JP2011018232A - Information processing apparatus and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus and a computer program for preventing software which is not suitable for the function restriction of connected equipment from being installed in advance.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus is configured to obtain function specification data to specify the function of a client PC before installing software in a client PC connected to a server. A validity/invalidity determination part 103 determines that the installation of any software other than software related with the same function as the function of the client PC or software related with the function restricted by the function of the equipment is invalid on the basis of the obtained function specification data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a computer program for installing software in a connected device.

  An image forming apparatus (for example, a digital multi-function peripheral) that reads an image of a document and enlarges or reduces the image is widely used. In many cases, a single image forming apparatus is used in the form of a so-called system that is connected to a plurality of PCs via a network, and a technique for controlling the image forming apparatus or the PC in such a case. Has been developed.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to restrict the use of some functions of a printing apparatus, when a function restriction driver is installed in a print control apparatus such as a personal computer, for example, a full function driver is installed and the full function driver is installed. A print control apparatus capable of controlling use of the restricted function from another printer driver, such as execution of the restricted function from the printer, is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing apparatus that can maintain the settings of device drivers installed in each PC included in the system by creating an installer according to function restrictions.

JP 2008-108010 A JP 2007-233664 A

On the other hand, although software such as a printer driver can be installed on each PC, the software cannot be used because it is not software that conforms to the function restrictions of each PC. In such a case, the time and work spent for the installation are wasted for the user of such a PC.
However, such a problem cannot be solved by the print control device of Patent Document 1, the information processing device of Patent Document 2, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to acquire and acquire function specifying data for specifying the function of the device before installing the software on the connected device. By determining whether or not the software can be installed based on the function specifying data, software that does not conform to the function restrictions of the device, for example, software related to the same function as the function of the device, or the function of the device Information processing apparatus and computer program capable of determining that installation of software other than software related to more restricted functions is impossible and preventing installation of software that does not conform to the functional restrictions of the device Is to provide.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a setting unit that sets function specifying data for specifying a function of the device in the information processing device for installing software in a connected device, and the function before the software is installed. An acquisition unit that acquires specific data, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the software can be installed based on the function specification data acquired by the acquisition unit.

  In the present invention, the setting means sets function specifying data of a connected device. The function specifying data of the device set by the setting unit is acquired from the device before the predetermined software is installed on the device, and based on the function specifying data acquired by the acquiring unit, the acquisition unit acquires the function specifying data. The determination means determines whether or not the software can be installed on the device.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a function for comparing a new acquisition function obtained by the device by installing the software and an existing setting function related to the function specifying data acquired by the acquisition unit before the installation of the software. A comparison means, and if the result of comparison by the function comparison means is that the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, the determination means cannot install the software. It is characterized by being determined that it is.

  In the present invention, the function comparison unit compares the new acquisition function with the already set function. As a result of comparison by the function comparison means, if the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, the determination means determines that the software cannot be installed, When the new acquisition function is the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, the determination unit determines that the software can be installed.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not the device has function specifying data, and when the presence determination means determines that the device does not have the function specifying data, The setting means is configured to set function specifying data of the device.

  In the present invention, when the presence / absence determining unit determines that the device has function specifying data, the setting unit sets the function specifying data of the device.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores, for each preset function of the device, the same function as the preset function and a function restricted by the preset function. To do.

  In the present invention, the storage device stores, for each preset function of the device, the same function as the preset function and a function limited by the preset function. For example, the function comparison unit includes: Based on the storage contents of the storage device, the new acquisition function is compared with the already set function.

  A computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute installation of software to a connected device, wherein the computer is configured to set function specifying data for specifying the function of the device. The acquisition step of acquiring the function specifying data before the installation of the software, the new acquisition function obtained by the device by the installation of the software in the computer, and the acquisition means acquired before the installation of the software A function comparison step for comparing with an already set function relating to function specifying data, and a determination step for causing a computer to determine whether or not to install the software based on a comparison result in the function comparison step are performed. When That.

  In the present invention, the function specifying data of the connected device is set, the function specifying data of the set device is acquired from the device before the installation of the predetermined software on the device, and the acquired function The already-set function related to specific data is compared with the new acquisition function. For example, when the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already-set function or a function limited by the already-set function, It is determined that the software cannot be installed. On the other hand, when the new acquisition function is the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, it is determined that the software can be installed.

  According to the present invention, software that does not conform to the function restriction of the connected device, for example, software related to the same function as the function of the device, or software other than software related to the function restricted by the function of the device Since it is determined that the software cannot be installed and the installation is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the software that does not conform to the function restriction of the device from being installed.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the connection condition of the server of Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a peripheral device. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the server of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control part of the server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of client PC in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a function contrast table notionally. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure by CPU of the server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the server 1 of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is connected as a server to a digital multifunction peripheral and a client PC (device) via a network will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a connection state between a server and peripheral devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The server 1 according to the first embodiment, for example, forms a digital composite machine 500 that forms an image via a predetermined network NW conforming to, for example, IEEE 802.3, and forms an image on, for example, a recording sheet via the digital composite machine 500. A plurality of client PCs 200, 300, and 400 to be performed are connected.

