JP2015049862A - Information processing device, system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install application software in a client device that corresponds to attributes of the client device, on establishing connection between the client device and a printer.SOLUTION: A print server 10 comprises: a request reception unit 11 which receives a printer connection request from a client device; an acquisition unit 12 which acquires attribute information from the client device; a generation unit 14 which determines configuration of an application according to the acquired attribute information and generates an application installer for installing the application having the determined configuration in the client device; and a request response unit 15 which transmits to the client device the generated application installer and a file and configuration information of a printer driver corresponding to a printer specified in the printer connection request, as a response to the printer connection request.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, system, method, and program for distributing application software that supports printing to client apparatuses.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which predetermined application software is distributed to a client device, so that various printing support can be performed when a client device accesses a printer and executes print processing. A technique for installing such application software on a client device in conjunction with installation of a printer driver is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 describes that when a client device accesses a printer via a server, the server transmits a utility installer to the client device following transmission of the client installer. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, utility software (application software that supports printing) compatible with a printer connected to a server can be surely installed in a client device.

  However, the print support function useful in the client apparatus often differs depending on the attributes of the client apparatus, such as the business contents of the user who uses the client apparatus. That is, even the same print support function may or may not be necessary depending on the attributes of the client device. In some cases, the network administrator may want to set certain restrictions on the print support function provided to the client device. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, utility software suitable for a printer is uniformly installed in a client device regardless of the attributes of the client device, and thus cannot satisfy the above request.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is an information processing apparatus, system, and method capable of causing a client device to install application software adapted to the attributes of the client device in conjunction with establishment of a connection to a printer And to provide a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus connected to a client apparatus via a network, the printer connected from the client apparatus to the information processing apparatus A request receiving unit that receives a connection request to the client, an acquisition unit that acquires attribute information of the client device from the client device, and a configuration of application software that supports printing by the printer according to the acquired attribute information And a generating unit that generates first information for causing the client device to install the application software having the determined configuration, and the generated first information together with second information for establishing a connection to the printer, A request to be sent to the client device as a response to the connection request It includes a response unit.

  According to the present invention, in conjunction with establishment of a connection to a printer, there is an effect that application software suitable for the attributes of the client device can be installed in the client device.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first table. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third table. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow definition file. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the client device. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an outline of information processing performed in cooperation between the client device and the print server. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the client apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print server. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server when an application update occurs. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server when a common application is associated with a plurality of printers. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer list. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the client apparatus when a printer deletion event occurs.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a system, a method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system according to the present embodiment. The network system shown in FIG. 1 includes a print server 10 serving as an information processing apparatus, a plurality of client apparatuses 20A and 20B (hereinafter collectively referred to as “client apparatus 20”), and a plurality of printers 30A and 30B (hereinafter referred to as “client apparatus 20”). Collectively referred to as “printer 30”). The print server 10 and the plurality of client devices 20 are connected to the network 40 and can communicate with each other via the network 40. The plurality of printers 30 are connected to the print server 10 directly or through the network 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the printer 30 </ b> A is directly connected to the print server 10, and the printer 30 </ b> B is connected to the print server 10 through the network 40.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example of the configuration of the network system, and is not limited to this. For example, each element connected to the network 40 may be in the same subnet, or may have a configuration in which a network device such as a router or a switch is sandwiched therebetween. Further, the number of client devices 20 and the number of printers 30 included in the network system are arbitrary. In FIG. 1, two client devices 20A and 20B are shown as the client device 20, but three or more client devices 20 may exist. In FIG. 1, two printers 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are illustrated as printers 30 connected to the print server 10, but the number of printers 30 may be one, or may be three or more. . Further, the printer 30 may have only a printing function, or may be a multi-function machine equipped with a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, etc. in addition to the printing function.

  In the network system of the present embodiment, a plurality of client devices 20 can share and use the printer 30 connected to the print server 10. When the client device 20 uses the printer 30, the client device 20 makes a printer connection request to the print server 10 specifying the printer 30 to be connected. In response to a printer connection request from the client device 20, the print server 10 passes information (second information) necessary for establishing a connection to the designated printer 30 to the client device 20. This information is, for example, a printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the designated printer 30. The client device 20 receives (downloads) these pieces of information from the print server 10 to establish a connection to the designated printer 30 and thereafter can use the printer 30 as an output destination of print data.

