JP2015121919A - Information processing system, information processing device, server device, control method of information processing device, control method of server device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the utilization of an application in a limited period even when connection to a license server fails on the day of application installation work.SOLUTION: An information processing device communicable with a first server device and a second server device requests from the first server device an encrypted application associated with a temporary application and a normal license file of the application on the basis of license information included in a temporary license file in the case of determining that the temporary license file is installed in a storage device. The application and the normal license file of the application are acquired from the first server device, and the application encrypted by using the acquired license file is decrypted and installed to the temporary application installed in the storage device so as to be overwritten thereon.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, a server device, a control method for the information processing device, a control method for the server device, and a program.

  Conventionally, there is a license management method that requires a license to use an application for preventing unauthorized use. The license is issued by issuing a license issuance request to a license server on the Internet when installing an application. In many cases, the license server is operated as one server all over the world in order to centrally manage licenses. Therefore, if access to the license server becomes impossible due to the impact of the earthquake, the license cannot be issued when you want to issue a license even in an area that is not affected by the earthquake, so you lose business opportunities. There is a problem of end.

  In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 issues a temporary license from a license server in advance to the local environment. Further, it is described that an application is used with a temporary license in the local environment when the license server cannot be accessed at the specified license issuance date.

JP 2011-170435 A

  However, when an image forming apparatus is installed at a customer site, a service person often performs application installation work at the customer site on the same day. However, Patent Document 1 considers a case where work can be performed only on the current day. Absent. Moreover, it is not considered about putting a regular license after putting a temporary license. For this reason, when a connection to the license server becomes possible, the service person is reactivated to install the regular license, and there are cases where efficient installation work cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows an application to be used for a limited time even when it cannot be connected to the license server on the day of application installation work. It is.

An information processing system of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
An information processing apparatus communicates with a first server apparatus that manages an application to be installed in the information processing apparatus, and a second server apparatus that manages a temporary application corresponding to the application to be installed in the information processing apparatus. In the information processing system, the first server device issues an application to be installed in accordance with a request from the information processing device and a regular license file corresponding to the application to the information processing device. Issuing means; and a second issuing means for issuing a temporary application and a temporary license file associated with the application to be installed to the information processing apparatus according to a request from the information processing apparatus. The information processing device is First installation means for installing a temporary application in a storage device using a temporary license file acquired from the server device, and first for determining whether the license file installed in the storage device is a temporary license file When the determination unit and the first determination unit determine that the temporary license file is installed, the first server device corresponds to the temporary application based on the license information included in the temporary license file. Requesting means for requesting the encrypted application and the authorized license file of the application, obtaining means for obtaining the application and the authorized license file of the application from the first server device, and the obtaining means And a second installation unit that decrypts the encrypted application using the acquired license file and installs the temporary application installed in the storage device so as to be overwritten. .

  According to the present invention, an application can be used for a limited time even when connection to the license server fails on the day of application installation work.

It is a figure which shows an example of an information processing system. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware constitutions of an information processing system. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the module in an information processing system. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the module in an information processing system. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the module in an information processing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the various tables hold | maintained at the hard disk of a license server. It is a figure which shows the example of the table hold | maintained with the hard disk of the emergency license server. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table held on a hard disk of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen provided by the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which an emergency license server provides. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an application file and a license file. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a response | compatibility with the software of an information processing system, and an information holding means. It is a figure which shows the example of the table hold | maintained with the hard disk of a license server. It is a figure which shows the example of the table hold | maintained with the hard disk of the emergency license server. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which the license server 101 provides. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a server apparatus.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. This example is a network configuration example related to the selection of a signature key used for authentication of electronic data and the guarantee of a device to which the electronic signature is given. More specifically, the information processing apparatus, a first server apparatus that manages an application to be installed in the information processing apparatus, and a second server that manages a temporary application corresponding to the application to be installed in the information processing apparatus This is an example of an information processing system that communicates with an apparatus. In this example, the image forming apparatus is taken as an example of the information processing apparatus, but other printing apparatuses, composite image processing apparatuses, document reading apparatuses, data communication apparatuses (including facsimile apparatuses), and the like may be used. .

  In FIG. 1, a license server 101, a customer network 110, and a sales company network 120 are connected via the Internet 102. The customer network 110 is a network environment used by a customer who has purchased the image forming apparatus 112, and the sales company network 120 is a network environment used by a sales company that sells the image forming apparatus 112. In the customer network 110, the information processing apparatus 111 and the image forming apparatus 112 are connected by a LAN 113 and can be connected to the Internet 102 via the LAN 113. Note that the licensor server 101 functions as a first server device, and a process of issuing an application that is encrypted and signed with a first secret key to be installed in accordance with a request from the image forming device 112 to the image forming device 112 will be described later. To run.

  In the sales company network 120, the information processing apparatus 121 and the emergency license server 122 are connected via a LAN 123, and can be connected to the Internet 102 via the LAN 123.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 112 and the information processing apparatuses 111 and 121 are connected one by one, but any number may be used. The emergency license server 122 exists as an independent server, but the information processing apparatus 121 may also function as the emergency license server 122.
Here, the meaning of terms in the present system will be described. In the present embodiment, an application is a program file in an executable format that is embedded in the image forming apparatus 112. As shown in FIG. 9A, an actual application file is executed as an executable application file 901. Call it. The executable application file 901 can be expanded in the functions provided by the image forming apparatus 112 by being incorporated in the image forming apparatus 112.

The executable application file 901 is encrypted with a digital signature and a common key method by registering it in the license server 101 described later in order to prevent unauthorized use.
The executable application file 901 that has been digitally signed and encrypted is hereinafter referred to as an encrypted application file 911. When the executable application file 901 is incorporated into the image forming apparatus 112 using an encryption application, the common key used at the time of the encryption process is required. The common key is hereinafter referred to as an application common key.
Here, the application common key is held in the license server 101 shown in FIG. 1 when the application is encrypted. The license file issued from the license server 101 holds an application common key.
The image forming apparatus 112 acquires the application common key from the license file by receiving the encrypted application file 911 and the license file. Then, the image forming apparatus 112 can expand the functions provided by the image forming apparatus 112 by decrypting the encrypted application file 911 using the acquired application common key to acquire and incorporate the executable application file 901.

