JP2007301788A - Electronic instrument, electronic instrument system, functional completion method, and functioinal completion program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide various kinds of electronic instruments which substitutively execute a part of a function to be executed, to provide an electronic system equipped with the electronic instruments, and to provide a functional completion method and a functional completion program in the electronic instruments. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic instrument system 10 consists of the electronic instrument 100 and a function providing device 200 which are network-connected with each other, and have a plurality of functions. In the electronic instrument system 10, for the electronic instrument, a function substituting section 160 which transmits functional information 161 being required for the execution of the function to an external function providing device being network-connected when a function 120 which should be substitutively executed is called out, and receives the execution result of the function is provided. The function providing device executes the function 120 based on the functional information from the electronic instrument, and transmits the execution result 211 to the function substituting section of the electronic instrument. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus including an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunctional multifunction peripheral, and an electronic system including such an electronic apparatus, and more particularly to a function complementation method and a function complementation program in such an electronic instrument. About.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, an image forming apparatus 900 such as a multi-function multifunction peripheral has various functions prepared in advance by a Java application 910 (“Java” is a registered trademark) for solution support, such as a first By calling the function 920, the second function 930, and the third function 940, the respective functions can be executed to achieve a predetermined purpose such as print output.
Here, examples of the various functions include a copy function, a facsimile function, a scan function, a printer function, and the like. Further, for example, the scan function includes functions such as a PDF storage format and a TIFF storage format.

In order to execute these functions, the image forming apparatus 900 has mountings 921, 931, and 941 corresponding to the respective functions.
Each of these implementations 921, 931, 941 is configured by a part (hereinafter referred to as a component) of a program (firmware), and executes corresponding functions 920, 930, 940.
By the way, these functions 920, 930, and 940 are rarely used evenly and uniformly. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first function 920 is “frequently used”, and the second While the function 930 is “used occasionally” and the third function 940 is “rarely used”, there are functions that are frequently used, but there are also functions that are rarely used.

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, such a plurality of functions 920, 930, and 940 are all mounted regardless of whether they are used or not.
For this reason, the implementations 921, 931, and 941 exist on the system resources, and not only the limited resources are wasted, but also there is a risk of resource shortage, and all functions are always installed. That was not always preferable.
Further, in such a conventional image forming apparatus 900, in general, all of the above components, that is, firmware necessary for configuring the mounting 921, 931, 941 are built in the ROM of the printer, and the firmware can be updated, When adding a function, it is necessary to replace the ROM or rewrite the built-in flash memory or the EEPROM, so that the function is hardly added or updated in practice.

Various proposals have been made for the disadvantages and disadvantages of the conventional image forming apparatus.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a part or all of printer firmware is provided in a host PC, and a printer driver downloads modules necessary for firmware required for print processing to the printer side during print processing. A scheme is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 inquires the configuration of an optional unit (parts) connected to the printer from an external host, and downloads driver software necessary for driving the optional unit as needed. A printer system as described above is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 records printer update firmware in an internal primary storage RAM, performs test printing, determines whether the update is appropriate, and determines that the update firmware is acceptable. Discloses a printer for recording in EPROM.
Patent Document 4 discloses a network system in which a corresponding module is downloaded from a web server and self-installed in response to an unknown function request from a client (host PC).

Further, Patent Documents 5 and 6 disclose a thin client system that does not have an application program on the client side.
In such a thin client system, the client receives only the execution result of the application program from the server and browses it with the browser software by installing only the browser software.

JP 2001-066728 A JP 2000-207153 A JP 2000-326593 A JP-A-2005-275474 JP 2004-234345 A JP 2004-348380 A

However, such conventional proposals have the following problems and adverse effects.
First, in the method according to Patent Document 1, since each host PC must have a firmware element, version management of the firmware element of each host PC is difficult, and in different job processing of different users, Since the functional units used by the printer are also different, firmware modules are frequently downloaded, which may adversely affect network throughput.

In addition, the printer system according to Patent Document 2 requires an external element (host) for monitoring the presence of an optional unit and is not necessary for execution because it is not a spontaneous operation by internal processing on the printer side. There was a problem that the scale of environmental improvement would become large.
In addition, since there is no necessity / unnecessary control by software operating inside, there is a possibility that unnecessary driver loading may occur.
In this case as well, frequent downloads may adversely affect network throughput.

