RU2795390C1 - Imaging device, method and system for updating firmware - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: computer technology.

SUBSTANCE: firmware update method applicable to the first imaging device performs the steps when the server has the firmware update package, downloads the firmware update package from the server, and transmits to the second imaging device, the update package is configured to update the firmware software of the first and the second imaging device, wherein receiving the software update package, the first firmware update package includes the first time stamp, performing the firmware update using the update package occurs if the first time stamp is earlier than the second timestamp, performing the firmware update using the first firmware update package.

EFFECT: safe software update.

14 cl, 6 dwg

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[1] This application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202110232584.5 filed on February 24, 2021 with the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[2] The present invention generally relates to the field of imaging apparatus technology, and more specifically, relates to an imaging apparatus, a firmware update method, and a system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[3] The image forming apparatus is a device including a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunctional imaging and copying apparatus, an electrostatic printer, and any other similar device that can form an image on a storage medium using an imaging principle.

[4] In practical applications, in order to update and optimize the performance of the imaging apparatus, it is necessary to update the firmware of the imaging apparatus. The firmware of the imaging device is usually stored on the supplier's server. The upgrade process may require you to connect the imaging device to the vendor's server, download the firmware from the vendor's server to your local computer, and then begin the firmware upgrade.

[5] However, when there are a relatively large number of imaging devices, multiple imaging devices may run the firmware download operation in parallel and may be connected to the vendor server at the same time to download the firmware from the vendor server, which may consume a relatively large bandwidth. networks.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[6] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a method and a firmware update system, which are useful for solving the problem in the existing technology that multiple imaging devices can be simultaneously connected to a vendor server and download firmware from the provider's server, which can take up a lot of network bandwidth.

[7] The first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention provides a firmware update method applicable to the first imaging apparatus, and the method includes:

[8] when the server has the firmware update package, downloading the firmware update package from the server; And

[9] transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device, the firmware update package being configured to update the firmware of the first imaging device and the second imaging device.

[10] Optionally, before the first imaging device downloads the firmware update package from the server, the method further includes: when the firmware download priority of the first imaging device is higher than the firmware download priority of the second imaging device, determining that the first imaging apparatus is the master imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus is the slave imaging apparatus.

[11] Optionally, the firmware download priority condition includes:

[12] Media Access Control (MAC) address priority, serial number priority, network transfer rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from network access point.

[13] Optionally, the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus are the same model; if there are a plurality of first imaging devices of different models and a plurality of second imaging devices of different models, then a plurality of first imaging devices of different models, in accordance with a predetermined order of priority, determines the download order of the firmware update package from the server for the plurality of first imaging devices various models; and the predetermined priority order determination condition includes MAC address priority, serial number priority, network transmission rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from the network access point.

[14] Optionally, before transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device, the method further includes:

[15] transmitting an update request message to the second imaging device, the update request message being configured to characterize a request as to whether the second imaging device needs to perform a firmware update; And

[16] Receiving an update response message transmitted by the second imaging apparatus, the update response message including an update approval response information or an update rejection response information, wherein:

[17] transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device specifically includes, if the update response message includes an update approval response information, transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device.

[18] Optionally, the method further includes transmitting a wait request message to the second imaging device, the wait request message being configured to cause the second imaging device to wait for the first imaging device to transmit the firmware update package.

[19] Optionally, transmitting the wait request message to the second imaging device includes:

[20] before downloading the firmware update package to the server, transmitting the first wait request message to the second imaging device; And

[21] after downloading the firmware update package to the server, transmitting the second wait request message to the second imaging device.

[22] Optionally, before transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device, the method further includes:

[23] transmitting a network request message to the second imaging device, the network request message being configured to indicate that the first imaging device requests the formation of a local area network with the second imaging device; And

[24] the formation of a local area network with a second imaging device, wherein:

[25] transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device specifically includes transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device via a local area network.

[26] Optionally, transferring the firmware upgrade package to the second imaging device includes:

[27] after adding the timestamp to the firmware update package, transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device.

[28] A second aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides a firmware update method applicable to a second imaging apparatus, and the method includes:

[29] receiving a firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the firmware update package being a firmware update package on the server downloaded by the first imaging device; And

[30] performing a firmware update according to the firmware update package.

[31] Optionally, before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the method further includes:

[32] receiving an update request message transmitted by the first imaging device, the update request message being configured to characterize a request as to whether the second imaging device needs to perform a firmware update; And

[33] transmitting an update response message to the first imaging apparatus, the update response message including an update approval response information or an update rejection response information.

[34] Optionally, before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the method further includes:

[35] receiving a wait request message transmitted by the first imaging device; And

[36] according to the wait request message, waiting for the transmission of the firmware by the first imager of the update package.