  A product is information registered in the license server 101 in units of selling applications. The product is registered in the license server 101 by the sales company. The license number is a number issued to a customer who has purchased a product. The license number is a value that can be uniquely identified, and is issued from the license server 101 by a sales company.

  The device identifier shown in FIG. 9 is a value that uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus 112. The device identifier is stored in the non-volatile memory 209 of the image forming apparatus 112, and can be confirmed by the customer from the display unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 112. The license file in FIG. 9 is a file necessary for installing the encrypted application file 911 in the image forming apparatus 112.

The license file includes a regular license file 921 issued from the license server 101 and a temporary license file 931 issued from the emergency license server 122. The regular license file 921 can be issued when a customer issues a regular license file issuance request, which will be described later, to the license server 101. The temporary license file 931 can be issued by contacting the sales company when the customer cannot connect to the license server 101, and the sales company issues a temporary license file issue request to the emergency license server 122.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing system illustrated in FIG. 2A is a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 112 shown in FIG. 1 and includes the following parts 201 to 213.
In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 201 denotes a document feeder, which automatically sends a document to be read to the image reader 202. An image reader (scanner) 202 reads a document. An image forming unit 203 converts and prints the read original and received data into a print image. A paper feeding unit 204 feeds printing paper (sheet) to the image forming unit 203.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a network I / F, which connects to a LAN and the Internet via a network and exchanges information with the outside. Reference numeral 206 denotes a sensor that detects the state of each part of the apparatus. A CPU 207 manages each process on the apparatus.
Reference numeral 208 denotes a hard disk that stores programs and data related to each process of the apparatus. Reference numeral 209 denotes a non-volatile memory, which can hold a memory and can be rewritten without supplying power. A volatile memory 210 is configured to be able to electrically store and rewrite temporary data related to each process of the apparatus.
A display unit 211 displays information related to the operation status of the apparatus and operations on the operation unit 212. An operation unit 212 receives an instruction input to the apparatus. Reference numeral 213 denotes a system bus, which links the parts 201 to 212 to exchange data.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatuses 111 and 121, the license server 101, and the emergency license server 122 illustrated in FIG.
In FIG. 2B, a display unit 221 displays windows, icons, messages, menus, and other user interface information. An operation unit 222 receives input from an end user using a keyboard and a mouse.

  A CPU 223 controls each process on the apparatus. A hard disk 224 stores programs and data related to each process of the apparatus. A volatile memory 225 is configured to be able to electrically store and rewrite temporary data related to each process of the apparatus. A network I / F 226 connects to a LAN and the Internet via a network and exchanges information with the outside. Reference numeral 227 denotes a system bus that links the portions 221 to 226 to exchange data.

3A to 3C are block diagrams illustrating the configuration of modules in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.
3A corresponds to the module configuration of the server apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3B corresponds to the module configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3C illustrates the emergency license server according to the present embodiment. This corresponds to 122 module configurations.
In FIG. 3A, each means of the software configuration 301 is executed by the CPU 223 of the license server 101 loading a program stored in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101 onto the volatile memory 225. The application information holding unit 311 is a unit that holds an application information table 401 described later on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101.
The product information holding unit 312 is a unit for holding a product information table 411 (to be described later) on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101.
The license number information holding unit 313 is a unit that holds a later-described license information table 421 on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The license information holding unit 314 is a unit that holds a later-described license information table 431 on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101.

The application information registration unit 321 is a unit for registering application information in the application information table 401. The application information registration unit 321 is executed by receiving an application registration request including an executable application file from the Network I / F 226 of the license server 101. The application registration request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 121 of the sales company that wants to register the executable application file.
The application information registration unit 321 that has received the application registration request uses the application file encryption unit 327 to convert the executable application file into an encrypted application file. Further, the application information registration unit 321 stores the converted encrypted application file information as a new record in the application information table 401.

  The product information registration unit 322 is a unit for registering product information in the product information table 411. The product information registration unit 322 is executed by receiving a product registration request including a bundle identifier, a product identifier, a product name, and the number of rights from the Network I / F 226 of the license server 101. The product registration request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 121 of the sales company that wants to register the product. The product information registration unit 322 that has received the product registration request stores information included in the product registration information as a new record in the product information table 411.

  The license number issuing unit 323 is a unit for issuing a license number from the license server 101. The license number issuing unit 323 is executed by receiving a license number issuing request including a product identifier from the Network I / F 226 of the license server 101. The license number issuance request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 121 of the sales company that wishes to issue a license number. Upon receiving the license number issue request, the license number issuing means 323 generates a random license number and stores it in the license information table 421 together with the received product identifier.

  The regular license file issuing unit 324 is a unit for issuing a regular license file. The regular license file issuing unit 324 is executed by the regular license file issuing request receiving unit 326. The regular license file issuing unit 324 issues a regular license file 921 including a device identifier, a bundle identifier, and an application common key.

The application file acquisition request receiving unit 325 is a unit for acquiring an encrypted application file registered in the license server 101. The application file acquisition request receiving unit 325 is executed by receiving an application file acquisition request including a license number, a bundle identifier, and a bundle version from the network I / F 226 of the license server 101. The application file acquisition request is issued from the image forming apparatus 112 or the information processing apparatus 121 of the customer who wants to acquire the encrypted application file, the information processing apparatus 121 of the sales company, or the like.
The application file acquisition request receiving unit 325 that has received the application file acquisition request acquires from the application information table 401 a record that matches the bundle identifier and bundle version in the application file acquisition request.
Then, the application file acquisition request receiving unit 325 returns the encrypted application existing in the path of the application path column 407 of the acquired record as a response to the application acquisition request.

The regular license file issuance request receiving unit 326 is a unit for issuing a regular license file by the license server 101. The regular license file issuance request receiving unit 326 is executed by receiving a regular license file issuance request including a license number and a device identifier from the network I / F 226 of the license server 101.
The regular license file issuance request is issued from the image forming apparatus 112 or the information processing apparatus 121 of the customer who wants to issue a regular license file. The regular license file issuance request receiving means 326 that has received the regular license file issuance request acquires the bundle identifier and the application common key from the application information corresponding to the received license number. Next, the regular license file issuance request receiving unit 326 executes the regular license file issuance unit 324 using the acquired bundle identifier, application common key, and device identifier in the regular license file issuance request to issue a regular license file. .

