JP2011253430A - Information processing system, client, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to easily download and install, on a client, multiple programs which are required to control a device.SOLUTION: In an information processing system which includes a client and servers, the client gets, from a predetermined server, a list of identification information on programs required to control a device to be controlled. Then, the client gets, from another predetermined server, programs corresponding to the identification information in the list. And then, the client installs the obtained programs in accordance with the list.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral, and more particularly to installation of a program for controlling the image forming apparatus.

  There is a system that downloads a plurality of files to a terminal from a server on the Internet that holds a plurality of files (Patent Document 1). In the system, the terminal accepts selection of a plurality of files to be downloaded from the user, and sends file name information of the selected files to the server. The server combines a plurality of files selected by the user into one based on the file name information, and transmits the files to the terminal.

JP 2002-251343 A

  By the way, in order to control an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral, a client (for example, a PC) requires a plurality of programs (for example, a printer driver, a scanner driver, a network setting utility, a network printing utility). Network utilities, bundled software, etc.) may need to be installed.

  Here, these programs may have to be installed in a predetermined installation order. If this installation order is not followed, the installation will fail. Therefore, the user of the client needs to download and install these programs after recognizing the programs to be installed and the order of installation. Such download and installation work is a heavy burden on the user.

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, the user needs to recognize the program to be installed and the order of installation, and is not released from the burden of download and installation work.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to easily download and install a plurality of programs on a client.

  One embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. In an information processing system including a client and a server, the client acquires a list of program identification information necessary for controlling the control target device from a predetermined server. Then, the client acquires a program corresponding to the identification information of the program included in the list from a predetermined server. Then, the client installs the acquired program according to the list.

  More specifically, the information processing system includes a first server, a second server, and a client, and installs a program for controlling the image forming apparatus in the client, the client being a control target A client information collecting unit that acquires model information of the image forming apparatus and the configuration information of the client as client information, and a client information transmitting unit that transmits the client information to the first server. The server includes, for each model information of the image forming apparatus and the configuration information of the client, identification information of one or more programs for the client corresponding to the configuration information of the client to control the image forming apparatus corresponding to the model information Stores list information including the installation order of the programs A list storage unit, a client information receiving unit that receives the client information from the client, and a list that acquires list information corresponding to the client information from the list storage unit and transmits the list information to the client that is the transmission source of the client information A list receiving means for receiving the list information transmitted from the first server device; the list information; and the image to be controlled that has been installed in the client. Program specifying means for specifying an acquisition target program based on identification information of a program for controlling the forming apparatus; and program request means for requesting the specified acquisition target program from the second server. And the second server is provided for each image forming apparatus. A program storage means for storing one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus as separate files, a program request receiving means for receiving the request from the client, and the program storage for the requested program. Program transmitting means for acquiring from the means and transmitting to the requesting client, the client further receiving a program transmitted from the second server, and the received Installation order determining means for determining an installation order of programs based on the list information, and packaging means for packaging the received programs so that installation of the received programs is executed based on the installation order And in the package Installation means for executing installation based on the installation means.

  Here, in the information processing system described above, the program specifying unit excludes the identification information of the installed program from the identification information of one or more programs included in the list information. May be specified.

  Further, in the above information processing system, the program specifying unit uses, as a predetermined reference, identification information of a program necessary for installing a program that has not been installed in the client among identification information of the installed program. May be extracted and identified as a program to be acquired.

  In any one of the information processing systems described above, the client includes program information requesting means for requesting the second server for version information of a program corresponding to program identification information included in the list information. The second server includes: program information storage means for storing version information of each program stored in the program storage means; program information request receiving means for receiving the program information request from the client; Program information transmitting means for acquiring version information corresponding to the program received from the program information storage means and transmitting the version information to the requesting client, wherein the client is transmitted from the second server. Receive program information to receive information The program specifying means extracts the identification information of the program older than the received version information corresponding to the version information of the program out of the identification information of the installed program, as a program to be acquired You may make it specify.

  In any one of the information processing systems described above, the model information includes a model name, the configuration information includes information related to an OS, and the identification information includes a program name. You may make it.