  In the network system according to the present embodiment, when the client apparatus 20 receives a printer connection request, the print server 10 uses application software (hereinafter referred to as “application”) that is a utility that supports printing by the designated printer 30. (Abbreviated) is distributed to the client device 20. At this time, the print server 10 acquires the attribute information of the client device 20 and determines the configuration of the application that is suitable for the client device 20 based on the attribute information. And the information (1st information) for making the client apparatus 20 install the application of the determined structure is produced | generated. This information is, for example, an application installer that includes components of functions included in the application. The print server 10 passes this application installer to the client device 20 as a response to the printer connection request together with the above-described printer driver file and configuration information. The client device 20 receives (downloads) the application installer from the print server 10 and, for example, receives the application installer as a trigger when receiving a notification indicating that the printer 30 is connected to the client device 20 (printer addition notification). to start. As a result, an application that supports printing by the printer 30 is automatically installed in the client device 20 in conjunction with the establishment of the connection to the printer 30.

  In the network system according to the present embodiment, the above processing is executed between the print server 10 and the client device 20, so that an application that matches the attribute of the client device 20 is linked with the establishment of the connection to the printer 30. The client device 20 can be installed.

  In the network system of this embodiment, the print server 10 and the client device 20 have a hardware configuration as a normal computer system. That is, the print server 10 and the client device 20 are respectively a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, and a CD (Compact Disc). Auxiliary storage devices such as a drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive, and a flash memory, and a bus for connecting them are provided.

  The print server 10 and the client device 20 are each equipped with an operation system, and various application programs operate on the operation system. As an operation system, for example, Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation is known. Windows (registered trademark) supports a function called point and print in which a client automatically downloads a printer driver file and configuration information for establishing a connection to a remote printer on a server. Windows (registered trademark) provides an interface for copying an arbitrary file or receiving an event when performing point-and-print. When the print server 10 and the client device 20 are equipped with Windows (registered trademark) as an operation system, the above-described processing can be easily performed by using these functions. That is, the printer driver file and configuration information are downloaded by point-and-print, the application installer is specified as the file to be copied, and the printer addition notification event is specified as the received event. Can be executed as an operation of the operation system.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of the network system of this embodiment will be described in more detail. In the example shown below, a user name that is identification information of a user who uses the client device 20 is used as the attribute information of the client device 20, but the attribute information of the client device 20 is not limited to this. For example, information indicating the hardware / software configuration of the client device 20 may be used as attribute information, or other information such as information on the installation position of the client device 20 may be used as attribute information.

  First, details of the print server 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print server 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the print server 10 includes a request reception unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a storage unit 13, a generation unit 14, a request response unit 15, and a notification unit 16. These functional components can be realized by causing the print server 10 to execute a predetermined program, for example. Further, some of these components may be configured to be realized by the operation system using the above-described point-and-print function. Moreover, you may comprise so that some of these components may be implement | achieved by dedicated hardwares, such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

  The request receiving unit 11 receives a printer connection request for the printer 30 connected to the print server 10 from the client device 20. For example, the request reception unit 11 displays a printer selection screen including a list of printers 30 connected to the print server 10 on the client device 20 that has accessed the print server 10. A user using the client device 20 refers to the printer selection screen and selects a printer 30 to be used as an output destination of print data from the list of printers 30. In response to this selection operation, the printer connection request specifying the printer 30 that is the target of the connection request is sent from the client device 20 to the print server 10. The request receiving unit 11 receives the printer connection request from the client device 20 to receive the printer connection request.