[37] Optionally, before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the method further includes:

[38] receiving a network request message transmitted by the first imaging device; And

[39] the formation of a local area network with the first imaging device, wherein:

[40] Receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device includes receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device via a local area network.

[41] Optionally, obtaining a firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device includes receiving a first firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the first firmware update package including a first timestamp;

[42] the method further includes receiving a second firmware update package transmitted by the third imaging apparatus, the second firmware update package including a second timestamp;

[43] performing the firmware update according to the firmware update package includes, if the first time stamp is before the second time stamp, performing the firmware update according to the first firmware update package; and if the first timestamp is before the second timestamp, performing a firmware update according to the second firmware update package.

[44] Optionally, after receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the method further includes:

[45] transmitting the firmware update package to the fourth imaging device, the firmware update package being configured to perform the firmware update on the fourth imaging device.

[46] A third aspect of embodiments of the present invention relates to a first imaging apparatus, comprising:

[47] processor;

[48] memory;

[49] one or more computer programs, wherein the one or more computer programs are stored in memory, the one or more computer programs contain instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the first imaging device, cause the first imaging device to execute a method of any of the first aspect.

[50] A fourth aspect of embodiments of the present invention relates to a second imaging apparatus, comprising:

[51] processor;

[52] memory;

[53] one or more computer programs, wherein the one or more computer programs are stored in memory, the one or more computer programs contain instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the first imaging device, cause the first imaging device to execute a method of any of the second aspect.

[54] A fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a firmware update system comprising the first imaging apparatus of the third aspect and the second imaging apparatus of the fourth aspect, the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus being communicatively connected.

[55] In embodiments of the present invention, after downloading the firmware update package from the server, the first imaging device forwards the firmware update package to the second imaging device, which avoids downloading the firmware update package by all imaging devices on the side. server, thereby reducing network bandwidth occupancy on the server side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[56] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly describes the drawings to be used in describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from these drawings without creative effort.

[57] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[58] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of the firmware update method provided in exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[59] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of another application scenario represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[60] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of another firmware update method presented in exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[61] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a first imaging apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; And

[62] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a second imaging apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[63] For a better understanding of the technical solutions according to the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[64] It should be noted that the described embodiments are only part, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without creative input from those skilled in the art, all other embodiments of the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[65] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are only intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[66] It should be understood that the term "and/or" used in the description can only be an association relation describing related objects, which means that there can be three types of relations. For example, A and/or B can mean that: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the "/" symbol in the description usually indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[67] To help those skilled in the art better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the terms in the embodiments of the present invention are first described below.

[68] Referring to FIG. 1, fig. 1 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1 may exemplify one server 101 and three imaging devices 102; and the server 101 can communicate with the imaging devices 102 via a public network. The three imaging devices 102 may be on the same local area network, so that the various imaging devices 102 can communicate over the local area network. As an example, a local area network may be a short distance communication network such as a Wi-Fi hotspot network, a P2P Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth network, a Zigby network, Near Field Communication (NFC) or the like.

[69] It should be understood that the public network shown in FIG. 1 may be a wide area network. As an example, the global area network may be a third generation mobile technology (3G) network, a fourth generation mobile technology (4G) network, a fifth generation mobile technology (5G) network, a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), Internet or the like.

[70] It should be noted that the application scenario shown in FIG. 1 is only an exemplary description and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the imaging apparatus may be, in addition to a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunctional imaging and copying apparatus, an electrostatic printer, and the like; various imaging devices can also communicate through the public network; and other numbers of imaging devices can also be included in the same local area network.

[71] It should be understood that when the imaging device needs to be updated, the vendor may store the firmware upgrade package on the vendor's server for download by users.

[72] Generally, a provider may provide services to different users, and each user may have a plurality of imaging devices. Therefore, if a firmware update package is available, a large number of imaging devices may need to be updated at the same time. At this point, if each imaging device downloads the firmware update package from the vendor's server, a lot of network bandwidth may be consumed.

[73] To solve this problem, in embodiments of the present invention, a firmware update package can be downloaded from a server through a specific imaging device, and then the firmware update package can be distributed to other imaging devices through such imaging device, thereby reducing server-side boot load and network bandwidth issue, which are detailed below.

[74] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of the firmware update method provided in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the application scenario described in FIG. 1, which mainly includes the following steps.

[75] In step S201, when the server has the firmware update package, the first imaging apparatus may download the firmware update package from the server.

[76] Specifically, when the firmware of the imaging device needs to be updated, the supplier may store the firmware update package on the server, and the first imaging device may download the firmware update package on the server.

[77] Upgradable firmware may include, but is not limited to, updating firmware for native functions of the imaging device (e.g., adding a new secure transfer protocol), updating firmware for a consumable management strategy (e.g., updating firmware consumable chip identification method), firmware update for address book update, firmware update for network connection update, firmware update for hibernation control update, and the like.

