JP7480494B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

Conventionally, there are information processing devices that periodically check via a network whether or not an upgrade has been made to a program installed on the device, and if an upgrade has been made, downloads the latest version and automatically updates the program.

Automatic updates are performed when the information processing device is in operation (powered ON), and while it is in operation, there is a high possibility that the information processing device is being used by a user. If an update is performed while the information processing device is being used by a user, the convenience of the user's use of the information processing device will decrease. For example, functions related to the program to be updated may become unusable, or the operation of the information processing device may become slower due to the load of the update. Furthermore, depending on the content of the update, it may be necessary to restart the information processing device even if the user is using it.

One solution would be to prevent automatic updates from occurring while the user is using the software. However, if the user continues to use the software between the time it is started (powered off) and the time it is stopped (powered off), the opportunity to upload may be missed, which could result in long delays in program updates.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to prevent long delays in program updates.

In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device has an acquisition unit that acquires data for updating a program that causes the information processing device to execute processing from another device connected via a network before an instruction to stop operation of the information processing device is input, an update unit that, when an instruction to stop operation of the information processing device is input, proceeds to a process of updating the program based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit if information indicating importance has been added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit, and a display control unit that, when an instruction to stop operation of the information processing device is input, displays a screen that allows a user to select whether or not to update the program based on the data if information indicating importance has not been added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit .

This can prevent long delays in program updates.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a firmware package. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a firmware list. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment during operation. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in response to turning off the main power supply. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for determining the priority of an acquired firmware package. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for updating a firmware package. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by an information processing device according to a second embodiment in response to turning off a main power source. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an update confirmation screen. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by an information processing device 10 according to a third embodiment in response to turning on a main power source.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 in a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and a public server 20. The information processing device 10 and the public server 20 are connected via a network (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Note that multiple information processing devices 10 may be connected to the public server 20.

The public server 20 is one or more computers that publish the latest versions of the programs that execute the processing of the information processing device 10. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the programs published by the public server 20 are firmware for the information processing device 10. Note that publishing a group of programs means making the group of programs available (accessible).

The information processing device 10 is, for example, an image forming device such as a printer or a multifunction device. The information processing device 10 automatically acquires (downloads) a program (firmware) published by the public server 20 and updates the program. Updating the program means updating the information processing device 10 with the program, that is, activating the program in the information processing device 10. Therefore, after the update, the program controls part of the processing of the information processing device 10. Note that, although an update is given as an example in this embodiment, this embodiment may also be applied to the installation of a new program. Once installed, the program is activated in the information processing device 10. In other words, both an update and an installation are examples of activation (updating the information processing device 10).

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 in the first embodiment. The information processing device 10 in Figure 2 has a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, a display device 106, and an input device 107, which are all interconnected by a bus B.

The program that realizes the processing in the information processing device 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 via the drive device 100 into the auxiliary storage device 102. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 101, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

When an instruction to start a program is received, the memory device 103 reads out and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 102. The CPU 104 realizes functions related to the information processing device 10 according to the program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 106 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to a program. The input device 107 is used to input various operation instructions. Note that the display device 106 and the input device 107 may be integrally formed as an operation panel.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 in the first embodiment. In Fig. 3, the information processing device 10 has a display control unit 11, an update unit 12, an acquisition unit 13, a timer control unit 14, etc. Each of these units is realized by a process in which one or more programs installed in the information processing device 10 are executed by the CPU 104. The information processing device 10 also uses a firmware storage unit 15. The firmware storage unit 15 can be realized, for example, by using an auxiliary storage device 102, or a storage device that can be connected to the information processing device 10 via a network, etc.

The display control unit 11 controls the display of the screen on the display device 106 and controls processing in response to user input via the screen or the input device 107.

The update unit 12 controls the process related to updating the firmware package in the information processing device 10. The acquisition unit 13 acquires version information of the firmware package published on the public server 20 and the actual firmware package. The timer control unit 14 measures the elapse of a set time. Note that version information refers to information indicating the version of the firmware package. A firmware package refers to a package (e.g., an archive file) that is a collection of one or more firmware.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a firmware package. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, one firmware package includes a firmware list and one or more firmware program entities (firmware A, firmware B, firmware C, ..., etc. in Figure 4).

