JP2002202876A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system capable of easily introducing software for adding option functions. SOLUTION: This network system is provided with an image forming device 101 capable of adding an option function according to the addition of software, a distributing server 105 capable of holding software for adding the option function to the image forming device, and directly transmitting the software through a network 103 to the image forming device 101, and a customer information server 106. When a download request is transmitted from the image forming device 101 to the customer information server 106, the customer information server 106 authenticates the image forming device 101 based on ID information included in the download request from the image forming device, and when this image forming device 101 is authenticated, the corresponding software is downloaded from the distributing server 105 to the image forming device 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network system for directly loading optional function addition software held by a server into an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the networking of offices, office machines such as printers, facsimile machines, and copiers have also been made compatible with the network. Data is transmitted to and received from a computer via a network, and the data is printed out. In addition, functions such as taking in a scanned image and transmitting data by facsimile are provided.

[0003] Also, with the spread of the Internet,
With the widespread use of E-mail and WEB pages, the exchange of data on networks has increased dramatically, and prints or scanned images of those data can be sent directly to E-mail.
Needs such as mail transfer are also increasing. In order to meet such needs, printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and the like have been proposed which can provide functions such as output, input, and transfer of images without going through a computer.

[0004] Such a function of handling image data on a network is usually provided by software, and has been used as a conventional stand-alone in office machines used on a network. Compared with the case, the weight of software is increasing. Therefore, regarding product cost,
The share of the price of such software is increasing.

[0005] Accordingly, in order to accurately respond to the needs of the user, a form of package sales in which the function by software can be treated as an option and can be selected to be added to the basic configuration is seen as a recent trend.

Further, the types of font data used when performing RIP (rasterization processing) on print images are increasing year by year, and it is costly to mount all font data on the market in advance. Difficult both in terms of resources. Therefore, in many cases, font data is sold separately by selling options.

[0007] Under the above-described situation, software functions and font data that the customer has forgotten at the time of purchasing the device are required in the process of using the device, and it is often the case that the customer purchases the device later. I have.

[0008]

However, in the above-described case, it often takes a certain amount of time until the corresponding software is ordered in the form of adding an optional product and the product is delivered. That is, in a sales form through a normal sales channel, when a function is desired to be used, the function cannot be used immediately, and it is difficult to respond immediately.

When it is necessary to use a function that is not usually used (that is, the function was not purchased when the device was introduced), but it is unlikely to need to use it permanently, the corresponding software is purchased / not purchased. You can only choose to either purchase the software or give up if you do not want to use it after purchasing the software.

An object of the present invention is to provide a network system in which software for adding optional functions can be easily introduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network system capable of easily introducing software for adding optional functions and introducing software for adding optional functions according to a use situation. is there.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An image forming apparatus connected to a network and capable of adding optional functions by adding software, and holding software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus, and transferring the software to the image forming apparatus via the network A server capable of direct transmission, the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing the software, and via the network,
Purchase request transmission means for transmitting a purchase request including identification information and software identification information for identifying software to be purchased to the server, and a request transmitted directly from the server in response to the purchase request via the network. Fetching software, and fetching means for storing the software in the storage means, wherein the server authenticates the image forming apparatus based on identification information included in a purchase request from the image forming apparatus, A software transmission unit for transmitting software corresponding to the software identification information included in the purchase request in accordance with an authentication result for the image forming apparatus, and a delivery for confirming that the software is normally taken into the image forming apparatus Confirming means, and that the software is normally taken into the image forming apparatus; In, and having a charging means for creating charge information with respect to the software.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to an owner or a manager of the image forming apparatus. I do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus has a storage unit for storing the identification information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus has identification information inputting means for inputting the identification information, and the purchase request transmitting means includes The transmitted identification information is transmitted to the server.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the network system of the first aspect, when the image forming apparatus executes the optional function, the image forming apparatus detects whether or not software for executing the optional function is installed. And a display unit for displaying a request screen for requesting the purchase of software for executing the optional function when the absence of software for executing the optional function is detected. When a purchase of software for executing the optional function is requested on the request screen, the purchase request issuing unit specifies the identification information and the software for executing the optional function as the purchase request. And transmitting a purchase request including software specifying information to the server.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus accesses the server via the display means and the network, and displays a list of software held by the server. A browsing unit for displaying on the display unit, a selecting unit for selecting software to be purchased from the displayed list of software, and an adding unit for adding software identification information for the selected software to the purchase request It is characterized by the following.