[78] The first imaging device may be any imaging device in the pre-installed set of imaging devices. The set of imaging devices may be imaging devices in the same local area network, imaging devices of the same user, or imaging devices of the same office area, and the like, which may not be particularly limited in embodiments. implementation of the present invention.

[79] When the server has the firmware update package, the first imaging apparatus may download the firmware update package to the server to perform the firmware update according to the firmware update package.

[80] In a specific embodiment, the first imaging device may request the presence of a firmware update package on the server in accordance with a predetermined period of time; or when the server has the firmware update package, the server can actively send a notification message to the first imaging device and inform the first imaging device that the server has the firmware update package through the notification message.

[81] In step S202, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the firmware update package to the second imaging apparatus.

[82] In particular, the second imaging apparatus may be another imaging apparatus than the first imaging apparatus in the set of predetermined imaging apparatuses. After the first imaging device downloads the firmware update package on the server, the firmware update package can be transferred to another imaging device in the imaging device set, i.e., to the second imaging device.

[83] In embodiments of the present invention, after downloading the firmware update package on the server, the first imaging device may forward the firmware update package to the second imaging device, which may avoid downloading the firmware update package by all imaging devices. on the server side and reduce network bandwidth occupancy on the server side.

[84] For convenience of description, the first imaging device is defined as the master imaging device, and the second imaging device is defined as the slave imaging device. The master imager may receive a firmware update package from the server, and the slave imager may receive the firmware update package from the master imager.

[85] It should be understood that the number of slave imaging devices may be two or more, and the master imaging device may transmit the firmware update package to two or more slave imaging devices, respectively.

[86] Generally, any imaging device in a set of imaging devices may be selected as the master imaging device, and other imaging devices may be selected as slave imaging devices. However, to achieve the desired effect, it can configure the firmware download priority for each imaging device, and determine the master imaging device and the slave imaging device by comparing the firmware download priorities of the imaging devices, wherein the firmware download priority of the master imaging device higher than the download priority of the firmware of the slave imager. That is, an imaging device with the highest firmware download priority can be selected as the master imaging device.

[87] The firmware loading priority may be determined by dynamic comparison with native attributes of the plurality of imaging devices, or may be determined in combination with a predetermined order of priority. During the use process, if the position of the imaging device is changed, or one or more imaging devices are added or removed from the imaging device set, it can also quickly determine one imaging device as the master imaging device according to the firmware loading priority. without having to make differentiated role settings for the imaging devices in advance, which can increase the versatility of the imaging devices.

[88] In a further embodiment, the condition for determining the firmware download priority may be a media access control (MAC) address priority. As an example, a method for determining the priority of a MAC address may be as follows: the comparison may start from the most significant bit of the MAC address; if they are numbers, the lower number comes first; if they are letters, the preceding letter comes first; if it is a comparison between a number and a letter, the number comes first; and if the high bits are the same, the next bits are compared; and so on.

[89] For example, the MAC ADDRESSES of the first imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus, and the third imaging apparatus are respectively: MAC1: 3ABDCBADDDFF; MAC2: ADBDCBADDDFF; and MAC3: AABDCBADDDFF. According to the above determination rule, the priority of the MAC address of the first imaging device is ranked first, the priority of the MAC address of the second imaging device is ranked third, and the priority of the MAC address of the third imaging device is ranked second.

[90] It should be noted that determining the firmware download priority using MAC address priority can only be the possible implementation method listed in the embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make appropriate adjustments according to actual needs. For example, in addition to the MAC address, the firmware download priority may be determined by conditions such as the serial number SN of the imaging device, network transmission rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from the network access point.

[91] When the network transmission rate is used as the firmware download priority determination condition, the current network transmission speeds of all imaging devices can be compared, the imaging device with the highest network communication speed can be used as the master imaging device, and other devices imaging devices can be used as slave imaging devices. Such a solution can make it easier for the imaging apparatus to obtain the firmware update package more quickly.

[92] When the remaining life is used as a firmware download priority determination condition, the life of all imaging devices can be compared, the last imaging device (i.e., the longest remaining life) can be used as the master. imaging devices, and other imaging devices can be used as slave imaging devices. In the case of the same model, the latest imaging device, which may have better performance, has a higher success rate in obtaining the firmware update package.

[93] When the idle frequency is used as a condition for determining the firmware download priority, the idle frequency of all imaging devices can be compared, the imaging device with the highest idle frequency can be used as the master imaging device, and the other imaging devices can be used as slave imaging devices. Such a method can improve the utilization rate of the imaging apparatus with the highest idle rate and reduce the inconvenience caused by updating the firmware to the user as much as possible.

[94] When the distance from the network access point is used as the firmware download priority condition, the distances between all imaging devices and the network access point can be compared, the imaging device closest to the network access point (for example, a router) , may be a master imaging device, and other imaging devices may be slave imaging devices. The main imaging device thus selected can be less affected by the network during the firmware update package acquisition process.

