JP2009134695A - Information processor, image processor, application execution method and application execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which can simply customize or expand an application and can provide an application execution environment having high robustness, an image processor, an application execution method and an application execution program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: An information processor 200 achieves a function of one application AP by cooperatively operating an input means 103a for inputting data, a processing means 103b for processing the data, and an output means 103c for outputting the data, wherein the information processor 200 includes: a first process 32a for operating application management software that manages activation, termination, or the like of the application AP; a second process 32b for operating basic application software 81 that achieves a basic function of the information processor; and a third process 32c for operating expansion application software 82 that achieves an expansion function to be added to the information processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program that realize functions that an application has by linking and operating input, processing, and output functions.

  In recent years, image processing devices such as printers, copiers, scanners, facsimiles, or multifunction peripherals (MFPs) that realize these functions in a single housing are generally used, although memory restrictions are severe. Like a computer, it has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and each function is realized by application control.

  For example, the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a function commonly used by each application as a platform, and an application can be implemented using an API (Application Program Interface) of the platform. it can. According to such an image processing apparatus, since a function that is commonly used is provided as a platform, it is possible to avoid the duplication of functions for each application, and to improve the development efficiency of the entire application.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus provides a function desired by the user by adding / extending an application to the system.

Among these image processing devices, Sun Microsystems, which is currently used for the development of mobile phones and home appliances, is taking advantage of the fact that it does not depend on the mounting environment (mounting model). Some functions have been developed using the developed Java (registered trademark) language. Some implementations employ a process-based UNIX (registered trademark) OS (Operating System) that can be multi-processed by dividing the process into a plurality of processes.
Japanese Patent No. 3679349

  However, in such an image processing apparatus, it is necessary to consider the following points.

  The first is system robustness. Highly expandable image processing devices are developed in various environments such as in-house applications that realize the basic functions of the system and applications made by other companies (hereinafter referred to as “third-vendors”) that are introduced later to realize extended functions. Run the application.

  However, even in such an environment, the basic functions of the system must not be impaired by the introduction of the extended function in the image processing apparatus.

  In process-based OSs, it is common to divide processes with the appropriate granularity to improve system robustness. However, when developing with the Java (registered trademark) language, multiple applications will run on a single process (JVM: Java Virtual Machine), and it is a reality to divide processes (JVM) at a fine granularity. The requirement is to separate the JVMs that run at least your company and third-party applications.

  Also, the robustness of Java language-based systems should take into account native code execution and memory usage. In other words, the execution of malicious Native code may cause the entire system to crash (abnormal termination), and an application that uses huge memory may occupy the Jave (registered trademark) heap and cause an OutOfMemoryError. is there.

  Next is the ease of development into the application. When distributing a system to multiple JVMs, it is necessary to reduce the number of components (software parts) that are affected by multi-process.

  In a customizable system, it is essential that application development by SDK (Software Development Kit) is easy, and application development must be possible without being conscious of operating on multiple JVMs.

  As described above, the influence of the multi-process is performed by a limited component (software part) corresponding to the framework, and the application needs to consider a design that does not need to be aware of the multi-process.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the application can be easily customized or expanded without being conscious of multi-process, and the malfunction of the expanded function does not affect the basic function of the system. An object is to provide an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program that can provide a system having high robustness.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes input means for inputting data, processing means for processing data, and output means for outputting data, and the input means and the processing An information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating the output unit and the output unit in cooperation with each other, and operates first application management software that manages the activation and termination of the application A process, a second process for operating basic application software for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus, and a third process for operating extended application software for realizing an extended function added to the information processing apparatus. In addition, the first process, the second process, and the third process It characterized in that it has an execution means for executing the process.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes input means for inputting data, processing means for processing data, and output means for outputting data, and the input means and the processing An information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating the means and the output means in cooperation with each other, and application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application, and the information processing apparatus A first process for operating basic application software that realizes the basic function of the information processing apparatus, and a second process for operating extended application software that realizes the extended function added to the information processing apparatus, And having execution means for executing the first process and the second process. That.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention uses a different process for a basic application (an in-house application) that realizes the basic function of the system and an extended application (an application made by a third vendor) that realizes an added extended function ( Multi-process by running on the JVM) and performing multi-process effects such as interprocess communication with limited components (software parts) corresponding to the framework (hiding the effects of multi-process) Therefore, it is possible to easily customize or extend an application without being aware of it, and to provide a system having high robustness in which a malfunction of the extended function does not affect the basic function of the system.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention allows a developer to develop a simple application and can provide a stable function to a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention operates in the same process in the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit that operate to realize a function of a predetermined application. It is characterized by doing. Further, the predetermined application is the basic application software.

  Accordingly, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can stably provide basic functions, which are relatively frequently used, among the functions of the system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that each of the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit that operates to realize a function of a predetermined application is specified. It is characterized by operating in a single process.

  Thus, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can efficiently use the memory resources of the apparatus and provide basic functions to the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a software component that behaves the same as the exchange of data performed between the application management software and the application for the application, The software component operates in the same process as the application.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention performs multi-process communication between processes in a multi-process environment using limited components (software parts) corresponding to the framework, thereby reducing the influence of multi-process. Can be concealed. As a result, applications can be designed and developed without being conscious of the multi-process environment.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when receiving an operation setting request for the application, includes a screen element constituting the user interface corresponding to the operation setting request for each application. Operation setting for transmitting the operation setting request to a process specified from the screen element identification information based on information associating screen element identification information to be identified with process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates It has a request transmission means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when receiving an operation setting request for the application, includes a screen element constituting the user interface corresponding to the operation setting request for each application. Operation setting for transmitting the operation setting request to a process specified from the screen element identification information based on information associating screen element identification information to be identified with process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates It has a request transmission means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when receiving an execution request for the application, executes request identification information for identifying the execution request and the application to be executed. An execution request management means for transmitting the execution request to the process specified from the execution request identification information and instructing the application to start execution based on information associated with process identification information for identifying a process; Features.

  Accordingly, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can stably perform application selection, operation setting, function execution, and the like in a multi-process environment.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects that a process other than the process in which the application management software operates is abnormally terminated, and a process abnormality detected by the detection unit. Notification means for notifying the process of the application management software of the termination.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can disconnect the abnormally terminated process from the system environment and, for example, continue the function providing service to the user in a function-degenerated state such as only the basic function. Can do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the detection unit and the notification unit include the first process, the second process, the third process, or the first process. It is characterized by operating in the parent process that created the first process and the second process. Further, the detection means detects abnormal termination of a process by receiving a signal due to process termination other than a process in which the application management software corresponding to a child process operates.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can immediately detect the abnormal end of the process.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the detection means and the notification means operate in the first process. Further, the detection means requests a process other than the process in which the application management software operates to obtain status information indicating the status of the process, and determines whether there is a process abnormality based on whether there is a response to the request. An abnormal termination of a process is detected based on whether or not termination information is detected or status information indicating a status of a process transmitted from a process other than the process in which the application management software operates is received. .

  Thus, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can detect abnormal termination of the process with a simple functional configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a component included in the application management software when the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal termination notification from the notification unit. Deletes the application identification information of the application that operates in the abnormally terminated process from the information that associates the application identification information that identifies the application with the process identification information that identifies the process in which the application operates. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a component included in the application management software when the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal termination notification from the notification unit. Has ended abnormally from information associating screen element identification information for identifying a screen element constituting a user interface corresponding to the operation setting request for each application and process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates. The screen element identification information of the screen element generated in the process is deleted.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a component included in the application management software when the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal termination notification from the notification unit. Is an execution request identification of an execution request generated by an abnormally terminated process from information associating execution request identification information for identifying the execution request with process identification information for identifying a process in which the application to be executed is operated. It is characterized by deleting information.

  Accordingly, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can delete unnecessary information, efficiently use storage resource resources, and prevent malfunction of an application that cannot be operated due to abnormal termination.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention operates in an abnormally terminated process when a process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal termination notification from the notification unit. Among the applications that were running, the application that was running immediately before the process ended abnormally and the other applications are displayed in different ways.

  Thereby, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can present information for estimating or identifying the cause of abnormal termination to the user. As a result, the user can take measures to solve the cause (for example, invalidation or uninstallation of the software causing the cause), and the system can be returned to a stable state.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention displays a screen for selecting and setting validation / invalidation of an abnormally terminated process. In addition, when the process in which the application management software operates receives a notification of abnormal process termination by the notification unit, the abnormally terminated process is set to be invalid.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a document reading device that reads a document as image data, a printing device that prints image data on paper, and any of the features described above. And an information processing apparatus.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can easily customize or extend an application without being conscious of multi-process, and has high robustness that does not affect the basic function of the system due to an extended function failure. An image processing system having the above can be provided to the user.

  Therefore, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention permits a developer to develop a simple application and can provide a stable function to the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution method according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data, the processing unit, and the output An application execution method in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating in cooperation with a unit, application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application, and the information processing apparatus The basic application software for realizing the basic functions and the extended application software for realizing the extended functions added to the information processing apparatus are executed in different processes.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution method according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data, and the input unit and the processing An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of one application by operating the output unit and the output unit in cooperation with each other, and application management software for managing the start and end of the application, and the like Basic application software that realizes basic functions of the information processing apparatus is executed in a first process, and extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus is executed in a second process. And

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution method according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data, the processing unit, and the output An application execution method in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating in cooperation with a unit, and a first process in which application management software that manages the start and end of the application operates The information processing apparatus previously executes a second process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit operates, and the information processing is performed when the function is expanded. Components that are added to the apparatus and function as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit And executes a third process that whereof program operates.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution method according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data, and the input unit and the processing An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of one application by operating the output unit and the output unit in cooperation with each other, and application management software for managing the start and end of the application, and the like A first process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit of the information processing apparatus operates in advance is added to the information processing apparatus when the function is expanded. The component unit that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit. And executes a second process which grams operates.

  As a result, the application execution method according to the present invention operates a basic application that realizes the basic function of the system and an extended application that realizes the added extended function in different processes, and further performs multi-process communication such as inter-process communication. By performing the impact of the process on a limited component equivalent to the framework, the application can be easily customized or expanded without being aware of the multi-process, and the malfunction of the expanded function affects the basic function of the system. It is possible to provide a system having high robustness that does not affect

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution program according to the present invention includes an input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, the processing unit, and the output An application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating in cooperation with a unit, application management software for managing the start and end of the application on a computer, and the information The basic application software that realizes the basic function of the processing device and the extended application software that realizes the extended function added to the information processing device are executed in different processes.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution program according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data, the input unit, and the processing Is an application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating the output unit and the output unit in cooperation with each other, and the application management for managing the activation and termination of the application by the computer Software and basic application software that realizes basic functions of the information processing apparatus are executed in a first process, and extended application software that realizes extended functions added to the information processing apparatus is executed in a second process .

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution program according to the present invention includes an input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, the processing unit, and the output An application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating in cooperation with a unit, and application management software for managing the start and end of the application is operated on a computer. When the function is expanded by executing a second process in which the component program functioning as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit, which is included in the information processing apparatus in advance, operates. The input unit, the processing unit, and / or the front added to the information processing apparatus Performing a third process a component program which functions as an output unit is operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application execution program according to the present invention includes an input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, the processing unit, and the output An application execution process in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of one application by operating in cooperation with a unit, application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application on a computer, The information processing device has a first process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit operates, and is added to the information processing device at the time of function expansion. A computer that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit. Over whereof program executes a second process running.

  Thus, the application execution program according to the present invention allows a computer to execute so that a basic application that realizes the basic function of the system and an extended application that realizes the added extended function operate in different processes. it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily customize or extend an application without being conscious of multi-process, and information including a system having high robustness so that a malfunction of the extended function does not affect a basic function of the system. A processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an application execution method, and an application execution program can be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<Hardware configuration of image processing apparatus>
First, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a network I / F 14, an external storage device I / F 15, an external device I / F 16, a display unit (panel display). ) 19, an input unit (operation unit) 20, a printing unit (plotter unit) 21, a scanner unit (original reading unit) 22, and the like.

  The control unit (CPU) 11 controls each device and calculates / processes data in a computer. The control unit 11 is an arithmetic device that executes a program stored in the main storage unit 12. The control unit 11 receives data from the input device or the storage device, calculates and processes the data, and outputs the data to the output device or the storage device.

  A main storage unit (ROM: Read Only Memory, RAM: Random Access Memory) 12 is a storage device that stores or temporarily stores programs and data such as an OS and application software that are basic software executed by the control unit 11.

