JP6790482B2 - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to information processing systems, information processing devices, information processing methods and programs.

Conventionally, there is known a technique for managing information regarding usage authority of an application installed in, for example, an image processing device (hereinafter, may be referred to as "license information (usage authority information)").

For example, in Patent Document 1, the MFP manages license data including at least an application ID of an application and an expiration date (an example of license information), and when the application is started, the current time is included in the license data. If the expiration date has passed, a configuration for controlling the update of the license information of the application is disclosed. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the license information of the application used by the MFP is issued by a predetermined license management server, and the MFP communicates with this license management server to provide license information (for example, expiration date, etc.). To update.

In recent years, for example, there are many cases in which an application whose usage authority is determined by license information independently defined by a vendor different from the manufacturer of the MFP itself is installed and used in the MFP. However, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration for acquiring and managing the license information when the MFP uses an application whose usage authority is determined by the license information issued by a server different from the license management server. Not disclosed. That is, if the issuers of the license information of each of the plurality of applications installed in the information processing device such as the MFP are different, there is a problem that the license information cannot be managed collectively.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even if the issuers of the license information of each of the plurality of applications installed in the information processing device are different, the license information is collectively managed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method and a program capable of providing information processing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes an information processing device, a first server, and one or more second servers, each of which manages usage rights of different applications. The first server is an information processing system in which these are interconnected via a network, and the first server provides application identification information for identifying an application and server identification information for identifying the second server. A first storage unit that stores the associated first correspondence information, and a first request information that includes the application identification information and requests the server specific information is received from the information processing apparatus. And the server specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information received by the first request information receiving unit is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. The second server includes a server specific information transmission unit, and stores one or more usage authority information indicating the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information for authenticating the usage authority. A second storage unit and a second request information reception that includes the usage authority authentication information and receives the second request information that requests the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information from the information processing apparatus. A server, a usage authority information transmitting unit that transmits the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information included in the second request information received by the second request information receiving unit to the information processing apparatus, and a server. The information processing apparatus includes a first request information transmission unit that transmits the first request information including the application identification information that identifies an installed application to the first server, and the first request information transmission unit. As a response to the request information, the server specific information receiving unit that receives the server specific information from the first server and the second server specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving unit On the other hand, the second request information transmission unit that transmits the second request information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application, and the second server as a response to the second request information. The usage authority information receiving unit that receives the usage authority information from the server , the operation unit that accepts the operation, the main body that performs the operation according to the operation received by the operation unit, and at least one of the operation unit and the main body. To identify the installed application A save destination setting unit set as a third storage unit for storing a second correspondence information in which the application identification information and the use authority information received by the use authority information receiving unit are associated with each other, and the storage It includes a storage control unit that controls storage of the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the preset unit .

According to the present invention, even if the issuers of the license information of each of the plurality of applications installed in the information processing apparatus are different, the license information can be collectively managed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the MFP. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the MFP. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the application list screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an installation instruction. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the installation screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of license information. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a license file. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the license renewal screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a license key input screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the application server. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the application server. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the functions of the license management server information management device. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of URL information. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a function possessed by the license management server. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the operation procedure of the information processing system. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the MFP. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the MFP. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system of the modified example. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the license file acquisition screen. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the modified MFP. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a default communication setting screen. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the communication setting screen. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a default save destination setting screen. FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the save destination setting screen. FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the save destination setting screen. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the setting control unit. FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system of the modified example. FIG. 32 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system of the modified example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral), which is one aspect of the image forming apparatus, will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A multifunction device is a device having a plurality of different functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and a fax function.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 includes an MFP 1, an application server 2, a license management server information management device 3, a license management server 4a, and a license management server 4b, which are, for example, the Internet or the like. They are connected to each other via the network 8.

The application server 2 is an example of a "third server" and provides the MFP 1 with a list of applications that the MFP 1 can use. More specifically, the application server 2 provides the MFP 1 with an application list screen associated with an installation instruction indicating an instruction for installing the application in the MFP 1 for each one or more applications. More specific contents will be described later.

The license management server information management device 3 is an example of a "first server", and specifies a second server that issues a license file, which is an example of usage authority information regarding the usage authority of the application, for each of a plurality of applications. Manages server-specific information (here, "URL" as an example). Here, the license file contains a license key, which is an example of use authority authentication information (to determine whether or not the user has a legitimate authority) for authenticating the license. More specific contents will be described later.

Each of the license management servers 4a and 4b is an example of a "second server", and each manages the use authority of different applications. In this example, the license management server 4a manages the license file defined by the manufacturer that manufactures the MFP1, and the license management server 4b manages the license file defined by the vendor. More specific contents will be described later. In the following description, when the license management servers 4a and 4b are not distinguished from each other, they may be simply referred to as "license management server 4".

In this example, the MFP 1 is displayed on an application (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "browser application") or an application list screen that provides a function of acquiring an application list screen from the application server 2 and displaying it on the MFP 1. An application (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an "installer") that provides a function of installing an application selected by a user among applications on MFP1 and a function of managing a license file of an installed application is pre-installed. ing.

In the example of FIG. 1, one MFP1 is illustrated as the information processing device included in the information processing system 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing device included in the information processing system 100 is not limited to this. The number and type are arbitrary.

Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a main body 10 capable of realizing various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that accepts user operations. It should be noted that accepting a user's operation is a concept including accepting information (including a signal indicating a coordinate value of a screen) input according to the user's operation. The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a dedicated communication path 30. As the communication path 30, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard can be used, but any standard may be used regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

The main body 10 can perform an operation according to the operation received by the operation unit 20. Further, the main body 10 can also communicate with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer), and can perform an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

First, the hardware configuration of the main body 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD (hard disk drive) 14, a communication I / F (interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, and an engine unit 17. , These are connected to each other via the system bus 18.

The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire main body 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and has the above-mentioned copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function, etc. Realize various functions of.

The communication I / F 15 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 30.

The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication in order to realize a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. For example, it is provided with a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that prints on a sheet material such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. Further, it may be provided with specific options such as a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials and an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds documents.

Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a communication I / F 25, a connection I / F 26, and an operation panel 27, which are the system bus 28. They are connected to each other via.

The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 controls the operation of the entire operation unit 20 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 or the flash memory 24 or the like using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area), and provides information (image) according to the input received from the user. ) Is displayed and other functions described later are realized.

The communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the main body 10 via the communication path 30.

The operation panel 27 accepts various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various information (for example, information according to the received operation, information indicating the operating status of the MFP 1, information indicating the setting state, etc.). .. In this example, the operation panel 27 is composed of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) equipped with a touch panel function, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured by an organic EL display device equipped with a touch panel function. Further, in addition to or in place of this, an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display unit such as a lamp may be provided.

Next, the software configuration of MFP1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 10 has an application layer 101, a service layer 102, and an OS layer 103. The substance of the application layer 101, the service layer 102, and the OS layer 103 is various software stored in the ROM 12, HDD 14, and the like. By executing these softwares, the CPU 11 provides various functions.

