JP2001147815A - Device and system for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device for validly using memory resources in an image forming device capable of down-loading a program, and increasing a function. SOLUTION: The number of times of use of each down-loaded program is counted (S1), and when a request for deletion is issued from a user (S8), or when the idle capacity of a memory is below prescribed amounts (S3), a program designated by a user or a program of which the number of times of use is small is deleted (S5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a file server and an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine which can be connected to a network are connected via the network. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be suitably used for a system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming system having such a configuration, all program files operable on the image forming apparatus are backed up from an initial state in a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk in the apparatus. When updating a program file, a dedicated terminal is directly connected to the device, and the program file is downloaded from the dedicated terminal to the storage device.

[0003]

However, in the conventional configuration, when a program is updated or a new application program (control program) is registered, a dedicated terminal is bothersomely connected to the image forming apparatus to select a necessary program file. It takes time and effort to download, and there is a problem that usability is not desirable.

For this reason, programs that can be executed by the image forming apparatus, such as selective processing, for example, image processing such as sharpness adjustment processing, reduced layout processing, and negative / positive inversion processing, are centrally managed on a network, and necessary programs are managed. A configuration is conceivable in which only a program for realizing the function is downloaded to the image forming apparatus and used.

By adopting such a configuration, there is an advantage that the latest application program can be used at the time of downloading and a dedicated terminal is not required. However, since the downloaded program occupies the memory resources of the image forming apparatus, the program gradually presses the free space of the memory resources as the program is used. Eventually, a program that requires a large amount of memory resources cannot be executed.

Further, even if the program is improved,
It is necessary to actively obtain information on the latest version of the program from the user side and perform the updating process, and the burden on the user for the updating process of the program is still considerable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing memory resources in an image forming apparatus capable of increasing functions by downloading a program. And

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing the functions by downloading a program, in which the program can be easily updated.

[0009]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. , A use frequency measuring means for measuring the use frequency, a program list means for presenting a list of already read programs to the user together with the use frequency, an input means for inputting a user's instruction, and An image forming apparatus includes a program deleting unit for deleting a program selected via an input unit among the programs.

Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside, wherein a memory means and a program which has already been read are stored in a memory. Means for storing program transfer means stored in the means, free space detecting means for detecting free space in the memory means, and comparing the free capacity with a predetermined capacity value. And a free space control unit for deleting a program satisfying a predetermined condition from the memory unit.

Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. Use frequency measuring means for measuring, the frequency of use, the program that satisfies the predetermined frequency, the update necessity determination means for determining whether or not the program is the latest, if the program that satisfies the predetermined frequency is not the latest, An image forming apparatus includes an updating unit that reads a corresponding latest program from the outside and replaces the program with a program that satisfies a predetermined frequency.

Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. Use frequency measuring means for measuring, the frequency of use, the program that satisfies the predetermined frequency, the update necessity determination means for determining whether or not the program is the latest, if the program that satisfies the predetermined frequency is not the latest, An image forming apparatus is characterized in that it has an updating unit that reads a corresponding latest program from the outside in response to a user's instruction and replaces the program with a program satisfying a predetermined frequency.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus of the present invention and an information processing apparatus capable of using the image forming apparatus are connected via a network.

Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus of the present invention and an information processing apparatus capable of using the image forming apparatus are connected via a network, wherein a program for storing a program is provided. An image forming system further comprises a server means and a search server means for storing information on a storage location of the program.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. The program code of the program list step for presenting a list of programs to be provided to the user, the program code of the reception step for receiving the user's instruction, and the program code of the reception step selected from the already read programs. And a program code for a program deleting step of deleting the program.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside, wherein the storage medium has already read the program. The program code of the program transfer step of storing the program in the memory means of the image forming apparatus, the program code of the free space detection step of detecting the free capacity of the memory means, and the free capacity and a predetermined capacity value are compared. If the free space is small, a storage medium characterized by having a free space control step of deleting a program satisfying a predetermined condition from the already read programs from the memory means.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. Program code for a use frequency measuring step for measuring the use frequency of each program, and program code for an update necessity determination step for determining whether or not the program whose use frequency satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one. And a program code of an update process for reading a corresponding latest program from the outside when the program satisfying the predetermined frequency is not the latest one and replacing the program with the program satisfying the predetermined frequency. .