  The auxiliary storage unit (HD: Hard Disk) 13 is a storage device that stores data related to application software and the like. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores various information (for example, user information) managed by the image processing apparatus 100, and is managed by functions such as a database (DB) and a file system (FS: File System). Is done.

  The network I / F 14 includes peripheral devices having a communication function connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) constructed by a data transmission path such as a wired and / or wireless line. This is an interface with the image processing apparatus 100.

  The external storage device I / F 15 is an interface between an external storage device (for example, a storage media drive) connected via a data transmission path such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and the image processing apparatus 100.

  The external device I / F 16 is an interface between the external device (for example, a digital camera) connected via a data transmission path such as USB and the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 exchanges (transmits / receives and reads / writes) various data (for example, image data, etc.) with the outside via these interfaces.

  The display unit (panel display) 19 and the input unit (operation unit) 20 are an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having a key switch (hard key) and a touch panel function (including software keys for GUI (Graphical User Interface)), and And a display and / or input device that functions as a UI (User Interface) when using the functions of the image processing apparatus 100.

  Upon receiving the image data composed of CMYK, the printing unit (plotter unit) 21 uses the electrophotographic process (exposure, latent image, development, and transfer process) using a laser beam to transfer the received image data to transfer paper ( This is a plotter device that outputs (prints) to (printing paper).

  The scanner unit (document reading unit) 22 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit for driving them, and is set on the document reading surface (on the contact glass). This is a reading device that generates RGB 8-bit digital image data (reads information from the original and digitizes it) by scanning the original.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 executes a program stored in a storage device such as the main storage unit 12 or the auxiliary storage unit 13 in the control unit 11 and sends a control signal (control command) to each device ( By controlling each device), the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 such as copy, fax, scanner, and printer are realized, and the information managed by the image processing apparatus 100 or the system to which the image processing apparatus 100 is connected Information to be managed can be processed.

<Software Configuration and Basic Processing Procedure of Image Processing Apparatus 100>
Next, a software configuration and a basic processing procedure for realizing the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the software according to the present embodiment includes a user interface layer 101, a control layer 102, an application logic layer 103, a device service layer 104, a device control layer 105, and the like. In addition, the vertical relationship of each layer in the drawing is basically based on a relationship in which an upper layer calls a lower layer.

  The user interface layer 101 is a part on which a UI function for receiving an execution request for a function (for example, application functions such as copy, fax, scanner, printer, etc.) is implemented. For example, the communication server unit 301 and the local UI unit 302 and the like are included.

  The communication server unit 301 receives various requests (for example, a printing operation request) from a client PC (Personal Computer) that is a peripheral device having a communication device (not shown) via a network. In addition, the local UI unit 302 receives various requests (for example, a copy operation request and an operation setting) input via an operation panel (not shown), for example.

  A request accepted by the user interface layer 101 is transmitted to the control layer 102.

  The control layer 102 is a part where a function for controlling processing for realizing a requested function is mounted. For example, a control unit 303 is included. Specifically, the control unit 303 connects each filter in the application logic layer 103 described later according to the requested function, and controls the execution of the function based on the connected filter. In the present embodiment, the “function of the image processing apparatus 100” refers to a service of one unit (from when a request is input to when a final output is obtained) provided to the user by the image processing apparatus 100. In terms of software, it is synonymous with an application that provides a single unit of service.

  The application logic layer 103 is a part on which a component group (software component group) that realizes a part of the functions provided in the image processing apparatus 100 is mounted. That is, one function is realized by combining components in the application logic layer 103. In the present embodiment, each component is referred to as a “filter”. This is based on the idea that the software architecture of the image processing apparatus 100 is called “pipe & filter”.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pipe and filter concept and a filter component according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the concept of the pipe and filter, and FIG. 3B shows an example of the components of the filter.

  First, the concept of pipe and filter will be described. In FIG. 3A, “F” indicates a filter, and “P” indicates a pipe. As shown in the figure, each filter is connected by a pipe. The filter performs predetermined conversion on the input data and outputs the result. The pipe transmits the data output from the filter to the next filter. That is, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, each function is regarded as a series of “conversions” for information (for example, user information and image data) managed in the image processing apparatus 100. Each function of the image processing apparatus 100 can be generalized as being configured by input, processing, and output of information handled inside the image processing apparatus 100. Therefore, “input”, “processing”, and “output” are regarded as “conversion”, and a software component that realizes one “conversion” is configured as a filter. A filter that realizes input is particularly referred to as an “input filter (input means)”. A filter that realizes processing is particularly referred to as a “conversion filter (processing means)”. Further, a filter that realizes output is particularly referred to as “output filter (output means)”. Each filter is independent, and basically there is no dependency relationship (call relationship) between the filters. Therefore, it is possible to add (install) or delete (uninstall) in units of filters.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the application logic layer 103 includes, for example, a reading filter 304 as the input filter 103a.

  The reading filter 304 controls reading of image data by the scanner unit 22 and outputs the read image data.

  In addition, as the input filter 103a, the document data (image data) stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is read, the stored document read filter that outputs the read data, the e-mail is received, and is included in the e-mail E-mail reception filter that outputs received data, FAX reception filter that controls FAX reception and output received data, PC document reception that receives print data from a client PC (not shown) and outputs received print data A filter, a report filter that outputs setting information, history information, and the like of the image processing apparatus 100 as, for example, data formatted in a table format are included.

  The conversion filter 103b includes a document processing filter 305, for example. The document processing filter 305 performs predetermined image conversion processing (aggregation, enlargement, reduction, etc.) on the input data and outputs it.

  In addition, the conversion filter 103b includes a document conversion filter that converts input PostScript data into bitmap data and outputs (executes rendering processing).

  The output filter 103c includes a print filter 306, for example. The print filter 306 causes the printing unit 21 to output (print) the input data.

  In addition, as the output filter 103c, a storage document registration filter that stores input data in the auxiliary storage unit 13, a mail transmission filter that transmits the input data attached to an e-mail, and a FAX that transmits the input data by FAX A transmission filter, a PC document transmission filter that transmits input data to a client PC (not shown), and a preview filter that displays the input data on the display unit 19 are included.

  The device service layer 104 is a part in which lower functions commonly used by each filter in the application logic layer 103 are mounted, and includes, for example, an image pipe 307 and a data management unit 308.

  The image pipe 307 realizes a pipe function of transmitting output data from a certain filter to the next filter. The data management unit 308 represents various databases such as a database (DB) in which user information is registered and a database in which document or image data is stored.

  The device control layer 105 is a part on which a group of program modules called drivers that control devices (hardware) is mounted. For example, the scanner control unit 309, the plotter control unit 310, the memory control unit 311, and the operation device control Part 312 and the like. Each control unit controls each device attached to the name of the control unit.

  The aspect 106 is a portion in which a program module group that handles cross-sectional information over the entire system such as access control, history, and accounting is mounted.

  From here, the filter will be described in more detail. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of components of the filter. As shown in the figure, each filter includes a filter setting UI, filter logic, filter-specific lower services, permanent storage area information, and the like. Among these, the filter setting UI, the filter-specific lower service, and the permanent storage area information are not necessarily included in the components by the filter.

  The filter setting UI is a program that causes the display unit 19 or the like to display a screen for setting filter execution conditions and the like. For example, the reading filter 304 corresponds to a screen (operation (condition) setting screen) for setting the resolution, density, image type, and the like. Considering that display on the display unit 19 is performed based on HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data or script, the filter setting UI may be HTML data or script.

  The filter logic is a program in which logic is implemented to realize a filter function. That is, the filter function is realized according to the execution condition set via the filter setting UI by using the filter-specific lower-level service, the device service layer 104 or the device control layer 105 as a component of the filter. For example, in the case of the reading filter 304, the logic for controlling the reading of the document by the scanner unit 22 corresponds.

  The filter-specific lower service is a lower function (library) necessary for realizing the filter logic. That is, the function is equivalent to the device service layer 104 or the device control layer 105, but those that are not used by other filters may be implemented as a part of the filter, and the part corresponds to the filter-specific lower service. To do. For example, the reading filter 304 corresponds to a function for controlling the scanner unit 22, but in the present embodiment, it is implemented as the scanner control unit 309 in the device control layer 105. Therefore, it is not always necessary to implement a filter-specific lower service in the read filter 304.

  The permanent storage area information corresponds to a schema definition of data that needs to be stored in a nonvolatile memory (for example, NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM), etc.), such as setting information for a filter (for example, default values of execution conditions). . The schema definition is registered in the data management unit 308 when the filter is installed.

  Here, an example of a combination of filters for realizing each function in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described below.

  For example, the copy function is realized by connecting the reading filter 304 and the print filter 306. This is because the image data read from the original by the reading filter 304 may be printed by the print filter 306. When processing such as aggregation, enlargement, or reduction is required, this is realized by inserting a document processing filter 305 that realizes these processings between the two filters.

Next, a basic processing procedure executed by the software configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a basic processing procedure of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The “basic processing procedure” here means a processing procedure when the image processing apparatus 100 realizes one function.

  First, the input filter 103a is selected by the user (S11), and the execution condition of the selected input filter 103a is set (S12). Similarly, the conversion filter (processing means) 103b or the output filter 103c is also selected (S13), the connection between the filters is designated (S14), and the execution condition is set (S15).

  The above operation is performed through the control of the local UI unit 302 of the user interface layer 101, for example, the display unit 19 or the input unit 20 having the touch panel function exemplified in FIG.

  When the selection of each filter is completed (when S16 is YES) and the start button is pressed, the request contents (for example, the type of filter and the operation setting information for the filter) are sent from the user interface layer 101 to the control layer 102. Etc.) is notified.

  In response to the request content from the user interface layer 101, the control layer 102 connects the selected filters with a pipe (S17). The entity of the pipe is a memory (including the storage area of the auxiliary storage unit 13), but the type of memory used differs depending on the filters at both ends of the pipe, and the correspondence relationship is, for example, the auxiliary of the image processing apparatus 100 It is defined in advance in the storage unit 13. Therefore, the control layer 102 connects each filter with a specific pipe based on the defined correspondence.

  Subsequently, the control layer 102 outputs an execution request to each filter in parallel (S18). That is, the filters are called almost simultaneously for all filters, not in the order of filter connection. This is because the synchronization between filters is taken by pipes. That is, in response to an execution request from the control layer 102, each filter waits until data is input to its own pipe on the input side. However, the input filter 103a has no pipe on the input side. Therefore, the input filter 103a starts processing in response to the execution request.

  The processing procedure moves to FIG. 5. First, the input filter 103a inputs data from the input device (S21), and outputs the data to a pipe connected to the output side (S22). When data is input in a plurality of times (for example, when a plurality of documents are scanned), data input and output to a pipe are repeated. When the processing is completed for all input data (when S23 is YES), the processing of the input filter 103a ends.

  The conversion filter 103b starts processing when it detects data input to a pipe connected to the input side. First, data is read from the pipe (S31), and image processing is performed on the data (S32). Subsequently, the data as the processing result is output to the pipe connected to the output side (S33). When the processing is completed for all data input to the input side pipe (when S34 is YES), the processing of the conversion filter 103b ends.

  The output filter 103c starts processing when it detects data input to a pipe connected to the input side. First, data is read from the pipe (S41). Subsequently, the read data is output using an output device (S42). When the processing is completed for all data input to the input side pipe (when S43 is YES), the processing of the output filter 103c ends.

<Application function by "Pipe &Filter">
Consider the case where the application function according to the present embodiment is realized based on the software configuration and the basic processing procedure of the “pipe & filter” described so far.

  As described above, in order to realize an application that operates on the software configuration of the “pipe and filter” described so far, input for inputting data in accordance with the purpose of processing desired to be performed by the image processing apparatus 100 is performed. The filter 103a, the conversion filter 103b for processing the input data, and the output filter 103c for outputting the processed data are combined to constitute a series of input / processing / output work steps (workflow). Next, these filters (input / processing / output means) are connected by pipes.

  Thereby, the application can transmit the data input by the input filter 103a to the conversion filter 103b of the next process, and transmit the data processed by the conversion filter 103b to the output filter 103c of the next process. That is, the function is realized by operating the input / processing / output function components (input / processing / output software components) of the image processing apparatus 100 in cooperation with each other.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment implements the function itself of the application by installing the input / processing / output function components that realize the target function of the application as necessary. it can.

<Hardware configuration of information processing device>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a network I / F 14, an external storage device I / F 15, an external device I / F 16, An output device I / F 17 and an input device I / F 18 are configured. Since these components have the same apparatus as the components shown in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the same components are the same as those in FIG. The description will be omitted by using reference numerals, and only different components will be described below.

  The output device I / F 17 is an interface between an output device (for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD) connected via a data transmission path such as a dedicated cable and the information processing device 200.