The software of the application layer 101 is application software for operating hardware resources to provide a predetermined function (in the following description, it may be simply referred to as an "application"). For example, examples of the application include a copy application for providing a copy function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, and a printer application for providing a printer function.

The software of the service layer 102 is software that intervenes between the application layer 101 and the OS layer 103 and provides the application with an interface for using the hardware resources included in the main body 10. More specifically, it is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for a hardware resource and arbitrating the operation request. As the operation request received by the service layer 102, a request such as reading by a scanner or printing by a plotter can be considered.

The interface function by the service layer 102 is provided not only to the application layer 101 of the main body 10 but also to the application layer 201 of the operation unit 20. That is, the application layer 201 (application) of the operation unit 20 can also realize a function using the hardware resources of the main body 10 (for example, the engine unit 17) through the interface function of the service layer 102.

The software of the OS layer 103 is basic software (operating system (OS)) for providing basic functions for controlling the hardware included in the main body 10. The software of the service layer 102 converts the usage request of the hardware resource from various applications into a command that can be interpreted by the OS layer 103 and passes it to the OS layer 103. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 103, the hardware resource operates according to the request of the application.

Similarly, the operation unit 20 has an application layer 201, a service layer 202, and an OS layer 203. The application layer 201, the service layer 202, and the OS layer 203 included in the operation unit 20 also have the same hierarchical structure as that of the main body 10. However, the functions provided by the application of the application layer 201 and the types of operation requests that the service layer 202 can accept are different from those of the main body 10. The application of the application layer 201 may be software for operating the hardware resources included in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function, but the functions (copy function, scanner function, fax function) mainly provided in the main body 10 may be provided. , Printer function) and the function to update the license file of the installed application, etc. It is software to provide the function of UI (user interface) for performing operations and displays. In this example, the application layer 201 also includes a browser application, an installer, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the software of the OS layer 103 on the main body 10 side and the software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of the functions. That is, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other in different operating systems. For example, Linux (registered trademark) can be used as the software of the OS layer 103 on the main body 10 side, and Android (registered trademark) can be used as the software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side.

As described above, in the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, since the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate on different operating systems, the communication between the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 is an interprocess communication in a common device. It is done as communication between different devices. An operation (command communication) of transmitting information (instruction content from the user) received by the operation unit 20 to the main body 10 and an operation of the main body 10 notifying the operation unit 20 of an event correspond to this. Here, the function of the main body 10 can be used by the operation unit 20 performing command communication to the main body 10. In addition, the event notified from the main body 10 to the operation unit 20 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 10, the contents set on the main body 10 side, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the power supply to the operation unit 20 is performed from the main body 10 via the communication path 30, the power control of the operation unit 20 is separated from the power control of the main body 10 (independently). Can be done.

Next, the functions of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the MFP 1 includes an operation screen display unit 111, an application list screen request transmission unit 112, an application list screen reception unit 113, an application list screen display unit 114, an installation control unit 115, and a URL acquisition. It has a unit 116, a license file acquisition unit 117, a storage unit 118, and an update control unit 120. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 mainly illustrates the functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the MFP 1 are not limited to these.

The operation screen display unit 111 controls to display the operation screen for performing various operations on the operation panel 27. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen, and the icon 6 for starting the browser application for acquiring the application list screen and displaying it on the MFP 1 is displayed on the operation screen.

The description of FIG. 4 will be continued. The application list screen request transmission unit 112 transmits an application list screen request requesting the application list screen to the application server 2. The application list screen receiving unit 113 receives the application list screen from the application server 2.

In the present embodiment, when the user touches the icon 6, the browser application (application list screen request transmission unit 112) transmits the application list screen request to the application server 2. Then, as a response, the browser application (application list screen receiving unit 113) receives the application list screen from the application server 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the application list screen. In the example of FIG. 6, on the application list screen, explanatory information explaining the contents of the application and a button 7 for instructing to install the application are displayed for each of the plurality of applications (in this example, the application is installed). Button 7, hereinafter referred to as "install button 7") is displayed. In this example, an instruction to install an application to the installer (hereinafter referred to as "installation instruction") is pasted in the installation button 7 corresponding to the application in the form of URI (for example, the form of URL). ing. In this example, pressing the install button 7 means selecting the installation command pasted on the install button 7 (may be considered to be the selection of the application to be installed).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an installation command pasted on the install button 7 corresponding to the application identified by the application ID "49354", and is an instruction to install the application identified by the application ID "49354". Represents.

The description of FIG. 4 will be continued. The application list screen display unit 114 controls to display the application list screen received by the application list screen reception unit 113. In this example, the application list screen display unit 114 controls to display the application list screen received by the application list screen reception unit 113 on the operation panel 27.

The installation control unit 115 controls to install the application selected by the user among the applications included in the application list screen. More specifically, the installation control unit 115 tells the application server 2 that the application corresponding to the installation command pasted on the installation button 7 pressed by the user (depending on the user among the applications included in the application list screen). Send an application request requesting (think of it as the selected application). Then, as a response to the application request, the application is received from the application server 2 and the received application is controlled to be installed in the MFP 1.

For example, when the user presses the install button 7 of any application on the application list screen, the browser application notifies the OS of the operation unit 20 of the installation command pasted on the install button 7. The OS of the operation unit 20 confirms the notified installation instruction and broadcasts the installation instruction to each application of the operation unit 20. The installer then responds to the broadcast installation instruction and executes the installation instruction. For example, when the installation instruction is in the mode shown in FIG. 7, the installer first displays an installation screen for instructing the execution of the installation as shown in FIG. On the installation screen shown in FIG. 8, at least an execution instruction button 41 for instructing the execution of installation of the application to be installed (in this example, the application identified by the application ID "49354") is displayed. When the user presses the execution instruction button 41, the installer sends an application request requesting the application identified by the application ID "49354" to the application server 2, and receives the application from the application server 2. In this example, the application request includes at least an app ID that identifies the requesting application. Then, the installer controls to install the application received (downloaded) from the application server 2 in the MFP 1 as a response to the application request.

The description of FIG. 4 will be continued. The URL acquisition unit 116 acquires a URL (an example of "server specific information") that identifies the license management server 4 that issues a license file (an example of "usage authority information") of the application installed by the installation control unit 115. .. In the example of FIG. 4, the URL acquisition unit 116 has a URL request transmission unit 131 and a URL reception unit 132.

The URL request transmission unit 131 is an example of the "first request information transmission unit", includes an application ID that identifies an installed application (an example of "application identification information"), and is identified by the application ID. A URL request (an example of "first request information") requesting the URL of a license management server 4 that issues a license file of an application is sent to a license management server information management device 3 (an example of "first server"). Send.

The URL receiving unit 132 is an example of the “server specific information receiving unit”, and receives a URL from the license management server information management device 3 as a response to the URL request.