[95] It should be understood that in practical application scenarios, the same local area network may contain many different imaging devices. For imaging devices of the same model, the same firmware update package can generally be used to update at the same time; and for imaging devices of different models, the firmware update time or firmware update packages may generally be different.

[96] As shown in FIG. 3, fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of another application scenario represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Five imaging devices are shown in FIG. 3; and the five imaging devices may comprise two models, which are model A and model B, respectively, where imaging devices 311, 312, and 313 may be model A, and imaging devices 321 and 322 may be model B.

[97] It should be understood that imaging devices 311, 312, and 313 of the same model A can generally be updated using the same firmware update package; and imaging devices 321 and 322 of the same model B can generally be updated using the same firmware update package. Therefore, when a firmware update is performed, imaging devices of the same model can be configured as one imaging device set, and a master imaging device and a slave imaging device can be defined in the imaging device set; then, in accordance with the method described in FIG. 2, the master imager may download the firmware update package to the server, and the slave imager may download the firmware update package to the master imager. That is, in the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 2, the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus may be the same model. In addition, if there are a plurality of first imaging apparatuses of different models and a plurality of second imaging apparatuses of different models, a plurality of first imaging apparatuses of various models can, in accordance with a predetermined priority order, determine the order in which the plurality of first imaging apparatuses of various models are loaded firmware update packages from the server. The predetermined priority order determination condition may include MAC address priority, serial number priority, network data rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from the network access point. It should be noted that the method for determining the plurality of first imaging apparatuses of different models may be exactly the same, or partially the same, or completely different from the determination condition for the plurality of imaging apparatuses of the same model for determining the main imaging apparatus, which may not be specifically limited. in the present invention.

[98] For example, the imaging devices 311, 312, and 313 may be the same model; and the imaging devices 311, 312, and 313 may be configured as a first set of imaging devices; and according to the firmware download priority in the first set of imaging devices, the imaging device 311 may be defined as the master imaging device, and the imaging devices 312 and 313 can be defined as the slave imaging devices. When the firmware update is performed, the imaging apparatus 311 may download the firmware upgrade package from the server, and the imaging apparatuses 312 and 313 may download the firmware upgrade package from the imaging apparatus 311.

[99] Referring to FIG. 4, fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of another firmware update method presented in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method can be applied to the application scenario described in FIG. 1; and the example shown in FIG. 4 may include three imaging devices, that is, a first imaging device, a second imaging device, and a third imaging device.

[100] In step S401, the first imaging apparatus may transmit an update request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively.

[101] It should be understood that any of the three imaging devices can be used as the master imaging device, and the other two imaging devices can be used as slave imaging devices. As an example, in embodiments of the present invention, the first imaging device may be configured as a master imaging device, and the second imaging device and the third imaging device may be configured as slave imaging devices.

[102] Specifically, step S401 may include step S401a and step S401b. In step S401a, the first imaging apparatus may transmit an update request message to the second imaging apparatus; and in step S401b, the first imaging apparatus may transmit an update request message to the third imaging apparatus. The update request message may be configured to be indicative of whether the second imaging device and the third imaging device need to update the firmware.

[103] In practical applications, the update request message may be a broadcast message; and the broadcast message may contain the model, MAC address, role label, and latest firmware version of the first imaging device, and may be configured to obtain a list of imaging devices that need a firmware update, where the role label may be the master imaging device. Images. Obviously, those skilled in the art can also use unicast or multicast to send an update request message, which cannot be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[104] In an exemplary embodiment, the first imaging device may also receive update request messages transmitted by other imaging devices; the first imaging device can compare its firmware download priority with the firmware download priorities of other imaging devices; if the loading priority of the firmware of the first imaging apparatus is higher than that of other imaging apparatuses, the role mark of the first imaging apparatus can be made as the master imaging apparatus; on the contrary, if the loading priority of the firmware of the first imaging apparatus is lower than the loading priority of the firmware of other imaging apparatuses, the role mark of the first imaging apparatus may be executed as a slave imaging apparatus.

[105] In step S402, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively transmit an update response to the first imaging apparatus.

[106] Specifically, step S402 may include step S402a and step S402b. In step S402a, the second imaging apparatus may send an update response message to the first imaging apparatus; and in step S402b, the third imaging apparatus may transmit an update response message to the first imaging apparatus.

[107] The update response message may include update approval response information or update rejection response information, wherein the update approval response information may be configured to indicate that the second imaging device and/or the third imaging device may agree to the update; and the update rejection response information may be configured to indicate that the second imaging device and/or the third imaging device can reject the update.

[108] As an example, if the second imaging device is a newly acquired imaging device by the user, its firmware may be already the latest version and may not need to be updated, so the update may be rejected; or the second imaging device may reject the update because a special operation is configured or a high security requirement does not allow the network update.

