JP2003140841A - Program rewriting method and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program rewriting method or the like capable of preventing malfunction of an image formation device caused by a failure or the like upon rewriting a program. SOLUTION: A model identifier of a start program stored in a digital combiner 100 is transmitted from the digital combiner 100 to a PC 401. In the PC 401, it is determined whether the model identifier received from the digital combiner 100 agrees with a model identifier of a new start program to be rewritten. In the case of agreement, the start program stored in the digital combiner 100 is rewritten into the new start program, to thereby realize on the PC 401 side a protection mechanism for forbidding rewriting into a start program having a different model.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program rewriting method and an image processing system for transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from a host apparatus to an image forming apparatus and rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral having a copy function and a printer function is known. Various image processing function operations of this type of image forming apparatus are controlled by a startup program, and in recent years, the startup program can be upgraded by rewriting the startup program.

For example, when a boot program stored in a non-volatile memory of an image forming apparatus connected to a host device via a transmission line is rewritten with a version upgrade, the image forming apparatus is conventionally set to a boot program rewriting mode. After that, a new (upgraded) startup program was downloaded from the host device, and the startup program to be rewritten was unconditionally rewritten.

[0004]

However, in one image forming apparatus, when the operation of the image forming apparatus differs depending on the model of the startup program, the following problems occur with respect to the version upgrade of the startup program.

For example, when the start program A1 is used, only the control program A for controlling the copy function operates, and when the start program B1 is used, the copy function and PostScr are used.
It is assumed that the operation of the image forming apparatus differs depending on the model of the startup program such that the control program B for controlling the ipt printer function operates.

In this case, according to the conventional version upgrade method, the start program A1 is the start program A2 which is the upper version of the same model, the start program B1 of the other models, and the start program B which is the upper version thereof.
It can be upgraded to 2. As a result, for the image forming apparatus having the boot program A1 and the control program A, there is no problem when the boot program A1 is upgraded to the boot program A2, but the boot program A1 is upgraded to the boot program B1 or the boot program B2. In this case, the startup program and the control program do not match, which may cause a malfunction.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the upper apparatus, and the upper apparatus It is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten, and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, image formation is performed. The operating program stored in the device
By rewriting to a new operation program, a protection mechanism that prohibits rewriting to an operation program of a different model is realized on the host device side, and prevents malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to operation mistake etc. when rewriting the program. It is an object of the present invention to provide a program rewriting method and an image processing system capable of performing the above.

Further, the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten is transmitted from the host apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the model identification information from the host apparatus.
When it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information of the new operation program and the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. , A protection mechanism that prohibits rewriting of an operation program stored in the image forming apparatus to a new operation program is realized on the image forming apparatus side. An object of the present invention is to provide a program rewriting method and an image processing system capable of preventing a malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to an operation error or the like.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a program rewriting method of the present invention transmits an operation program of an image forming apparatus from a host apparatus to the image forming apparatus and stores it in the image forming apparatus. A program rewriting method for rewriting an operating program stored in the image forming apparatus, wherein the model identifying information of the operating program stored in the image forming apparatus is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to a host apparatus; There is a determination step of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is set to the new operation program. Characterized in that rewriting the beam.

Further, the program rewriting method of the present invention is a program rewriting method of transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from an upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus and rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus. A transmission step of transmitting the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten from the host apparatus to the image forming apparatus; and the model identification information of the new operation program received from the host apparatus in the image forming apparatus, And a determination step of determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, and the determination step determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is written in the new operation program. And wherein the frog.

Further, the image processing system of the present invention transmits an operation program of the image forming apparatus from the upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus so that the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus can be rewritten. In the processing system, the image forming apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits model identification information of an operation program stored in the image forming apparatus to an upper apparatus, and the upper apparatus receives from the image forming apparatus. And a means for determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information and the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten,
When the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program.

In the image processing system of the present invention, an operation program stored in the image forming apparatus can be rewritten by transmitting the operation program of the image forming apparatus from the upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus. In the processing system, the higher-level device has a transmitting unit that transmits model identification information of a new operation program to be rewritten to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the new higher-level device received from the higher-level device. The model identification information of the operation program, and a determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, the determination means,
When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten with the new operation program.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) The overall configuration of an image processing system including a digital multi-function peripheral 100 and a host device to which the present invention is applicable will be described with reference to FIG.

