JP2010176567A - Information processor, information processing system, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, an information processing system, a control method therefor, and a program, allowing even a user having no knowledge of a program to easily update a UI of an information apparatus without adding a server. <P>SOLUTION: When a file for updating the UI of an image processor is selected, the information processor decides whether the update is possible or not in the image processor to be updated, by use of the file. When the update is possible, the information processor combines an execution file for executing the update in the image processor, the file for update, and setting information indicating characteristics of the file for update, and transmits it to the image processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a control method thereof, and a program for customizing a user interface of an information device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus has a user interface (UI) for facilitating user operations. It is desirable that such a UI can be customized by the user according to the user's individual use environment. The same applies to a built-in image processing apparatus such as an MFP.

  Generally, a UI customization method in such an embedded image processing apparatus is configured to download a UI from a Web server. Specifically, the image processing apparatus is connected to the network, a web browser is provided in the image processing apparatus, and the UI is downloaded by connecting to the web server from the web browser in the image processing apparatus. However, in order to achieve such a configuration, a web browser is provided in the image processing apparatus, and a memory for displaying is required.

On the other hand, as a method of updating the UI of an image processing apparatus that does not have a Web browser inside, a server communication type configuration is used. Specifically, a server for the image processing apparatus is constructed, images used for the UI of the image processing apparatus are managed in the server, the image processing apparatus accesses the server when displaying the UI, and necessary images are displayed one by one. Download and display UI. In this way, in the server communication type image processing apparatus, the UI of the image processing apparatus can be customized by editing the image on the server, and in particular, when there are a plurality of image processing apparatuses, the UI can be customized collectively. Because it is convenient. Patent Document 1 proposes a system for obtaining and customizing GUI buttons provided on a client application by acquiring information from a menu server existing on a network.
JP 2002-215573 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems. For example, in the server communication type configuration, it is necessary to communicate with the server one by one when switching the screen, so it takes time to display the UI, and is not particularly suitable for an image processing apparatus with a low processing speed. Moreover, the expense for purchasing a server and the time and effort for an administrator to manage the server are required.

  In order to customize the UI of an image processing apparatus that does not have a server and does not have a Web browser, it is necessary to change the image in the image processing apparatus. However, an embedded image processing apparatus usually has access restrictions so that the user cannot freely edit files and folders in the apparatus, and it is difficult for the user to freely customize the UI.

  In order to solve such a problem, manufacturers provide a development tool to the user and a service that allows the user to customize the UI when the user requests customization. However, in order for a user to customize a UI using a development tool provided by a manufacturer, knowledge of the program is required, and a user who does not have knowledge of the program cannot customize the UI.

  Also, by packaging execution files such as image files and batch files and executing the execution files packaged in the image processing apparatus, the image files in a predetermined folder in the image processing apparatus are updated and the UI is customized. Is also possible. However, in order to realize this, at least instruction information indicating whether or not to update the file, and information on the copy source path and the copy destination path are required. Need to be set. Furthermore, if the width, height, and number of colors of the control parts such as buttons and backgrounds on the UI of the image processing apparatus are different from the width, height, and number of colors of the image file selected by the user, it depends on the size of the control parts. The image may be enlarged or reduced, but the appearance may deteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to specify a file that matches the width and height of the control component. Further, when the free space of the image processing apparatus is small, it is necessary to limit the size of the image file used for the UI.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that can easily update the UI of an information device without a separate server and can be used even by a user who has no knowledge of a program. It is an object to provide a system, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that updates a user interface of an external information device, a file used for updating the user interface of the external information device, and external information A combination means for combining, as an update file, an execution file for executing an update by a file used for update in the device and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for update, and information on the combined update file Transmission means for transmitting to the device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system in which an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate, and the information processing apparatus is used to update a user interface of the image processing apparatus. A combining unit that combines, as an update file, a file to be used, an execution file for executing an update by a file used for update in the image processing apparatus, and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for update; A transmission means for transmitting the updated file to the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus executes a reception means for receiving the update file transmitted from the information processing apparatus and an execution file included in the received update file. Execution means to perform The features.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a method of controlling an information processing apparatus that updates a user interface of an external information device, and updates a user interface of an external information device. A combining step of combining, as an update file, a file to be used, an execution file for executing an update by a file used for update in an external information device, and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for update; And a transmission step of transmitting the combined update file to the information device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control method for an information processing system according to the present invention is a control method for an information processing system in which an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate with each other. A file used for updating the user interface, an execution file for executing an update using the file used for the update in the image processing apparatus, and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for the update are combined as an update file And a transmission step of transmitting the combined update file to the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus receiving the update file transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and the received update file Execution file included in And executes an execution step of executing a Le.