  The input device I / F 18 is an interface between the information processing device 200 and an input device (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) connected via a data transmission path such as USB.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment executes the program stored in the storage device such as the main storage unit 12 or the auxiliary storage unit 13 in the control unit 11 and sends a control signal to each device. Thus, the functions of the information processing apparatus 200 are realized. The difference from the image processing apparatus 100 is that the characteristics of the input / output devices connected to the apparatus are different. The control unit 11 executes a program and controls each apparatus to manage the information processing apparatus 200. Or information managed in the system to which the information processing apparatus 200 is connected ".

  Therefore, the present invention provides a system having high robustness that can easily customize or extend an application without being aware of multi-process and does not affect the basic function of the system. The minimum hardware components necessary for achieving the purpose of the image processing apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 are the same as those of the image processing apparatus 100 described so far. It can be interpreted as a device having the unit 22 and the information processing device 200. Therefore, hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described as the information processing apparatus 200.

<About multi-process>
Now, multi-processing in the “pipe & filter” software configuration described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, “applications can be easily customized or expanded without being conscious of multi-processes, and high robustness that does not affect the basic functions of the system due to the malfunction of the expanded functions. In order to provide a system having "
(Policy 1) The basic function provided by the company and the extended function provided by the third vendor are operated in different processes.
(Policy 2) Basic functions (basic applications) frequently used by users are operated in the same process (same JVM).
(Policy 3) Minimize the effect of component implementation on the application logic layer 103.

<< Process configuration >>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has a process configuration activated from an OS 31 (for example, NetBSD) in order to realize multi-processing according to the above-described (policy 1). , Process A (first process) 32a for operating the application management JVM, process B (second process) 32b for operating the in-house application (for basic application) JVM, and third-party application (extended) It is assumed that a process C (third process) 32c for operating the JVM is executed.

  Here, JVM is explained briefly. The JVM constructs an address space on the main memory as one of the processes on the OS 31. Here, “address space” means a memory management unit under process management. The OS 31 starts a process by expanding (loading) a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 such as a hard disk onto a memory, allocates (dispatches) physical memory for each process, and manages the usage status. An area for deploying the Java application is secured in the address space of the JVM deployed on the memory.

  In the process A32a, “application management software (system: platform software developed in-house)” for managing the start and end of the application is executed. In the process B32b, “basic application software” that realizes basic functions of the information processing apparatus 200 is executed. In the process C32c, “extended application software” that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus 200 is executed.

  Thus, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the malfunction of the extended function (installed extended application) does not affect the basic function of the system (for example, the system crashes (abnormally ends)). In addition, even when the extended function uses a lot of memory, a stable function can be provided to the user without affecting the application management software.

<< Process arrangement of each layer >>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of arranging each layer in the process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described with reference to FIG. 7, for the three processes (three types of JVMs) divided at an appropriate granularity, the components of the layers operated in each process are arranged as shown in FIG.

  The user interface layer 101 includes components serving as a UI framework for all functions, and these are arranged in the process A 32a in which application management software operates because of the system-wide nature. In addition, the UI for each application is arranged in the process B32b and the process C32c in which the basic application (in-house application) and the extended application (third-vendor application) operate.

  The control layer 102 includes components that control application operations (software components such as request management and session management) and components that realize functions related to all components (software components such as plug-in management and in-flight monitoring). Both are arranged in the process A 32a in which the application management software operates because of the system-wide nature.

  The application logic layer 103 includes components for realizing the functions of the information processing apparatus 200. The application logic layer 103 is different from the process A32a in which application management software operates so that functions can be easily added, changed, and deleted. The process B32b in which the basic application operates and the process C32c in which the extended application operate are arranged.

  The device service layer 104 includes components that realize common services used from the application layer 103, and considers that the components of the application layer 103 are arranged in the process B 32b and the process C 32c in the operation unit. Necessary services are also arranged in the same process B 32b and process C 32c.

  The device control layer 105 includes components corresponding to devices handled by the system and greatly affects the performance of the information processing apparatus 200. Therefore, the process A32a in which the application management software operates and the functions of the information processing apparatus 200 are realized. It is arranged in the process B 32b where the basic application to be operated operates.

  The aspect 106 includes components for handling cross-sectional interests across the entire system, and all of them are arranged in the process A 32a in which application management software operates because of the system-wide nature.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment arranges layer components in an optimal process in consideration of the characteristics of each layer. Further, in accordance with the above-described (policy 2), “the input filter 103a used for realizing the functions of the application such as the copy function frequently used by the user among the basic functions of the information processing apparatus 200, conversion Each component such as the filter 103b and the output filter 103c is operated in the same process.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can stably provide basic functions that are relatively frequently used among the functions of the system to the user.

<< Process arrangement of activities and filters >>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of arranging each activity and filter according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a process.

  In FIG. 8, the arrangement of components of each layer in the multi-process based on the characteristics of each layer has been described. Here, we move the viewpoint to finer units, and arrange components in multi-process in units of “activities” of functions realized by connecting “filters” in “pipe & filter” and a series of filters. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of an “activity intensive type” in which components are arranged in units of “activity”. FIG. 9B shows an example of “filter aggregation type” in which components are arranged in units of “filter”. In FIG. 9, “Activity 1” A1 realized by connecting “Filter A” Fa and “Filter B” Fb by “Pipe” P, and “Filter A” Fa and “Filter C” Fc “Activity 2” A2 realized by connecting “pipe” P to each other is shown.

  As shown in (a) of FIG. 9, “activity intensive type” is a method in which one or more filter components required for an activity component are arranged in the same process as the activity component, and the activity is a single process (single JVM). ) Is a component configuration for execution.

  On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9 (b), the "filter aggregation type" arranges a single filter component in a single process, and each filter spans multiple processes (multiple JVMs). This is a component configuration that uses.

The advantages and disadvantages of “activity-intensive” are as follows.
[merit]
-Even if an extended application component performs unauthorized processing, it does not affect the execution of other activities.
・ Since function selection, operation setting and activity execution are performed in a single process, no inter-process communication occurs between filters, so there are fewer components to implement inter-process communication, and due to the overhead of inter-process communication The resulting performance degradation can be suppressed.
-It is possible to easily perform post-processing such as dynamically ending the process during activity execution.
[Demerit]
-Since the same component is arranged in a plurality of processes, the byte code of the same class is required (however, there is a countermeasure for sharing the byte code between processes).
-Since the same filter component exists in a plurality of processes, it is necessary to perform scheduling (exclusive control) of resources used by the filter between the plurality of processes.

The advantages and disadvantages of the “filter aggregation type” are as follows.
[merit]
-Memory efficiency is good because the same filter component does not exist in multiple processes.
-Since the same filter component does not exist in multiple processes, scheduling of resources used in the filter can be solved within a single process.
[Demerit]
-When the extended application uses the filter component for the basic application, the execution of the basic application is affected.
-Since it operates in a plurality of processes from function selection to operation setting to activity execution, it is necessary to access a plurality of filter components, and inter-process communication frequently occurs between filters.
-Since a process is assigned to each filter component, post-processing such as dynamically ending the process during activity execution is difficult.

  Comprehensively based on these matters, the optimum multi-process in the “pipe & filter” of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is “even if the component of the extended application performs unauthorized processing, Does not affect the execution of other activities "and" Function selection, operation settings, activity execution, it operates in a single process, there is no inter-process communication between filters, so there are few components that implement inter-process communication "Activity intensive type" which has the advantage that "degradation of performance caused by overhead of inter-process communication can be suppressed" is adopted.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment arranges the filter component that can be used in the activity component in the same process as the activity component in accordance with the above-described (policy 3), and the activity is a single process. “Activity-intensive”, which is a component configuration to be executed in the system, is adopted, and “customization or expansion of the application can be easily performed without being aware of multi-process, and the malfunction of the expanded function affects the basic function of the system. System with high robustness that does not affect

  As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is configured so that interprocess communication performed between processes (each JVM) in a multi-process environment can be performed with limited components corresponding to the framework. The effect of multi-process on the application can be hidden. As a result, applications can be designed and developed without being conscious of the multi-process environment.

<Main functional configuration of information processing device>
From here, how to operate the basic function and the extended function of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment in the process configuration and the process arrangement of each layer described with reference to FIGS. How the application is executed in the multi-process environment ”will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes an execution unit 51 that executes the three processes (three types of JVMs) illustrated in FIG.

  The execution unit 51 executes the following three processes as shown in FIG. The execution means 51 is, for example, the OS 31.

[Process A]
The process A32a is a process for operating application management software for managing application activation and termination. Further, the process A 32 a stays resident after the information processing apparatus 200 is activated.

[Process B]
The process B32b operates in advance components that function as the input filter 103a, the conversion filter 103b, and / or the output filter 103c that the information processing apparatus 200 has, that is, components that realize standard functions of the information processing apparatus 200. Is a process.

[Process C]
The process C32c is a process for operating components that function as the input filter 103a, the conversion filter 103b, and / or the output filter 103c, which are added to the information processing apparatus 200 when the function is expanded.

  Further, the process B 32b and the process C 32c are executed by the execution unit 51 as necessary, for example, when an operation request is received from the user.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment separates the memory space in which the system, the basic application 81 that realizes the basic function, and the extended application 82 that realizes the extended function operate, and mutually A multi-process that has no effect is realized.

  The three processes executed by the execution means 51 have component configurations that minimize inter-process communication according to the above-described (policy 3). However, the application management software and the basic application 81, and the application management software and the extension are used. Inter-process communication such as operation requests, operation settings, and execution requests must be performed with the application 82.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the proxy component that exchanges data between the application management software and each application that operates in the process B32b or the process C32c different from the process A32a in which the application management software operates. 71.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism of a proxy component according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of calling an application AP from the application management software. FIG. 11B shows an example of calling application management software from the application AP.

  Normally, when calling each application AP1 and AP2 from the application management software, the call event is transmitted from the system-wide framework FW component to the application AP by inter-process communication. When the application management software is called from each application AP1 and AP2, the call event is transmitted from the application AP to the system-wide framework FW component by inter-process communication. Therefore, when developing an application AP, development must be performed in consideration of inter-process communication.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, inter-process communication is performed between the application management process A 32a and the application process B 32b or C 32c, so that the application AP behaves in the same manner as data exchange with the application management software. The proxy component 71 is arranged in the process B32b or the process C32c in which each application AP1 and AP2 operates to hide interprocess communication (remote call function).

  As a result, the application AP can exchange events with the application management software by a local call in the same manner as when operating in a single process.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment performs the inter-process communication performed between the processes in the multi-process environment by using the limited component corresponding to the framework FW. Can be concealed. As a result, the application AP can be designed and developed without being aware of the interprocess communication with the application management software (without being aware of the multi-process environment).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example (in the case of activity intensive type) in which components belonging to each layer according to the first embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a process.

  A component having a system-wide property that needs to perform inter-process communication between the process A 32a in which the application management software operates and the process B 32b in which the basic application 81 operates or the process C 32c in which the extended application 82 operates The local UI unit 302 of the user interface layer 101, the control unit 303 of the control layer 102, the data management unit 308 of the device service layer 104, the scanner control unit 309 of the data control layer 105, the plotter control unit 310, and the memory control unit 311 is there.

  Therefore, as shown by the broken line frame in the figure, the proxy component 71 of the above component is arranged in the process B32b and the process C32c in which each application operates.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment performs “application operation request”, “application operation setting request”, and “application execution request” when executing an application AP in multi-process. I will explain what to do.

  In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the operations performed by the user until the application AP is executed via the UI screen are “selection of application AP to be operated (operation request instruction)” and “selected It is performed in the order of “operation setting of each filter of input / processing / output in application AP (operation setting instruction)” and “execution instruction of application AP (execution request instruction)”

  Therefore, when multi-processing is performed, the application management software must notify the event that follows the user's instruction to the component that performs the next process at each operation stage. Need to know the process to do.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes an operation request transmission unit 61, an operation setting transmission unit 62, and an execution request management unit 63.

  When the operation request transmitting unit 61 receives an instruction to select an application AP to be operated, the operation request transmitting unit 61 transmits the received operation request to a process in which the application AP instructed to select is operated.

  When the operation setting transmission unit 62 receives an operation setting request for an application AP, the operation setting transmission unit 62 transmits the received operation setting request to a process in which the application AP that performs operation setting operates.

  The execution request management means 63 schedules the received execution request (request), and instructs the process in which the application AP that has become executable operates to start execution.

  The operation request transmission unit 61, the operation setting transmission unit 62, and the execution request management unit 63 will be described in detail below.