A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function of reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function of conveying a document sheet.

A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data as a visible image on the recording sheet, and discharges the sheet outside the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing print data to the recording paper, and a printed recording paper that is sorted and stapled outside the apparatus. Output unit 33 that has a function to output to
It is composed of 0 and.

The control unit 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the hard disk 600, and further connected to the host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400.

The control device 110 includes a CPU 111 and a RAM.
112 and a non-volatile memory 113 are provided inside. The non-volatile memory 113 stores a boot program for the digital multi-function peripheral 100. The CPU 111 executes the boot program stored in the non-volatile memory 113 to realize a copy function, a print function, and the like. The RAM 112 is used as a work area for the CPU 111, and is also used to temporarily store the boot program at the time of downloading.

The control unit 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read the print data of the document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the print data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. Further, a scanner function of converting print data read by the reader unit 200 into code data and transmitting the code data to a host computer via the network 400, converting code data received from the host computer via the network 400 into print data, Printer section 3
Printer function for outputting to 00. Further, it has a function of storing print data in the hard disk 600.

The operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and is composed of a liquid crystal touch panel.
A user I / F for operating 0 is provided.

Host computer 40, which is a higher-level device
Reference numerals 1 and 402 each include a personal computer (PC), and previously store a program for realizing a download operation, which will be described later, and a boot program file to be downloaded in a hard disk (not shown).

The digital multi-function peripherals 101 and 102 are digital multi-function peripherals having the same internal structure as the digital multi-function peripheral 100. However, it is assumed that the digital multifunction peripherals 100, 101, and 102 have different function models described later.

FIG. 2 shows a reader section 200 and a printer section 30.
It is sectional drawing of 0. Document feeder unit 250 of reader unit
Feeds the originals one by one in order from the top to the platen glass 211, and after the operation of reading the original is completed, the platen glass 2
The document above 11 is discharged. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on,
Then, the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to expose and scan the document. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by the mirror 2
CC by 14, 215, 216 and lens 217
It is guided to a D image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218. In this way, the image of the scanned original is CCD218.
Read by The image data output from the CCD 218 is subjected to a predetermined process and then the control device 110.
Transferred to.

Laser driver 321 of printer unit 300
Drives the laser emitting section 322, and causes the laser emitting section 322 to emit laser light according to the image data output from the control device 110. The laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. Developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by the developing device 324.

Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, recording paper is fed from either the cassette 311 or the cassette 312 and conveyed to the transfer section 325, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 is recorded. Transfer to paper.
The recording paper carrying the developer is conveyed to the fixing unit 326, and the developer is fixed on the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 326. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 326 is discharged by a discharge roller 327.
The ejected sheet discharge unit 330 bundles the ejected recording sheets and sorts the recording sheets, or staples the sorted recording sheets.

When double-sided recording is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 327 is reversed and the flapper 328 is rotated.
The sheet is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 329 by Refeeding conveyance path 32
The recording sheet guided to the sheet 9 is transferred to the transfer unit 32 at the above-mentioned timing.
5 is fed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation unit 150 of the copying apparatus. A power lamp 502 indicates whether or not the power of the copying apparatus is turned on, and is turned on by pressing the power switch 501 to turn on the power. A copy function selection key 503 is used to select a copy function.
Is a fax function selection key for selecting the fax function, and 505 is a personal box selection key for selecting the personal box function.

Reference numeral 512 is a ten-key pad, which is used for setting the number of image formations and inputting numerical values for mode setting. It is also used to enter a telephone number on the facsimile setting screen. The clear key 513 is used to invalidate the setting input with the ten keys 512. The reset key 508 is used to reset the set number of image forming sheets, the operation mode, the selected paper feed stage, and other modes to default values. The start key 506 is a key that is pressed when image formation is started, and the stop key 507 is used when the copying operation is stopped. The guide key 509 is a key to be pressed when a certain key function is unknown, and a description of the key whose function is unknown is displayed on the display panel 516.

