JP4834970B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a general client personal computer (PC), a server device, a multifunction device having functions such as a copying machine and a printer equipped with a network function, and an information processing device such as a network scanner device and the like. In particular, an information processing apparatus capable of more suitably reducing the risk of not operating due to a combination of software when operating by inputting software from outside such as via a network The present invention relates to an information processing system using a computer.

  In recent years, as represented by the personal computer (PC), in an information processing apparatus capable of freely processing character information, graphic information, and the like, in addition to software stored in a storage means such as a hard disk in advance, Purchase software via a network from a software manufacturer that provides software, or a site on the Internet established by an individual developer who provides software using shareware, etc., and the purchased software is sent via the network. Can be downloaded and installed on a personal computer (PC) for use.

  Recently, not only personal computers (PCs) but also multifunction devices and network scanner devices equipped with a network function, character information and graphic information can be copied or printed, or read and sent to a desired partner. Information processing apparatuses have also been equipped with network connection functions such as a function for connecting to the Internet. And in an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction machine or a network scanner device equipped with these network functions, as with a personal computer (PC), the software is downloaded via the network, and the complex function equipped with the network function is installed. It may be possible to install it on a machine or network scanner device, although it may involve technical complexity.

  For example, in a personal computer (PC), software for making corrections for measures such as security holes by using a function of “Windows (registered trademark) Update” of Microsoft Corporation, etc., is installed on the personal computer (PC) on the user side. It can be downloaded and used from. In this case, the quality of the downloaded software itself is verified and guaranteed in advance by the software provider.

  In addition, although the present inventors conducted prior art searches using keywords, no prior art related to the present invention could be found.

  However, the above prior art has the following problems. That is, as described above, recently, not only a personal computer (PC) but also an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction machine or a network scanner apparatus equipped with a network function can download desired software via a network such as the Internet. It can be downloaded and installed and used in a multifunction machine or a network scanner device equipped with the network function.

  For this reason, software used in information processing devices such as MFPs and network scanners equipped with the above network functions also uses various open sources and uses application program interfaces (APIs) published by users. Therefore, it is possible to develop new software, and it is expected that the combination of software and the mutual dependency will increase rapidly like the combination of the library and the software that uses it. Is done.

  Even software that has already been used has been improved every day. Even when the same type of software is used in combination, there are a wide variety of combinations of software when considering differences in version. However, it is expected to actually increase further. Furthermore, in the case of software such as device drivers that operate on multiple compatible hardware, it is necessary to consider the combination with hardware, and the tendency to increase including the combination of software and hardware, etc. It is in.

  In such a situation, in order to confirm and guarantee the operation quality of the software, the software provider, in the past, in advance, to ensure that it works normally in all combinations of dependent software. Verification is expected to become difficult as an actual problem, and there is a problem that there is a risk that software downloaded on the user side does not operate normally.

  In addition, considering that there is software that does not have a direct dependency between software, it is more difficult to confirm the quality in advance for all combinations of software that have a dependency. There is. For example, if two pieces of software that do not depend on each other depend on one piece of software such as a common library, not only a combination of two pieces of software that have a dependency relation but also a combination of three pieces that coexist Therefore, it has been difficult to verify in advance that it operates normally.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to input and operate software from outside, such as via a network. Information processing apparatus capable of more suitably mitigating risk of not operating due to combination of software even when software provider cannot verify operation of all combinations of software in advance, and using the same It is to provide an information processing system.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system that mutually uses operation result information of software among a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to be able to communicate with each other.
An information processing apparatus to which the software is input is
Software input means for inputting software;
Based on the operation environment information of the information and its information processing apparatus for identifying software, software to be entered by the software input means is stored in the other information processing apparatus as a result of the check whether it operates normally Software A verification request means for requesting verification with the operation result information in which the operation result information confirmed by the provider of the operation or the operation result information confirmed by the user level is identified ;
Collation result receiving means for receiving a collation result with known operation result information requested by the collation request means;
Verification result determination means for determining the content of the verification result received by the verification result receiving means;
By the collation result determination means,
If it is determined that there is operation result information of the normal operation of the software in the same operating environment as the own information processing apparatus, the input process of the software is immediately executed,
There is no performance record information of the software in the same operating environment as its own information processing apparatus, and the OS of the software environment information of the hardware operating environment and the software operating environment of its own information processing apparatus matches, Software control means for confirming to the user whether or not to input the software when it is determined that there is operation result information of normal operation in an operating environment in which a part of the dependent file matches;
Comprising user interface means for notifying the user;
In the information processing system, the user interface means notifies the user of the collation result received by the collation result receiving means, the judgment result by the collation result judgment means, or the processing result by the software control means. is there.