The invention according to claim 8 is an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network and which can add optional functions by adding software, and which holds software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus, A server capable of directly transmitting the software to the image forming apparatus via the network. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing the software, and identification information and purchase information via the network. Purchase request transmission means for transmitting a purchase request including software specifying information for specifying target software to the server; and fetching software transmitted directly from the server in response to the purchase request via the network. Fetching means for storing in the storage means; Confirmation means for confirming that the software has been loaded normally, and notifying means for notifying the server of the usage form of the loaded software when the loading of the software is normally performed, wherein the server Corresponds to an authentication unit that performs authentication on the image forming apparatus based on identification information included in a purchase request from the image forming apparatus, and corresponds to software identification information included in the purchase request in accordance with an authentication result for the image forming apparatus. And a billing unit for creating billing information according to the usage pattern notified from the image forming apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the image forming apparatus.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to an owner or a manager of the image forming apparatus. I do.

[0022] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the network system of the eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
It is characterized by having storage means for storing the identification information.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
There is provided identification information input means for inputting the identification information, and the purchase request transmission means transmits the input identification information to the server.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
Detecting means for detecting whether or not software for executing the optional function is installed, when the optional function is executed, and detecting the absence of software for executing the optional function; Display means for displaying a request screen for requesting the purchase of software for executing the software. The purchase request issuance means includes a request for purchasing the software for executing the optional function on the request screen. Then, a purchase request including the identification information and software specifying information for specifying software for executing the optional function is transmitted to the server as the purchase request.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
Display means, browsing means for accessing the server via the network and displaying a list of software held by the server on the display means, and software for selecting software to be purchased from the displayed list of software It has a selecting means and an adding means for adding software specifying information for the selected software to the purchase request.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
As a usage mode of the captured software, a usage mode selection unit for selecting whether to use the captured software permanently or temporarily is used, and the usage mode notification unit includes: The selected form is notified to the server.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the fifteenth aspect, when a mode in which the captured software is temporarily used is selected, the number of times the software is used is determined. It has a counting means for counting, and an erasing means for erasing the software stored in the storing means when the counted number of uses reaches a predetermined number.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the network system according to the fifteenth aspect, when a mode in which the captured software is temporarily used is selected, the use period of the software is reduced. It is characterized by comprising timer means for measuring time and erasing means for erasing the software stored in the storage means when the measured usage period reaches a predetermined period.

[0029]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 101 installed in a customer's office and having a network connection function. Each of the image forming apparatuses 101 has a LAN (Local Area) in the customer's office.
Network) 102. This LAN 102
Are connected to the wide area network 103. A LAN 104 owned by a sales company that sells software for building optional functions of the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to the wide area network 103, and a LAN on the customer side is connected.
102 and the LAN 104 on the sales company side can be connected to each other via a wide area network 103.

A distribution server 105 for distributing software / data and a customer information management server 106 for managing customer information are connected to the LAN 104. The distribution server 105 can distribute software / data to the image forming apparatus 101 via the LAN 104, the wide area network 103, and the LAN 102. The customer information management server 106 stores ID information of devices delivered to each customer. Maintains a database that stores customer ID information and information / billing information such as the contract type at the time of contract. When accessing from outside, device ID information and customer ID information are used as access keys, and the access key It is determined whether or not access is possible, and only when it is determined that access is possible, operations such as extracting, adding, and falsifying information are enabled.

Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external I / F processing unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 has a CPU 171 for controlling the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in a control program storage section 174.
, And a RAM 175 is used as a work area of the CPU 171. An input / output port 173 is connected to the CPU 171 via an internal bus (address bus, data bus). The input / output port 173 includes the image forming apparatus 10.
1, various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch, and inputs (not shown) such as sensors for detecting the position of the paper are connected. The CPU 171 controls input / output sequentially through the input / output port 173 and executes an image forming operation.

An operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171. The operation unit 172 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying various information, a key input unit, and the like. The user instructs the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and the display by operating the key input unit.
In accordance with the control 1, the state of the image forming apparatus 101, the operation mode setting state by key input, and the like are displayed.

Further, the CPU 171 has an image processing section 1 for processing an image read by a reader section (shown in FIG. 3).
70, an image memory unit 3 for storing images from the image processing unit 170, and an external I / F processing unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the external I / F processing section 4 fetches the binary image data read by the reader section 1 via the image memory section 3 and outputs the binary image data from outside. The data is captured and output to the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 506,
Facsimile unit 501, hard disk 502 for storing communication image data of facsimile unit 501, external device 1
Network interface unit 503 that connects to 1
, A formatter unit 504 and an image memory unit 505
And

The external I / F processing section 4 also has a function of inputting and outputting data other than image data, and this function is executed by a control program in the control program storage section 174. For example, in the case of a data download process, data input via the network is temporarily expanded in the RAM 175 and then stored in a predetermined area in the control program storage unit 174.

The facsimile unit 501 is connected to a telephone line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the telephone line and transmits facsimile communication data to the telephone line. Specifically, the facsimile unit 501 stores a facsimile image on the hard disk 502, performs facsimile transmission of the image at a specified time, and performs image data transmission from the other party by inquiring of a specified password. This allows
Once an image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 501 and the hard disk 502 via the image memory unit 3, facsimile transmission can be performed without using the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 for facsimile functions. it can.

Network interface unit 503
Is an interface for performing data communication with an external device via the LAN 102. The interface notifies the external device of the status of the printer unit 2 and the reader unit 1 via the network interface unit 503, and also instructs the external device. To transfer an image read by the reader unit 1 to an external device. In addition, it also performs processing such as receiving print data from an external device.

Since the print data notified from the external device via the network interface unit 503 is described in a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 504 converts the code into raster image data via the image memory unit 3. I do. The formatter unit 504 stores the raster image data in the image memory unit 5.
05 on.

The image memory unit 505 is used as a memory for the formatter unit 504 to expand a code into raster image data. When sending an image from the reader unit 1 to an external device via the network interface unit 503 (image scanner function), the image memory unit 505 stores the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 in the image memory unit 505 once. It is also used in a case where the data is expanded, converted into a format of data to be transmitted to an external device, and transmitted from the network interface unit 503.

The core unit 506 includes a facsimile unit 501,
It controls and manages data transfer among the network interface unit 503, the formatter unit 504, the image memory unit 505, and the image memory unit 3. Thus, even if the external I / F processing unit 4 has a plurality of image output units, or if there is only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, the core unit 5
Under the management of 06, exclusive control and priority control are performed,
Image output is performed.

When data other than image data is transmitted / received between the network interface unit 503 and the external device, this transmission / reception operation is performed via the core unit 506 via the C unit.
It is controlled by the PU 171.

Next, download of software or data for adding optional functions of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing whether or not to download software displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S101 in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a contract user ID number input screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S105 of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a download start screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S107 of FIG. 4, and FIG. S10
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a download failure notification screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. Here, in the following description, the optional function addition software is used as a generic term including a program for realizing the function, font data, and the like.

When downloading the optional function adding software to the image forming apparatus 101, as shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S101, whether or not to download the software to the display means of the operation unit 172 of the image forming apparatus 101 is determined. Is displayed. The screen displayed on the display means of the operation unit 172 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a target optional function name (here, an OCR function package) and a purchase price (here,
¥ 20,000), purchase / non-selection key (OK,
Cancel key) is displayed. This screen display is displayed by input means such as an option download screen key (not shown), and when a certain scan job or print job occurs, an optional function required to execute the job is provided by the image forming apparatus. This is performed when it is detected that the control program 101 does not exist in the control program storage unit 174. Here, in the case of the download screen key input, a list of software held by the server 105 is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 172, and software to be purchased can be selected from the displayed list of software.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S102 to determine whether or not a download request has been generated by the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus 101 in response to pressing of the selection key on the screen (pressing of the OK key or the cancel key in FIG. 5). Is determined. Here, if it is determined that a download request has not been generated, that is, it is determined that the cancel key has been pressed, this processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a download request has occurred, that is, if the OK key has been pressed, the flow advances to step S103 to transmit ID information (identification information uniquely assigned to the apparatus) from the image forming apparatus 101 to the wide area network 103. Through the customer information management server 1 of the sales company
06. At this time, the IP address of the customer information management server 106 of the sales company and other network addresses are set in advance on a server address registration screen (not shown).
It is stored in the data control program storage unit 174 by the above input or at the time of shipment from the factory. As the ID information, the IP address information of the image forming apparatus 101 and information stored in the control program storage unit 174 as ID information unique to each machine by an ID registration unit (not shown) at the time of shipment from the factory are used. .

