JP2010079348A - Program installation device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the setting of a basic program of an operation system or the like without fail when a new application program is installed, and to reduce a burden on a user in changing the setting of the basic program. <P>SOLUTION: When an application program is installed in an image forming apparatus 1, application setting data are read from an application setting file included in an installation package, and system setting data corresponding to the read application setting data are selected. The mutually associated application setting data and system setting data 22 are displayed on a display 3, and a user changes the system setting data 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program installation apparatus and a computer program for installing an application program in an electronic device.

  At present, electronic devices such as copiers, facsimiles, printers, mobile phones, and AV (Audio Visual) devices are becoming more multifunctional. In such an electronic device, in addition to its original function (for example, a copying function in the case of a copying machine), a plurality of application programs for realizing various functions are preinstalled. Further, among such electronic devices, there is a device in which a user (user) can add a new function to the electronic device by additionally installing an application program (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

On the other hand, an operating system for realizing general-purpose functions of an electronic device that can be used by a plurality of application programs is preinstalled in the electronic device. The operating system controls the management of hardware resources provided in the electronic device such as a display, a switch, a storage unit, a communication unit, and a power source, and controls these basic operations. The application program realizes a specific function in cooperation with the operating system.
JP 2006-293994 A

  By the way, when a new application program is installed in the electronic device by the user, it may be necessary to change the setting of the operating system in order to make the application program cooperate with the operating system.

  For example, if the use of hardware resources of an electronic device overlaps between a newly installed application program and another application program that has already been installed, settings related to the use of the hardware resource May need to be changed from a setting that is compatible with other installed applications to a setting that is compatible with the newly installed application.

  If the necessity of changing the setting of the operating system caused by the installation of a new application program is ignored, there is a problem that the newly installed application program cannot be operated properly. Furthermore, if all the operating system setting changes are left to the user's manual operation / input, there is a problem that the burden on the user increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and the problem of the present invention is that it is possible to reliably change the setting of a basic program such as an operating system that is generated when a new application program is installed, or An object of the present invention is to provide a program installation apparatus and a computer program that can reduce the burden on the user in such a basic program setting change operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a program installation apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit having a storage unit, a basic program for realizing general-purpose functions that can be used by a plurality of application programs, and a storage unit stored in the storage unit. A program installation apparatus that installs an application program to an electronic device including basic setting data and display related to the basic program, and an application that is an application program and setting data related to the application program Application program reading means for reading the application program from an external storage device in which setting data is stored, and the application program reading means Among the application setting data read by the application setting data reading means, the installation processing means for performing an installation process of the application program on the electronic device, the application setting data reading means for reading the application setting data from the external storage device Selection means for selecting application setting data corresponding to the basic setting data; and basic setting data for reading basic setting data corresponding to the application setting data selected by the selection means from the storage unit. Display control for displaying on the display the reading unit, the application setting data selected by the selection unit, and the basic setting data read by the basic setting data reading unit Receiving means for receiving an instruction by a user to change the basic setting data displayed on the display by the display control means to application setting data displayed on the display by the display control means; and the receiving means And changing means for changing the basic setting data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the instruction received by.

  Further, the program installation apparatus according to the present invention includes: reading the application setting data by the application setting data reading unit; selecting the application setting data by the selection unit; reading the basic setting data by the basic setting data reading unit; Display of the application setting data and the basic setting data by the display control means, reception of the instruction by the receiving means, and change of the basic setting data by the changing means; installation processing of the application program by the installation processing means; At the same time or automatically immediately before or after the installation process of the application program by the installation processing means.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the program installation apparatus according to the present invention further includes a specifying unit for causing the user to specify either the application setting data or the basic setting data displayed on the display by the display control unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, a computer program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as the program installation apparatus according to the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when the application program is installed, the application setting data and the basic setting data corresponding to each other are displayed on the display, so that the user needs to change the basic setting data with the installation of the application program. I can inform you. Thereby, the user can be surely changed the basic setting data accompanying the installation of the application program.

