System comprising host device that determines compatibility of firmware for connected peripheral device and downloads optimum firmware if peripheral device is not compatible

• US 6,754,723 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Kato, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US09/773,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/222, 709/223, 709/228, 709/230, 710/8, 710/10, 710/11, 710/16, 711/103
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00

Abstract

In a system comprising a host device and at least one peripheral device connected to the host device, suitable firmware to allow combined operation of both devices is selected and downloaded from among a plurality of firmware stored in memory using the identification codes of each device. As a result, devices which heretofore were incompatible can operation in combination. Furthermore, functions previously unavailable can be used.

Claims

1. A host device to which at least one of peripheral devices is connected, said host device comprising:

an interface which connects a peripheral device with a current firmware;

a memory which stores firmware of the peripheral devices;

a decision unit which decides whether or not the connected peripheral device can operate in combination with the host device with the current firmware; and

a download unit which downloads optimum firmware among the firmware stored in the memory to the connected peripheral device in place of the current firmware when the decision unit decides the connected peripheral device with the current firmware can not operate in combination with the host device, wherein the host device is a printer.

2. The host device as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the host device and the peripheral devices have an identification code, the identification code of the connected peripheral device is received through the interface, and the decision unit makes its decision based on the identification codes.

3. The host device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the download unit downloads latest firmware if any, even though the decision unit decides the connected peripheral device can operate in combination with the host device.

4. A system having a host device, a peripheral device and an external device, said system comprising:

a network which the host device, the peripheral device with a current firmware and the external device are connected through;

a memory provided in the external device, said memory storing firmware of peripheral devices;

a decision unit, in the host device, which decides whether or not the peripheral device with the current firmware can operate in combination with the host device; and

a download unit, in the host device, which downloads optimum firmware, among the firmware stored in the memory, to the peripheral device in place of the current firmware when the decision unit decides the peripheral device with the current firmware can not operate in combination with the host device, wherein the host device is a printer.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein both of the host device and the peripheral device have an identification code and the decision unit makes its decision based on the identification codes.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the download unit downloads latest firmware if any, even though the decision unit decides the peripheral device can operate in combination with the host device.

7. A firmware updating method used in a network system through which a host device and a peripheral device are connected, said firmware updating method comprising the steps of:

deciding, in the host device, whether or not the peripheral device with a current firmware can operate in combination with the host device; and

downloading, from the host device, optimum firmware to the peripheral device in place of the current firmware of the peripheral device, when the deciding step decides the peripheral device with the current firmware can not operate in combination with the host device, wherein the host device is a printer.

8. The firmware updating method as claimed in claim 7, wherein both of the host device and the peripheral device have an identification code and the deciding step makes its decision based on the identification codes.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the download step downloads latest firmware if any, even though the deciding step decides the peripheral device can operate in combination with the host device.