In place of the ID information unique to the machine, a contract user ID distributed at the time of purchase of the image forming apparatus 101 or at the time of contract with a sales company may be input by the user and used. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a contract user ID number input screen is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 172, and the contract user ID is input on this screen.

Upon receiving the ID information from the image forming apparatus 101, the customer information management server 106 searches for customer data stored in a database in the customer information management server 106 using the ID information as a search key. The collation processing of the ID information is performed using the search result.

Next, in step S104, the customer information management server 106 confirms that the collation result of the ID information is OK.
Is determined. That is, it is determined whether the request is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer. If it is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer, step S1
At 05, the corresponding software ID information and the IP address information of the requesting image forming apparatus 101 are transmitted from the customer information management server 106 to the distribution server 105, and the distribution server 105 starts download processing of the corresponding software / data. You. With the start of the download, the image forming apparatus 101 displays a screen indicating that the download has been started on the display unit of the operation unit 172. For example, a screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In this screen example, the progress of the download is displayed as a barcode in order to let the user recognize that the download is progressing normally.

Subsequently, in step S106, it is determined whether or not the download has been successful. This determination is performed by both the distribution server 105 and the image forming apparatus 101 by a check method such as whether or not the end packet has been transmitted or received, or the checksum does not match.

When it is determined that the download has been successful in both the distribution server 105 and the image forming apparatus 101, in step S107, the information indicating the success of the download is transmitted from the distribution server 105 together with the customer-specific (or device-specific) ID information. The information is transmitted to the customer information management server 106. Upon receiving the information, the customer information management server 106 updates the billing information of the customer in the customer database based on the fee information of the purchased software. Based on the updated billing information of the customer,
It becomes possible to charge the customer at the time of periodic settlement or at any time.

On the other hand, when the download is successful, in the image forming apparatus 101, the display means of the operation unit 172 is used to confirm that the download has been completed normally and to confirm the type and fee of the purchased software again. The screen is displayed. For example, a screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.
As described above, the downloaded software / data is temporarily expanded in the RAM 175 and then stored in a predetermined area in the control program storage unit 174.

If it is determined in step S104 that the ID verification is NG, that is, it is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer, and if the download is not successful due to a network trouble or other failure in step S106, In step S108, the image forming apparatus 101
Is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 172. For example, a screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. At this time, the distribution server 105 transmits the information of the download failure to the customer information management server 106 together with the customer-specific (or device-specific) ID information. The customer information management server 106 receives the information, invalidates the update of the customer information data corresponding to the download request currently in progress, shifts to the original state, and accepts a new request.

Here, in step S104, if the ID collation uses the customer-specific ID information instead of the device-specific ID information, there is a possibility that the collation failure may be due to a user input error. The contract user ID input screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed again. Customer information management server 10
No. 6 similarly returns to the original state and transits to a state in which a new request can be accepted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user introduces the optional function, he / she hesitates to introduce the image forming apparatus 101 or determines that there is no need to install the image forming apparatus 101 at the time of introduction of the image forming apparatus 101. If it is determined that it is necessary later, the software for adding the optional function can be downloaded at the timing when it is determined that it is necessary, so that the software for adding the optional function, that is, the optional function can be easily introduced.