  In addition, the basic setting data corresponding to the application setting data is selected from a large number of basic setting data and displayed on the display, so that the user can easily grasp the basic setting data that needs to be changed as the application program is installed. Can be made. As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user in the operation of changing the basic setting data accompanying the installation of the application program.

  In addition, upon installation of the application program, an instruction is received from the user to change the basic setting data displayed on the display to the application setting data displayed on the display, and the basic setting stored in the storage unit is received according to the instruction. By changing the data, it is possible to reliably complete the change of the basic setting data accompanying the installation of the application program.

  In addition, by providing a specifying means for allowing the user to specify either the application setting data or the basic setting data displayed on the display, the burden on the user in changing the basic setting data accompanying the installation of the application program. Can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus which is a specific example of an electronic apparatus. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having functions of, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can expand its functions by additionally installing application programs.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external computer 5 via a computer network 6 such as the Internet, communicates with the external computer 5, and has a storage device ( It has a function of receiving information stored in (not shown). In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 has a function of reading information stored in a storage medium such as the optical disc 7 or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 8. The external computer 5, the optical disc 7, or the USB memory 8 is a specific example of an external storage device.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a panel unit 2, and a display 3 and a touch panel 4 are provided on the panel unit 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 therein. The control unit 10 includes an application control unit 11, an application setting management unit 12, a system setting management unit 13, and a storage unit 14. , A display control unit 15, an operation control unit 16, a communication unit 17, a connection control unit 18, and a general control unit 19.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 25 provided with a scanner for reading a document image, and a printing unit 26 that prints the document image on paper.

  Among the components of the image forming apparatus 1, the application control unit 11, the application setting management unit 12, the system setting management unit 13, the display control unit 15, the operation control unit 16, the communication unit 17, and the connection control unit 18 are the main components. This corresponds to an embodiment of the program installation apparatus according to the invention.

  The application control unit 11 serves as an application program reading unit that performs a process of reading the installation package 40 from the external computer 5, the optical disc 7, or the USB memory 8 in which the installation package 40 of the application program 42 is stored in an application program installation control process described later. Function. The application control unit 11 functions as a receiving unit that receives an instruction to change the system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 specified by the operation control unit 16 to the specified application setting data 51. .

  The application setting management unit 12 functions as an application setting data reading unit that performs processing of reading the application setting data 51 from the application setting file 41 included in the installation package 40 read by the application control unit 11 in application program installation control processing described later. To do. In addition, the application setting management unit 12 changes the application setting data 51 in accordance with an instruction from the user, and performs processing for storing the changed application setting data 51 in the storage unit 14. Further, the application setting management unit 12 functions as a selection unit that performs a process of selecting the application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 among the application setting data 51 read from the application setting file 41. The application setting management unit 12 functions as a changing unit that performs processing for changing the system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 in accordance with an instruction from the user. The application setting management unit 12 functions as an installation processing unit that performs an installation process on the image forming apparatus 1 of the application program 42 read by the application control unit 11.

  The system setting management unit 13 corresponds to the application setting data 51 selected by the application setting management unit 12 among the system setting data 22 stored in the storage unit 14 in the application program installation control process described later. Functions as basic setting data reading means for performing processing for reading from the storage unit 14. Further, the system setting management unit 13 performs processing for storing the system setting data 22 changed by the application setting management unit 12 in the storage unit 14.

  The storage unit 14 is a rewritable storage device, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. The operating system storage area of the storage unit 14 stores in advance an operating system 21 that is a basic program for realizing general-purpose functions that can be used by a plurality of application programs. In addition, system setting data 22 that is setting data related to the operating system 21 is stored in advance in the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 temporarily stores various information in an application program storage area for storing the application program 42, an application setting data storage area for storing the application setting data 51, and application program installation control processing. A temporary storage area for storage is formed.

