JP2011148237A - Information processor, function retrieval method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, a function retrieval method and program for freely retrieving and using a desired function, whether inside or outside equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is connected via network to a server that holds components achieving various functions, and enables components to be added thereto, The information processor includes a storage means to store the components included therein; a retrieving means to retrieve the retrieval component as a retrieval target from the storage means and from the server; and a display means to display the retrieval result of the retrieval component. The retrieving means is configured to, when it cannot retrieve the retrieval component from the storage means, further retrieve the retrieval component from the server. The display means is configured to, when the retrieval component is retrieved from the server, display the retrieval result including location information on the retrieval component and on detail information of the retrieval component. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the fields of an information processing apparatus, a function search method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of functions such as an image forming apparatus, a copy, and a scanner are housed in a single housing is known. The current image forming apparatus (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) has evolved with technology related to MFP, such as improved CPU performance, increased memory capacity, faster communication technology, and advanced digital image technology. In addition to simply functioning as a digital copying machine, for example, data such as images and documents can be transmitted and received through a network, a facsimile, or the like, and various usage forms are provided in a user environment.

  In addition, the application that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus is composed of standard function software that provides basic functions related to image formation, extended function software that extends standard functions, etc., and adds functions that meet user needs. It is known that it can be done. Specifically, the image forming apparatus is designed so that functions can be easily added and customized, and extended function software can be added as a plug-in. The user can purchase an extended function to be used in units of plug-ins, and can easily install (add) or uninstall (delete) the image forming apparatus.

  Here, for functions that have already been added to the image forming apparatus, the component search function can be used to search for the functions in the device, and the search results can be output together with the manuals related to those functions. The retrieved desired function can be used.

  As a related technique, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a server apparatus that can communicate with various image processing apparatuses via the Internet for the purpose of accurately guiding operation instructions for smoothly operating the image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing operation method information unique to each of the various image processing apparatuses described above, and operation method information requested by analyzing an operation manual request code received from any of the image processing apparatuses. It is described that it comprises search means for searching from the storage means, and control means for downloading the specific operation method information searched by the search means based on the operation manual request code to the requesting image processing apparatus.

  However, if the user cannot find the function he / she wants to use in the image processing apparatus with the search function in the device, he / she cannot use such a function. In this case, a separate operation such as adding extended function software for realizing a desired function as a plug-in is required. In addition, some knowledge is required such as confirming which functions can be used in the image processing apparatus. For example, it is necessary to check various functions while referring to a manual to specify a desired function.

  As described above, the functions already added in the image forming apparatus can be searched for the functions in the device by the component search function, and the search result can be output together with the manual regarding the functions. You can use the desired function retrieved with. However, if the function that you want to use cannot be found by the search function in the device, you cannot use such a function. However, the image forming apparatus takes advantage of the features that are designed so that functions can be added and customized easily. Therefore, a mechanism that can conveniently search for a desired function including the inside and outside of the device with the component search function is desired.

  On the other hand, the invention described in Patent Document 1 can retrieve operation method information of various image processing apparatuses and download the operation method information. However, it only downloads an operation manual and cannot search for functions that are not installed.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a function search method capable of freely searching and using a desired function regardless of inside or outside the device. And providing a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that is connected via a network to a server that holds components that realize various functions, and that can add components. A storage unit for storing a component; a search unit for searching for a search component to be searched from the storage unit and the server; and a display unit for displaying a search result of the search component. When the search component cannot be searched from storage means, the search component is further searched from the server, and when the search component is searched from the server, the display means includes the search component and detailed information of the search component; Display search results including location information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit that acquires the detailed information from the server based on the location information, and the display unit further displays the acquired detailed information. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus installs the second acquisition means for acquiring the search component from the server based on the location information, and installs the acquired search component to be usable by the own apparatus. Means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the information processing apparatus, when the search component is searched from the server, the storage means caches the search result, and the search means stores the search result in the cache. The search component to be searched is searched from the means and the server.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus includes a third acquisition unit that acquires component information including location information of a component held by the server and detailed information of the component from the server. The storage means caches the component information, and the search means searches for a search target search component from the storage means and the server in which the component information is cached.

  In order to achieve the above object, when the information processing apparatus receives an update notification indicating that the component information has been updated from the server, the third acquisition unit receives the updated component from the server. Get information.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, a function search method, and a program that can freely search for and use a desired function regardless of inside or outside the device.