The user mode key 510 is a key used when changing the settings of the digital multi-function peripheral. Also, by using the user mode key 510, it is possible to shift to a download mode described later. The interrupt key 511 is a key to be pressed when the user wants to perform other work during the image forming operation.

Reference numeral 514 denotes 20 one-touch dial keys, which are used for one-touch dialing in facsimile transmission. Reference numeral 515 denotes two lids, which are double lids in which each key portion of the one-touch dial key 524 is hollowed out. A sensor switch (not shown) detects the first state in which the two lids are closed, the second state in which the first lid is closed, and the third state in which the two lids are opened, With the combination of the three open / closed states and the one-touch dial key 514, this embodiment has an effect equivalent to the total of 60 keys.

Reference numeral 516 denotes a touch panel, which displays a setting screen for each mode and touches the drawn key to
It is possible to make various detailed settings.

Now, the boot program in this embodiment will be described. The startup program determines whether the printer device and the scanner device forming the digital multi-function peripheral have been initialized after the power of the digital multi-function peripheral is turned on. If not initialized, the printer device and the scanner device are initialized and the digital multi-function peripheral is restarted. On the other hand, if it has been initialized, the operation program is read from the non-volatile memory such as a hard disk and loaded in the memory.

The boot program has a function for putting the boot program itself into a rewrite mode in the program.

That is, unlike the image processing application program executed by a PC or the like, the startup program is a program for controlling the image forming apparatus itself such as a digital multi-function peripheral. Also when rewriting, it is necessary to stop the normal operation of the device once, shift to the rewriting mode, and then download the program.

FIG. 4 shows a memory map of the non-volatile memory 113 which stores the boot program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100. The non-volatile memory 113 is composed of a header area and a program area. The version, model identifier, date, file size, and checksum value are stored in the header area.

An example of the model identifier is shown below.

Model Identifier Function 0 × 0001 Copy Function Only 0 × 0002 Copy Function + PostScript Printer 0 × 0004 PostScript Printer Only The model identifier is a format in which a function is assigned to a bit.
It can be a string. In the above example, the model identifier is 3
A 2-bit code is assigned. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 equipped with the boot program stored in the non-volatile memory 113 whose model identifier value is 0x0001 operates only the copy function, and is stored in the non-volatile memory 113 whose model identifier value is 0x0002. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 equipped with the activated startup program has a copy function and Pos.
In other words, the tScript printer function operates.

Next, a method for upgrading the startup program in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the host device (PC 40
1 or the PC 402) and the digital multi-function peripheral 100 are connected by wire, and the version upgrade is P
It is assumed that the boot program is downloaded from the C401 to the digital multi-function peripheral 100.

The host device acquires the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 100, compares it with the model model identifier of the boot program to be downloaded selected by the user, and downloads if the model identifier matches. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 stores the downloaded boot program image in the RAM 112 once, erases the contents of the non-volatile memory 113 storing the boot program, and then stores the boot program image temporarily stored in the RAM 112 into the non-volatile memory 113. It should be written in.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of this embodiment. In this flowchart, in the processing on the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side, the CPU 111 executes the hard disk 6
It is controlled by executing the rewriting operation program stored in 00 in advance. On the other hand, the processing on the host device side is controlled by the CPU (not shown) of the PC 401 executing the rewriting program stored in advance in the hard disk (not shown) of the PC 401.

The rewriting operation program for the hard disk 600 is also a model determination program for performing the determination processing in step S109 described later.

First, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is set to the download mode, and the download notification command is transmitted to the upper-level device (PC 401) to notify that the download mode has been set (S101).

The host device receives the download mode notification command from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S102) and transmits the model acquisition command to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S103).

The digital multi-function peripheral 100 receives the model acquisition command (S104), and the received digital multi-function peripheral 100 reads the model identifier from the header of the mounted non-volatile memory 113 (S105) and reads the read model. The identifier is transmitted to the host device (S106).

Next, the host device receives the model identifier of the boot program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S107),
After that, the start program file selected by the user for download is opened on the download file selection screen (not shown), and the model identifier is acquired from the header of the start program file (S108). And
It is determined whether the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 110 and the model identifier of the boot program to be downloaded match (S109).

