JP2004129047A - Image forming device, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the provision of an image forming device, which is changed in loaded program constitution, with a counter which statically manages the amount of program used obstructs the management of the amount of programs used. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with a means which sets an upper limit value of the amount of application used to a counter which grasps the amount of program used in response to the change in the loaded program constitution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a program for controlling processing in an image forming apparatus is installed, a method in the image forming apparatus, and a control program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a mechanism for counting the total number of outputs of an image forming apparatus, it has been general to use a hard counter having a mechanical structure. The hard counter is a means suitable for a billing system for services using the hard counter, since it is difficult to reduce the count value once the count has been counted up and it is difficult to falsify the count value. After that, the functions of the image forming apparatus become complicated, and there is a strong demand to divide the service billing system according to various modes, for example, small size / large size, color / black and white, copy / print / FAX. The number of hard counters was simply increased to meet the demand. After that, a soft counter capable of realizing a large number of counters at low cost and space was proposed. A soft counter is a soft counter that stores a count value in a semiconductor memory.
[0003]
Previously, soft counters were susceptible to losing information in memory due to their structure, and had low reliability.However, multiple storage means were prepared and the same value was stored in each other, so that the internal information in a certain storage means In the case where is lost, reliability is improved by a method of compensating information using information in other storage means. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a soft counter for each function to be counted and to hold accurate count information for each function. Hereinafter, the soft counter is simply referred to as a counter. In the present invention, the counter is, for example, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, a copy, which is a preferable example of an image forming apparatus, or the number of executions of a program in the multifunction peripheral, the number of operations of the image forming apparatus, the use of an application program. It is used as a generic term for means that can measure and store various usages such as time.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A printing apparatus is being developed in which a counter is provided for each of various programs installed in an image forming apparatus and the number of operations of an application is managed. In addition, development is underway so that users can receive various services by executing various programs installed in the printing apparatus. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-92779, as a result of the improvement of software technology used in an image forming apparatus, it is easy to add, change, or delete various software that realizes processing provided by the image forming apparatus. It is becoming. In addition, a printing apparatus having a counter fixedly provided for each application and counting the number of executions of the application is being considered.
[0005]
However, since it becomes possible to add / change / delete various programs such as applications and control programs to be mounted and data, it is necessary to fixedly assign a counter in advance for each process provided by the image forming apparatus as described above. Then there is a problem.
[0006]
For example, there is an increasing number of opportunities for a program that provides processing in the image forming apparatus to change, but it is not possible to properly manage the functions provided by the image forming apparatus by performing conventional static counter management. There's a problem. Furthermore, printing apparatuses that provide complex functions have appeared, but how to manage the usage of these functions for each function becomes a problem.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can flexibly cope with a change in the configuration of functions provided by various programs installed in the image forming apparatus.
[0008]
In particular, in the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to dynamically manage a counter for managing the amount of use of the program in accordance with a change in processing provided by a program in the image forming apparatus, and to implement functions and program configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is still another object to provide an image forming apparatus which can appropriately grasp the use status of each program even if the program changes.
[0009]
Further, in the embodiment of the present application, for each process provided by each program provided by the image forming apparatus, for example, it is possible to set an upper limit value of the usage amount of the program so that the usage amount of each program can be easily managed. It is still another object to provide a simple image forming apparatus.
[0010]
Further, in the embodiment of the present application, it is further provided to provide a mechanism in which the right to use the application can be given in advance to the user in the form of license information for each type of application and / or each device to be used. The purpose of.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the present invention provides the following means.
[0012]
In an embodiment of the present application, for example, in an image forming apparatus in which a program for controlling processing provided by the image forming apparatus is installed, a usage management unit that manages usage of each program using a counter, and the program Corresponding to the identification information, a recognizing means for recognizing a counter capable of managing the amount of use of the program, a counter managing means for managing the counter by associating the program with the counter recognized by the recognizing means, Setting means capable of setting an upper limit of the usage amount for each program to the usage management means; and processing in the image forming apparatus based on the upper limit value of the usage amount set by the setting means for each type of the program. An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus.
[0013]
Then, when a job using a predetermined function is input from an application in the image forming apparatus, if the job exceeds the upper limit set in the image forming apparatus, the processing is performed. If not, the processing is limited.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings along with examples.
[0015]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating the entire system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 100, which is a preferable example of an image forming apparatus, is a multifunction peripheral having a scanner, a printer, a copy function, and a facsimile function integrated therein. 12 and a host computer 11 which is a preferred example of an information processing apparatus. Further, the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to another communication device via a public line network. The multifunction peripheral 100 is not limited to the illustrated example, but may be a digital copying machine, a printer with a copy function, or the like. The number of peripheral devices connected to the network is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the multifunction peripheral 100, and includes a single-function device capable of forming an image, such as a printing device such as a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner device, and also includes a controller built in each device. . The counter may be attached to a network board of various printing apparatuses, for example, the network interface unit 7 or the like.
[0016]
The multifunction peripheral 100 mainly includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3. The reader unit 1 is connected to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3, reads an image of a document, and outputs the read image data to the printer unit 2 or the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 prints image data output from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to an external network or a public line network to input / output image data, accumulate a usage amount when the user uses the MFP 100, and further connect to the network. It analyzes and controls the job (print command etc.) from the host computer 11 that has been executed.