The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing apparatus system described in claim 1,
The operation record information includes: the software information confirming operation, operation check result information and an information processing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises all three operating environment information of the own information processing apparatus when the operation check System .

The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing apparatus system described in claim 1,
The operation record information, when the operation check of the software has ended abnormally is an information processing system which comprises additional information for identifying the like cause of the abnormality of the contents and abnormal.

  According to the present invention, when operating software by inputting software from the outside, such as via a network, even if the software provider cannot verify the operation of all combinations of software in advance, It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system using the information processing apparatus that can more appropriately reduce the risk of not operating due to a combination of software.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.
Here, the configuration of the information processing system will be described in the following order.
1. Configuration of Information Processing System 1-1 Configuration and Operation of Information Providing Device 1-2 Configuration and Operation of Information Utilizing Device 1-3 Configuration and Operation of Information Management Device

1. Configuration of Information Processing System This information processing system 1 basically includes a multifunction peripheral 100 (information processing apparatus) that functions as an information providing apparatus that provides software operation result information, and information use that uses software operation result information. A multifunction machine 200 (information processing apparatus) that functions as an apparatus and an operation result management server 300 (information processing apparatus) that functions as an information management apparatus that manages software operation result information are configured. The operation result management server 300 also manages software itself.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. However, the information processing system 1 is similar to a multifunction machine (multifunction machine: MF machine) 100 that functions as an information providing apparatus. Although the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is a multifunction peripheral (MF machine) 200 that functions as an information utilization apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the server as a software download source server A server 300 that functions as an information management device that manages operation performance with functions, a personal computer (PC) 400 as a software provider such as a software manufacturer or developer, the MFP 100 and the MFP 200; A network 2 that connects the server 300 and the software provider 400 so that they can communicate with each other. It has been.

  In the example shown in the figure, only two multifunction devices, one server, and one software provider are shown. However, there is no limit to the number of these devices, and the provision of an arbitrary number of multifunction devices and software is provided. Of course, the original or server may be connected to the network 2. Further, the information processing apparatus is not limited to a multifunction machine having a network function, and includes a wide range of apparatuses such as a network scanner apparatus, and also a personal computer (PC) or workstation (WS). Of course, it may be.

  Examples of the network 2 include Ethernet (registered trademark), wired and wireless LAN (Local Area Network), general telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetoric Digital Subscriber Line), ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network), etc. The Internet etc. constructed | assembled via these networks 2 are also included. Here, the network 2 is a network that connects the MFPs 100 and 200, the server 300, or the software provider 400 so that they can communicate with each other, and is based on specific information individually assigned to the network 2. It is possible to identify and communicate with the information processing apparatus of the other party to communicate. Typical information individually given to the network 2 is an IPv6 (Internet Protocol, version 6) address or IPv4 (same version 4) address and port defined in the Internet. A combination of numbers, by specifying the IPv6 address or IPv4 address and port number combination, it is possible to communicate with a specific information processing apparatus via the Internet as the network, and the specific information Information can be received from the processing device.

1-1 Configuration and Operation of Information Providing Device As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 100 that functions as an information providing device includes a scanner device 6 that reads an image of a document on the upper portion of the multifunction device main body 5. The document image data read by the scanner device 6 is converted into image format conversion, compression / expansion, show-through removal, color conversion (brightness / color space conversion), shading correction, and positional deviation by an image processor (not shown). Predetermined image processing such as correction, gamma correction, frame erasing, and color / movement editing is performed.

  The multi-function device 100 includes a multi-function module (hereinafter referred to as “MF module”) 7 in the multi-function device body 5, and the MF module 7 stores images read by the scanner device 6. Based on image data sent via the network 2 or facsimile image data sent via a general telephone line, etc., image data transmission / reception, and copy and print processing based on the image data are performed. It is configured as follows. The MF module 7 forms a black and white or color image by, for example, an electrophotographic method, but is not limited to this, and forms an image by an arbitrary method such as an electrostatic recording method or an inkjet recording method. It includes things that perform.

  An operation display panel 8 serving as a user interface is provided on the upper portion of the copying machine body 5. The operation display panel 8 is used for, for example, instructing the Internet connection, confirming the operation of desired software, acquiring operation information, downloading the desired software, and instructing the scanning and printing operations. belongs to. In addition to the operation display panel 8, an operation panel for performing basic operations such as a copy instruction may be provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the main body.