  First, the operation request transmission unit 61 will be described. The operation request transmission unit 61 is a function of the local UI unit 302 of the application management software, and a process in which the selected application AP operates when an instruction to select the application AP to be operated is received from the user via the UI. The process is identified based on the information that can identify the process, and the accepted operation request is transmitted to the identified process.

  Therefore, the application management software generates information that can identify the process in which the application AP operates by the method shown in FIG. 13, and stores the information in the memory.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operating process determination method (activity selection method) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which “which process operates” is registered in the application management software when each application AP is installed.

  As shown in the figure, when the application AP is installed, the application AP identifies the application AP (for example, the name of the activity) via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302, and the application AP. Process identification information (for example, process ID) for identifying a process in which is operated is transmitted to the application management software.

  For example, when a copy application is installed, as shown in the figure, the copy activity UI (Copy Activity UI) 401 of the copy application passes through the proxy component 71 with “activity name =“ Copy ”” and “ Information of process ID = “process B” ”is transmitted as registration information to the application management software. Also, when the vendor application is installed, as shown in the figure, the vendor activity UI (Vendor Activity UI) 405 of the vendor application passes through the proxy component 71 with “activity name =“ Vendor ”” and “ Information of process ID = “process C” ”is transmitted as registration information to the application management software.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of data 41 in which an activity according to the first embodiment of the present invention is associated with a process in which the activity operates.

  As a result, the application management software collects application identification information for identifying the application AP and process identification information for identifying the process in which the application AP operates from each process through inter-process communication with the proxy component 71, and collects the collected application. For example, the identification information and the process identification information are associated with each other by a data structure as shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the operation request transmission means 61 transmits the received operation request to the process specified from the application identification information of the application AP instructed to select, based on the information 41 that associates the application identification information with the process identification information. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the operation setting request transmission means 62 will be described. The operation setting request transmission unit 62 is a function of the local UI unit 302 of the application management software, and the requested application AP operates when an operation setting request for each application AP is received from the user via the UI. The process is identified based on the identifiable information, and the accepted operation setting request is transmitted to the identified process.

  After “Selection of application AP to be operated (instruction for operation request)”, the operation performed by the user is “Operation setting of each filter of input / processing / output in the selected application AP (instruction for operation setting)” It is. Therefore, the application management software must notify each activity UI or each filter UI, which is a component that generates UI elements (objects), of the generation of a UI screen display for accepting the operation setting of the application AP from the user. Further, since it is the operation device control unit 312 of the application management software that receives the operation event via the generated UI screen display, the received event must be distributed to an appropriate process. For this reason, the application management software needs to specify the process in which each activity UI or each filter UI operates.

  Therefore, for example, data as shown in FIG. 15 is held in the memory as information that can identify the process in which the application management software, the activity UI, and the filter UI operate.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of data 42 in which a UI and a process for generating a UI are associated with each other according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the application management software has UI control component identification information for identifying components (including generation of UI elements) that control each activity UI and each filter UI on the memory, and components that control the UI. (Hereinafter referred to as “UI control component”) and the screen element identification information for identifying the UI element of the application AP that is displayed on the display screen, and the process in which each activity and each filter to which the request is distributed operates Is stored in association with process identification information for identifying

  When the application AP is selected via the UI, the screen element identification information is generated by the UI control component (activity UI or filter UI) of the selected application AP. Is automatically numbered. At this time, the local UI unit 302 including the proxy component 71 associates the numbered screen element identification information with the process identification information and adds them to the data 42.

  For example, when the copy application is installed, as shown in the figure, the screen element ID “1” is assigned to the UI element generated by the UI control component (copy activity UI 401) of the copy application. The numbered screen element ID '1' and the process B 32b in which the copy activity UI 401 operates are associated by the local UI unit 302 and the proxy component 71 that operates in the process B 32b. A scan filter UI (Scan Filter UI) 402 and a print filter UI (Print Filter UI) 403 that operate to realize the copy application function are also associated with each other and added to the data 42 in the same manner. When the vendor application is installed, the screen element ID “4” is assigned to the UI element generated by the UI control component (vendor activity UI 405) of the vendor application, and the local UI unit 302 and the process are processed. The proxy component 71 operating in C32c associates the numbered screen element ID '4' with the process C32c in which the vendor activity UI 405 operates. A vendor filter UI (Vender Filter UI) 406 and a print filter UI 403 that operate to realize a vendor application function are also associated and added to the data 42 in the same manner.

  As described above, in the application management software, the numbered screen element identification information and the process identification information are associated with each other in the local UI unit 302 (including the proxy component 71), and temporarily stored in the memory as the association data 42.

  As a result, for example, when a display device having a touch panel function is connected to the application management software via the output device I / F 17 included in the information processing device 200 according to the present embodiment, the user is displayed on the display device. When the operation setting of the application AP is instructed by touching the displayed screen, the screen element touched on the display screen (predetermined screen display area) is recognized, and the screen element identification number of the recognized screen element is obtained.

  Accordingly, the operation setting request transmission unit 62 includes each activity UI and each filter UI (including the proxy component 71) specified from the screen element identification information based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information with the process identification information. The operation setting request received by the operation device control unit 312 is distributed to the processes in which the operation device is operating.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the execution request management means 63 will be described. The execution request management means 63 mainly has two functions. One is an “execution request registration” function realized by the local UI unit 302 (including the proxy component 71) of the application management software, and the other is an “execution start instruction” function realized by the control unit 303. .

・ About the execution request registration function
The execution request management unit 63 has an execution request registration function for registering an execution request (request) received by the local UI unit 302 in the controller unit 303. More specifically, when an execution request for an application AP is received, the process is identified based on information that can identify the process in which the requested application AP operates, and the received execution request is transmitted to the identified process. To do.

  The operation performed by the user after “Operation setting of each filter of input / processing / output in the selected application AP (operation setting instruction)” is “Application application execution instruction (execution request instruction)”. is there.

  When the user performs an execution instruction (execution request instruction) for the application AP, the operation device control unit 312 receives an operation event including the target screen element ID. When the execution instruction is given by a hard key (for example, “start key” in the case of the image processing apparatus 100, “enter key” in the case of the information processing apparatus 200, etc.), it is displayed in front of the current display screen. Applicable screen elements.

  The execution request management means 63 refers to the data 42 shown in FIG. 15 by the execution request registration function, and identifies the component that is the transmission target of the execution request and the process in which the component operates. Thereafter, the execution request management unit 63 transfers the operation event to the proxy component 71 by inter-process communication, and notifies the UI control component (activity UI corresponding to the application AP to be executed) from the proxy component 71. As a result, the UI control component registers an execution request including information on the operation setting currently set in the notified screen element in the control unit 303.

・ About the execution start instruction function
Next, the execution request management means 64 has an execution start instruction function for scheduling a registered execution request and instructing the application AP that can execute the request to start execution. More specifically, when an application AP execution request is received, the received request is queued by a predetermined method, and the application AP is notified of an executable request based on the queued information. .

  Since the request is generated by a plurality of processes, it is necessary to centrally manage (queue) the requests generated by all the processes. Therefore, the request that the UI control component registers in the control unit 303 is notified to the application management process A 32a via the proxy component 71, and is centrally managed by the control unit 303 that operates in the application management process A 32a. Further, since it is necessary to notify the application AP of the request that can be executed, for example, data as shown in FIG. 16 is held in the memory as information that can identify the process in which the application AP that generated the request operates.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of data 43 in which a request and a process for generating a request are associated with each other according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the application management software becomes execution target identification information for identifying an execution request to be registered in the control unit 303 when an application AP execution request is received, and a request distribution target. Process identification information for identifying the process in which the application AP operates is associated and held.

  The execution request identification information is automatically issued according to the order of reception when an execution request of the application AP is received. At this time, the control unit 303 associates the issued execution request identification information with the process identification information and adds them to the data 43.

  For example, when an execution request for a copy application is received, as shown in the figure, a request ID for identifying an execution request issued at the time of reception by the control unit 303 and the proxy component 71 operating in the process B 32b. '1' and the process B 32b in which the copy application operates are associated and added to the data 43. When the execution request for the vendor application is received, the request ID '2' for identifying the execution request issued when the request is received by the control unit 303 and the proxy component 71 operating in the process C32c, and the vendor application Is added to the data 43 in association with the process C32c that operates.

  In this way, in the application management software, the control unit 303 (including the proxy component 71) associates the issued execution request identification information with the process identification information, and temporarily holds them in the memory as the association data 43.

  The execution request management means 63 uses the execution start instruction function to identify the issuer identified from the execution request identification information that can be executed based on the information 43 associating the execution request identification information with the process identification information shown in FIG. A request execution start instruction is transmitted to the proxy component 71 operating on that process, and the application AP operating on the same process as the proxy component 71 is notified to the process operating the application AP.

  As described above, the execution request management unit 63 instructs the execution start of the requested application AP according to the execution request received from the user by the above two functions.

  In order to execute an application in a multi-process environment, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment performs each unit described above according to the following procedure.

(Procedure 1) Selecting application target application AP (Activity selection)
The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation request from the user by the local UI unit 302 of the application management software.
When the information processing apparatus 200 receives an instruction to select an application AP to be operated, the operation request transmitting unit 61 included in the local UI unit 302 associates the application identification information stored in the memory with the process identification information 41. The received operation request is transmitted to the process specified from the application identification information.

(Procedure 2) Operation setting of application AP The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation setting request from the user by the local UI unit 302 of the application management software.
When the information processing apparatus 200 receives an operation setting request for an application AP, the operation setting request transmission unit 62 included in the local UI unit 302 associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory with each other. 42, the received operation setting request is transmitted to the process specified from the screen element identification information.

(Procedure 3) Execution of Application AP The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation setting request from the user by the local UI unit 302 of the application management software.
When the information processing apparatus 200 receives the execution request for the application AP, the screen request identification information and the process identification information held in the memory are executed by the execution request transfer function of the local UI unit 302 in the execution request management unit 63. The received execution request is transmitted to the process specified from the execution request information based on the information 42 for associating. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 200 uses the execution start instruction function of the control unit 303 in the execution request management unit 63 to identify the process specified from the execution request identification information based on the information 43 that associates the execution request identification information with the process identification information. In response to this, the execution request that has become executable is transmitted to instruct the application AP to start execution.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the above-described (Procedure 1) to (Procedure 3) “stable application AP selection / operation setting / function execution in a multi-process environment. Can be done. That is, "stable function provision for the user" is realized.

<About the basic processing procedure of application execution (in the case of copy function)>
A specific processing procedure of application execution in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment described so far will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, application management software and basic application programs (in-house application programs) stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 such as a hard disk included in the information processing apparatus 200, and installed extensions An application program (application program made by a third vendor) or the like is expanded on a memory that is the main storage unit 12 and is executed by the control unit 11. At this time, the following processing procedures shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 are executed according to the user operation stage. The “operation stage” here refers to “selection of operation target application AP (operation request instruction)” and “input in selected application AP” performed by the user before executing the application AP via the UI screen. “Operation setting for each filter for processing / output (operation setting instruction)” and “application AP execution instruction (execution request instruction)”.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure (part 1: activity selection) when realizing the copy function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment accepts an operation request from a user according to an instruction to select an application AP to be operated (select a copy function) in the process A 32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates. If it is detected, the UI event (operation request) received from the operation device control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S101).

  The local UI unit 302 uses the operation request transmission unit 61 based on the information 41 for associating the application identification information held in the memory with the process identification information, and the process executed by the execution unit 51 on which the copy function operates. B32b is specified, and a UI event (operation request) is transmitted to the specified process B32b by inter-process communication (S102).

  In the process B32b, a copy activity UI (copy activity UI of a copy function that operates the received UI event (operation request) via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process B32b shown in the broken line in the drawing). Copy Activity UI) 401 (S103).

  Upon receiving the UI event (operation request), the copy activity UI 401 generates its own UI element, and further passes the received UI event (operation request) to the read filter UI 402 and the print filter UI 403 for realizing the copy application ( S104).

  The read filter UI 402 and the print filter UI 403 that have received the UI event (operation request) each generate their own UI elements. Thereafter, each generated UI element is passed to the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302, and the local UI unit 302 assigns screen element identification information to each UI element, and screen element identification information and process identification are obtained. The information is associated and registered in the association information 42 on the memory. Each registered UI element is transferred to the operation device control unit 312 and displayed by the operation device control unit 312.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can display a UI screen for setting the operation of the application AP to be operated in response to a user operation request.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure (part 2: setting change) when realizing the copy function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation setting request from the user by the operation setting of the application AP in the process A32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates, the operation device control unit The UI event (operation setting request) received from 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S201).