  When the request reception unit 11 receives a printer connection request from the client device 20, the acquisition unit 12 uses, as attribute information of the client device 20, a user name that is identification information of a user who uses the client device 20, as the client device 20. Get from 20. For example, the acquisition unit 12 makes a user name acquisition request to the client device 20 and receives the user name transmitted from the client device 20 in response to the acquisition request, thereby obtaining the attribute information of the client device 20. Get the user name. In addition, when the client device 20 transmits a printer connection request to the print server 10, a configuration may be adopted in which a user name is added and transmitted. In this case, the acquisition unit 12 acquires the user name as attribute information of the client device 20 by receiving the user name transmitted from the client device 20 together with the printer connection request.

  The storage unit 13 stores various types of information necessary for the generation unit 14 described later to generate an application installer. For example, the storage unit 13 includes a first table T1 in which a user name is associated with a user's business and use permission information, a second table T2 in which a business is associated with a print support function suitable for the business, A third table T3 that associates the business with the flow definition that matches the business is stored.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first table T1 stored in the storage unit 13. The user name is identification information that uniquely identifies a user who uses the client device 20 connected to the network 40. The business is information indicating the content of the business that the user performs on a daily basis. The usage permission information is information indicating whether or not the user is permitted to use the application. In the example of FIG. 3, the business of the user whose user name is “User1” is “general”, and it is indicated that the use of the application is permitted for this user. The information in the first table T1 is registered by an administrator who manages the network system, and is updated by the administrator when a change occurs. Note that when there is no restriction on the use of the application, the first table T1 is information in which the user name is associated with the business, and usage permission information is not included.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second table T2 stored in the storage unit 13. The function is a function related to printing that can be included in the application, and there are a plurality of items. For each item, “use” / “do not use” is described in association with the work. The function of the item described as “use” indicates that the function is suitable for the business, and the function of the item described as “not used” indicates that the function is not suitable for the business. Yes. In the example of FIG. 4, “function A”, “function B”,... Are suitable for “general” work, and “function C”,... Are suitable for “accounting” work. It is shown that it is a business to do.

  As a specific example, for example, it is assumed that “function A” is a print preview display function. In the case of “general” business, the user often desires to confirm the final print-out state with the print preview, and the print preview display function is a useful function for the user of the “general” business. On the other hand, in the case of “accounting” work, a numeric value is often input into a standard form and printed out, and the display function of the print preview is a function rarely used by the user of “accounting” work. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4, “function A” is a function that conforms to the “general” business and does not conform to the “accounting” business.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that “function C” is an automatic setting function for paper to be printed out. In the case of “accounting” work, as described above, there are many printouts such as standard forms, and the automatic paper setting function is a useful function for users of “accounting” work. On the other hand, in the case of “general” work, the print target varies, and the user often selects the optimum paper according to the print target. Is a rarely used function. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 4, “function C” is a function that conforms to “accounting” business and does not conform to “general” business.

  As described above, the functions related to printing may or may not be necessary depending on the user's business. By defining the function suitable for the business in the second table T2, it is possible to specify the function suitable for each business among the functions that can be included in the application. The information in the second table T2 is registered by an administrator who manages the network system in the same manner as the first table T1, and is updated by the administrator when a change occurs. For example, when a new function is added by application update (version upgrade), an item of a new function is added to the second table T2 by registration of the administrator.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third table T3 stored in the storage unit 13. The flow definition is information indicating an operation condition of each function included in the application. The flow definition is predetermined for each business and is stored as a flow definition file in the storage unit 13 or in a storage area of another storage device. In the third table T3, a task and information for specifying a flow definition suitable for the task are described in association with each other. In the example of FIG. 5, the flow definition suitable for the “general” business is “flow definition A”, the flow definition suitable for the “accounting” business is “flow definition B”, and the flow suitable for the “sales” business. The definition is “flow definition C”.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow definition file. The flow definition file shown in FIG. 6 describes a condition (Condition) and a function operation (Action) according to the condition in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. Each function included in the application operates according to this flow definition file.

  In addition to the first table T1, the second table T2, and the third table T3 described above, the storage unit 13 includes, for example, components (program parts) for each function that can be included in the application, the above flow definition file, and the like. May be stored. Further, the storage unit 13 may store a printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer 30 connected to the print server 10.