When downloading, an ID unique to the device
By performing verification using information or verification using user-specific ID information, unauthorized download is prevented, and billing information is stored in association with ID information that has been ID-verified at the same time as download completion. Recovery can be achieved.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus in the network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S201 of FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting whether or not to download software. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase format selection screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S207 of FIG. .

In this embodiment, it is possible to select whether the software to be downloaded is to be used permanently or temporarily, as compared with the first embodiment described above. Some differences. Note that this embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described first embodiment, and will be described using the same reference numerals in the following description.

When the optional function adding software is downloaded to the image forming apparatus 101, first, as shown in FIG.
A screen for selecting whether or not to download software is displayed on the display means of the operation unit 172. The screen displayed on the display means of the operation unit 172 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the name of the target optional function (here, the OCR function package), the purchase price thereof (here, the amount corresponding to the usage form). For example, if you buy $ 2000
0, temporary use: $ 2000), a purchase / non-purchase selection key (OK, Cancel key) is displayed. This screen display is similar to the first embodiment described above.
When displayed by an input means such as an option download screen key, or when a certain scan job or print job occurs, optional functions necessary for executing the job are stored in the control program storage unit 174 of the image forming apparatus 101. This is carried out when it is detected that the file does not exist.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S202 to determine whether or not a download request has been generated by the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus 101 in response to pressing of the selection key on the screen (pressing of the OK key or the cancel key in FIG. 11). Is determined. Here, if it is determined that a download request has not been generated, that is, it is determined that the cancel key has been pressed, this processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a download request has occurred, that is, if the OK key has been pressed, the flow advances to step S 203 to transmit ID information (identification information uniquely assigned to the apparatus) from the image forming apparatus 101 to the wide area network 103. Through the customer information management server 1 of the sales company
06. At this time, the IP address of the customer information management server 106 of the sales company and other network addresses are set in advance on a server address registration screen (not shown).
It is stored in the data control program storage unit 174 by the above input or at the time of shipment from the factory. The ID information includes the IP address information of the image forming apparatus 101 and an ID unique to each machine by an ID registration unit (not shown) at the time of factory shipment.
Information stored in the control program storage unit 174 is used as the information. Instead of the ID information unique to the machine, a contract user ID distributed at the time of purchase of the image forming apparatus 101 or at the time of contract with a sales company may be input by the user and used.

Upon receiving the ID information from the image forming apparatus 101, the customer information management server 106 searches for customer data held in a database in the customer information management server 106 using the ID information as a search key. The collation processing of the ID information is performed using the search result.

Next, in step S204, the result of the collation of the ID information is determined by the customer information management server 106 to be OK.
Is determined. That is, it is determined whether the request is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer. If it is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer, step S2
At 05, the corresponding software ID information and the IP address information of the requesting image forming apparatus 101 are transmitted from the customer information management server 106 to the distribution server 105, and the distribution server 105 starts download processing of the corresponding software / data. You. With the start of the download, the image forming apparatus 101 displays a screen indicating that the download has been started on the display unit of the operation unit 172.

Subsequently, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the download has been successful. This determination is performed by both the distribution server 105 and the image forming apparatus 101 by a check method such as whether or not the end packet has been transmitted or received, or the checksum does not match.

If it is determined that the download has been successful in both the distribution server 105 and the image forming apparatus 101, in step S207, the image forming apparatus 101
A screen for prompting the user to select the purchase format of the software that has been successfully downloaded is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 172. For example, a screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The purchase format selected by the user on this screen is determined by the image forming apparatus 101 and the customer information management server 106.
Sent to.

In step S208, the customer information management server 106 receives the download success information and the purchase format information selected by the user, and converts the customer's billing information in the customer database into the fee information of the purchased software. Update based on. Based on the updated billing information of the customer, the billing for the customer can be performed at the time of regular settlement or at any time.

On the other hand, if the download is successful, in the image forming apparatus 101, the display means of the operation unit 172 is used to confirm that the download has been completed normally and to confirm the type and fee of the purchased software again. The screen is displayed. As described above, the downloaded software / data is temporarily expanded in the RAM 175 and then stored in a predetermined area in the control program storage unit 174. Here, in the case of temporary use, the number of times of use of the downloaded software is counted, and when the number of times reaches a predetermined number, the software is stored in the control program storage unit 174.
Deleted from Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the downloaded software is deleted from the control program storage unit 174 when a predetermined period has elapsed from the download time.