A firmware list is data or a file that contains attribute information about firmware packages.

Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of a firmware list. (1) and (2) in Figure 5 contain firmware lists for two firmware packages with different versions. Therefore, the basic structure of the firmware lists shown in (1) and (2) is the same.

As shown in FIG. 5, the firmware list includes package information and firmware group information.

Package information is information about a firmware package, and includes a package ID and a package version. The package ID is identification information related to the type of firmware package, and its value remains unchanged even if the version changes. The type of firmware package is distinguished according to whether the types of firmware that make up the firmware package are the same. Note that (1) and (2) in Figure 5 are firmware lists for the same type of firmware package, so the package ID for each package information is the same. The package version is version information of the firmware package. The version information of the firmware package is updated when any of the firmware that makes up the firmware package is updated.

The firmware group information includes attribute information (firmware information) of each firmware included in the firmware package. Each piece of firmware information includes a firmware ID and firmware information. The firmware ID is identification information related to the type of firmware, and its value does not change even if the version changes. The firmware version is firmware version information. In addition, the firmware information of firmware with a high priority includes a high priority ID. The high priority ID is information added to indicate that a highly important (high priority) correction (version upgrade) has been made to the version, and is also identification information of the correction. Therefore, firmware information of firmware that has been subjected to multiple highly important corrections (version upgrades) in the past includes multiple high priority IDs. For example, in FIG. 5, the firmware A information (1) includes one high priority ID, but the firmware A information (2) includes two high priority IDs. Of the two high priority IDs, "bb" is identification information for the correction made in firmware version 1.01 of firmware A. Note that high importance (high priority) means that it is necessary to be reflected in the information processing device 10 (enabled in the information processing device 10) as soon as possible.

The process steps executed by the information processing device 10 are described below. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the process steps executed by the information processing device 10 during operation in the first embodiment.

For example, when the timer control unit 14 detects the arrival of the start date and time of an automatic update based on an update interval previously set in the information processing device 10 (S101), the update unit 12 refers to the firmware storage unit 15 and checks the version information (package version) of the update data for the firmware package that has already been acquired from the public server 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "acquired firmware package") (S102, S103). That is, the processing procedure of FIG. 6 may be performed periodically based on the update interval. The firmware storage unit 15 stores the firmware package last acquired from the public server 20.

The update unit 12 then requests the acquisition unit 13 to confirm the version information (package version) of the latest version of data for updating the firmware package of the information processing device 10 that is published on the public server 20 (i.e., the latest firmware, hereinafter referred to as the "public firmware package") (S104). In response to the request from the update unit 12, the acquisition unit 13 sends a request to the public server 20 to inquire about the version information of the public firmware package (S105), and the public server 20 replies with a response including the version information of the public firmware package (S106). On receiving the response, the acquisition unit 13 responds to the update unit 12 with the version information included in the response (S107).

Then, the update unit 12 compares the version information (package version) of the acquired firmware package with the version information (package version) of the published firmware package (S108). If the two versions match, steps S109 to S105 are not executed and the process proceeds to step S116.

If the version information of the two differs (including the case where there is no acquired firmware package), the update unit 12 requests the acquisition unit 13 to download (acquire) the public firmware package (S109). In response to the request from the update unit 12, the acquisition unit 13 downloads (acquires) the public firmware package from the public server 20 (S110, S111). The acquisition unit 13 then responds to the update unit 12 with the downloaded (acquired) public firmware package (S112). The update unit 12 stores the public firmware package in the firmware storage unit 15 (S113 to S115). At this time, if the acquired firmware package is stored in the firmware storage unit 15, the acquired firmware package is overwritten by the public firmware package. As a result, from then on, the public firmware package becomes the acquired firmware package.