  The display control unit 15 controls the display 3. Based on the command signal from the application control unit 11, the display control unit 15 installs an installation instruction input screen 61 (see FIG. 9), an application setting data input screen 62 (see FIG. 10), and a system setting data input screen 63 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 11). 12) and an installation confirmation screen 64 (see FIG. 13) are displayed on the display 3.

  The operation control unit 16 controls the touch panel 4. The operation control unit 16 performs processing for receiving various instruction inputs from the user based on the application and a command signal from the application control unit 11. Further, the application control unit 11 controls the touch panel 4 in cooperation with the operation control unit 16, and sets each item of the drop-down lists 63 </ b> A and 63 </ b> B displayed on the display 3 (system setting data input screen 63) as a software button. As a result, it functions as a designation unit that performs processing for causing the user to designate either the system setting data 22 or the application setting data 51 displayed in the drop-down list 63A or 63B.

  The communication unit 17 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the computer network 6 and controls communication with the external computer 5.

  The connection control unit 18 controls reading of information from the optical disc 7 and the USB memory 8. The connection control unit 18 includes an optical disk drive and a USB memory connection circuit.

  The comprehensive control unit 19 comprehensively controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The application control unit 11, the application setting management unit 12, the system setting management unit 13, the display control unit 15, the operation control unit 16, the communication unit 17, and the general control unit 19 are a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). , RAM (Random Access Memory), and some electronic circuits that perform display control, operation control, and communication control. The functions of the application control unit 11, the application setting management unit 12, the system setting management unit 13, the display control unit 15, the operation control unit 16, the communication unit 17, and the general control unit 19 are computer programs and operating systems stored in the ROM. 21 is executed by the CPU. The RAM is used as a working memory when the CPU executes the computer program and operating system 21 stored in the ROM.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the screen display of the display 3 when the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started.

  As shown in FIG. 3, five one-touch keys 31 are arranged on the display area of the display 3. These one-touch keys 31 are software keys formed by the button image displayed on the display 3 and the touch panel 4. Each one-touch key 31 is assigned in advance an instruction that is expected to be frequently input, for example, when a user (user) uses the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the instruction assigned to each one-touch key 31 can be changed. For example, each one-touch key 31 can be assigned an instruction necessary to use an application program additionally installed by the user.

  On the other hand, an initial screen 32 is displayed below the display area of the display 3. For example, functions of the image forming apparatus 1 that are frequently used by the user are determined in advance, and information regarding the functions is arranged in the initial screen 32. Further, the initial screen 32 can be changed to another initial screen. For example, the initial screen 32 can be changed to another initial screen in which information on functions realized by an application program additionally installed by the user is arranged.

  FIG. 4 shows the structure of an application program installation package. FIG. 5 shows application setting data. The installation package 40 shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage device, the optical disc 7 or the USB memory 8 included in the external computer 5. The installation package 40 includes an application setting file 41 and an application program 42. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of application setting data 51 is recorded in the application setting file 41. These application setting data 51 are setting data related to the application program 42.

  Each application setting data 51 is given a number for identifying each application setting data 51. The application setting data 51 includes application setting data 51 that does not correspond to the system setting data 22 and application setting data 51 that corresponds to the system setting data 22. The application setting data 51 not corresponding to the system setting data 22 is given any number from 0000 to FEFF in hexadecimal notation, and the application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 is from FF00 to FFFF. Either number is given.

  For example, in FIG. 5, application setting data 51 of No. 0003 is data for setting whether or not the application program 42 is automatically started when the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started. The application setting data 51 of FF05 is data for setting an initial screen dedicated to the application program 42. The FF08 application setting data 51 is data for setting the assignment of the instruction relating to the application program 42 to the one-touch key 31.

  FIG. 6 shows system setting data which is a specific example of basic setting data. The system setting data 22 is setting data related to the operating system 21 which is a specific example of the basic program, and is stored in advance in the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14. There are a plurality of system setting data 22, and each system setting data 22 is given any number from FF00 to FFFF in order to identify the individual system setting data 22.

