Software upgrades from a printer module with on-board intelligence

In a printing apparatus, a method of operating a replaceable module, the method comprising:

• installing the replaceable module in the printing apparatus:
• allowing a processor element on board the replaceable module to interrogate the printing apparatus, wherein the interrogating includes identifying previously installed replaceable modules;
• determining which software components in the printing apparatus need to be upgraded, independent of whether the module has been replaced, by comparing software currently installed in the printing apparatus with available software upgrades;
• accessing external memory to retrieve and load any necessary software code components for an upgrade;
• automatically installing the software code into the printing apparatus by the processor element in the replaceable module so that a field engineer or other individual need not perform the software upgrade for the printing apparatus;
• monitoring the progress of the software upgrade;
• reporting any fault occurring during the upgrade to an apparatus operator;
• placing a service call to a field engineer if the upgrade is unsuccessful;
• and
• returning the printing apparatus to normal operating mode when the software upgrade is complete.

In a printing apparatus, a method of operating a replaceable module having a processor element on board the replaceable module, the method comprising:

• installing the replaceable module in the printing apparatus:
• placing the printing apparatus into diagnostic mode;
• allowing a processor element on board the replaceable module to interrogate the printing apparatus;
• interrogating said printing apparatus by comparing currently installed software and current machine status with available software upgrades, independent of whether the replaceable module has been replaced;
• determining from the interrogation which software components in the printing apparatus need to be upgraded;
• automatically scheduling as determined by the processor element when a software upgrade should occur;
• accessing external memory as directed by the processor element in order to retrieve and load necessary software code components to perform an upgrade;
• installing the software code into the printing apparatus by the processor element in the replaceable module;
• monitoring the progress of the software upgrade;
• reporting any fault occurring during the upgrade to an apparatus operator;
• placing a service call to a field engineer if the upgrade is unsuccessful;
• and
• returning the printing apparatus to normal operating mode when the software upgrade is complete.