  Next, the regular license file issuance request receiving means 326 stores the received license number, bundle identifier, and information on the issued regular license file as a new record in the license information table 431. Next, the regular license file issuance request receiving means 326 returns the issued regular license file as a response to the regular license file issuance request.

  The application file encryption unit 327 is a unit for making an executable application file into an encrypted application file. The application file encryption unit 327 gives a signature to the received executable application. Next, the application file encryption unit 327 acquires the bundle identifier of the executable application with the signature, and searches the application information table 401 for a record that matches the bundle identifier column 403. If there is a matching record, the value of the application common key column 406 of the record is acquired, and the executable application file to which the signature is added is encrypted with the value. If there is no matching record, a new application common key is generated, and the executable application file to which the signature is applied with the application common key is encrypted.

  In FIG. 3B, each means of the software configuration 302 is executed by the CPU 207 of the image forming apparatus 112 loading a program stored in the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 112 onto the volatile memory 210. . The application holding unit 341 is a unit that holds an application table 601 described later on the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 112.

  The installation screen display unit 351 is a unit for displaying the installation screen 701. The installation screen display means 351 generates an installation screen 701 when an installation screen display request is received from the information processing apparatus 111 and returns it as a response to display it on the display unit 221 of the information processing apparatus 111.

  The offline installation request receiving unit 352 is a unit that receives an offline installation request. The offline installation request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 111 to the image forming apparatus 112 when the offline installation radio button 703 is selected on the installation screen 701 displayed on the information processing apparatus 111 and the installation button 707 is pressed.

The online installation request receiving unit 353 is a unit that receives an online installation request. The online installation request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 111 to the image forming apparatus 112 when the online installation radio button 702 is selected on the installation screen 701 displayed on the information processing apparatus 111 and the installation button 707 is pressed.
The license server connection confirmation unit 354 is a unit for confirming whether or not the license server 101 can be connected.

  The application file acquisition request unit 355 is a unit for issuing an application file acquisition request to the license server 101 via the network I / F 205 of the image forming apparatus 112.

The regular license file issuance request unit 356 is a unit for issuing a regular license file issuance request to the license server 101 via the network I / F 205 of the image forming apparatus 112.

  The installation unit 357 is a unit that decrypts the executable application file using the encrypted application file and the license file to make the executable application file available on the image forming apparatus 112. In order to make an executable application file, the encrypted application file is decrypted using the application common key in the license file. The application management screen display unit 358 is a unit for displaying the application management screen 711.

The transfer license file generation unit 359 is a unit for generating a transfer license file for making the installed encrypted application file available to other image forming apparatuses 112.
The device identifier acquisition unit 360 is a unit that acquires a device identifier stored in the nonvolatile memory 209 of the image forming apparatus 112.

In FIG. 3C, each means of the software configuration 303 is executed by the CPU 223 of the emergency license server 122 loading the program stored in the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122 onto the volatile memory 225. Is done. The application common key information holding unit 371 is a unit that holds an application common key information table 501 described later on the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122.
The temporary license file issuance history holding unit 372 is a unit for holding a temporary license file issuance history table 511 described later on the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122.
The application common key storage unit 381 is a unit for associating and storing the bundle identifier and the application common key as a record of the application common key information table 501.

  The temporary license file issuance screen display unit 382 is a unit for displaying the temporary license file issuance screen 801. The temporary license file issuance screen display means 382 generates the temporary license file issuance screen 801 and returns it as a response when the information processing device 121 makes a provisional license file issuance screen display request. 221 is displayed.

The temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 is a unit that receives a temporary license file issue request via the network I / F 226 of the emergency license server 122. The temporary license file issue request includes an encrypted application file, a device identifier, and a license number.
The temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 acquires the encrypted application file from the received temporary license file issue request, and acquires the bundle identifier from the encrypted application. Next, the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 acquires from the application common key column 503 the application common key of the record having the value in the bundle identifier column 502 that matches the acquired bundle identifier. Next, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 executes the temporary license file issuing unit 384 to issue a temporary license file and return it as a response. When executing the temporary license file issuing means 384, the bundle identifier, device identifier, license number, and application common key are passed.
The temporary license file issuing unit 384 is a unit that issues a temporary license file.
The temporary license file issuing unit 384 issues a temporary license file holding the received bundle identifier, device identifier, license number, and application common key.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of various tables held on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101 shown in FIG.
4A shows an application information table 401. Each record is added in units in which an executable application file is registered in the license server 101 by the application information registration unit 321. FIG.

The application identifier column 402 is a column that stores an application identifier for uniquely identifying application information in the application information table 401. The application identifier is automatically assigned a number when a record is added to the application information table 401.
A bundle identifier column 403 is a column for storing a bundle identifier of an executable application file registered in the license server 101. The bundle version column 404 is a column for storing the bundle version of the executable application file registered in the license server 101. The bundle name column 405 is a column for storing the bundle name of the executable application file registered in the license server 101.

  The application common key column 406 is a column for storing the application common key used when the executable application file registered in the license server 101 is encrypted into the encrypted application file.

The application path column 407 is a column for storing a path storing an encrypted application file obtained by encrypting an executable application file registered in the license server 101.
4B is a product information table 411, and each record is added in units of product registration with respect to application information by the product information registration means 322. FIG.
The product identifier column 412 is a column for storing a product identifier for uniquely identifying product information. The product name column 413 is a column for storing product names. The number-of-rights column 414 stores the number of rights that can use the executable application file. The bundle identifier column 415 is a column for storing a bundle identifier of application information that can be used in product information.

  FIG. 4C shows a license information table 421. Each record is created in units of license numbers issued by the license number issuing means 323. The license number column 422 is a column for storing issued license numbers. The product identifier column 423 stores a product identifier of product information that can be used with a license number.

FIG. 4D shows a license information table 431. Each record is created in units of license numbers when the regular license file is issued by the regular license file issuing means 324. The license number column 432 is a column for storing the license number that is an argument when the regular license file issuing unit 324 is executed.
The device identifier column 433 is a column that stores a device identifier that is an argument when the regular license file issuing unit 324 is executed. The license column 434 is a column for storing a path for specifying an acquisition destination of the regular license file generated by the regular license file issuing unit 324.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table held on the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 501 denotes an application common key table, and each record is registered by the application common key storage unit 382 in bundle identifier units. The bundle identifier column 502 is a column for storing a bundle identifier. The application common key column 503 is a column for storing an application common key.