  For example, the system setting data 22 of FF05 is data for setting the initial screen. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory, the system setting data 22 of FF05 is data for setting an initial screen 32 on which information relating to functions of the image forming apparatus 1 that are frequently used by the user is arranged. The system setting data 22 of FF08 is data for setting instruction assignment to the one-touch key 31. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory, the FF08 system setting data 22 is data for assigning an instruction that the user is expected to frequently input when using the image forming apparatus 1 to the one-touch key 31. It is.

  The application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 corresponding to each other are assigned the same number (for example, FF05 or FF08).

  The case where the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 correspond to each other is mainly the case where the setting targets are the same. For example, when both the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 are setting data related to the same hardware resource provided in the image forming apparatus 1, both the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 This is the case of setting data relating to the same function of the operating system 21. When the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 corresponding to each other are different from each other (for example, the system setting data 22 is data for setting the initial screen 32 and the application setting data 51 is data for setting another initial screen) ) Must choose one of them.

  7 and 8 show application program installation control processing in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

  When the user operates the panel unit 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 and inputs an instruction to start the installation of the application program 42 to the image forming apparatus 1, the application program installation control process is started.

  First, in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 7, a process for reading the installation package 40 (that is, the application program 42 and the application setting data 51) from the external computer 5, the optical disc 7, or the USB memory 8 is performed.

  Specifically, first, the application control unit 11 instructs the display control unit 15 to display an installation instruction input screen (step S1). In response to this, the display control unit 15 displays an installation instruction input screen 61 as shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs information indicating the location where the installation package 40 is stored in the input unit 61A of the installation instruction input screen 61 and presses the continue button 61B, the information indicating the location where the installation package 40 is stored, and the installation An instruction to start reading the package 40 is sent to the application control unit 11 via the operation control unit 16.

  The information indicating the location where the installation package 40 is stored is a file path when the installation package 40 is stored in the optical disc 7 or the USB memory 8. The installation package 40 is stored in the external computer 5. If it is, it is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The continue button 61B is a software button formed by the button image displayed on the display 3 and the touch panel 4.

  Subsequently, the application control unit 11 receives information indicating the location where the installation package 40 is stored, and an instruction to start reading the installation package 40 (step S2: YES). Then, the application control unit 11 reads the installation package 40 from the external computer 5, the optical disk 7 or the USB memory 8 according to the received information and instructions, and temporarily stores the read installation package 40 in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14. Store (step S3).

  Subsequently, the application setting management unit 12 reads the application setting data 51 from the application setting file 41 included in the installation package 40 temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14, and stores the read application setting data 51. The data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the unit 14 (step S4).

  Next, in step S5 to step S7 in FIG. 7, among the application setting data 51 stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 in step S4, the application setting data 51 that does not correspond to the system setting data 22 is stored. Processing to change according to the instruction is performed.

  More specifically, first, the application control unit 11 instructs the display control unit 15 to display an application setting data input screen (step S5). In response to this, the display control unit 15 displays an application setting data input screen 62 as shown in FIG.

  The application setting data input screen 62 displays application setting data 51 (application setting data 51 from 0000 to FEFF number) not corresponding to the system setting data 22 that can be set and changed by the user. A button or a drop-down list for allowing the user to select and designate such application setting data 51 is formed. For example, in the application setting data input screen 62 shown in FIG. 10, application setting data 51 (No. 0003) for setting whether or not the application program 42 is automatically started when the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started. Application setting data 51) is displayed, a button 62A for allowing the user to specify application setting data 51 indicating that the application program 42 is automatically started, and an application indicating that the application program 42 is not automatically started A button 62B for allowing the user to specify the setting data 51 is formed.

  When the user presses one of the buttons 62A and 62B on the application setting data input screen 62 and then presses the continue button 62C, the application setting data 51 is set / changed so that the application program 42 is automatically started. An instruction to do so or an instruction to set / change the application setting data 51 so as not to automatically start the application program 42 is sent to the application control unit 11 via the operation control unit 16 (step S6: YES). Further, this instruction is sent from the application control unit 11 to the application setting management unit 12.