The description of FIG. 4 will be continued. The license file acquisition unit 117 acquires the license file of the installed application from the license management server 4 specified by the URL acquired by the URL acquisition unit 116. In the example of FIG. 4, the license file acquisition unit 117 includes a license file request transmission unit 141 and a license file reception unit 142.

The license file request transmission unit 141 is an example of the “second request information transmission unit”, and is an application (URL request) installed on the license management server 4 specified by the URL received by the URL reception unit 132. A license file request ("second") that requests a license file (an example of "usage authority information") containing a license key (an example of "usage authority authentication information") corresponding to the application ID (application identified by the application ID included in). An example of "request information") is sent.

The license file receiving unit 142 is an example of the “usage authority information receiving unit”, and receives the license file from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file request.

The description of FIG. 4 will be continued. The storage unit 118 is an example of the “third storage unit”, and is license information (“second”) in which the application ID that identifies the installed application and the license file received by the license file receiving unit 142 are associated with each other. An example of "correspondence information") is stored. In this example, the storage unit 118 provides the license information in which the application ID that identifies the installed application, the license file received by the license file receiving unit 142, and the URL received by the URL receiving unit 132 are associated with each other. Remember. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of license information. In the example of FIG. 9, the license information is information in which the application ID, the file path indicating the storage location of the license file, and the URL are associated with each other, but the form of the license information can be arbitrarily changed. In this example, when a plurality of installed applications exist, the storage unit 118 stores a plurality of license information corresponding to one-to-one with the plurality of applications.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a license file. In the example of FIG. 10, the license file is a set of datasets of item names and corresponding information. In the example of FIG. 10, as the item name, the "unique ID" that uniquely identifies the issued license, the "app ID" that identifies the target application, the "license type" that indicates the type of license, and the target application are used. "Validity period" indicating the period during which the application can be used, "Validity period" indicating the number of days that the target application can be used, and "License key" for activating the license are listed, but are limited to these. It's not a thing. The item names included in the license file can be arbitrarily changed according to the type of license. In this example, the license file shall contain at least validity period information that indicates how long the application in question can be used. In the example of FIG. 10, the data set of the item name "validity period" and the corresponding information corresponds to "validity period information". The use authority information (for example, a license file) is a set of information related to the use authority for each application, and can be rephrased as additional information, authority information, correspondence information, etc. of the application. In addition, the usage authority authentication information (for example, a license key) is information that is a key when authenticating and confirming the usage right of the application, and can be paraphrased as application authentication information, usage authority determination information, authentication key, and the like.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. The update control unit 120 updates the license file when the time when the installed application is started is out of the period indicated by the validity period information included in the license file associated with the application ID of the application. Control for More specifically, the update control unit 120 identifies the license file associated with the application ID of the application among the license files stored in the storage unit 118 when the installed application is started, and at the present time ( Check if (corresponding to when the application is started) deviates from the period indicated by the validity period information included in the specified license file. Then, when the current time is outside the period indicated by the validity period information, the control is performed to display the license renewal screen (an example of the "first screen") for receiving the instruction to renew the license file. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the license renewal screen. In the example of FIG. 11, on the license update screen, an update button 121 for receiving an instruction to update the license file is displayed.

When the update control unit 120 receives an instruction to update the license file on the license update screen (in this example, when the operation of pressing the update button 121 is accepted), the license key input screen ("" Control to display an example of the "second screen"). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a license key input screen. When the license key input is accepted on the license key input screen, the license management server issues a license file update request (an example of "third request information") that includes the accepted license key and requests the update of the license file. 4 (License management server 4 that issues the license file). The URL of the license management server 4 can be specified by referring to the above-mentioned license information. Then, the update control unit 120 updates the license file to be updated stored in the storage unit 118 to the license file received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file update request.

The functions of the MFP 1 described above (operation screen display unit 111, application list screen request transmission unit 112, application list screen reception unit 113, application list screen display unit 114, installation control unit 115, URL acquisition unit 116, license The file acquisition unit 117 and the update control unit 120) are realized by the CPU (11 or 21) executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, ROM 12, HDD 14, ROM 22, flash memory 24, etc.). Not limited to this, for example, at least a part of the functions of the MFP 1 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit). Further, the above-mentioned storage unit 118 can be realized by, for example, a ROM 12, an HDD 14, a ROM 22, a flash memory 24, or the like.

Next, the configuration of the application server 2 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the application server 2. As shown in FIG. 13, the application server 2 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a communication I / F 304, an input device 305, and a display device 306. The CPU 301 comprehensively controls the operation of the application server 2. The ROM 302 is a non-volatile memory that stores various data such as programs. The RAM 303 is a volatile memory that functions as a work area (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 301. The communication I / F 304 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The input device 305 is a device used for inputting an operation by a user, and is composed of, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The display device 306 is a device that displays various types of information, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device. In this example, the hardware configurations of the other servers (license management server information management device 3 and license management server 4) are the same as those shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the functions of the application server 2. As shown in FIG. 14, the application server 2 has an application list screen holding unit 211, an application list screen transmitting unit 212, an application holding unit 213, and an application transmitting unit 214. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 14 mainly illustrates the functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the application server 2 are not limited to these.

The application list screen holding unit 211 holds the application list screen. The application list screen transmission unit 212 transmits the application list screen to the MFP 1 as a response to the application list screen request from the MFP 1.

The application holding unit 213 holds a plurality of applications. The plurality of applications held by the application holding unit 213 include at least the applications displayed on the application list screen.

The application transmission unit 214 transmits any one of the plurality of applications held by the application holding unit 213 to the MFP 1 as a response to the application request from the MFP 1. More specifically, the application transmission unit 214 identifies an application identified by the application ID included in the application request among the applications held in the application holding unit 213, and transmits the specified application to the MFP1.

The functions (application list screen transmission unit 212, application transmission unit 214, etc.) of the application server 2 described above are realized by the CPU 301 of the application server 2 executing the program stored in the ROM 302 or the like. Not limited to this, for example, at least a part of the functions of the application server 2 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit). Further, the above-mentioned application list screen holding unit 211 and application holding unit 213 can be realized by, for example, ROM 302 or the like.

Next, the configuration of the license management server information management device 3 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the functions of the license management server information management device 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the license management server information management device 3 includes a storage unit 311, a URL request receiving unit 312, and a URL transmitting unit 313.

The storage unit 311 is an example of the "first storage unit", and is URL information (""" in which the application ID is associated with the URL of the license management server 4 that issues the license file of the application identified by the application ID. An example of "first correspondence information") is stored. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of URL information. For example, when a plurality of applications exist, the storage unit 311 stores a plurality of URL information corresponding to one-to-one with the plurality of applications.

The URL request receiving unit 312 is an example of the “first request information receiving unit”, and receives the above-mentioned URL request from the MFP1.