In FIG. 5B, each record of the temporary license file issue history table 511 is registered in units in which the temporary license file is issued by the temporary license file issuing means 384. The license number column 512 is a column for storing the license number included in the issued temporary license file.
The expiration date column 513 is a column that stores an expiration date that can be used in the issued temporary license file. The device identifier column 514 is a column for storing a device identifier specified when the temporary license file is issued. The bundle identifier column 515 is a column for storing the bundle identifier of the temporary application file designated when the temporary license file is issued.
The bundle version column 516 is a column for storing the bundle version of the temporary application file designated when the temporary license file is issued.
The license column 517 is a column that stores the path of the issued temporary license file. The application common key column 518 is a column for storing the application common key included in the issued temporary license file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table held on the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 112 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, an application table 601 is a table that stores information on executable application files and license files installed in the image forming apparatus 112.
The bundle identifier column 602 is a column for storing the bundle identifier of the installed executable application file. The bundle version column 603 is a column for storing the bundle version of the installed executable application file.

The temporary license column 604 is a column that stores a flag indicating whether the license file used at the time of installation is a temporary license file. “True” is stored when the temporary license file is used for installation, and “false” is stored when the temporary license file is used for installation.
The available days column 605 is a column for storing the number of days that an executable application can be used. The license number column 606 is a column for storing a temporary license number included in the temporary license file when the license file used at the time of installation is a temporary license file.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen provided by the image forming apparatus 112 shown in FIG.
7A shows an installation screen 701, which is a screen generated by the installation screen display means 351. FIG.
In FIG. 7A, an online installation radio button 702 is a radio button that is selected when a customer desires to install an application online via the Internet 102. The offline installation radio button 703 is a radio button that is selected when a customer desires to install an application offline without going through the Internet 102.

The license number text box 704 is a text box for receiving a license number when installing an application online.
The application text box 705 is a text box for receiving an encrypted application file when installing an application offline.
The license text box 706 is a text box for receiving a license file when installing an application offline.

  The install button 707 is a button for transmitting a request for installing an encrypted application file to the image forming apparatus 112. If the online installation radio button 702 is selected when the installation button 707 is pressed, an online installation request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 112. The online installation request includes the value specified in the license number text box 704.

  If the offline installation radio button 703 is selected when the installation button 707 is pressed, an offline installation request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 112. The offline installation request includes the encrypted application file specified in the application text box 705 and the license file specified in the license file text box.

FIG. 7B shows an application management screen 711 that is generated by the application management screen display means 358. The application management screen 711 may be displayed on the display unit 221 using a browser of the information processing apparatus 111 or may be displayed on the display unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 112.
In FIG. 7B, a bundle name field 712 is a field that displays the bundle name of the currently installed executable application file. The bundle version field 713 is a field for displaying the bundle version of the currently installed executable application file. The transfer button 714 is a button for issuing a transfer license file for using the currently installed executable application in another image forming apparatus.

  The transfer impossible message field 715 is a field for displaying that a transfer license file for using the currently installed executable application in another image forming apparatus cannot be issued.

  The regular license issue button 716 is a button for overwriting the current temporary license file with the regular license file. When the regular license issuance button 716 is pressed, the information processing apparatus 111 instructs the image forming apparatus 112 to issue a regular license file issuance request. The image forming apparatus 112 that has received the regular license file issuance request instruction transmits a regular license file issuance request to the license server 101 using the regular license file issuance request unit 356.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen provided by the emergency license server 122 shown in FIG. This screen corresponds to the temporary license issue screen.
In FIG. 8, a temporary license file issuance screen 801 is a screen generated by the temporary license file issuance screen display means 382 shown in FIG. 3C. The license number text box 802 is a text box for inputting a license number. A device identifier text box 803 is a text box for inputting a device identifier.
An application text box 804 is a text box for designating an encrypted application file. An issue button 805 is a button for issuing a temporary license.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data structure held in the application file and the license file.
In FIG. 9A, the executable application file 901 is a diagram representing data that holds the following data.
In FIG. 9A, bundle identifier data 902 is data for storing a bundle identifier. The bundle version data 903 is data for storing bundle data.
The bundle name data 904 is data for storing the bundle name. The execution module 905 is data that stores modules that can operate in the image forming apparatus 112.

In FIG. 9B, a signed application file table (encrypted application file) 911 holds the following data.
The bundle identifier data 912 is data for storing a bundle identifier. The bundle version data 913 is data for storing bundle data. The bundle name data 914 is data for storing a bundle name. The encrypted file 915 is data for storing data obtained by encrypting the executable application 901 with the application common key.

FIG. 9C shows data held in the regular license file 921.
In FIG. 9C, bundle identifier data 922 is data for storing a bundle identifier of an encrypted application file that can be installed with the regular license file. The device identifier data 923 is data for storing a device identifier of the image forming apparatus 112 that can be installed with the regular license file. In the case of a license file that can be installed in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 112, a plurality of device identifiers are stored.
The application common key 924 is data for storing the application common key of the encrypted application file that can be installed with the regular license.

FIG. 9D is a diagram illustrating data held in the temporary license file 931.
In FIG. 9D, bundle identifier data 932 is data for storing a bundle identifier of an encrypted application file that can be installed with the temporary license file.
The device identifier data 933 is data for storing a device identifier of the image forming apparatus 112 that can be installed with the temporary license file. In the case of a license file that can be installed in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 112, a plurality of device identifiers are stored.
The application common key 934 is data for storing the application common key of the encrypted application file that can be installed with the temporary license file. The license number data 935 is data for storing a license number for acquiring a regular license file when the license server 101 can be connected.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 using the flowchart.

[Application installation process]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is an example of processing executed when the offline installation request receiving unit 352 of the image forming apparatus 112 receives an offline installation request. Each step is realized by the CPU 207 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 208 or the like. Hereinafter, the process will be described with the module of the image forming apparatus 1112 as a main component. Further, this process may be controlled to be executed periodically in advance.
In step S1001, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 acquires the encrypted application file from the received offline installation request. In step S1002, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 acquires a license file from the received offline installation request.

  In step S1003, the offline installation request reception unit 352 determines whether the license file acquired in step S1002 is a temporary license file. If the offline installation request receiving unit 352 that is a temporary license file determines, the process proceeds to S1004. If the offline installation request receiving unit 352 determines that the file is not a temporary license file, the process proceeds to S1011.

