Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To execute the firmware update after the firmware update becomes executable.SOLUTION: An information processing device having a function to update firmware includes a display control unit that displays an update reservation screen for making a reservation for executing the update of the firmware on the information processing device, an operation reception unit that receives an operation for making the reservation by a user, a control unit that determines an update execution time at which the update is to be executed, and prohibits the execution of a function originally used in the information processing device from a time before the update execution time by a predetermined time until the update is completed, and a processing unit that executes the update at the update execution time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When updating firmware in an electronic device such as an image forming device or an information processing device, the firmware update may fail depending on the state of the firmware or the device, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that checks whether updated firmware exists on a server before updating the firmware, and if so, acquires the updated firmware from the server. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, with conventional technology, if a firmware update is not possible due to the device's state, it is not possible to execute the firmware update after the device becomes capable of updating. For example, if the device temperature is high because it has just been turned on, the firmware update must be executed after the device temperature returns to normal.

[0004] In view of the above-described problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to execute a firmware update after a firmware update becomes executable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information processing device having a function of updating firmware, the information processing device having a display control unit that displays an update reservation screen on the information processing device for reserving execution of the firmware update, an operation receiving unit that receives an operation by a user to make the reservation, a control unit that determines an update execution time for executing the update and prohibits execution of functions that are originally used in the information processing device from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed, and a processing unit that executes the update at the update execution time. The display control unit displays the update reservation screen on the information processing device after the update has failed. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, after a firmware update becomes possible, the firmware update can be executed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic diagram of a firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence relating to a firmware update reservation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a firmware update execution screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a firmware update reservation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence relating to a print execution prohibition process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print execution screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print-disabled state notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print execution screen (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence relating to a firmware update process according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] <System Overview> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic diagram of a firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an administrator (or maintenance person) of an image forming apparatus 9 attempts to update the firmware, but the firmware update fails due to a high temperature in the image forming apparatus 9's engine (the mechanical part that prints). Next, the administrator operates the image forming apparatus 9 to schedule a firmware update. The image forming apparatus 9 executes the firmware update when the engine temperature returns to normal after a certain period of time has elapsed. In other words, if the image forming apparatus 9 is in a state where it is unable to execute a firmware update, the administrator can operate the image forming apparatus 9 to schedule a firmware update, which will allow the image forming apparatus 9 to execute the firmware update when it becomes able to execute the update. There are two methods for scheduling a firmware update: a method of updating with the shortest possible waiting time, and a method of specifying a time to execute the update.

[0010] Furthermore, the image forming device 9 can estimate the update execution time when the firmware update can be executed, and prohibit the execution of functions that are originally used by the image forming device 9, such as the printing function, from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed. The reason for prohibiting the execution of the printing function, etc., is to prevent the engine temperature from rising due to the execution of the printing function, etc., making it impossible to execute the firmware update at the update execution time.

[0011] In this embodiment, a firmware update in the image forming apparatus 9 is described, but the firmware update may be performed on any electronic device or information processing apparatus capable of performing firmware update, not limited to the image forming apparatus 9. Furthermore, the state of the apparatus is not limited to the engine temperature, but may be, for example, the humidity or air pressure inside the apparatus.

[0012] <Hardware configuration example (image forming device)> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 9 (also called an MFP, Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0013] Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0014] Of these, the CPU 901 controls the entire image forming apparatus 9. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0015] The MEM-P 902 comprises a ROM 902a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0016] The SB 904 is a bridge for connecting the NB 903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and functions as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD 908, and MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, multiple direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that perform image data rotation using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) interface may also be connected to the ASIC 906.

[0017] The short-distance communication circuit 920 has a card reader 920a for reading user authentication information stored on an IC card or the like.

[0018] The operation panel 940 has a touch panel 940a and a numeric keypad 940b that accept inputs from a user. The touch panel 940a displays an application screen executed by the image forming apparatus 9, etc.