  Further, as will be described later, the MFP 100 includes a server 300 connected to the network 2 via the external interface unit 111, and a personal computer (PC) as a software provider such as a software manufacturer or developer. ) 400 and the like can be connected to and accessed from an external device.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the software provider 400 is composed of a personal computer (PC), for example, and includes a terminal main body 40 and a display device 41 such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal panel. And an input instruction device 42 such as a keyboard and a mouse. In addition to basic software (operating system: OS), application software necessary for performing various information processing is installed in the terminal body 40.

  The software created by the software provider 400 is configured to be stored and managed in the server 300 and downloaded from the server 300, for example. The application software can be accessed from the multifunction peripheral 100 or the like via the interface unit, and desired software can be downloaded. Among the application software, software for performing print processing by the multifunction peripheral 100 or 200 using IPP or the like, software for inputting image data read by the scanner device 6 of the multifunction peripheral 100 or 200, or composite The image data read by the scanner device 6 of the machine 100 or 200 is subjected to desired image processing, and arbitrary software such as software for outputting the image data to another information processing device is included.

  By the way, in this embodiment, in an information processing apparatus for providing software operation record information, software input means for inputting software and whether or not the software input by the software input means operates normally. The operation confirmation means for confirming, the operation result information creating means for creating operation result information from the result of confirming the operation by the operation confirmation means, and the operation result created by the operation result creating means And an operation result information transmitting means for transmitting information.

  Further, in this embodiment, the operation result information creating means includes, as the operation result information, information on the software whose operation has been confirmed, information on the result of operation confirmation, and operation environment information of its own information processing apparatus when the operation has been confirmed. Are configured to create at least one of them.

  Further, in this embodiment, the operation result information transmitting means transmits the operation result information when the operation check of the software is normally ended or when an abnormality occurs during the operation check and ends abnormally. Is configured to do.

  In this embodiment, the operation result information creating means includes additional information for identifying the content of the abnormality and the cause of the abnormality when the operation check of the software is abnormally terminated. The operation result information is configured to be created.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation check means is configured to check the operation by installing the software.

  In this embodiment, the operation check means is configured to check the operation by executing a test function included in the software.

  That is, the multifunction peripheral 100 functioning as the information providing apparatus according to this embodiment has the functions of a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and the like, and can respond to various information processing requests. It has become. In addition, the multi-function device 100 is configured to be able to input software via the network 2, and it is possible to confirm whether or not the input software operates normally. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-function device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a hard disk 104, a control unit 105, and a printing. Unit 106, scanner unit 6, operation display panel 8, system clock 107, image processing unit 108, software control unit 109, operation check control unit 110, I / F (external interface) unit 111, It is comprised so that it may be provided.

  The CPU 101 includes a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a hard disk 104, a control unit 105, a printing unit 106, a scanner unit 6, an operation display panel 8, a system clock 107, and an image processing unit 108 that constitute the multifunction peripheral 100. A central processing unit that controls the software control unit 109, the operation confirmation control unit 110, and the I / F (external interface) unit 111 via the system bus 112. A printing operation, a copying operation, various operations as a facsimile, and a software operation check in the multifunction peripheral 100 are executed under the control of the CPU 101 and the operation check control unit 110. The control operation by the CPU 101 is determined based on a program.

  The ROM 102 is a read-only memory, and a program for controlling the CPU 101 is stored in the ROM 102. In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 102 is for processing the image data input by the scanner unit 6 and for outputting the image data to the outside via the printing unit 106.

  The RAM 103 is configured by an SRAM or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like.

  The hard disk 104 is used to store data for various processes by the control program and to store image data and the like.

  The control unit 105 exchanges control data with the scanner unit 6 and the printing unit 106 and controls input / output of image data.

  The printing unit 106 is for printing an output image and outputting it to the outside. For example, the printing unit 106 is not limited to a printing function of an image read by the scanner unit 6, that is, a function as a copying machine, and so-called prints an image based on document data or an image file acquired via the network 2. It also fulfills a print function and a FAX function for printing out based on FAX reception data received via a general telephone line.

  When the MFP 100 functions as a printer, for example, the printing unit 106 receives PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) from the outside, and stores the PDL data in the hard disk 104 for each output unit ( The raster data is developed as image data for each page), and the raster data is sent to the printing unit 106 and printed out by the printing unit 106. When the multifunction device 100 functions as a color facsimile receiver, the printing unit 106 receives FAX reception data instead of PDL data, converts the received data into a Lab signal by the printing unit 106, and then prints out the printing unit 106. To do.

  The scanner unit 6 is for reading a document and inputting image data.

  The operation display panel 8 is used to display a screen for setting a scan operation and to give a scan instruction. In addition, it is configured to perform operations such as downloading software.

  The system clock 107 is constituted by a clock chip, and provides time information (year / month / day, hour / minute / second) to the CPU 101. The system clock 107 includes a backup battery so that time information is not lost when the system power is shut off or a power failure occurs, and always maintains the current time.