[109] In practical applications, the update response message may be a broadcast message; and the broadcast message may contain the model, MAC address, and role label of the second imaging device or the third imaging device, where the role label is a slave imaging device. Obviously, those skilled in the art can also use unicast or multicast to send an update response message, which cannot be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[110] It should be noted that in some possible embodiments of the invention, it can be assumed that all imaging devices must be updated. Therefore, steps S401 and S402 can be omitted; and the update request and response may not be required between the master imager and the slave imager.

[111] In step S403, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the first wait request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively.

[112] After determining that the firmware update package is downloaded to the server via the first imaging device, in order to prevent the second imaging device and the third imaging device from initiating a request to download the firmware update package to the server, the first imaging device may transmitting the first wait request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively; and the first wait request message may be configured to direct the second imaging device and the third imaging device to wait for the first imaging device to transmit the firmware update package.

[113] Specifically, step S403 may include step S403a and step S403b. In step S403a, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the first wait request message to the second imaging apparatus; and in step S403b, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the first wait request message to the third imaging apparatus.

[114] In practical applications, the first wait request message may be a broadcast message; and the broadcast message may contain the model, MAC address, and role label of the first imaging device, where the role label may be the master imaging device. Obviously, those skilled in the art can also use unicast or multicast to send an update response message (or first wait request message), which cannot be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[115] In step S404, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively transmit the first wait response message to the first imaging apparatus.

[116] After receiving the first wait request message transmitted by the first imaging device, the second imaging device and the third imaging device may respectively transmit the first wait response message to the first imaging device; and the first wait response message may be configured to indicate that the second imaging device and the third imaging device have received the first wait request message.

[117] In particular, step S404 may include step S404a and step S404b. In step S404a, the second imaging apparatus may transmit the first wait response message to the first imaging apparatus; and in step S404b, the third imaging apparatus may transmit the first wait response message to the first imaging apparatus.

[118] In practical applications, the response first waiting message may be a broadcast message; and the broadcast message may contain the model, MAC address, and role label of the second imaging device or the third imaging device, where the role label is a slave imaging device. Obviously, those skilled in the art can also use unicast or multicast to send an update response message (or first wait request message), which cannot be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[119] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, step S404 may be omitted; and after the first imaging device transmits the first wait request message, both the second imaging device and the third imaging device can receive the first wait request message by default.

[120] Obviously, steps S404 and S404 can also be omitted, and all slave imaging devices may not request the server to download the firmware update package.

[121] In step S405, the first imaging apparatus may download the firmware update package from the server.

[122] In practical applications, there may be a plurality of master imaging devices that need to download firmware update packages at the same time, and a plurality of master imaging devices may be queued for download in accordance with the order. In particular, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a queue request; and other master imaging devices may transmit update status messages in response to a queue request. The update status may include downloading, queuing/pending, and the like.

[123] If the first imaging device does not receive the update status message or determines that there is no imaging device currently downloading or queued and waiting in accordance with the received update status message, the firmware update package on the server can be loaded; if the first imaging device determines that there is currently an imaging device that is downloading or queuing and waiting according to the received update status message, the current state may be configured to queue and wait, the state of the previous imaging device can be detected in a predetermined time period, and the first imaging device can start downloading after the previous imaging device has completed downloading. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the order of priority of the imaging devices may be performed in accordance with a priority that may not be described in this document.

[124] In step S406, the first imaging apparatus may perform a firmware update according to the firmware update package.

[125] After the first imaging device finishes downloading the firmware update package, it can save the firmware update package and start the update. Obviously, the first imaging device can also perform firmware update after the firmware update package is distributed, which cannot be limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[126] In step S407, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a second wait request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively.

[127] In practical applications, since the process of updating the firmware of the first imaging device may take a long time, during this period of time, in order to avoid the second imaging device and the third imaging device initiating a request to download the firmware update package to the server , the first imaging apparatus may transmit a second wait request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively; and the second wait request message may be configured to direct the second imaging device and the third imaging device to wait for the first imaging device to transmit the firmware update package.

[128] Specifically, step S407 may include step S407a and step S407b. In step S407a, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a second wait request message to the second imaging apparatus; and in step S407b, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the second wait request message to the third imaging apparatus.

[129] Specific description may refer to the above step S403, which may not be described in this document.

[130] In step S408, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively transmit a second wait response message to the first imaging apparatus.

[131] Specifically, step S408 may include step S408a and step S408b. In step S408a, the second imaging apparatus may transmit a second wait response message to the first imaging apparatus; and in step S408b, the third imaging apparatus may transmit the second wait response message to the first imaging apparatus.

[132] Specific description may refer to the above step S404, which may not be described in this document.

[133] In step S409, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a network request message to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively.