In step S <b> 1004, the offline installation request reception unit 352 determines whether the license server 101 can be connected using the license server connection confirmation unit 354. If the offline installation request receiving unit 352 determines that the connection has been established, the process proceeds to S1005. If the offline installation request receiving unit 352 determines that the connection has not been established, the process proceeds to S1013.
In step S1005, the offline installation request reception unit 352 acquires a license number from the temporary license. In step S <b> 1006, the offline installation request reception unit 352 acquires a device identifier using the device identifier acquisition unit 360.

  In step S1007, the offline installation request reception unit 352 executes the application file acquisition request unit 355 using the license number acquired in step S1005. The application file acquisition request unit 355 issues an application acquisition request including the license number to the license server 101, and acquires an encrypted application corresponding to the license number as a response.

In S1008, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 executes the regular license file issue requesting unit 356 using the license number acquired in S1005 and the device identifier acquired in S1006.
The regular license file issuance request unit 356 issues a regular license file issuance request including the license number and the device identifier to the license server 101. In response, the authorized license file issuance request unit 356 obtains from the license server 101 the authorized license file that can install the encrypted application obtained in S1007 in the device identifier.

  In step S1009, the offline installation request reception unit 352 performs installation processing by the installation unit 357 using the regular encrypted application file acquired in step S1007 and the regular license file acquired in step S1008.

In step S1010, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 adds a new record for the regular license file to the application table 601 and ends the process.
Specifically, the record to be added stores bundle identifier data 912 and bundle version data 913 acquired from the encrypted application file 911 shown in FIG. 9A as values of the bundle identifier column 602 and bundle version column 603. Further, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores “false” as the value of the temporary license column 604.

  In step S1011, the offline installation request reception unit 352 executes installation processing by the installation unit 357 using the encrypted application file acquired in step S1001 and the regular license file acquired in step S1002.

  In step S1012, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 adds a new record for the regular license file to the application table 601, and ends the process. Here, the record specifically added by the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores the bundle identifier data 912 and the bundle version data 913 acquired from the encrypted application file 911 as the values of the bundle identifier column 602 and the bundle version column 603. To do. Further, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores “false” as the value of the temporary license column 604.

  On the other hand, in S1013, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 executes the installation process by the installation unit 357 using the encrypted application file acquired in S1001 and the temporary license file acquired in S1002.

In S1014, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 adds a new record for the temporary license file to the application table 601 and ends the process. Here, the record specifically added by the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores the bundle identifier data 912 and the bundle version data 913 acquired from the encrypted application file 911 as the values of the bundle identifier column 602 and the bundle version column 603. To do. Further, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores “true” as the value of the temporary license column 604.
Further, the offline installation request receiving unit 352 stores the usable days data 936 and the license number data 935 acquired from the temporary license file 931 as values of the usable days column 605 and the license number column 606.

[Regular application installation process]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example executed by the regular license file issuing unit 356 of the image forming apparatus 112. Each step is realized by the CPU 207 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 208 or the like. Hereinafter, the processing will be described with the module of the image forming apparatus 112 as a main component.
In S1101, the regular license file issuing unit 356 determines whether a temporary license file is installed. Whether or not the temporary license file is installed is determined by checking whether or not there is a record whose value of the temporary license column 604 of the application table 601 is “true”. Here, if the authorized license file issuing means 356 determines that it exists, the process proceeds to S1102, and if the authorized license file issuing means 356 determines that it does not exist, this process ends.

  In step S <b> 1102, the regular license file issuing unit 356 checks whether the license server connection confirmation unit 354 can connect to the license server 101. If the authorized license file issuing unit 356 determines that the connection has been established, the process advances to step S1103. If the authorized license file issuing unit 356 determines that the connection has not been established, the process ends.

In step S <b> 1103, the regular license file issuing unit 356 acquires the license number included in the temporary license file from the license number column 606 of the application table 601. In step S <b> 1104, the regular license file issuing unit 356 acquires a device identifier using the device identifier acquiring unit 360.
In step S <b> 1105, the regular license file issuing unit 356 acquires the bundle identifier from the bundle identifier column 602 of the application table 601. In step S <b> 1106, the regular license file issuing unit 356 acquires the bundle version from the bundle version column 603 of the application table 601.

  In step S <b> 1107, the regular license file issuing unit 356 uses the application file acquisition request unit 355 to acquire the encrypted application file. The application file acquisition request generated by the application file acquisition request unit 355 includes the license number, bundle identifier, and bundle version acquired in S1103, S1104, and S1105.

  In step S <b> 1108, the regular license file issuing unit 356 acquires the regular license file using the regular license file issuance request unit 356. The regular license file issuance request generated by the regular license file issuance request unit 356 includes the license number and device identifier acquired in S1103 and S1104.

  In step S1109, the regular license file issuance unit 356 overwrites and installs the application using the encrypted license file and the regular license file acquired in steps S1107 and S1108. As a result, the application based on the temporary license cannot be used after installation.

  In S1110, the regular license file issuing unit 356 overwrites the record found in S1101 as a record for the regular license file and ends the process. Specifically, the value of the temporary license column 604 is changed from “true” to ““ false ”” and stored. The values of the usable days data 936 and the license number data 935 are made empty.

[License issuance processing]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is an example of processing executed by the application management screen display unit 358 of the image forming apparatus 112. Each step is realized by the CPU 207 executing a control program stored in the hard disk 208 or the like. Hereinafter, the process will be described with the module of the image forming apparatus 1112 as a main component.
In step S1201, the application management screen display unit 358 acquires the record list of the application table 601 as an application information list. In S1202, the application management screen display unit 358 acquires an unprocessed record as application information from the application information list acquired in S1201.

  In step S1203, the application management screen display unit 358 acquires a bundle name and a bundle version from the bundle name column 405 and the bundle version column 404 of the record acquired in step S1202. The acquired bundle name and bundle version are output to a bundle name field 712 and a bundle version field 713.

In step S1204, the application management screen display unit 358 checks whether the value of the temporary license column 604 of the record acquired in step S1202 is “true”. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that “true” is determined, the process advances to step S1206. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that the number is different, the process advances to step S1205.
In step S1205, the application management screen display unit 358 displays a transfer button 714. In step S <b> 1206, the application management screen display unit 358 displays a transfer impossible message field 715.