  The local UI unit 302 operates the copy function executed by the execution unit 51 based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the operation setting request transmission unit 62. The process B32b to be specified is specified, and a UI event (operation setting request) is transmitted to the specified process B32b by inter-process communication (S202).

  In the process B32b, based on the screen element identification information included in the UI event (operation setting request) received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process B32b shown in the broken line in the drawing) The component that generated each UI element, that is, the copy activity UI 401, the scan filter UI (Scan Filter UI) 402 or the print filter UI (Print Filter UI) 403 for realizing the copy application, is specified, and the operation settings are transferred. (S203).

  The copy activity UI 401, the read filter UI 402, and the print filter UI 403 set respective operation conditions in a copy activity logic (Copy Activity Logic) 501, a read filter logic (Scan Filter Logic) 502, and a print filter logic (Print Filter Logic) 503. (S204).

  Thereby, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the operation condition requested to be set by the user can be set in the component that realizes the function of the application AP to be operated.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 3: request execution) when realizing the copy function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an execution request from the user in response to the execution instruction of the application AP in the process A 32 a executed by the execution unit 51 and running the application management software, the operation device control unit 312. The UI event (execution request) received from is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S301).

  The local UI unit 302 executes the received UI event by the execution unit 51 based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the execution request management unit 63. The process B32b in which the copy function operates is specified, and a UI event is transmitted to the specified process B32b by inter-process communication (S302).

  In the process B32b, the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process B32b shown in the broken line in the drawing) has a copy function that is a UI control component that executes the transmitted UI event (execution request). It is passed to the copy activity UI 401 (S303).

  The copy activity UI 401 registers the received UI event (execution request) in the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 (the controller unit of the process B 32b indicated by the broken line in the figure) (the request UI). S304).

  The proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 that operates in the process B32b connects the read filter logic 502 and the print filter logic 503 that operate to realize the copy application function via the image pipe 307 (S305). At this time, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 issues execution request identification information to the received UI event (execution request). After performing the processing of S305, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 transmits a UI event (execution request) to the process A 32a by inter-process communication (S306).

  In the process A32a, the control unit 303 queues a UI event (execution request) (referred to as “execution request (request)” in the following description of FIG. 19). The control unit 303 schedules the registered execution request (request), and is specified for the execution request identification information of the execution request (request) that can be executed. An instruction to start execution is transmitted to the proxy component 71 operating on the process (S401). In this embodiment, since the copy function is described as an example, if an execution request (request) of the copy function can be executed, the execution request (request) is transmitted to the specified process B32b, and the copy application To start execution.

  In the process B32b, the control unit 303 passes the received execution request (request) to the copy activity logic 501 (S402). The copy activity logic 501 further passes an execution request (request) to the read filter logic 502 and the print filter logic 503 that operate to realize the copy application function (S403).

  In response to the execution request (request), the reading filter logic 502 instructs the image pipe 307 to which each filter is connected in the process of S305 to secure a memory area for storing the read image (S501). The image pipe 307 causes the memory control unit 311 to secure a predetermined memory area in accordance with the memory securing instruction (S502).

  Next, in response to the execution request (request), the reading filter logic 502 instructs the scanner control unit 309 to read an image (S503). The scanner control unit 309 reads an image in accordance with a reading instruction (S504), and writes the read image data in a predetermined predetermined memory area (S505). The read filter logic 502 instructs the image pipe 307 to notify storage location information (address information) of the written image data (S506).

  In response to the execution request (request), the print filter logic 503 requests the storage location information in which the written image data is stored to the image pipe 307, and the image data is written on the memory by the processing of S505. If so, the function destination information is acquired from the image pipe 307 (S601).

  Next, the print filter logic 503 instructs the plotter control unit 310 to print (plot) image data based on the acquired storage location information (S602). The plotter control unit 310 reads out image data via the memory control unit 311 based on the storage location information (S603), and prints the read image data on a sheet (S604).

  Thereafter, the print filter logic 503 instructs the image pipe 307 to release the memory area secured by the processing of S501 based on the storage location information (S605).

  As a result, the image pipe 307 instructs the memory control unit 311 to release the secured memory area (S606).

  As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can execute the application AP in accordance with the user's execution request.

<Basic procedure for application execution (in case of vendor extension function)>
Next, a specific processing procedure for executing an application in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. A third vendor application 82 described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22 connects an input filter 103 a originally developed by a third vendor and an output filter 103 c that is normally installed in the information processing apparatus 200 through an image pipe 307. This shows an example of an extended function that realizes one function.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 1: activity selection) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment accepts an operation request from a user according to an instruction to select an application AP to be operated (select a vendor function) in the process A 32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates. If it is detected, the UI event (operation request) received from the operation device control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S701).

  The local UI unit 302 uses the operation request transmitting unit 61 based on the information 41 that associates the application identification information and the process identification information held in the memory, and the process C32c executed by the executing unit 51 and operating the vendor function. A UI event (operation request) is transmitted to the specified process C32c by inter-process communication (S702).

  In the process C (third process) 32c, the received UI event (operation request) is operated via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line in the drawing). The data is transferred to a vendor activity UI (Vendor Activity UI) 405 of the vendor function (S703).

  The vendor activity UI 405 generates its own UI elements, and further includes a vendor (input) filter UI (Vendor Filter UI) 406 (hereinafter referred to as “vendor filter UI 406”) and a print filter UI 403 for realizing a vendor application. The received UI event (operation request) is passed (S704).

  Upon receiving the UI event (operation request), the vendor filter UI 406 and the print filter UI 403 each generate its own UI element. Thereafter, each generated UI element is transferred to the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302, and the proxy component 71 assigns screen element identification information to each UI element, and the screen element identification information and the process identification information. Are registered in the association information 42 on the memory. Each registered UI element is transferred to the operation device control unit 312 and displayed by the operation device control unit 312.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 2: setting change) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the process A32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation setting request from the user by setting the operation (condition) of the application AP. The UI event (operation setting request) received from the device control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S801).

  The local UI unit 302 operates the vendor function executed by the execution unit 51 based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the operation setting request transmission unit 62. The process C32c is specified, and a UI event (operation setting request) is transmitted to the specified process C32c by inter-process communication (S802).

  The process C (third process) 32c is included in the UI event (operation setting request) received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line in the drawing). Based on the screen element identification information, the component that generated each UI element, that is, the vendor activity UI 405, the vendor filter UI 406 for realizing the vendor application, or the print filter UI 403 is specified, and the operation setting is transferred (S803).

  The vendor activity UI 405, the vendor filter UI 406, and the print filter UI 403 are respectively referred to as a vendor activity logic 505 and a vendor input filter logic 506 (hereinafter, “vendor filter logic 506”). ) And the print filter logic 503 (S804).

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 3: request execution) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an execution request (request) from the user according to the execution instruction of the application AP in the process A32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates, the operation device The UI event (execution request) received from the control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S901).

  The local UI unit 302 executes the received UI event (execution request) based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the execution request management unit 63. The process C32c in which the vendor function operates is identified, and a UI event (execution request) is transmitted to the identified process C32c by inter-process communication (S902).

  In the process C32c, the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the dashed frame in the drawing) has a vendor function that is a UI control component that executes the transmitted UI event (execution request). The data is passed to the vendor activity UI 405 (S903).

  The vendor activity UI 405 registers the received UI event (execution request) in the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 (the controller unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame in the drawing). S904).

  The proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 that operates in the process C32c connects the vendor filter logic 506 and the print filter logic 503 that operate to realize the vendor application function via the image pipe 307 (S905). At this time, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 issues execution request identification information to the received UI event (execution request). After performing the process of S905, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 transmits a UI event (execution request) to the process A 32a by inter-process communication (S906).

  In the process A32a, the control unit 303 queues a UI event (execution request) (referred to as “execution request (request)” in the following description of FIG. 22). The control unit 303 schedules the registered execution request (request), and is specified for the execution request identification information of the execution request (request) that can be executed. An instruction to start execution is transmitted to the proxy component 71 operating on the process (S1001). In this embodiment, the vendor function is described as an example. Therefore, if the execution request (request) of the vendor function can be executed, the execution request (request) is transmitted to the specified process C32c, and the vendor application To start execution.

  In the process C32c, the control unit 303 passes the received execution request (request) to the vendor activity logic 505 (S1002). The vendor activity logic 505 further passes an execution request (request) to the vendor filter logic 506 and the print filter logic 503 that operate to realize the vendor application function (S1003).

  In response to the execution request (request), the vendor filter logic 506 instructs the image pipe 307 to which each filter is connected in the processing of S905 to secure a memory area for storing the read image (S1101). The image pipe 307 sends a predetermined value to the memory control unit 311 operating in the process B32b via the proxy component 71 of the memory control unit 311 (the memory control unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame in the drawing) in accordance with the memory reservation instruction. A memory area is secured (S1102 and S1103).

  Next, the vendor filter logic 506 receives an execution request (request), for example, inputs image data via the network I / F 14 included in the information processing apparatus 200 or a memory card via the external storage device I / F 15. The image data is input by a predetermined method such as input of stored image data (S1104). The vendor filter logic 506 writes the input image data into the reserved predetermined memory area via the proxy component 71 of the memory control unit 311 (S1105). The vendor filter logic 506 instructs the image pipe 307 to notify the storage location information of the written image data (S1106).

  In response to the execution request (request), the print filter logic 503 requests the storage location information in which the written image data is stored in the image pipe 307, and the image data is written on the memory by the process of S1105. If so, the function destination information is acquired from the image pipe 307 (S1201).

  Next, the print filter logic 503 operates in the process B32b based on the acquired storage location information via the proxy component 71 of the plotter control unit 310 (the plotter control unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame in the drawing). The plotter control unit 310 is instructed to print image data (S1202 and S1203). The plotter control unit 310 reads out image data via the memory control unit 311 based on the storage location information (S1204), and prints the read image data on paper (S1205).

  Thereafter, the print filter logic 503 instructs the image pipe 307 to release the memory area secured by the processing of S1101 based on the storage location information (S1206).

  As a result, the image pipe 307 operates in accordance with the memory release instruction via the proxy component 71 of the memory control unit 311 (the memory control unit of the process C32c indicated by the broken line in the drawing), and the memory control unit 311 that operates in the process B32b. The predetermined memory area that has been secured is released (S1207 and S1208).

<About filter-intensive component placement>
An appropriate distributed arrangement of components operating in the process has been described with reference to FIG. Among them, the results showed that it is more appropriate to adopt the activity intensive type than the filter intensive type.

  In FIGS. 17 to 22, based on this point, the application execution processing procedure in the activity-intensive component arrangement has been described.

  From here, the component arrangement | positioning at the time of employ | adopting a filter aggregation type | mold and the process sequence of application execution are demonstrated using FIGS.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example (in the case of a filter aggregation type) in which components belonging to each layer according to the first embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a process.

  The difference between the case where the filter aggregation type is adopted and the case where the activity aggregation type is adopted is that the process is divided in units of filters, which is a feature of the filter aggregation type.

  Therefore, comparing FIG. 12 and FIG. 23 showing the activity-intensive component arrangement, for example, the third-vendor application 82 includes the input filter 103a originally developed by the third vendor and the information processing apparatus 200 as standard. In the case of an extended function that realizes one function by connecting the output filter 103c that is currently connected by the image pipe 307, in the activity-intensive type shown in FIG. The components related to the print filter which is the filter 103c are arranged in both the process B32b and the process C32c. However, in the filter aggregation type shown in FIG. 23, the component related to the print filter is not arranged in the process C32c. Regarding the input filter 103a developed originally Only the components that are required are placed.

  As described above, in the filter aggregation type component arrangement, a filter that is commonly used by the basic application 81 and the extended application 82 is not arranged in a process in which the extended application 82 operates. That is, there are no overlapping filter components in all processes.

<Basic processing procedure for application execution in filter-intensive component arrangement (for vendor extension function)>
A processing procedure for executing an application in the filter-intensive component arrangement described with reference to FIG. 23 will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 4: activity selection) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment accepts an operation request from a user according to an instruction to select an application AP to be operated (select a vendor function) in the process A 32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates. If it is detected, the UI event (operation request) received from the operation device control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S701).

  The local UI unit 302 uses the operation request transmitting unit 61 based on the information 41 that associates the application identification information and the process identification information held in the memory, and the process C32c executed by the executing unit 51 and operating the vendor function. A UI event (operation request) is transmitted to the specified process C32c by inter-process communication (S702).

  In the process C32c, the UI event (operation request) received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line in the figure) is sent to the vendor activity UI 405 of the vendor function to be operated. Pass (S703).