The URL transmission unit 313 is an example of the “server specific information transmission unit”, and transmits the URL associated with the application ID included in the URL request received by the URL request reception unit 312 to the MFP1. More specifically, the URL transmitting unit 313 refers to the URL information stored in the storage unit 311 and identifies the URL associated with the application ID included in the URL request received by the URL request receiving unit 312. To do. Then, as a response to the URL request, the specified URL is transmitted to the MFP1.

In the functions (URL request receiving unit 312, URL transmitting unit 313, etc.) of the license management server information management device 3 described above, the CPU 301 of the license management server information management device 3 executes a program stored in the ROM 302 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, at least a part of the functions of the license management server information management device 3 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit). Further, the above-mentioned storage unit 311 can be realized by, for example, ROM 302 or the like.

Next, the configuration of the license management server 4 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the license management server 4. As shown in FIG. 17, the license management server 4 has a storage unit 411, a license file request receiving unit 412, and a license file transmitting unit 413. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 17 mainly illustrates the functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the license management server 4 are not limited to these.

The storage unit 411 is an example of the “second storage unit” and stores one or more license files issued by the license management server 4. For example, the license file can be represented in the manner of FIG. 10, but in this example, the license files issued by each of the plurality of license management servers 4 are defined in different forms.

The license file request receiving unit 412 is an example of the “second request information receiving unit”, and makes the above-mentioned license file request (information including the license key and requesting the license file including the license key) from the MFP1. Receive.

The license file transmission unit 413 is an example of the “usage authority information transmission unit”, and transmits a license file including a license key included in the license file request received by the license file request reception unit 412 to the MFP 1. More specifically, the license file transmission unit 413 specifies a license file including a license key included in the license file request received by the license file request reception unit 412 among the license files stored in the storage unit 411. .. Then, as a response to the license file request, the specified license file is transmitted to the MFP1.

The functions (license file request receiving unit 412, license file transmitting unit 413, etc.) of the license management server 4 described above are realized by the CPU 301 of the license management server 4 executing the program stored in the ROM 302 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, at least a part of the functions of the license management server 4 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit). Further, the above-mentioned storage unit 411 can be realized by, for example, ROM 302 or the like.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the installation screen (see FIG. 8) of any application selected from the above-mentioned application list screen is displayed on the operation panel 27 of the MFP1. In this example, in the case of a free application, the license key corresponding to the application (in this example, the license key common to the free application) is described in the XML information that creates the application list screen. For example, when the install button 7 of the free application is pressed, the browser application includes the license key corresponding to the application and the information indicating that the application is free is pasted on the install button 7. The instruction information added to the installation instruction can be notified to the OS of the operation unit 20. On the other hand, in the case of a paid application, the license key corresponding to the application is not described in the XML information that creates the application list screen. Therefore, when the install button 7 of the paid application is pressed, the browser application is charged. Information indicating that the application is the above can be notified to the OS of the operation unit 20 with the instruction information added to the installation instruction pasted on the installation button 7. The OS of the operation unit 20 broadcasts the instruction information to each application of the operation unit 20, and the installer responds to the installation instruction included in the broadcast instruction information. The installer can confirm whether the application to be installed is paid or free by referring to the notified instruction information.

In the following, a case where any application selected from the application list screen is a paid application will be described as an example. Here, it is assumed that the license key corresponding to the application to be installed in the MFP 1 is known in advance. For example, the administrator of the application may notify the user who purchased the application of the license key by mail, e-mail, or the like.

When the user presses the above-mentioned execution instruction button 41 displayed on the installation screen (step S1), the installer (installation control unit 115) inputs the license key before executing the installation of the selected application. A prompting screen (for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 12) is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S2). The user performs an operation of inputting the license key from the screen (step S3).

For example, if any of the applications selected from the application list screen is a free application, as described above, the installer can grasp the license key of the free application, and prompts the user to enter the license key. There is no need to display the screen. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 19, the above-mentioned steps S2 and S3 are omitted.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. After accepting the input of the license key, the installer (installation control unit 115) transmits the above-mentioned application request requesting the application identified by the application ID included in the installation instruction to the application server 2 (step S4). .. The application server 2 that has received the application request identifies the application identified by the application ID included in the received application request among the applications held in the application holding unit 213 (step S5). Then, the application server 2 transmits the application specified in step S5 to the MFP 1 (step S6).

As a response to the application request, the installer (installation control unit 115) that has received the application from the application server 2 controls to install the received application (step S7). Next, the installer (URL request transmission unit 131) transmits the above-mentioned URL request including the application ID of the application installed in step S7 to the license management server information management device 3 (step S8). The license management server information management device 3 that has received the URL request refers to the URL information stored in the storage unit 311 and identifies the URL associated with the application ID included in the received URL request (step S9). ). Then, as a response to the URL request, the URL specified in step S9 is transmitted to the MFP1 (step S10).

As a response to the URL request, the installer (license file request transmission unit 141) that has received the URL from the license management server information management device 3 responds to the license management server 4 specified by the received URL in step S3 described above. The above-mentioned license file request requesting the license file including the license key for which the input has been accepted is transmitted (step S11). The license management server 4 that has received the license file request identifies the license file including the license key included in the received license file request from the license files stored in the storage unit 411 (step S12). Then, as a response to the license file request, the license file specified in step S12 is transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S13).

After receiving the license file from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file request, the installer receives the application ID of the application installed in step S7, the received license file, and the URL received in step S10. The license information associated with is generated and stored in the storage unit 118 (step S14).

After that, when the user performs an operation (for example, an operation of pressing the corresponding icon on the operation screen) to start the application installed in step S7 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "installed application") (for example, an operation of pressing the corresponding icon on the operation screen) ( Step S15), the installed application requests the installer to acquire a license file for the application (step S16). In this example, this request includes at least the app ID. Upon receiving this request, the installer refers to the license information stored in the storage unit 118 and identifies the license file associated with the application ID included in the request (step S17). Then, the installer sends the license file specified in step S17 to the installed application of the request source (step S18).

The installed application (update control unit 120) that has received the license file from the installer confirms whether or not the current period is out of the period indicated by the validity period information included in the received license file (step S19). If it is within the valid period, the processing by the installed application will be executed as it is. In the following, a case where the validity period has expired will be described as an example. In this case, the installed application (update control unit 120) controls to display the above-mentioned license update screen on the operation panel 27 (step S20).

When the user presses the update button 121 (see FIG. 11) displayed on the license update screen (step S21), the installed application (update control unit 120) displays the above-mentioned license key input screen on the operation panel 27. Control is performed (step S22).

Then, when the user inputs the license key (license key corresponding to the installed application started in step S15) on the license update screen (step S23), the installed application (update control unit 120) is displayed. The above-mentioned license file update request including the input license key is transmitted to the installer (step S24), and the installer transmits the license file update request to the license management server 4 (step S25).

The license management server 4 that has received the license file update request identifies the license file (latest license file) including the license key included in the received license file update request from the license files stored in the storage unit 411. (Step S26). Then, as a response to the license file update request, the latest license file specified in step S26 is transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S27).

