Updating firmware by scanning a printed sheet

• US 8,328,100 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gordon, Gerald S., LaRocque, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tieu, Benny Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rust, Eric A
• Application Number:
  US11/734,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20080256344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 235/462.07, 235/472.01, 717/174
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Embodiments herein include a method, service, apparatus, etc., that sets at least one integrated circuit board (that has programmable elements) to a programming state. When such programmable elements are set to the programming state, they are capable of being changed. Once the programmable elements are set to be changed, at least one printed sheet is scanned. The scanning can be preformed using any scanner that is operatively connected to the integrated circuit board through, for example, a processor. Again, the printed data (e.g., the barcodes or glyphs or other computer-only readable markings) on the printed sheet comprises the reprogramming data. The processor reads the barcodes or glyphs from the bitmap generated by the scanner, and executes the reprogramming data to change the logical instructions and data maintained within the programmable elements.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

setting at least one integrated circuit board having firmware programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said firmware programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain firmware logical instructions;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data;

changing said firmware logical instructions maintained within said firmware programmable elements in said integrated circuit board using said reprogramming data while said scanner is prevented from being in communications with any other device; and

obtaining different firmware logical instructions from said printed data,

wherein said changing of said firmware logical instructions comprises altering said firmware programmable elements to remove previously stored firmware logical instructions from at least one firmware programmable element of said firmware programmable elements and to install said different firmware logical instructions in said at least one firmware programmable element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising setting said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state after performing said changing of said firmware logical instructions.

5. A method comprising:

setting at least one integrated circuit board having firmware programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said firmware programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain firmware logical instructions;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board through a processor, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data;

reading said reprogramming data using said processor;

executing said reprogramming data using said processor to change said firmware logical instructions maintained within said firmware programmable elements in said integrated circuit board while said scanner is prevented from being in communications with any other device; and

obtaining different firmware logical instructions from said printed data,

wherein said executing of said reprogramming data comprises altering said firmware programmable elements to remove previously stored firmware logical instructions from at least one firmware programmable element of said firmware programmable elements and to install said different firmware logical instructions in said at least one firmware programmable element.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising deactivating said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state after performing said changing of said firmware logical instructions.

9. An apparatus comprising:

at least one integrated circuit comprising firmware programmable elements, wherein said firmware programmable elements comprise hardware that maintains firmware logical instructions;

a processor operatively connected to said firmware programmable elements;

at least one switch operatively connected to said processor, wherein said switch sets said firmware programmable elements to a programming state; and

a scanner operatively connected to said processor;

wherein said scanner scans at least one printed sheet,

wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data,

wherein, in response to activation of said switch, said processor reads said reprogramming data and changes said firmware logical instructions maintained within said firmware programmable elements in said integrated circuit board based on said reprogramming data while said scanner is prevented from being in communications with any other device,

wherein said processor obtains different firmware logical instructions from said printed data,

wherein when changing said firmware logical instructions, said processor alters said firmware programmable elements to remove previously stored firmware logical instructions from at least one firmware programmable element of said firmware programmable elements and installs said different firmware logical instructions in said at least one firmware programmable element.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said switch is further adapted to set said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state.

13. An apparatus comprising:

at least one integrated circuit board comprising firmware programmable read only memory elements, wherein said firmware programmable read only memory elements comprise hardware that maintains firmware logical instructions;

a processor on said integrated circuit board, wherein said processor is operatively connected to said programmable read only memory elements;

at least one switch operatively connected to said processor, wherein said switch sets said

programmable read only memory elements to a programming state; and

a scanner operatively connected to said processor;

wherein said scanner scans at least one printed sheet, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data,

wherein, in response to activation of said switch, said processor reads said reprogramming data and changes said firmware logical instructions maintained within said programmable read only memory elements in said integrated circuit board based on said reprogramming data while said scanner is prevented from being in communications with any other device,

wherein said processor obtains different firmware logical instructions from said printed data,

wherein when changing said firmware logical instructions, said processor alters said programmable read only memory elements to remove previously stored firmware logical instructions from at least one firmware programmable element of said firmware programmable elements and installs said different firmware logical instructions in said at least one firmware programmable element.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

setting at least one integrated circuit board having firmware programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said firmware programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain firmware logical instructions;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data;

changing said firmware logical instructions maintained within said firmware programmable elements in said integrated circuit board using said reprogramming data while said scanner is prevented from being in communications with any other device, and

obtaining different firmware logical instructions from said printed data,

wherein said changing of said firmware logical instructions and data comprises altering said firmware programmable elements to remove previously stored firmware logical instructions from at least one firmware programmable element of said firmware programmable elements and to install said different firmware logical instructions in said at least one firmware programmable element.