[0019] A media I / F 916 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 915 such as a flash memory.

[0020] <About the function> 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 9 has an operation unit 10, a control unit 13, and a processing unit 14. The operation unit 10 also includes an operation reception unit 11 and a display control unit 12. Each of these units is a function or means realized by a CPU 901 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus 9. The storage unit 15 can be realized by, for example, a storage device such as an HD 909 included in the image forming apparatus 9.

[0021] The operation receiving unit 11 receives operations such as pressing buttons related to firmware update reservations by a user such as an administrator via the touch panel 940a of the image forming apparatus 9 or the like.

[0022] The display control unit 12 uses the received screen information to display a firmware update execution screen, a firmware update reservation screen, or the like on the image forming apparatus 9.

[0023] In response to a firmware update reservation received from the operation unit 10, the control unit 13 performs settings according to the reservation contents, and then transmits a request to the storage unit 15 to save the firmware program to be used in the update. Furthermore, the control unit 13 manages the time to update the firmware, and when the update time has passed, obtains the firmware program from the storage unit 15 and transmits a firmware update request to the processing unit 14. The control unit 13 also sets the image forming device 9 in a state where printing is prohibited from being performed from a time a predetermined time before the time to execute the firmware update until the firmware update is completed. The control unit 13 also notifies the operation unit 10 of the status or change in status related to printing execution.

[0024] The processing unit 14 determines the state regarding whether or not a firmware update is executable according to the engine temperature, and transmits a notification regarding the change in state to the control unit 13. Furthermore, the processing unit 14 executes the firmware update if the state is such that a firmware update is executable in response to a firmware update execution request received from the control unit 13. If the state is such that a firmware update is not executable, the processing unit 14 does not execute the firmware update, but estimates a predicted time when the engine temperature will drop to a normal temperature and the firmware update will be executable, and transmits an update failure notification including information regarding the estimated predicted time to the control unit 13.

[0025] In response to a request from the control unit 13, the storage unit 15 stores the firmware program used in the firmware update in a storage device such as the HD 909 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0026] <Firmware update reservation process> 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence relating to a firmware update reservation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, after a firmware update fails, an administrator operates the image forming apparatus 9 to reserve a firmware update. The process of each step in FIG. 4 will be described below.

[0027] Step S20: The display control unit 12 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a firmware update execution screen on the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the firmware update execution screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The firmware update execution screen 50 shown in FIG. 5 has an execute button 51 that is pressed when executing a firmware update and a cancel button 52 that is pressed when canceling the firmware update. The operation acceptance unit 11 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 accepts pressing of the execute button 51 by the administrator. Returning to FIG. 4, the following description will be given.

[0028] Step S21: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives a firmware update execution request from the operation unit 10.

[0029] Step S22: The processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the firmware update execution request from the control unit 13.

[0030] Step S23: The processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 detects that the engine temperature of the image forming apparatus 9 exceeds the temperature at which the firmware update can be executed, and stops the execution of the firmware update. The processing unit 14 also estimates the predicted time when the engine temperature will drop to a normal temperature and the firmware update will be executable, and transmits a firmware update failure notification including the estimated predicted time to the control unit 13.

[0031] Step S24: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits to the operation unit 10 information relating to the firmware update reservation screen including the predicted time received from the processing unit 14.

[0032] Step S25: The display control unit 12 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a firmware update reservation screen on the image forming apparatus 9 based on the received information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the firmware update reservation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The firmware update reservation screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 includes a selection button 61 for selecting “Execute at Earliest Possible Time” and a selection button 62 for selecting “Specify Update Time to Execute” as methods for executing the firmware update. The predicted time estimated by the processing unit 14 in step S23 is also displayed as the earliest possible time. Here, if the selection button 62 is pressed to select “Specify Update Time to Execute,” the time at which the firmware update will be executed is further input in the update time input field 63. The input time must be later than the predicted time. Finally, the confirm button 64 is pressed to confirm the contents entered on the firmware update reservation screen 60, and the cancel button 65 is pressed to cancel the firmware update reservation. The operation accepting unit 11 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 accepts operations by the administrator on the firmware update reservation screen 60. Returning to FIG. 4, the following description will be given.

