JP5338192B2 - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a burden on a manager or a user for risk follow-up in an infrastructure or operation in a system by easily updating information about security and suppressing costs for firmware development as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: In an information processor, various functions of the processor are enabled by communicating with other information processors having various functions via a network, and an operating programs and data regions of the processor can be updated. The information processor has: a relevant information holding means for holding various functions of the other information processors, various function setting showing content set for the various functions, and security information showing respective security states when the various functions are used or when functions are set in association with one another; and a display control means for extracting security information corresponding to a function to be used or set from among the information held by the relevant information holding means when functions are used of set with respect to the other information processors to display the information on a screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus that provides security information indicating a security status when various functions are set.

  In an information processing apparatus, particularly an information processing apparatus that provides various functions by communication via a network, security of information and functions that are always handled is required. Security technology repeats the discovery of vulnerabilities and the countermeasures like a weasel with attackers. Therefore, the interface change for function provision and the change of the function provision form are repeated. As a result, as a whole system composed of multiple information processing devices (printers, various servers, client PCs (Personal Computers), etc.) as in a general office environment, relatively inexpensive devices can be purchased (new Devices that have a short (technical introduction) cycle and are relatively expensive always have a compatibility problem with each other that communicates with each other, for example, because a new product purchase (new technology introduction) cycle is long. For this reason, many information processing apparatuses support and select both old technologies (functions) that are relatively unsafe and the latest technologies (functions) that are relatively safe. Further, there may be a trade-off between the security function and the usage cost (monetary, processing time, etc.) and convenience (authentication effort, etc.).

  As described above, since the state with the highest security as a device is not necessarily the best state in all aspects, there is a possibility that individual devices in the system may be in a relatively unsafe state. . In such a case, it is necessary for an administrator or a user to understand what the risk is due to the introduction of security technology, and to follow the risk in the infrastructure configuration and operation in the system.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, as a method for grasping a security problem and solving the security problem, when setting a security function between the device A and the device B, setting information is provided. When setting information is input, the model specification check and the interconnection problem check are performed to determine whether the setting information can be set in the devices A and B, and the determination result is displayed. A technique for displaying on an apparatus is disclosed.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, a device setting information database is created from setting information of a network server and a network configuration device, and security is provided to the network server and the network configuration device from the information of the device setting information database and the information of the security information database. Determine whether there is a weak point, and if there is a weak point in the security information, obtain countermeasures against the weak point in security, implement a symmetric method on the network server and the network component device, and A technique for solving this problem is disclosed.
Japanese Patent No. 3804585 JP 2004-363923 A

  The techniques disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 have the above-described situation, that is, there is often a possibility that individual devices in the system are in a relatively insecure state. It does not solve the problem of having to follow the risk in terms of operations.

  Also, information about security changes over time. For example, if a cryptographic scheme that was previously considered secure is broken, it is no longer safe. Therefore, the security information stored in each information processing apparatus must be updated at an appropriate frequency. On the other hand, there are some information processing devices, especially devices that are said to be embedded devices, that have been used for 5 to 10 years. On the other hand, when a new model is released every year, the manufacturer has updated firmware to many models. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time and effort because the user side also has to periodically update the firmware of the device. Further, if the firmware is updated regularly, a firmware update function must be installed so that the user can easily update the firmware, and the development cost is also required.

  Here, a client device (terminal) that accesses such an information device via a network and uses the information device may be able to take the form of an application that runs on a PC. In this case, the client application can be easily updated as compared with the firmware dedicated to the information device, and there is no need to interrupt the service when updating.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to easily update information related to security, and to suppress the development cost of firmware as much as possible, and to follow up the risk follow-up that should be performed by administrators and users in the infrastructure configuration and operation in the system. The purpose is to reduce the burden.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention can use the various functions by communicating with other information processing apparatuses having various functions via a network, and can store its own operation program and data area. An information processing apparatus that can be updated, the various functions of the other information processing apparatus, various function settings that indicate setting contents related to the various functions, and when the various functions are used or function settings are performed. Related information holding means that holds security information indicating each security status in association with each other, and information used by the related information holding means when performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus from within, display control means for screen display by extracting the security information corresponding to the subject to the function of the use and configuration, the other information processing apparatus A printing method display unit for displaying a screen for selecting a printing method corresponding to the function to be used or set from the information held by the related information holding unit when print setting is performed; Print data generating means for generating print data based on a printing method selected from the printing method display means; and transmitting means for transmitting the generated print data to the other information processing apparatus. This is an information processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the related information holding unit may include constraint information indicating a constraint status for various functions when the various functions are used or function settings are performed, the various functions, and The various function settings are stored in association with each other, and the display control unit is configured to select from the information stored by the related information storage unit when performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus. The restriction information corresponding to the function to be used or set may be extracted and displayed on the screen.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the related information holding unit holds the alternative function information indicating the alternative function of the various functions and the various functions in association with each other, and the display control unit When performing function use or function setting for another information processing apparatus, the substitute function information corresponding to the function to be used or set is extracted from the information held by the related information holding unit And may be displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus described above, a clock unit that measures current date and time information, and release timing information related to a release timing of update data included in the information held by the related information holding unit at a predetermined timing, Information freshness determination means for comparing the current date and time information measured by the clock means and determining whether the information is fresh or old, and the display control means is configured to receive the information by the information freshness determination means. When it is determined to be old, a warning message to that effect may be displayed on the screen.