  The server 1 stores software such as a printer driver, and the client PCs 200, 300, and 400 are configured so that the software stored in the server 1 can be installed via the network NW. .

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an input I / F 13, an output I / F 14, a recording unit 15, an acquisition unit 16, and a network I / F 17. HDD 18 and these hardwares are connected to each other via a bus 19.

  Various control programs, data, and the like are stored in advance in the ROM 11, and the RAM 12 stores a plurality of data, and can be read out regardless of the storage order, storage position, and the like. The RAM 12 stores, for example, a program read from the HDD 18, various data generated by executing the program, and various data received from the outside. The RAM 12 appropriately reads various data stored in response to a read instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 101).

  The control unit 10 (CPU 101) loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM 11 onto the RAM 12 and executes it, thereby controlling the various hardware described above, and controlling the entire apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Operate as server 1.

  The input I / F 13 is connected to, for example, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. For the maintenance, management, operation, etc. of the server 1 by operating the input device by a server administrator, a service person or the like. Various instructions can be entered. It is also possible to set function specifying data described later by operating the input device. For example, the service person can instruct the client device to install predetermined software by operating the input device.

  The output I / F 14 is connected to an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and outputs video information for maintenance, management, operation, etc. of the server 1 to the output device.

  The HDD 18 is composed of, for example, a magnetic storage type hard disk, and a plurality of printer drivers T4, T5, T6,... Stored in the client PC are installers T1, T2, T3,... Corresponding to each printer driver, a function comparison table T7 described later, and the like. The HDD 18 appropriately reads out a printer driver, an installer, and the like stored in accordance with a read instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 101).

  The network I / F 17 serves as a window for communicating with the client PCs 200, 300, 400 or the digital multi-function peripheral 500 via the network NW. For example, the network I / F 17 receives a printer driver installation request from the client PC 200 via the network NW, activates the installer, and installs the printer driver in the client PC 200.

  The recording unit 15 instructs the client PC to write the function specifying data set by the setting unit 102 described later based on the determination result by the presence determination unit 105 described later.

  Prior to installing the printer driver in any of the client PCs, the acquiring unit 16 acquires function specifying data included in the client PC of the installation destination via the network NW.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the control unit 10 of the server 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The control unit 10 includes a CPU 101, a setting unit 102, an availability determination unit 103, a function comparison unit 104, and a presence / absence determination unit 105.

  The setting unit 102 sets the function specifying data of each client PC. The function specifying data is data for specifying a function in driving the digital multi-function peripheral 500 by each client PC. Specifically, each client PC may have a limited function in driving the digital multi-function peripheral 500 as necessary. For example, in the first embodiment, the client PC 200 is limited to monochrome output, the client PC 300 is limited to color output, and the client PC 400 is limited to monochrome output and color output. The function specifying data of the client PC 200 is limited to the monochrome output function, the function specifying data of the client PC 300 is limited to the color output function, and the function specifying data of the client PC 400 is the monochrome output and color output. Indicates that the function is restricted to

  The setting of the function specifying data by the setting unit 102 may be configured to be accepted via the input I / F 13 by the operation of the administrator's input device. For example, the function specifying data is automatically referred to the registry of the target client PC. You may comprise so that it may be performed.

  The availability determination unit 103 determines whether or not the software (for example, a printer driver) can be installed on a target client PC (hereinafter, target client PC) based on the comparison result of the function comparison unit 104. When the availability determination unit 103 determines that the software can be installed, the CPU 101 activates the corresponding installer and installs the software on the target client PC.

  The function comparison unit 104 has already been set in the target client PC, and the function (hereinafter referred to as the already set function) related to the function specifying data acquired by the acquisition unit 16 and the software related to the installation request from the target client PC ( For example, a function related to a printer driver) is compared. In other words, the function comparison unit 104 compares the already set function with a function (hereinafter referred to as a new acquisition function) obtained by the target client PC by installing software related to the installation request in the target client PC. The function comparison unit 104 compares the function with reference to the function comparison table T7.