  According to the present invention, for example, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a control method thereof, and a program that can easily update the UI of an information device even if a user without knowledge of the program does not provide a separate server Can provide.

  An embodiment of the present invention is shown below. The individual embodiments described below will help to understand various concepts, such as superordinate concepts, intermediate concepts and subordinate concepts of the present invention. Further, the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments.

<Information processing system configuration>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system using a network scanner according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 100 has a network interface and is connected to the network 110. The image processing apparatus 100 is an example of an information device. The network 110 is a local area network (hereinafter simply referred to as a network) constructed by a well-known Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. 1 are personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) connected to the network 110, which are used by each user. A PC is an example of an information processing apparatus. As described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 and the PCs 101, 102, and 103 are connected to be communicable.

<Hardware configuration>
Next, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 that is an information device and the PCs 101, 102, and 103 that are information processing apparatuses will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 and the PC 101 according to the present embodiment. Since the PCs 102 and 103 have the same configuration as the PC 101, the description thereof is omitted.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes a network I / F, CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, touch panel 204, LCD controller 205, LCD 206, hard disk 207, scanner unit 208, and Web server 209. The CPU 201 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100. The ROM 202 stores a boot program, BIOS, and the like. A RAM 203 is a RAM on which an OS or application executed by the CPU 201 is loaded or used as a work area. The touch panel 204 is a pressure-sensitive input device and is provided in the display unit. The LCD controller 205 is a liquid crystal display controller. The LCD 206 is a liquid crystal display. The touch panel 204 according to the present embodiment employs a pressure-sensitive type composed of a transparent sheet and is provided on the front surface of the LCD 206. From the touch panel 204, input of reading settings, an instruction to start reading, and the like are performed.

  The network I / F 200 controls communication performed with other devices via the network 110. The hard disk 207 is an OS, a scanning application according to the present embodiment, and a hard disk device that temporarily accumulates images. A scanner unit 208 is a reading device that reads an image from a document. In the scanner unit 208, an image is read with the setting value input by the touch panel 204.

  The PC 101 includes a network I / F 210 and a Web client 211. The network I / F 210 is a network interface on the PC 101 for connecting to the network 110. A web browser on the PC 101 corresponds to the web client 211. When the Web client 211 sends a page display request, the Web server 209 in the image processing apparatus 100 creates a Web page and returns it as a response. In addition, data is transmitted and received between the web server 209 and the web client 211 using the HTTP protocol.

<Update module>
Next, the display screen of the update module will be described with reference to FIG. The update module according to the present embodiment is realized by the PC 101 that is an information processing apparatus, and can be configured by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 300 displayed on the PC 101 according to the present embodiment. The update module according to the present embodiment is used on the PC 101 and displays the screen shown in FIG. 3 when activated.

  On the screen 300, a list 301 of files to be updated, an OK button 302, a delete button 303, and an add button 304 are displayed. As shown in FIG. 3, the list 301 displays file paths and file sizes. When the OK button 302 is selected, the file displayed in the list 301 is updated to the image processing apparatus 100. When the delete button 303 is selected, the file selected on the list 301 is deleted from the list 301. When the add button 304 is selected, the screen shifts to a file selection screen (not shown) for selecting a file to be added.

  Next, an update file creation procedure will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when creating an update file according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the update file according to the present embodiment. Here, the update file indicates a file necessary for executing processing for customizing a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) of the image processing apparatus 100 in the image processing apparatus 100. Here, an example in which at least one of an image file, an OS, a scanner firmware, and the like is incorporated in an update file will be described.