  A client that acquires a program for controlling the image forming apparatus from the server, the client information collecting unit that acquires the model information of the image forming apparatus to be controlled and the configuration information of the client as client information; Client information transmitting means for transmitting client information to the server, identification information of one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus transmitted from the server according to the client information, and the order of installing the programs A list receiving means for receiving list information including: the list information; and identification information of a program for controlling the image forming apparatus to be controlled that has been installed in the client. Program specifying means for specifying, and Program request means for requesting the server to determine a program to be acquired, program receiving means for receiving a program transmitted from the server in response to the request, and list information indicating an installation order of the received programs Installation order determining means for determining based on the installation order, packaging means for packaging the received program so that installation of the received program based on the installation order is performed, and installation based on the package Installation means for executing.

  A program that causes a computer to function as a client that acquires a program for controlling an image forming apparatus from a server, and that acquires model information of the image forming apparatus to be controlled and configuration information of the client as client information Identification information of one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus transmitted from the server according to the client information, information collecting means, client information transmitting means for transmitting the client information to the server And list receiving means for receiving list information including the installation order of the program, the list information, and identification information of a program for controlling the image forming apparatus to be controlled that has been installed in the client , Professional to get A program specifying means for specifying a program, a program requesting means for requesting the specified program to be acquired from the server, a program receiving means for receiving a program transmitted from the server in response to the request, and the reception An installation order determining means for determining an installation order of the received program based on the list information, and packaging the received program so that the installation of the received program is executed based on the installation order The computer functions as a packaging means.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing system 7 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the list information 53 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the selection criteria information 100 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer 400 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the download and installation process which concern on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the download screen 600 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the installation screen 700 which concerns on an example of 1st embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 7 according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing system 7 includes a client 1, an image forming apparatus 2, a list management server 5, and a program management server 6. The client 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 3. The LAN 3 is connected to the Internet 4. The list management server 5 and the program management server 6 are connected to the Internet 4.

  The client 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 can communicate with each other via the LAN 3. The client 1 can communicate with the list management server 5 and the program management server 6 via the LAN 3 and the Internet 4.

  The client 1 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) on which an OS (Operating System), an application program, and the like operate. The list management server 5 and the program management server 6 are server computers on which an OS (Operating System), a WEB server, and the like operate, for example.

  The client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 are realized by, for example, a computer 400 as shown in FIG. The computer 400 includes, for example, a CPU 401 that performs various calculations, a ROM 402 that stores programs and data necessary for activation in advance, a RAM 403 that stores programs and data executed by the CPU 401, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 404 such as (Solid State Drive), media read / write device 405 that reads and writes information on portable storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, and a network such as a wired LAN for communication A network interface (I / F) 406 for performing communication, a USB interface (I / F) 407 for performing communication by USB, an input device 408 such as a keyboard and a mouse, an LCD for displaying a user interface (UI) screen, etc. And an output device 409.

  Of course, the configuration of the computer 400 described above is the main configuration in describing the features of the present invention, and is not limited to the above configuration. In addition, other configurations included in a general computer are not excluded. For example, instead of the auxiliary storage device 404, an external storage device connected via the network I / F 406 or the USB I / F 407 may be provided. Further, for example, a network I / F that performs communication by connecting to a network such as a wireless LAN may be provided.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 is, for example, an apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, or a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 2 is controlled by various programs installed in the client 1 according to a procedure described later.

  Hereinafter, functions of the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 will be described more specifically. The list management server 5, the program management server 6, and the client 1 will be described in this order.

  The list management server 5 manages a list of programs for controlling the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus. Therefore, the list management server 5 includes an access control unit 50 and a storage unit 51. Although details will be described later, the main body of the program is managed by the program management server 6.

  The storage unit 51 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 404, for example. The access control unit 50 is realized, for example, when the CPU 401 executes a predetermined program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 404 to the RAM 403.

  The storage unit 51 stores an installation guide program 52 and list information 53 of programs to be installed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “list information 53”).

  Although the details will be described later, the installation guide program 52 is downloaded to the client 1 and executed, thereby automatically downloading to the client 1 a program for controlling the image forming apparatus 2 to be controlled by the client 1. It is a program for installing.

  The installation guide program 52 can be prepared and managed for each model of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration of the client, and can be stored and managed in the storage unit 51 so that they can be accessed with different address information. For example, a directory having a different URL may be created for each type of image forming apparatus and client OS identification information, and a corresponding installation guide program file may be stored in each directory. The installation guide program 52 for each model includes identification information (for example, model name) of the image forming apparatus, address information of the list management server 5, address information of the program management server 6, and the like. Can be used.