  The image processing unit 108 is for performing processing on input / output images.

  The software control unit 109 serves as software input means for performing software input processing, installation processing control, and the like.

  The operation confirmation control unit 110 is for performing control of software operation confirmation processing, operation result information generation processing, operation result information transmission processing, and the like. More specifically, the operation confirmation control unit 110 functions as an operation confirmation unit for confirming whether the software input by the software control unit 109 operates normally, and the operation confirmation unit confirms the operation. A function as an operation result information generating unit for generating operation result information from the result obtained, and a function as an operation result information transmitting unit for transmitting the operation result information generated by the operation result generating unit Etc.

  In the above configuration, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, when the software is input from the outside and operated via the network as follows, the software provider side combines all the software. Even in a situation where the operation cannot be verified in advance, it is possible to more suitably reduce the risk of not operating due to the combination of software.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the multifunction machine as the information providing apparatus according to this embodiment.

  First, in the MFP 100 as the information providing apparatus, first, as shown in Step 101 of FIG. 5, by specifying software via the software control unit 109 under the control of the operation confirmation control unit 110, the network The desired software is input via 2 or the like. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, “ImagePerfect” is designated as software from a software download screen (not shown) on the operation display panel 8 and is input by downloading via the network 2.

  The operation confirmation control unit 110 determines whether or not the software input has been completed normally (step 102). If the software input has been completed normally, the input software is installed (step 103). If the software input does not end normally, the process returns to step 101.

  After installing the input software, the operation check control unit 110 determines whether or not the installation of the input software has been normally completed (step 104).

  When the operation check control unit 110 determines that the installation of the input software has been normally completed, the operation check control unit 110 executes a test function of the installed software, and determines whether or not the software operates normally in the operating environment in which the software is installed. Is confirmed (step 105). It should be noted that the operation check of the software may of course be performed by an operation check program set separately by the multifunction peripheral 100 as the information providing apparatus without using the test function provided in advance in the installed software.

  Next, the operation check control unit 110 determines whether or not the software operation check has been completed normally (step 106). If the software operation check has been completed normally, as shown in FIG. The operation result information is created as “normal operation” for both the installation and test functions (step 107).

  On the other hand, when the operation check control unit 110 determines that the software operation check has not ended normally, the software installation has ended normally. However, in the test function for checking the software operation, the operation result information Is created (step 108).

  Further, when the operation confirmation control unit 110 determines whether or not the installation of the input software has been normally completed, if it is determined that the software installation has not been normally completed, the operation confirmation control unit 110 operates as an abnormal operation in the installation. Result information is created (step 109).

  Thereafter, the operation confirmation control unit 110 transmits the operation result information of the software to the operation result information management server 300 as shown in FIG. 6 (step 110), and ends the operation.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation result information created by the operation confirmation control unit 110.

  The ID in FIG. 6 indicates an identifier for identifying the software, the software name indicates the name of the software, the version indicates the version of the software, and the operation result is obtained when software installation or a test function is executed. Shows the operation results of the operation check, the operation check date indicates the date on which the operation check was performed, the machine number indicates the machine number of the hardware on which the operation check was performed, and the model indicates the hardware model on which the operation check was performed OS indicates the operating system and version of the software environment whose operation has been confirmed. Dependent file 1 indicates a dependent file such as a library used for executing the software whose operation has been confirmed. 1 indicates the version of the dependency file 1.

  In addition, after the dependent file 2, when there are a plurality of dependent files, the file and version are indicated in the same manner as the dependent file 1. The machine number and model indicate hardware environment information, and the OS, dependency file, and version indicate software environment information. As a result, it is possible to manage information related to software and how the software has been operated in a hardware environment and a software environment.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 functioning as the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment provides information on the operation of the software, and operation result information including information on the hardware environment and the software environment in which the operation has been confirmed. Is possible.

  Therefore, according to the multi-function device 100 that functions as the information providing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, when the user desires to operate the software by inputting the software from outside such as via the network 2, Even if the provider cannot verify the operation of all combinations of software in advance, the risk of not operating depending on the combination of software can be improved by using the operation result information provided by the MFP 100. It becomes possible to reduce.

1-2 Configuration and Operation of Information Utilization Device Next, a configuration of a multifunction machine functioning as an information utilization device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A multifunction device 200 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the multifunction device 200 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the multifunction device 200 functioning as the information utilization device basically generates image data of an image input by the scanner unit 6 as in the multifunction device 100, and the printing unit 206 performs external processing. It is configured to output to.