If the models match in step S109 (Yes), the flag value is set to 1 (S11).
0), if they do not match (No), the flag value is set to 0 (S111). The flag is the next step S112,
It means a model check result transmitted from the host device to the digital multi-function peripheral 100.

When the flag is 1, the host device transmits the model check result to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S11).
2) After that, the boot program file to be downloaded is opened, and data transmission of the boot program file to the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is started (S114). Then, steps S114 and S116 are repeated until it is determined in step S116 that the transmission is completed. When the transmission is completed, the writing end notification from the digital multi-function peripheral is received (S1
21) and the download work is completed.

In step S112, the flag is 0.
In this case, the higher-level device ends the download work.

On the other hand, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 receives the model check result transmitted from the host device side (S11).
3), it is determined whether the flag value is 1 (S
115). If the flag is not 1 in step S115, the process proceeds to step S122 to end the download mode.

If the flag is 1 in step S115, the startup program data transmitted by the host device is received, and until it is determined in step S118 that the reception is completed,
Steps S117 and S118 are repeated. When the reception is completed, the contents of the mounted non-volatile memory 113 are erased and the downloaded boot program data is written (S119). Then, the write end result is transmitted to the host device (S120), and the download mode is ended (S122).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the model identifier of the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 to the higher-level device (PC 401) and the higher-level device performs digital conversion. It is determined whether or not the model identifier received from the multi-function peripheral 100 and the model identifier of the new operation program to be rewritten match. If it is determined that they match, the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is updated. It was rewritten to the operation program of.

As a result, it is possible to realize a protection mechanism that prohibits rewriting of the boot program of a different model, such as rewriting of the copy model to the copyPS model. Therefore, when rewriting the program, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from malfunctioning due to an operation mistake by the operator.

In addition, the model judgment program has a plurality of types of digital multi-function peripherals (digital multi-function peripherals 100, 101, 10).
In the case of 2) in common, the configuration of the present embodiment in which the host device executes the model determination program, which is a feature of the present invention, is effective.

That is, assuming that the digital multi-function peripheral is configured to execute the model determination program when a common change is made to the model determination program for a plurality of types of digital multi-functional peripherals, the model determination program is modified for each device. Must. However, if the upper device executes the model determination program as in the present embodiment, the amount of work for changing the program can be reduced to only once in the upper device, and the work efficiency can be reduced. Can be improved.

Further, by using the model identifier for the model determination, for example, it is possible to make it difficult for a malicious worker to determine the performance of the startup program and improve the confidentiality. it can.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the startup program version upgrade method in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 will be described. Note that, also in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image processing system shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the host device (PC 401,
Alternatively, the PC 402) and the digital multi-function peripheral 100 are connected by wire, and the version upgrade is performed by downloading the boot program from the host device to the digital multi-function peripheral 100. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 acquires the model identifier of the boot program to be downloaded by the higher-level device, and acquires the model identifier of the boot program from the non-volatile memory 103. Then, when the model identifiers match, the download is performed from the host device. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 stores the downloaded boot program image in the RAM 112 once, erases the nonvolatile memory 113 storing the boot program, and then
It is assumed that the boot program image temporarily stored in the AM 112 is written in the non-volatile memory 113.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of this embodiment. In this flowchart, in the processing on the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side, the CPU 111 executes the hard disk 6
It is controlled by executing the rewriting operation program stored in 00 in advance. On the other hand, the processing on the host device side is controlled by the CPU (not shown) of the PC 401 executing the rewriting program stored in advance in the hard disk (not shown) of the PC 401.

The hard disk rewriting operation program of the PC 401 is also a model determination program for performing the determination process of step S207 described later.

First, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is set to the download mode (S201), and a download notification command is sent to the upper-level device (PC 401) to notify that the download mode has been entered.

The host device receives the download mode notification command from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S202),
On the download file selection screen (not shown), open the startup program file selected by the user for download, and from the header of the startup program file,
A model identifier is acquired (S203). Then, the model identifier is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S20).
4).

On the side of the digital multi-function peripheral 100, the model identifier of the boot program downloaded from the upper-level device is received (S205), and then the model identifier is read from the header of the mounted non-volatile memory 103 (S206), and then the digital It is determined whether the model identifier of the boot program installed in the multi-function peripheral 100 matches the model identifier of the boot program to be downloaded (S207).