  The list information 53 is information including a list of programs for controlling the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus. Specifically, the list information 53 can be configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the list information 53 includes a client for controlling the image forming apparatus for each model identification information 530 indicating the model of the image forming apparatus and system configuration information 531 of the client for controlling the image forming apparatus. Includes identification information 532 (hereinafter also referred to as “identification information 532”) of an installation target program that needs to be installed. The model identification information 530 is, for example, a model name or model name. The system configuration information 531 is identification information of the client OS, for example. The identification information 532 includes identification information (for example, a file name) of one or more installation target programs, and each identification information is arranged in the order in which the programs are to be installed. That is, the identification information 532 includes information indicating the installation order of the installation target program. In the example of this figure, the record of the model “XXX” and the OS “YYY” includes identification information of the programs A to D to be installed and information indicating the installation order A to D (from left to right). .

  Here, the identification information of various programs to be installed corresponds to unit programs such as a printer driver, scanner driver, network setting utility, network printing utility, network utility, and various bundled software, and these programs are packaged. It does not correspond to a single program.

  Note that the configuration of the list information 53 is an example, and may be managed in a format other than a table. For example, a directory having a different URL may be created for each type of image forming apparatus and client OS identification information, and a corresponding list file may be stored in each directory.

  The access control unit 50 transmits the installation guide program 52 and the list information 53 in response to an access from the client 1. Further, the record of the list information 53 is added / updated / deleted in response to direct access from the list management server 5 or access from an administrator's terminal (not shown).

  Specifically, when the access control unit 50 receives a request for the installation guide program 52 of the image forming apparatus 2 controlled by the client 1 from the client 1 via a WEB site provided by the access control unit 50, the access control unit 50 performs the installation. The guide program 52 is read from the storage unit 51 and transmitted to the client 1.

  When the access control unit 50 receives a list request including the model identification information of the image forming apparatus 2 and the system configuration information of the client 1 from the client 1, the access control unit 50 refers to the list information 53 and refers to the model identification information and the system configuration information. And a record including the model identification information 530 and the system configuration information 531 corresponding thereto is specified, and the record is transmitted to the client 1. Only the identification information 532 may be transmitted.

  Further, the access control unit 50 receives and executes addition / update / deletion of a record of the list information 53 from an administrator's terminal or the like. For example, when a new model image forming apparatus is sold, the administrator can add a record corresponding to the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, since the identification information 532 of the list information 53 does not include the program version information, the administrator does not need to update the record when the program version becomes new.

  The program management server 6 manages the main body of a program necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the program management server 6 has an access control unit 60 and a storage unit 61.

  The storage unit 61 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 404, for example. The access control unit 60 is realized by, for example, executing a predetermined program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 404 to the RAM 403 by the CPU 401.

  The storage unit 61 stores a program 62 to be installed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “program 62”). The identification information of the program 62 is described in the list information 53 managed by the list management server 5.

  The program 62 includes one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus for each model of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration of the client. Each program for controlling the image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer driver, a scanner driver, a network setting utility, a network printing utility, a network utility, various bundle software, and the like. Each program includes detailed information of the program, for example, version information, URL information, size information, and the like.

  Each program can be stored and managed in the storage unit 61 so that it can be accessed with different address information for each model and system configuration information of the image forming apparatus. For example, a directory having a different URL is created for each type of image forming apparatus and client OS identification information, and one or more program files for controlling the image forming apparatus are stored in each directory. That's fine.

  Note that the configuration of the program 62 is merely an example, and may be managed in another format. For example, each program and its detailed information may be managed separately in association with each other.

  The access control unit 60 transmits the requested program in response to the access from the client 1. In addition, a program is added / updated / deleted in response to direct access from the program management server 6 or access from an administrator's terminal (not shown).

  Specifically, when the access control unit 60 receives a program detailed information request including program identification information (for example, a file name) and system configuration information (for example, OS identification information) from the client 1, the storage unit 61 The detailed information of the program corresponding to the identification information and the system configuration information is specified, and the detailed information is transmitted to the client 1.

  Further, when the access control unit 60 receives a request for a program necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus 2 that is the control target of the client 1 from the client 1, the access control unit 60 reads the program from the storage unit 61 from the storage unit 61. 1 to send.