[0017]
The image input / output control unit 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit 7, which is an example of an acquisition unit, a PDL formatter unit 8, and a core unit 10. The facsimile unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 and the public line network, decompresses compressed image data received from the public line network, and transmits the decompressed image data to the core unit 10. Further, it compresses the image data transmitted from the core unit 10 and transmits the compressed image data via the public line to the public line network. The file unit 5 is connected to the core unit 10 and the storage device 6, compresses the image data transmitted from the core unit 10, and stores the compressed image data in the storage device 6 together with a keyword for searching. In the present embodiment, a hard disk drive is used for the storage device 6, which is a preferred example of the storage means, but is not limited to this. Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the storage device 6 based on the keyword transmitted from the core unit 10, reads out the compressed image data, decompresses the data, and transmits the data to the core unit 10. I do.
[0018]
The network interface unit 7 is an interface between the core unit 10 and the host computer 11 and the network server 12 connected via an external network. The reception of job control data from the host computer 11 and the transmission of image data and the like to the host computer 11 are performed via the network interface unit 7. The job control data includes a job control command transmitted together with the PDL data, and includes, for example, data in which PDL data is developed and printed as image data, and then stapled and discharged. A database called MIB (Management Information Base) is constructed in the network interface unit 7, and communicates with the host computer 11 on the network via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to enable management of the printer unit 2. ing. Further, the network interface unit 7 receives an installation request, an uninstallation request, a start request, a stop request, etc. of an application for realizing various functions on the image forming apparatus. It is possible to control applications.
[0019]
The formatter unit 8 is connected to the core unit 10 and expands PDL data transmitted from the host computer 11 into image data that can be printed by the printer unit 2.
[0020]
The image memory unit 9 temporarily stores information from the reader unit 1 and information sent from the host computer 11 or the like via the network interface unit.
[0021]
The core unit 10, which is a preferred example of a unit serving both as a storage unit and an analysis unit, includes a reader unit 1, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit 7, a PDL (Page Description Language) formatter. The job control data is analyzed together with the control of data and the like flowing between the units 8, and information such as the user's usage status, number of copies, number of prints, and number of scans is stored.
[0022]
The host computer 11 (information processing device) is a personal computer or a workstation (PC / WS), and the network server 12 is a server that controls the entire network. The charging server 13 as an example of the external information processing apparatus includes a server for managing charging information of the multifunction peripheral 100. The accounting server device 13 can display and manage the usage amount counted by the counter of the copying machine 100 on its display. The operation unit 14 includes an operation panel, and can select and input, for example, an application to be executed using a touch panel and a function of a copier to be used by the application. The execution command of the application can be input from the operation unit 13 of the copying machine 100, but can also be input from the network server 12, which is an example of the external information processing apparatus. Then, the used amount of the executed application is counted by a counter described in detail after the copying machine 100.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a preferred example of a software module hierarchy of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The software module has an operating system (OS) 201. The OS 201 has a controller module 202 for controlling various devices, and an interpreter module 203 for sequentially executing programs on the controller module 202. Above the interpreter module 203, there is an application management module 204 for managing a plurality of dynamically removable application groups. An application 205 that implements various functions operates under the management of the application management module 204. An application module for providing a copier service via the interpreter module 203 can be operated. For example, in response to the application module acquired from the external server device being incorporated in the image forming apparatus, the application management module 204 adds the application 205 as a management target or deletes the application program from the image forming apparatus. In response, the application management module 204 can remove the application 205 from the management target.
[0024]
Further, an application installer 206 for installing and uninstalling the application 205 can also be operated on the application management module 204. The application is a preferable example of the program, and provides various processes to the user in cooperation with the image forming apparatus. For example, units such as an application that processes and compresses images, an application program that manages departments such as printing restrictions, a plug-in module that is incorporated as a part of the application, a program that remotely manages a copier, and a finisher for a copier An application that controls and performs bookbinding, a conversion / analysis program for specific document data, or a document creation program such as word processing software, a schedule management program, a spreadsheet program, a database management program, and a print service via the Internet. A server program or the like for achieving the above can be considered.
[0025]
These software are executed on a CPU (not shown) in the core unit 10. In the above embodiment, the interpreter and the OS are incorporated in the copying machine. Of course, the configuration is not limited to the above-described module configuration as long as the application 205 operates on the image forming apparatus and the application management module 204 operates properly.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow when an application is installed in the multifunction peripheral 100. Next, a process in the application installer 206 when a new application is installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 from the host computer 11 will be described with reference to FIG. When an instruction to install an application is input on the operation screen of the host computer 11 by a pointing device (not shown), which is a preferred example of the instruction input unit, the processing in FIG. 3 is started. First, in step S301, application information is received from the host computer 11. The application information includes, for example, a vendor name, an application ID, an application name, a used memory, a version number, and a last update date, which are suitable examples of program attribute information. This application information is used to manage the usage of an application, which is a preferred example of a program.