As another aspect, the present invention can use the various functions by communicating with other information processing apparatuses having various functions via a network, and can update its operation program and data area. A program used for an information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus uses the various functions of the other information processing apparatus, various function settings indicating setting contents related to the various functions, and the various functions. When security information indicating each security status when function setting is performed is stored in the storage unit in association with each other, function use and function setting for the other information processing apparatus are performed on the computer of the information processing apparatus A function setting information acquisition step for acquiring various functions and various function settings from the other information processing apparatus; and the function setting information acquisition step. Related information extracting step for extracting security information corresponding to various functions and various function settings acquired from the storage means, various functions and various function settings acquired in the function setting information acquiring step, and related information extracting step An information display step for displaying the security information extracted in step (b), and information to be used or set from among the information held by the storage means when performing print settings for the other information processing apparatus. A printing method display step for displaying a screen for selecting a printing method corresponding to the function, a print data generation step for generating print data based on the printing method selected from the screen for selecting the printing method, run a transmitting step of transmitting the print data generated by the print data generating step to the other information processing apparatus Is a program for causing.

  Further, the present invention is the above program, wherein the information processing apparatus includes constraint information indicating a constraint status for various functions when the various functions are used or when function settings are performed, the various functions, and the various functions. The function setting is held in association with the storage unit, and the related information extraction step extracts the various functions acquired by the function setting information acquisition step and the constraint information corresponding to the various function settings from the storage unit, The information display step may display the various functions and various function settings acquired in the function setting information acquisition step and the constraint information extracted in the related information extraction step on a screen.

  Further, in the above program according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus stores, in the storage unit, alternative function information indicating an alternative function of the various functions and the various functions, and the related information extracting step includes The function setting information acquisition step extracts alternative function information corresponding to the various functions from the storage means, and the information display step includes the various functions acquired in the function setting information acquisition step. The alternative function information extracted in step (b) may be displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, in the above program, the information processing apparatus includes a clock unit that measures current date and time information, and the information stored in the storage unit is stored in the computer of the information processing apparatus at a predetermined timing. A date and time information acquisition step for acquiring release date information relating to a release date of update data included in the data and current date and time information measured by the clock means; and the release date information and the current date and time acquired by the date and time information acquisition step An information freshness determination step for comparing information stored in the storage means to determine whether the information stored in the storage means is fresh or old, and the information display step determines that the information is old by the information freshness determination step. When this is done, a warning message to that effect may be displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily update information relating to security, and to suppress firmware development costs as much as possible, and to perform risk follow-up that should be performed by administrators and users in the infrastructure configuration and operation in the system. The burden can be reduced.

  First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the server-side information processing apparatus is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 1. Of course, it is not necessary to be an MFP, but it is effective when the information processing apparatus is expensive and has a long service life and firmware is not frequently updated, or the firmware is updated by a service person. Is. The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a PC 2 that is equipped with an application that can communicate with an MFP and use functions such as a print function and obtain function settings / information. In the present embodiment, the MFP 1, the PC 2, and the maker server 3 are connected via the Internet 4.

