JP3778720B2 - Software update method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a software update method for automatically updating software executed on an apparatus such as a computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Normally, software used in a computer is subjected to defects and improvements at its developer after distribution, and is sequentially updated in the form of version upgrade. In the version upgrade, improvements such as addition of functions, enhancement of functions, and elimination of defects are promoted compared to the previous version of software, and it becomes more convenient for the user.
[0003]
Such software upgrade is performed by a method such as rewriting a part of the source program in the original software or overwriting the original software with new software. The update process associated with the version upgrade is performed by executing an update program distributed by a medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, or by executing an update program distributed via a network.
[0004]
That is, data necessary for updating (such as the substance of the update data, the command for performing the update process, the contents to be updated, and the date and time when it can be executed) are transferred to the disk server or the file server connected via the network via the media or the network. Update control information provided), the executable date / time in the update control information is compared with the system clock of the computer itself or the system clock of the file server, and if the executable date / time has passed, the update command Is supposed to start.
[0005]
With such an update method, it is possible to automatically update software after a certain time, a system with a large number of computers equipped with the same software, or a core business that is distributed. This is particularly effective when the software used in other branch office systems (finance, travel agency, etc.) is updated at the same time.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a software update method, it is desired to perform the update after the end of the business so that the normal business is not hindered. Therefore, in consideration of the extension of the business hours, the time at which the business will end, such as late at night, is set and registered as an executable date.
[0007]
For this reason, it is necessary to turn on the computer in accordance with the executable date and time registered for setting, and the person in charge will be accompanied until a later time after the end of work for power operation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a software update method made to solve such problems. That is, according to the present invention, a plurality of date / time data for updating software is set in advance and stored in the device or a server connected to the network with the device, and selected from the plurality of date / time data. This is a software update method that executes software update processing based on the date and time data, and the device power is turned off after the earlier date and time indicated by the two date and time data selected from the multiple date and time data When a command is issued, a software update process is executed. When a power-on command for the apparatus is issued between two dates and times, a process for returning to the software before the update is executed .
[0009]
In the present invention, since a plurality of date and time data for updating software is set, the most suitable date and time can be selected according to the convenience of updating, and without waiting for a long time. Software update processing can be performed quickly. In addition, after performing the software update process, if the power of the device is turned on between two dates and times, the process of returning to the software before the update is performed, so if you notice that the work has been left behind, etc. Software enables business to be performed.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, date / time data for updating software is set in advance and stored in the device or in a server connected to the network of the device, and the time when the power-off command of the device is indicated is indicated by the date / time data. If it is after the date and time, it is also a method of executing a software update process.
[0011]
In the present invention, in order to update by comparing the date and time indicated by the preset date and time (time and date) when the power-down command is issued at the stage when the power-down command of the apparatus is issued. If the date and time set in is passed, software update processing is automatically executed. As a result, the software update process can be automatically performed when the power of the device is turned off at the end of the work. When the power of the device is turned on at the start of the next work, the updated software is immediately Will be able to be used.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the software update method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a main part in the software updating method of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining this embodiment.
[0013]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the software updating method of this embodiment, in order to update the software used in the computer 1, a disk (not shown) of the computer 1 or a file server (not shown) connected to the network. 2), the update data 2 is registered, and automatic update is performed at a predetermined timing.
[0014]
The computer 1 is provided with a software update processing program 11, and automatic update is sequentially performed by executing the software update processing program 11.
[0015]
The update data 2 includes a difference between the original version software and the new version software, that is, a software update difference main body 21 that is actual data related to the update, a software update command 22 for executing an update operation, an update And control information 23. Among these, in the update control information 23, a first update executable date 24 and a second update executable date 25, which are a plurality of date data for updating, are prepared in advance. In the present embodiment, an example in which two update executable dates and times are prepared is an example.
[0016]
The first update executable date 24 and the second update executable date 25, which are a plurality of date data, can be selected by the date selection means 3 as desired by the operator. The date selection means 3 may be activated on the computer 1 or remotely via a network.
[0017]
Next, the flow of the software update method in this embodiment will be described. First, either the first update executable date 24 or the second update executable date 25 is selected using the date selection means 3 (see arrow 1 in FIG. 2). It is not particularly necessary when the desired date and time is already selected by default. In the present embodiment, the later of the two update executable dates and times is selected by default. As a result, the software can be updated in consideration of the extension of the business without changing the update executable date and time.
[0018]
Next, the software update processing program 11 is started on the computer 1, the current time indicated by the system clock 12 of the computer 1 is fetched (see arrow 2 in FIG. 2), and is selected first in the update control information 23 of the update data 2. The update executable date / time is taken in (see arrow 3 in FIG. 2).
[0019]
Next, the software update processing program 11 of the computer 1 compares the fetched current time with the update execution date / time previously selected in the update control information 23 to determine whether the software can be updated. . When it is determined that the update is possible, the software update command 22 of the update data 2 is called (see arrow 4 in FIG. 2).
[0020]
When the software update command 22 is called, the actual software update starts, the software update difference main body 21 in the update data 2 is installed in the computer 1 (see arrow 5 in FIG. 2), and the software update is completed.
[0021]
Next, the flow of the software update processing program 11 started by the computer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, reference numerals not shown in FIG. 1 refer to FIG. That is, by starting the software update processing program 11, first, the current time is acquired from the system clock 12 (step S101). Here, T represents the acquired current time.