By the way, in this embodiment, in an information processing apparatus that uses software operation information, based on the information for identifying the software and the operation environment information of the information processing apparatus of the self, verification with the operation result information known about the software is performed. A collation request means for requesting, a collation result receiving means for receiving a collation result of the known operation result information requested by the collation request means, and determining the contents of the collation result received by the collation result receiving means Verification result determination means for performing, and software control means for controlling processing related to the software according to the determination determined by the verification result determination means;
It is comprised so that it may be provided.

  Further, in this embodiment, user interface means for notifying the user is provided, and the user interface means includes the collation result received by the collation result receiving means, the judgment result by the collation result judgment means, or the software The processing result by the control means is configured to be notified to the user.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is determined by the collation result determination means that there is operation performance information of the normal operation of the software in the same operating environment as that of the information processing apparatus, the software control means It is configured to control to input software.

  In this embodiment, when it is determined by the collation result determination means that there is operation performance information of the abnormal operation of the software in the same operating environment as that of the information processing apparatus, the software control means Control is performed so that the software is not input, the user is notified by the user interface means, or the software is input after the user is confirmed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the collation result determining means has no operation performance information of the software in the same operating environment as that of its own information processing apparatus, and operates normally in an operating environment similar to that of its own information processing apparatus. When it is determined that there is operation performance information, the software control unit is configured to notify the user by the user interface unit or to control the user to input the software after confirming the operation result information. Yes.

  Further, in this embodiment, the collation result determination means does not have the operation result information of the software in the same or similar operation environment as its own information processing apparatus, but operates with similar software different from the software. When it is determined that there is performance information, the software control means is configured to notify the user by the user interface means or to control the user to input the similar software after confirming the user information. Yes.

  Further, in this embodiment, when it is determined by the collation result determination means that there is operation result information of both normal operation and abnormal operation of the software in the same or similar operation environment as the own information processing apparatus, The software control means controls to input the software, to notify the user by the user interface means, or to input the software after confirming the user.

  In this embodiment, the user interface means notifies the user of the source of the operation performance information of the software from the collation result received by the collation result receiving means or the judgment result by the collation result judgment means. It is configured as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the multi-function device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a hard disk 204, a control unit 205, and a printing unit. Unit 206, scanner unit 6, operation display panel 8, system clock 207, image processing unit 208, software control unit 209, operation result control unit 210, I / F (external interface) unit 211, It is comprised so that it may be provided.

  The CPU 201 includes a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a control unit 205, a printing unit 206, a scanner unit 6, an operation display panel 8, a system clock 207, and an image processing unit 208 that constitute the multifunction device 200. A central processing unit that controls the software control unit 209, the operation confirmation control unit 210, and the I / F (external interface) unit 211 via the system bus 212. The printing operation, the copying operation, various operations as a facsimile, the operation check of software, and the like in the multifunction device 200 are executed under the control of the CPU 201 and the operation result control unit 210. The control operation by the CPU 201 is determined based on a program.

  A ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and a program for controlling the CPU 201 is stored in the ROM 202. In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 202 is for processing the image data input by the scanner unit and outputting the image data to the outside via the printing unit.

  The RAM 203 is configured by an SRAM or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like.

  The hard disk 204 is used to store data for various processes by the control program and to store image data and the like.

  The control unit 205 is used to exchange control data with the scanner unit 6 and the printing unit 206 and to control input / output of image data.

  The printing unit 206 is for printing an output image and outputting it to the outside. For example, the printing unit 206 is not limited to a printing function of an image read by the scanner unit 6, that is, a copying apparatus function, and is a so-called printing function that prints an image based on document data or an image file acquired via the network 2. In addition, it also performs a FAX function for printing out based on FAX reception data received via a general telephone line.

  When the MFP 200 functions as, for example, a printer, the printing unit 206 receives PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) from the outside, and stores the PDL data in the hard disk 204 for each output unit ( Each raster page is developed as image data, and the raster data is sent to the printing unit 206 and printed out by the printing unit 206. When the MFP 200 functions as a color facsimile receiver, the printing unit 106 receives FAX reception data instead of PDL data, converts the received data into a Lab signal at the printing unit 206, and then prints out at the printing unit 206. To do.

  The scanner unit 6 is for reading a document and inputting image data.

  The operation display panel 8 is used to display a screen for setting a scan operation and to give a scan instruction. In addition, it is configured to perform operations such as downloading software.

  The system clock 207 is composed of a clock chip, and provides time information (year / month / day, hour / minute / second) to the CPU 201. The system clock 207 includes a backup battery so that time information is not lost when the system power is shut off or a power failure occurs, and always maintains the current time.

  The image processing unit 208 is for performing processing on input / output images.