  In accordance with this instruction, the application setting management unit 12 changes the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the storage unit 14 as necessary (step S7).

  Next, in step S8 in FIG. 7 to step S13 in FIG. 8, the system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 in step S4 is changed according to a user instruction. Processing is performed.

  Specifically, first, the application setting management unit 12 includes the application setting data 51 (FF00 to FFFF number) corresponding to the system setting data 22 in the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the storage unit 14. It is checked whether there is application setting data 51) up to (step S8).

  When there is application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 in the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the storage unit 14 (step S8: YES), the application setting management unit 12 stores the application setting data 51 in the storage unit 14. The application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 is selected from the temporarily stored application setting data 51 (step S9).

  Subsequently, the system setting management unit 13 selects the system setting corresponding to the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the storage unit 14 from the system setting data 22 stored in the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14. The data 22 is selected, and the selected system setting data 22 is read from the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14. Then, the system setting management unit 13 temporarily stores the read system setting data 22 in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 (step S10).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the application control unit 11 instructs the display control unit 15 to display the system setting data input screen (step S11). In response to this, the display control unit 15 displays a system setting data input screen 63 as shown in FIG.

  When the display control unit 15 forms the system setting data input screen 63, the application setting data 51 selected in step S9 and the system setting data 22 selected in step S10 (that is, the application setting data 51 and the system setting corresponding to each other). Among the data 22), data that can be set and changed by the user is sent from the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 to the display control unit 15. Then, the display control unit 15 displays the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 corresponding to each other on the system setting data input screen 63.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 15 sets the current system setting data 22 (CCC) for setting the initial screen 32 and the application setting for setting another initial screen dedicated to the application program 42. Data 51 (YYY) is simultaneously displayed in the system setting data input screen 63 as an item of the drop-down list 63A. Both the system setting data 22 and the application setting data 51 are data for setting an initial screen, and both correspond to each other.

  Similarly, the display control unit 15 drops the current system setting data 22 (DDD) for assigning an instruction to the one-touch key 31 and the application setting data 51 for assigning an instruction related to the application program 42 to the one-touch key 31. The items are displayed simultaneously on the system setting data input screen 63 as items of the down list 63B. Both the system setting data 22 and the application setting data 51 are data for setting instruction assignment to the one-touch key 31, and they correspond to each other.

  In addition, the operation control unit 16 controls the touch panel 4 to cause each item of the drop-down lists 63A and 63B in the system setting data input screen 63 to function as software buttons. Thereby, the user can designate either one of the system setting data 22 and the application setting data 51 displayed in the drop-down list 63A or 63B by touching the screen of the display 3.

  When the user specifies the application setting data 51 out of the system setting data 22 and the application setting data 51 displayed as the items of the drop-down list 63A or 63B and presses the continue button 63C, the specified application An instruction to change the system setting data 22 corresponding to the setting data 51 to the designated application setting data 51 is sent to the application control unit 11 via the operation control unit 16.

  This instruction is received by the application control unit 11 (step S12: YES), and is sent from the application control unit 11 to the application setting management unit 12.

  In accordance with this instruction, the application setting management unit 12 performs a process of changing the system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 specified by the user to the specified application setting data 51 in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14. This is performed for the system setting data 22 temporarily stored (step S13). Then, the application setting management unit 12 holds the system setting data 22 changed by the changing process in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14, and temporarily stores the system setting data 22 not changed by the changing process in the storage unit 14. Erase from area.

  Next, in steps S14 to S16 in FIG. 8, an installation process of the application program 42 included in the installation package 40 temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 in step S3 is performed.

  Specifically, first, the application control unit 11 instructs the display control unit 15 to display an installation confirmation screen (step S14). In response to this, the display control unit 15 displays an installation confirmation screen 64 as shown in FIG.