  When the user presses the add button 304, in step S401, the update module displays a file selection screen (not shown) on the PC 101 and allows the user to select a file to be included in the update file. When a file is selected by the user via the file selection screen, the update module adds the selected file to the list 301 when closing the file selection screen.

  In this embodiment, the control component that can be customized in the UI in the image processing apparatus 100 and the image file name uniquely correspond to each other. For example, when a specific image file name is specified, the control component to be customized is determined. And Specifically, a file name such as an image file is acquired from the file path, and only a file satisfying a predetermined condition is permitted to be added to the list every time the file name is designated.

  In step S402, when the update module detects that the user presses the OK button 302, the update module starts creating an update file. In step S403, the update module creates a setting file in which at least one of file name, file size, version information, file content information, and the like is defined as setting information indicating the characteristics of the file added to the list. Here, the content information of the file is, for example, data indicating at least one of the image width, the image height, the number of colors, and the like when the file is an image file. In addition to determining whether an image file can be used, it is incorporated into a content information setting file. However, when the content information is not used in the execution file 601 that executes the update, the content information may not be incorporated into the setting file. After that, in step S404, the update module creates the update file 600 by combining the setting file created in step S403 and the execution file. As shown in FIG. 6, the created update file 600 includes an execution file 601 that executes an update, a setting file size and setting file 602, and an image file 603. Here, the execution file indicates a file in which processing for executing update of the update target file by the image processing apparatus 100 is defined. The executable file is preferably stored in advance in the update module, for example. However, it may be downloaded from a homepage on the Internet, the Web server 209 of the image processing apparatus 100, or the like.

  Next, a detailed procedure of step S401 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a file according to the present embodiment is added to the list 301. The processing described below is processed by the update module.

  The update module according to the present embodiment downloads a list of predetermined image file names, file sizes, image widths, image heights, and color numbers in advance or for each UI control component that can be customized in the image processing apparatus 100. Hold. Further, the update module compares these stored values with the file name, file size, width, height, and number of colors of the file selected by the user.

  First, in step S501, the update module acquires the path of the selected file when the user performs an operation for selecting the file via the file selection screen. In step S502, the update module acquires the file extension from the acquired path. In step S503, the update module determines whether the acquired extension is the extension of a predetermined file. If it is not the extension of the predetermined file, the process proceeds to step S515, an error is displayed, and the process ends without adding the file to the list 301. On the other hand, if it is the extension of the predetermined file, the process proceeds to step S504. In the present embodiment, the extensions of the OS, the scanner firmware, and the image file are the extensions of the predetermined file.

  In step S504, the update module determines whether the extension acquired in step S502 is that of an image file. If the extension is not the extension of the image file, the process proceeds to step S516, and the update module determines whether the selected file is an OS, firmware, or the like for the image processing apparatus 100. It may be determined whether the file is a dll file. If the OS or firmware is for the image processing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S514, and the update module adds the file to the list 301 and ends the process. On the other hand, if the OS or firmware is not for the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S515, and the update module displays an error and ends the process without adding the file to the list 301.

  On the other hand, if the extension is that of the image file in step S504, the process proceeds to step S505, and the update module acquires the file name. Subsequently, in step S506, the update module determines whether the file name is a predetermined file name. If the file name is not a predetermined file name, the process advances to step S515, and the update module displays an error and ends the process without adding the file to the list 301. On the other hand, if it is a predetermined file name, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, the update module acquires the file size. Subsequently, in step S508, the update module determines whether or not the condition that the file size> 0 bytes is satisfied. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S514, and the update module adds the file to the list 301 and ends the process. On the other hand, if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S509, the update module determines whether the file size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. If the file size is not smaller than the predetermined file size, the process proceeds to step S515, an error is displayed, and the process is terminated without adding the file to the list 301. On the other hand, if it is equal to or smaller than the predetermined file size, the process proceeds to step S510. As described above, the update module according to the present embodiment sets a limit on the size of the image file of the control component to be updated in this way, so that the file size exceeds the limit that the image processing apparatus 100 allows to use for the UI. Prohibit use of image files.