Further, in the printer according to Patent Document 3, writing from the test print to the EPROM is performed in a relatively short period of time, but if the power is turned off during that time, the updated firmware in the primary storage RAM is erased. .
Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether or not to update by a short test print, and since the applicable range of the update is the entire firmware, if writing to the EPROM fails, the entire function of the printer operates. There was also a risk of failure.

Further, in the network system according to Patent Document 4, it is meaningless to refer to an unknown function from a client itself, and frequent occurrence of download may adversely affect network throughput.
On the other hand, in the thin client system according to Patent Document 5 and Patent Document 6, since all functions depend on the outside, that is, the web server, the burden on the web server side increases, and the functions are transmitted and received. The problem of hindering network throughput occurred.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and with a simple configuration, a part of functions to be executed in an image forming apparatus or the like is executed by an external apparatus connected via a network. Therefore, an electronic device that can execute necessary and sufficient functions as an image forming apparatus without affecting the throughput of the network only by a simple configuration, and that can effectively use limited resource resources of the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to provide a system.

  In order to achieve this object, an electronic device system according to claim 1 of the present invention is an electronic device provided with an electronic device that executes a plurality of functions according to an application, and a function providing device connected to the electronic device via a network. In the system, when a function for which the electronic device is not installed with a firmware component to be executed is called by an application, it is necessary for the external function providing apparatus connected to the network to execute the function. A function surrogate unit that transmits the function information and receives the execution result of the function, and the function providing device selects a firmware component to be called based on the function information from the electronic device, and The execution result is transmitted to the function proxy unit of the electronic device.

When the electronic device system has such a configuration, when an application calls a function in which a firmware component for execution is installed in the electronic device, the electronic device is changed according to the installed firmware component. Perform the function.
On the other hand, when a function for which a firmware component to be executed is not installed is called by an application, the electronic device sends function information necessary for executing the function via the network by the function proxy unit. To the function providing device. As a result, the function providing apparatus executes the function based on the function information, and transmits the execution result to the function proxy unit via the network. In response, the electronic device outputs the execution result of the function received by the function proxy unit.

Therefore, the electronic device can apparently execute all the functions called by the application, and the firmware component for executing all the functions does not need to be installed. For example, for a function that is used infrequently, it is not necessary to install a firmware component necessary for executing the function.
Thereby, since the occupation of the system resources of the electronic device is reduced, the shortage of system resources can be solved.

  In addition, since the function providing apparatus connected to the network performs the function on behalf of the electronic device and transmits the result to the electronic device, the electronic device is required to execute the called function each time. Download and install the firmware component necessary to execute the function over the network, and it is not necessary to download the firmware component compared to executing the function. There will be no hindrance to network throughput.

Here, the function information transmitted to the function providing apparatus includes the type and function type of the electronic device, necessary parameters, and the like.
In the function providing device, based on such function information, the function can be appropriately executed according to the type of electronic device, the type of function to be executed, and the parameters necessary for executing the function.

Further, the function surrogate unit on the electronic device side can be configured to transmit the function information of the function to the function providing apparatus via the network when the function is called by an application for a plurality of functions. .
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible for one function surrogate unit to cause the function providing apparatus to execute a function regarding a plurality of functions, and the configuration of the electronic device by sharing the function surrogate unit by a plurality of functions Can be simplified, and the impact on system resources in the electronic device can be suppressed.

The electronic device system according to claim 2 includes a counter that counts up when the function proxy unit causes the function providing apparatus to execute the function for each function, and the count value reaches a predetermined value. At this time, the firmware component related to the function is downloaded from the function providing apparatus and installed.
When the electronic device system has such a configuration, by checking the frequency of use of each function with a counter, for a function that is frequently used, the function surrogate unit determines the firmware component necessary for executing the function. Downloading and installing will not adversely affect network throughput.

In addition, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device system according to the third aspect, when the function surrogate unit is configured so that the amount of increase in the count value of the counter in a predetermined period is equal to or less than a threshold value, The component is uninstalled and removed.
When the electronic device system has such a configuration, for a function that is not frequently used, the function proxy unit uninstalls and deletes a firmware component necessary for executing the function, thereby reducing system resources. Occupancy will be reduced. The uninstalled function may be executed by the function providing apparatus when the function is called next time.