As a response to the license file update request, the installer (update control unit 120) that has received the latest license file from the license management server 4 has the license file to be updated (in step S15) included in the license information stored in the storage unit 118. The license file of the started application) is updated to the latest license file received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file update request (step S28), and the installed application is notified to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the installed application displays a screen notifying that the update of the license file is completed on the operation panel 27 (step S29).

In this example, the above-mentioned function of the update control unit 120 is provided by the installed application and the installer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the above-mentioned function of the update control unit 120 is provided only by the installer. It may be in the form. In this case, the above-mentioned processes such as step S19, step S20, and step S22 are executed by the installer.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the MFP 1 when the above-mentioned execution instruction button 41 displayed on the installation screen of any application selected from the application list screen is pressed. Since the specific contents of each step are as described in the above configuration and the description of the above sequence, detailed description thereof will be omitted below as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 20, first, the MFP 1 (installer) transmits the above-mentioned application request to the application server 2 (step S101). When the application is not received from the application server 2 as a response to the application request transmitted in step S101 (step S102: No), that is, with the application ID included in the installation command pasted on the pressed installation button 7. If the download of the identified application fails, the MFP1 (installer) displays a screen displaying an error on the operation panel 27 (step S103).

On the other hand, when an application is received from the application server 2 as a response to the application request (step S102: Yes), that is, the application identified by the application ID included in the installation command pasted on the pressed installation button 7. If the download is successful, the MFP1 (installer) controls to install the received application (step S104).

If the installation of step S104 fails (step S105: No), the MFP1 (installer) displays an error display screen on the operation panel 27 (step S106). If the installation in step S104 is successful (step S105: Yes), the MFP 1 transmits the above-mentioned URL request to the license management server information management device 3 (step S107).

When the URL is not received from the license management server information management device 3 as a response to the URL request transmitted in step S107 (step S108: No), the MFP1 (installer) displays an error display screen on the operation panel 27. (Step S109). When a URL is received from the license management server information management device 3 (step S108: Yes) as a response to the URL request transmitted in step S107, the MFP 1 (installer) is sent to the license management server 4 specified by the received URL. In response, the above-mentioned license file request is transmitted (step S110).

If the license file is not received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file request transmitted in step S110 (step S111: No), the MFP1 (installer) displays an error display screen on the operation panel 27. (Step S112). When the license file is received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file request transmitted in step S110 (step S111: Yes), the MFP1 (installer) has the application ID of the application successfully installed in step S105 and the step. License information associated with the license file received from the license management server 4 in S11 and the URL received in step S108 is generated and stored in the storage unit 118 (step S113).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the MFP 1 when any application installed in the MFP 1 starts to start. Since the specific contents of each step are as described in the above configuration and the description of the above sequence, detailed description thereof will be omitted below as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 21, the application that has started to start (referred to as “starting application” in the following description for convenience of explanation) obtains a license file for the application from the installer (step S121). Next, the startup application confirms whether or not the current time is within the period indicated by the validity period information included in the license file acquired in step S121 (step S122). If the result of step S122 is affirmative (step S122: Yes), the launched application continues processing as it is. If the result of step S122 is negative (step S122: No), the startup application displays the above-mentioned license renewal screen on the operation panel 27 (step S123).

When the press of the update button 121 displayed on the license update screen is accepted (step S124: Yes), the startup application displays the above-mentioned license key input screen on the operation panel 27 (step S125). Then, when the input of the license key is accepted (step S126: Yes), the startup application transmits the above-mentioned license file update request to the license management server 4 via the installer (step S127). For example, when the startup application acquires the license file in step S121, the startup application can acquire the URL included in the license information including the application ID that identifies the startup application from the installer. Thereby, the license management server 4 that sends the above-mentioned license file update request can be specified.

If the license file is not received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file update request sent in step S127 (step S128: No), the MFP1 (installer) displays a screen displaying an error on the operation panel 27. (Step S129). When the license file is received from the license management server 4 as a response to the license file update request transmitted in step S127 (step S128: Yes), the MFP1 (installer) is stored in the storage unit 118 for the license file to be updated (step S128: Yes). The license file included in the license information of the startup application) is updated to the license file received from the license management server 4 in step S128 (step S130).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 1 is a license management server information management device (first server) having URL information in which the application ID and the URL of the license management server 4 are associated with each other after the application is installed. ), A URL request including the application ID of the installed application and requesting the URL of the license management server 4 (second server) that issues the license information of the installed application is transmitted. Then, as a response to the URL request, the MFP 1 receives the URL associated with the application ID included in the URL request from the license management server information management device 3. As a result, even if the issuer of the license information of each of the plurality of applications installed in the MFP 1 is different, the license management server 4 of the issuer of the license information of each application can be specified.

Here, each license management server 4 holds a license file including a license key, and the MFP 1 installs the license management server 4 specified by a URL received from the license management server information management device 3. Sends a license file request that includes the license key corresponding to the application and requests a license file that includes the license key. Then, as a response to the license file request, a license file including the license key included in the license file request is received from the license management server 4. As a result, it is possible to manage at least the license information in which the application ID of the installed application and the licensee file received from the license management server 4 are associated with each other. Therefore, even if the issuers of the license information of each of the plurality of installed applications are different, the license information can be managed collectively.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, various inventions can be formed by an appropriate combination of the plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments.

(1) Modification 1
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP1 may be considered to be a process of acquiring a license file of the application (an activation process for making the function of the application available) when a new application is installed. (Good) is being executed at the same time, but it is not limited to this, for example, even if the configuration is such that the activation process is performed when the installed application is first started without performing the activation process immediately after installation. Good. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system 100 of this modified example. Here, it is assumed that the installation screen of any application selected from the above-mentioned application list screen is displayed on the operation panel 27 of the MFP1. Since the processing contents of steps S41 to S48 shown in FIG. 22 are the same as the processing contents of steps S1 and S4 to S10 shown in FIG. 18, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After step S48, the installer associates the application ID of the application installed in step S45 with the URL received from the license management server information management device 3 in step S48 and stores it in the storage unit 118 (step S49).

After that, when the user performs an operation to start the application installed in step S46 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "installed application") (step S50), the installed application is referred to the installer. Requesting acquisition of a license file for the application (step S51). In this example, this request includes at least the app ID. Upon receiving this request, the installer refers to the license information stored in the storage unit 118 and identifies the license file associated with the application ID included in the request (step S52). In this example, since the license file of the application installed in step S46 has not been acquired, the installer notifies the application that the license file has not been acquired (step S53). At this time, the installer also notifies the application of the URL associated with the application ID of the application.

The installed application that has received the above notification from the installer displays the license file acquisition screen that accepts the instruction to acquire the license file on the operation panel 27 (step S54). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the license file acquisition screen. In the example of FIG. 23, the acquisition button 123 for receiving the instruction to acquire the license file is displayed on the license file acquisition screen.