If the models match in step S207 (Yes), the flag value is set to 1 (S20).
9) If they do not match (No), the flag value is set to 0 (S208). The flag is the next step, S210,
It means the model check result transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 to the host device.

The host device, in step S210,
The model check result transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is received (S211), and it is determined whether the flag value is 1 (S212). If the flag is not 1 in step S212, the download mode ends.

In step S212, the flag is 1
In the case of, the start program file to be downloaded is opened, and data transmission of the start program file to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is started (S213). And
Until the transmission is determined to be completed in step S215, S21
3 and S215 are repeated. When the transmission is completed, the writing completion notification from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is received (S21).
9) The download work is completed.

On the other hand, on the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side,
In the determination of step S207, when the flag is 1,
The start program data transmitted by the host device is received (S
214), steps S214 and S216 are repeated until it is determined in step S216 that reception has been completed. When the reception is completed, the contents of the mounted non-volatile memory 103 are erased and the downloaded boot program data is written (S217). Then, the write end result is transmitted to the host device (S218), and the download mode is ended (S220).

On the other hand, in step 210, the flag is set.
If is 0, the download mode is terminated (S22).
0).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the model identifier of the new operation program to be rewritten is transferred from the upper level device (PC 401) to the digital multi-function peripheral 10.
0 to determine whether or not the model identifier of the new operation program received from the host device in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 matches the model identifier of the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100. If it is determined that they match, the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is rewritten to a new operation program.

As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from malfunctioning due to an operation error by the operator when rewriting the program.

Further, regarding a plurality of types of digital multi-function peripherals (digital multi-function peripherals 100, 101, 102), when the realizable model configurations are different for each device, the digital multi-function peripheral executes the model determination program which is a feature of the present invention. The configuration of this embodiment configured to do so is effective.

That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 can realize the a model and the b model, the digital multi-function peripheral 101 can realize the a model, the b model, and the c model, and the digital multi-function peripheral 102 can: It is assumed that only the a model can be realized. In such a system configuration, for example, when a new model is added only to the digital multi-function peripheral 100, it is necessary to correct the model determination program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100. However, at this time, if the upper device side is configured to execute the model determination program, the digital multifunction peripherals 101 and 102 are also affected by the model determination program modification.

On the other hand, if the digital multi-function peripheral is configured to execute the model judgment program as in the present embodiment, only the model judgment program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100 needs to be modified, and the other device The stability of the program modification can be improved without affecting the.

Further, as in the first embodiment, by using the file name for model determination, it is possible to improve the confidentiality of the download of the boot program.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 matches the model identifier of the boot program to be downloaded. The download of the startup program is controlled according to whether or not it is.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other model identification information may be used for controlling download of the startup program. In the present embodiment, the case where the file name of the starting program to be downloaded is used as the other model identification information will be described. In addition,
The system configuration in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow chart of this embodiment. In this flowchart, in the processing on the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side, the CPU 111 executes the hard disk 6
It is controlled by executing the rewriting operation program stored in 00 in advance. On the other hand, the processing on the host device side is controlled by the CPU (not shown) of the PC 401 executing the rewriting program stored in advance in the hard disk (not shown) of the PC 401.

The rewriting operation program of the hard disk 600 is also a model judgment program for carrying out the judgment processing of step S309 described later.

First, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is set to the download mode, and a download notification command is transmitted to the upper-level device (PC 401) to notify that it is in the download mode (S301).

The host device receives the download mode notification command from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S302) and sends the model acquisition command to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S303).

The digital multi-function peripheral 100 receives the model acquisition command (S304), and the received digital multi-function peripheral 100 reads the model identifier from the header of the mounted non-volatile memory 113 (S305) and reads the read model. The identifier is transmitted to the host device (S306).

Next, the host device receives the model identifier of the boot program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S307),
After that, the file name of the boot program file selected by the user as the download target on the download file selection screen (not shown) is acquired (S308). Then, it is determined whether the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 110 and the file name of the boot program to be downloaded satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship (S309).

Here, the file name of the startup program selected by the user as the download target in advance is:
For example, [type of digital multi-function peripheral]-[model]-[version]-[checksum]. It is defined like bin.