[0027]
Upon receiving the application information including the application ID, which is a preferable example of the program attribute information described above, in step S301, the application installer 206 performs the process in step S302. In S302, the application installer 206 determines whether the same application has already been installed. The application installer 206 acquires the application information received in step S301 and compares it with the application information of the already installed application to determine whether the same application has already been installed. If the application installer 206 determines in step S302 that the same application exists, the process ends. If it is determined that the same application does not exist, the process proceeds to step S303. In step S303, the application installer 206 (determination means) substitutes 0 for a variable n, and proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the application installer 206 determines whether the n-th application counter is in use, and if not, proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the counter number-application ID table is updated to associate the counter number n with the application ID. In the present application, the counter means a counter that counts the number of times of execution, which is an example of the usage amount of an application. The counter also includes a measurement storage unit that can count and hold a use time such as a length of time during which the application is running.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the counter number-application ID table. The counter with the counter number 1 corresponds to the application with the application ID 11, the counter with the counter number 3 corresponds with the application with the application ID 51, and the other counters are unused. After updating the table in step S305, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the application program is downloaded from the host, stored in the storage device 6 in the multifunction peripheral 100, the application can be used, and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that the counter n is in use, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the value of the variable n is increased by one, and the process proceeds to step S308. In step S308, it is determined whether the value of the variable n is smaller than the total number N of application-specific counters provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. If the value of the variable n is smaller than the total number N of the application-specific counters, the process returns to step S304; otherwise, the process ends.
[0029]
The application installed in this way can control a reader unit, a printer unit, and the like by executing a command group instructing job processing, and can realize various functions.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is an example of a command group for instructing job processing. The command group instructing job processing includes a job submission start command 501, a job attribute setting command 502, a job data transmission command 503, and a job submission completion command 504. The job submission start command 501 is a command for notifying the controller of the start of job submission, and includes a mode 511 and additional information 512 corresponding to the mode as parameters. Upon receiving the job submission start command 501, the controller starts preparations for performing job processing. The job attribute setting command 502 is a command for setting an attribute indicating a function or a state of a job. The attributes include information such as an application ID, a job name, a job type, a data format, and paper selection. A plurality of attributes can be successively set with this command.
[0031]
The job data transmission command 503 is a command for transmitting data to be subjected to job processing such as image data. However, depending on the content of the job, there is a case where the data to be processed is not required. In this case, this command may be omitted. The job submission completion command 504 is a command for indicating that all the commands for instructing job processing have been sent. A series of commands from a job submission start command 501 to a job submission completion command 504 is interpreted as one job processing instruction. When the job processing instruction is issued, the controller controls the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, etc., performs appropriate processing according to the given attributes, and issues an appropriate counter update request according to the job type. put out. Since the job start command includes information on the application ID of the application that executed the command, the controller and the counter updating unit can determine from which application the current job was executed. ing.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in the counter updating unit when the counter is updated in the first embodiment. The flow of processing in the counter management means when the counter is updated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S601, a counter update request is received, and the process proceeds to step S602. In step S602, the application ID of the update request source is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, 0 is substituted for the variable n, and the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, it is checked whether or not the n-th counter is assigned to the application having the application ID acquired in step S602 by referring to the table. If the n-th counter has been assigned to the application with the application ID acquired in step S602, the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the n-th counter for the current job type is updated, and the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the counter for counting the total number is updated, and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the n-th counter has not been assigned to the application having the application ID acquired in step S602, the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, it is determined whether the variable n is smaller than the total number N of the application counters. If n <N, the value of n is incremented by one in step S608, and the process returns to step S604. If n <N is not satisfied in step S607, the process proceeds to step S606, where only the total count counter is updated, and the process ends.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter included in the multifunction peripheral 100. In this example, there are three types of counters, a copy counter, a print counter, and a scan counter. For each of them, one total count counter indicating the total count number and N application-specific counters (counter numbers 1 to N) are prepared. It indicates that. When a copy job is processed, the copy counter is incremented each time one copy is made. Similarly, in a scan job, a scan counter is incremented each time one sheet is scanned, and in a print job, a print counter is incremented each time one sheet is printed.
[0034]
When the contents of the counter number-application ID table are as shown in FIG. 4, the counter of FIG. 7 (i) is used for the application of application ID 11 and the counter of FIG. used. For example, when the application with the application ID No. 11 executes the copy job, the counter of FIG. 7A and the total counter are counted up. Similarly, when the print job is executed, the counter and the general counter in FIG. 7 (N) are counted up, and when the scan job is executed, the counter and the general counter in FIG. 7 (H) are counted up. When a print job, scan job, copy job, etc. is input from the remote host, if the application ID of the job issuer is already registered in the table, the counter corresponding to the application ID and the counter for the total count are counted. Will be up. If the application ID of the job issuer is not registered in the table, the job is rejected.
[0035]
In this way, the count values of the number of combinations of the functions provided by the image forming apparatus and the applications using the functions are managed, and the count values are totaled for each application and for each function. You can count. Accordingly, if a process using a specific function of the image forming apparatus in the application is called a predetermined operation, the usage amount can be counted for each predetermined operation, not to mention charging for each application. For example, assuming that a specific image processing application is associated with the counter number 6, a predetermined image processing using this image processing application, for example, a case where a digital watermark is inserted and a copy is performed. The copy counter corresponding to the counter number 6 is counted up. As a result, it is possible to manage the usage amount of the predetermined operation of performing copying using the image processing application. Of course, the application may be not only an image processing application but also an application for processing an XML document or processing a predetermined document file. Further, the function provided by the image forming apparatus may be not only copying, printing, and scanning, but also so-called bookbinding processing such as finishing, bookbinding, and punching.