[0033] Step S26: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives a firmware update reservation request from the operation unit 10. The received firmware update reservation request includes information about the update method and update time.

[0034] Step S27: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 performs settings to reserve the execution of firmware update based on the information about the update method and update time included in the received firmware update reservation request.

[0035] Step S28: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a request to save the firmware program used in the firmware update in a storage device. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 13 has already acquired the firmware program via the media I / F 916 or the network I / F 950 and stored it in the local memory (MEM-C) 907 of the image forming apparatus 9. The storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 saves the firmware program in a storage device such as the HD 909 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0036] Through the above process, the image forming apparatus 9 accepts an operation by the administrator to reserve the execution of firmware update, and sets the designated reservation method and reservation time.

[0037] <Print execution prohibition process> 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence related to a print execution prohibition process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, when the firmware update reservation method is a method of specifying the update execution time, printing is prohibited from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed, so that the firmware update can be executed at the update execution time. The process of each step in FIG. 7 will be described below.

[0038] Step S30: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 detects that the time has arrived at a predetermined time before the scheduled time for executing the firmware update. For example, if the scheduled time is 1:30 PM and the predetermined time is 10 minutes, the control unit 13 detects that the time has arrived at 1:20 PM.

[0039] Step S31: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 changes the state of the image forming apparatus 9 to a state in which printing is prohibited (a print execution request is not accepted).

[0040] Step S32: The display control unit 12 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a print execution screen on the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the print execution screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print execution screen 70 shown in FIG. 8 has an execute button 71 that is pressed to execute printing and a cancel button 72 that is pressed to cancel printing. The operation acceptance unit 11 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 accepts pressing of the execute button 71 by the administrator. Returning to FIG. 7, the following description will be given.

[0041] Step S33: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the print execution request, but does not execute printing because the control unit 13 is not in a state to accept the execution of printing.

[0042] Step S34: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the operation unit 10 notifying that printing is not possible. Based on the received message, the display control unit 12 of the operation unit 10 displays a screen on the image forming apparatus 9 notifying that printing is not possible. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print-not possible state notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. A message notifying that printing is not possible due to a firmware update being performed is displayed on the print-not possible state notification screen 80 of FIG. 9.

[0043] Through the above process, the image forming apparatus 9 can prohibit printing from being performed a predetermined time before the time when the firmware update is to be performed.

[0044] Alternatively, as another method for prohibiting printing, first, in step S31, the control unit 13 of the image forming device 9 changes the state of the image forming device 9 to a state where printing execution is not accepted until the firmware update is complete, and then notifies the operation unit 10 that the state has been changed. Next, in step S32, the display control unit 12 of the operation unit 10 of the image forming device 9 prohibits printing execution by displaying on the image forming device 9 a screen including a message notifying that printing cannot be executed due to the firmware update, such as the print execution screen 90 shown in FIG.

[0045] <Firmware update process> 11 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence related to firmware update processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, when the scheduled time for firmware update arrives, the image forming apparatus 9 executes firmware update. The processing of each step in FIG. 11 will be described below.

[0046] Step S40: When the engine temperature drops to a temperature at which a firmware update can be executed, the processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a message to the control unit 13 notifying that a firmware update can be executed. Alternatively, as another method, the control unit 13 may periodically check with the processing unit 14 whether a firmware update can be executed.

[0047] Step S41: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 detects that the reserved time for firmware update (update execution time) has passed.

[0048] Step S42: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a message requesting a firmware program to be used in the firmware update to the storage unit 15. Here, the firmware program is the one stored in the storage unit 15 in step S28 of the firmware update reservation process shown in FIG.