For example, the file name of the boot program is
If it is “Target00-Copy-V0100-ABCD.bin”, Ta
rget00 is a copy model of digital multi-function peripheral, version 01.00, checksum is 0xABCD startup program file.

The file name is "Target00-CopyPs-
V0100-DCBA.bin ”, Target00 is a copy + PostScript printer model of a digital multi-function peripheral, version 01.00, checksum is 0xDCBA startup program file.

That is, in the present embodiment, the [Model] column in the file name functions as model identification information,
It is determined whether or not this model identification information and the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 satisfy the following correspondence.

[Model] column in model identifier file name 0x0001 Copy 0x0002 CopyPs 0x0004 Ps The function identified by the model identifier is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

According to the above correspondence, if the model identifier is 0x0001 and [Model] is Copy, it is determined that the model identifier and the model identification information of the file name correspond, and the model identifier Is 0x0001
If the [model] is CopyPs, it is determined that they do not correspond.

In step S309, if the predetermined correspondence is satisfied (Yes), the flag value is set to 1 (S310), and if not satisfied (No), the flag value is set to 0 (S311). flag is the next step S3
At 12, the model check result transmitted from the host device to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is meant.

If the flag is 1, the host device sends the model check result to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S31).
2) After that, the boot program file to be downloaded is opened, and data transmission of the boot program file to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is started (S314). Then, steps S314 and S316 are repeated until it is determined in step S316 that the transmission is completed. When the transmission is completed, the writing completion notification from the digital multi-function peripheral is received (S3
21) and the download work is completed.

In step S312, the flag is 0.
In this case, the higher-level device ends the download work.

On the other hand, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 receives the model check result transmitted from the host device side (S31).
3), it is determined whether the flag value is 1 (S
315). If the flag is not 1 in step S315, the flow advances to step S322 to end the download mode.

If the flag is 1 in step S315, the startup program data transmitted by the host device is received, and it is determined in step S318 that the reception has been completed.
Steps S317 and S318 are repeated. When the reception is completed, the contents of the mounted non-volatile memory 113 are erased and the downloaded boot program data is written (S319). Then, the write end result is transmitted to the host device (S320), and the download mode is ended (S322).

As described above, the model identifier of the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is transferred from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 to the host device (PC 401).
And the host device determines whether or not the model identifier received from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 and the file name of the new operation program to be rewritten satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship. The operation program stored in the multifunction peripheral 100 is rewritten to a new operation program.

As a result, similarly to the first and second embodiments, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from malfunctioning due to an operation error by the operator when rewriting the program.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the host device is made to execute the model judgment program which is the feature of the present invention, so that the amount of work for changing the program can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved. Can be improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the file name is used for the model determination, so that the operator can easily discriminate the starting program, and the certainty of the operation can be further improved.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the third embodiment
The rewriting control based on the correspondence between the model identifier and the file name described in the above embodiment is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral 10
A case where the operation is performed on the 0 side will be described.

That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 acquires the file name of the boot program to be downloaded by the host device, and acquires the model identifier of the boot program from the non-volatile memory 103. And the file name,
When the model identifier satisfies a predetermined correspondence, the download is performed from the host device. The system configuration in this embodiment is similar to that in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of this embodiment. In this flowchart, in the processing on the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side, the CPU 111 executes the hard disk 6
It is controlled by executing the rewriting operation program stored in 00 in advance. On the other hand, the processing on the host device side is controlled by the CPU (not shown) of the PC 401 executing the rewriting program stored in advance in the hard disk (not shown) of the PC 401.

The rewriting operation program of the hard disk of the PC 401 is also a model judgment program for carrying out the judgment processing of step S407 described later.

First, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is set to the download mode (S401), and a download notification command is transmitted to the upper-level device (PC 401) to notify that the download mode has been entered.

The host device receives the download mode notification command from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S402),
On the download file selection screen (not shown), open the startup program file selected by the user for download, and from the header of the startup program file,
The file name is acquired (S403). Then, the acquired file name is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 (S40).
4).

On the side of the digital multi-function peripheral 100, the file name of the startup program downloaded from the host device is received (S405), and then the model identifier of the installed startup program is acquired (S406). Then, it is determined whether the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 110 and the file name of the boot program to be downloaded satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship (S407).