The update unit 12 then determines whether or not it is possible to execute an update of the firmware package (S116). For example, if the state of the information processing device 10 or the like meets a condition under which an update cannot be executed (hereinafter referred to as an "update disable condition"), the update unit 12 determines that the update cannot be executed, and if the state of the information processing device 10 does not meet the update disable condition, the update unit 12 determines that the update can be executed. Note that examples of update disable conditions include the user being in use (operating) the information processing device 10 and update prohibition conditions set by the user (for example, updates are prohibited during standard working hours).

If the update prohibition condition is met, the update unit 12 does not execute the update. On the other hand, if the update prohibition condition is not met, the update unit 12 executes an update of the firmware of the information processing device 10 based on the acquired firmware package stored in the firmware storage unit 15 (transitions to an update process) (S117), and restarts the information processing device 10 (S118). Note that, in response to the execution of the update, the acquired firmware package is deleted from the firmware storage unit 15.

However, if firmware updates are performed only according to the processing procedure in FIG. 6, and if the user sets all working hours as update prohibited periods and always turns off the main power of the information processing device 10 outside of working hours, the possibility of updating the firmware to the latest state is low. Therefore, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment executes the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7 in response to turning off the main power (in response to input of an instruction to stop operation).

Figure 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure that the information processing device 10 in the first embodiment executes in response to turning off the main power supply.

When the display control unit 11 detects that the user has performed an operation to turn off the main power (S121), it sends a shutdown request to the update unit 12 (S122).

In response to the shutdown request, the update unit 12 refers to the firmware storage unit 15 to check whether or not there is an acquired firmware package (S123, S124). In other words, it is checked whether or not the acquired firmware package is stored in the firmware storage unit 15.

If there is no acquired firmware package, the update unit 12 shuts down the information processing device 10 (S190).

On the other hand, if there is an acquired firmware package, the update unit 12 executes a process for determining the priority of the acquired firmware package (S125). As a result, a determination result is obtained as to whether the acquired firmware package has a high or low priority.

If it is determined that the acquired firmware package has a high priority, the update unit 12 performs an update of the firmware of the information processing device 10 based on the acquired firmware package stored in the firmware storage unit 15 (S126), and shuts down the information processing device 10 (S190).

Next, step S125 in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing procedure for determining the priority of an acquired firmware package. The firmware package to be processed in FIG. 8 will be referred to as the "target package" below.

In step S201, the update unit 12 initializes the priority of the target package to "low." "Low" indicates a relatively low priority out of "high" and "low."

Then, the update unit 12 determines whether or not there is firmware information for unprocessed firmware in the firmware list for the target firmware (S202). "Unprocessed" means that the firmware has not been targeted for processing in steps S203 and onward. If there is no unprocessed firmware information (No in S202), the processing procedure in FIG. 8 ends.

If there is unprocessed firmware information (Yes in S202), the update unit 12 determines whether or not a high priority ID is included for one of the unprocessed firmware information (for example, the first firmware information among the unprocessed firmware information in the firmware list (hereinafter referred to as "target firmware information")) (S203). If a high priority ID is not included in the target firmware information (No in S203), the process returns to step S202.

If the target firmware information includes a high priority ID (Yes in S203), the update unit 12 determines whether or not there is any high priority ID included in the target firmware information that has not been recorded in the ROM constituting the memory device 103 of the information processing device 10 (S204). As described below, when firmware related to certain firmware information is installed (updated), the high priority ID related to that firmware is recorded in the ROM of the information processing device 10. Therefore, in step S204, it is determined whether or not the firmware related to the target firmware information has essentially been updated. If all high priority IDs included in the target firmware information are recorded in the ROM of the information processing device 10 (No in S204), the process returns to step S202.

If there is a high priority ID included in the target firmware information that is not recorded in the ROM of the information processing device 10 (Yes in S204), the update unit 12 updates the priority of the target package to "high" and ends the processing procedure in FIG. 8.

Next, step S126 in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing procedure for updating a firmware package. The firmware package to be processed in FIG. 9 will be referred to as the "target package" below.