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside. Program code for a use frequency measuring step for measuring the use frequency of each program, and program code for an update necessity determination step for determining whether or not the program whose use frequency satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one. And a program code of an update step of reading a corresponding latest program from the outside according to a user instruction when a program satisfying a predetermined frequency is not the latest one, and replacing the program with a program satisfying the predetermined frequency. Storage medium.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, an image forming apparatus refers to an apparatus having an image forming function and / or an image input function.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a use form of an image forming system using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the image forming system is a network,
In FIG. 1, a local area network (hereinafter called LA)
N) An information processing apparatus such as a host computer 108, a file server 113, a search server 114, etc., and an image forming apparatus 100 are connected via an N) 107.

The image forming system is connected via a firewall 112 to a communication network or an external network, in this case, the Internet 109. A service provider 111 and a web server 110 are connected to the Internet 109. Web server 110
Provides a specific service to the user of the Internet 109. The service provider 111 performs a connection process between the personal user terminal and the Internet 109. The firewall 112 is located on the left side of the LAN 1
07 and an external communication network (Internet 109)
Perform security management, etc.

FIG. 1 shows a case where a so-called multi-function device is used as the image forming apparatus 100.

The multifunction device 100 includes a scanner 101 for reading an original image recorded on paper or the like.
The printer 102 outputs the read image or image data sent from a connected local area network (hereinafter, LAN) 107 to a medium such as paper, and further controls the operations of the scanner 101 and the printer 102 to perform various operations. Controller 103 for performing various image processing, operation unit 10 for providing the user with device operations
And a hard disk 105, a memory 106, etc., which are means for temporarily or permanently storing image data and processing programs.

In such a multi-function device, the original image read by the scanner 101 is
In the case of outputting at 02, not only the original image is output (copied) as it is, but also, for example, a negative / positive inversion process,
Various image processing such as reduced layout processing and trimming processing can be performed on document image data and output.

In addition to the output of the original image, the image data read by the scanner 101 is transferred to another device, for example, a host computer 108 via the LAN 107. On the other hand, a document created on the host computer 108 is transferred to the printer 102. Can also be output. Furthermore, the multi-function device 100 also has a function of transmitting a document image to a remote facsimile device using a fax transmission device (not shown).

The multifunction device 100 is a LAN
10baseT with eg RJ45 connector to 107
And the like via a LAN interface.
Also, a plurality of host computers such as a host computer 108 and a plurality of servers such as a file server 113 that manages access to files stored in a storage device such as a hard disk (not shown) are connected to the LAN 107. 100 and communication is possible.

(Process of Storing Program File) Next, the process of storing a program file created by the host computer 108 in the file server 113 in the network shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the host computer 108 creates a program file operable on the multifunction device 100, it transfers the created program file to the file server 113 via the LAN 107 by using a protocol such as FTP (arrow). Host computer 1
08 is preferably H
It is created using an application language that can be easily used on a computer network, such as TML or Java.
Program file storage location (file directory /
Path) is specified by the host computer 108.

The file server 113 stores the program file transmitted from the host computer 108 in a recording device (not shown) corresponding to the designated directory. Further, the host computer 108 notifies the search server 114 of the storage location information of the program file transferred to the file server 113 (arrow).

At this time, the host computer 108 preferably stores the program file storage location information in the HTTP file.
URL used in (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
notification in the form of (iform Resource Locator). For example, if the address of the file server 113 is “www.pipi”
t. canon. co. jp ”, the file server 113
If the path indicating the storage location of the program file inside the storage device is “pmfp / japan /” and the program file name is “index.html”, “www.pipit.canon.c” is stored as the storage destination information.
o. jp / pmfp / japan / index. htm
l ″ is stored in the search server 114.