[134] In order to avoid occupying the original network bandwidth, the first imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus, and the third imaging apparatus may independently establish a local area network and transmit the firmware update package via the established local area network.

[135] Specifically, step S409 may include step S409a and step S409b. In step S409a, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a network request message to the second imaging apparatus; and in step S409b, the first imaging apparatus may transmit a network request message to the third imaging apparatus.

[136] In practical applications, the network request message may be a broadcast message, and the broadcast message may contain a service set SSID and password of a hotspot shared by the first imaging device. Obviously, those skilled in the art may also use unicast or multicast to transmit a network request message, which may not be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[137] In step S410, a local area network can be created between the first imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus, and the third imaging apparatus.

[138] The second imaging device and the third imaging device may be connected to a hotspot common to the first imaging device, and a local area network may be established between the first imaging device, the second imaging device, and the third imaging device.

[139] It should be noted that, in an optional embodiment, a local area network may not be established between the first imaging device, the second imaging device, and the third imaging device, but transmission of the firmware update package may be performed via the source network. That is, steps S409 and S410 can be omitted.

[140] In step S411, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively transmit a firmware download request message to the first imaging apparatus.

[141] After a local area network is established between the first imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus, and the third imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively transmit a firmware download request message to the first imaging apparatus through a local computer network; and the firmware download request message may be configured to characterize a firmware upgrade package download request in the first imaging device.

[142] Specifically, step S411 may include step S411a and step S411b. In step S411a, the second imaging apparatus may transmit a firmware download request message to the first imaging apparatus; and in step S411b, the third imaging apparatus may transmit a firmware download request message to the first imaging apparatus.

[143] In practical applications, the firmware download request message may be a unicast message, in which the firmware download request message transmitted by the second imaging device may contain the model, MAC address, and role label of the second imaging device; and the role label of the second imaging device may be a slave imaging device. The firmware download request message transmitted by the third imaging device may include a model, a MAC address, and a role label of the third imaging device; and the role label of the third imaging device may be a slave imaging device. Obviously, those skilled in the art may also transmit the firmware download request message in a broadcast or multicast manner, which cannot be specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[144] It should be noted that, in some possible embodiments, step S411 can be omitted, and after downloading the firmware update package is completed, the first imaging device can actively transmit the firmware update package to the second imaging device and the third imaging device.

[145] In step S402, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the firmware update package to the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus, respectively.

[146] After receiving the firmware download request messages transmitted by the second imaging device and the third imaging device, the first imaging device may transmit the firmware update package to the second imaging device and the third imaging device, respectively.

[147] In particular, step S412 may include step S412a and step S412b. In step S412a, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the firmware update package to the second imaging apparatus; and in step S412b, the first imaging apparatus may transmit the firmware update package to the third imaging apparatus.

[148] In practical applications, in one embodiment of the invention, "transmission of the firmware update package" may be a broadcast of the firmware update package. Obviously, those skilled in the art may also use unicast or multicast to transmit the firmware update package, which cannot be specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, in other communication processes in one embodiment, for example, “firmware update package”, update request message, update response message, wait request, wait response, special network connection request, queue request, update status message, status updates and the like may not be limited to the broadcast packet.

[149] In step S413, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may respectively perform a firmware update according to the firmware update package.

[150] Specifically, step S413 may include step S413a and step S413b. In step S413a, the second imaging apparatus may perform a firmware update according to the firmware update package; and in step S413b, the third imaging apparatus may perform a firmware update according to the firmware update package.

[151] In step S414, after the update is completed, the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus may transmit an update status message to the first imaging apparatus, respectively.

[152] After the update is completed, the second imaging device and the third imaging device may respectively send an update status message to the first imaging device to notify the first imaging device that the update has been completed. In some optional embodiments, the second imaging device and the third imaging device may notify the first imaging device of the update status according to a predetermined period of time.

[153] Specifically, step S414 may include step S414a and step S414b. In step S414a, after the update is completed, the second imaging apparatus may send an update status message to the first imaging apparatus; and in step S414b, after the update is completed, the third imaging apparatus may transmit an update status message to the first imaging apparatus.

[154] In practical applications, the update status message may be a broadcast message, a multicast message, a unicast message, or the like, which may not be specifically limited in embodiments of the present invention.

[155] In step S415, the first imaging apparatus, the second imaging apparatus, and the third imaging apparatus may be restarted, respectively.

[156] After the update is completed, all imaging devices can be restarted individually. In particular, step S415 may include steps S415a, S415b, and S415c. In step S415a, the first imaging apparatus may be restarted; in step S415b, the second imaging apparatus may be restarted; and in step S415c, the third imaging apparatus may be restarted.

[157] It should be noted that the second imaging apparatus and the third imaging apparatus are slave imaging apparatuses and can be restarted, respectively, after completion of the update. The first imaging device is the master imaging device and may need to be restarted after updating of all imaging devices is completed, thereby avoiding affecting the updating of other imaging devices during the restart process.