The example of a component search screen of the image processing apparatus which concerns on a prior art example is shown. The search processing example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on a prior art example is shown. An example of the component overview screen An example of manual browsing screen is shown. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the search process of the component which concerns on this embodiment. The example of a component search screen containing a search result is shown. It is a sequence diagram explaining the search process (the 2) of the component which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the search process (the 3) of the component which concerns on this embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in each embodiment. Although the present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus capable of installing various functions, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as an example of the information processing apparatus will be described below.

[Conventional example]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a component search screen of an image processing apparatus according to a conventional example. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a component search example according to a conventional example will be described first.

  In general, a user searches for a component when using a desired function in the image forming apparatus. As shown in the figure, on the component search screen, when you enter a search string in the “Enter search terms” field and click the “Execute Search” button, the corresponding function is installed in the “Search result list” in the device. The name (component name) is displayed.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of search processing of an image processing apparatus according to a conventional example. When a user makes a search request (program information search request) to the own device (hereinafter also referred to as a device) to determine whether there is a program (component) of the function that the user wants to use, the program of that function is returned according to the search result response. You can check if there is. As shown in the component search screen of FIG. 1, if the function “printer application” to be used is searched from within the device, then the manual of the function is browsed, and the user has the function that the user wants to use by browsing the manual. If it can be confirmed, a request for use of the program is made.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a component overview screen. In order to confirm the outline of the searched function name (component name), the user clicks the “Browse” button in the “Outline” column in the “Search result list” (FIG. 1) to display the outline of the component. You can browse and check. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the searched “printer application”.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a manual browsing screen. In "Summary", you can view and check the function summary. To check more detailed component information, in the "Search results list" (Fig. 1), click "Browse" in the "Manual" column. By pressing the button, the manual screen of the component can be viewed. This manual (electronic data) is stored in the device.

  As described above, in the conventional example, the user searches whether there is a component (program) of a function to be used. The response of the search result can confirm whether there is a component of the function. If there is a component, you can browse and check the outline of the function contents and the manual (details), and if you want to use the function without fail, you can use the component that realizes the function. . According to this conventional example, when the function that the user wants to use in the function search is not found in the component search in the device, the user has no further method of using the desired function. Based on the above, embodiments according to the present invention will be described below.

[Embodiment 1]
(function)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 101, an operation unit 102, a display unit 103, a search unit 104, an acquisition unit 105, and an installation unit 106 as its main functions. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the component server 2 via a network or the like. The component server 2 is a server that holds components realizing various functions and manuals (description documents) of the functions in the storage unit 201, and the image forming apparatus 1 acquires various components held in the component server 2. It is possible to install it in its own device. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be briefly described.

  The storage unit 101 has a function of storing components included in the own device. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 has a print function, it stores (holds) a component that realizes the print function.

  The operation unit 102 has a function of inputting operation signals as various operation instructions from the user to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The display means 103 has a function of displaying various display screens to be displayed to the user. For example, a component search screen example (FIG. 1) for searching for components, a component outline (FIG. 2), a manual browsing screen (FIG. 3), and the like are displayed by the display means. The component search screen is displayed including the search result. The search result includes the name of the searched component, summary information, its manual (detailed information), and link destination information (location information) of the component (program). Displayed. This point will be described later again.

  The search unit 104 has a function of searching for a search target search component from the storage unit 101 and the component server 2. For example, when a search word (for example, a function name) is input from the operation unit 102 and a component search instruction is issued on the component search screen, the search target component corresponding to the search word is searched from the storage unit 101 and the component server 2. . As a search destination, a search can first be performed from the storage unit 101, and then a corresponding component can be retrieved from the component server 2. This point will be described later again.

  When a component is searched for from the component server 2 and an acquisition request (instruction) is made by the user via the operation unit 102, the acquisition unit 105 is based on link destination information (location information) included in the search result. It has a function of acquiring a component (program) retrieved from the component server 2 and its manual (detailed information).

  The installation unit 106 has a function of installing a component so that the component can be used in its own device. The image forming apparatus 1 adds a component to the own apparatus as a plug-in by the installation unit 106, and provides a function realized by the component to the user.

  Note that these functional units are actually realized by a computer by a program executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the search unit 104 is realized by a component search program.