In the electronic device system of the present invention, the function providing apparatus may register firmware components related to all functions, and each component may be updated to the latest version by an administrator.
With this configuration, since all firmware components are registered in the function providing device as the latest version for all functions to be executed by the electronic device, the electronic device functions to the function providing device. When executed, the function can be executed by the latest firmware component, and the latest firmware component can be downloaded and installed at any time.

According to another aspect of the electronic device system of the present invention, as described in claim 4, the function surrogate unit periodically provides the function providing apparatus with respect to firmware components installed for executing each function. Alternatively, the configuration is such that the presence or absence of an update is searched at startup, and the updated component is automatically updated.
When the electronic device system has such a configuration, the function proxy unit searches for the update of the firmware component registered in the function providing device periodically or at the time of startup, and downloads the latest firmware component. Can be installed.
As a result, the installed firmware component can always be the latest version.

The function providing apparatus can be configured to transmit an update notification to the function proxy unit of the electronic device via the network when any component of the firmware for executing each function is updated. .
By adopting such a configuration, the function surrogate unit quickly recognizes such an update without searching for the update of the firmware component registered in the function providing apparatus periodically or at the time of startup. Can do.

The function proxy unit on the electronic device side can be configured to automatically update the updated component when an update notification is received from the function providing device.
By adopting such a configuration, the user of the electronic device pays attention to the update without the function surrogate section searching for the update of the firmware component registered in the function providing apparatus regularly or at the time of startup. The installed firmware components can always be updated without having to pay.

The function proxy unit on the electronic device side may be configured to display that there has been an update when an update notification is received from the function providing device.
With this configuration, the user of the electronic device constantly updates the function proxy unit without searching for the update of the firmware component registered in the function providing apparatus periodically or at the time of startup. Such an update can be recognized quickly by visually recognizing the display of the update without paying attention to the above.

It should be noted that the update of the firmware component installed for executing each function in the function proxy unit of the electronic device can be configured so that it can be updated manually by the user, for example.
By adopting such a configuration, the user of the electronic device can update the firmware component as necessary or according to the update contents.

In addition, the function surrogate unit may be configured not to update the firmware component installed for executing each function.
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the firmware component from being inadvertently updated to the latest version by setting the firmware components so that they are not automatically updated to the latest version or manually updated. . Thereby, even when the operation check of the latest version in the electronic device is not sufficiently performed, it is possible to use the stable firmware component of the old version.

According to another aspect of the electronic device system of the present invention, the function surrogate unit has a function set in advance among functions in which firmware components are installed for execution. Is called by an application, the function information of the function is transmitted to the function providing apparatus via the network.
With this configuration of the electronic device system, when an electronic device tries to install a new firmware component or update a firmware component to the latest version for a certain function, it is already installed in the electronic device. The firmware component relating to the function that has been executed can be kept pending and the function providing apparatus can execute the function.

Therefore, when executing the function, the user can try the firmware component without installing the firmware component in the electronic device.
In this case, if the function providing device further notifies the electronic device when it has been used for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times, the user can determine whether or not to install the firmware component. The function providing apparatus side can collect the reasons from the users who do not install it, and can refer to it when the next revision of the firmware component is performed.

The function proxy unit of the electronic device may be configured to require authentication of the function providing device when downloading or deleting firmware components.
By adopting such a configuration, whether or not download is possible on the electronic device side can be managed on the function providing device side, and it is possible to cope with paid download.

In the electronic device system of the present invention, as described in claim 6, the electronic device is an image forming apparatus, in particular, a multi-function device having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, etc. The function providing apparatus is configured by a server provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.
When the electronic apparatus has such a configuration, the image forming apparatus does not have to install firmware components for all functions, and the shortage of system resources can be solved, and the image forming apparatus is registered in the function providing apparatus. The firmware component for each function is always updated to the latest version by the manufacturer, so the user can use the firmware component that is free of bugs and other problems by causing the function providing device to execute the function from the electronic device. The function can be executed with peace of mind.