[0036]
Next, a process for uninstalling an application already installed in the image forming apparatus and assigned to a counter having an application ID will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when uninstalling an application already installed in the copying machine 100.
[0037]
First, it is checked in step S801 whether the designated application is operating. If it is running, the uninstallation process ends without doing anything. If it is not in operation, it can be safely uninstalled, and the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, the information of the counter associated with the application to be uninstalled and the application information are transmitted to the accounting server 13, and the process proceeds to step S803. In step S803, it is checked whether or not the transmitted information has been correctly received by the charging server 13. If the information has been correctly received, the process proceeds to step S804. If not correctly received, the process ends without actually uninstalling. In step S804, the counter number-application ID table is updated, and the counter to which the application ID of the application to be uninstalled is assigned is unused. In step S805, the application is deleted from the storage device 6 and uninstalled, and the process ends.
[0038]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a counter that is not used when an application is installed is dynamically allocated, and when a counter is incremented, a counter corresponding to the application that caused the processing is counted up. It is possible to manage the count of copy, print and scan for each application.
[0039]
In addition, when the application is uninstalled, the application information and the information of the used counter are stored in the billing server, so that the application can be repeatedly installed and uninstalled without losing the count information. ing.
[0040]
In this embodiment, if the same application is already installed at the time of installation, the process is terminated. However, the version information may be determined, and if the new application is a new version, the application may be automatically installed. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select whether to continue the installation process.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the application installer 206 is a type of application that runs on the application management module 204, but may be a module incorporated in the controller 202.
[0042]
Further, in this embodiment, three types of counters, ie, a copy counter, a print counter, and a scan counter, are prepared. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of types of counters may be used. The counter may be finely divided according to the size or the like.
[0043]
Further, in the present embodiment, one application is assigned to one set of counters. However, a group ID or the like may be introduced so that one application can share one counter set.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, all counters other than the total count counter are dynamically assigned. However, counters may be fixedly assigned to applications installed in the image forming apparatus in advance.
[0045]
Further, in the present embodiment, an external job having an application ID not registered in the table is rejected. However, the job may be accepted by counting up only the total counter. good.
[0046]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
[0047]
FIG. 1 also shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. Since this figure has been described in detail in the first embodiment, the description is omitted here. However, in the second embodiment, the host computer 11 is a file server in which applications are stored. Hereinafter, parts that are particularly different from the first embodiment will be described.
[0048]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a software module hierarchy of the copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment. The software module has an operating system (OS) 901. On the OS 901, there is provided a controller module 902 for controlling various devices, an interpreter module 903 for sequentially executing programs, and a general-purpose counter control application program for controlling general-purpose counters (described later). An interface (hereinafter, general-purpose counter control API) 904 is provided. Above the interpreter module 903 and the general-purpose counter control API 904, there is an application management module 905 for managing a group of dynamically detachable applications. An application 906 that realizes various functions operates under the management of the application management module 905 (usage management unit). An application installer 907, which is an application for installing / uninstalling an application, also operates on the application management module 905. Each application 906 can use the general-purpose counter control API 904 via the application management module 905. The software is executed on a CPU (not shown) in the core unit 10.
[0049]
Next, the processing of the application installer 907 when installing the application stored in the host computer 11 in the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that a Web server is mounted on the host computer and has a predetermined URL. For example, in this embodiment,
An application is located at the URL “http://www.kaisha.com/appfile”. When this URL is specified in the operation unit 14 of the copier, the application is specified from the storage area corresponding to the URL in the host computer. Download the installed application and automatically start the installation. Of course, instead of using the operation unit 14, the URL input from the operation screen of the external computer 12 may be sent to the network, received by the image forming apparatus via the network interface, and input to the core unit 10. .
[0050]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when the application installer is installed in the second embodiment. This screen is displayed on the operation unit 14 of the multifunction peripheral 100 when installation is designated on the main screen (not shown) of the application installer 907. Specifically, the user inputs the URL indicating the host computer 11 in which the application information to be installed is stored in the text field 1001 and, in response to pressing the OK button 1002, the application installer sends the application Start download and install. Pressing the cancel button on the screen of FIG. 10 returns to the application installer main screen (not shown).
[0051]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart showing the flow of processing after the OK button 1002 is pressed. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter number-application ID table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a count unit warning dialog screen at the time of application installation according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.
[0052]
When the OK button 1002 is pressed, first, in step S1101, the application installer 907 acquires information on the application at the location specified in the text field 1001. FIG. 14 shows an example of elements constituting the application information.
[0053]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the application information according to the second embodiment. Here, as an example of the application information, an archive file indicating a vendor name, an application ID and an application name as an application identifier, a version, a last update date, the number of used counters, a counter type, a count-up unit, a used memory, and a program acquisition destination. The URL is described.
