JP2015191539A - Management server, management system, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure safe application license management adapted to a new model of an image forming apparatus by reliably registering a model of an image forming apparatus, the operation of which has been verified.SOLUTION: A license server 101 issues an operation verification license or a sales license, according to a license number. An image forming apparatus 103 generates an operation verification completion file after the operation verification, for an application installed by use of the operation verification license. On receipt of the operation verification completion file, a license server 101 registers a device ID of an image forming apparatus included in the operation verification completion file in an issuance Device ID 554 of a corresponding application. When a license acquisition request is sent from an image forming apparatus of the device ID registered in the issuance Device ID 554, the sales license is issued.

Description

  The present invention relates to control for managing licenses of applications installed in an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus having an image processing function, such as a multifunction peripheral, an environment in which an application can be installed has been prepared by installing a programming execution environment. Thus, the function of the image forming apparatus can be expanded by installing an application.

  Such an application employs a mechanism in which information that identifies the model of an image forming apparatus that can be installed in the application is held in the application itself and cannot be installed if the information does not match when attempting to install in the image forming apparatus. Has been. Therefore, every time the number of image forming apparatus models increases, it is necessary to add model information in the application and perform a release operation.

  In order to solve this problem, the technology that manages the model information supported by the application on the license server that issues the license required to install the application, rather than holding the model that can be installed in the application (Patent Document 1). With this technology, even if the number of new models of image forming apparatuses increases, the number of models supported by the application can be increased by setting information on the new model for the target application on the license server.

JP 2013-30082

  However, in the method for setting a new model of the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manually input information on the new model after specifying an application with the GUI provided by the license server. Therefore, due to a human error in adding a new model on the license server, it is possible to issue a license for a model that is not supported, and there is an application whose operation is not guaranteed in the image forming apparatus on the market. There was a problem of being installed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to securely register the model of an image forming apparatus whose operation has been confirmed, and provide a safe application license management mechanism corresponding to the new model of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is a management server that manages a license of an application installed in an information processing apparatus, and corresponds to the first license number when a license acquisition request using the first license number is received. First issue means for issuing a first license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus, and information indicating that the operation of the application installed in the information processing apparatus using the first license has been confirmed. When the registration information is received, a registration means for registering the model information of the information processing apparatus as model information that can issue the second license for the application and a license acquisition request using the second license number are received. The model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is the second license number. Is registered in the registration means corresponding to the application corresponding to the model of the information processing apparatus that issued the second license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus and made the acquisition request And a second issuing unit that does not issue the second license when the information is not registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to securely register the model of the image forming apparatus whose operation has been confirmed, and to perform license management of a safe application corresponding to the new model of the image forming apparatus.

System configuration diagram of license management system of the present invention Hardware configuration diagram of license management system of the present invention Software configuration diagram of license management system of the present invention Table held by image forming apparatus Table maintained by the license server Screen provided by image forming device Data configuration example Flow chart executed when a license issuance request is received Flowchart showing details of sales license issuance processing The flowchart which shows the detail of the license issuing process for operation confirmation of Example 1. Flow chart showing processing when receiving an application acquisition request Flowchart showing processing when an operation confirmation completion file registration request is received Sequence when the operation check complete button is pressed The flowchart which shows the detail of the license issuing process for operation confirmation of Example 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, terms are defined.
An application is a program file in an executable format that can be incorporated into the image forming apparatus 103 (FIG. 1). The application has a data structure as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The application 701 includes a MANIFEST 702 and an execution program 708. MANIFEST 702 is composed of at least data shown in 703 to 707.

  The application ID 703 describes an application ID that defines the type of application. The application name 704 describes the name of the application. The application version 705 describes the version of the application. In the support DeviceID 706, DeviceID (model information) indicating a model on which this application can be installed is described. The support Group ID 707 describes a Group ID that is a model group in which this application can be installed.

  The application 701 is developed by a development vendor, and is registered in the license server 101 after the development is completed. There are two methods for controlling which image forming apparatus the application 701 can be installed on.

  The first method is a method in which DeviceID that uniquely represents the model of the image forming apparatus is described in the support DeviceID 706. In this method, every time a new model of the image forming apparatus comes out, it is necessary to re-release the device with the added Device ID. In addition, there is a method of describing a Group ID 707 that can be installed in all Support Group IDs.