  The generation unit 14 determines the configuration of the application suitable for the client device 20 according to the user name acquired as attribute information from the client device 20 by the acquisition unit 12. Then, the generation unit 14 generates an application installer for causing the client device 20 to install the application having the determined configuration. As described above, the application includes a function related to printing and a flow definition indicating an operation condition of the function. The generation unit 14 determines an application function and a flow definition suitable for the client device 20 based on the user name acquired from the client device 20 and installs the application in the client device 20. Is generated.

  For example, the generation unit 14 first collates the user name acquired from the client device 20 with the first table T1 stored in the storage unit 13, and specifies the business of the user who uses the client device 20. At this time, when the usage permission information is included in the first table T1, the generation unit 14 indicates that the usage permission information associated with the user name acquired from the client device 20 indicates the usage permission of the application. It is confirmed whether it is a thing or a use refusal. If the usage permission information associated with the user name indicates permission to use the application, the process of generating the application installer is continued, and if the usage permission information indicates usage refusal, the application installer The process of generating is terminated. That is, when the use of the application is not permitted for the user who uses the client device 20, the generation unit 14 does not generate the application installer.

  Next, the generation unit 14 collates the identified work with the second table T2 and the third table T3 stored in the storage unit 13 to identify a function that suits the user's work and suits the user's work. Specify the flow definition. Thereby, the configuration of the application suitable for the client device 20 is determined. Then, the generation unit 14 acquires a component corresponding to the specified function and a flow definition file corresponding to the specified flow definition from the storage unit 13 or the like, and causes the client device 20 to install an application suitable for the client device 20. Generate an app installer for

  The request response unit 15 transmits the application installer generated by the generation unit 14 to the client device 20 as a response to the printer connection request together with the file and configuration information of the printer driver corresponding to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request. To do. For example, when the generation process of the application installer by the generation unit 14 is completed, the request response unit 15 acquires the application installer from the generation unit 14, and stores the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer 30 from the storage unit 13 and the like. The information is acquired and transmitted to the client device 20.

  In response to the response to the printer connection request from the request response unit 15, the notification unit 16 uses a notification (printer addition notification) indicating that the designated printer 30 is connected to the client device 20 as an event. Send to.

  Next, details of the client device 20 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the client device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the client device 20 includes a request unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a reception unit 23, and a processing unit 24. These functional components can be realized, for example, by causing the client device 20 to execute a predetermined program. Further, some of these components may be configured to be realized by the operation system using the above-described point-and-print function. Moreover, you may comprise so that some of these components may be implement | achieved by dedicated hardwares, such as ASIC and FPGA.

  The request unit 21 makes a printer connection request to the printer 30 connected to the print server 10 in accordance with the operation of the user who uses the client device 20. For example, the request unit 21 connects the selected printer 30 when the user performs an operation of selecting the printer 30 that the user desires to use as an output destination of print data in a state where the above-described printer selection screen is displayed on the client device 20. The printer connection request designated as the request target is transmitted to the print server 10. The request unit 21 is a function that operates corresponding to the request reception unit 11 of the print server 10 described above.

  When the request unit 21 makes a printer connection request to the print server 10, the transmission unit 22 uses a user name, which is identification information of a user who uses the client device 20, as attribute information of the client device 20. 10 to send. For example, the transmission unit 22 transmits the user name to the print server 10 in response to an attribute information acquisition request from the print server 10. The transmission unit 22 may transmit the user name to the print server 10 in the form of adding the user name to the printer connection request issued by the request unit 21. The transmission unit 22 is a function that operates corresponding to the acquisition unit 12 of the print server 10 described above.

  As a response to the printer connection request, the receiving unit 23 receives (downloads) the application installer transmitted from the print server 10 and the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer designated as the target of the printer connection request. The receiving unit 23 receives a printer addition notification transmitted as an event from the print server 10 in conjunction with a response to the printer connection request. The receiving unit 22 is a function that operates corresponding to the request response unit 15 and the notification unit 16 of the print server 10 described above.

  In the client device 20, the connection to the designated printer 30 is established by downloading the printer driver file and configuration information from the print server 10. As a result, a user who uses the client device 20 can use the printer 30 as an output destination of print data.

