 acquires a history of defect information related to the image forming apparatus 10. The history of defect information may be acquired from the device management server 30, for example.

[0070] Next, the change information determination unit 23 refers to the history of the defect information and determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied (S302). The predetermined condition is, for example, that a defect occurs in multiple image forming devices 10 of the same model among image forming devices 10 that have been updated to the previous version (hereinafter, this condition will be referred to as "Condition 1"). Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be that a defect occurs in multiple image forming devices 10 of similar model among image forming devices 10 that use the same previous version (not limited to the previous version) in a certain past version (hereinafter, this condition will be referred to as "Condition 2"). Note that "the occurrence of a defect" here does not have to be limited to the occurrence of a single defect, as in the above-mentioned "no defect occurring" situation.

[0071] If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (No in S302), the change information determination unit 23 sets (saves) the default change information in the change information storage unit 25 (S303).

[0072] On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is satisfied (Yes in S302), the change information determination unit 23 sets (saves) in the change information storage unit 25 change information that slows down the update speed until the update interval is changed compared to the default change information (S304). In other words, if a problem has occurred in the past, it is considered that there is a high possibility that a problem will occur even in the latest version, and the update speed is slowed down.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of candidate change information. In FIG. 14, (1) is an example of default change information, and its content is the same as that in FIG. 11. (2) is an example of change information that is adopted when condition 1 is met. Since (2) has a larger number of days than (1), the update speed can be slower. (3) is an example of change information that is adopted when condition 2 is met. Since (3) has a larger number of devices than (1), the update speed can be slower.

[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the elapsed time since the number of image forming devices 10 whose firmware has been updated reaches or exceeds the first threshold is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the update interval is changed to an interval shorter than the default value. Therefore, the update speed can be slowed down at the beginning of the release of a new version, and can be increased thereafter. As a result, it is possible to quickly update the firmware of a large number of image forming devices 10 while suppressing the spread of defects caused by the firmware update.

[0075] Note that this embodiment may also be applied to devices other than image forming device 10, such as output devices such as PJ (Projector), IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function that allows mutual communication), digital signage, HUD (Head Up Display) devices, industrial machinery, imaging devices, sound collection devices, medical equipment, network home appliances, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, game consoles, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, wearable PCs, or desktop PCs.

[0076] Furthermore, this embodiment may be applied to updating programs other than firmware.

[0077] In this embodiment, the firmware update server 20 is an example of an information processing device, the update interval change unit 21 is an example of a change unit, and the change information determination unit 23 is an example of a determination unit.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Image forming device 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printers 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network Interfaces 17 SD card slot 20 Firmware Update Server 21 Update interval change section 22 Farm Management Department 23 Change Information Decision Unit 24 Farm Memory 25 Change information storage unit 30 Device management server 31 Equipment Management Department 32 Device information storage section 80 SD cards 111 CPU 112 RAM 113 ROM 114 HDD 115 NVRAM 121 Update interval receiver 122 Latest Farm Information Acquisition Department 123 Update control section 124 Update interval storage section 200 Drive Device 201 Recording Media 202 Auxiliary storage device 203 Memory Device 204 CPU 205 Interface Device B Bus [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0080] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-125141 A

Claims

1. An information processing system including a plurality of devices, each of which repeats an inquiry to confirm whether a program update is required at a first interval, and an information processing device connected to the devices via a network, The information processing device includes: a change unit that changes the inquiry interval to a second interval that is shorter than the first interval when the elapsed time since the number of the devices that have updated the program becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold is equal to or greater than a second threshold; An information processing system comprising:

2. when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the change unit changes the inquiry interval to a second interval shorter than the first interval based on a malfunction occurrence status of the updated device; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The information processing device includes: a determination unit that determines the first threshold value and the second threshold value based on a past occurrence status of a defect related to the program; 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. An information processing apparatus connected via a network to a plurality of devices, each of which repeats an inquiry to confirm whether a program update is required at a first interval, comprising: a change unit that changes the inquiry interval to a second interval that is shorter than the first interval when the elapsed time since the number of the devices that have updated the program becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold is equal to or greater than a second threshold; An information processing device comprising:

5. an information processing device connected via a network to a plurality of devices, each of which repeats an inquiry to confirm whether a program update is necessary at a first interval; a change procedure for changing the inquiry interval to a second interval shorter than the first interval when the elapsed time since the number of the devices that have updated the program becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold is equal to or greater than a second threshold; An information processing method comprising:

6. an information processing device connected via a network to a plurality of devices, each of which repeats an inquiry to confirm whether a program update is necessary at a first interval; a change procedure for changing the inquiry interval to a second interval shorter than the first interval when the elapsed time since the number of the devices that have updated the program becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold is equal to or greater than a second threshold; A program characterized by executing the following.

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