  The vendor activity UI 405 generates its own UI element and passes the received UI event (operation request) to the vendor filter UI 406 for realizing the vendor application (S704). The vendor filter UI 406 that has received the UI event (operation request) generates its own UI element.

  Also, the vendor activity UI 405 transmits the received UI event (operation request) by inter-process communication from the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 operating in the process C32c to the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 operating in the process B32b. It transfers to (local UI part of process B32b shown in the broken line frame in the figure) (S705 and S706).

  In process B32b, when a UI event (operation request) is received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302, the print filter UI 403 generates its own UI element (S707).

  Thereafter, each generated UI element is transferred to the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302, and the proxy component 71 assigns screen element identification information to each UI element, and the screen element identification information and the process identification information. Are registered in the association information 42 on the memory. Each registered UI element is transferred to the operation device control unit 312 and displayed by the operation device control unit 312.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure (No. 5: setting change) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an operation setting request from the user by the operation setting of the application AP in the process A32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates, the operation device control unit The UI event (operation setting request) received from 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S801).

  The local UI unit 302 operates the vendor function executed by the execution unit 51 based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the operation setting request transmission unit 62. The process C32c or the process B32b in which the printer function operates is specified, and a UI event (operation setting request) is transmitted. At this time, if the process B 32b in which the printer function operates is specified, a UI event (operation setting request) is transmitted to the specified process B 32b by inter-process communication (S802).

  In the process C32c, based on the screen element identification information included in the UI event (operation setting request) received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the broken frame in the drawing) The component that generated each UI element, that is, the vendor activity UI 405 or the vendor filter UI 406 for realizing the vendor application is specified, and the operation setting as the UI event is transferred (S803).

  The vendor activity UI 405 and the vendor filter UI 406 set the operating conditions in the vendor activity logic 505 and the vendor filter logic 506 (S804).

  Further, in the process B32b, the UI event (operation setting request) received via the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process B32b shown in the broken line in the drawing) is sent to the print filter UI403 of the print function. (S803).

  The print filter UI 403 sets operating conditions in the print filter logic 503 (S804).

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (No. 6: request execution) when realizing the third-vendor application function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives an execution request (request) from the user according to the execution instruction of the application AP in the process A32a executed by the execution unit 51 and in which the application management software operates, the operation device The UI event (execution request) received from the control unit 312 is notified to the local UI unit 302 (S901).

  The local UI unit 302 executes the received UI event (execution request) based on the information 42 that associates the screen element identification information and the process identification information held in the memory by the execution request management unit 63. The process C32c in which the vendor function operates is identified, and a UI event (execution request) is transmitted to the identified process C32c by inter-process communication (S902).

  In the process C32c, the proxy component 71 of the local UI unit 302 (the local UI unit of the process C32c shown in the dashed frame in the drawing) has a vendor function that is a UI control component that executes the transmitted UI event (execution request). The data is passed to the vendor activity UI 405 (S903).

  The vendor activity UI 405 registers the received UI event (execution request) in the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 (the controller unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame in the drawing). S904).

  The proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 that operates in the process C32c realizes a vendor application function in cooperation with the proxy component 71 that operates in the process B32b (the controller unit of the process B32b indicated by a broken line in the drawing) by inter-process communication. For this purpose, the vendor filter logic 506 and the print filter logic 503 are connected via the image pipe 307 (S905 to S907). At this time, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 issues execution request identification information to the received execution request (request). In addition, after the processing of S905 to S907 is performed, the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 transmits an execution request (request) to the process A 32a by inter-process communication (S908).

  In the process A32a, the control unit 303 queues an execution request (request) (referred to as “execution request (request)” in the following description of FIG. 26). The control unit 303 schedules the registered execution request (request), and is specified for the execution request identification information of the execution request (request) that can be executed. An instruction to start execution is transmitted to the proxy component 71 operating on the process (S1001). In this embodiment, the vendor function is described as an example. Therefore, if the execution request (request) of the vendor function can be executed, the execution request (request) is transmitted to the specified process C32c, and the vendor application To start execution.

  In the process C32c, the control unit 303 passes the received execution request (request) to the vendor activity logic 505 (S1002). The vendor activity logic 505 further passes an execution request (request) to the vendor filter logic 506 that operates to realize the vendor application function (S1003).

  Further, the vendor activity logic 505 transmits the received execution request (request) by inter-process communication from the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 operating in the process C32c to the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 operating in the process B32b (see FIG. The process is transferred to the control part of the process B 32b shown in the middle broken line frame (S1004 and S1005).

  In the process B32b, an execution request (request) is passed to the print filter logic 503 via the proxy component 71 of the control unit 303 (S1006).

  Next, the vendor filter logic 506 receives the execution request (request), and substitutes the image pipe 307 connected to each filter in the processing of S905 to S907 to the proxy component 71 (in the drawing) of the image pipe 307 operating in the process C32c. An instruction to secure a memory area for storing the read image is issued via the image pipe of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame (S1101). In accordance with the instruction for securing the memory received via the proxy component 71 of the image pipe 307, the image pipe 307 passes through the proxy component 71 of the memory control unit 311 (the memory control unit of the process C32c shown in the broken line frame in the drawing). The memory control unit 311 that operates in the process B 32b secures a predetermined memory area (S1102 and S1103).

  Next, according to the execution request (request), the vendor filter logic 506, for example, inputs image data via the network I / F 14 included in the information processing apparatus 200, or stores a memory card or the like via the external storage device I / F 15. The image data is input by a predetermined method such as input of the image data (S1104). The vendor filter logic 506 writes the input image data into the reserved predetermined memory area via the proxy component 71 of the memory control unit 311 (S1105). The vendor filter logic 506 instructs the image pipe 307 to notify the storage location information of the written image data via the proxy component 71 of the image pipe 307 (S1106 and S1107).

  Also, the print filter logic 503 requests the storage location information in which the written image data is stored in the image pipe 307 according to the execution request (request) by the processing in S1006, and the image data is stored in the memory by the processing in S1105. If written, the function destination information is acquired from the image pipe 307 (S1201).

  Next, the print filter logic 503 instructs the plotter control unit 310 to print image data based on the acquired storage location information (S1202). The plotter control unit 310 reads image data via the memory control unit 311 based on the storage location information (S1203), and prints the read image data on paper (S1204).

  Thereafter, the print filter logic 503 instructs the image pipe 307 to release the memory area secured by the processing of S1102 and S1103 based on the storage location information (S1205).

  As a result, the image pipe 307 instructs the memory control unit 311 to release the secured memory area (S1206).

<Summary>
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment includes the basic application 81 that realizes the basic function of the system and the extended application that realizes the added extended function. 82 can be operated in different processes, and the influence of multi-process such as inter-process communication can be performed by a limited component corresponding to the framework FW (the influence of multi-process is concealed).

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can easily customize or extend the application AP without being conscious of multi-process, and the malfunction of the extended function does not affect the basic function of the system. A system having robustness can be provided.

[Second Embodiment]
This embodiment is an application that manages the start and end of an application in multi-process where a basic application that realizes the basic function of the system and an extended application that realizes an added extended function are operated in different processes. Management software and basic application software that realizes basic functions of the information processing apparatus are executed in a first process, and extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus is executed in a second process With this process configuration, it is possible to easily customize or extend an application without being conscious of multi-process, and a system with high robustness that does not affect the basic function of the system due to the failure of the extended function. It is intended to provide.

  The difference between the first embodiment and this embodiment is that in the first embodiment, application management software is executed in the first process, basic application software is executed in the second process, and extended application software is executed in the first process. In this embodiment, the application management software and the basic application software are executed in the first process, and the extended application software is executed in the second process. It consists of “two processes” that are executed in

  Therefore, in the following description of the present embodiment, the same matters as in the first embodiment will be omitted with the same drawings and reference numerals in the drawings, and the points different from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described using ˜31.

<About multi-process>
Also in this embodiment, regarding the multi-process in the “pipe & filter” software configuration described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, “application AP can be easily customized or expanded without being conscious of multi-process, In order to provide a system having high robustness in which the malfunction of the extended function does not affect the basic function of the system, "according to the basic policies (policy 1) to (policy 3) similar to those of the first embodiment Perform multi-process.

<< Process configuration >>
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a process configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment uses a process configuration activated from the OS 31 in order to realize multi-processing according to (Policy 1) shown in the first embodiment. And a process A 32a for operating a common JVM for in-house application and a process B 32b for operating a third-vendor application JVM.

  In the process A32a, “application management software” for managing the activation and termination of the application AP is executed, and “basic application software 81” for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus 200 is executed. That is, in this embodiment, the system that is the base software developed in-house and the basic application 81 that realizes the basic function are executed in the same memory space. In the process B32b, “extended application software 82” that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus 200 is executed.

  Accordingly, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the malfunction of the extended function (installed extended application 82) affects the basic function (basic application 81) of the system (for example, the system crashes (abnormal termination)). In addition, even when the extended function (installed extended application 82) uses a lot of memory, the user can provide a stable function without affecting the application management software. Can do.

<< Process arrangement of each layer >>
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of arranging each layer according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a process.

  As described with reference to FIG. 27, the components of the layers operated in each process are arranged as shown in FIG. 28 for the two processes divided at an appropriate granularity.

  Components that are arranged differently from the first embodiment are components that are arranged in a process in which the basic application 81 operates in the first embodiment. The arrangement of components in this embodiment will be described for the target layer.

  In the user interface layer 101, the UI of the basic application 81 is arranged, and in the application logic layer 103, the components of the basic application 81 are arranged in the process A 32a in which the application management software and the basic application 81 operate.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment arranges layer components in an optimal process in consideration of the characteristics of each layer. Further, in accordance with (Policy 2) shown in the first embodiment, “operation among the basic functions of the information processing apparatus 200 is implemented to realize the functions of the application AP such as the copy function that is frequently used by the user. The components such as the input filter 103a, the conversion filter 103b, and the output filter 103c to be operated are operated in the same process.

  As a result, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can stably provide basic functions that are relatively frequently used among the functions of the system to the user. Further, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, since the processes in which the application management software and the basic application 81 operate are different, data is exchanged between processes by inter-process communication. Since the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment operates in the same process, there is no influence on the system and architecture due to inter-process communication.

<Main functional configuration of information processing device>
From here, how to operate the basic function and the extended function of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment in the process configuration and the process arrangement of each layer described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, that is, “How the application AP is executed in the multi-process environment” will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference from the functional configuration in the first embodiment is that it has an execution means 51 that executes two processes, and a proxy component that exchanges data between the application management software and the basic application 81. 71 is not included. This will be described below.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes an execution unit 51 that executes the two processes illustrated in FIG.

  The execution unit 51 executes the following two processes as shown in FIG. The execution means 51 is, for example, the OS 31.

[Process A]
The process A 32a includes application management software for managing application activation and termination, and components that function as the input filter 103a, the conversion filter 103b, and / or the output filter 103c of the information processing apparatus 200 in advance, that is, information processing This is a process of operating components that realize standard functions of the device 200. Further, the process A 32 a stays resident after the information processing apparatus 200 is activated.

[Process B]
The process B32b is a process for operating components that function as the input filter (input unit) 103a, the conversion filter 103b, and / or the output filter 103c, which are added to the information processing apparatus 200 when the function is expanded.

  Further, the process B32b is executed by the execution unit 51 as necessary, for example, when an operation request is received from the user.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a memory that operates in the system (base software developed in-house) and the basic application 81 that realizes the basic function and the extended application 82 that realizes the extended function. The space is separated, and multi-processing that does not affect each other is realized.

  In the two processes executed by the execution unit 51, the component configuration in which inter-process communication is minimized as shown in FIG. 28 in accordance with (Policy 3) described in the first embodiment is described. Inter-process communication such as operation requests, operation settings, and execution requests must be performed with the extended application 82.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, inter-process communication is performed between the process A 32a in which the application management software operates and the extended application 82 that operates in the process B 32b different from the process A 32a in which the application management software operates. Accordingly, the extended application 82 has a proxy component 71 that behaves in the same manner as data exchange with the application management software.

  Further, since the basic application 81 operates in the same process A 32a as the application management software, it is necessary to perform inter-process communication such as operation requests, operation settings, and execution requests between the application management software and the basic application 81. Therefore, the proxy component 71 is not provided.

  In other respects, the functional configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the technical features of the respective units of the operation request transmission unit 61, the operation setting request transmission unit 62, and the execution request management unit 63 in the present embodiment. Description of the execution procedure of the application AP by each means is omitted.

<Process allocation of components belonging to each layer>
Next, in the process configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, component placement of each of the activity intensive type and the filter intensive type will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.