In step S301, the update unit 12 determines whether or not there is firmware information for unprocessed firmware in the firmware list for the target firmware. "Unprocessed" means that the firmware is not the target for processing in steps S302 and onward. If there is no unprocessed firmware information (No in S301), the processing procedure in FIG. 9 ends.

If there is unprocessed firmware information (Yes in S301), the update unit 12 updates the firmware (i.e., activates the firmware in the information processing device 10) by installing firmware related to one of the unprocessed firmware information (e.g., the first firmware information among the unprocessed firmware information in the firmware list (hereinafter referred to as "target firmware information")) on the information processing device 10 (S302).

If the firmware update is successful, the update unit 12 records in the ROM the high priority IDs included in the target firmware information that are not recorded in the ROM (S303) and returns to step S301.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even if the main power supply of the information processing device 10 is turned off without the update being performed at the timing of step S116 in FIG. 6 when the automatic update is scheduled to be performed, if a firmware package including firmware with a high priority has been downloaded before the main power supply is turned off, the update is performed. If the latest version of firmware has been downloaded, the update is performed. For example, even if a user sets all working hours to an update prohibition period and uses the information processing device 10 so that the main power supply is always turned off except during working hours, the update is performed when the main power supply of the information processing device 10 is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the delay in updating the firmware (program) from becoming too long.

Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, points that are not specifically mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

Figure 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the information processing device 10 in the second embodiment in response to turning off the main power. In Figure 10, the same steps as in Figure 7 are given the same step numbers, and their explanations are omitted. That is, in the second embodiment, the processing procedure in Figure 7 is replaced by that in Figure 10.

In FIG. 10, the processing procedure is different from that in FIG. 7 when it is determined in step S125 that the priority is low (i.e., when the acquired firmware package does not contain firmware with a high priority ID, or when the acquired firmware package contains firmware with a high priority ID but the firmware has already been updated).

If the priority is determined to be low in step S125, the update unit 12 requests the acquisition unit 13 to confirm the version information (package version) of the public firmware package in the public server 20 (S131). In response to the request from the update unit 12, the acquisition unit 13 sends a request to the public server 20 to inquire about the version information of the public firmware package (S132), and the public server 20 replies with a response including the version information (package version) of the public firmware package (S133). When the acquisition unit 13 receives the response, it responds with the version information included in the response to the update unit 12 (S134).

Next, the update unit 12 requests the display control unit 11 to display an update confirmation screen to allow the user to confirm whether or not an update is required (S135). In response to the request from the update unit 12, the display control unit 11 displays the update confirmation screen (S136).

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display of an update confirmation screen. In Figure 11, an update confirmation screen 510 includes a message 511, a button 512, a button 513, and a check button 514.

Message 511 is a message that includes an inquiry about whether an update is required and the package versions of the acquired firmware package and the published firmware package.

Button 512 is a button for accepting an instruction to perform an update. Button 513 is a button for accepting an instruction not to perform an update. Check button 514 is a check button for accepting an instruction from the user as to whether or not to display the update confirmation screen 510 in the future if an update is not to be performed.

When a user inputs information on the update confirmation screen 510 and the input is an instruction to perform an update, the update unit 12 performs an update of the firmware of the information processing device 10 based on the acquired firmware package stored in the firmware storage unit 15 (S138), and shuts down the information processing device 10 (S190).

On the other hand, if the input is an instruction not to execute the update, the update unit 12, if the check button 514 of the update confirmation screen 510 is checked, stores setting information indicating that the update confirmation screen 510 will not be displayed thereafter for the currently acquired firmware package, for example, in an auxiliary storage device (S139), and shuts down the information processing device 10 (S190). The setting information may include, for example, the package version of the acquired firmware package, the latest version (package version of the published firmware package), and information indicating that the update confirmation screen 510 will not be displayed. When step S139 is executed, if it is determined later in step S125 that the priority is low, steps S131 and thereafter are executed only if the acquired package version in the setting information differs from the package version of the acquired firmware package stored in the firmware storage unit 15 at that time.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even if a high-priority fix has not been made, the firmware can be upgraded after confirmation from the user.