  In step S510, the update module acquires the width, height, and number of colors of the image file. Thereafter, in steps S511 to S513, the update module determines whether the width, height, and number of colors of the file are values within a predetermined range. That is, when the update target file is an image file, the update module determines whether the image width, the image height, and the number of colors are within the range applicable to the image processing apparatus 100. In step S511 to step S513, if the image width, height, and number of colors of the image file are not within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S515, and the update module displays an error and adds the file to the list 301. The process is terminated without doing so. On the other hand, if the file width, height, and number of colors are values in the predetermined range, the process advances to step S514, and the update module adds the image file to the list 301.

  In this way, the update module according to the present embodiment can allow the user to specify an image file that can be used to customize the UI control component of the image processing apparatus 100. In addition, the predetermined values of the file size, the image width, the height, and the number of colors can be set to different values depending on the type of the image processing apparatus 100. For an image processing apparatus compatible with the image processing apparatus 100, The UI can be similarly customized by acquiring the model information of the image processing apparatus 100 or allowing the user to specify it during this processing.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a process when updating a file in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a file is updated in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The processes in steps S701 and S702 are controlled by the update module of the PC 101 used by the user. On the other hand, the processes in steps S703 to S713 are controlled by the CPU 201 of the image processing apparatus 100 and the like.

  In step S701, the update module activates a web browser corresponding to the web client 211 in accordance with an instruction from the user. When the update file transmission button is pressed via the UI of the browser, the update module transmits the update file 600 created above to the image processing apparatus 100 in step S702. Note that the process of transmitting the update file 600 to the image processing apparatus 100 in step S702 may be part of the hardware and software functions of the update module that creates the update file, but is a separate transmission program. Alternatively, the processing may be executed by downloading in advance from the Internet home page or the Web server 209 of the image processing apparatus 100 or each time.

  When the update file 600 is received, the Web server 209 of the image processing apparatus 100 activates the update file 600 in step S703. Here, when the update file 600 is activated, the update file 600 activates the internal execution file 601. That is, the CPU 201 of the image processing apparatus 100 loads the execution file 601 and executes the processing described below.

  In step S <b> 704, the CPU 201 acquires the setting file 602 from the update file 600. Subsequently, in step S <b> 705, the CPU 201 transmits an end instruction message to the scanner application activated in the image processing apparatus 100. Upon receiving the end instruction message, the scanner application executes an end process and transmits an end notification to the CPU 201 in step S706.

  When the end notification is received, the CPU 201 creates a work folder in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the information of the acquired setting file 602. Further, the CPU 201 expands the scanner firmware, OS, application, image file, and the like from the update file to the work folder, and updates the file in the predetermined folder. Here, in steps S <b> 707 to S <b> 709, the CPU 201 determines whether each process has been performed normally while executing creation of a work folder, development of an update target file in the work folder, and update.

  If all processes are successful, the process advances to step S712, and the CPU 201 restarts the image processing apparatus 100. After the restart, in step S713, the scanner application displays a UI using the updated image file. On the other hand, if an error occurs in any of steps S707 to S709, the CPU 201 displays the error on the display unit in step S710. Thereafter, in step S711, when the CPU 201 detects that the user has confirmed the error content, the CPU 201 ends this processing. It is desirable to restore a corrupted file in response to an error. Further, restart may be performed when an error occurs.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the detailed process of the file update performed in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a file update processing procedure according to the present embodiment. The processing described below is controlled by the CPU 201 of the image processing apparatus 100 that loads and executes the execution file 601 of the update file 600.

  First, in step S <b> 801, the CPU 201 reads file information including a file name, a file size, and version information defined in the setting file 602. Subsequently, in step S <b> 802, the CPU 201 determines whether or not predetermined processing has been performed until the end of the list of file names defined in the setting file 602 is reached. If predetermined processing has been performed on all files, the processing ends. On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to step S803. Predetermined processing refers to processing such as saving, copying, deleting, and updating a restoration file by sequentially advancing the file pointer in the update file 600 based on the acquired file information.

  In step S803, the CPU 201 acquires the extension from the file name. Subsequently, in step S804, the CPU 201 determines whether the extension is an extension of the image file. If the extension is an extension of the image file, the process proceeds to step S805. If the extension is not the extension of the image file, the process proceeds to step S808.