  When the user presses the execution button 64A in the installation confirmation screen 64, an instruction to start execution of the installation process is sent to the application control unit 11 via the operation control unit 16 (step S15: YES). Further, this instruction is sent from the application control unit 11 to the application setting management unit 12.

  In response to this instruction, the application setting management unit 12 performs an installation process of the application program 42 (step S16). As a result, the application program 42 included in the installation package 40 temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 is stored in the application program storage area of the storage unit 14. Further, information and processing (for example, registration processing) necessary for executing the application program 42 are performed.

  Next, in steps S17 to S18 in FIG. 8, processing for saving the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 changed according to the user's instruction in the storage unit 14 is performed.

  Specifically, first, the application setting management unit 12 stores the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 in the application setting data storage area of the storage unit 14 (step) S17).

  Subsequently, the system setting management unit 13 stores the system setting data 22 temporarily stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 14 in the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14 (step S18).

  Finally, the application control unit 11 instructs the display control unit 15 to display an installation completion screen for reporting the completion of installation to the user (step S19). In response to this, the display control unit 15 displays an installation completion screen (not shown) on the display 3.

  If there is no application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 in the application setting data 51 temporarily stored in the storage unit 14 in step S8 (step S8: NO in FIG. 7), the system An installation confirmation screen is displayed for allowing the user to confirm the settings related to the application setting data 51 not corresponding to the setting data 22 (step S14 in FIG. 8). Then, in response to an instruction from the user to start the execution of the installation process (step S15: YES), the application program 42 is immediately installed (step S16), and the application setting data 51 is stored in the application setting data storage. The process of storing in the area is performed (step S17). Then, step S18 is skipped and an installation completion screen is displayed (step S19).

  As described above, the program installation apparatus (application control unit 11, application setting management unit 12, system setting management unit 13, display control unit 15, operation control unit 16, communication) of the present embodiment provided in the image forming apparatus 1. When the application program 42 is installed, the unit 17 and the connection control unit 18) display application setting data 51 and system setting data 22 corresponding to each other on the display 3. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the system setting data 22 needs to be changed with the installation of the application program 42. Therefore, the user can be surely changed the system setting data 22 accompanying the installation of the application program 42.

  Further, the program installation apparatus according to the present embodiment selects system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 from among a large number of system setting data 22 as shown in FIG. 6 and displays it on the display 3 (FIG. 7). Middle step S10 and step S11 in FIG. 8). As a result, the user can easily grasp the system setting data 22 that needs to be changed with the installation of the application program 42. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user in changing the system setting data 22 accompanying the installation of the application program 42.

  In addition, the program installation apparatus according to the present embodiment instructs the user to change the system setting data 22 displayed on the display 3 to the application setting data 51 displayed on the display 3 when installing the application program 42. In response to this instruction, the system setting data 22 stored in the system setting data storage area of the storage unit 14 is changed (see steps S12, S13 and S18 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the change of the system setting data 22 accompanying the installation of the application program 42 can be completed reliably.

  Further, the program installation apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a means such as the drop down list 63A or 63B, for example, to allow the user to specify one of the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 corresponding to each other (FIG. 12). reference). As a result, the burden on the user in the work of changing the system setting data 22 accompanying the installation of the application program 42 can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the application setting data 51 is described in the application setting file 41 separated from the application program 42 is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the application can be applied using other methods. Setting data may be described. However, by describing the application setting data 51 in the application setting file 41 separated from the application program 42, the application setting data 51 can be easily read when the application program 42 is installed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the application setting data 51 is exemplified by data for starting the application program 42, setting the initial screen, and the one-touch key 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, if the electronic device has a limited function or application, such as a multifunction device or a mobile phone having the functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner, the application setting data includes an application program It is desirable to include data for setting the startup, initial screen or one touch key. Thereby, the operativity of the function implement | achieved by the application program installed in the electronic device can be improved. The same applies to the system setting data 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, numbers are assigned to the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22, and the application setting data 51, the system setting data 22, However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the correspondence between the two may be determined using other methods.

