Method for executing a software updating process and computer for implementing the method

摘要

A method to update firmware in a plurality of peripheral devices and a computer using the method to reduce data transmission collisions and to reduce the time required to complete the update process. The process involves sending firmware update data from a computer that is connected to a communication network to printers or other peripheral devices that are also connected to the communication network. The computer 11 groups a plurality of peripheral devices (such as printers 13 a 1 ) connected to the communication network into separate transmission unit groups each containing up to a maximum number of peripheral devices. The maximum number may be a predefined number or a number set according to the transmission speed of the network. The update data for updating the firmware is transmitted to the peripheral devices of any one transmission unit group. Thereafter update data is sequentially transmitted to the peripheral devices in another transmission unit group but not until the completion of transmitting the update data to all of the peripheral devices in the first transmission unit group is confirmed.