  The processing unit 24 activates an application installer downloaded from the print server 10 and performs an application installation process suitable for the client device 20. For example, the processing unit 24 activates an application installer triggered by the reception unit 23 receiving a printer addition notification transmitted as an event from the print server 10, and starts an application installation process. As a result, in conjunction with the establishment of the connection to the printer 30, an application suitable for the client device 20 is automatically installed.

  Next, the operation of the network system of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an outline of information processing performed in cooperation between the client device 20 and the print server 10 in the network system according to the present embodiment.

  First, in response to a user operation using the client device 20, a printer connection request designating the printer 30 is sent from the client device 20 to the print server 10 (step S1). When the print server 10 receives the printer connection request from the client device 20, the print server 10 acquires the user name, which is identification information of the user who uses the client device 20, from the client device 20 (step S2).

  Thereafter, the print server 10 determines an application configuration that matches the client device 20 based on the user name acquired from the client device 20, and generates an application installer for causing the client device 20 to install the application having the determined configuration. (Step S3). Then, the print server 10 transmits the generated application installer to the client device 20 as a response to the printer connection request together with the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request (step). S4).

  Thereafter, the print server 10 transmits a notification (printer addition notification) indicating that the printer 30 is connected to the client device 20 to the client device 20 as an event (step S5). After receiving (downloading) the printer driver file and configuration information and the application installer sent from the print server 10, the client device 20 receives the printer addition notification event and activates the application installer to install the application. (Step S6).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the client apparatus 20 that realizes the above operation.

  In the client device 20, the request unit 21 first makes a printer connection request specifying the printer 30 in accordance with a user operation (step S101). Next, the transmission unit 22 transmits a user name, which is user identification information, to the print server 10 as attribute information of the client device 20 (step S102).

  Thereafter, when the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the designated printer 30 and the application installer are sent from the print server 10, the receiving unit 23 receives (downloads) them (step S103). The client device 20 establishes a connection with the printer 30 by downloading the printer driver file and configuration information, and thereafter, the printer 30 can be used as an output destination of print data.

  Further, when a printer addition notification is sent as an event from the print server 10, the receiving unit 23 receives this printer addition notification event (step S104). Then, triggered by the reception unit 23 receiving the printer addition notification event, the processing unit 24 activates the application installer downloaded from the print server 10. Thereby, the application suitable for the client device 20 is installed in the client device 20 (step S105).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the print server 10 for realizing the above operation.

  In the print server 10, first, the request receiving unit 11 receives a printer connection request from the client device 20 (step S201). Next, the acquisition unit 12 acquires a user name from the client device 20 (step S202).

  Next, the generation unit 14 collates the user name acquired from the client device 20 with the first table T1 stored in the storage unit 13, and specifies the work of the user who uses the client device 20 (step S203). Then, the generation unit 14 collates the identified user's business with the second table T2 and the third table T3 stored in the storage unit 13, and an application configuration that matches the user's business, that is, functions and flows included in the application. The definition is determined (step S204). Then, the generation unit 14 generates an application installer for causing the client device 20 to install the application having the determined configuration (step S205).

  Next, the request response unit 15 sends the application installer generated by the generation unit 14 as a response to the connection request together with the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer 30 specified as the connection request target. 20 (step S206). Thereafter, the notification unit 16 transmits a printer addition notification as an event to the client device 20 (step S207).

  As described above, the operation until the client device 20 installs the application that is compatible with the client device 20 has been described. Hereinafter, the operation when the application installed on the client device 20 is updated will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server 10 when an application update (version upgrade) occurs.

  When an app update occurs, the print server 10 first reflects the app update in the app management information (step S301). The application management information is information for managing all applications handled by the print server 10. The second table T2 and the third table T3 stored in the storage unit 13 are part of the application management information. For example, when a new function is added as a function that can be included in the application by updating the application, the print server 10 determines “use / do not use” of the function for each job, This is reflected in the table T2. Also, the flow definition file associated with the business using the added function is updated and reflected in the third table T3.

