Automatic remote firmware upgrade

摘要

An imaging system including firmware is disclosed. The imaging system includes a communications device adapted and constructed to facilitate communication between the imaging device and a remote source of information. An automatic remote firmware update mechanism is adapted to selectively and automatically retrieve firmware upgrade information from the remote source of information via the communications device. The automatic remote firmware update mechanism can also selectively and automatically install the firmware upgrade information into the firmware of the imaging system. The automatic remote firmware update mechanism can form a part of firmware installed in the imaging system. The communications device can be provided as a modem, or as a network interface card. The imaging system can also include a flag mechanism for storing a value corresponding to an update trigger parameter. A flag parameter update mechanism can be provided to incrementally increase the update trigger parameter in response to a sensed condition. A trigger mechanism is adapted to actuate the automatic remote firmware update mechanism to automatically retrieve firmware upgrade information when the update trigger parameter reaches a predetermined update value. The sensed condition can be a condition such as page count through the imaging system, or the passage of a predetermined amount of time. The imaging system is also adapted to periodically check the update trigger parameter, and to compare downloaded firmware upgrade information to existing firmware to determine the necessity of installing the downloaded firmware upgrade information. A method of updating firmware is also provided.