[0022]
Subsequently, an update executable date and time selected in advance from the update control information 23 of the update data 2 is acquired (step S102). Here, let the acquired update execution date and time be tn. Then, both times are compared (step S103). That is, it is determined whether or not the obtained update executable date / time tn <current time T, and if true, the software update command 22 is called to execute the update process (step S104). On the other hand, if it is false, the process is terminated without updating the software.
[0023]
By such processing, the software is automatically updated when the update execution date and time selected by the operator is used as a reference.
[0024]
Next, actual operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the update timing of software when the present embodiment is applied (part 1). FIG. 3A shows the case where time t2 is selected as the update executable date and time, and FIG. 3B shows the update executable date and time. As shown, the time t1 is selected. In both cases, update data is registered at time t0.
[0025]
In the example shown in FIG. 3A, since the update executable date and time is selected at time t2, even if the software update processing program is started after time t1, the update processing is not performed, and the software version is It remains Ver.1. When the software update processing program is started after time t2, the software update command 22 shown in FIG. 2 is executed, and the software version is automatically updated to the new Ver.2.
[0026]
In this way, by selecting a relatively late time t2, it is possible to update the software accurately after waiting for the end of the day of the job, such as when the job does not end on time.
[0027]
Next, in the example shown in FIG. 3B, since the update executable date and time is selected at time t1, when the software update processing program is started after time t1, the software update command 22 shown in FIG. It is executed and the software version is updated to the new Ver.2.
[0028]
In this way, by selecting a relatively early time t1, it is possible to update software quickly without waiting for a long time, such as when work ends at a fixed time.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the software update timing when the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 4A shows the case where the update is performed at the end of the business, and FIG. 4B shows the original version after the update. The case of returning is shown. In both cases, update data is registered at time t0. In any example, the software update processing program is automatically started together with a computer power-down command.
[0030]
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, an update execution date / time is selected at time t1, and the update process is executed together with the computer power-off command at the end of the operation. That is, the software update processing program is automatically started as the computer is turned off, and the current time is compared with the time t1.
[0031]
If the time t1 is set to be the same as or slightly earlier than the work end time, and the computer is turned off at the end of the day, the current time is past the time t1, and the software shown in FIG. The update command 22 is activated to automatically execute software update processing. As a result, the software is updated to the new version Ver.2.
[0032]
The software is automatically updated when the computer is turned off to prevent the operator from forgetting to update, and the next version Ver.2 can be used without any special processing when starting the next work. You will be able to use the software.
[0033]
Next, in the example shown in FIG. 4 (b), after the software is automatically updated in the same manner as in the example shown in FIG. When the business is resumed with t2, the original version is restored.
[0034]
That is, as in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the update execution date / time is selected at time t1, the computer power down command is issued at the end of the job, the update process is automatically executed, and the software is new. Updated to version Ver.2.
[0035]
After that, if some work is required by time t2 that is set separately (for example, if you notice a missed work), it is necessary to perform processing with the version before the update to match the work before the end. There is. However, the software has been automatically updated to the new version Ver.2 due to the power-down command of the previous computer, and if this is the case, work will be performed with the new version Ver.2 software.
[0036]
Therefore, for example, if the time t2 is set before the start of the next business and the computer is turned on between the time t1 and the time t2, the software version is changed to the original version Ver.1. Execute the automatic return function. As a result, the software updated to the new version Ver.2 is once returned to the original version Ver.1, and business can be performed with the software of this version Ver.1.
[0037]
Further, when this operation is completed and a computer power-off command is issued, the software update processing program is started based on this command, and the software update processing is automatically executed as before. As a result, the software version is updated to Ver. 2 again, and when the next operation is started after time t2, the software with the new version Ver. 2 can be used immediately.
[0038]
In the embodiment described above, an example is described in which automatic update is performed when the power-off command is later, by comparing the computer power-off command with the selected update executable date and time. However, it is also possible to compare the time when the power is turned on with the selected update execution date and time and perform automatic updating when the power is turned on later.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, an example in which two update executable dates and times are mainly set and one of them is selected has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more update executable dates and times are set. A desired update execution date and time may be selected.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the software update method of the present invention has the following effects. That is, since a plurality of date and time data for software update is set, the most suitable update date and time can be selected according to the convenience of updating, and the device waits for a long time until the specified time. The software can be updated quickly without turning on the power. In addition, since the software is updated along with the command to turn off the power of the device, the software can be automatically updated at the end of the work, preventing the operator from forgetting to update and ensuring the start of the next work. It is possible to complete the software update.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a main part in a software update method according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining software update timing;
FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining software update timing;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Computer 2 Update Data 3 Date / Time Selection Unit 11 Software Update Processing Program 12 System Clock 21 Software Update Difference Body 22 Software Update Command 23 Update Control Information 24 First Update Executable Date / Time 25 Second Update Executable Date / Time

Claims (1)

A plurality of date / time data for performing software update is set in advance and stored in the device or a server connected to the network via the device, and the software is based on the date / time data selected from the plurality of date / time data. In the software update method for executing the update process of
When a power-down instruction for the device is issued after the previous date and time among the two dates and times indicated by the two date and time data selected from the plurality of date and time data, the software update process is executed,
A software update method, comprising: executing a process of returning to software before update when a power-on command for the apparatus is issued between the two dates and times .

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