  In addition, the access control unit 60 receives and executes addition / update / deletion of a program from an administrator's terminal or the like. For example, when a new model image forming apparatus is sold, the administrator can use various programs for controlling the image forming apparatus (for example, a printer driver, a scanner driver, a network when the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral). Configuration utility, network printing utility, network utility, various bundled software, etc.) can be added to the directory of the specified model.

  Here, the various programs are programs such as a printer driver, a scanner driver, a network setting utility, a network printing utility, a network utility, various bundled software, etc., and these programs are packaged as one program. There is no need. That is, when adding a new program, the administrator may store a plurality of programs in the program management server 6 without packaging them, and store a list of these plurality of programs in the list management server 5.

  The client 1 accesses the WEB site provided by the list management server 5 specified by a user operation by an OS (Operating System) or browser function, downloads the installation guide program 52, and stores it as the installation guide program 13. 12.

  As described above, the installation guide program 52 is prepared for each model of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration information of the client 1 and stored in the list management server 5. Therefore, the user can access and download the URL of the WEB site provided with the installation guide program 52 corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus 2 scheduled to be used by the user and the system configuration of the client 1.

  When the installation guide program 13 is activated by a user operation (or automatically after the download is completed), the download control unit 10 and the installation control unit 11 are built in the client 1.

  The storage unit 12 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 404, for example. The download control unit 10 and the installation control unit 11 are realized by the CPU 401 executing the installation guide program 13 loaded from the auxiliary storage device 404 to the RAM 403, for example.

  The download control unit 10 performs a process of downloading a program necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus 2.

  Specifically, the download control unit 10 collects system configuration information of the client 1 when the installation guide program 13 is activated. The system configuration information of the client 1 can be acquired from the OS, for example. The system configuration information includes, for example, the OS version. Information such as the operating region of the OS and the operating language of the OS may be included. Further, the download control unit 10 acquires model identification information of the image forming apparatus 2 predetermined in the installation guide program 13. The model identification information is, for example, a model name (model name). Then, the download control unit 10 transmits a list request including model identification information and system configuration information to the list management server 5 predetermined in the installation guide program 13.

  When receiving the list from the list management server 5 in response to the list request, the download control unit 10 stores the list in the storage unit 12. Further, identification information (for example, a file name) of a program necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus corresponding to the model information included in the list is acquired, and the identification information of the program and the system configuration information of the client 1 are included. The program detailed information request is transmitted to the program management server 6 predetermined in the installation guide program 13.

  The download control unit 10 receives the program detailed information from the program management server 6 in response to the program detailed information request and stores it in the storage unit 12. The program detailed information includes, for example, program identification information, program version information, storage destination URL, size, and the like.

  The download control unit 10 uses the program identification information included in the received list to search for a program installed in the client 1 and necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus (searches for a predetermined folder or directory). Search for.

  When there is no installed program, all programs included in the list are specified as programs to be installed. If there is an installed program, the program that is not installed is identified as the installation target program.

  Here, for the installed program, the version information of the program is acquired and compared with the version information of the program included in the detailed program information stored in the storage unit 12. If the installed version of the program is old, the program may be specified as an installation target program.

  Here, when there is an installed program, when installing a program that has not been installed, it may be necessary to install or use the installed program again, even if it is an installed program, due to the installation procedure. In such a case, a necessary program may be specified as an installation target program even if it is already installed.

  In order to specify a program to be installed from the installed programs, for example, selection criterion information 100 (hereinafter referred to as “selection criterion information 100”) of the installation target program as shown in FIG. 3 is used. Can do. For example, the selection criterion information 100 can be included in the installation guide program 13 in advance. Of course, for example, the selection criterion information 100 is stored in the list management server 5 for each model identification information of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration information of the client, and the download control unit 10 acquires the corresponding selection criterion information. It may be.

  The selection criterion information 100 includes information in which identification information 102 of a program necessary for installing the installation target program is associated with the identification information 101 of the installation target program. The identification information 101 is, for example, a file name. The identification information 102 includes identification information of one or more programs. Each identification information is, for example, a file name. In the example shown in the figure, there is no program necessary for installing program A, A and C are programs necessary for installing program B, A and D are programs necessary for installing program C, and programs necessary for installing program D are C.