If it is determined in step S204 that the ID verification is NG, that is, it is a legitimate purchase request from a legitimate customer, and if the download is not successful due to a network trouble or other failure in step S206, In step S209, the image forming apparatus 101
Is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 172. At this time, the distribution server 105 sends the information of the download failure to the customer-specific (or device-specific) ID.
The information is transmitted to the customer information management server 106 together with the information. The customer information management server 106 receives the information,
The update of the customer information data corresponding to the download request that is currently in progress is invalidated, and a transition is made to the original state to enable the reception of a new request.

Here, in step S204, if the ID collation uses the customer-specific ID information instead of the device-specific ID information, there is a possibility that the collation failure may be due to a user input error. The contract user ID input screen is displayed again. Similarly, the customer information management server 106 returns to the original state and transitions to a state in which a new request can be accepted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to select whether to purchase software for adding optional functions or to charge according to the number of uses. Since it is possible, it is possible to introduce software according to the usage situation of the user.

[0073]

As described above, according to the network system of the present invention, an image forming apparatus connected to a network and capable of adding optional functions by adding software, and an optional function added to the image forming apparatus. And a server capable of directly transmitting the software to the image forming apparatus via a network. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing the software, and identification information via the network. And purchase request transmission means for transmitting a purchase request including software identification information for identifying software to be purchased to the server, and capturing software directly transmitted from the server in response to the purchase request via a network, And a capturing unit for storing the image data in the storage unit. Authentication means for authenticating the image forming apparatus based on the identification information included in the purchase request from the device, and software transmission for transmitting software corresponding to the software specifying information included in the purchase request in accordance with the authentication result for the image forming apparatus Means, delivery confirmation means for confirming that the software has been properly loaded into the image forming apparatus, and billing means for creating billing information for the software when the software has been properly loaded into the image forming apparatus. Therefore, software for adding optional functions can be easily introduced.

According to the network system of the present invention, an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network and can add optional functions by adding software, and software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus are held. A server capable of transmitting software directly to the image forming apparatus via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit for storing software; and a purchase request transmission unit for transmitting, via a network, a purchase request including identification information and software identification information for identifying software to be purchased to a server. Fetching means for fetching software transmitted directly from a server in response to a purchase request via a network and storing the fetched software in a storage means, confirmation means for confirming that the software has been fetched normally, and software Notification means for notifying the server of the usage form of the captured software when the capture of the software is normally performed, and the server provides the server with the image forming apparatus based on the identification information included in the purchase request from the image forming apparatus. Authentication means for performing authentication, and software included in the purchase request according to the authentication result for the image forming apparatus. Software transmission means for transmitting software corresponding to the software specifying information, and charging means for generating charging information according to the usage pattern notified from the image forming apparatus, so that software for adding optional functions can be easily introduced. In addition to this, it is possible to introduce software for adding optional functions according to the use situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external I / F processing unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for downloading software for adding optional functions to the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S101 in FIG. 4 for selecting whether to download software.

FIG. 6 illustrates a contract user displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.
It is a figure showing the example of an ID number input screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a download start screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S105 of FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S107 in FIG. 4, such as a normal end of download.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a download failure notification screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S108 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading software for adding optional functions to an image forming apparatus in a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S201 in FIG. 10 for selecting whether to download software.

12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase format selection screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus in step S207 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 External I / F Processing Unit 101 Image Forming Apparatus 102, 104 LAN 103 Wide Area Network 105 Distribution Server 106 Customer Information Management Server 171 CPU 172 Operation Unit 174 Control Program Storage Unit