[158] In embodiments of the present invention, after downloading the firmware update package from the server, the master imaging device can forward the firmware update package to other slave imaging devices, which can avoid all imaging devices from downloading the update package. firmware on the server side, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption on the server side.

[159] In some possible embodiments, the master imaging device may transmit the firmware update package to a plurality of slave imaging devices in a parallel or serial manner; or the firmware update package may be redirected between imaging devices, which may not be limited in embodiments of the present invention. For example, after receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the second imaging device may forward the firmware update package to the fourth imaging device.

[160] In some possible embodiments, the same imaging device may also receive multiple firmware update packages. For example, the second imaging device may receive the first firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device and the second firmware update package transmitted by the third imaging device, respectively. For differentiation, a timestamp may be added to the firmware update package when the firmware update package is transmitted. In particular, the first firmware update package may contain a first timestamp, and the second firmware update package may contain a second timestamp. The second imaging device can determine which firmware update package is used for updating by comparing the timestamps. In particular, if the first timestamp is before the second timestamp, the firmware update can be performed in accordance with the first firmware update package; and if the first time stamp precedes the second time stamp, the firmware update can be performed in accordance with the second firmware update package.

[161] With reference to FIG. 5, fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a first imaging apparatus represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The first image forming apparatus 500 may include a processor 501, a storage device 502, and a communication unit 503. These components can communicate on one or more buses. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the server structure shown in FIG. 5 may not be a limitation of the embodiments of the present invention, which may be a splint structure or a star structure, may also contain more or less components than shown in FIG. 5 may combine certain components or have different component arrangements.

[162] The communication unit 503 may be configured to establish a communication channel so that the storage device can communicate with other devices to receive user data transmitted by other devices or transmit user data to other devices.

[163] The processor 501 may be the control center of the storage device and use various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire system; and various system functions may be performed and/or data may be processed by starting or executing software programs and/or modules stored in memory 502 and retrieving data stored in memory. The processor may be made from an integrated circuit(s) (IC), for example, made from a single stacked IC or a plurality of stacked ICs with the same function or different functions.

[164] The memory 502 may be configured to store the executable instructions of the processor 501. The memory 1804 may be implemented using any type of volatile and nonvolatile memories, or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable constant memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

[165] When the execution instructions in the storage device 502 are executed by the processor 501, the first imaging device 500 may execute part or all of the steps on the first side of the imaging device, for example, on the side of the main imaging device, in the above embodiments of the method.

[166] With reference to FIG. 6, fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a second imaging apparatus represented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The second imaging device 600 may include a processor 601, a memory 602, and a communication unit 603. These components can communicate on one or more buses. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the server structure shown in FIG. 6 cannot be a limitation of the embodiments of the present invention, which may be a splint structure or a star structure, also contain more or less components than shown in FIG. 6 may combine certain components or have different component arrangements.

[167] The communication unit 603 can be configured to establish a communication channel so that the storage device can communicate with other devices to receive user data transmitted by other devices or transmit user data to other devices.

[168] The processor 601 may be the control center of the storage device and use various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire system; and various system functions may be performed and/or data may be processed by running or executing software programs and/or modules stored in memory 602 and recalling data stored in memory. The processor may be made from an integrated circuit(s) (IC), for example, made from a single stacked IC or a plurality of stacked ICs with the same function or different functions.

[169] The memory 602 may be configured to store the execution instructions of the processor 601. The memory 1804 may be implemented using any type of volatile and nonvolatile memories, or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable constant memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

[170] When the execution instructions in the memory 602 are executed by the processor 601, the first imaging apparatus 600 may execute part or all of the steps on the first side of the imaging apparatus, such as the host imaging apparatus side, in the above method embodiments.

[171] According to the above embodiments, embodiments of the present invention further provide a firmware update system. The firmware update system may include the aforementioned first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus; and the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus may be communicatively connected, and the number of the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus may be two or more, which cannot be limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[172] In a particular embodiment, the present invention further provides a computer storage medium on which the computer storage medium can store a program, and when executed, the program can include some or all of the steps in the various embodiments provided herein. The aforementioned storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, read only memory (ROM), or random access memory (RAM).

[173] In a specific embodiment, embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer program product. The computer program product may contain executable instructions, and when the executable instructions are executed on the computer, the computer may perform some or all of the steps in the above method embodiments.