  The software control unit 209 is a software input unit for performing software input processing, installation processing control, and the like.

  The operation result control unit 210 is for requesting verification of the operation result information of the software, receiving a verification result, and controlling processing for determining the content of the received verification result. More specifically, the operation result control unit 210 is based on the information for identifying the software and the operation environment information of its own information processing device, and a verification requesting unit for requesting verification of the software with known operation result information, Functions as a collation result receiving unit for receiving a collation result with known operation result information requested by the collation request unit, and a collation result determining unit for determining the contents of the collation result received by the collation result receiving unit To do.

  In the above configuration, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, when the software is input from the outside and operated via the network as follows, the software provider side combines all the software. Even in a situation where the operation cannot be verified in advance, it is possible to more suitably reduce the risk of not operating due to the combination of software.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the multifunction peripheral as the information providing apparatus according to this embodiment.

  First, in the MFP 200 as the information utilization device, first, as shown in step 201 of FIG. 9, the operation result control unit 210 compares the information for identifying the software together with the environment information of the own device. Is requested to the operation result management server 300. Here, “ImagePerfect” is designated as software from a software download screen (not shown), and the operation result management server 300 is requested to collate the operation result information together with the environment information of the own device via the network 2. The content of the environment information of the own device is information corresponding to the hardware environment information and the software environment information shown in FIG. The hardware environment information includes machine number and model. The software environment information includes information on other installed software.

  Next, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not the request for checking the operation results has been completed normally (step 202), and if the request for checking the operation results has been completed normally, the requested verification is performed. Are received (step 203). If the operation result verification request is not normally completed, the process returns to step 201.

  Thereafter, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not the reception of the collation result has been normally completed (step 204), and when the reception of the collation result has been normally completed, determines the content of the received collation result. (Step 205). On the other hand, if reception of the collation result has not ended normally, the process proceeds to step 208.

  In addition, after determining the content of the received verification result, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not the determination of the content of the verification result has ended normally (step 206). When the determination of the contents of the collation result is completed normally, after determining the processing contents based on the determination result (step 207), according to the determined processing contents, notification to the user, user confirmation, and software input Then, installation is notified to the software provider (step 208), and the process is terminated.

  Next, based on FIG. 10, processing for determining the processing contents based on the collation determination result in the information utilization apparatus according to the present embodiment described in step 207 of FIG. 9 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation result control unit 210 inputs a determination result of the collation result (step 301). Then, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not there is an operation result that has normally operated in the same operating environment as that of the own device according to the determination result (step 302), and the same operation as that of the own device. If there is a performance record of normal operation in the environment, it is determined to input software (step 303).

  Also, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not there is an abnormality record in the same operation environment as that of its own device if there is no operation result of normal operation in the same operation environment as that of its own device (step 304). ) If there is an abnormality record in the same operating environment as the own device, it is decided not to input software or to ask the user for confirmation (step 305).

  Furthermore, if there is no abnormality record in the same operating environment as that of the own device, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not there is a normal result in an operation environment similar to that of the own device (step 306). If there is a normal performance in an operating environment similar to the apparatus, it is determined to input software or to ask the user for confirmation (step 307).

  Further, if there is no normal performance in an operation environment similar to its own device, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not there is an abnormal performance in an operation environment similar to its own device (step 308). If there is an abnormality record in an operating environment similar to the apparatus, it is determined not to input software or to ask the user for confirmation (step 309).

  Further, the operation result control unit 210 determines whether or not there is a normal result of software that substitutes in the same or similar operation environment as the own device if there is no abnormal result in the operation environment similar to the own device. (Step 310) If there is a normal track record of software to be replaced in the same or similar operating environment as that of its own device, it is determined to input the software or to ask the user for confirmation (Step 311).

  In addition, the operation result control unit 210 determines to input the software or have the user ask for confirmation and select if there is no normal result of the software to be replaced in the same or similar operation environment as the own device. (Step 312), the process ends.

  Here, it is determined that the operation environment is the same as or similar to the operation environment of the device itself. This corresponds to the hardware environment information of the operation result information shown in FIG. 6 and the software environment information. What is necessary is just to judge that it is the same, when information corresponds. Further, even when only the software environment information matches, they may be the same or similar. In the software environment information, if the OSs match and some of the dependent files match, it may be determined that they are similar.

  As described above, in the information utilization apparatus according to the present embodiment, the verification of the operation result information of the software is requested from the information of the hardware environment and the software environment of the own apparatus, the received verification result is determined, and the appropriate operation is performed. Achievement information can be used.

1-3 Configuration and Operation of Information Management Device FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an operation result management server as an information management device according to the present embodiment. This server corresponds to the server of FIG.