Hereinafter, the comparison by the function comparison unit 104 will be described with an example.
For example, the client PC 200 is limited to monochrome output, and the function specifying data of the client PC 200 can specify that the client PC 200 is limited to the monochrome output function. It is assumed that such a client PC 200 requests the server 1 to install a printer driver related to the monochrome output and color output functions. In this case, the already set function of the client PC 200 is “monochrome output”, and the new acquisition function that the client PC 200 obtains by installing the printer driver according to the installation request is “monochrome output and color output”. The function comparison unit 104 compares the preset function (monochrome output) with the new acquisition function (monochrome output and color output), so that the new acquisition function is not the same function as the preset function, It is determined that the function is not restricted. As described above, when the result of comparison by the function comparison unit 104 indicates that the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, the availability determination unit 103 cannot install the software. It is determined that

  The presence / absence determining unit 105 determines whether or not the target client PC has function specifying data, that is, whether or not the function specifying data is written by the recording unit 15. When it is determined by the presence / absence determining unit 105 that the target client PC does not have the function specifying data, for example, when driving for the first time after shipment, the setting unit 102 sets the function specifying data, and the recording unit 15 Writes the function specifying data to the target client PC.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the client PC 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The other client PCs 300 and 400 have the same configuration as the client PC 200 and will not be described in detail.

  The client PC 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an input I / F 206, an output I / F 207, a storage unit 204, and a network I / F 208. The wears are connected to each other via a bus 209.

  The ROM 202 stores a control program for controlling the hardware, and is configured to control the operation of the client PC 200 by the CPU 201 loading and executing the control program on the RAM 203 as necessary. Yes.

  The input I / F 206 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and a user of the client PC 200 can input various instructions by operating the input device. It is also possible to instruct the server 1 to request installation of predetermined software by operating the input device.

  The output I / F 207 is connected to an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and outputs an image or the like based on image data to be output via the digital multi-function peripheral 500.

  The network I / F 208 serves as a window for communicating with the server 1 or the digital multi-function peripheral 500 via the network NW. For example, the network I / F 208 receives an instruction from the server 1 via the network NW, transmits its own function specifying data to the server 1, and specifies the function set by the setting unit 102 of the server 1 via the network NW. Accept data.

The storage unit 204 stores image data and the like to be output on recording paper via the digital multi-function peripheral 500, and a part of the storage unit 204 is assigned as a function specifying data storage unit 205. The function specifying data storage unit 205 stores the function of the own apparatus in driving the digital multi-function peripheral 500, that is, function specifying data. As described above, the client PC 200 is limited to monochrome output, and function specifying data “01” indicating this is stored.
An example of function specifying data is given below.
“00”: Normal output “01”: Monochrome output “02”: Single side output “03”: Color output “04”: Double side output “05”: Monochrome and color output “06”: Single side and double side output

  An example of processing by the server 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, a case where the user of the client PC 200 limited to monochrome output requests the server 1 to install a printer driver related to the monochrome output and color output functions will be described as an example. In such a case, the already set function of the client PC 200 is “monochrome output”, and the new acquisition function is “monochrome output and color output”.

  The HDD 18 of the server 1 stores a printer driver A, a printer driver B, and a printer driver C. The printer driver A is a printer driver for performing monochrome output (function specifying data: “01”) using the digital multifunction peripheral 500, and the printer driver B is a color driver (function specifying data: “01”) using the digital multifunction peripheral 500. 03 ”), and the printer driver C is a printer driver for performing monochrome and color output (function specifying data:“ 05 ”) using the digital multi-function peripheral 500.

  In addition, a function comparison table T7 is stored in the HDD 18 of the server 1. In the function comparison table T7, the same function as the already set function and the function limited by the already set function are written for each already set function acquired by the acquiring unit 16. In other words, functions related to the printer driver that can be installed in the client PC having the already set function are written in the function comparison table T7. The function comparison unit 104 compares the already set function with the new acquisition function with reference to the function comparison table T7. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing an example of the function comparison table T7.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure by the CPU 101 of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 101 determines whether there is a software installation request (step S101). If the CPU 101 determines that there is no software installation request (step S101: NO), the CPU 101 waits for a software installation request. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there is a software installation request by receiving data related to the printer driver C installation request from the client PC 200 via the network I / F 17 (step S101: YES), the presence / absence determination unit 105 Determines whether the target client PC (client PC 200) related to the installation request has function specifying data (step S102). This is performed, for example, when the presence / absence determining unit 105 transmits data asking whether or not the function specifying data is included in the client PC 200 and receives response data from the client PC 200.

  When the presence / absence determination unit 105 determines that the client PC 200 does not have function specifying data (step S102: NO), the setting unit 102 sets function specifying data related to the client PC 200 (step S108). The function specifying data set by the setting unit 102 is written by the recording unit 15 into the function specifying data storage unit 205 of the client PC 200 (step S109). For example, the recording unit 15 transmits to the client PC 200 instruction data for storing the function specifying data in the function specifying data storage unit 205 together with the function specifying data.

On the other hand, when the presence / absence determination unit 105 determines that the client PC 200 has function specifying data (step S102: YES), the acquisition unit 16 acquires function specifying data from the client PC 200 (step S103). Such acquisition of function specifying data is performed, for example, when the acquisition unit 16 transmits instruction data for instructing transmission of the function specifying data to the client PC 200 and receives response data (function specifying data) from the client PC 200.