  In step S1207, the application management screen display unit 358 checks whether there is an unprocessed record in the record list acquired in step S1201. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that there is an unprocessed record, the process returns to S1202. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that there is no record, the process proceeds to S1208.

In step S <b> 1208, the application management screen display unit 358 determines whether all records acquired in step S <b> 1201 include at least one record whose value of the temporary license column 604 is “true”. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that there is at least one, the process advances to step S1209. If the application management screen display unit 358 determines that there is not one, the process advances to step S1210.
In step S1209, the application management screen display unit 358 displays a regular license issue button 716. In step S1210, the application management screen display unit 358 displays the application management screen 711, and the process ends.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for automatically or simply installing a regular license file later for an image forming apparatus installed using a temporary license file. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for a service person to re-install the regular license, and to reduce the dispatch cost.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the license number has already been issued from the license server 101 when the temporary license file is issued. However, it may be impossible to connect to the license server 101 before the license server issues a license number to the image forming apparatus 112.
For example, there are cases where connection to the license server 101 is impossible after application and product registration, and cases where only application registration is performed and connection to the license server 101 is impossible before product registration. In such a case, since the license number has not been issued, there is a problem that the temporary license file including the license number cannot be issued.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a license number that can be used by the emergency license server 122 that issues a temporary license is temporarily issued to the image forming apparatus 112 in advance, and the temporary issue even in the case where the license number is not issued. Issue the license number in the temporary license file.
Then, the emergency license server 122 registers the temporary issue license number used when the license server 101 becomes connectable with the license server 101 to associate with the application or the product. As a result, it is possible to issue a regular license of the temporary issue license number transmitted from the image forming apparatus 112. Hereinafter, the license file processing of the emergency license server 122 and the license server 101 will be described in detail for the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the correspondence between the software of the information processing system showing this embodiment and the information holding means.
In particular, FIG. 13A corresponds to a software configuration example of the license server 101 in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 13A, temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving means 1321 is means for receiving a temporary license file issuance history registration request. The temporary issue license number issuing unit 1322 is a unit for issuing a temporary issue license number. The temporary issue license number issuing unit 1322 generates a license number based on the temporary issue license number issue request. The generated license number is used as a value in the license number column 422 and a record storing “true” in the value of the temporary issue column 1401 is issued and added to the license information table 421.
The product selection screen display unit 1323 is a unit for displaying the product selection screen 1601. The unregistered product registration screen display unit 1324 is a unit for displaying the unregistered product registration screen 1611.

FIG. 13B corresponds to the software configuration of the emergency license server 122.
In FIG. 13, a temporary issue license number holding unit 1371 is a unit that holds a temporary issue license number table 1501 described later on the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122.
The temporary issue license number storage unit 1381 is a unit that stores the temporary issue license number included in the temporary issue license number storage request in the temporary issue license number table 1501 when the temporary issue license number storage request is received.

  The temporary license file issue history registration request unit 1382 is a unit that transmits a temporary license file issue history registration request to the license server 101. The temporary license file issuance history registration request includes data of the temporary license file issuance history table 511.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a table held in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 14, a temporary issue column 1401 is a column for storing whether or not a license number has been issued for an emergency license server. The temporary issue column 1401 stores “false” when issued by the license number issuing unit 323 of the license server 101 shown in FIG. 3A, and when issued by the temporary issued license number issuing unit 1322. "true" is stored.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a table held on the hard disk 224 of the emergency license server 122 shown in FIG. In particular, FIG. 15A corresponds to the provisionally issued license number table 1501.

  In FIG. 15A, a temporary issue license number column 1502 is means for storing a temporary issue license number. The temporary issue license number registered in the temporary issue license number column 1502 is registered by the temporary issue license number storage unit 1381.

FIG. 15B shows a temporary license file issuance history table 511 for managing history information of temporary license file issuance history information.
The temporary issue column 1511 is a column for storing whether or not a temporary license has been issued using a temporary issue license number. When a temporary license is issued using a temporary license number, “true” is stored, and “false” is stored when different.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen provided by the license server 101 shown in FIG.
In particular, FIG. 16A shows a product selection screen 1601, which is a screen generated by the product selection screen display means 1323 of the license server 101.
In FIG. 16A, a license number field 1602 is a field for displaying the license number used for issuing the temporary license file. The device identifier field 1603 is a field for displaying a device identifier that can be used by issuing a temporary license file.
The product selection radio button 1604 is a radio button for selecting one of a plurality of products. The product identifier field 1605 is a field for displaying the product identifier of the product. The product name field 1606 is a field for displaying the product name of the product.
The number of rights field 1607 is a field for displaying the number of rights of the product. The association button 1608 is a button for transmitting the product identifier of the product selected by the product selection radio button and the license number in the license number field 1602 to the license server.

FIG. 16B shows an unregistered product registration screen 1611 that is generated by the unregistered product registration screen display means 1324 of the license server.
In FIG. 16B, a license number field 1612 is a field for displaying the license number used for issuing the temporary license file. The device identifier field 1613 is a field for displaying a device identifier that can be used by issuing a temporary license file. The product identifier text box 1614 is a text box for inputting the product identifier of the product. The product name text box 1615 is a text box for inputting the product name of the product. The number-of-rights text box 1616 is a text box for inputting the number of rights of the product.

  The registration button 1617 transmits the product identifier, the product name, the number of rights, and the license number in the license number field 1602 input to the product identifier text box 1614, the product name text box 1615, and the number-of-rights text box 1616 to the license server 101. It is a button. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17 showing a temporary license file issuance process by the emergency license server 122 and a temporary license file history registration process of the license server 101 using a flowchart.

[Provisional license file issuance processing]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of processing executed when the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 of the emergency license server 122 shown in FIG. 1 receives a temporary license file issue request.

In step S <b> 1701, the temporary license file issuance request reception unit 383 confirms whether the license server 101 can be connected using the license server connection confirmation unit 385. If the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 determines that the connection has been established, the process proceeds to S1702. If the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 determines that the connection has not been established, the process proceeds to S1703.
In step S <b> 1702, the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 displays a message notifying that the connection to the license server 101 is possible, and ends this processing.
On the other hand, in step S <b> 1703, the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 acquires an encrypted application from the temporary license file issuance request. In step S1704, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 acquires a device identifier from the temporary license file issue request. In step S1705, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 obtains a license number from the temporary license file issue request.

