Patent ID: 8626920

Claim:
A network system comprising a server, a plurality of computers that can communicate with the server through a first network, and a peripheral that can communicate with the plurality of computers through a second network, wherein the server comprises a firmware storage unit which stores a firmware, wherein the peripheral comprises a first processor comprising hardware and first memory storing computer readable instructions causing, when executed by the first processor, the peripheral to: select one computer from among the plurality of computers; communicate with the selected computer, and transmit a request for providing the firmware to the selected computer; and update the firmware of the peripheral, wherein each of the plurality of computers comprises a second processor comprising hardware and second memory storing computer readable instruction causing, when executed by the second processor, the computer to: retrieve the firmware stored in the firmware storage unit of the server by communicating with the server upon reception of the providing request from the peripheral; provide the retrieved firmware by communicating with the peripheral transmitting the providing request; select whether or not the computer becomes a firmware provider for the peripheral transmitting the providing request upon receipt of the providing request; and notify the peripheral transmitting the providing request that firmware cannot be provided if the computer is not selected to become a firmware provider, wherein the firmware of the peripheral is updated to the provided firmware, and wherein if the computer is selected to become the firmware provider, the computer communicates with the server, and wherein if the computer is not selected to become a firmware provider, the computer does not communicate with the server.