[0054]
Returning to FIG. In step S1101, the application installer 907 proceeds to step S1102 if the application installer 907 can acquire application information that is a suitable example of the attribute information of the program. If the application information could not be obtained, the processing ends. In step S1102, the application installer 907, which is a preferred example of the recognizing means of the present invention, determines an unused counter by using a counter of the type specified by the application information in response to obtaining the application information. Perform recognition processing. If an unused counter number, that is, a newly added program, for example, the usage of a program input from the external host computer 11 or the like via the network interface unit (input unit) of the copying machine 100 is managed. If the possible counter cannot be recognized, the process is terminated.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the unused counters can be recognized for all types described in the application information in step S1102, the process advances to step S1103. In step S1103, a confirmation dialog (FIG. 13) for the count-up unit is displayed on the operation unit based on the application information. For example, an application name and a usage fee counted up when the application is activated once are displayed. Next, the process advances to step S1104 to determine which button has been pressed on the dialog (FIG. 13). If it is determined that the stop button 1301 has been pressed, the process ends, and if it is determined that the continue button 1302 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, an attempt is made to download the main body of the program based on the information of the archive file URL described in the application information. If the download has failed in step S1105, an error message is displayed if necessary, and the process ends. If the download is successful, the process advances to step S1106. In step S1106, the application installer (counter management unit) stores the program downloaded in step S1105 in the storage device 6, makes the program usable, and proceeds to step S1107. In step S1107, the application installer additionally stores the pair of the counter number recognized in S1102 and the application ID included in the application information in the counter number-application ID table and updates the pair. Initialize the usage of the counter that recognized the installer, and finish. If the unused counter cannot be recognized, that is, if the application installer does not have enough counters, the application installer may create a new counter for the new application, initialize the counter, and use the counter.
[0056]
In FIG. 13, an application name to be added is displayed on the application display unit, and count-up information (for example, billing information) when the application uses a scan function and a copy function, which are functions provided by the copying machine 100. Is displayed on the count-up information display unit 1304, so that the user can install the application after confirming the count-up information according to whether the function is used when executing the application.
[0057]
FIG. 12 is an example of a counter number-application ID table in the second embodiment, in which counter numbers assigned to respective counters are associated with application IDs (application IDs), which are suitable examples of application identifiers. This table shows that the table is prepared for each of the monochrome printer function, the color printer function, the monochrome copy function, the color copy function, and the scanner function. The functions provided by the image forming apparatus are not limited to these functions. For example, the functions provided by the image forming apparatus include finishing functions such as a stapling function and a bookbinding function. Any method that can recognize (for example, the number of times of use and the time of use) can be applied. Here, 0xFFFFFFFF is a code indicating that the counter is not used. This example shows a situation in which only one application having the application information of FIG. 14 is installed in the image forming apparatus, and the scan counter of counter number 1 and the general-purpose counter of counter number 1 have application ID 11 and It is assigned to one application and the other counters are unused. By having such a table, a specific application causes a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of a scan function, an operation of a copy function, an operation of a print function, an operation of a finishing function, etc.) using the function of the image forming apparatus. At this time, the counter having the counter number determined by the above table is counted up, and the usage amount for each application can be managed.
[0058]
As described above, the copying machine 100 is provided with the application management module 204 that manages the usage amount for each program by using the counter. The application installer 206 manages the usage of the application corresponding to the application ID, which is an example of the identification information of the program to be added, in response to the information indicating the attribute of the application being input to the copying machine 100. Recognize the counters you can do.
[0059]
Then, the application management module manages the counter by associating the added program with the counter recognized by the application installer 206.
[0060]
Here, the information for identifying a program includes all information that can identify the program. For example, in the case of an application program, an application ID and an application name can be considered, but the module itself of the application program provided in the form of a file includes a module name and a file name in which the application is stored. Of course, these file names and module names are also included in the category of the program identification information. Therefore, the program module itself integrated with the application information is first input into the image forming apparatus via the network interface and stored in the storage device in the image forming apparatus. It is also conceivable to judge whether or not to associate.
[0061]
The installed application can control the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the finisher unit 15, and the like by executing a command group (FIG. 5) for instructing job processing, as in the first embodiment. It is possible to realize functions provided by various copying machines. Since the details have been described in the first embodiment, they are omitted here.
[0062]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the counter updating means when counting up is performed in the application management module in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing when a count-up request is issued to each counter will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1501, the application management module receives a count-up request from, for example, a core unit, and proceeds to step S1502. In step S1502, the application ID of the update request source is acquired, and the flow advances to step S1503. In step S1503, 0 is substituted for the variable n, and the flow advances to step S1504. In step S1504, it is checked whether the n-th counter is assigned to the application having the application ID acquired in step S1502 by referring to the table. If the n-th counter has been assigned to the application with the application ID acquired in step S1502, the flow advances to step S1505.
[0063]
In step S1505, the application management unit acquires a count-up unit in the current job type from the application information. Next, the process proceeds to step S1506, where the n-th counter is counted up in units obtained in step S1505, and the process proceeds to step S1509. In step S1509, the application management unit counts up the counter for counting the total number in units specified by the application information, and ends the processing. On the other hand, in step S1504, if the application management unit determines that the n-th counter is not assigned to the application with the application ID acquired in step S1502, the process proceeds to step S1507. In step S1507, it is determined whether the variable n is smaller than the total number N of application counters. If n <N, the value of n is incremented by one in step S1508, and the process returns to step S1504. If n <N is not satisfied in step S1507, the process advances to step S1509, where only the total counter is counted up in units specified by the application information, and the process ends.