  Of course, the above method is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a necessary program may be specified by conditional branching in the program code.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the download control unit 10 uses the identification information of the installation target program identified as described above and the detailed program information stored in the storage unit 12 to store the storage destination information ( For example, URL) is specified. Then, the download control unit 10 requests the program management server 6 for a program to be installed using the storage destination information of each program.

  When the download control unit 10 receives a program from the program management server 6 in response to the program request, the download control unit 10 stores the program in the storage unit 12.

  The download control unit 10 sets the installation order of the programs to be installed based on the installation order information of each program included in the list information stored in the storage unit 12. Then, various setting information (for example, INI file or INF file) is generated so that each program stored in the storage unit 12 is installed in the installation order set, and a package file including the various programs and setting information is created. Generated and stored in the storage unit 12. After generating the package file, the download control unit 10 activates the installation control unit 11 and instructs execution of the installation.

  The installation control unit 11 performs processing for installing the program downloaded by the download control unit 10 in the client 1.

  Specifically, the installation control unit 11 installs various programs included in the package program in the client 1 according to setting information included in the package file generated by the download control unit 10.

  The above components are classified according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configurations of the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configurations of the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 can be classified into more components according to the processing contents. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  For example, the installation guide program 52 may be stored in a corresponding directory in the storage unit 61 of the program management server 6. In this case, the client 1 downloads the installation guide program 52 from the program management server 6. Further, for example, the list management server 5 and the program management server 6 may be configured as the same management server. In this case, the client 1 acquires an installation guide program, a list, a program, and the like from the management server.

  Next, characteristic download and installation processing realized by the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing download and installation processing according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention. This flow shows processing when the installation guide program 13 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 2 to be controlled by the client 1 is downloaded from the list management server 5 and activated.

  In S10, the client 1 collects client information. Specifically, the download control unit 10 collects system configuration information of the client 1. Also, model identification information of the image forming apparatus 2 predetermined in the installation guide program 13 is acquired.

  In S20, the client 1 transmits a list request. Specifically, the download control unit 10 transmits a list request including the system configuration information and model identification information acquired in S10 to the list management server 5 predetermined in the installation guide program 13.

  In S30, the list management server 5 receives the list request. Specifically, the access control unit 50 receives a list request transmitted from the client 1.

  In S40, the list management server 5 transmits the list. Specifically, the access control unit 50 refers to the list information 53 and records a record including the model identification information 530 and the system configuration information 531 corresponding to the model identification information and the system configuration information included in the list request received in S30. The specified record (list) is transmitted to the client 1.

  In S50, the client 1 receives the list. Specifically, the download control unit 10 receives the list transmitted from the list management server 5 and stores it in the storage unit 12.

  In S60, the client 1 transmits a program detailed information request. Specifically, the download control unit 10 acquires the identification information 532 of the program included in the list received in S50 from the storage unit 12, and requests a detailed program information request including the identification information 532 and the system configuration information of the client 1 Is transmitted to the program management server 6 predetermined in the installation guide program 13.

  In S70, the program management server 6 receives the program detailed information request. Specifically, the access control unit 60 receives the program detailed information request transmitted from the client 1.

  In S80, the program management server 6 transmits program detailed information. Specifically, the access control unit 60 refers to the storage unit 61 and identifies program identification information (for example, file name) and system configuration information (for example, OS identification information) included in the program detail request received in S70. The detailed information of the corresponding program is specified, and the detailed information is transmitted to the client 1.

  In S90, the client 1 receives the program detailed information. Specifically, the download control unit 10 receives detailed information about the program transmitted from the program management server 6 and stores it in the storage unit 12.

  In S100, the client 1 specifies a program to be installed. Specifically, the download control unit 10 first determines whether or not each program corresponding to the identification information of the program included in the list received in S50 has been installed in the client 1. When there is no installed program, all programs included in the list are specified as programs to be installed. If there is an installed program, the program that is not installed is identified as the installation target program.

  For the installed program, the download control unit 10 acquires the version information of the program, for example, from the program file and compares it with the version information of the program included in the detailed program information received in S90. . If the version of the installed program is old, the program is identified as the program to be installed.

  Note that, among the installed programs, a program necessary for the procedure of installing a program that has not been installed may be specified, and the program may be specified as a program to be installed.