In step S1706, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 determines whether the license number has been acquired in step S1705. If the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 determines that the license number could not be acquired, the process proceeds to S1707. If the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 determines that the license number has been acquired, the process proceeds to S1708.
In step S <b> 1707, the temporary license file issue request reception unit 383 acquires an unused temporary issue license number from the temporary issue license number table 1501. Here, the unused temporary issued license number is used in the emergency license server 122 when it is not possible to communicate with the license server 101 in advance due to a communication failure on the network or the like and a normal license file cannot be acquired. Also, it is assumed that a plurality of unused temporary issue license numbers are temporarily issued on the emergency license server 122 and registered in the hard disk 224 in advance.
In step S1708, the temporary license file issuance request reception unit 383 acquires a bundle identifier from the encrypted application acquired in step S1703.

  In step S1709, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 acquires the application common key corresponding to the bundle identifier acquired in step S1708 from the application common key information table 501.

In step S <b> 1710, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 uses the temporary license file issuing unit 384 to issue a temporary license file.
If the license number can be acquired in S1705, the license number acquired in S1705 is passed to the license number passed by the temporary license file issuing unit 384. If the license number could not be acquired in S1705, the temporary license number acquired in S1707 is passed to the license number passed by the temporary license file issuing unit 384.

In step S <b> 1711, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 adds a new record to the temporary license file issue history table 521. Here, the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 adds the license number acquired in S1705 to “false” in the license number column 512 and the temporary issuance column 1502 of the record to be added if the license number can be acquired in S1705. Is stored.
If the license number cannot be acquired in S1705, the temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 stores the temporary issue license number acquired in S1707 and “true”. Also, “30” is fixedly set in the expiration date column 513 of the record to be added, and the path of the temporary license file issued in S1710 is stored in the license column 517. Here, the temporary license file issue request receiving means 383 stores the device identifier acquired in S1704 in the device identifier column 514 of the record to be added.

The temporary license file issue request receiving unit 383 stores the bundle identifier and the bundle version acquired from the encrypted application file acquired in S1703 in the bundle identifier column 515 and the bundle version column 516 of the record to be added.
In step S <b> 1712, the temporary license file issuance request receiving unit 383 generates a screen on which the temporary license file can be downloaded, and returns it to the license server 101 as a response to the temporary license file issuance request.

[Provisional license file issuance history registration request processing]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the server apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is a processing example executed when the temporary license file issue history registration request receiving unit 1321 of the license server 101 shown in FIG. 1 receives a temporary license file issue history registration request.
In step S1801, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 acquires a temporary license file issuance history list from the temporary license file issuance history registration request.

In step S1802, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 checks whether there is an unprocessed issuance history in the temporary license file issuance history list acquired in step S1801. If the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving means 1321 determines that it is present, the process advances to step S1803. If it is not present, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving means 1321 terminates the process.
In step S1803, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 acquires one unprocessed issue history from the temporary license file issue history list acquired in step S1801.

  In step S1804, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 acquires a license number from the license number column 512 of the issuance history record acquired in step S1803. In step S1805, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 acquires a device identifier from the device identifier column 514 of the issue history record acquired in step S1803.

  In step S1806, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 acquires a device identifier from the application common key column 518 of the issue history record acquired in step S1803. In step S1807, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 acquires a bundle identifier from the bundle identifier column 515 of the issue history record acquired in step S1803. In step S1808, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 acquires a temporary issue flag from the temporary issue column 1511 of the issue history record acquired in step S1803.

  In step S1809, the temporary license file issue history registration request reception unit 1321 determines whether the temporary issue flag acquired in step S1808 is “true”. If the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 determines that it is “true”, the process proceeds to S1817, and if it is different, the process proceeds to S1810.

  In S1810, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 acquires from the product information table 411 as a product information list a record in which the bundle identifier acquired in S1807 and the value of the bundle identifier column 415 match.

  In S1811, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 acquires product information in which the value in the number-of-rights column 414 of the product information list acquired in S1810 is larger than the number of device identifiers acquired in S1805 as the product information list. To do.

In step S1812, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 determines whether the number of records in the product information list acquired in step S1811 is “0”. If the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 determines that the number of records is “0”, the process advances to step S1813. Advances to S1814.
In step S1813, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 executes the flowchart of FIG. 19A as unregistered product registration processing, and proceeds to step S1817.

In step S1814, the temporary license file issue history registration request receiving unit 1321 determines whether the number of records in the product information list acquired in step S1811 is two or more. If the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 determines that the number of records in the product information list is 2 or more, the process proceeds to S1815, and if the number of records in the product information list is determined to be not 2 or more. The process proceeds to S1816.
In step S1815, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 executes the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1816, the temporary license file issuance history registration request reception unit 1321 links the license number acquired in step S1804 and the product information acquired in step S1811 to update the license acquisition number information.
Specifically, license number information having a value in the license number column 422 that matches the license number acquired in S1804 is acquired from the license information table 421. The product identifier is stored in the product identifier column 423 of the license number information from the product identifier column 412 of the product information acquired in S1811.

  In step S <b> 1817, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 uses the regular license file issuing unit 324 to issue a regular license file. The device identifier, the application common key, and the bundle identifier acquired in S1805 to S1807 are passed to the regular license file issuing unit 324.

In step S <b> 1818, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 newly adds a license information record to the license information table 431. The license information record columns 432 to 434 to be added store the license number acquired in step S1804, the device identifier acquired in step S805, and the path of the regular license file issued in step S1817.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the server apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is a processing example executed when the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 of the license server 101 receives a temporary license file issuance history registration request. FIG. This corresponds to the detailed procedure of S1813 shown in FIG.

  In step S1841, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 displays the unregistered product registration screen 1611 using the unregistered product registration screen display unit 1324. After displaying the unregistered product registration screen 1611, it waits, and after the registration button 1618 of the unregistered product registration screen 1611 is pressed and an unregistered product registration request is received, the process proceeds to S1842. In S1842, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 receives an unregistered product registration request.

  In step S1843, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 newly adds a product information record to the product information table 411. The product information record columns 412 to 415 to be added store the product identifier, the product name, the number of rights, and the bundle identifier acquired in S1807, respectively, which are included in the unregistered product registration request acquired in S1842.