Here, the file name of the startup program selected by the user as a download target in advance is:
For example, [type of digital multi-function peripheral]-[model]-[version]-[checksum]. It is defined like bin.

For example, the file name of the boot program is
If it is “Target00-Copy-V0100-ABCD.bin”, Ta
rget00 is a copy model of digital multi-function peripheral, version 01.00, checksum is 0x ABCD startup program file.

The file name is "Target00-CopyPs-
V0100-DCBA.bin ”, Target00 is a copy + PostScript printer model of a digital multi-function peripheral, version 01.00, checksum is 0xDCBA startup program file.

That is, in this embodiment, the [Model] column in the file name is the model identification information, and this model identification information and the model identifier of the boot program installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 110 are as follows. It is determined whether or not the correspondence relationship shown in is satisfied.

[Model] column in model identifier file name 0x0001 Copy 0x0002 CopyPs 0x0004 Ps The function identified by the model identifier is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

According to the above correspondence, if the model identifier is 0x0001 and [Model] is Copy, it is determined that the model identifier and the model identification information of the file name correspond to each other, and the model identifier Is 0x0001
If the [model] is CopyPs, it is determined that they do not correspond.

In step S407, if the predetermined correspondence is satisfied (Yes), the flag value is set to 1 (S408), and if not satisfied (No), the flag value is set to 0 (S409). flag is the next step S4
At 10, the model check result is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 to the host device.

The host device, in step S410,
The model check result transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is received (S411), and it is determined whether the flag value is 1 (S412). If the flag is not 1 in step S412, the download mode ends.

In step S412, the flag is 1
In this case, the boot program file to be downloaded is opened, and data transmission of the boot program file to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is started (S413). And
Until the transmission is determined to be completed in step S415, S41
3 and S415 are repeated. When the transmission is completed, the writing completion notification from the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is received (S41).
9) The download work is completed.

On the other hand, on the digital multifunction peripheral 100 side,
In the determination of step S410, when the flag is 1,
The start program data transmitted by the host device is received (S
414), steps S414 and S416 are repeated until it is determined in step S416 that reception has been completed. When the reception is completed, the contents of the mounted nonvolatile memory 103 are erased and the downloaded boot program data is written (S417). Then, the write end result is transmitted to the host device (S418), and the download mode is ended (S420).

On the other hand, in step 210, the flag is set.
If is 0, the download mode is terminated (S42).
0).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the file name of the new operation program to be rewritten is set from the upper level device (PC 401) to the digital multifunction peripheral 100.
Whether the file name of the new operation program received from the host device and the model identifier of the operation program stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship. If it is determined that it is satisfied, the digital multi-function peripheral 1
The operation program stored in 00 is rewritten to a new operation program.

As a result, similar to the first to third embodiments, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from malfunctioning due to an operation error by the operator when rewriting the program.

Further, as in the second embodiment, the digital multifunctional device executes the model determination program, which is a feature of the present invention, so that the stability of program modification can be improved.

Also, as in the third embodiment, by using the file name for model determination, it becomes easy for the operator to determine the starting program and the certainty of the operation can be further improved. .

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the case where the boot program for the copy function and the printer function is rewritten has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the apparatus is provided with other functions such as a FAX function. If so, the present invention can be applied even when rewriting the startup programs of those other functions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the start program of the image processing function is rewritten has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and operation control of other components such as the operation unit of the apparatus and the hard disk. The present invention can also be applied when rewriting a program.

In the above embodiment, the case where the combination of the printer function and the copy function is defined as the model information has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can be applied even when the type of the startup program for one function is defined as model information. For example, regarding the printer function only, the model information Po
By defining the types of page description languages such as stScript printer function, LIPS printer function, HP-PCL, etc., it is possible to prevent accidentally rewriting the PostScript printer function startup program to the LIPS printer function startup program. it can.
In this case, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the printer device alone.

Also, the form of the network is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, a public line or the like may be used to download the program from a higher-level device at a remote place.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention, the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the host apparatus,
The upper device determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten, and it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, by rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus to a new operation program, a protection mechanism for prohibiting rewriting to an operation program of a different model is realized on the host device side. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to an operation error or the like.

