Electronic apparatus, version checking system and recording medium

A version checking system comprising:

• an electronic apparatus;
• a managing apparatus that is capable of communicating with the electronic apparatus;
• and
• an information-distributing server;
• wherein
• the managing apparatus has a panel unit;
• the electronic apparatus comprises:
• a storage device that stores firmware that is divided according to function and that controls standard installed functions that are correlated with model-identification information that corresponds to the user-identification information, and firmware that controls functions of added optional apparatuses;
• a first firmware-managing unit that manages firmware information that includes each version of the respective firmware stored in the storage device;
• and
• a first system-control unit that, when there is an update instruction via the panel unit, requests the information-distributing server to perform an update that includes the model-identification information;
• the information-distributing server is a server that distributes firmware that corresponds to a combination of the most recent versions of the respective firmware that is correlated with the model-identification information, and comprises:
• a second firmware-managing unit that manages a combination of versions of firmware for each function;
• and
• a second system-control unit that transmits firmware corresponding to a specified combination to the electronic apparatus;
• the first system-control unit updates the firmware that is stored in the storage device to firmware that corresponds to a combination of the most recent versions that are downloaded from the information-distributing server;
• the first firmware-managing unit changes the versions of the firmware information;
• and
• the second firmware-managing unit,
• when there are plural combinations that include the largest amount of the most recent versions of firmware that is correlated with the model-identification information,
• compares the version information of firmware for each function type among the plural combinations, and
• specifies a combination that includes the largest amount of the newest versions of firmware.

A version checking system comprising:

• an electronic apparatus;
• a managing apparatus that is capable of communicating with the electronic apparatus;
• and
• an information-distributing server;
• wherein
• the managing apparatus has a panel unit;
• the electronic apparatus comprises:
• a storage device that stores firmware that is divided according to function and that controls standard installed functions that are correlated with model-identification information that corresponds to the user-identification information, and firmware that controls functions of added optional apparatuses;
• a first firmware-managing unit that manages firmware information that includes each version of the respective firmware stored in the storage device;
• and
• a first system-control unit that, when there is an update instruction via the panel unit, requests the information-distributing server to perform an update that includes the model-identification information;
• the information-distributing server is a server that distributes firmware that corresponds to a combination of the most recent versions of the respective firmware that is correlated with the model-identification information, and comprises:
• a second firmware-managing unit that manages a combination of versions of firmware for each function;
• and
• a second system-control unit that transmits firmware corresponding to a specified combination to the electronic apparatus;
• the first system-control unit updates the firmware that is stored in the storage device to firmware that corresponds to a combination of the most recent versions that are downloaded from the information-distributing server;
• the first firmware-managing unit changes the versions of the firmware information;
• and
• the second firmware-managing unit,
• when there are plural combinations that include the largest amount of the most recent versions of firmware that is correlated with the model-identification information,
• specifies a combination that includes a larger amount of the most recent versions of firmware than the versions of firmware that corresponds to the user-identification information.