  According to another aspect of the electronic device of the present invention, as described in claim 7, in an electronic device that executes a plurality of functions by an application, when a function in which a firmware component to be executed is not installed is called by the application A function proxy unit that transmits function information necessary for executing the function to an external function providing apparatus connected to the network and receives the execution result of the function from the function providing apparatus is provided. is there.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device system function complementation method comprising: an electronic device that executes a plurality of functions by an application; and a function providing device that is network-connected to the electronic device. A function complementing method of an electronic device system, and when an application calls a function in which the firmware component to be executed is not installed in the electronic device, an external function providing device connected to the network The first step of transmitting the function information necessary for executing the function, and the function providing apparatus selects the firmware component to be called based on the function information from the electronic device, and The second step of executing the function and the execution result of the function in the second step are A third step of transmitting to the device, in the electronic apparatus, there the execution result of the function from the function provision apparatus as structure in which a fourth step of receiving, the.
As described above, the present invention is realized not only as an invention of a system including a plurality of devices and apparatuses such as the above-described electronic device and function providing device, but also as an invention of a single device constituting the electronic device or an invention of a method. be able to.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus system function supplement program according to the present invention includes an electronic apparatus that executes a plurality of functions by an application, and a function providing apparatus that is network-connected to the electronic apparatus. A function supplement program that causes a computer to execute processing that causes a part of the function to be executed by the function providing device in the electronic device system, and in which the firmware component to be executed by the electronic device is not installed Is called by an application, a first procedure for transmitting function information necessary for executing the function to an external function providing apparatus connected to the network, and an electronic device in the function providing apparatus. Select the firmware component to call based on the feature information from A second procedure for executing the function, a third procedure for transmitting the execution result of the function in the second step to the electronic device, and an execution result of the function from the function providing device in the electronic device. And a fourth procedure for receiving the computer.
Thus, the present invention can also be realized as a program.
As a result, the present invention can be realized by installing a program in not only a specific electronic device but also other information processing apparatuses, etc., and a function-complementary electronic device system having excellent versatility and expandability is provided. can do.

According to the electronic device, the electronic device system, the function supplementing method, and the function supplementing program of the present invention, functions that cannot be executed without installing all firmware components related to the functions to be executed with a simple configuration. All functions can be executed by causing the providing apparatus to execute the function.
As a result, necessary and sufficient functions can be executed in the image forming apparatus or the like without adversely affecting the throughput of the network or causing a shortage of system resources of the electronic device.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an electronic device system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The following embodiment is an embodiment of an image forming system that employs an image forming apparatus as an electronic apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention.

[Image forming system]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a function providing apparatus 200 that are communicably connected via a network 300.
The network 300 is a network such as a local area LAN or the Internet, for example, and connects the image forming apparatus 100 and the function providing apparatus 200 to each other.
In FIG. 1, only one image forming apparatus 100 is illustrated. However, the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to one, and may include two or more image forming apparatuses 100 as necessary. Other electronic devices can also be provided.

Here, the operations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the function providing apparatus 200 are each controlled by a program that operates on a computer.
In other words, the image forming system according to the present embodiment is realized by processing, means, and functions executed by a computer in accordance with a program (software) instruction. The program sends a command to each component of the computer to perform predetermined processing and functions as shown below. That is, each processing / means in the image forming system of the present embodiment is realized by specific means in which a program and a computer cooperate.
All or part of the program is provided by, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium, and the program read from the recording medium is installed in the computer and executed. The program can also be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without using a recording medium.

[Image forming apparatus]
Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a printer function.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of functions prepared in advance by a solution application 110 such as a Java application (“Java” is a registered trademark), for example, a first function 120, a second function 130, and a third function. By calling each of the functions 140, the solution application 110 is operated to execute the functions 120, 130, and 140, thereby achieving a predetermined purpose such as print output.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a mounting 150 corresponding to the first function 120 and the second function 130 in order to execute the functions 120, 130, and 140 described above. , The third function 140 is provided with a function proxy unit 160.
The mounting 150 is configured by installing firmware components in the same manner as the mounting in the conventional image forming apparatus, and executes the corresponding first function 120.

On the other hand, in the illustrated case, the above-described mounting is not provided for the second function 130 and the third function 140, and instead, a function proxy unit 160 is provided.
This function surrogate unit 160 acts as a surrogate for implementation for the second function 130 and the third function 140 in which the firmware component to be executed is not installed.
Here, the second function 130 and the third function 140 share the function proxy unit 160 provided instead of the implementation.