  In S110, the download control unit 10 transmits a program request to be installed. Specifically, the download control unit 10 specifies storage destination information (for example, URL) of each program using the identification information and detailed information of the installation target program specified in S100. Then, the program management server 6 is requested for a program to be installed using the storage location information of each program.

  In S120, the program management server 6 receives a program request to be installed. Specifically, the access control unit 60 receives the installation target program request transmitted from the client 1.

  In S130, the program management server 6 transmits a program to be installed. Specifically, the access control unit 60 specifies a program stored in the storage destination information included in the request received in S120, and transmits the program to the client 1.

  In S140, the client 1 receives the program to be installed. Specifically, the download control unit 10 receives a program to be installed from the program management server 6 and stores it in the storage unit 12.

  In S150, the client 1 sets the installation order. Specifically, the download control unit 10 sets the installation order of the programs to be installed based on the installation order information of each program included in the list information received in S50.

  In S160, the client 1 generates a package. Specifically, the download control unit 10 generates various setting information so that each installation target program received in S140 is installed in the installation order set in S150, and each program and a package including the setting information A file is generated and stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the installation control unit 11 is activated to instruct execution of installation.

  In addition, the download control part 10 can display a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 6 on an output device between S10-S160 mentioned above, for example. The download screen 600 includes a progress bar 601 indicating download progress, an OK button 611 for confirming the download and starting installation after the download is completed, and a cancel button 612 for canceling the download. It is out. Of course, the configuration of the download screen 600 is not limited to the above.

  In S170, the client 1 installs a package. Specifically, the installation control unit 11 installs various programs included in the package program in the client 1 in accordance with the setting information included in the package file generated by the download control unit 10 in S160.

  Note that the installation control unit 11 can display, for example, a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the output device in S170 described above. The installation screen 700 includes a progress bar 701 indicating the progress of the installation, an OK button 711 for confirming and terminating the installation after the installation is completed, and a cancel button 712 for canceling the installation. . Of course, the configuration of the installation screen 700 is not limited to the above.

  The above description of the flow described the main processing flow in describing the characteristics of the present invention, and does not exclude other processing. In addition, each processing unit of the above flow is divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing of the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 easy to understand. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processing of the client 1, the list management server 5, and the program management server 6 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

  The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to this embodiment, a plurality of programs can be easily downloaded and installed on the client.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, by installing and starting a predetermined program on the client, a plurality of programs necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus to be controlled are automatically selected and downloaded, and the predetermined installation is performed. Installed in order. With such a configuration, the user can easily download and install without recognizing the program to be installed and the order of installation.

  According to the present embodiment, the list of programs to be installed does not include program version information. With such a configuration, even if the program is upgraded, the administrator may add or update the program, and does not need to update or add the list of the program.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of programs can be stored in the server without being packaged. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to package a plurality of programs, so the burden on the administrator is reduced. On the other hand, the client performs the installation as if it had downloaded the package, so the burden on the user does not increase.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of programs are automatically downloaded by the client. According to such a configuration, for example, when a plurality of programs are downloaded one by one through the WEB site, confirmation screens such as terms and conditions regarding each program are not displayed on the client screen, and the burden on the user is reduced. decrease.

  The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate the gist and scope of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the installation guide program is prepared for each model of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration of the client. However, one installation guide program may be prepared as a common program. In this case, when the installation guide program is activated, the user may be allowed to input the model of the image forming apparatus and the system configuration of the client. The download control unit may perform processing using the input model and system configuration. Note that the download control unit may automatically collect the client system configuration without input by the user.

  The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an apparatus having a predetermined function controlled by a client by installing a predetermined program on the client.

1: client, 2: image forming apparatus, 3: LAN, 4: internet, 5: list management server, 6: program management server, 7: information processing system, 10: download control unit, 11: installation control unit, 12: Storage unit, 13: Installation guide program, 50: Access control unit, 51: Storage unit, 52: Installation guide program, 53: List information, 60: Access control unit, 61: Storage unit, 62: Program,
100: Selection criteria information, 101: Identification information, 102: Identification information, 400: Computer, 401: CPU, 402: ROM, 403: RAM, 404: Auxiliary storage device, 405: Media read / write device, 406: Network I / F 407: USB I / F, 408: input device, 409: output device, 530: model identification information, 531: system configuration information, 532: identification information,
600: Download screen, 601: Progress bar, 611: OK button, 612: Cancel button, 700: Installation screen, 701: Progress bar, 711: OK button, 712: Cancel button