Claims (17)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus connected to a network and capable of adding an optional function by adding software, and software for adding an optional function to the image forming apparatus are held, and the software is provided via the network. A server capable of directly transmitting the software to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus specifies identification information and software to be purchased via a storage unit for storing the software, and the network A purchase request transmitting unit for transmitting a purchase request including software specifying information to the server, and fetching software directly transmitted from the server in response to the purchase request via the network, and storing the software in the storage unit The server is connected to the image forming apparatus. An authentication unit for performing authentication on the image forming apparatus based on the identification information included in the purchase request, and transmitting software corresponding to the software specifying information included in the purchase request in accordance with the authentication result on the image forming apparatus. Software transmission means, delivery confirmation means for confirming that the software has been properly taken into the image forming apparatus, and creation of billing information for the software when the software has been properly taken into the image forming apparatus. A network system, comprising: 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the image forming apparatus. 3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to an owner or a manager of the image forming apparatus. 4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus has a storage unit for storing said identification information. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: identification information input means for inputting the identification information, wherein the purchase request transmission means transmits the input identification information to the server. Item 2. The network system according to Item 1. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection unit configured to detect, when executing the optional function, whether software for executing the optional function is installed; and a software unit configured to execute the optional function. Display means for displaying a request screen for requesting the purchase of software for executing the optional function when the non-installation is detected, and the purchase request issuing means includes: When a purchase of software for performing the function is requested, a purchase request including the identification information and software specifying information for specifying software for performing the optional function is transmitted to the server as the purchase request. 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein: 7. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display unit; a browsing unit that accesses the server via the network to display a list of software held by the server on the display unit; and the displayed software. 2. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting means for selecting software to be purchased from a list of the software, and adding means for adding software specifying information for the selected software to the purchase request. 8. An image forming apparatus connected to a network and capable of adding an optional function by adding software, holding software for adding an optional function to the image forming apparatus, and loading the software via the network A server capable of directly transmitting the software to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus specifies identification information and software to be purchased via a storage unit for storing the software, and the network A purchase request transmitting unit for transmitting a purchase request including software specifying information to the server, and fetching software directly transmitted from the server in response to the purchase request via the network, and storing the software in the storage unit Importing means, and the software is normally imported. And a notifying unit for notifying the server of a use form of the software that has been normally taken in, when the software is taken in normally. Authentication means for performing authentication on the image forming apparatus based on the identification information included in the purchase request, and software for transmitting software corresponding to the software specifying information included in the purchase request in accordance with the authentication result on the image forming apparatus A network system, comprising: a transmission unit; and a charging unit that generates charging information according to a usage pattern notified from the image forming apparatus. 9. The network system according to claim 8, wherein the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the image forming apparatus. 10. The network system according to claim 8, wherein the identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to an owner or a manager of the image forming apparatus. 11. The network system according to claim 8, wherein said image forming apparatus has storage means for storing said identification information. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: identification information input means for inputting the identification information, wherein the purchase request transmission means transmits the input identification information to the server. Item 10. The network system according to Item 8. 13. An image forming apparatus comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect, when executing the optional function, whether software for executing the optional function is installed; and a software for executing the optional function. Display means for displaying a request screen for requesting the purchase of software for executing the optional function when the non-installation is detected, and the purchase request issuing means includes: When a purchase of software for performing the function is requested, a purchase request including the identification information and software specifying information for specifying software for performing the optional function is transmitted to the server as the purchase request. The network system according to claim 8, wherein: 14. The image forming apparatus, comprising: a display unit; a browsing unit that accesses the server via the network to display a list of software held by the server on the display unit; and the displayed software. 9. The network system according to claim 8, further comprising: software selecting means for selecting software to be purchased from a list of said software; and adding means for adding software identification information for said selected software to said purchase request. 15. The use form selecting means for selecting, as a use form of the taken-in software, a form of permanently using the taken-in software or a form of using the taken-in software temporarily. 9. The network system according to claim 8, further comprising: the use mode notifying unit notifies the server of the selected mode. 16. An image forming apparatus comprising: a counting means for counting the number of times the software is used, when a mode for temporarily using the taken-in software is selected; 16. The network system according to claim 15, further comprising: erasing means for erasing the software stored in said storage means when the number of times has reached. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a mode for temporarily using the fetched software is selected, a timer means for counting a usage period of the software, and a timer for counting the usage period for a predetermined period is used. When you reach
16. The network system according to claim 15, further comprising an erasing unit for erasing software stored in the storage unit.