Then, when the solution application 110 calls the second function 130 or the third function 140, the function proxy unit 160 sends the function information 161 to, for example, HTTP or a known object distribution technique via the network 300. It transmits to the function provision apparatus 200 by the communication system by.
Here, the function information 161 includes the type of the image forming apparatus 100, the type of the called function (second function 130 or third function 140), parameters necessary for executing the function, and the like.

Further, the function proxy unit 160 receives the execution result (described later) of the function from the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300, and outputs, for example, a print output, for example, in the same manner as the other implementations 150.
Further, the function proxy unit 160 includes counters 170 and 180 for each function to be proxyed, that is, in the illustrated case, the second function 130 and the third function 140, respectively.
These counters 170 and 180 are sent each time the function proxy unit 160 transmits the function information 161 to the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300 in order to execute the second function 130 and the third function 140. Counts up.

When the count value for each function reaches a predetermined value, the function proxy unit 160 downloads a firmware component for executing the function from the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300, It is supposed to be installed.
Here, the function proxy unit 160 may require authentication of the function providing apparatus 200 when downloading firmware components.

Further, when the up amount of the count value for each function in a predetermined period is equal to or less than the threshold, the function proxy unit 160 uninstalls the firmware component related to the function and deletes the implementation. Yes.
Here, the function proxy unit 160 may require authentication of the function providing apparatus 200 when deleting firmware components.
In this case, when the function whose implementation has been deleted is called by the solution application 110, the function proxy unit 160 transmits the function information 161 regarding the function to the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300.

Further, the function proxy unit 160 updates the installed firmware component to the latest version.
In this update operation, the function proxy unit 160 periodically searches for updates of firmware components registered in the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300, and automatically updates the updated components. That is, this component is downloaded and installed in the corresponding implementation 121.
Also in this case, the function proxy unit 160 may require authentication of the function providing apparatus 200 when downloading firmware components.

  In addition, the function proxy unit 160 sends the first function 120 from the solution application 110 when the implementation 150 is set to hold in advance for the function in which the firmware component is installed, for example, the first function 120. Is called, the function information 161 is transmitted to the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300, respectively.

[Function providing device]
The function providing apparatus 200 includes a server installed at an arbitrary location, and is managed and operated by, for example, the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 100.
Here, the function providing apparatus 200 includes firmware components 201 for executing all the functions of the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, the first function 120, the second function 130, and the third function 140). In addition to being registered, it is always updated to the latest version by the manager of the manufacturer.

Specifically, the function providing apparatus 200 includes a function selection unit 210, implementations 220, 230, and 240 corresponding to each function, and a storage unit 250.
Here, in FIG. 1, the implementation 220 corresponding to the first function 120 is not used in this case, and thus is illustrated by a dotted line, but is actually provided in the same manner as the other implementations 230 and 240. ing.
When the function selection unit 210 receives the function information 161 from the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300, the function selection unit 210 implements the implementation corresponding to the function based on the function type included in the function information 161. 230 or 240 is selected, and the function information 161 is sent to the selected implementation 230 or 240.

The implementations 220, 230, and 240 execute firmware components 201 corresponding to the respective functions in the same manner as in the image forming apparatus 100 in order to execute the first function 120, the second function 130, and the third function 140, respectively. Is installed.
When the implementations 220, 230, and 240 receive the function information 161 from the function selection unit 210, the first function 120, the second function 130, and the third function 140 are based on the function information 161. And the execution result 211 is sent to the function selection unit 210.
As a result, the function selection unit 210 transmits these execution results 211 to the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300.

  When the function selection unit 210 receives the function information 161 from the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300, the firmware component related to the function is installed in the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, a notification prompting download is transmitted to the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300 after a predetermined number of times or a predetermined period from when the function information 161 related to the function is first received. ing.

In addition, the function selection unit 210 adds each function registered in the storage unit 250 when the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 searches for an update regarding the firmware component 201 via the network 300. When the corresponding firmware component 201 is updated, the function proxy unit 160 is notified to that effect via the network 300.
Further, when the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 requests the download of the firmware component 201 via the network 300, the function selection unit 210 performs authentication and permits the download. Good.