(hardware)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as an example of an information processing apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, a plotter 16, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17. Are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hard keys and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information related to the image forming operation. More specifically, the operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. For example, a display that displays various types of information related to an image forming operation, and a user gives operation instructions. Consists of hard keys like physical buttons and dials. Further, since the display is a touch panel type display using a tactile sensor, an operation instruction relating to an image forming operation can be performed by a contact operation on the display.

  The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a data transmission path such as a network or a fax machine. The HDD 17 stores various components (programs) that realize the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 and various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base). Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes data input from the recording medium 12b. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated. Program and various data are stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

(Operation)
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating component search processing according to the present embodiment. Component search processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 7, each operation subject is a “user”, “apparatus (image forming apparatus)”, and “component server”. However, the operation subject “user” may be replaced with, for example, an operation panel including the input device 11a and the display device 11b. In this case, the operation panel 11 receives a user operation instruction and displays a display screen or the like to the user.

  First, in using a desired function in the image forming apparatus, the user makes a component search request from the component search screen (FIG. 1) of the image processing apparatus 1 (S601). Here, it is assumed that the search character string “print function” (search word) is entered in the “input search word” field on the component search screen and the “execute search” button is pressed.

  The search unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 first searches for a corresponding component from the storage unit 101 of the own apparatus as a search destination (S602). If no search target component corresponding to the “print function” (search word) is found, a search request is subsequently sent to the component server 2 (S603), and the component server 2 searches for the corresponding component (S604). Here, even when a corresponding search target component is found in the storage unit 101, in order to search for a component corresponding to the “print function” (search word), the corresponding component may be searched from the component server 2. it can.

  Then, the component server 2 responds with the search result (S605). The search result includes the name of the searched component, the outline information of the component, and the link destination information (location information) of the component main body (program main body) and the manual of the component.

  The display unit 103 displays the search result on the component search screen or the like (S606). FIG. 8 shows an example of a component search screen including search results. As shown in the figure, in the “search result list” as the search result, the searched “component name” is displayed, and for each component, its “summary”, “manual”, “usage request”, “storage location” "Is displayed as an item.

  In “Component Name”, the name of the searched component is displayed. “Summary” is displayed as a “view” button that can be pressed. When the “Browse” button in the “Summary” column is pressed, a summary of the component can be viewed and confirmed (for example, FIG. 3). The component summary displays summary information of the component included in the search result. When the “Browse” button in the “Manual” column is pressed, manual information is acquired and the manual screen of the component can be browsed (for example, FIG. 4). When the “execute” button in the “use request” column is pressed, a component (program) is acquired and installed, and the component can be used (executed). In the “storage location”, “server” or “main body” is displayed, and the storage location where the component is stored is displayed. The search target component is searched from the storage unit 101 and the component server 2 (storage unit 201) of the own device as the search destination, and the searched component is either the server or the main body (own device) as the storage location. It is because it is stored in.

  Next, for the retrieved component name “printer application”, when the “Browse” button in the “Manual” column is pressed, the image forming apparatus 1 assumes that a manual information browsing request has been made. Provide manual information to respond to However, since the “printer application” is stored on the component server 2, its manual is also stored on the component server 2. Therefore, the acquisition unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 makes a browsing request to the component server 2 to acquire manual information (S608). As described above, the search results from the component server 2 include link destination information (location information) where the summary information and the manual information are stored, so as to correspond to “summary”, “manual”, and “use request”, respectively. Information) and the link destination information (location information) of the storage destination of the component (program). Upon receiving the manual information browsing response from the component server 2, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the manual on the screen based on the manual information included in the browsing response (S610). Then, the user confirms whether or not the function is desired by browsing the displayed manual.

  Subsequently, when the “printer application” is a component that realizes a desired function, the user further presses the “execute” button in the “use request” column to make a use request for the component (program) (S611). . However, since the component (program) of the “printer application” is stored on the component server 2, the acquisition unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 sends the component (program of the “printer application” to the component server 2. The download request is made to obtain () (S612). The search result from the component server 2 includes link destination information (location information) of the storage destination on the component server 2 storing the component (program) so as to correspond to “execution”. As described above.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 downloads a component (program) from the component server 2 (S613), the installation unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 installs the component (S614). As a result, the function realized by the component, that is, the “printer application” function can be used by the own apparatus, and the image forming apparatus 1 permits the use of the component (program) (S615). After the installation of the component is completed, the component is held in the storage unit 101 in the own device. Therefore, after the installation is completed, the display unit 103 displays “storage location” from “server” to “ It is recommended to update to “Main Body”.