The description of FIG. 22 will be continued. When the user presses the acquisition button 123 (see FIG. 23) displayed on the license file acquisition screen (step S55), the installed application displays a screen prompting the user to enter the license key (for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 12). It is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S56). The user performs an operation of inputting the license key from the screen (step S57). Then, after accepting the input of the license key, the installed application requests the license management server 4 specified by the URL notified from the installer in step S54 for the license file including the input-accepted license key. The above-mentioned license file request is transmitted (step S58). The license management server 4 that has received the license file request identifies the license file including the license key included in the received license file request from the license files stored in the storage unit 411 (step S59). Then, as a response to the license file request, the license file specified in step S59 is transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S60).

As a response to the license file request, the installed application that has received the license file from the license management server 4 displays a screen on the operation panel 27 notifying that the acquisition of the license file is completed (step S61). After step S61, the installed application sends the license file received from the license management server 4 to the installer (step S62). The installer generates license information in which the application ID of the application installed in step S45 described above, the license file received in step S62, and the URL received in step S48 described above are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 118. (Step S63).

In short, in this modification, it can be considered that the function of the above-mentioned license file acquisition unit 117 of the MFP1 is provided by the installed application instead of the installer.

(2) Modification example 2
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the MFP 1 of this modification. As shown in FIG. 24, the MFP 1 further includes a setting control unit 150 and a storage control unit 140. Further, in this modification, the storage unit 118 includes an operation unit side storage unit 171 included in the operation unit 20 and a main body side storage unit 172 included in the main body 10. The operation unit side storage unit 171 is composed of, for example, a flash memory 24, and the main body side storage unit 172 is composed of, for example, an HDD 14.

The setting control unit 150 includes a communication setting unit 151 and a storage destination setting unit 152. When the communication setting unit 151 connects to each of the license management server information management device 3 and the license management server 4 according to the user's instruction, the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side and the communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side. Set which of them to use. That is, it can be considered that the communication method with each of the license management server information management device 3 and the license management server 4 is set. The URL acquisition unit 116 (installer) manages the license management server information by using either the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side or the communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side according to the setting by the communication setting unit 151. Communicate with device 3. Similarly, the license file acquisition unit 117 (installer) licenses using either the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side or the communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side according to the setting by the communication setting unit 151. Communicate with the management server 4.

When the communication setting unit 151 receives an operation for calling the communication setting screen for setting the communication from the user, the communication setting unit 151 controls to display the default communication setting screen as shown in FIG. 25 on the operation panel 27. On the communication setting screen, as the setting of the communication interface, "Wi-Fi (registered trademark)" corresponding to the communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side and "main body network" corresponding to the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side. Display a radio button to select one of the above. Here, the communication I / F 25 on the operation unit 20 side is an interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the example of FIG. 25 (on the default communication setting screen), the "main unit network" is selected. For example, when the user performs an operation of selecting "Wi-Fi" from the default communication setting screen, the selection of "main body network" is canceled as shown in FIG. 26.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. 24. The storage destination setting unit 152 sets at least one of the operation unit 20 and the main body 10 as the storage destination of the above-mentioned license information (second correspondence information). More specifically, the storage destination setting unit 152 sets at least one of the operation unit side storage unit 171 and the main body side storage unit 172 as the storage destination of the license information according to the instruction of the user. In this example, after the setting on the communication setting screen described above is completed, the save destination setting unit 152 controls to display the save destination setting screen for setting the save destination of the license information on the operation panel 27, but saves the license information. The display trigger of the preset screen is not limited to this. For example, the save destination setting unit 152 may be in a form of controlling to display the save destination setting screen when a predetermined operation (an operation of calling the save destination setting screen) is received from the user.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a default save destination setting screen. In this example, the save destination setting screen is a "double save" corresponding to both the operation unit 20 and the main body 10 and an "operation" corresponding to the operation unit 20 as the save destination of the resource (license information described above in this example). A radio button for selecting either "unit" or "main body" corresponding to the main body 10 is displayed. In the default save destination setting screen, "double save" is selected. For example, when the user performs an operation of selecting the "operation unit" from the default save destination setting screen, the selection of "double save" is deselected and only the "operation unit" is selected as shown in FIG. 28. It will be in a state of default. Further, for example, when the user performs an operation of performing the "main unit" from the default save destination setting screen, the selection of "double save" is canceled and only the "main unit" is selected as shown in FIG. 29. become.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the setting control unit 150. As shown in FIG. 30, first, when the communication setting unit 151 receives an operation to call the communication setting screen from the user, the communication setting unit 151 controls to display the default communication setting screen as shown in FIG. 25 on the operation panel 27 ( Step S130). Then, the communication setting unit 151 sets the communication method with each of the license management server information management device 3 and the license management server 4 according to the instruction of the user (step S131). Next, the save destination setting unit 152 controls to display the default save destination setting screen as shown in FIG. 27 on the operation panel 27 (step S132). Then, the save destination setting unit 152 sets the save destination of the license information according to the instruction of the user (step S133).

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. 24. The storage control unit 160 controls to store the above-mentioned license information (second correspondence information) according to the setting by the storage destination setting unit 152. More specifically, in the storage control unit 160, when either the operation unit side storage unit 171 or the main body side storage unit 172 is set as the storage destination of the license information by the storage destination setting unit 152, the storage control unit 160 Control to save the license information to the set one, and if both the operation unit side storage unit 171 and the main unit side storage unit 172 are set as the license information storage destination, the operation unit side storage unit 171 and Control is performed to save (double save) the license information in each of the storage units 172 on the main body side.

FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the information processing system 100 of this modified example. Since the processing contents of steps S71 to S77 shown in FIG. 31 are the same as the processing contents of steps S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 18, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In step S78 after step S77 shown in FIG. 31, the installer confirms the setting (communication setting) by the communication setting unit 151. Here, the "main unit network" is set by the communication setting unit 151 (the communication I / F15 on the main unit 10 side can be used to connect to each of the license management server information management device 3 and the license management server 4. The case (which is set) will be described as an example. The installer (URL request transmission unit 131) requests the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side to transmit the above-mentioned URL request including the application ID of the application installed in step S77 to the license management server information management device 3 (). Step S79), the communication I / F15 that received this request transmits a URL request to the license management server information management device 3 (step S80). URL request The license management server information management device 3 that has received the URL request refers to the URL information stored in the storage unit 311 and identifies the URL associated with the application ID included in the received URL request ( Step S81). Then, as a response to the URL request, the URL specified in step S81 is transmitted to the MFP1 (step S82). When the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side receives the URL from the license management server information management device 3, the communication I / F15 transmits the received URL to the installer (step S83).