  Next, the print server 10 waits for an access from the client device 20 (step S302: No), and when there is an access from the client device 20 (step S302: Yes), acquires the application identification information from the client device 20 (step S302). S303). The application identification information is information for identifying an application already installed in the client device 20 and includes information indicating the version of the application. It is assumed that the client device 20 is configured to access the print server 10 at a predetermined timing such as at startup.

  Next, the print server 10 (acquisition unit 12) acquires a user name from the client device 20 (step S304). Then, the print server 10 (generation unit 14) collates the user name acquired from the client device 20 with the first table T1 stored in the storage unit 13, and specifies the work of the user who uses the client device 20 (step). S305). Then, the print server 10 (the generation unit 14) collates the identified user job with the second table T2 stored in the storage unit 13 (the second table T2 in which the update of the application is reflected in Step S301), and the client It is determined whether or not an application already installed in the device 20 needs to be updated (step S306).

  For example, the print server 10 determines whether the updated application is an application already installed in the client apparatus 20 based on the application identification information acquired from the client apparatus 20. When the updated application is an application already installed in the client device 20, the function added by updating the application with reference to the second table T2 is a business that matches the user's business. It is determined whether or not. As a result, if the function added by updating the application is a business that matches the user's business, it is determined that the application already installed in the client device 20 needs to be updated.

  If the print server 10 (generation unit 14) determines that it is not necessary to update the application already installed in the client device 20 as a result of the determination in step S306 (step S306: No), the application update process is performed. finish. On the other hand, if it is determined that an application already installed in the client device 20 needs to be updated (step S306: Yes), the print server 10 (generation unit 14) installs the updated application in the client device 20. An update installer for generating the update installer is generated (step S307), and the generated update installer is transmitted to the client device 20 (step S308). Thereafter, the print server 10 (notification unit 16) transmits an update notification as an event to the client device 20 (step S309).

  In the client device 20, after receiving (downloading) the update installer transmitted from the print server 10, the update installer downloaded from the print server 10 is activated by receiving an update notification event from the print server 10 as a trigger. As a result, the application already installed in the client device 20 is updated in a manner that matches the client device 20.

  The application installed on the client device 20 is uninstalled by using a printer deletion event generated by the client device 20 as a trigger when the connection to the printer 30 corresponding to the application is released (printer deletion). .

  In the above description, one application is associated with one printer 30 connected to the print server 10, but it is common to a plurality of printers 30 connected to the print server 10. An application may be associated. Hereinafter, an operation when a common application is associated with a plurality of printers 30 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print server 10 when a common application is associated with a plurality of printers 30. Note that the processing procedure of the client device 20 is the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 9 except that the application identification information is sent to the print server 10, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  First, when the request reception unit 11 receives a printer connection request from the client device 20 (step S401), the print server 10 acquires application identification information from the client device 20 (step S402). The print server 10 corresponds to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request based on the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request and the application identification information acquired from the client device 20. It is determined whether the application is already installed on the client device 20 (step S403).

  If the print server 10 determines that the application corresponding to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request is not installed in the client device 20 as a result of the determination in step S403 (step S403: No), FIG. The processing is executed in the same procedure as in Steps S202 to S207 of Step 10 (Steps S404 to S409). On the other hand, when it is determined that the application corresponding to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request is already installed in the client device 20 (step S403: Yes), the acquisition unit 12 acquires the user name, The generation unit 14 does not generate the application installer, and the request response unit 15 transmits only the printer driver file and configuration information to the client device 20 as a response to the printer connection request (step S410).

  As described above, when a common application is associated with a plurality of printers 30, which of the plurality of printers 30 is connected to the client apparatus 20 with respect to an application installed in the client apparatus 20. It is desirable to have a function to manage FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application installed in the client device 20. The application 50 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an event reception unit 51 and a printer management unit 52 in addition to the functions and flow definitions described above.

  The event reception unit 51 receives a printer addition notification event transmitted from the print server 10 and received by the reception unit 23 of the client device 20 or a printer deletion event that occurs inside the client device 20. To pass. The event received by the event receiving unit 51 is an event related to addition or deletion of the printer 30 corresponding to the application including the event receiving unit 51.