[0064]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter included in the copying machine according to the second embodiment. In this example, there are six types of counters, a copy counter (monochrome), a scan counter, a print counter (monochrome), a color copy counter, a color print counter, and a general-purpose counter. One and N counters for each application (counter numbers 1 to N) are prepared. When a monochrome copy job is processed, the copy counter is counted up each time one copy is made. The increment of the counter at this time is increased by the amount defined in the application information. Similarly, the scan counter, print counter, color copy counter, and color print counter are automatically incremented by the controller for each predetermined operation when a scan job, monochrome print job, color copy job, and color print job are executed, respectively. Is done. The general-purpose counter can count up at a timing convenient for the application when the application issues an instruction through the general-purpose counter control API.
[0065]
For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 14, when a scan job is executed by an application having an application ID of 11, the counter shown in FIG. 16 is incremented by 10 every time one sheet is scanned. Further, if the application with the application ID 11 calls the general-purpose counter API every time a job is issued, the counter in FIG. 16 is incremented by one each time the application with the application ID 11 issues a job. Become.
[0066]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing when uninstalling an application installed in a copying machine in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, a process for uninstalling an application installed in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The application installer 203 first checks whether the application specified in step S1701 is operating. If it is running, the uninstallation process ends without doing anything. If it is not operating, it can be safely uninstalled, and the process proceeds to step S1702. In step S1702, the application installer 203 (recognition unit) recognizes counter information and application information associated with the application to be uninstalled by searching the counter number-application ID table, and stores the nonvolatile information provided in the image forming apparatus. The data is stored in the memory, and the process proceeds to step S1703.
[0067]
In step S1703, it is checked whether the data has been correctly stored in the nonvolatile memory. If the data has been correctly stored, the process proceeds to step S1704. If the data cannot be saved correctly, the process ends without actually performing the uninstallation. In step S1704, the application management module 204 (counter management unit) updates the counter number-application ID table, releases the counter to which the application ID of the application to be uninstalled is allocated, and sets the counter to the unused state. Next, in step S1705, the application is deleted from the storage device 6 and uninstalled, and the process ends.
[0068]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the warning dialog box of the count-up information is displayed at the time of installing the application, so that the user can install the application after assuring the count-up unit for each predetermined operation. become. In addition, by making the general-purpose counter available to the application, it is also possible to manage the number of uses and the amount of processing for each application.
[0069]
In addition, when the application is uninstalled, the application information and the counter information used are saved in the internal memory of the device, so that the application can be installed and uninstalled freely without losing the count information. It becomes.
[0070]
An embodiment in which a predetermined operation of an application is restricted by an upper limit value of a counter set for each application and each function will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0071]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in the counter updating unit and the counter upper limit managing unit when the counter is updated in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is obtained by adding an upper limit managing unit to the counter updating unit shown in FIG. The flow of processing in the counter management means and the counter upper limit value management means when the counter is updated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0072]
First, in step S1801, a counter update request is received from the core unit 10 in FIG. 1, and the flow advances to step S1802. In step S1802, the application ID of the update request source is acquired, and the flow advances to step S1803. In step S1803, 0 is substituted for the variable n, and the flow advances to step S1804. In step S1804, it is checked whether or not the n-th counter is assigned to the application having the application ID acquired in step S1802 by referring to the table. If the n-th counter has been assigned to the application with the application ID acquired in step S1802, the flow advances to step S1805. In step S1805, the n-th counter for the current job type is updated, and the flow advances to step S1809. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1804 that the n-th counter has not been assigned to the application with the application ID acquired in step S1802, the process advances to step S1807. In step S1807, it is determined whether the variable n is smaller than the total number N of application counters. If n <N, the value of n is increased by one in step S1808, and the process returns to step S1804. If n <N is not satisfied in step S1807, the process advances to step S1806. In step S1806, only the total count counter is updated, and the process ends.
[0073]
In step S1809, the n-th upper limit value for the current job type in the counter upper limit value table shown in FIG. 19 is referenced and compared with the counter value updated in step S1805. As a result of the comparison, if the counter value does not exceed the upper limit value, the total counter is updated in step S1806, and the process ends. If the counter value exceeds the upper limit value, in step S1810, the core unit 10 in FIG. 1 is instructed to forcibly end the job, and the process proceeds to step S1810. In step S1811, the application (205 in FIG. 2) that has issued the job corresponding to the application ID acquired in step S1802 is notified by sending an event indicating that the job has been forcibly terminated. The total counter is updated, and the process ends.
[0074]
In this embodiment, the job is forcibly terminated in step S1810. However, in another embodiment, the counter has exceeded the upper limit value for the application that issued the step job without forcibly terminating the job. The application may cause a predetermined operation, for example, by notifying the application by sending an event representing the event. As a predetermined operation, the notified application does not issue a new job thereafter, or notifies the user of a warning, for example, that the right to use the application to be executed is insufficient. Processing such as displaying a dialog screen prompting the user to install a new license file for the application on the operation unit 14 of the multifunction peripheral 100, or notifying the contents of the dialogue by a speaker (not shown) provided in the computer. Alternatively, display information for displaying a dialog screen may be transmitted to a host computer or a network server and displayed on the display screen of the network server or the host computer.