In the present embodiment, the path “pmfp / japan /” indicating the storage location includes an identifier (described later) of a multi-function device on which the stored program file can operate, and the search server 114 uses the host computer. When the storage location information of the program file notified from the storage 108 is stored or when the program file storage location requested from the multi-function device 100 or the like is inquired, the identifier is used to shorten the response time and efficiently store the storage location information. Management can be realized.

(Searching Process of Program File) Next, referring to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a process of searching for a program file stored in the recording device of the file server 113.

When the storage location of a program file operable on the multifunction device 100 is unknown, such as when the multifunction device 100 is powered on or initialized, a packet is sent on the LAN 107 to inquire about the storage location of the program file. (Arrow). This packet includes the device identifier of the transmission source, and is transmitted as an unspecified destination by a broadcast or multicast method. The search server 114 connected to the network receives the packet transmitted from the multifunction device 100, and based on the device identifier of the transmission source included in the packet and the program file storage destination information stored in the search server 114 Inquires the storage location of the program file requested by the multifunction device 100, and notifies the result to the multifunction device 100 via the LAN 107 (arrow).

In the example of FIG. 3, the multifunction device 100 uses “Device Type” as the device identifier.
e: = pmfp, Country: = Japan ”is transmitted on the LAN 107 and the search server 1
14 are device identifiers “pmfp” and “Japan”
A search is made for a program file that matches n ″, and if there is data that matches, address (URL) data indicating the storage location of the program file is transmitted to the multifunction device 100.

In the present embodiment, the storage destination address is "www.pipit.canon.co.jp/
pmfp / japan / "is transmitted to the multifunction device 100. When the program file name is fixed, or when the program file name corresponds one-to-one with the device identifier, a file name is added as a storage destination address. The address “www. pipet. canon. co. jp
/ Pmfp / japan / index. html ". When there are a plurality of storage destination addresses, even if a plurality of addresses are transmitted, only an address having a higher priority may be transmitted according to a predetermined condition.

The type of the device identifier, the identifier used to represent the storage location, and the order of representing the storage location (for example, Device Type / Country) are determined in the image forming system in advance. Keep it.

(Program Acquisition Process) Next, a case where a program operable on the multi-function device according to the present invention is acquired from a file server connected to a network and executed will be described with reference to FIG.

The information on the storage location of the program file is obtained by the procedure described with reference to FIG. 3 or the operation from the operation panel or the like included in the operation unit 104 of the multifunction device 100 in advance, and the program file storage location information Then, a packet for requesting the acquisition of the program file is transmitted to the file server 113 (arrow).

In this embodiment, "ht" is included in the request packet.
tp: // www. pipet. canon. co. j
p / pmfp / japan / index. html "indicates the address of the file server 113 and the storage location of the program file in the storage device. In the file server 113, according to the contents of the packet of the acquisition request received from the multifunction device 100, A program file (index.html in the present embodiment) is transmitted from the storage device (arrow).

In the multi-function device 100, the program file transferred from the file server 113 is operated by the CPU 501 (FIG. 5) using a program file interpreter stored in the hard disk 104, the ROM 503 (FIG. 5) or the like inside the multi-function device 100. , Translate and execute.

Preferably, the program file obtained from the file server is described in accordance with the HTML format shown in FIG. 4, and the program file can be associated (linked) with another program file. By describing the storage location information of the program in the program file, control is realized such that the program is acquired according to the storage location information when the subprogram is needed.

If you do not know the program name,
When a desired program is to be selected from a plurality of programs, a packet for requesting transmission of a program list is transmitted to the file server, and displayed on the operation unit 104 or the like. Packets may be transmitted. The request packet of the program list includes “http: // www.
pipet. canon. co. jp / pmfp / ja
pan / ". The file server 113 responds to this supply by providing a file path... pmfp / ja
File list (directory) stored in pan /
Will be returned.