As a result, the function selection unit 210 can manage the version of the firmware component 201 downloaded by each image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the firmware component 201 is downloaded for a fee, charging or the like is performed. It is possible to easily perform the process.
The storage unit 250 includes an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive device or a memory, and the latest version of the firmware component 201 necessary for executing the above-described functions is registered in a readable / writable manner.

Next, the processing operation of the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows a processing operation of proxy execution when a function for which no firmware component is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 is called. FIG. 3 similarly shows that the firmware component is installed in the image forming apparatus 100. This shows the processing operation when a function that has not been performed is called and the frequency of use is high.
4 and 5 show the processing operation after configuring the implementation by downloading and installing firmware components.
Further, FIG. 6 shows the processing operation of the firmware component update operation.

First, the processing operation when a function for which no firmware component is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 is called will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 2, since the solution application 110 uses the second function 130 in step A1 in the image forming apparatus 100, when the second function 130 is called in step A2, the function proxy unit 160 is called. However, after counting up the counter 170 corresponding to the second function 130 in step A3, the count value of the counter 170 is checked in step A4.

If the count value is less than the predetermined value, the function proxy unit 160 determines that the call of the second function 130 is “not frequent” in step A5, and in step A6, the solution The function information 161 corresponding to the call from the application 110 is transmitted to the function selection unit 210 of the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300.
In response to this, the function selection unit 210 selects an implementation 230 corresponding to the second function 130 based on the received function information 161 in step A7, and sends the function information 161 to the implementation 230. .

As a result, the implementation 230 executes the function 130 on the basis of the function information 161 in step A8, and sends the execution result 211 to the function selection unit 210 in step A9.
In step A10, the function selection unit 210 transmits the execution result 211 to the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300.
As a result, the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 outputs the execution result 211 at the second function 130 at step A11, and returns a completion message to the solution application 110 at step A12.
Thus, the proxy execution of the second function 130 is completed.

Next, a processing operation when a function in which no firmware component is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 is called and the usage frequency is high will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, since the solution application 110 uses the second function 130 in step B1 in the image forming apparatus 100, when the second function 130 is called in step B2, the function proxy unit 160 is called. However, after the counter 170 corresponding to the second function 130 is counted up at step B3, the count value of the counter 170 is checked at step B4.

If the count value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the function proxy unit 160 determines that the call of the second function 130 is “frequent” in step B5, and in step B6. The download of the firmware component 201 necessary for executing the second function 130 is requested to the function selection unit 210 of the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300.
In response to this, the function selection unit 210 reads out the firmware component 201 necessary for executing the second function 130 from the storage unit 250 based on this request in step B7, and the network 300 To the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the function proxy unit 160 downloads the firmware component 201.

In response, the function proxy unit 160 installs the downloaded firmware component 201 in step B8, and configures the implementation 151 corresponding to the second function 130.
Thereafter, the function proxy unit 160 sends the function information 161 to the mounting 151 in step B9.
Thereby, the mounting 151 directly executes the function 130 based on the function information 161 in step B10, and sends the execution result 211 to the function proxy unit 160 in step B11.

Then, the function proxy unit 160 outputs the execution result 211 at the second function 130 at step B12, and returns a message indicating completion at step B13 to the solution application 110.
Thus, the execution of the second function 130 is completed.

Here, when the solution application 110 calls the second function 130 again after downloading the firmware component 201 corresponding to the second function 130, steps B3 to B8 in FIG. 3 are omitted. The processing work is performed as a direct execution of a function as shown in FIG.
That is, in FIG. 4, since the solution application 110 uses the second function 130 in step C1 in the image forming apparatus 100, when the second function 130 is called in step C2, the function proxy The unit 160 sends the function information 161 to the mounting 151 in step C3.

Thereby, the mounting 151 directly executes the function 130 based on the function information 161 in step C4, and sends the execution result 211 to the function proxy unit 160 in step C5.
Then, in step C6, the function proxy unit 160 outputs the execution result 211 by the second function 130, and returns a completion message to the solution application 110 in step C7.
Thus, the direct execution of the second function 130 is completed.

In such a processing operation, the function proxy unit 160 is routed, and thus, for example, the function proxy unit 160 may rewrite a flag or a pointer value for a processing operation related to the second function 130.
As a result, when the second function 130 is executed, the processing operation can be simplified as shown in FIG. 5 without going through the function proxy unit 160.