[174] As used herein, the term "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And/or" can describe a relationship of associations of related objects, indicating that three types of relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B may indicate situations where A exists separately, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists separately, where A and B may be singular or plural. The "/" character can generally indicate that the related objects before and after the "/" are in an "or" relationship. "The next at least one element" and similar expressions can refer to any combination of these elements, including any combination of individual elements or plurals. For example, at least one of a, b, and c may be: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[175] Those skilled in the art should note that the blocks and steps of the algorithm described in the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using a combination of electronic hardware, computer software, and electronic hardware. The performance of these functions by hardware or software may depend on specific applications and design conditions of technical solutions. Specialists in the art may use various methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such an implementation should not be considered as going beyond the scope of the present invention.

[176] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for convenience and brevity of description, the particular operating process of the system, device, and device described above may refer to the corresponding method in the above method embodiments, which cannot be described in detail herein.

[177] The above options are only specific embodiments of the present invention. Changes or substitutions that may be readily accepted by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention. The scope of legal protection should be determined by the claims.

Claims (44)

1. A firmware update method applicable to the first imaging device, including: when the server has the firmware update package, downloading the firmware update package from the server; And transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device, the firmware update package being configured to update the firmware of the first imaging device and the second imaging device, wherein receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device includes receiving the first firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the first firmware update package including a first timestamp; the method further includes receiving a second firmware update package transmitted by the third imaging apparatus, the second firmware update package including a second timestamp; performing a firmware update in accordance with the firmware update package, including, if the first time stamp is earlier than the second time stamp, performing a firmware update in accordance with the first firmware update package; and if the first time stamp is more recent than the second time stamp, performing a firmware update in accordance with the second firmware update package. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein before the first imaging device downloads the firmware update package from the server, the method further includes: when the firmware download priority of the first imaging apparatus is higher than the firmware download priority of the second imaging apparatus, determining that the first imaging apparatus is the master imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus is the slave imaging apparatus. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the firmware download priority determination condition includes: media access control (MAC) address priority, serial number priority, network transfer rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from network access point. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging device and the second imaging device are the same model; if there are a plurality of first imaging devices of different models and a plurality of second imaging devices of different models, then a plurality of first imaging devices of different models, in accordance with a predetermined order of priority, determines the download order of the firmware update package from the server for the plurality of first imaging devices various models; and the predetermined priority order determination condition includes MAC address priority, serial number priority, network transmission rate, remaining life, idle frequency, and/or distance from the network access point. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: before transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device: transmitting an update request message to the second imaging apparatus, the update request message being configured to characterize a request as to whether the second imaging apparatus needs to perform a firmware update; And receiving an update response message transmitted by the second imaging apparatus, the update response message including update approval response information or update rejection response information, wherein: transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device specifically includes, if the update response message includes an update approval response information, transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device. 6. The method according to p. 1, further comprising: transmitting a wait request message to the second imaging device, the wait request message being configured to cause the second imaging device to wait for transmission of the firmware update package by the first imaging device. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the wait request message to the second imaging device includes: before downloading the firmware update package to the server, transmitting the first wait request message to the second imaging apparatus; And after downloading the firmware update package to the server, transmitting the second wait request message to the second imaging device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: before transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device: transmitting a network request message to the second imaging device, the network request message being configured to indicate that the first imaging device requests the formation of a local area network with the second imaging device; And formation of a local area network with a second imaging device, wherein: transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device specifically includes transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device via a local area network. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device includes: after adding the time stamp to the firmware update package, transmitting the firmware update package to the second imaging device. 10. A firmware update method applicable to the second imaging apparatus, comprising: receiving a firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the firmware update package being a firmware update package on the server downloaded by the first imaging device; And performing a firmware update in accordance with the firmware update package, wherein receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device includes receiving the first firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device, the first firmware update package including a first timestamp; the method further includes receiving a second firmware update package transmitted by the third imaging apparatus, the second firmware update package including a second timestamp; performing a firmware update in accordance with the firmware update package, including, if the first time stamp is earlier than the second time stamp, performing a firmware update in accordance with the first firmware update package; and if the first time stamp is more recent than the second time stamp, performing a firmware update in accordance with the second firmware update package. 11. The firmware update method of claim 10, further comprising: before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device: receiving an update request message transmitted by the first imaging apparatus, the update request message being configured to indicative of a request as to whether the second imaging apparatus needs to perform a firmware update; And transmitting an update response message to the first imaging device, the update response message including an update approval response information or an update rejection response information. 12. The firmware update method of claim 10, further comprising: before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device: receiving a wait request message transmitted by the first imaging apparatus; And according to the wait request message, waiting for transmission of the firmware update package by the first imaging apparatus. 13. The firmware update method of claim 10, further comprising: before receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device: receiving a network request message transmitted by the first imaging apparatus; And formation of a local area network with the first imaging device, wherein: receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device includes receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device via a local area network. 14. The method for updating the firmware according to claim 10, further comprising upon receiving the firmware update package transmitted by the first imaging device: transmitting the firmware update package to the fourth imaging device, the firmware update package being configured to perform the firmware update on the fourth imaging device.

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