(Configuration of Device Controller) FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a device controller 103 included in the multifunction device 100.

Reference numeral 501 denotes the multifunction device 100
A CPU that performs overall control, and sequentially reads and executes device control procedures (control programs) from a ROM 503 such as a flash memory. An address bus and a data bus of the CPU 501 are connected to respective loads via a bus driver circuit and an address decoder circuit of 502. Reference numeral 504 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data, a work storage area, and the like.

Reference numerals 505, 506, and 507 denote CPs included in the operation unit 104, the scanner 101, and the printer 102, respectively.
A dual port RAM (DPRAM) for communicating between the U (not shown) and the CPU 501 and for exchanging data between them, and has a configuration in which data can be written and read asynchronously. 508, a LAN controller;
Controls communication with each device connected to the.

On the other hand, image data read by the scanner 101 is binarized by a binarization circuit 509 of, for example, an error diffusion system and is constituted by, for example, a DRAM, and a memory control for controlling data transfer to the memory 106 and the hard disk 105. Input to the circuit 510. Then, in the compression / decompression circuit 511, for example, a known L
After being compressed by the Z method, it is stored in the hard disk 105.

When the image data is output by the printer 102, the compressed image data stored in the hard disk 105 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 511 and then sent to the memory control circuit 510. 106. The CPU 501 reads the image data stored in the memory 106, converts the binary data into, for example, 8-bit multivalued data, and performs various image processing such as scaling processing, filter processing, and γ conversion processing.

The image data processed by the CPU 501 is once again binarized and then temporarily stored in the memory 106 for output to the printer 102. Memory 106
Is input to a smoothing circuit 512 for reducing jaggies in the image via a memory control circuit 510, and after being subjected to a smoothing process,
Output to the printer 102.

(Program Deletion Processing) Next, the program management processing in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, the program once downloaded is stored in the hard disk 105, and at the time of startup (or at the time of download),
And occupies a predetermined memory resource determined for each program. Therefore, as the operating time of the device increases, the total number of functions generally used increases.
The number of programs read into the memory also increases, and the programs gradually pressurize the free space of the memory resources.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the number of executions of each program is accumulated, the result can be displayed to the user, and a function for deleting an arbitrary program is implemented, so that the memory resources in the multifunction device can be used. This is to achieve effective utilization. The following processing can be performed when the multifunction device is idle.

First, the multifunction device counts the number of executions for each program (step S1).
That is, the number of executions is counted for each program of the sharpness adjustment processing, the reduced layout processing, the negative / positive inversion processing, and the like, and stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk 105, for example. Also, it is monitored whether or not a request for displaying the number of times has been made by, for example, a user operation from the operation unit 104 (step S2).
If not, go to step S3.

When a display request from the user is detected in step S2, the program is sorted by the number of times of use, and the program name (function name) and the number of times of use are displayed on a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function of the operation unit 104 (step S7). .
FIG. 7 shows an actual display example. For example, when the user operates the numeric keypad or the touch panel of the operation unit 104 to select a desired program and instructs deletion, the program is erased from the hard disk 105 and the memory 106, and if necessary, a memory space area is deleted. (Step S9), and the process returns to step S1.

In step S8, when there is no deletion instruction for a predetermined time, or when the "return" button is pressed on the display screen shown in FIG. 7, no deletion instruction is given by pressing a cancel button (not shown) or the like. in case of,
The process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, in step S3, the free space of the memory 106 is checked.
In accordance with the possibility that the free space becomes insufficient at the time of execution of any of the programs loaded in the program, it is checked whether or not a predetermined free space, which is a fixed value determined separately, is satisfied. Then, if there is a free space of a predetermined capacity, the process returns to step S1.