Also, the model identification information of the new operation program to be rewritten is transmitted from the upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the model identification information from the upper apparatus.
When it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied between the model identification information of the new operation program and the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. , A protection mechanism that prohibits rewriting of an operation program stored in the image forming apparatus to a new operation program is realized on the image forming apparatus side. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to an operation error or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of an image processing system including a digital multi-function peripheral and a host device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 300.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation unit 150 of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of a non-volatile memory 113 storing a boot program of the digital multi-function peripheral 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 digital multifunction machine 110 control device 111 CPU 112 RAM 113 non-volatile memory 150 control panel 200 reader device 210 scanner unit 250 document feeder unit 300 printer device 310 paper feed unit 320 marking unit 330 Paper output unit 400 LAN 401 PC (upper device) 402 PC (upper device) 600 hard disk

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C187 AE06 BF32 BG20 FC25 GD02                       JA07                 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA05 AA19 BB04                       CC05                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA14 AB38 AB42                       AC41 AF00 BA04

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A program rewriting method for transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from a higher-level device to the image forming apparatus and rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, the method being stored in the image forming apparatus. A step of transmitting the model identification information of the operating program from the image forming apparatus to the host apparatus, the model identifying information received from the image forming apparatus in the host apparatus, and the model identification of the new operating program to be rewritten. And a determination step of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied with information, and the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus when the determination step determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. To a new operation program described above. 2. The determining step determines whether or not the model identifier received from the image forming apparatus and the model identifier of the new operation program match, and in the determining step, the identifiers match. The program rewriting method according to claim 1, wherein the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program when the determination is made. 3. The determining step determines whether or not the model identifier received from the image forming apparatus and a file name of the new operation program satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship, and the determining step determines a predetermined value. 2. The program rewriting method according to claim 1, wherein the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program when it is determined that the correspondence relationship of 1 is satisfied. 4. The operation program is a startup program for controlling operation of a copy function or a printer function by the image forming apparatus, and the model identification information is the type of the printer function or the printer. It is information for identifying a combination of a function and the copy function.
4. The program rewriting method according to any one of 3 above. 5. The program rewriting method according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus stores the operation program in a non-volatile memory. 6. A program rewriting method for transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from an upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus to rewrite the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, which is a new operation program to be rewritten. And a model identification information of the new operation program received from the host device in the image forming device, and stored in the image forming device. A determination step of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied with the model identification information of the operating program, and the image forming apparatus is determined by the determination step when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Writing a program characterized by rewriting the operation program stored in How to change. 7. The determining step determines whether or not the model identifier received from the image forming apparatus matches the model identifier of the new operation program, and the determining step determines that the identifiers match. 7. The program rewriting method according to claim 6, wherein the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program when the determination is made. 8. The determination step determines whether or not the model identifier received from the image forming apparatus and the file name of the new operation program satisfy a predetermined correspondence relationship, and the determination step determines a predetermined value. 7. The program rewriting method according to claim 6, wherein the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program when it is determined that the correspondence relationship of 1 is satisfied. 9. The operation program is a start-up program for controlling operation of a copy function or a printer function by the image forming apparatus, and the model identification information is the type of the printer function or the printer function. 7. The information for identifying a combination of a function and the copy function, according to claim 6.
9. The program rewriting method according to any one of 8 above. 10. The program rewriting method according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus stores the operation program in a non-volatile memory. 11. An image processing system capable of transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from an upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus and rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, The forming apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus to a higher-level apparatus, and the higher-level apparatus should rewrite with the model identification information received from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with the model identification information of the new operation program, and when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, An image processing system, characterized in that a stored operation program is rewritten to the new operation program. 12. An image processing system capable of transmitting an operation program of an image forming apparatus from an upper apparatus to the image forming apparatus and rewriting the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, wherein The apparatus has a transmission unit that transmits model identification information of a new operation program to be rewritten to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus receives the model identification information of the new operation program received from the host apparatus, A determining unit that determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied with the model identification information of the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus, and the determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, the image is characterized in that the operation program stored in the image forming apparatus is rewritten to the new operation program. Management systems.