JP5494232B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of downloading and automatically updating an update file.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or an MFP (Multi Function Printer) automatically acquires a firmware update file from a server via a network, for example, due to a change in functional specifications or improvement of a problem. A technique for rewriting firmware is known.

  In addition, as a printing system equipped with a printer device by the present applicant, for the purpose of rewriting the firmware and data of the device itself, the device automatically acquires the firmware update file from the server via the network, and updates the firmware of the device itself. There is something to rewrite (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described general image forming apparatus, there is a possibility that the user may wait until the download is completed while downloading the firmware update file.

  In addition, even a technique for downloading after the device is in a standby state, such as that in Patent Document 1 described above, does not consider the case where an operation input such as execution of a print job is performed during that time. It was. For this reason, there is a possibility that the print job is rejected because the download is prioritized, or at that time, even if the print job is prioritized, the download must be performed again from the beginning of the file.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the device does not wait for the download time of the update file, and the device downloads even when an operation input such as job execution is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently downloading without making the user aware of what is being done.

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that downloads an update file, an operation input unit that receives an operation input, and a predetermined operation from the operation input unit during the download by the communication unit. When input is performed, the download is interrupted by interruption means for interrupting the download, state detection means for detecting a standby state in which an operation corresponding to a predetermined operation input from the operation input means is not performed, and the interruption means. When the status detecting unit detects that the standby state is detected, the restarting unit restarts the interrupted download, and the state detecting unit detects that the standby state is detected and then downloads by the restarting unit. Time setting means for receiving an input of setting time until restarting, and the restart means is downloaded by the interruption means After being suspended by the state detecting means, characterized in that to resume the download when it is in standby mode has elapsed set by the time setting means from the detection.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the device does not wait for the download time of the update file, and the device is downloading even when an operation input such as job execution is performed. Downloading can be performed efficiently without making the user aware of it.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the server apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of download operation by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the file update by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a restart time setting screen by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example immediately after power-on by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the time slot | zone setting by the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the preparation condition display by the 7th Embodiment of this invention.

  Next, an embodiment to which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline common to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.
The image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention gives priority to a print job that is a request from the user even if the download is completed while waiting for the user or a print job is performed during the download. Then, by deferring download, the user is not explicitly indicated that the device is downloading.
This makes it possible to perform the download efficiently without making the user aware that the device is downloading.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The image forming system according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 1 to a server 2 via a network. The server 2 stores a firmware update file for the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner 101 that reads and digitizes a document image, and a plotter 102 that prints on a recording sheet. In addition, as a configuration for control, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the nonvolatile memory 103, the memory 104, and the CPU 105, and the CPU 105 performs processing based on a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103, whereby the image forming apparatus 1 performs the present embodiment. Each function as a form is realized.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits to the CPU 105 the operation input unit 106 using a touch panel and various buttons that receive an operation input such as printing start or FAX transmission from the user, and the touch panel display control and operation input content of the operation input unit 106. And an operation control unit 107. Further, as an I / F (interface), a network I / F unit 108 connected to the network, a USB device I / F unit 109, and a USB host I / F unit 110 are provided.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the server 2 includes an HDD 201 that stores an operation program, a firmware update file for the image forming apparatus 1, a nonvolatile memory 202, a memory 203, and a CPU 204. Each function as the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 204 performing processing based on the programmed program. In addition, a network communication unit 205 that performs communication control with devices connected via a network, an operation unit 206 that receives an operation from an operator, and a display unit 207 that displays a screen.

  Next, the download operation of the firmware update file according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, after a state in which processing by a predetermined operation input from the user is not performed, such as printing, copying, scanning, and FAX job, the predetermined waiting time tW seconds is not performed without performing the predetermined operation input. When the time has elapsed, the image forming apparatus 1 detects that the standby state has been entered (step S1; Yes) (state detection unit).

  When it is detected in this way that the standby state has been entered, the image forming apparatus 1 checks whether or not the download interruption flag is stored in an ON state in a predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 103 (step S2).

  The download interruption flag is a flag indicating that a predetermined operation input from the user has occurred during the download in the standby state until the previous time and the download is temporarily “interrupted”. The initial state is OFF, and the ON condition is when there is a predetermined operation input (request operation for printing, copying, scanning, FAX job, etc.) from the user during downloading. The OFF condition is when downloading is completed.

  If the download interruption flag is not stored as an ON state in a predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 103 (step S2; No), downloading of a firmware update file from the server 1 is newly started (step S3).

  When the download interruption flag is stored in an ON state in a predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 103 (step S2; Yes), downloading the firmware update file that has been interrupted in the middle of downloading is performed on the remaining interrupted files. The download target data is resumed (step S4).