That is, in FIG. 5, since the solution application 110 uses the second function 130 in step D1 in the image forming apparatus 100, when the second function 130 is called in step D2, the second function 130 is called. The implementation 150 corresponding to the function 130 directly executes the function 130 based on the function information 161 in step D3, and outputs the execution result 211 in the second function 130 in step D4. In step D5, the fact that it has been completed is returned to the solution application 110.
Thus, the direct execution of the second function 130 is completed.

Finally, the update operation of the firmware component when the implementation is configured by installing the firmware component will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 6, in step E <b> 1, the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 accesses the function selection unit 210 of the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300 periodically (or at the time of activation) to update the firmware. Search whether there is any update of the component.

If there is an update, the function proxy unit 160 downloads the updated firmware component 201 to the function selection unit 210 of the function providing apparatus 200 via the network 300 in step E2. Request.
In response to this, in step E3, the function selection unit 210 reads the updated firmware component 201 from the storage unit 250 based on this request, and functions of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 300. The function proxy unit 160 downloads the firmware component 201 to the proxy unit 160.

In response, the function proxy unit 160 updates and installs the downloaded firmware component 201 to configure a new implementation 150 in step E4.
This completes the firmware component update operation.

Note that it is possible to try the updated firmware component before downloading the updated firmware component in step E2.
In this case, the function surrogate unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 rewrites the flag or pointer value regarding the function to be tried, and when the function is called, the function surrogate unit 160 transmits the function to the function providing device 200 via the function surrogate unit 160. You can make it execute.
Here, the function providing apparatus 200 can limit the trial use of the firmware component by limiting the use of such a firmware component to a predetermined number of times or a predetermined period from the first proxy execution.

As described above, according to the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, when the function in which the firmware component to be executed is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 is called by the application, the image forming apparatus 100 The function is executed by the installed firmware component.
On the other hand, when a function for which a firmware component to be executed is not installed is called by an application, the image forming apparatus 100 uses the function proxy unit 160 to obtain function information necessary for executing the function. The function providing apparatus 200 transmits the function to the function providing apparatus 200 via the network, thereby executing the function based on the transmitted function information, and the execution result of the function of the image forming apparatus 100 via the network. Transmit to proxy section 160. In response to this, the image forming apparatus 100 can output the execution result of the function received by the function proxy unit 160.

As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can apparently execute all the functions called by the application, and the image forming apparatus 100 can execute all the functions. The firmware component need not be installed.
Accordingly, for example, for a function that is used infrequently, it is not necessary to install a firmware component necessary for executing the function.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus 100, the occupation of system resources is reduced, so that the shortage of system resources is resolved.

In addition, since the function providing apparatus 200 connected to the network performs a predetermined function on behalf of the image forming apparatus 100 and transmits the result to the electronic device, the image forming apparatus executes the called function. The firmware 100 does not need to download the firmware component as compared with the case of downloading and installing the firmware component necessary for executing the function via the network each time, and executing the function.
Therefore, frequent downloading of the firmware does not hinder the throughput of the network, and efficient data communication is performed.