  As described above, when the function used by the user is not found in the own device, the component server 2 is accessed via the network, and a search request is made for the component (program) information in the component server 2. Display search results to the user. The user can search for the desired function from the component server 2 even when the desired function is not in the local apparatus. From the user's point of view, the search result is displayed on the same display screen regardless of whether the component is in the main body (in its own device) or in the component server 2. Therefore, the user can, for example, browse the manual information of the component or make a request to use the component by the same operation from the same display screen without paying special attention to the storage location of the component.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires component and manual information from its own device or from the component server 2 according to the storage location of the component. Also, components are installed from the component server 2. Therefore, as described above, the user searches for a desired function by the same operation from the same display screen without paying special attention to the storage location of the component, and further browses the manual information of the component, or requests to use the component. It can be performed. That is, it is possible to conveniently search for a desired function including inside and outside the device by using the component search function, and it is possible to browse or actually use a manual of the desired function.

  Referring to FIG. 8 again, in the “Search Target” tab, the search target destination and range can be specified. For example, “apparatus”, “apparatus & server search”, etc. can be selected. In this embodiment, “apparatus & server search” is selected, and a component is searched for within the own apparatus and component 2 as a search target. . The selection timing is selected until the user makes a component search request from the component search screen (FIG. 1) of the image processing apparatus 1 (S601).

  The search result from the component server 2 includes the name of the searched component, the outline information of the component, and the link destination information (location information) of the component main body and the manual of the component. This configuration is related to capacity. In the search result from the component server 2, the component name and the summary information of the component, which is simple summary information, are obtained in advance, and the component having a relatively large capacity ( The program) itself and the manual information of its components are reacquired by pressing the “execute” and “browse” buttons. This is because not all component bodies and manual information searched as search results are acquired.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating component search processing (part 2) according to the present embodiment. Here, the steps S901 to S904 will be described with reference to the search process of FIG. 7, and the description of the same overlapping steps will be omitted.

  As described above, when the search unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 searches for a corresponding component from the storage unit 101 of its own apparatus and subsequently issues a search request to the component server 2, the image forming apparatus 1 The search result response is received from and the search result is displayed in the component search screen.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment caches and holds the information of the search result (S901). This is because by caching the search results once searched, when the component search is performed again, the cached search results can be used. The information to be cached is information corresponding to the search result described above, and includes the name of the searched component, summary information of the component, and link destination information (location information) of the component body and the manual of the component.

  The cache location is the storage unit 101 of the own device, but more specifically, the cache location can be cached in the RAM 13b or the HDD 17 described above. When the RAM 13b is used, it is a volatile memory unlike the HDD 17, so that the cache information is lost when the power is turned off, but the information can be read and written at high speed. In consideration of the possibility that the component held in the component server 2 is updated, it is preferable that the cache information is erased at regular intervals.

  When a component search request is made again (S902), the search unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 searches for the corresponding component from the storage unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 including the cache (S903), and enters the component search screen or the like. The search result is displayed (S904).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 does not search the component server 2 for the component every time, but caches the information of the past search results, and when the component search request is made again, the cache is stored. A corresponding component is searched from the storage unit 101 of its own device including the cache, including information on past search results. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the search process (and its load) to the component server 2.

  In addition, regarding the cache, manual information is acquired from the component server 2 and the user browses the displayed manual, but, for example, determines that it is not a function desired by the user, so the component main body (program main body) may not be downloaded. is there. In this case, since the manual information of the component is acquired from the component server 2, it is possible to omit the acquisition of the same manual information again by storing the manual information in the cache.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating component search processing (part 3) according to the present embodiment. Here, the steps S1001 to S1007 will be described with reference to the search process of FIG. 7, and the description of the same overlapping steps will be omitted.

  As described above, when the search unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 searches for a corresponding component from the storage unit 101 of its own apparatus and subsequently issues a search request to the component server 2, the image forming apparatus 1 The search result response is received from and the search result is displayed in the component search screen.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment acquires, in advance (in advance), component information held by the component server 2 from the component server 2 (S1001 and S1002), and caches and holds the information (S1003). ). The information acquired and cached in advance is information corresponding to the above-described search result, and includes the component name, the outline information of the component, and the link destination information (location information) of the component body and the manual of the component.