  When the acquisition unit 16 receives the function specifying data of the client PC 200 via the network I / F 17, the function comparison unit 104 uses the already set function of the client PC 200 and the new acquisition function by installing the printer driver C according to the installation request. Compare (step S104).

  Specifically, the function comparison unit 104 determines whether the new acquisition function is the same function as the already set function of the client PC 200 or a function restricted by the already set function with reference to the function comparison table T7. To do. In the present embodiment, as described above, the already set function of the client PC 200 is “monochrome output”, the new acquisition function is “monochrome output and color output”, and the new acquisition function is the existing setting of the client PC 200. It is not the same function as the setting function, nor is it a function limited by the already set function.

  Next, the availability determination unit 103 determines whether or not the printer driver C relating to the installation request can be installed on the client PC 200 based on the comparison result of the function comparison unit 104 (step S105). As a result of the comparison by the function comparison unit 104, when the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already set function of the client PC 200 and is not a function limited by the already set function, the availability determination unit 103 installs the printer driver C. It is determined that it is impossible. On the other hand, as a result of comparison by the function comparison unit 104, if the new acquisition function is the same function as the already set function of the client PC 200, or is a function restricted by the already set function, the availability determination unit 103 It is determined that the driver C can be installed.

  If the availability determination unit 103 determines that the printer driver C cannot be installed (step S105: NO), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the availability determination unit 103 determines that the printer driver C can be installed (step S105: YES), or after the processing in step S109, the CPU 101 installs an installer related to the installation of the printer driver C (for example, installer C). ) Is activated (step S106). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to return to the process of step S102 after the process of step S109.

  The installer activated by the CPU 101 installs the printer driver C related to the installation request in, for example, the system folder of the client PC 200 (step S107), and ends the process.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the server 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The server 1 according to the second embodiment is configured such that a computer program for performing the operation can be provided by a portable recording medium A such as a CD-ROM via the network I / F 17. Furthermore, the server 1 according to the second embodiment is configured such that the computer program can be downloaded from an external device (not shown) via the network I / F 17. The contents will be described below.

  The server 1 according to the second embodiment includes an exterior (or interior) recording medium reading device (not shown), and causes the recording medium reading device to set function specifying data for specifying the function of the connected device. Before the software is installed on the device, the function specifying data is acquired, the new acquisition function obtained by the device by installing the software, and the function specifying data acquired by the acquiring unit before installing the software A portable recording medium A on which a program for determining whether or not to install the software is recorded is inserted based on the comparison result, and the program is stored in the auxiliary storage means 20, for example. install. Such a program is loaded into the RAM 12 of the control unit 10 and executed. Thereby, it functions as the server 1 of the present invention of the first embodiment.

  As the recording medium, a memory (not shown) such as a ROM itself may be a program medium because processing is performed by a microcomputer, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a flexible disk, With magnetic disk such as hard disk and optical disk such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD, card system such as IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash ROM, etc. It may be a medium that carries a fixed program code including a semiconductor memory.

  It may be a medium that fluidly carries the program code so as to download the program code from the network via the network I / F 17. When the program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the main device in advance or may be installed from another recording medium. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server 15 Recording part 16 Acquisition part 102 Setting part 103 Availability determination part 104 Function comparison part 105 Existence determination part 200,300,400 Client PC
A Portable recording medium T7 Function comparison table

Claims (5)

In an information processing device that installs software on a connected device,
Setting means for setting function specifying data for specifying the function of the device;
Before installing the software, an acquisition means for acquiring the function specifying data;
An information processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the software can be installed based on the function specifying data acquired by the acquisition means. A function comparison means for comparing the new acquisition function obtained by the device by installing the software and the already set function related to the function specifying data acquired by the acquisition means before the installation of the software;
If the result of comparison by the function comparison means is that the new acquisition function is not the same function as the already set function or a function restricted by the already set function, the determination means determines that the software cannot be installed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured as described above. A presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the device has function specifying data;
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein when the presence / absence determining unit determines that the function specifying data is not included, the setting unit is configured to set the function specifying data of the device. Processing equipment.   The information processing according to claim 2, further comprising: a storage device that stores the same function as the preset function and a function restricted by the preset function for each preset function of the device. apparatus. In a computer program that causes a computer to install software on a connected device,
A setting step for causing a computer to set function specifying data for specifying the function of the device;
An acquisition step of causing the computer to acquire the function specifying data before installing the software;
A function comparison step for causing the computer to compare the new acquisition function obtained by the device by installing the software and the already-set function related to the function specifying data acquired by the acquisition unit before the installation of the software;
A computer program causing a computer to execute a determination step of determining whether or not the software can be installed based on a comparison result in the function comparison step.

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