<< Activity-intensive >>
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example (in the case of activity intensive type) in which components belonging to each layer according to the second embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a process.

  The difference from the component arrangement in the first embodiment is that, as described in the previous functional configuration, the application management software and the basic application 81 operate in the same process A 32a. Therefore, the first embodiment shown in FIG. The proxy components 71 of the local UI unit 302, the control unit 303, and the data management unit 308, which are arranged when the basic application 81 operates in a process different from the application management software, are not arranged.

  In other respects, the functional configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description of the arrangement of components in this embodiment is omitted.

<< Filter aggregation type >>
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example (filter aggregation type) in which components belonging to each layer according to the second embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a process.

  The difference from the component arrangement in the first embodiment is that the application management software and the basic application 81 operate in the same process A 32a as described in the activity intensive type, and therefore the first implementation shown in FIG. As described above, the proxy components 71 of the local UI unit 302, the control unit 303, and the data management unit 308, which are arranged when the basic application 81 operates in a process different from the application management software, are not arranged.

  In other respects, the functional configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description of the arrangement of components in this embodiment is omitted.

<Basic processing procedure for application execution>
In the first embodiment, a basic processing procedure of application execution in the activity-intensive component arrangement will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22, and a basic processing procedure of application execution in the filter-intensive component arrangement will be described with reference to FIGS. 26.

  The difference between the first embodiment and the present embodiment in the basic processing procedure of application execution is that exchange of event data and the like between the application management software and the basic application 81 is performed via the proxy component 71 which is a proxy component. It is a point to do. Therefore, in this embodiment, the local UI unit 302 and the controller unit 303 of the application management software directly exchange data with the activity UI and activity logic and the filter UI and filter logic of the basic application 81.

  In other respects, the procedure is the same as the basic processing procedure for executing an application according to the first embodiment.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment includes the basic application 81 that realizes the basic function of the system and the extended application that realizes the added extended function. 82 can be operated in different processes, and the influence of multi-process such as inter-process communication can be performed by a limited component corresponding to the framework FW (the influence of multi-process is concealed).

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, in a multi-process where the basic application that realizes the basic function of the system and the extended application that realizes the added extended function are operated in different processes, the process in which the extended function operates is abnormally terminated. In addition, in order to enable the operation of the basic functions after that, it is possible to easily customize or extend the application without considering the multi-process by separating the abnormally terminated process from the system. Provides a robust system that does not affect the basic functionality of the system.

  The difference between the first and second embodiments and the present embodiment is that the abnormal end of the process in which the extended function operates is detected, and the fact is notified to each component of the application management software (process abnormal end detection / It has a notification function.

  Therefore, in the following description of the present embodiment, the same matters as in the first and second embodiments will be omitted with the same drawings and reference numerals, and different from the first and second embodiments. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Main functional configuration of information processing device>
Then, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will explain with reference to FIG. 32 how to detect the abnormal end of the process in which the extended function operates and notify the application management software accordingly. To do. In the following description, the “configuration in which the application management, basic function, and extended function operate in different processes” described in the first embodiment is referred to as a multi-function in which the process abnormal termination detection / notification function operates. Take as an example of a process environment.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference from the functional configuration in the first embodiment is that a detection unit 91 that detects abnormal termination of a process other than the process in which the application management software operates, and a notification unit 92 that notifies each component of the application management software of the detection result. It is the point which further has these.

  All processes in multi-process are created by copying a certain process. For example, in the UNIX environment like this embodiment, it is performed using fork which is a system call for generating a new process. A process created using fork is a child process of the parent process that calls fork, and the same state as the parent process, such as the file handle, variable, and environment variable of the parent process, is inherited.

  For example, FIG. 32 shows an example in which a process A 32a, a process B 32b, and a process C 32c that operate application management, basic functions, and extended functions are generated as parent processes as child processes.

  Further, when the process is terminated abnormally, the child process generated using fork transmits a signal (SIGCHLD) for notifying the parent process. As a result, the parent process can confirm the survival of the child process generated by itself (whether it is operating normally).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the parent process has a detection unit 91 that detects abnormal termination of the process, and a notification unit 92a that notifies the process A 32a (child process) in which the application management software operates, of the abnormal termination. The process abnormal termination detection / notification function is realized by inter-process communication between the parent process and the child process.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the process A 32a, which is a child process, has a notification means 92b for notifying that all components of the application management software have ended abnormally upon receiving notification from the parent process, However, to ensure that application APs that are not operating normally do not affect the operation of other application APs, align various management information related to application APs that operate in abnormally terminated processes (applications that operate in abnormally terminated processes) Delete AP related data).

<Basic processing procedure for detection and notification at abnormal process termination>
FIG. 33 shows an example of a case where the process C32c in which the extended application software operates abnormally ends with respect to a specific processing procedure for detection and notification at the time of abnormal process end in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment described so far. It explains using.

  FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure (part 1) when realizing the detection / notification function at the time of abnormal process end according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment receives the signal (SIGCHLD) by the detection unit 91 operating in the parent process, detects the abnormal end of the process C32c, which is another child process (S1301), and displays the detection result. Then, it is transmitted to the notification means 92a operating in the same process (S1302).

  Based on the received detection result, the notification unit 92a notifies the process A 32a (child process) in which the application management software operates, that the process has ended abnormally by inter-process communication such as a socket or a message queue (S1303).

Upon receiving the notification, the application management software notifies all the components (the number of components: N) that it has terminated abnormally by the internal notification unit 92b (S1304 ₁ to S1304 _n ).

  For example, when the local UI unit 302 included in the application management software receives a notification of abnormal termination from the notification unit 92b, the activity and activity are based on the process identification information (for example, process ID) of the abnormally terminated process C32c. The relevant data is deleted by referring to the data 41 associated with the process for executing (S1305).

  Subsequently, the local UI unit 302 refers to the data 42 in which the UI and the process for generating the UI are associated with each other, and deletes the relevant data (S1306).

  In addition, when the controller unit 303 included in the application management software receives a notification that the process has ended abnormally from the notification unit 92b, a request and a request are sent based on the process identification information (for example, process ID) of the process C32c that has ended abnormally. The relevant data is deleted with reference to the data 43 associated with the process to be generated (S1307).

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of various data matched in response to abnormal process termination according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, deletion of related data performed in S1305 to S1307 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, as in FIG. 33, a case where the process C32c in which the extended application software operates abnormally ends will be described as an example.

  In step S1305, the local UI unit 302 associates the activity 41 and the activity execution process shown in FIG. 34A based on the process ID “process C” of the abnormally terminated process C32c. , The relevant data of the information item “activity name” shown in the broken line frame in the figure is deleted.

  Further, in S1306, referring to the data 42 shown in FIG. 34 (b) in which the UI and the process for generating the UI are associated with each other based on the process ID “process C”, the broken line frame in the figure is displayed. Delete the relevant data of the indicated information items “UI control component ID” and “screen element ID”.

  At this time, the local UI unit 302 deletes the relevant data from each of the data 41 and 42 and, on the basis of the screen element ID that is an information item of the data 42, the corresponding menu that constitutes the selection screen of the application AP. The graphic part (for example, icon) is deleted, or the display attribute of the graphic part is set to half luminance (gray down).

  In step S1307, the control unit 303 associates the request and the process that generates the request shown in FIG. 34C based on the process ID “process C” of the abnormally terminated process C32c. 43, the relevant data of the information item “request ID” shown in the broken line frame in the figure is deleted.

  At this time, the control unit 303 notifies the deletion request by various notification methods such as screen display, status report printing, email transmission to the administrator, and email transmission to the job requester. In addition, the control unit 303 may be configured to store information related to the deleted request in the auxiliary storage unit 13 such as a hard disk and make it re-executed based on the persistence information at the next normal startup after the persistence.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, when the process in which the extended function operates is abnormally terminated in the multi-process configuration, the system functions abnormally so that the basic function can be operated thereafter. A process that has ended can be disconnected.

<Modification>
In the process abnormal end detection / notification function described above, each means 91 and 92a for realizing the detection / notification function in the parent process operates. In such a configuration, the advantage is that abnormal termination can be detected immediately by inter-process communication using signals. On the other hand, there is a demerit that function implementation in a multi-process environment becomes complicated.

  Therefore, hereinafter, an example in which the function can be implemented with a simpler configuration than the above functional configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a modification of the detection / notification function at the time of abnormal process end according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in the present modification, the process A 32a in which the application management software operates has a detection unit 91 and a notification unit 92, and each of the processes B 32b and C 32c in which various application APs managed by the application management software operate. However, it has the structure which has the transmission means 93 which transmits the status information of each process.

  In such a configuration, two detection / notification methods are conceivable.

  The first is that the detection means 91 operating in the process A 32a periodically requests acquisition of process status information from other processes, and the transmission means 93 operating in each process responds. A method for confirming the existence of a process, and second, a transmission means 93 operating in another process periodically transmits process state information (heartbeat) to the process A 32a and operates in the process A 32a. This is a method for confirming the existence of another process by receiving the detection means 91.

  Thus, in this modification, the process abnormal end detection / notification function is realized by inter-process communication between child processes.

<Basic processing procedure for detection and notification at abnormal process termination>
Now, with respect to a specific processing procedure for detection and notification at the time of abnormal process end in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present modification, FIG. 36 and FIG. It explains using.

  FIG. 36 shows an example of the processing procedure of the detection / notification function in which the process A 32a requests acquisition of status information of another process. FIG. 37 shows the status information (heartbeat) sent to the process A 32a by another process. An example of the processing procedure of the detection / notification function to be performed is shown.

<< When the process A is a detection / notification function that requests acquisition of status information of other processes >>
FIG. 36 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 2) for realizing the detection / notification function at the time of abnormal process end according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present modification periodically checks the existence of other processes by the detection unit 91 operating in the process A 32a. More specifically, the detection unit 91 requests the process B 32b to acquire process state information, and the transmission unit 93b operating in the process B 32b transmits (responds) the state information in response to the request ( S1401b). Subsequently, the detection unit 91 requests the process C32c to acquire process state information, and the transmission unit 93c operating in the process C32c transmits (responses) the state information in response to the request (S1401c).

  In the status information acquisition request, the detection unit 91 detects the abnormal end of the process based on the response result from another process (S1402). For example, when the process C32c is abnormally terminated, it is impossible to respond to the status information acquisition request. Therefore, the detection unit 91 determines that the process that did not respond to the information acquisition request is abnormally terminated. Detect. Moreover, you may detect based on the communication error between processes between child processes.

  Subsequent steps S1403 to S1406 are the same as the processing procedures of steps S1302 to S1307 in FIG. 33. Upon receiving the detection result from the detection unit 91, the notification unit 92 informs all the components included in the application management software to that effect. Notice.

<< For the detection / notification function in which another process sends status information (heartbeat) to process A >>
FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure (part 3) for realizing the detection / notification function at the time of abnormal process end according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present modification, process state information (heartbeat) is periodically transmitted to the process A 32a by the transmission unit 93b operating in the process B32b and the transmission unit 93c operating in the process C32c. More specifically, the transmission means 93 acquires the state information (heartbeat) of the processes (process B32b and process C32c) that it operates at regular intervals (S1501b and S1501c), and transmits it to the process A32a (S1502b and S1502c). As a result, the state information (heartbeat) is received by the detection unit 91 operating in the process A 32a.

  During the transmission of the status information, the detection unit 91 detects the abnormal termination of the process based on the reception result from another process (S1503). For example, if the process C32c is abnormally terminated, the status information (heartbeat) cannot be transmitted at regular intervals, so the detection unit 91 receives the process status information (heartbeat) even after a certain period of time. A process that could not be performed is determined to have ended abnormally and detected.

  Subsequent steps S1504 to S1507 are the same as the processing procedure of steps S1302 to S1307 in FIG. 33. Upon receiving the detection result from the detection unit 91, the notification unit 92 informs all the components included in the application management software to that effect. Notice.

<Operation screen when process ends abnormally>
Further, in the present embodiment including the above-described modification, when the local UI unit 302 receives a notification that the abnormal end has been detected from the notification unit 92, for example, a screen W as illustrated in FIG. 38 is related to the present embodiment. The information is displayed on a display device connected via the output device I / F 17 included in the information processing device 200.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen W of the application management UI according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 also shows an example in which the process C32c ends abnormally as in the above description.

  A display screen W shown in FIG. 38 is displayed by the application management UI. Similar to the local UI unit 302, the application management UI is arranged in the user interface layer 101 of the process A 32a. The local UI unit 302 that has received the abnormal process end makes a screen generation request to the application management UI, the application management UI generates a UI element in response to the request, and returns the generated UI element to the local UI unit 302. In this way, the display is performed in the same procedure as the UI display of the application AP described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 38A shows a list display screen W for various applications AP installed in the information processing apparatus 200.