  If a predetermined operation input from the user such as printing, copying, scanning, FAX job request operation, etc. is performed during the download (step S6; Yes), the download is interrupted at that point (step S8). The firmware update file data downloaded up to this point is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the memory 104 as downloading data (step S9). When the download interruption flag is turned on and stored in a predetermined area in the non-volatile memory 103 (step S10), execution of a request job by a predetermined operation input from the user input in step S6 is started (step S11). .

  When the download is continued (step S7) and the download is completed normally (step S5; Yes), the download interruption flag is turned off. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 sets the download interruption flag in a predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 103. Stored as an OFF state (step S12). The image forming apparatus 1 stores the downloaded update file in a predetermined area of the memory 104 (step S13), and ends this flow.

  Next, the firmware rewriting operation using the firmware update file downloaded as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When a firmware update request is input from the operation input unit 106 by a user operation (step S21; Yes), the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the downloaded firmware update file is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 104. (Step S22). If it exists, the image forming apparatus 1 rewrites the firmware in the image forming apparatus 1 using the update file (step S23).

  As described above, in the first embodiment described above, the communication unit that communicates with the server and downloads the firmware file, the standby state detection unit that should activate the communication unit, and the printing from the user during the communication unit The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit that gives priority to a request for canceling a job, an error, and the like, and restarts downloading of the firmware file after the request is completed.

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment described above automatically acquires the firmware update file in the standby state (while not in the busy state), thereby reducing the download time of the firmware update file. There is a feature that, even when a print job or the like is performed during the download, the download is temporarily interrupted to give priority to the print job and the download is resumed from the middle after the print job is finished without waiting for the user. .
For this reason, it is possible to perform the download efficiently without making the user aware that the device is downloading.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, a setting unit that can set a time until the download is resumed, and when the download is resumed, the download is resumed after the time set by the setting unit. The control means to perform is provided.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a restart time setting screen according to this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, when the interrupted download is resumed in step S4 of FIG. 4 described above, the user can set the time until the download is resumed on the resume time setting screen illustrated in FIG. .

For this reason, in the case of resuming the download according to the present embodiment, it is confirmed that the predetermined standby time tW seconds have passed without a predetermined operation input from the user and is detected as a standby state, and further to FIG. The download is resumed from the point in time until the download restart set on the resume time setting screen as illustrated.
For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress resumption of download in a time zone in which the user is frequently used.

  In other words, resuming the download means that a predetermined operation input such as a print job by the user was performed before the download, and there was a job request. Therefore, there is a possibility that it is a time zone in which the frequency of use by the user is high immediately before resuming the download. Therefore, in the case of resuming the download, it is possible to avoid resuming the download in a frequently used time zone by putting a little waiting time for a preset time. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inefficiency that the download is interrupted many times.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first or second embodiment described above, if the power is turned off during the download, the firmware update file that has been received is retained or discarded. Setting means capable of setting whether or not, and control means for holding or discarding the downloaded update file as set by the setting means.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above, when the power is turned off during download, the firmware update file that has been received is switched between holding and discarding. To be able to.

According to the present embodiment, when the power is turned off, the user discards the firmware update file that has been downloaded so far. Or, even if the power is turned off, the firmware that has been downloaded so far is updated. In the case of setting “hold file for use”, the setting is input from the touch panel of the operation input unit 106 or the like.
Further, the configuration may be such that the default setting when no setting is input is set to “keep the firmware update file downloaded so far even when the power is turned off”.

  After the setting is made in this way, the operation for holding or discarding a file when the power is turned off according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Immediately after the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus 1 checks whether or not the setting “discard the firmware update file that has been downloaded so far when the power is turned off” is set (step S31). If this setting has not been made, the image forming apparatus 1 retains the firmware update file stored in the memory and downloaded by the time the power is turned off.