Claims (7)

An information processing system having a first server, a second server, and a client, for installing a program for controlling the image forming apparatus in the client,
The client
Client information collection means for acquiring model information of the image forming apparatus to be controlled and configuration information of the client as client information;
Client information transmitting means for transmitting the client information to the first server,
The first server is
For each model information of the image forming apparatus and client configuration information, identification information of one or more programs for the client corresponding to the configuration information of the client to control the image forming apparatus corresponding to the model information and the program List storage means for storing list information including an installation order;
Client information receiving means for receiving the client information from the client;
List transmission means for acquiring list information corresponding to the client information from the list storage means and transmitting the list information to the client that is the transmission source of the client information,
The client further includes:
List receiving means for receiving the list information transmitted from the first server device;
Program specifying means for specifying an acquisition target program based on the list information and identification information of a program for controlling the control target image forming apparatus installed in the client;
Program request means for requesting the specified acquisition target program from the second server,
The second server is
Program storage means for storing one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus as separate files for each image forming apparatus;
Program request receiving means for receiving the request from the client;
Program sending means for obtaining the requested program from the program storage means and sending it to the client of the request source,
The client further includes program receiving means for receiving a program transmitted from the second server;
Installation order determining means for determining the installation order of the received program based on the list information;
Packaging means for packaging the received program such that installation of the received program is performed based on the installation order;
Installation means for performing installation based on the package;
A system characterized by that. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The program specifying means specifies an acquisition target program excluding the identification information of the installed program among the identification information of one or more programs included in the list information.
An information processing system characterized by this. The information processing system according to claim 2,
The program specifying means extracts program identification information necessary for installing a program that has not been installed in the client from identification information of the installed program based on a predetermined criterion, and obtains the program as an acquisition target program. Identify,
An information processing system characterized by this. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3,
The client
Program information requesting means for requesting the second server for version information of a program corresponding to identification information of a program included in the list information;
The second server is
Program information storage means for storing version information of each program stored in the program storage means;
Program information request receiving means for receiving the program information request from the client;
Program information transmission means for obtaining version information corresponding to the requested program from the program information storage means and transmitting the version information to the client of the request source,
The client
Program information receiving means for receiving the version information transmitted from the second server,
The program specifying unit extracts identification information of a program older than the received version information corresponding to the version information of the program among the identification information of the installed program, and specifies the program as an acquisition target program.
An information processing system characterized by this. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The model information includes a model name,
The configuration information includes information about the OS,
The identification information includes the name of the program.
An information processing system characterized by this. A client that acquires a program for controlling an image forming apparatus from a server,
Client information collection means for acquiring model information of the image forming apparatus to be controlled and configuration information of the client as client information;
Client information transmitting means for transmitting the client information to the server;
List receiving means for receiving list information transmitted from the server according to the client information and including identification information of one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus and an installation order of the programs;
Program specifying means for specifying an acquisition target program based on the list information and identification information of a program for controlling the control target image forming apparatus installed in the client;
Program request means for requesting the server for the specified acquisition target program;
Program receiving means for receiving a program transmitted from the server in response to the request;
Installation order determining means for determining the installation order of the received program based on the list information;
Packaging means for packaging the received program such that installation of the received program is performed based on the installation order;
Installation means for performing installation based on the package;
A client characterized by that. A program that causes a computer to function as a client that acquires a program for controlling an image forming apparatus from a server,
Client information collection means for acquiring model information of the image forming apparatus to be controlled and configuration information of the client as client information;
Client information transmitting means for transmitting the client information to the server;
List receiving means for receiving list information transmitted from the server according to the client information and including identification information of one or more programs for controlling the image forming apparatus and an installation order of the programs;
Program specifying means for specifying an acquisition target program based on the list information and identification information of a program for controlling the control target image forming apparatus installed in the client;
Program request means for requesting the server for the specified acquisition target program;
Program receiving means for receiving a program transmitted from the server in response to the request;
Installation order determining means for determining the installation order of the received program based on the list information;
Causing the computer to function as packaging means for packaging the received program such that installation of the received program is performed based on the installation order;
A program characterized by that.

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