  In step S805, the CPU 201 determines the file size, and determines whether the file size is 0 bytes. If it is 0 bytes, the process proceeds to step S806, and the CPU 201 deletes the file with the same name in the predetermined folder, and proceeds to step S815. On the other hand, if the file size> 0 bytes, the process proceeds to step S807, and the CPU 201 copies the file to a predetermined folder and proceeds to step S815.

  If it is determined in step S804 that the file extension is not an image file extension, in step S808, the CPU 201 obtains the version of the file having the same name stored in the predetermined folder, and the version of the file in the update file 600. Compare. Here, when the file in the update file 600 is a new version, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S809 in order to upgrade a file other than the image file. On the other hand, if it is not a new version, the CPU 201 returns to step S802 without upgrading the file.

  In step S809, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the file extension is an OS extension. If the file extension is an OS extension, in step S810, the CPU 201 once expands the file in the working folder, copies the file created in step S811 to a predetermined folder, and proceeds to step S815.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S809 that the file extension is not an OS extension, the process advances to step S812, and the CPU 201 determines whether or not the file extension is a firmware (for example, scanner firmware) extension. judge. If it is not the firmware extension, the process returns to step S802 without upgrading the file. On the other hand, if it is a firmware extension, the process advances to step S813, and the CPU 201 expands the file in the work folder, updates the firmware in step S814, and advances to step S815.

  In step S815, the CPU 201 determines whether each process is successful. If the process is successful, the process returns to step S802 to process the next file. On the other hand, when it fails, it progresses to step S816, CPU201 displays an error, and complete | finishes a process. In steps S806, S807, S811, and S814, it is desirable to save the restoration file when copying or updating.

  As described above, the execution file 601 in the update file 600 deletes the image file with the same name in the predetermined folder of the image processing apparatus 100 when the file size of the image file = 0 bytes. If the size of the image file> 0 bytes, the image file is copied into a predetermined folder of the image processing apparatus 100. Thus, the UI control component can be updated by updating the image file in the predetermined folder in the image processing apparatus 100. Also, the UI control component can be deleted by deleting the image file from the predetermined folder in the image processing apparatus 100 by setting the file size to 0 bytes. As described above, according to this embodiment, the user of the program can easily customize the UI of the image processing apparatus 100. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a server dedicated to update. When it is desired to delete an image file, the file size may be described as a specific size other than 0 bytes.

  In the above embodiment, the OS and firmware files are included in the update file 600, but these may not be included. In this case, the processing of steps S808 to S814 is not necessary. The dll file may be included in the update file 600. In this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of firmware debugging work and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the update file 600 is transmitted from the Web browser on the PC 101 which is an external device as a method of transmitting the update file 600 to the image processing apparatus 100. However, another apparatus may be used. Alternatively, the update file 600 may be stored in a portable memory such as a USB memory, and the update file 600 may be executed by connecting the USB memory to the image processing apparatus 100. In this case, the processing in steps S701 to S703 is not necessary.

  As described above, when the file names of the copy source and the copy destination are matched as the predetermined condition, the file name of the copy destination is determined by specifying the file name, and the control component to be customized can be uniquely determined. . Also, by specifying the file name as the predetermined condition, it is not necessary to make complicated settings for setting the file name as described above, and the UI can be customized more easily. Furthermore, by designating the width, height, and number of colors of the image file as predetermined conditions, the user can designate a file suitable for the control component in the information device. Further, by adding a file size as a predetermined condition, it is possible to limit a file capacity that can be used for a UI by an information device with a small free capacity. In addition, by having a different value for each type of information device, the UI can be similarly customized for an information device compatible with the information device.

  In the present embodiment, the file name of the image file and the control component in the UI of the image processing apparatus 100 are specified in association with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a UI that can specify a control component in the image processing apparatus 100 is prepared without the user specifying a specific file name. An image file to be customized may be associated.