Also, if the user selects to shut down without updating because the version is not the latest, it is expected that the user will not want to update in the future if the version is not the latest. In this case, there is a possibility that usability will decrease if the update confirmation screen 510 is displayed every time, but the second embodiment can reduce such a possibility.

Next, the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be described. Therefore, points that are not specifically mentioned may be the same as those in the second embodiment.

Figure 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure that the information processing device 10 in the third embodiment executes in response to turning on the main power. In the third embodiment, the processing procedure shown in Figure 12 is added when the main power is turned on.

When the main power is turned on by the user (S401), the update unit 12 determines whether the acquired firmware package is not the latest version and whether "Do not update" was selected on the last displayed update confirmation screen 510 (i.e., whether button 513 was selected) (S402). Such a determination can be made by recording, in the auxiliary storage device 102, information including the package version and latest version of the acquired firmware package contained in message 511 on update confirmation screen 510 and information indicating that button 513 was pressed when update confirmation screen 510 is displayed and button 513 is pressed.

If the acquired firmware package is not the latest version and not updating is selected, the same processing as steps S123 and S124 in FIG. 7 is executed to check whether an acquired firmware package exists. If an acquired firmware package exists, the same processing as steps S104 to S115 in FIG. 6 is executed, and if the package versions of the acquired firmware package and the public firmware package differ, the public firmware package is downloaded, the acquired firmware package is overwritten with the public firmware package, and stored in the firmware storage unit (S403 to S416).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, if the acquired firmware package is not the latest version and no update is selected on the last displayed update confirmation screen 510, the acquired firmware package can be updated to the latest version when the information processing device 10 is started.

In the above embodiments, the information processing device 10 is not limited to an image forming device, so long as it is a device equipped with a communication function. The information processing device 10 may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function capable of mutual communication), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, medical equipment, a network home appliance, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

The functions of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. In this specification, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function described above.

In each of the above embodiments, the public server 20 is an example of another device.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

10 Information processing device 11 Display control unit 12 Update unit 13 Acquisition unit 14 Timer control unit 15 Firmware storage unit 20 Public server 100 Drive device 101 Recording medium 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 CPU
105 Interface device 106 Display device 107 Input device B Bus

JP 2006-252094 A JP 2016-197380 A

Claims (6)

An information processing device,
an acquisition unit that acquires data for updating a program that causes the information processing device to execute a process from another device connected via a network before an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input;
an update unit that, when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, transitions to a process of updating the program based on the data if information indicating importance is added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit;
a display control unit that, when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, displays a screen that allows a user to select whether or not to update the program based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit if the information indicating the importance is not added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit; and
13. An information processing device comprising: when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, if the information indicating the importance is added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit and the program is not updated by the data, the update unit updates the program based on the data without inquiring of a user.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the update unit acquires version information of data for updating the program that is acquireable from the other device when the information indicating the importance is not added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit,
the display control unit displays the screen including the version information of the data acquired by the acquisition unit and the version information acquired by the update unit.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. the acquiring unit acquires the data for update from the other device when version information of the data acquired by the acquiring unit is different from the version acquired by the updating unit and when the information processing device is started after selecting not to update the program on the screen;
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises: An information processing system including an information processing device and another device,
The information processing device includes:
an acquisition unit that acquires data for updating a program that causes the information processing device to execute a process from another device connected via a network before an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input;
an update unit that, when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, transitions to a process of updating the program based on the data if information indicating importance is added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit;
a display control unit that, when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, displays a screen that allows a user to select whether or not to update the program based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit if the information indicating the importance is not added to the data acquired by the acquisition unit; and
An information processing system comprising: An information processing device,
an acquisition step of acquiring data for updating a program for causing the information processing device to execute a process from another device connected via a network before an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input;
an update step of, when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input, transitioning to a process of updating the program based on the data if information indicating importance is added to the data acquired in the acquisition step;
a display control step of displaying a screen for prompting a user to select whether or not to update the program based on the data acquired in the acquisition step when an instruction to stop the operation of the information processing device is input and the information indicating the importance is not added to the data acquired in the acquisition step;
2. An information processing method comprising:

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