  In this embodiment, in the information processing apparatus that manages the operation result information of software, the operation result information receiving means for receiving the operation result information of software, and the operation result information received by the operation result information receiving means Operation result information storage means for storing, operation result information management means for managing the operation result information, verification request receiving means for receiving a request for verification of the operation result information of the software, and the verification It is configured to include a collating unit for collating the operation result information of the software of the request received by the request receiving unit, and a collation result transmitting unit for transmitting the collation result by the collating unit.

  In this embodiment, software input means for inputting the software from the software provider, software storage means for storing the software input by the software input means, and outputting the software Software output means.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation result information management means is configured to notify the software provider when the operation result information is stored by the operation result information storage means.

  Further, in this embodiment, the operation result information management means, when a new version of the software for which operation result information such as an old version is already stored is stored by the software storage means, It is configured to notify the provider.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the software input means and the software control means are configured to input the software by downloading the software via a network.

  In this embodiment, the software input means and the software control means are configured to input the software by reading from a medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

  The server as the information management apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that the operation result management unit manages software operation result information and the software control unit manages software itself.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the server 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a hard disk 304, a control unit 305, an operation result storage unit 306, a software storage unit 307, an operation display panel 308, a system clock. 309, a notification unit 310, a software control unit 311, an operation result management unit 312, and an interface unit 313.

  The CPU 301 controls the entire server via the system bus 314. The ROM 302 stores a control program for the CPU 301. The control program stored in the ROM 302 of this embodiment is a program that provides a function equivalent to a so-called operating system. A RAM 303 is configured by an SRAM or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like. The hard disk 304 is for storing data for various processes by the control program, software data, and the like. The control unit 305 is used to exchange control data with the operation result storage unit 306 and the software storage unit 307, and to control input / output of various data.

  The operation result storage unit 306 is for storing the received operation result information.

  The software storage unit 307 is for storing the software itself. The operation display panel 308 is used to display a screen for performing various settings of the apparatus and for an administrator to give instructions. The system clock 309 is composed of a clock chip and provides time information (year / month / day, hour / minute / second) to the CPU 301. The system clock 309 includes a backup battery so that time information is not lost when the system power is cut off or a power failure occurs, and always maintains the current time. The notification unit 310 is for notifying the outside such as notifying the software provider of the failure analysis when receiving the abnormal operation result information.

  The software control unit 311 is for performing software input processing, software output processing, control of the software storage unit 307, and the like.

  The operation result management unit 312 receives the operation result information of the software, receives a request for verification of the operation result information, transmits the verification result, transmits the operation result information, This is for controlling the processing.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the storage operation of the operation result information of the server as the information management apparatus according to this embodiment.

  First, in step 401 in FIG. 13, software operation result information is received via the communication unit 310.

  The operation result information is as already described in FIG. The operation result management unit 312 determines whether or not the reception of the operation result information is normally completed (step 402), and stores the received operation result information when the reception of the operation result information is normally completed (step 402). Step 403). Further, the operation result management unit 312 ends the process as an abnormal operation when the reception of the operation result information is not normally completed.

  Next, the operation result management unit 312 determines whether or not the storage of the operation result information has been normally completed (Step 404), and ends the process when the storage of the operation result information has been normally completed. . In addition, when the storage of the operation result information does not end normally, the operation result management unit 312 ends the process as an abnormal operation.

  Next, based on FIG. 14, a description will be given of an operation performance information collating process flow in the information management apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, the operation result management unit 312 receives a request for collation of software operation result information, as shown in step 501 of FIG. Next, the operation result management unit 312 determines whether or not the reception of the request for checking the operation result information of the software has been normally completed (step 502), and the reception of the request for checking the operation result information of the software is normally received. If completed, the requested operation result information is collated (step 503). If the reception of the verification request for the software operation result information is not normally completed, the process returns to step 501.

  Regarding the operation result verification, the operation result information shown in FIG. 6 includes the target software, the information corresponding to the hardware environment information included in the received verification request, and the information corresponding to the software environment information. Are matched, whether there is no match in a similar environment, whether similar software exists in the same or similar environment, and the like are collated.

  In addition, the operation result management unit 312 determines whether or not the requested operation result information has been normally verified (step 504), and when the requested operation result information has been normally verified, The collation result is transmitted to the request source via the notification unit 310 (step 505). In addition, when the verification of the requested operation result information is not normally completed, the operation result management unit 312 transmits the result of the verification itself as a verification result to the request source via the notification unit 310 ( Step 506).