  The printer management unit 52 manages which printer 30 is connected to the client device 20 among a plurality of printers 30 corresponding to the application including the event reception unit 51 using the printer list PL. The printer list PL is a list of printers 30 connected to the client device 20 among the plurality of printers 30 corresponding to the application. For example, the printer list PL is stored in a storage device included in the client device 20.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the printer list PL. In the printer list PL shown in FIG. 14, the printer name of the printer 30 to which the client apparatus 20 has established a connection is described as a list together with the print server name of the print server 10 that mediates the connection. Each entry in the list is given a unique ID. By specifying this ID, information can be stored in or deleted from the corresponding entry. Upon receiving the printer addition event from the event receiving unit 51, the printer management unit 52 registers the printer addition by designating the ID of an unfilled entry in the printer list PL and writing the printer name and print server name. . When the printer management unit 52 receives a printer deletion event from the event reception unit 51, the printer management unit 52 deletes the information by designating the ID of the entry in which the printer name of the printer 30 to be deleted is described, thereby deleting the printer. Register.

  Such an application including the printer management unit 52 is uninstalled when the connection to all the printers 30 managed in the printer list PL is released and all the printers 30 registered in the printer list PL are deleted. Is done.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the client apparatus 20 when a printer deletion event occurs. When a printer deletion event occurs, the client device 20 first deletes the printer driver file and configuration information corresponding to the printer 30 to be deleted (step S501). Next, the printer management unit 52 receives a printer deletion event from the event reception unit 51, and deletes information related to the deletion target printer 30 among the printers 30 registered in the printer list PL (step S502).

  Thereafter, the client device 20 determines whether the printer 30 remains in the printer list PL (step S503). If the printer 30 remains in the printer list PL (step S503: Yes), the process ends. On the other hand, if the printer 30 does not remain in the printer list PL (step S503: No), the client device 20 uninstalls the application (step S504).

  As described above in detail with specific examples, in the network system of the present embodiment, when the print server 10 receives a printer connection request from the client device 20, the attribute information of the client device 20 is acquired. Thus, the configuration of the application to be installed in the client device 20 is determined according to the acquired attribute information. Then, the print server 10 generates an application installer for causing the client device 20 to install the application having the determined configuration, and uses the generated application installer for the printer driver corresponding to the printer 30 designated as the target of the printer connection request. Along with the file and configuration information, it is sent to the client device 20 as a response to the printer connection request. Therefore, according to the network system of the present embodiment, in conjunction with the establishment of the connection to the printer 30, an application that matches the attribute of the client device 20 can be installed in the client device 20.

  In the network system of the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the print server 10 and the client device 20 is, for example, an installable format or executable format file such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD. -It is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

  The program executed by the print server 10 or the client device 20 may be stored on another computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the print server 10 or the client device 20 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, a program executed by the print server 10 or the client device 20 may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The program executed by the print server 10 has a module configuration including the above-described units (request reception unit 11, acquisition unit 12, generation unit 14, request response unit 15, and notification unit 16). The CPU (processor) reads out and executes the device management program from the recording medium, so that the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  The program executed by the client device 20 has a module configuration including the above-described units (request unit 21, transmission unit 22, reception unit 23, and processing unit 24). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor ) Reads out the device management program from the recording medium and executes it, so that the respective units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied with various modifications and changes in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the print server 10 generates an application installer including components of functions included in the application as information for installing the application on the client apparatus 20, and transmits the application installer to the client apparatus 20. Yes. However, the print server 10 includes an installer (for example, Web) that includes information for acquiring the component of the function included in the application from another device (external device) on the network 40 that holds the component of the function included in the application. An installer) may be generated and transmitted to the client device 20.