[0075]
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter upper limit value management table included in the multifunction peripheral 100. This example shows that there are three types of counter upper limit values, a copy counter, a print counter, and a scan counter, and that N counters (counter numbers 1 to N) are prepared for each of them.
[0076]
When the contents of the counter number-application ID table are as shown in FIG. 4, the upper limit value in FIG. 19 (i) is referred to by the application ID No. 11, and the upper limit value in FIG. Referenced by the application. For example, when the application with the application ID No. 11 executes the copy job, the upper limit in FIG. Similarly, when a print job is executed, the upper limit in FIG. 19 is referred to, and when a scan job is executed, the upper limit in FIG. 7 is referred to. When a print job, scan job, copy job, or the like is input from the remote host, if the application ID of the job issuer is already registered in the table, the upper limit value corresponding to the application ID is referred to. As shown in the description of FIG. 7, when the application ID of the job issuer is not registered in the table, the job is to be rejected, and therefore the upper limit in this case does not need to be registered. For example, a set of an OCR application that recognizes and extracts character information from an image and outputs data including coded text information such as an ASCII code, and a scanner function associated with the OCR application can be considered. Based on the combination of the function of the multifunction device and an application that can add value to this function, it is possible to limit or grasp the usage amount, charge, and the like. That is, the application management module 905 controls the controller via the API when the upper limit is set so that the MFP 100 cannot be used in the combination of the OCR application program and the scanner function of the copier 100, This limits the functions of the multifunction peripheral 100. Other examples of combinations of application programs and functions of the multifunction peripheral 100 include advanced image processing applications and printer functions, image processing applications and scanner functions, office applications and printers for spreadsheets and document creation, facsimile, A combination such as a scanner is conceivable.
[0077]
As described above, the count value and the upper limit value of the number of combinations of each function provided by the image forming apparatus and the application using each function are managed, and each count value is assigned to each application and each function. The total can be counted and the upper limit can be managed at the same time. Thus, the usage amount can be counted and the upper limit value can be managed for each predetermined operation of the application.
[0078]
For example, assuming that the copy application is associated with the counter number 6, the copy counter corresponding to the counter number 6 is counted up by use of the copy application, and the copy counter is limited by the copy upper limit value corresponding to the counter number 6. Is done. When the setting of the upper limit value is performed by a predetermined license management mechanism, the number of times the application can be used can be given by the license, and the advance billing according to the number of times the application is used can be performed. The functions provided by the image forming apparatus may be not only copying, printing, and scanning, but also so-called bookbinding processing such as facsimile transmission / reception, finishing, bookbinding, and punching. That is, an upper limit can be set depending on which application uses which function, that is, for each set of a predetermined application and a function operated by the application. This restricts the application from controlling predetermined functions, restricts the output of jobs issued based on the application controlling these functions, and forcibly deletes jobs. Can be done.
[0079]
(Other embodiments)
The processing shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 shown in the drawings and the specification of the present application is performed by an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus by a program installed from the outside. Will be performed. In this case, even when a group of information including a program is supplied to each information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. The present invention is applied.
[0080]
As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing the program code.
[0081]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes a new function of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present embodiment. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, DVD, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like can be used.
[0082]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0083]
According to each embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of counters are prepared on the image forming apparatus, the application is dynamically associated with the counter when the application is installed, and the unused counter is dynamically installed when the application is installed. Can be assigned. By releasing the counter at the time of uninstallation, it is possible to appropriately manage the count information for each application even in a situation where an application is added or deleted. In addition, this makes it possible to appropriately distribute the charge according to the usage of the application to the application vendor who has developed the application on the image forming apparatus.
[0084]
In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which count information can be individually managed for each process provided by each program provided by the image forming apparatus, and the amount of use of each program can be easily managed.
[0085]
Further, the counter is managed to release the counter as each program provided by the image forming apparatus is deleted, so that unnecessary counter increase is prevented, and the counter currently used by the image forming apparatus is actually used. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily managing the usage of each program.
[0086]
Further, the counter is managed so as to release the counter as the attribute information of each program provided by the image forming apparatus is added, so that the program is surely associated with the counter and managed as a table. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably acquiring, displaying, and managing the usage of each program currently used in the image forming apparatus.
[0087]
Further, since the usage amount is managed for each function of the image forming apparatus used by each program, charging or use is performed according to the value added by the application and the processing provided by the application and the function provided by the copying machine. Be able to manage quantity.