  In step S1844, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 updates the license number information record in the license information table 421. The record to be updated is a license number information record including the license number acquired in S1804 in the license number column 422. The product identifier included in the unregistered product registration request acquired in S1842 is stored and updated as the value of the product identifier column 423. To do.

  A license number information record is newly added to the license information table 421. The license number column 422 and the product identifier column 423 of the license number information record to be added store the license number acquired in S1804 and the product identifier included in the unregistered product registration request acquired in S1842.

FIG. 19A corresponds to the detailed procedure of S185 shown in FIG.
In step S1851, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 displays the product selection screen 1601 using the product selection screen display unit 1323. After displaying the product selection screen 1601, the process waits. After the association button 1609 on the product selection screen 1601 is pressed and a product association request is received, the process proceeds to S 1852. In step S1852, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 receives a product association request.

  In step S1844, the temporary license file issuance history registration request receiving unit 1321 updates the license number information record in the license information table 421. The record to be updated is a license number information record including the license number acquired in S1804 in the license number column 422, and the product identifier included in the product association request acquired in S1852 is stored and updated as the value of the product identifier column 423. .

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for automatically or simply installing a regular license file later even when the license server 101 cannot be connected in the state before the license number is issued. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for a service person to re-install the regular license, and to reduce the dispatch cost.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

101 License Server 112 Image Forming Apparatus 122 Emergency License Server 901 Executable Application File 911 Encrypted Application File 921 Regular License File 931 Temporary License File

Claims (11)

An information processing apparatus communicates with a first server apparatus that manages an application to be installed in the information processing apparatus, and a second server apparatus that manages a temporary application corresponding to the application to be installed in the information processing apparatus. An information processing system,
The first server device is
An application to be installed in accordance with a request from the information processing apparatus; a first issuing means for issuing a regular license file corresponding to the application to the information processing apparatus;
The second server device is
Second issuing means for issuing a temporary application and a temporary license file associated with the application to be installed to the information processing apparatus according to a request of the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus includes:
First installation means for installing a temporary application in a storage device using a temporary license file acquired from the second server device;
First determination means for determining whether the license file installed in the storage device is a temporary license file;
When the first determination means determines that a temporary license file is installed, the encryption associated with the temporary application in the first server device based on the license information included in the temporary license file Requesting means for requesting the registered application and the authorized license file of the application;
Obtaining means for obtaining the application and a regular license file of the application from the first server device;
Second installation means for decrypting an application encrypted using the license file acquired by the acquisition means and installing the temporary application installed in the storage device so as to be overwritten;
With
An information processing system characterized by that.   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first determination unit periodically determines whether the temporary application is installed in the storage device.   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the license information includes information for specifying an acquisition destination from which an application associated with the temporary application is acquired. The second server device is
Registration means for registering a temporary license file including a temporary license number for acquiring an application associated with the temporary application from the first server device in the storage device;
Second determination means for determining whether the temporary license file includes a license number for obtaining a license file when the first determination means determines that the temporary license file is installed; With
When the second determination unit determines that the license number for acquiring the temporary license file is not included, the request unit determines the first license based on the temporary license number registered in advance in the storage device. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein an encrypted application associated with the temporary application and a regular license file of the application are requested from the server apparatus. The second server device is
A history management means for registering and managing a temporary license issuance history indicating that the temporary application has been installed using a license number registered in advance in the storage device when the temporary application is installed;
An issuance requesting unit that issues an issuance request for a regular license file including the issuance history of the temporary license to the first server device;
The first server device is
Issuing means for issuing a regular license file corresponding to the temporary application specified by the temporary license issue history included in the issue request acquired by the issue request means to the second server device; The information processing system according to claim 1.   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, a printing apparatus, a composite image processing apparatus, and a scanner apparatus. An information processing apparatus,
A first server device that manages an application to be installed in the information processing device; a communication unit that communicates with a second server device that manages a temporary application corresponding to the application to be installed in the information processing device;
First installation means for installing a temporary application in a storage device using a temporary license file acquired from the second server device;
First determination means for determining whether the license file installed in the storage device is a temporary license file;
When the first determination means determines that a temporary license file is installed, the encryption associated with the temporary application in the first server device based on the license information included in the temporary license file Requesting means for requesting the registered application and the authorized license file of the application;
Obtaining means for obtaining the application and a regular license file of the application from the first server device;
Second installation means for decrypting an application encrypted using the license file acquired by the acquisition means and installing the temporary application installed in the storage device so as to be overwritten;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A server device that communicates with an external server device that manages an application and a license file to be installed in the information processing device,
Registration means for acquiring a temporary license number used to install a temporary application in the information processing apparatus from the external server device and registering the temporary license number in the storage device;
Management means for registering and managing history information including the temporary license number and a temporary application corresponding to the application installed in the information processing apparatus in the storage device;
An acquisition means for acquiring a regular license file issued by the external server device in response to transmitting the history information to the external server device;
Updating means for updating the temporary application license file in accordance with the regular license file obtained by the obtaining means;
A server device comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus,
A communication step of communicating with a first server device that manages an application to be installed in the information processing device, and a second server device that manages a temporary application corresponding to the application to be installed in the information processing device;
A first installation step of installing a temporary application in a storage device using a temporary license file acquired from the second server device;
A first determination step of determining whether the license file installed in the storage device is a temporary license file;
When the first determination step determines that a temporary license file is installed, the encryption associated with the temporary application in the first server device based on the license information included in the temporary license file A requesting process for requesting a licensed application and an authorized license file for the application;
An acquisition step of acquiring the application and a regular license file of the application from the first server device;
A second installation step of decrypting the encrypted application using the license file acquired in the acquisition step and installing the temporary application installed in the storage device so as to be overwritten. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. A server device control method for communicating with an external server device that manages an application and a license file to be installed in an information processing device,
A registration step of acquiring a temporary license number used to install a temporary application in the information processing apparatus from the external server device and registering the temporary license number in the storage device;
A management step of registering and managing history information including the temporary license number and a temporary application corresponding to the application installed in the information processing apparatus in the storage device;
In response to transmitting the history information to the external server device, an acquisition step of acquiring a regular license file issued by the external server device;
An update step of updating the temporary application license file according to the regular license file acquired by the acquisition step;
A control method for a server device, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as each means according to claim 7 or 8.

Images