  In this case, the client device 20 activates the installer received from the print server 10 to access the external device, acquires the functional component included in the application from the external device, and installs the application. Therefore, the print server 10 does not need to acquire in advance and hold all functional components that may be included in the application. In addition, it is not necessary to acquire and hold a component of a function to be added every time an app update occurs. For this reason, application management in the print server 10 can be simplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print server 11 Request reception part 12 Acquisition part 13 Storage part 14 Generation part 15 Request response part 16 Notification part 20 (20A, 20B) Client apparatus 21 Request part 22 Transmission part 23 Reception part 24 Processing part 30 (30A, 30B) Printer

Japanese Patent No. 498229

Claims (12)

An information processing device connected to a client device via a network,
A request accepting unit that accepts a connection request for a printer connected to the information processing device from the client device;
An acquisition unit for acquiring attribute information of the client device from the client device;
A generating unit that determines a configuration of application software that supports printing by the printer according to the acquired attribute information, and generates first information for causing the client device to install the application software having the determined configuration;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a request response unit that transmits the generated first information to the client apparatus as a response to the connection request together with second information for establishing a connection to the printer. The application software includes a function related to printing, and a flow definition indicating an operation condition of the function,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit determines the function and the flow definition included in the application software according to the acquired attribute information. The attribute information is identification information of a user who uses the client device,
A first table associating the identification information with the user's business; a second table associating the business with the function suitable for the business; and the flow definition suitable for the business and the business; A storage unit that stores a third table that associates
The generation unit collates the acquired identification information with the first table to identify the user's job, collates the identified job with the second table and the third table, and stores the identified job in the application software. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the function to be included and the flow definition are determined. The first table further associates use permission information indicating whether or not to permit use of the application software with the identification information,
The generation unit generates the first information when use permission information corresponding to the acquired identification information permits use of the application software,
When the use permission information corresponding to the acquired identification information does not permit the use of the application software, the request response unit sends only the second information to the client device as a response to the connection request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, which transmits the information processing apparatus. A notification unit that transmits to the client device a notification indicating that the printer is connected to the client device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application software is installed in the client apparatus triggered by the client apparatus receiving the notification. The first information is an installer including a component of the function included in the application software,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application software is installed in the client apparatus by starting the installer. The first information is an installer including information for acquiring the component from an external device on the network that holds the component of the function included in the application software;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application software is acquired from the external apparatus and installed in the client apparatus by activation of the installer. The application software corresponds to a plurality of the printers connected to the information processing apparatus,
The generation unit generates the first information when the application software corresponding to the printer that is the target of the connection request is not installed in the client device,
When the application software corresponding to the printer that is the target of the connection request has already been installed in the client device, the request response unit receives only the second information as a response to the connection request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits to the client apparatus.   The application software has a function of managing the printer to which the client device has established a connection among the plurality of printers supported by the application software, and all the printers to be managed are deleted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus is uninstalled from the client apparatus. A system in which an information processing device and a client device are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A request accepting unit that accepts a connection request for a printer connected to the information processing device from the client device;
An acquisition unit for acquiring attribute information of the client device from the client device;
A generating unit that determines a configuration of application software that supports printing by the printer according to the acquired attribute information, and generates first information for causing the client device to install the application software having the determined configuration;
A request response unit that transmits the generated first information together with second information for establishing a connection to the printer to the client device as a response to the connection request;
The client device is
A request unit that makes the connection request to the information processing apparatus;
A transmission unit that transmits the attribute information to the information processing apparatus;
A receiving unit for receiving the first information and the second information from the information processing apparatus;
A processing unit that performs an installation process of the application software based on the first information. A method executed in an information processing apparatus connected to a client apparatus via a network,
The information processing apparatus accepting a connection request for a printer connected to the information processing apparatus from the client apparatus;
The information processing device acquiring attribute information of the client device from the client device;
The information processing apparatus determines a configuration of application software that supports printing by the printer in accordance with the acquired attribute information, and first information for causing the client apparatus to install the application software having the determined configuration Generating step;
The information processing apparatus transmitting the generated first information together with second information for establishing a connection to the printer to the client apparatus as a response to the connection request. To a computer connected to a client device via a network,
A function of accepting a connection request for a printer connected to the computer from the client device;
A function of acquiring attribute information of the client device from the client device;
A function of determining a configuration of application software that supports printing by the printer according to the acquired attribute information, and generating first information for causing the client device to install the application software having the determined configuration;
A program for realizing the function of transmitting the generated first information to the client device as a response to the connection request together with second information for establishing a connection to the printer.

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