  As described above, the information management apparatus according to the present embodiment can store and manage software operation result information by receiving and storing the information. Then, when a request for collation of the operation performance information of the software is received from the information on the hardware environment and the software environment, the collation processing is performed and the collation result is returned, so that the operation result information can be effectively used. Although not shown in the processing flow, by managing the software itself, the software can be managed as a software download server.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the operation result information of the software that can be actually confirmed by the multifunction peripheral 100 that is the information processing providing device is managed by the operation result management server 300 that is the information management device, The operation result information can be utilized by requesting collation by the multifunction device 200 which is an information utilization device. Specifically, it can be known in advance that the target software is operating in the same multifunction device 100, and can be operated with reduced risk.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation result information is received from the information providing apparatus, but information that has been tested and confirmed by the manufacturer or developer that is the software provider is received and managed as the operation result information. You may do it. At this time, it is necessary to distinguish between operation result information of the software provider or operation result information confirmed by the user level, and also include the operation result information on the side using the operation result information. By informing, the performance information is transmitted more accurately.

  Also, in this embodiment, no merit was given to the side that provided the operation result information. However, when the operation result information is provided, the software usage fee is preferential or the next software version is provided. You may make it give merit, such as preferential treatment fee at the time of up. In addition, information such as a new version release of software may be notified to the provider of operation result information. As a result, more operation result information is collected.

  In this embodiment, the software is downloaded via a network. However, the software may be input to the apparatus by reading from a medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

  In this embodiment, when the operation result information collation result is determined, only one of normal operation and abnormal operation is determined, but when there is operation result information of both normal operation and abnormal operation. A screen that allows the user to confirm may be displayed and selected.

  Further, in this embodiment, only whether or not operation performance information in a similar environment exists is collated. However, a difference between the same environment and a similar environment is included in the collation result and is transmitted to the requester. May be. Further, different software may be downloaded in the same environment and a similar environment.

  Also, in the present embodiment, when the operation result information of the abnormal operation is received for the purpose of requesting the failure analysis, the software provider is notified, but the operation result information of the normal operation is also included. You may make it notify to the provider of software. As a result, the software provider can obtain a substantial operation verification result as the operation result information without performing the operation verification in all environments by itself.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, as is clear from the above embodiment, when software is input from the outside such as via a network and operated, the software provider operates all combinations of software in advance. Even in a situation where verification cannot be performed, it is possible to more suitably reduce the risk of not operating due to a combination of software. That is, the operation side of the target software can check the operation result information of the target software based on the environment information to be used before downloading the software in advance. And avoid risk. For the software provider, there is an effect that the performance information increases dynamically as in the operation performance management server of the above-described embodiment, without verifying combinations in various environments. The software operation results information provider also receives preferential treatment such as receiving information on software usage fees and new software version releases.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a multifunction machine as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a personal computer as a software provider. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the multifunction machine as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a chart showing operation result information. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a multifunction machine as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the multifunction machine as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a server as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the server as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1: Information processing system, 100: MFP (information providing device), 200: MFP (information utilization device), 300: Server (information management device).

Claims (3)

In the information processing system that mutually uses the operation result information of the software among a plurality of information processing devices connected to be able to communicate with each other,
An information processing apparatus to which the software is input is
Software input means for inputting software;
Based on the operation environment information of the information and its information processing apparatus for identifying software, software to be entered by the software input means is stored in the other information processing apparatus as a result of the check whether it operates normally Software A verification request means for requesting verification with the operation result information in which the operation result information confirmed by the provider of the operation or the operation result information confirmed by the user level is identified ;
Collation result receiving means for receiving a collation result with known operation result information requested by the collation request means;
Verification result determination means for determining the content of the verification result received by the verification result receiving means;
By the collation result determination means,
If it is determined that there is operation result information of the normal operation of the software in the same operating environment as the own information processing apparatus, the input process of the software is immediately executed,
There is no performance record information of the software in the same operating environment as its own information processing apparatus, and the OS of the software environment information of the hardware operating environment and the software operating environment of its own information processing apparatus matches, Software control means for confirming to the user whether or not to input the software when it is determined that there is operation result information of normal operation in an operating environment in which a part of the dependent file matches;
Comprising user interface means for notifying the user;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface means notifies the user of the collation result received by the collation result receiving means, the judgment result by the collation result judgment means, or the processing result by the software control means . 2. The information processing apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the operation result information includes information on the software whose operation has been confirmed, information on a result of the operation confirmation, and operation environment information of the information processing apparatus itself when the operation has been confirmed. An information processing apparatus system including all three. 2. The information processing apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein when the operation check of the software ends abnormally, the operation result information includes additional information for specifying the content of the abnormality and the cause of the abnormality. An information processing apparatus system comprising:

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