  The MFP 1 has a copy function for copying a document read by a scanner, and a network print function using a JetDirect protocol and an IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) over HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Security). / Invalid setting is possible. Also, an authentication function is provided, and MFP administrator account setting is performed from the main body operation panel. In addition, a user restriction function that allows only a specific user to use the copy function / print function (authentication by a user name and a password) is provided. Further, the MFP 1 can provide information such as a setting state, a model, and a version via a network. A normal MFP has many functions other than those described above, but for the purpose of simplifying the description, it is assumed that the MFP 1 of the present embodiment has only the above limited functions.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus PC2 of this embodiment includes a CPU 21, a display device (display output unit) 22, a network I / F 23, an internal clock 24, an input device (keyboard 25, mouse 26), a nonvolatile storage medium 27, and a volatile storage medium. The application is recorded on the non-volatile storage medium.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The application that implements the present invention operates on the OS of the PC, like a general application. Various types of information such as security information and constraint information are stored as files different from the application main body, and are configured to be referred to from the application main body. This information file can be downloaded and updated from the manufacturer's website (support site) (access to the manufacturer server 3 in FIG. 1).

  Further, the information data has a structure shown in FIG. 4, and functions / settings, security information, constraint information, and alternative information are stored in association with each other. Of course, it is not always necessary to have the same structure as this, as long as appropriate association is made. This application is activated from another application to generate print data, and transmits the print data to the MFP. The user can be activated from the OS-provided UI to set the MFP. To do. Since these basic functions are widely used, such as existing printer drivers and MFP management tools, the description thereof is omitted here. The operation in this embodiment will be described below.

  First, the case of operating as a printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart. In a general case, when acquiring data such as security information, it is necessary to search for data for the corresponding model and version. In this example, since one model is one version, the processing is omitted. ing. It is good to add as needed.

  First, the PC 2 acquires model and version information from the MFP 1, and then acquires printing method setting information (steps S101 and S102). Then, data such as security information, constraint information, and alternative function information is acquired (step S103). Next, after acquiring these data, a UI screen for selecting a printing method as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (step S104). When the selected printing method is JetDirect (step S105 / YES), print data for JetDirect is generated (step S106), and the print data and the print request are transmitted by JetDirect (step S107). On the other hand, if the printing method is not JetDirect (step S105 / NO), IPP over HTTPS print data is generated (step S108), and the print data and print request are transmitted by IPP over HTTPS (step S109). Then, the alternative function is displayed on the screen (step S110).

  At this time, if both the JetDirect and IPP over HTTPS printing methods are enabled as MFP settings, either one can be selected, but if only one of them can be selected, as shown in FIG. The displayed method is grayed out and cannot be changed. Also, as shown in the screens of FIGS. 6 and 7, security information and constraint information are displayed corresponding to the printing method. Then, printing is executed together with the message display of FIG. 8 by OK selection, and processing is canceled by cancel selection. In the screen of FIG. 8, the user can be notified that there is an alternative function. When the user restriction function is enabled, an authentication screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, and printing is executed only when authentication is OK.

  Next, the case of operating as an MFP management tool will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 and FIG. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart. First, when activated, an authentication screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the UI, and the user name and password for the administrator are input to the user (step S201). Note that the administrator account information is registered from the operation panel of the MFP. Then, the input authentication information is transmitted to the MFP 1. When the authentication result is OK (step S 202 / YES), the authentication token received together with the authentication result information is stored in the volatile storage medium 27, and information to be transmitted to the MFP 1 thereafter. (Step S203). If the authentication result is NG (step S202 / NO), the screen returns to the authentication screen (step S201). Note that the MFP 1 monitors the authentication token, and if the value is an invalid value, the MFP 1 sets authentication NG and does not execute the request.

  After the authentication is successful, the MFP 1 communicates with the MFP 1 to acquire model and version information and store it in the volatile storage medium 27 (step S204). Then, print mode setting information is acquired (step S205), and data such as security information, constraint information, and alternative function information is acquired (step S206). Next, after acquiring these data, a function setting screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (step S207). In this example, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the model / version is a single model, and the process of searching for data corresponding to each model / version is omitted.

  When the printing function setting is selected on the function setting screen (step S208 / YES), a printing function setting screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed (step S209). On the print function setting screen, if “Apply” is selected with the check box turned on / off, communication with the MFP 1 is performed, and settings corresponding to the check box are performed. On is valid and off is invalid. However, “Apply” is grayed out and cannot be selected when none of the check boxes is checked. That is, when one of the printing methods is selected (applied) in the print function setting (step S210 / YES), the print function setting data to be applied and the print function setting request are transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S211).