[0049] Step S43: The storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits the firmware program to the control unit 13 in response to the received request message.

[0050] Step S44: The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a message requesting execution of firmware update to the processing unit 14. The control unit 13 also stores the firmware program in the local memory (MEM-C) 907 of the image forming apparatus 9 or the like so that the processing unit 14 can execute the firmware update.

[0051] Step S45: The processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the firmware update.

[0052] Step S46: The processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the control unit 13 notifying that the firmware update has been successful.

[0053] Through the above process, the image forming apparatus 9 can execute the firmware update in a state in which the firmware update is possible at the reserved time (update execution time).

[0054] Although several forms for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0055] For example, the example of the functional block configuration diagram in Figure 3 is divided according to main functions to make it easier to understand the processing by the image forming device 9 or information processing device. The method of dividing the processing units or the names thereof does not limit the present invention. The processing by the image forming device 9 or information processing device can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, it can also be divided so that one processing unit includes even more processes.

[0056] Furthermore, each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the above-described functions.

[0057] Additionally, the described devices represent only one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the image forming device 9 or information processing device includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and to perform the processes disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 9. Image forming device 10 Control section 11 Operation reception section 12 Display control unit 13 Control Unit 14 Processing section 15 Storage section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0059] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-133326

Claims

1. An information processing device having a function of updating firmware, a display control unit that displays an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; an operation receiving unit that receives an operation by a user to make the reservation; a control unit that determines an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibits execution of a function that is originally used by the information processing device from a time that is a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; a processing unit that executes the update at the update execution time; and the display control unit displays the update reservation screen on the information processing device after the update has failed. Information processing device.

2. An information processing device having a function of updating firmware, a display control unit that displays an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; an operation receiving unit that receives an operation by a user to make the reservation; a control unit that determines an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibits execution of a function that is originally used by the information processing device from a time that is a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; a processing unit that executes the update at the update execution time; and the processing unit estimates a predicted time that is the earliest time that the update can be performed; the display control unit displays the update reservation screen including the predicted time on the information processing device; the operation accepting unit accepts an operation by the user to specify a time that is later than the predicted time as the update execution time; Information processing device.

3. the operation accepting unit accepts an operation by the user to specify the predicted time as the update execution time; The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the operation acceptance unit does not accept an operation requesting execution of a function that is originally to be used in the information processing device from a time that is a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An information processing method executed by an information processing device having a function of updating firmware, displaying an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; a step of accepting an operation by a user to make the reservation; determining an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibiting execution of a function that is originally used by the information processing device from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; executing the update at the update execution time; displaying the update reservation screen on the information processing device after the update has failed; An information processing method comprising:

6. An information processing method executed by an information processing device having a function of updating firmware, displaying an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; a step of accepting an operation by a user to make the reservation; determining an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibiting execution of a function that is originally used by the information processing device from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; executing the update at the update execution time; estimating a predicted time, which is the earliest time that the update can be performed; displaying the update reservation screen including the predicted time on the information processing device; receiving an operation by the user to specify a time after the predicted time as the update execution time; An information processing method comprising:

7. An information processing device having a function of updating firmware, displaying an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; a step of accepting an operation by a user to make the reservation; determining an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibiting execution of a function that is originally to be used by the information processing device from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; executing the update at the update execution time; displaying the update reservation screen on the information processing device after the update has failed; A program that executes the following.

8. An information processing device having a function of updating firmware, displaying an update reservation screen on the information processing device for making a reservation to update the firmware; a step of accepting an operation by a user to make the reservation; determining an update execution time for executing the update, and prohibiting execution of a function that is originally to be used by the information processing device from a time a predetermined time before the update execution time until the update is completed; executing the update at the update execution time; estimating a predicted time, which is the earliest time at which the update can be performed; displaying the update reservation screen including the predicted time on the information processing device; receiving an operation by the user to specify a time after the predicted time as the update execution time; A program that executes the following.

Images