If there is no free space of the predetermined capacity, the program names (function names) are sorted by the number of times of use, as in step S7 (step S4). Then, the program that uses the least number of times is deleted (step S5). When performing the deletion process, you do not need to notify the user,
"Since memory space is running low, we will remove unused XX functions. Are you sure?"
Or the like may be displayed on the operation unit 104 to obtain the user's approval.

Next, in step S6, it is checked whether or not the free space in the memory is equal to or more than the predetermined amount. If the free space is still less than the predetermined amount, the process returns to step S5 again to continue the deletion process. When the free space becomes equal to or more than the predetermined amount, the process returns to step S1.

As described above, since the program can be deleted based on the frequency of use of the program (or based on the user's judgment), a processing abnormality or the like due to a decrease in free memory space due to an increase in the number of downloaded programs can be prevented. Can be prevented.

(Program Update Processing) Next, the program update processing in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the following description, a case will be described in which the number of times a program is used is managed for each user of the multifunction device. Specifically, a user ID and information for each user are recorded on a magnetic card or the like issued for each user, such as a so-called copy card, and the multifunction device is provided with a reading device. For example, it is possible to exemplify a configuration in which information for each user is recorded in the same manner, the user inputs an ID number via the operation unit 104, and the corresponding user information is read from the hard disk.

Each time the multifunction device is used, the number of times each program used in the multifunction device is used is counted for each input user ID. For example, if user A has set sharpness adjustment processing and reduced layout processing when copying using a multifunction device,
The count value of the user A of the program corresponding to the sharpness adjustment processing and the reduced layout processing is counted up (step S11).

If there is a program used more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, it is checked whether there is a program used more than 50 times in 10 days (step S12). Here, for example, it is assumed that the sharpness adjustment processing program meets the condition.

Then, the multifunction device 100
Checks the version of the sharpness adjustment processing program, inquires of the file server 113 about the version of the same file stored in the file server 113, and compares the two (step S13).

As a result of the comparison, when the program in the file server 113 is a newer version (step S
14) Notify the user of the message (step S)
15). The notice, for example, displays "The sharpness adjustment processing is often used, but the current sharpness adjustment processing program is not the latest. Is it OK to update to the latest?" User is O
If K is set, the sharpness adjustment processing program is downloaded again by the above-described program download processing, and the old program is deleted (step S1).
6).

Further, a program that has been used a predetermined number of times or more in a predetermined period without notifying the user can be automatically updated.

[0066]

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the program deletion processing is performed based on the display instruction of the user or the free space in the idle state. For example, a very large image data output request is issued from a device on the network. When there is a shortage (or shortage) of the free space in the memory during the binarization process or the like, steps S4 to S4 are performed.
The program deletion processing shown in S6 may be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the frequency of use of a program was measured for each user and used as a reference for executing a program update process. The frequency may be measured and used as an execution reference for the program update process.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIG. 6 and / or FIG. 8).

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the downloaded program can be deleted according to the frequency of use of the downloaded program or the user's selection, finite memory resources can be effectively used.

Further, according to the present invention, the updating process of a frequently used program is automatically performed.
The user's labor is greatly reduced, and frequently used programs can be always kept up to date.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage pattern of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing a program file in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a search process of a program file in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a program file acquisition process in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a device controller 103 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a program deletion process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list display in a program deletion process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a program update process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 Multifunction device 103 Device controller 104 Operation unit 107 LAN (Local Area Network) 108 Host computer 113 File server 114 Search server

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 9/06 410Q 5C062 9/06 410 H04N 1/00 C H04N 1/00 G06F 9/06 420C F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 CQ24 CQ34 HK11 HK23 HN04 HN15 HQ06 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AB06 BA14 BB10 BC04 BC06 BC07 BC14 CB16 2H027 DA44 DE07 EC10 EE07 EE08 H03 FC02 GA13 FC04 ZA09 5B021 AA01 BB00 BB01 DD12 DD14 5B076 AB09 AB17 AC03 5C062 AA05 AA06 AA13 AA29 AA35 AB20 AB22 AB38 AB42 AC06 AC22 AC23 AC41 AC43 AC51 AC58 AF00 BA00