The electronic device system according to the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, the electronic device system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, changes can be made.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given by taking as an example a multifunction device having a printer function and a FAX function as an electronic device to which the present invention is applied. However, as an electronic device to which the present invention is applicable, a multifunction device However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other devices, devices, etc. may be used. For example, a printer dedicated machine, a FAX dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or the like may be used. In addition, the present invention can be applied to various electronic apparatuses that execute a plurality of functions as well as image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment has the mounting 150 by installing the firmware component for the first function 120, and the second function 130 and the third function. 140, the function providing device 200 performs proxy execution of the function from the function proxy unit 160 via the network 300, and the execution result is received. Each of 130 and 140 can configure the corresponding implementation by uninstalling the firmware component and deleting the corresponding implementation 150, or downloading and installing the firmware component from the function providing apparatus 200.
As a result, any function can be executed by implementation or can be executed by the function providing apparatus 200 via the function proxy unit 160, and can be arbitrarily set according to the frequency of use.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the counters 170 and 180 that count the frequency of use of the functions 130 and 140 that cause the function providing apparatus 200 to execute the execution in a proxy manner. The counter may be omitted, and the count function may be provided on the function providing device 200 side.
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 directly executes the function of the first function 120 having the corresponding mounting 150 without going through the function proxy unit 160. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first function 120 having such an implementation 150 may be executed via the function proxy unit 160.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the firmware component update operation is performed from the image forming apparatus 100 side by searching for the presence or absence of update periodically or at the time of activation. The providing apparatus 200 may notify the function proxy unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the firmware component is updated.
In this case, the function proxy unit 160 may receive this notification, download the latest version of the firmware component, and automatically update it.
Further, for example, a display indicating that the display panel has been updated may be displayed. In this case, the user sees this display and performs the update operation by the user's operation.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus, for example, a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function, and an electronic device system having various electronic devices having a plurality of functions It is.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation of proxy execution of a function in the image forming system of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations when switching from proxy execution to direct execution of functions in the image forming system of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing operations of direct execution of functions in the image forming system of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of processing operation of direct execution of functions in the image forming system of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing processing operations of firmware component update work in the image forming system of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an example of the conventional image forming system. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a bias in usage frequency of each function in the image forming system in FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Solution application 120 1st function 130 2nd function 140 3rd function 150,151 Implementation 160 Function proxy part 161 Function information 200 Function provision apparatus 201 Firmware component 210 Function selection part 211 Execution result 220, 230, 240 Implementation 250 Storage unit

Claims (9)

An electronic device that executes one or more predetermined functions depending on an application, and a function providing device that is network-connected to the electronic device,
Functional information necessary for executing the above function to an external function providing apparatus connected to the network when a function for which the electronic component is not installed is called by an application. And a function proxy unit that receives the execution result of the above function,
The function providing device selects a firmware component to be called based on function information from the electronic device, executes the function, and transmits the execution result to a function proxy unit of the electronic device. Equipment system. The above function agency
Each function has a counter that counts up when the function providing device executes the function,
The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein when the count value of the counter reaches a predetermined value, a firmware component related to the function is downloaded from the function providing apparatus and installed.   The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the function proxy unit uninstalls a firmware component related to the function when the amount of increase in the count value of the counter in a predetermined period is equal to or less than a threshold value.   The function surrogate unit searches the function providing apparatus for the presence or absence of an update of the firmware component installed for executing each function at a predetermined timing and automatically updates the updated component. 3. The electronic device system according to 3.   Among the functions in which firmware components are installed for execution, the function surrogate unit sends a function to a function providing apparatus via a network when the function is called by an application. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the function information of the function is transmitted. The electronic device comprises an image forming apparatus having at least one of a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function,
The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the function providing device is a WEB server provided by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. An electronic device that performs one or more predetermined functions by an application and is connected to an external device through a network so as to be communicable.
When a function in which a firmware component to be executed is not installed is called by an application, function information necessary for executing the function is transmitted to an external device connected to the network, and the external device An electronic device comprising: a function proxy unit that receives an execution result of the function transmitted from the electronic device. A function complementing method of an electronic device system comprising an electronic device that executes one or more predetermined functions by an application, and a function providing device connected to the electronic device via a network,
In the electronic device, when a function that is not installed with a firmware component to be executed is called by an application, a function necessary for executing the function to an external function providing device connected to the network A first step of sending information;
In the function providing device, based on the function information from the electronic device, the second step of selecting the firmware component to be called and executing the function;
A third step of transmitting the execution result of the function in the second step to the electronic device;
And a fourth step of receiving the execution result of the function from the function providing apparatus in the electronic device. In an electronic device system including an electronic device that executes one or more predetermined functions by an application and a function providing device connected to the electronic device via a network, a process for causing a part of the function to be executed by the function providing device Is a function supplement program that causes a computer to execute
In the electronic device, when a function that is not installed with a firmware component to be executed is called by an application, a function necessary for executing the function to an external function providing device connected to the network The first step of sending information,
In the function providing apparatus, based on the function information from the electronic device, the second procedure for selecting the firmware component to be called and executing the function;
A third procedure for transmitting the execution result of the function in the second step to the electronic device;
A fourth procedure for receiving the execution result of the function from the function providing device in the electronic device;
A function supplement program for an electronic device system, characterized in that a computer is executed.

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