  On the other hand, when the user restriction setting is selected on the function setting screen (step S208 / NO, step S213 / YES), a user restriction setting screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (step S214). On the user restriction setting screen, an account can be added and the user restriction function can be enabled / disabled. At the same time, security information and restriction information are displayed when it is enabled and disabled, and are made known to the user. When account addition is selected (step S215 / YES), an account input screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed (step S216). On the account input screen, the user name, password, confirmation password field and permission function are filled in, and when “Apply” is selected, communication with the MFP 1 is performed and the setting is reflected. That is, the input account data and account addition request are transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S217). Desirably, in addition to adding an account, an account change / account deletion function should also be prepared. However, examples of adding these functions will increase the explanation of parts outside the essence of the present invention. Since it can be expanded relatively easily from the present embodiment based on the spread technology, it is not installed here.

  On the function setting screen, select “End” without performing the print function setting or the user restriction setting (step S208 / NO, step S213 / NO, step S219 / YES), or perform the print function setting on the print function screen. After selecting “Return”, select “End” on the function setting screen (Step S212 / YES, Step S208 / NO, Step S213 / NO, Step S219 / YES), or User restriction on the user restriction setting screen After setting and selecting “Return”, when “End” is selected on the function setting screen (Step S218 / YES, Step S208 / NO, Step S213 / NO, Step S219 / YES), an end request is transmitted. The operation ends (step S220). That is, when “end” is selected on the function setting screen, the MFP is notified of the end, the authentication token is invalidated, the screen is closed, and the processing ends.

  Next, the case of checking the information freshness will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart. Here, the flow of FIG. 16 is executed immediately after the flows of FIGS. That is, the current date and time and the information release date are acquired (steps S301 and S302), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the information release to the present (step S303). (Step S303 / YES) displays a warning screen as shown in FIG. 14 (Step S304). Thereby, when the information freshness is poor, it is possible to display a warning message to the user and prompt the user to update the information.

  Note that the following points should be noted regarding the above-described embodiment. First, in the case of printing by JetDirect, since plain text communication is usually used, there is a possibility of eavesdropping like the security information in the above example, but depending on the MFP, the contents of the print data are encrypted without depending on the communication protocol. Since it is possible to prevent eavesdropping, it is necessary to consider that if it is JetDirect, eavesdropping is not always possible. In addition, IPP over HTTPS printing also takes time for processing in the above example, but it should be noted that it does not necessarily take time when using a PC with high processing capability. There is.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  That is, the program executed by the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (related information holding unit, display control unit, information freshness determination unit), and actual hardware A concrete means is realized using. That is, when the computer (CPU) reads a program from a predetermined recording medium and executes it, the above-mentioned means are loaded onto the main storage device, and related information holding means, display control means, and information freshness determination means are on the main storage device. Is generated.

  The program executed by the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, nonvolatile memory card, or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the recording medium which recorded the program code comprises this invention.

  According to the above-described embodiment, on the client side of the information processing device, the function / setting of the server-side information processing device and information related to security are held in association with each other, and the information is presented to the user. This makes it possible for users to easily grasp the status of security and functions, and eliminates the need to maintain security-related information on the server side, reducing the operational and development costs for updating information on the server side. It becomes unnecessary.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the function / setting of the server-side information processing apparatus and the restriction information on various functions thereby are stored in association with each other on the client side of the information processing apparatus, and these information are stored in the user. By presenting it, it is possible for the user to easily grasp the functions / settings and restrictions on various functions, and there is no need to maintain security-related information on the server side. There is no need for operational and development costs for updating information.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the client side of the information processing apparatus holds the function of the server side information processing apparatus and the alternative function information in association with each other, and presents the information to the user. It is possible for the user to easily grasp the function, and it is not necessary to hold security-related information on the server side, so that the operation cost and development cost for updating information on the server side are not required.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the release date information of the update data is compared with the current date and time information, and when the predetermined period has elapsed, the information freshness may be outdated, Whether or not the freshness is maintained can be easily known and managed.