  By caching the component information held in the component server 2 in advance, when a component search is performed, the search result cached in the own apparatus can be used.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when a component search request is made, the search unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 searches for a corresponding component from the storage unit 101 of its own apparatus including a cache (S1004). The search result is displayed in the component search screen.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 caches the component information held by the component server 2 in advance, and when the component search request is made, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the cached component information and includes the cache. The corresponding component is searched from the storage unit 101. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the search process (and its load) to the component server 2.

  As described above, the cache location is the storage unit 101 of the own device, but more specifically, the cache location can be cached in the RAM 13b or the HDD 17 described above. Further, when the component held by the component server 2 is updated (irregular), the component server 2 can also notify the image forming apparatus 1 of the update (S1007). In other words, the component server 2 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of updated component information (including addition, deletion, and change) at the update timing.

  The image forming apparatus 1 acquires the updated component information from the component server 2 (S1006 and S1007), and caches and holds it again (S1008). The information to be cached again includes the updated component name, the outline information of the component, and the link destination information (location information) of the component body and the manual of the component.

  In this way, the latest cache information can be held even when the component held in the component server 2 is updated.

[Summary]
As described above, when the function used by the user is not found in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 accesses the component server 2 via the network, and the component (program (program) in the component server 2). ) A search request is made for the information, and the search result is displayed to the user. The user can search for the desired function from the component server 2 even when the desired function is not in the local apparatus. From the user's point of view, the search result is displayed on the same display screen regardless of whether the component is in the main body (in its own device) or in the component server 2. Therefore, the user can browse the manual information of the component or make a use request of the component by the same operation from the same display screen without paying special attention to the storage location of the component.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment acquires components and manual information from the apparatus itself or the component server 2 according to the storage location of the components. Also, components are installed from the component server 2. Therefore, as described above, the user searches for a desired function by the same operation from the same display screen without paying special attention to the storage location of the component, and further browses the manual information of the component, or requests to use the component. It can be performed. That is, it is possible to conveniently search for a desired function including inside and outside the device by using the component search function, and it is possible to browse or actually use a manual of the desired function.

  That is, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, a function search method, and a program that can freely search for and use a desired function regardless of whether inside or outside the device.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Component server 11 Operation panel 11a Input apparatus 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a drive device 12b recording medium, migration kid media 13 controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Memory | storage part 102 Operation part 103 Display part 104 Search part 105 Acquisition part 106 Installation part 201 Storage part

JP 2001-31462 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that is connected to a server that holds components that realize various functions via a network and that can add components,
Storage means for storing components of the device itself;
Search means for searching for a search target search component from the storage means and the server;
Display means for displaying a search result of the search component;
The search means further searches the search component from the server when the search component cannot be searched from the storage means,
The display means displays a search result including location information of the search component and detailed information of the search component when the search component is searched from the server;
An information processing apparatus characterized by the above. First acquisition means for acquiring the detailed information from the server based on the location information;
The display means further displays the acquired detailed information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Second acquisition means for acquiring the search component from the server based on the location information;
Installation means for installing the obtained search component so that it can be used on its own device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the search component is searched from the server, the storage means caches the search result;
The search means searches for a search target search component from the storage means and the server in which the search results are cached;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Third acquisition means for acquiring component information including location information of the component held by the server and detailed information of the component from the server;
Have
The storage means caches the component information;
The search means searches for a search target search component from the storage means and the server in which the component information is cached;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When receiving an update notification indicating that the component information has been updated from the server, the third acquisition means acquires the updated component information from the server;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. A function search method in an information processing apparatus that is connected to a server that holds components that realize various functions via a network and can add components,
A storage procedure for storing the components of the own device in the storage means;
A search procedure for searching for a search target search component from the storage means and the server;
A display procedure for displaying a search result of the search component;
In the search procedure, when the search component cannot be searched from the storage means, the search component is further searched from the server,
When the search component is searched from the server, the display procedure displays a search result including location information of the search component and detailed information of the search component;
A function search method characterized by   The program for making a computer perform the function search method of Claim 7.

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