    As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment stores or downloads a file for updating the UI of the image processing apparatus in advance, and uses the file when the file used for the update is selected. It is determined whether or not the image processing apparatus to be updated can be updated. Further, when the information processing apparatus can update, the information processing apparatus combines the execution file for executing the update in the image processing apparatus, the file used for the update, and the setting information indicating the characteristics of the file. Send to. Thus, the user only has to select a file to be used for update from the list, and the UI of the image processing apparatus can be easily customized without having knowledge of the program. Furthermore, in this information processing apparatus, there is no need to provide an update server dedicated to the image processing apparatus in the system.

<Other embodiments>
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the program codes stored in those computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) are read and executed. Even so, the object of the present invention is achieved.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of a program, the form of the program is not limited, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system).

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. Further, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, and the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, the computer program of the present invention can be downloaded from a homepage on the Internet or the image processing apparatus 100 to a recording medium such as a hard disk device using a browser of a client computer. Alternatively, it can be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk device. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of operators to download program files for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  It is also possible to encrypt the program of the present invention, store it in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distribute it to the operator. In that case, an operator who has cleared a predetermined condition can download key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. Then, by using the key information, the encrypted program is executed and installed in the computer.

  Further, not only the program code read by the computer is executed but also an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code.

  Furthermore, it is possible to write the program code read from the storage medium into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In that case, it is also realized by the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performing part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows an example of the information processing system using the network scanner which concerns on this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 and a PC 101 according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen 300 displayed on PC101 which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of creating the update file which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of adding the file which concerns on this embodiment to the list | wrist 301. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the update file which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of updating a file to the image processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the file update which concerns on this embodiment.

100: Image processing apparatus 101, 102, 103: Personal computer (PC)
110: Network 200: Network interface 201: CPU
202: ROM
203: RAM
204: Touch panel 205: LCD controller 206: LCD
207: Hard disk device 208: Scanner unit 209: Web server 210: Network interface 211: Web client

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus for updating a user interface of an external information device,
At least a file used for updating the user interface of the external information device, an execution file for executing an update by the file used for the update in the external information device, and setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for the update A combination means for combining a part as an update file;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the combined update file to the information device. Selection means for selecting a file to be used for the update from a plurality of files;
A determination means for determining whether the information device can be updated by the selected file using the setting information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update file is created when it is determined that the information device can be updated using the selected file.   The setting information includes at least one of a file name, a file size, version information, an image width, an image height, and a color number in the file used for the update. Information processing device. The determination means includes
Means for determining whether a file used for the update is an image file based on an extension of the file name included in the setting information;
In order to determine whether or not the information device can be updated, if the file used for the update is not an image file, the extension indicating whether or not the file is an operating system file that can be updated by the information device. At least one of determination based on the extension, determination based on the extension whether the file is related to firmware, and determination based on the extension, whether the file is a dll file, and the file used for the update is an image 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a unit that determines whether the file size, the image width, the image height, and the number of colors included in the setting information are applicable to the information device if the file is a file. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the file name is associated with a control component of a user interface in the information device.   The execution file includes a process for obtaining setting information included in the update file, a process for executing an update using the file used for the update included in the update file, and a process for restarting the information device after the update. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: is defined.   In the execution file, based on the setting information, a process for determining whether or not all the files used for the update included in the update file are applicable to the information device, and an error is displayed when the file is not applicable. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein processing is further defined. An information processing system in which an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A file used for updating the user interface of the image processing apparatus, an execution file for executing an update by the file used for the update in the image processing apparatus, and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for the update And means for combining them as an update file,
Transmission means for transmitting the combined update file to the image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the update file transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
An information processing system comprising: execution means for executing the execution file included in the received update file. An information processing apparatus control method for updating a user interface of an external information device,
At least a file used for updating the user interface of the external information device, an execution file for executing an update by the file used for the update in the external information device, and setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for the update A combining step for combining a part as an update file;
And a transmission step of transmitting the combined update file to the information device. A control method for an information processing system in which an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate with each other,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A file used for updating the user interface of the image processing apparatus, an execution file for executing an update by the file used for the update in the image processing apparatus, and at least a part of setting information indicating characteristics of the file used for the update Are combined as an update file,
Transmitting the combined update file to the image processing device; and
The image processing apparatus includes:
A receiving step of receiving the update file transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
And executing an execution step of executing the executable file included in the received update file.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 9.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of the information processing system of Claim 10.

Images