  In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the user may designate one of the application setting data 51 and the system setting data 22 corresponding to each other using the drop-down lists 63A and 63B. As an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and designation by the user may be realized using other methods such as a so-called list box and radio button.

  In the above-described embodiment, the installation package 40 is read (step S3), the application setting data 51 corresponding to the system setting data 22 is selected (step S9), and the system setting data 22 corresponding to the application setting data 51 is read (step S9). Step S10), display of application setting data 51 and system setting data 22 corresponding to each other (Step S11), reception of an instruction to change system setting data 22 to application setting data 51 (Step S12), and temporary storage Although the case where the installation process of the application program 42 is performed immediately after the process related to the change of the system setting data 22 such as the change of the system setting data 22 (step S13) is performed as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. Absent. To ensure that the user can change the system setting data accompanying the installation of the application program, the system setting data change process is performed simultaneously with the application program installation process or immediately before or after the application program installation process. As long as the timing of both processes is not limited.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is taken as an example of the electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other electronic devices such as a mobile phone and an AV device may be used.

  Further, the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a program installation apparatus and a computer program accompanied by such changes are also included in the present invention. Included in technical thought.

1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display when the operation of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 is started. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the installation package of an application program. It is explanatory drawing which shows application setting data. It is explanatory drawing which shows system setting data. It is a flowchart which shows an application program installation control process. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the installation instruction | indication input screen of an application program. It is explanatory drawing which shows an application setting data input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows a system setting data input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the application setting data and system setting data corresponding to each other are displayed on the system setting data input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the installation confirmation screen of an application program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Display 4 Touch panel 5 External computer (external storage device)
7 Optical disk (external storage device)
8 USB memory (external storage device)
10 control unit 11 application control unit (application program reading means, display control means, receiving means, specifying means)
12 Application setting management unit (application setting data reading means, installation processing means, selection means, changing means)
13 System setting management unit 13 (basic setting data reading means)
14 Storage Unit 15 Display Control Unit (Display Control Unit)
16 Operation control unit (receiving means, specifying means)
17 Communication unit 18 Connection control unit 21 Operating system (basic program)
22 System setting data (basic setting data)
42 Application program 51 Application setting data 63A, 63B Drop-down list (designating means)

Claims (4)

A control unit having a storage unit, a basic program for realizing general-purpose functions that can be used by a plurality of application programs, basic setting data that is stored in the storage unit and is setting data related to the basic program, and a display A program installation device that installs an application program for an electronic device including:
Application program reading means for reading the application program from an external storage device in which an application program and application setting data that is setting data related to the application program are stored;
Installation processing means for performing installation processing on the electronic device of the application program read by the application program reading means;
Application setting data reading means for reading the application setting data from the external storage device;
Selecting means for selecting application setting data corresponding to the basic setting data from among the application setting data read by the application setting data reading means;
Of the basic setting data, basic setting data reading means for reading basic setting data corresponding to the application setting data selected by the selection means from the storage unit;
Display control means for displaying application setting data selected by the selection means and basic setting data read by the basic setting data reading means on the display;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction by a user to change the basic setting data displayed on the display by the display control means to application setting data displayed on the display by the display control means;
A program installation apparatus comprising: a changing unit that changes basic setting data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the instruction received by the receiving unit.   Reading the application setting data by the application setting data reading means, selecting the application setting data by the selecting means, reading the basic setting data by the basic setting data reading means, the application setting data by the display control means, and the The basic setting data is displayed, the instruction is received by the receiving means, and the basic setting data is changed by the changing means simultaneously with the installation process of the application program by the installation processing means or by the installation processing means. The program installation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program installation apparatus is automatically performed immediately before or after the program installation process.   2. The program installation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising designation means for causing a user to designate one of application setting data and basic setting data displayed on the display by the display control means. .   The computer program for functioning a computer as a program installation apparatus in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3.

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