  If the setting is “Discard the firmware update file that has been downloaded so far when the power is turned off”, the download interruption flag stored in the predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 103 is stored in the OFF state. (Step S32), the update file in the middle of download stored in the predetermined area of the memory 104 (update file downloaded until the power is turned off) is deleted from the memory 104 (Step S33).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, “when the power is turned off, the firmware update file that has been downloaded until then is discarded” or “when the power is turned off, it is downloaded by then. The user can perform the setting of “hold the firmware update file that has been stored”.
For this reason, a setting for avoiding a download failure when an update file in the middle of downloading stored in a predetermined area of the memory 104 is damaged due to power-off, and using the update file in the middle of downloading as it is to shorten the download time. Settings can be switched according to the user's intention.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of any of the first to third embodiments described above, the server and the firmware file version detection means stored in its own machine, and the detection means Control means for downloading only when the firmware file is newer.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment first accesses the server 2 and confirms the version of the firmware update file stored in the server 2 when starting a new download shown in step S3 in FIG. Then, the version of the firmware update file stored in the server 2 is compared with the version of the firmware file already stored in the own device (by the previous download), and the firmware in the server 2 is stored in the own device. Download processing is performed only when it is determined that the firmware file is newer than a certain firmware file. As a result, useless downloads can be avoided.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the fifth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth embodiments described above, an energy saving state detection means, and a control means for downloading only when the energy saving state is not detected by the detection means, It is provided.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment confirms whether or not it is in the energy saving mode when starting a new download in step S3 in FIG. 4 or restarting a download in step S4 in FIG. The energy saving mode is known in the image forming apparatus and will not be described.

  When it is detected that the energy saving mode has been entered, the image forming apparatus 1 performs control so that the download is not started in both of the start of the new download in step S3 in FIG. 4 and the restart of download in step S4 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the release of the energy saving mode due to the activation of the download process.

  The operation in the energy saving mode according to the present embodiment may be configured to be able to be switched on / off by a user setting.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth embodiments described above, a setting unit that can set a downloadable or prohibited time zone, and a time zone set by the setting unit. And a control means for downloading.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a panel display example of the time zone setting screen according to the present embodiment.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, “permit” or “prohibit” is selected from the touch panel of the operation input unit 106 in a time zone setting menu with a screen as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and a time zone is further set.

  In the time zone setting screen example of FIG. 8, when “permitted” is selected, downloading is possible in the set time zone. When “prohibited” is selected, downloading is possible outside the set time zone.

    The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment confirms whether the time zone of “permitted” or “prohibited” is set when a new download is started at step S3 in FIG. 4 or when download is resumed at step S4 in FIG. To do. If the time zone is not “permitted” or the time zone is “prohibited”, the image forming apparatus 1 downloads both the new download start in step S3 in FIG. 4 and the download restart in step S4 in FIG. Is controlled so as not to start.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to cause the download from the server 2 to be performed only in a preset time zone or only in a time zone other than the preset time zone according to a user setting. . For this reason, for example, a time zone where the frequency of use of the user is low, such as at night, can be set as a download permitted time zone, or a time zone where the user is frequently used can be set as a download prohibited time zone.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the seventh embodiment, in addition to the configuration of any of the first to sixth embodiments described above, display means for displaying a firmware file update preparation status is provided.
A description of what is common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a panel display example of the preparation status display according to the present embodiment.
When the firmware update file is downloaded to the image forming apparatus 1 and is ready for the update, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays a message indicating that the preparation is completed by a preparation status display as illustrated in FIG. Can do.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 101 Scanner 102 Plotter 103 Non-volatile memory 104 Memory 105 CPU
106 Operation Input Unit 107 Operation Control Unit 108 Network I / F Unit 2 Server 201 HDD
202 Non-volatile memory 203 Memory 204 CPU
205 Network communication unit 206 Operation unit 207 Display unit

JP 2007-148629 A

Claims (4)

A communication means for downloading the update file;
An operation input means for receiving an operation input;
Interrupting means for interrupting the download when a predetermined operation input is made from the operation input means during the download by the communication means;
State detection means for detecting a standby state in which an operation corresponding to the predetermined operation input from the operation input means is not performed;
After the download is interrupted by the interrupting means, when it is detected by the state detecting means that it is in a standby state, a restarting means for restarting the interrupted download ;
Time setting means for receiving a setting input of time from when it is detected that the state detection means is in a standby state until download is resumed by the resumption means,
The restarting means restarts the download when the time set by the time setting means has elapsed after the status detecting means detects that the download is in a standby state after the download is interrupted by the interrupting means. An image forming apparatus. A selection means for receiving a selection input for holding or deleting an update file downloaded up to the time when the power is turned off when the power is turned off during the download by the communication means;
If it is middle power off of download by the communication unit, according to claim 1, the update file that is downloaded to the power supply off time, characterized in that holding or delete according to the selection input result by said selection means serial mounting the image forming apparatus. Energy saving detection means for detecting that the image forming apparatus is in an energy saving mode;
When it is detected by the energy saving detection means that it is in the state of energy saving mode, energy saving control means for controlling the download by the communication means to be performed
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a. Time zone setting means for receiving a setting input of a time zone for permitting or prohibiting download by the communication means;
Time zone control means for controlling the download by the communication means in a time zone that is not permitted to download by the time zone setting means or a time zone in which download is prohibited;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a.

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