The installer (license file request transmission unit 141) that has received the URL requests the above-mentioned license file request including the license key that has been input in step S73, and the license management specified by the received URL. The communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side is requested to transmit to the server 4 (step S84), and the communication I / F15 receiving the request transmits a license file request to the license management server 4 (step S85). The license management server 4 that has received the license file request identifies the license file including the license key included in the received license file request from the license files stored in the storage unit 411 (step S86). Then, as a response to the license file request, the license file specified in step S86 is transmitted to the MFP1 (step S87).

When the communication I / F15 on the main body 10 side receives the license file from the license management server 4, the communication I / F15 transmits the received license file to the installer (step S88). The installer (save control unit 160) generates license information in which the application ID of the application installed in step S77 described above, the license file received in step S88 described above, and the URL received in step S83 described above are associated with each other. (Step S89).

Next, the installer (save control unit 160) confirms the setting (save destination setting) by the save destination setting unit 152 (step S90). Hereinafter, each of the cases where "double save" is set, the save destination is set to the operation unit 20, and the save destination is set to the main body 10 will be described.

First, the case where "double save" is set will be described. In this case, the installer (save control unit 160) saves the license information in the operation unit side storage unit 171 (step S91), and controls the storage of the license information in the main body side storage unit 172 (step S92). Next, a case where the save destination is set to the "operation unit" will be described. In this case, the installer (save control unit 160) controls to store the license information in the operation unit side storage unit 171 (step S93). Next, the case where the save destination is set to "main unit" will be described. In this case, the installer (save control unit 160) controls to store the license information in the main body side storage unit 172 (step S94).

In FIG. 32, “Wi-Fi” is set by the communication setting unit 151 (using the communication I / F 25 on the operation unit 20 side, the connection is made with each of the license management server information management device 3 and the license management server 4. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation procedure in the case (is set to do). The processing contents of steps S201 to S207 are the same as the processing contents of steps S71 to S77 of FIG. In step S208 after step S207, the installer confirms the setting (communication setting) by the communication setting unit 151. As described above, here, "Wi-Fi" is set by the communication setting unit 151. The installer (URL request transmission unit 131) requests the communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side to transmit the above-mentioned URL request including the application ID of the application installed in step S207 to the license management server information management device 3. (Step S209), the communication I / F25 receiving this request transmits a URL request to the license management server information management device 3 (step S210). URL request The license management server information management device 3 that has received the URL request refers to the URL information stored in the storage unit 311 and identifies the URL associated with the application ID included in the received URL request ( Step S211). Then, as a response to the URL request, the URL specified in step S211 is transmitted to the MFP1 (step S212). When the communication I / F 25 on the operation unit 20 side receives the URL from the license management server information management device 3, the communication I / F 25 transmits the received URL to the installer (step S213).

The installer (license file request transmission unit 141) that has received the URL requests the above-mentioned license file request including the license key that has been input in step S203, and the license management specified by the received URL. The communication I / F25 on the operation unit 20 side is requested to transmit to the server 4 (step S214), and the communication I / F25 receiving this request transmits a license file request to the license management server 4 (step S215). .. The license management server 4 that has received the license file request identifies the license file including the license key included in the received license file request from the license files stored in the storage unit 411 (step S216). Then, as a response to the license file request, the license file specified in step S216 is transmitted to the MFP 1 (step S217). When the communication I / F 25 on the operation unit 20 side receives the license file from the license management server 4, the communication I / F 25 transmits the received license file to the installer (step S218).

Since the processing contents of steps S219 to S224 are the same as the processing contents of steps S89 to S94 shown in FIG. 31, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of this modification can also be applied to the above-mentioned modification 1.

Further, the program executed by the information processing system 100 (MFP1, application server 2, license management server information management device 3, license management server 4, etc.) of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format. It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versaille Disk), or a USB (Universal Server). However, it may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. In addition, various programs may be configured to be provided by incorporating them into a ROM or the like in advance.

1 MFP
2 Application server 3 License management server Information management device 4 License management server 8 Network 100 Information processing system 111 Operation screen display unit 112 Application list screen request transmission unit 113 Application list screen reception unit 114 Application list screen display unit 115 Installation control unit 116 URL Acquisition unit 117 License file acquisition unit 118 Storage unit 120 Update control unit 131 URL request transmission unit 132 URL reception unit 141 License file request transmission unit 142 License file reception unit 150 Setting control unit 151 Communication setting unit 152 Storage destination setting unit 160 Storage control Unit 171 Operation unit side storage unit 172 Main unit side storage unit 211 Application list screen holding unit 212 Application list screen transmitting unit 213 Application holding unit 214 Application transmitting unit 311 Storage unit 312 URL request receiving unit 313 URL transmitting unit 411 Storage unit 412 License file Request receiver 413 License file transmitter

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-250997

Claims (14)