Claims (15)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from the outside, wherein each of the programs already read is
Usage frequency measurement means for measuring usage frequency, program list means for presenting a list of the already read programs to the user together with the usage frequency, input means for inputting a user's instruction, An image forming apparatus comprising: a program deleting unit that deletes a program selected via the input unit from among the programs. 2. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from outside, comprising: a memory unit; and a program storing the already read program in the memory unit. Transfer means, free space detecting means for detecting the free space of the memory means, comparing the free capacity with a predetermined capacity value, and when the free capacity is small, among the already read programs, An image forming apparatus comprising: a free space control unit that deletes a program satisfying a predetermined condition from the memory unit. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a use frequency measuring unit configured to measure a use frequency of each of the already read programs, wherein a program satisfying the predetermined condition is a program with the least use frequency. Claim 2
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from outside, wherein a usage frequency measurement is performed for each of the programs already read. Means, an update necessity judging means for judging whether or not the use frequency satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one; and if the program satisfies the predetermined frequency is not the latest one, Read the program from outside,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an updating unit that replaces a program satisfying the predetermined frequency. 5. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to a program by reading the program from outside, wherein a usage frequency measurement is performed for each of the programs already read. Means, an update necessity judging means for judging whether or not the frequency of use satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one; and an instruction of a user when the program satisfying the predetermined frequency is not the latest one. An image forming apparatus comprising: an updating unit that reads the latest program corresponding to the program from the outside and replaces the program with a program that satisfies the predetermined frequency. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the use frequency measuring unit measures the use frequency for each user of the image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for realizing an image processing function. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading function. 9. An image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and an information processing apparatus capable of using the image forming apparatus are connected via a network. 10. An image forming system in which the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and an information processing apparatus that can use the image forming apparatus are connected via a network, An image forming system, further comprising: a program server for storing the program; and a search server for storing information on a storage location of the program. 11. An image forming system in which the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 and an information processing apparatus that can use the image forming apparatus are connected via a network, A program server for storing the program, wherein the update necessity determination means determines update necessity from information on a program corresponding to the program satisfying the predetermined frequency stored in the program server. An image forming system, comprising: 12. A storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to the program by reading the program from the outside, wherein:
A program code of a use frequency measuring step for measuring a use frequency, a program code of a program list step for presenting a list of the already read programs together with the use frequency to a user, and a receiving step of receiving a user instruction. A storage medium comprising: a program code; and a program code of a program deleting step of deleting a program selected via the program code of the receiving step among the programs already read. 13. A storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to the program by reading the program from the outside, wherein the already read program is stored in the image storage device. Comparing a program code of a program transfer step stored in a memory unit of the forming apparatus with a program code of a free space detecting step of detecting a free space of the memory unit, and comparing the free space with a predetermined capacity value; A storage medium comprising: a program code for a free space control step of deleting a program satisfying a predetermined condition from the already read programs when the free space is small. 14. A storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to the program by reading the program from outside, wherein each of the already read programs is A program code of a use frequency measuring step of measuring a use frequency; a program code of an update necessity determining step of determining whether or not the program whose use frequency satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one; If the program that satisfies the frequency is not up-to-date, load the corresponding up-to-date program from the outside,
A storage medium, comprising: a program code for an update step of replacing a program satisfying the predetermined frequency. 15. A storage medium storing a control program code of an image forming apparatus capable of executing a function corresponding to the program by reading the program from the outside, wherein each of the programs already read is stored. A program code of a use frequency measuring step of measuring a use frequency; a program code of an update necessity determining step of determining whether or not the program whose use frequency satisfies a predetermined frequency is the latest one; If the program that satisfies the frequency is not the latest one, a program code of an update step of reading the corresponding latest program from the outside according to a user's instruction and replacing the program with the program that satisfies the predetermined frequency is provided. Storage medium.