[0088]
Since the counter control API which is interpreted and executed by the interprinter and has high portability and reusability is provided, it is easy to create the counter control program, and the counter control program can be reused and used for other image forming apparatuses. Transplantation becomes easy.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
It provides a mechanism to manage the usage of programs according to the functions provided by each program provided by the image forming apparatus, so that the usage status of each program can be appropriately adjusted based on the functions and program configuration of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that can be grasped can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an entire system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a preferred example of a software module hierarchy of the copying machine according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process when an application is installed in the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter number-application ID table according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command group for instructing job processing.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a counter updating means when the counter is updated in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter included in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when uninstalling an application already installed in the copying machine in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a software module hierarchy of a copying machine according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when an application installer is installed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a non-flowchart showing a flow of processing after an OK button in FIG. 10 is pressed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter number-application ID table according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a count unit warning dialog screen when an application is installed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of application information according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a counter updating means when counting up is performed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counter included in the copying machine according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when uninstalling an application installed in a copying machine according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating processing in a counter updating unit and an application counter upper limit managing unit for each application.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a counter upper limit management table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image input / output control unit
4 Facsimile part
5 File section
6 Storage device
7 Network interface section
8 Formatter part
9 Image memory section
10 Core part
11 Host computer
12 Network server
13 Billing server
14 Operation unit
15 Finisher part
100 MFP
201 Operating System
202 Controller
203 interpreter
204 Application Management
205 Application program
206 Application Installer
501 Job submission start command
502 Job attribute setting command
503 Job data transmission command
504 Job submission completion command
511 mode
512 Additional information
901 Operating system
902 controller
903 interpreter
904 Counter API
905 Application management program
906 Application
907 Application Installer
1001 URL input unit
1002 OK button
1301 Cancel button
1302 Continue button
1303 Application name display area
1304 Count-up information display section

Claims (15)

In an image forming apparatus equipped with a program for controlling a process provided by the image forming apparatus,
Usage management means for managing usage for each program using a counter,
Recognizing means for recognizing a counter corresponding to the identification information of the program and capable of managing the usage of the program,
Counter management means for managing the counter by associating the program with the counter recognized by the recognition means,
Setting means capable of setting an upper limit value of usage for each of the programs for the usage management means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control a process in the image forming apparatus based on an upper limit of a usage amount set by the setting unit for each type of the program. The usage management unit manages the usage of the program by the number of times the program is executed, or the time of using the program, or the number of predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus caused by the program. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The usage management unit according to claim 1, wherein the usage management unit controls the counter by using a counter control application program interface executed by using an interpreter, and manages the usage of the program. Image forming apparatus. Further comprising issuing means for issuing a job based on a program managed by the usage amount managing means,
The setting means is for setting an upper limit value of a counter managed by the usage management means, and the count amount of the counter managed by the usage management means is determined by the usage amount set for each program by the setting means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to forcibly end the job issued by the issuing unit when the upper limit is exceeded. 5. Image forming device. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit value management unit issues an event to the program when the counter exceeds the counter upper limit value, and causes the program to perform a predetermined operation. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. In response to the deletion or addition of the program previously stored in the image forming apparatus, the counter corresponding to the program targeted for deletion or addition recognized by the recording / recognition unit is released or initialized. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit sets an upper limit value by the setting unit so that the image forming apparatus cannot be used in a combination of the program and a function of the image forming apparatus including at least one of a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of the image forming apparatus is limited in such a case. In a control method in an image forming apparatus equipped with a program for controlling processing provided by the image forming apparatus,
A usage management step of managing usage for each program using a counter,
A recognition step of recognizing a counter corresponding to the identification information of the program and capable of managing the usage of the program;
A counter management step of managing the counter by associating the program with the counter recognized by the recognition step;
A setting step capable of setting an upper limit of the usage amount for each of the programs with respect to the usage amount management step,
A control step of controlling a function of the image forming apparatus based on an upper limit of the usage amount set in the setting step for each type of the program. In the usage management step, managing the usage of the program by the number of times the program is executed, or the time of using the program, or the number of predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus caused by the program is performed. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: 10. The usage management step according to claim 8, wherein the counter is controlled by using a counter control application program interface executed using an interpreter, and the usage of the program is managed. Control method. The method further includes an issuing step of issuing a job based on a program managed by the usage amount managing step,
The setting step sets an upper limit value of a counter managed by the usage amount management step. The count amount of the counter managed by the usage amount management step is determined by the usage amount set for each program by the setting step. Wherein the control step controls the image forming apparatus to forcibly end the job issued by the issuing step or to limit the issuance of the job. Item 11. The control method according to any one of Items 8 to 10. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein in the upper limit management step, when the counter exceeds the counter upper limit, an event is issued to the program to cause the program to perform a predetermined operation. The control method described in the above. In the use amount management step, in response to the deletion or addition of the program previously stored in the image forming apparatus, the counter corresponding to the deleted or added program recognized in the recording / recognition step is released. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the control method is initialized. In the control step, an upper limit value is set in the setting step so that the image forming apparatus cannot be used in a combination of the program and functions of the image forming apparatus including at least one of a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer. 14. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus is restricted when the function is present. In a control program executed in an image forming apparatus equipped with a program for controlling processing provided by the image forming apparatus,
A usage management step of managing usage for each program using a counter,
A recognition step of recognizing a counter corresponding to the identification information of the program and capable of managing the usage of the program;
A counter management step of managing the counter by associating the program with the counter recognized by the recognition step;
A setting step capable of setting an upper limit of the usage amount for each of the programs with respect to the usage amount management step,
A control step of controlling the function of the image forming apparatus based on an upper limit of the usage amount set in the setting step for each type of the program.

Images