An information processing system that includes an information processing device, a first server, and one or more second servers, each of which manages different application usage privileges, and these are interconnected via a network. There,
The first server is
A first storage unit that stores first correspondence information in which the application identification information that identifies the application and the server identification information that identifies the second server are associated with each other.
A first request information receiving unit that includes the application identification information and receives the first request information that requests the server specific information from the information processing apparatus.
A server-specific information transmitting unit that transmits the server-specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information received by the first request information receiving unit to the information processing apparatus. With
The second server is
A second storage unit that includes use authority authentication information for authenticating the use authority and stores one or more use authority information indicating information about the use authority.
A second request information receiving unit that includes the use authority authentication information and receives the second request information that requests the use authority information including the use authority authentication information from the information processing apparatus.
A usage authority information transmitting unit that transmits the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information included in the second request information received by the second request information receiving unit to the information processing apparatus is provided.
The information processing device
A first request information transmission unit that transmits the first request information including the application identification information that identifies an installed application to the first server, and
As a response to the first request information, a server specific information receiving unit that receives the server specific information from the first server, and a server specific information receiving unit.
The second request information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application is transmitted to the second server specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving unit. The second request information transmitter and
As a response to the second request information, a use authority information receiving unit that receives the use authority information from the second server,
The operation unit that accepts operations and
A main body that performs an operation according to the operation received by the operation unit,
Second correspondence information in which at least one of the operation unit and the main body is associated with the application identification information for identifying an installed application and the use authority information received by the use authority information receiving unit. The save destination setting unit to be set as the third storage unit to save
A storage control unit that controls storage of the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the storage destination setting unit is provided.
Information processing system. The second correspondence information is information in which the application identification information, the use authority information, and the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving unit are associated with each other.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The usage authority information includes at least validity period information indicating the period during which the target application can be used.
The information processing device
If the time when the installed application is started is out of the period indicated by the validity period information included in the usage authority information associated with the application identification information that identifies the application, the usage authority information is used. Further provided with an update control unit that controls for updating,
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The update control unit controls to display a first screen that receives an instruction to update the use authority information.
The information processing system according to claim 3. The update control unit
When the instruction to update the use authority information is received on the first screen, control is performed to display the second screen for accepting the input of the use authority authentication information.
When the input of the use authority authentication information is accepted on the second screen, the third request information including the accepted use authority authentication information and requesting the update of the use authority information is the second request information. Send to the server
The update target usage authority information stored in the third storage unit is updated to the usage authority information received from the second server as a response to the third request information.
The information processing system according to claim 4. The information processing system further includes a third server.
The third server is
An application list screen holding unit that holds an application list screen associated with an installation instruction indicating an instruction to install the application for each one or more applications.
As a response to the application list screen request for the application list screen from the information processing device, an application list screen transmission unit for transmitting the application list screen to the information processing device is provided.
The information processing device
An application list screen request transmission unit that transmits the application list screen request to the third server,
An application list screen receiver that receives the application list screen from the third server,
An application list screen display unit that controls the display of the application list screen received by the application list screen receiver, and an application list screen display unit.
It further includes an installation control unit that controls the installation of the application selected by the user among the applications included in the application list screen.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The operation unit operates in the first operating system, and the main body operates in the second operating system.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The third storage unit is
The operation unit side storage unit included in the operation unit and the main body side storage unit included in the main body are included.
The storage control unit
When either one of the operation unit side storage unit and the main body side storage unit is set as the storage destination of the second corresponding information by the storage destination setting unit, the second one is set. When the control for storing the corresponding information of 2 is performed and both the operation unit side storage unit and the main body side storage unit are set as the storage destinations of the second correspondence information, the operation unit side storage unit and the operation unit side storage unit and the storage unit are set. Control is performed to store the second correspondence information in each of the main body side storage units.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The storage destination setting unit sets at least one of the operation unit side storage unit and the main body side storage unit as the storage destination of the second corresponding information according to the user's instruction.
The information processing system according to claim 8 . In the operation unit, the operation unit side communication unit and
The main body has a communication unit on the main body side,
A communication setting unit for setting the operation unit side communication unit or the main body side communication unit is further provided.
The information processing device communicates with the first server and the second server by using the operation unit side communication unit or the main body side communication unit set by the communication setting unit.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An information processing system comprising an information processing device, a first server, and one or more second servers, each of which manages different application usage privileges, which are interconnected via a network. It is an information processing method
The first server is
The first request information receiving step of receiving the first request information including the application identification information for identifying the application and requesting the server specific information for identifying the second server from the information processing apparatus.
The first request information receiving step with reference to the first correspondence information stored in the first storage unit that stores the first correspondence information associated with the application identification information and the server specific information. The server specific information transmission step of transmitting the server specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information received by the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus is included.
The second server is
A second request information receiving step of receiving a second request information from the information processing apparatus, which includes the use authority authentication information for authenticating the use authority and requests the use authority information indicating the information about the use authority. When,
Among the usage authority authentication information stored in the second storage unit that stores one or more of the usage authority authentication information, the second request information received by the second request information receiving step is included in the second request information. The usage authority information transmission step of transmitting the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information to the information processing apparatus is included.
The information processing device
A first request information transmission step of transmitting the first request information including the application identification information for identifying an installed application to the first server, and
As a response to the first request information, a server specific information receiving step for receiving the server specific information from the first server, and
The second request information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application is transmitted to the second server specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving step. The second request information transmission step and
As a response to the second request information, a usage authority information receiving step of receiving the usage authority information from the second server, and
At least one of the operation unit that accepts the operation and the main body that performs the operation according to the operation received by the operation unit is received by the application identification information that identifies the installed application and the usage authority information receiving step. A save destination setting step for setting as a third storage unit, which is a save destination for the second corresponding information associated with the usage authority information, and
A save control step that controls to save the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the save destination setting step, and
including,
Information processing method. An information processing device connected to a first server and one or more second servers, each of which manages use privileges of different applications, via a network.
Application identification that identifies an installed application for the first server that has the first correspondence information that associates the application identification information that identifies the application with the server identification information that identifies the second server. A first request information transmission unit that includes information and transmits first request information that requests server specific information that identifies the second server, and
As a response to the first request information, a server specific information receiving unit that receives the server specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information from the first server.
One or more usage authority information that is specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving unit, includes usage authority authentication information for authenticating the usage authority, and indicates information related to the usage authority. A second request information transmission unit that transmits the second request information for requesting the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application to the second server having the above.
As a response to the second request information, a use authority information receiving unit that receives the use authority information from the second server,
The operation unit that accepts operations and
A main body that performs an operation according to the operation received by the operation unit,
Second correspondence information in which at least one of the operation unit and the main body is associated with the application identification information for identifying an installed application and the use authority information received by the use authority information receiving unit. The save destination setting unit to be set as the third storage unit to save
A storage control unit that controls storage of the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the storage destination setting unit is provided.
Information processing device. An information processing method by an information processing device connected to a first server and one or more second servers, each of which manages the use authority of different applications, via a network.
Application identification that identifies an installed application for the first server that has the first correspondence information that associates the application identification information that identifies the application with the server identification information that identifies the second server. The first request information transmission step of transmitting the first request information including the information and requesting the server specific information for specifying the second server, and
As a response to the first request information, a server specific information receiving step of receiving the server specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information from the first server, and
One or more usage authority information that is specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving step, includes usage authority authentication information for authenticating the usage authority, and indicates information related to the usage authority. A second request information transmission step of transmitting the second request information requesting the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application to the second server having the above.
As a response to the second request information, a usage authority information receiving step of receiving the usage authority information from the second server, and
At least one of the operation unit that accepts the operation and the main body that performs the operation according to the operation received by the operation unit is received by the application identification information that identifies the installed application and the usage authority information receiving step. A save destination setting step for setting as a third storage unit, which is a save destination for the second corresponding information associated with the usage authority information, and
A storage control step for controlling storage of the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the storage destination setting step is included.
Information processing method. An information processing device connected to a first server and one or more second servers, each of which manages different application usage privileges, via a network.
Application identification that identifies an installed application for the first server that has the first correspondence information that associates the application identification information that identifies the application with the server identification information that identifies the second server. The first request information transmission step of transmitting the first request information including the information and requesting the server specific information for specifying the second server, and
As a response to the first request information, a server specific information receiving step of receiving the server specific information associated with the application identification information included in the first request information from the first server, and
One or more usage authority information that is specified by the server specific information received by the server specific information receiving step, includes usage authority authentication information for authenticating the usage authority, and indicates information related to the usage authority. A second request information transmission step of transmitting the second request information requesting the usage authority information including the usage authority authentication information corresponding to the installed application to the second server having the above.
As a response to the second request information, a usage authority information receiving step of receiving the usage authority information from the second server, and
At least one of the operation unit that accepts the operation and the main body that performs the operation according to the operation received by the operation unit is received by the application identification information that identifies the installed application and the usage authority information receiving step. A save destination setting step for setting as a third storage unit, which is a save destination for the second corresponding information associated with the usage authority information, and
A program for executing a storage control step for controlling storage of the second corresponding information in the third storage unit according to the setting by the storage destination setting step .

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