It is the figure which showed the network structure containing the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the software structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the data structure of the function relevant information of the other information processing apparatus (MFP) which the information processing apparatus (PC) which concerns on embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the display operation | movement of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (printing method selection screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (printing method selection screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (alternative function display screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the display operation | movement of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (function setting screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (print function setting screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (user restriction setting screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (account input screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (warning display screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example (user authentication screen) of the display screen used by the display of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the information freshness determination of the function relevant information in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
2 PC
3 Manufacturer server 4 Internet 21 CPU
22 Display output unit 23 Network I / F
24 Internal clock 25 Keyboard 26 Mouse 27 Volatile storage medium 28 Non-volatile storage medium

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that can use the various functions by communicating with other information processing apparatuses having various functions via a network, and that can update its operation program and data area,
Corresponding to the various functions of the other information processing apparatus, various function settings indicating the setting contents related to the various functions, and security information indicating the security status when the various functions are used or when the function settings are performed. Related information holding means to be attached,
When performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus, the security information corresponding to the function to be used or set is extracted from the information held by the related information holding unit. Display control means for displaying on the screen,
When print setting is performed for the other information processing apparatus, a screen for selecting a printing method corresponding to the function to be used or set from the information held by the related information holding unit is displayed. Printing method display means,
Print data generation means for generating print data based on a printing method selected from the printing method display means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated print data to the other information processing apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The related information holding means holds the restriction information indicating the restriction status for various functions when the various functions are used or when function settings are performed, the various functions, and the various function settings in association with each other.
The display control means corresponds to the function to be used or set from the information held by the related information holding means when performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction information to be extracted is extracted and displayed on a screen. The related information holding unit holds alternative function information indicating an alternative function of the various functions and the various functions in association with each other,
The display control means corresponds to the function to be used or set from the information held by the related information holding means when performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substitute function information to be extracted is extracted and displayed on a screen. A clock means for measuring current date and time information;
At a predetermined timing, the release time information relating to the release time of the update data included in the information held by the related information holding means is compared with the current date information measured by the clock means, and it is determined whether the information is fresh or old. Information freshness determination means for determining;
Have
4. The information according to claim 1, wherein when the information freshness determination unit determines that the information is old, the display control unit displays a warning message to that effect on the screen. Processing equipment. It is a program used for an information processing apparatus that can use the various functions by communicating with other information processing apparatuses having various functions via a network and that can update its own operation program and data area. And
The information processing apparatus includes the various functions of the other information processing apparatus, various function settings indicating setting contents related to the various functions, and security states when the various functions are used or when the function settings are performed. Is stored in the storage means in association with the security information indicating
In the computer of the information processing apparatus,
A function setting information acquisition step of acquiring various functions and various function settings from the other information processing apparatus when performing function use or function setting for the other information processing apparatus;
Related information extracting step of extracting security information corresponding to various functions and various function settings acquired by the function setting information acquiring step from the storage unit;
Various functions and various function settings acquired in the function setting information acquisition step, information display step for displaying security information extracted in the related information extraction step on the screen;
Printing for displaying a screen for selecting a printing method corresponding to the function to be used or set from the information held by the storage unit when performing print setting for the other information processing apparatus A method display step;
A print data generation step for generating print data based on the print method selected from the screen for selecting the print method;
A transmission step of transmitting the print data generated in the print data generation step to the other information processing apparatus;
A program characterized by having executed. The information processing apparatus stores restriction information indicating restriction states for various functions when the various functions are used or when function settings are performed, the various functions, and the various function settings in association with the storage unit. And
The related information extraction step extracts various functions acquired by the function setting information acquisition step and constraint information corresponding to various function settings from the storage unit,
6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the information display step displays on a screen various functions and various function settings acquired in the function setting information acquisition step, and constraint information extracted in the related information extraction step. . The information processing apparatus associates alternative function information indicating an alternative function of the various functions with the various functions and holds the information in the storage unit,
The related information extracting step extracts alternative function information corresponding to various functions acquired by the function setting information acquiring step from the storage unit,
7. The program according to claim 5, wherein the information display step displays on a screen the alternative function information extracted in the various functions acquired in the function setting information acquisition step and the related information extraction step. The information processing apparatus has clock means for measuring current date and time information,
In the computer of the information processing apparatus,
Date / time information acquisition step of acquiring release time information on the release time of update data included in the information held in the storage means and current date / time information measured by the clock means at a predetermined timing;
An information freshness determination step of comparing the release date information acquired by the date information acquisition step with the current date information to determine whether the information stored in the storage means is fresh or old;
And execute
8. The program according to claim 5, wherein when the information freshness determination step determines that the information is old, the information display step displays a warning message to that effect on the screen. .

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