  The list display of the various application APs includes various information items such as the application status (valid: ○ / invalid:-), application AP name, version, update date and time, and operating process.

  The list display area includes a plurality of types of buttons, such as a button for selecting / setting application validation / invalidation, a button for instructing application update (reinstallation), and a button for instructing application deletion (uninstallation). The action buttons are prepared, and the user can execute the setting, updating, and deletion operations by selecting these action buttons.

  For example, when the user selects the action button [validate] with the application name “Print”, the status of “Print” is changed from invalid to valid.

  Further, on the screen W, an operation area for selectively enabling / disabling processes in which various application APs operate is prepared, and the user can set enable / disable for each process.

  For example, when the user selects a valid button with the process name “process B”, the state of “process B” is changed from invalid to valid.

  In the list display of various application APs, the “status” of the displayed information item is displayed so that the application AP corresponding to the request executed immediately before the abnormal termination of the process can be seen.

  In the figure, since the process C32c has ended abnormally, the statuses [x] of the corresponding application APs are displayed. [X] in the figure indicates an application AP that was operating in a process that ended abnormally. [Xxx] in the figure indicates an application AP that was executed immediately before abnormal termination.

  A request to the application AP executed just before the abnormal termination is likely to cause the abnormal termination. Therefore, by displaying the application AP executed immediately before and the other application AP in different modes in the abnormally terminated process, it can be useful for identifying the cause. Select the action button for the identified application AP By doing so, it can be invalidated or deleted (uninstalled).

  As described above, it is possible to easily deal with abnormally terminated processes via the display screen W, and it is possible to return the multi-process environment to a stable state.

  FIG. 38 (b) shows a display screen W prompting the notification and invalidation of the detected abnormal process. Such a simple display screen W may be used to invalidate a process that has ended abnormally.

  In addition, if a process that terminated abnormally is disabled or the application AP that caused the abnormal termination is uninstalled via the display screen W, the multi-process environment is automatically rebooted (restarted). ).

<Summary>
As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment detects abnormal termination of a process in which various application APs managed by application management software operate, and Based on the detection results, the application management software notifies all the components that it has, and each component is abnormal so that application APs that are not operating normally do not affect the operation of other application APs. Align various management information related to application APs that operate in the terminated process, and perform application management.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the same processing as in the first and second embodiments can be performed, and when the process in which the extended function operates is abnormally terminated in the multi-process, In order to enable basic functions to operate, processes that have terminated abnormally can be disconnected from the system.

  In the third embodiment, the configuration in which the application management, basic function, and extended function operate in three different processes is given as an example of a multi-process environment in which the process abnormal termination detection / notification function operates. However, it goes without saying that this function can also be applied to a configuration that operates in the two processes described in the second embodiment.

  The functions of the information processing apparatus 200 according to each of the embodiments described so far are programming languages suitable for the operating environment (platform), and each processing procedure described in FIGS. 17 to 22 and FIGS. This is realized by executing an application execution program that encodes the above in a computer. Therefore, the application execution program according to each of the above embodiments can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a scanner unit 22 that reads a document as image data, a printing unit 21 that prints image data on paper, Since the information processing apparatus 200 described in the first and second embodiments is configured, the same effects as those of the information processing apparatus 200 described in each of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  In the above embodiments, the processes executed by the execution unit 51 have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the number of processes to be started. That is, any configuration may be employed as long as the application management process A 32a and one or more application processes are executed.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes listed in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the software configuration of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the concept of the pipe & filter which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the component of a filter. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic processing procedure (part 1) of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the basic processing procedure (the 2) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process structure which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which arrange | positions each layer which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in a process. It is a figure which shows an example which arrange | positions each activity and filter which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the main function structures of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mechanism of the proxy component which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (in the case of activity intensive type) which arrange | positions the component which belongs to each layer which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention to a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination method (activity selection method) of the process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data with which the activity which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention and the process which performs activity were matched. It is a figure which shows an example of the data which matched UI which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the process which produces | generates UI. It is a figure which shows an example of the data which matched the request which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the process which produces | generates a request. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 1: activity selection) when implement | achieving the copy function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 2: setting change) when implement | achieving the copy function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 3: request execution) when implement | achieving the copy function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 1: activity selection) when implement | achieving the 3rd vendor application function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the part 2: setting change) when implement | achieving the application function made by the third vendor concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 3rd: request execution) when implement | achieving the 3rd vendor application function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (in the case of filter aggregation type) which arrange | positions the component which belongs to each layer which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention to a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 4: activity selection) when implement | achieving the application function made by a 3rd vendor concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 5: setting change) when implement | achieving the 3rd vendor application function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence (the 6: request execution) when implement | achieving the 3rd vendor application function which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process structure which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which arrange | positions each layer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention to a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the main function structures of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (in the case of activity intensive type) which arrange | positions the component which belongs to each layer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention to a process. It is a figure which shows an example (in the case of filter aggregation type) which arrange | positions the component which belongs to each layer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention to a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the main function structures of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process sequence (the 1) when implement | achieving the detection and notification function at the time of abnormal process end which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data matched corresponding to the process abnormal end which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the detection and notification function at the time of process abnormal end which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process sequence (the 2) when implement | achieving the detection and notification function at the time of the process abnormal end which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process sequence (the 3) when implement | achieving the detection and notification function at the time of the process abnormal end which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of application management UI which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Control unit (CPU)
12 Main memory (ROM, RAM)
13 Auxiliary memory (HD)
14 Network I / F
15 External storage device I / F
16 External device I / F
17 Output device I / F
18 Input device I / F
19 Display (panel display)
20 Input unit (operation unit)
21 Printing section (plotter section)
22 Scanner section (original reading section)
31 OS (basic software)
32a Process A (first process)
32b Process B (second process)
32c Process C (Third process)
41 Information for associating application identification information with process identification information 42 Information for associating screen element identification information with process identification information 43 Information for associating execution request identification information with process identification information 51 Execution means 61 Operation request transmission means 62 Operation setting transmission Means 63 Execution request management means 71 Proxy component (software component)
81 Basic application (in-house application)
82 Extended application (third-party vendor application)
91 Detection means 92 Notification means 93 Transmission means 100 Image processing apparatus 101 User interface layer 102 Control layer 103 Application logic layer 103a Input means (input filter)
103b Processing means (conversion filter)
103c Output means (output filter)
104 device service layer 105 device control layer 106 aspect 200 information processing apparatus 301 communication server unit 302 local UI unit 303 control unit 304 reading filter 305 document processing filter 306 print filter 307 image pipe 308 data management unit 309 scanner control unit 310 plotter control unit 311 Memory control unit 312 Operation device control unit 401 Copy activity UI
402 Read filter UI
403 Print Filter UI
405 Vendor Activity UI
406 Vendor (input) filter UI
501 Copy Activity Logic 502 Read Filter Logic 503 Print Filter Logic 505 Vendor Activity Logic 506 Vendor (Input) Filter Logic A Activity (1: Activity 1, 2: Activity)
AP application (1: application 1, 2: application 2)
F Filter (a: Filter A, b: Filter B, c: Filter C)
FW Framework P Pipe W Display screen

Claims (29)

An input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data; and by operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other, An information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
A first process for operating application management software for managing startup and termination of the application;
A second process for operating basic application software for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus;
A third process for operating extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus further comprises execution means for executing the first process, the second process, and the third process. An input unit that inputs data, a processing unit that processes data, and an output unit that outputs data; and by operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other, An information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
Application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application, and a first process for operating basic application software for realizing basic functions of the information processing apparatus;
A second process for operating extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus further comprises execution means for executing the first process and the second process. The input means, the processing means, and the output means that operate to realize a function of a predetermined application,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus operates in the same process. The input means, the processing means, and the output means that operate to realize a function of a predetermined application,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the information processing apparatuses operates in a specific single process. For the application, having a software component that behaves the same as the exchange of data performed between the application management software and the application,
The software component is
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus operates in the same process as the application. When receiving an instruction to select the application to be operated,
Operation request transmission for transmitting an operation request to a process specified from the application identification information based on information associating application identification information for identifying the application with process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means. When receiving the operation setting request of the application,
The screen element based on information associating screen element identification information for identifying a screen element constituting a user interface corresponding to the operation setting request for each application and process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation setting request transmission unit configured to transmit the operation setting request to a process specified from the identification information. When an execution request for the application is received,
Based on information associating execution request identification information for identifying the execution request with process identification information for identifying a process in which the application to be executed is executed, the execution for the process identified from the execution request identification information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an execution request management unit that transmits a request and instructs the application to start execution. Detection means for detecting that a process other than the process in which the application management software operates has ended abnormally;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the process in which the application management software operates of the abnormal process detected by the detection unit. The detection means and the notification means are:
The operation according to claim 9, wherein the first process, the second process, and the third process, or a parent process that generates the first process and the second process are operated. Information processing device. The detection means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an abnormal termination of a process is detected by receiving a signal due to termination of a process other than a process in which the application management software operating as a child process operates. The detection means and the notification means are:
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information processing apparatus operates in the first process. The detection means includes
A process other than the process in which the application management software operates is requested to acquire status information indicating the status of the process, and abnormal termination of the process is detected based on whether there is a response to the request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12. The detection means includes
13. The information according to claim 12, wherein abnormal termination of a process is detected based on whether or not status information indicating a status of a process transmitted from a process other than the process in which the application management software operates is received. Processing equipment. When the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal end notification by the notification unit,
The component included in the application management software includes application identification information of an application that operates in an abnormally terminated process, from information that associates application identification information that identifies the application with process identification information that identifies a process in which the application operates. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information processing apparatus is deleted. When the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal end notification by the notification unit,
The component included in the application management software includes screen element identification information for identifying a screen element constituting a user interface corresponding to the operation setting request for each application, and process identification information for identifying a process in which the application operates. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the screen element identification information of the screen element generated by the abnormally terminated process is deleted from the associated information. When the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal end notification by the notification unit,
A component included in the application management software is generated by an abnormally terminated process from information that associates execution request identification information that identifies the execution request and process identification information that identifies a process in which the application to be executed operates. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the execution request identification information of the execution request is deleted. When the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal end notification by the notification unit,
Of the applications that were running in abnormally terminated processes,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein an application that has been operating immediately before the process ends abnormally and another application are displayed in different modes.   19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a screen for selecting and setting validation / invalidation of an abnormally terminated process is displayed. When the process in which the application management software operates receives a process abnormal end notification by the notification unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the abnormally terminated process is set to be invalid. An original reading device for reading an original as image data;
A printing device for printing image data on paper;
An image processing apparatus comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of an application,
Application management software for managing startup and termination of the application;
Basic application software for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus;
An application execution method, wherein extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus is executed by different processes. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of an application,
The application management software for managing the start and end of the application and the basic application software for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus are executed in a first process,
An application execution method, wherein extended application software for realizing an extended function added to the information processing apparatus is executed in a second process. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of an application,
Executing a first process in which application management software for managing activation and termination of the application operates,
The information processing apparatus has a second process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit operates,
An application execution characterized by executing a third process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit is added to the information processing apparatus at the time of function expansion. Method. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution method in an information processing apparatus for realizing a function of an application,
Application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application, and a first process in which the information processing apparatus has a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit. Run
Application execution characterized by executing a second process in which a component program functioning as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit, which is added to the information processing apparatus at the time of function expansion, operates. Method. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
On the computer,
Application management software for managing startup and termination of the application;
Basic application software for realizing the basic functions of the information processing apparatus;
An application execution program that executes extended application software that realizes an extended function added to the information processing apparatus in different processes. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
On the computer,
Application management software for managing the start and end of the application, and basic application software for realizing basic functions of the information processing apparatus are executed in a first process,
An application execution program for executing, in a second process, extended application software for realizing an extended function added to the information processing apparatus. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution program in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
On the computer,
Executing a first process in which application management software for performing management such as activation and termination of the application operates;
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute a second process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit operates;
An application execution program that executes a third process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit is added to the information processing apparatus when the function is expanded. An input unit for inputting data, a processing unit for processing data, and an output unit for outputting data, and operating the input unit, the processing unit, and the output unit in cooperation with each other. An application execution process in an information processing apparatus that realizes a function of an application,
On the computer,
Application management software for managing the activation and termination of the application, and a first process in which the information processing apparatus has a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit. And execute
An application execution program that executes a second process in which a component program that functions as the input unit, the processing unit, and / or the output unit is added to the information processing apparatus during function expansion.

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