  The other method is a method of setting a DeviceID of a model that can be installed using a DeviceID control information registration request receiving unit 327 (FIG. 3) of the license server 101 (FIG. 1) described later. In this method, even if a new model of the image forming apparatus is released, it is only necessary to additionally register the new model DeviceID in the DeviceID control information registration request receiving unit 327 of the license server 101, and therefore, it is not necessary to re-release the application. .

  The product is a unit for selling the application 701 and is information registered in the license server 101. The license number is a number necessary for acquiring a license, and is a value that can be uniquely identified. The license number includes a sales license number and an operation check license number. The sales license number is a license number issued to a customer who has purchased a product, and is issued from the license server 101. On the other hand, the operation confirmation license number is a license number issued to an application registered in the license server 101, and is issued from the license server 101.

  The device number is a value that uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus 103. The device number is information that can be confirmed from the display unit 211 (FIG. 2A) of the image forming apparatus 103.

  A license is a file that is necessary for installing the application 701 in the image forming apparatus 103. The license includes a sales license and an operation check license, which are issued from the license server 101.

  The sales license is a license issued when a license issuance request is made using a sales license number. The sales license has a data structure as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The sales license 711 includes at least 712 and 713 information. The application ID 712 is data for storing the application ID of the application 701 that can be installed with the sales license 711. The device number 713 is data for storing the device number of the image forming apparatus 103 that can be installed with the sales license 711.

  The operation check license is a license issued when a license issuance request is made using the operation check license number. The operation check license has a data structure as shown in FIG. The operation confirmation license 721 includes at least information 722 and 723. The application ID 722 is data for storing the application ID of the application 701 that can be installed with the operation check license 721. The operation confirmation flag 723 is data for storing a flag indicating that the sales license 711 is an operation confirmation license.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a license management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 103 and the information processing apparatus 102 are connected by a LAN 105. The LAN 105 can be connected to the Internet 104. A license server 101 is connected to the Internet 104. The license server 101 functions as a management server that manages licenses of applications installed in the image forming apparatus 103.

  In the example of FIG. 1, one information processing apparatus 102 is described in each of the image forming apparatus 103 and the number of information processing apparatuses 102 may be arbitrary. In addition, there may be an arbitrary number of LANs 105 to which an arbitrary number of image forming apparatuses 103 and information processing apparatuses 102 are connected. Further, the license server 101 may be configured by a single computer or may be configured by a plurality of computers.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each device constituting the license management system.
FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103.
As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the image forming apparatus 103 includes units 201 to 213. Details will be described below.

  The document feeder 201 automatically feeds a document read by the image reader 202 to the image reader 202. An image reader (scanner) 202 reads a document. The image forming unit 203 converts and prints a document read by the image reader 202 and data received from the LAN 105 or the like into a print image. The paper feeding unit 204 feeds printing paper to the image forming unit 203. A network interface (Network I / F) 205 is connected to the LAN 105 and the Internet 104 and exchanges information with the outside.

  The sensor 206 detects the state of each part of the image forming apparatus 103. The CPU 207 controls each process on the image forming apparatus 103 by reading and executing a program stored in a storage device such as the nonvolatile memory 209 or the HDD 208.

  A hard disk (HDD) 208 stores programs and data related to each process of the image forming apparatus 103. The non-volatile memory 209 is a rewritable memory that can hold a memory without supplying power, and stores programs and data related to each process of the image forming apparatus 103. The volatile memory 210 is a memory that can electrically store and rewrite temporary data related to each process of the image forming apparatus 103.

  The display unit 211 displays information related to the operation status of the image forming apparatus 103 and the operation on the operation unit 212. The operation unit 212 receives an instruction input to the image forming apparatus 103. The system bus 213 is a bus for connecting the portions 201 to 212 to exchange data.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 102 and the license server 101.
As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the information processing apparatus 102 and the license server 101 include units 221 to 227. Details will be described below.

  The display unit 221 displays windows, icons, messages, menus, and other user interface information. The operation unit 222 receives input from an end user using a keyboard and a mouse.

  The CPU 223 controls each process on the apparatus by reading and executing a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM or HDD 224 (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 224 stores programs and data related to each process of the apparatus. The volatile memory 225 is a memory that can electrically store and rewrite temporary data related to each process of the apparatus.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 226 is connected to the LAN 105 and the Internet 104 and exchanges information with the outside. The system bus 227 is a bus that connects the portions 221 to 226 and exchanges data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of each device constituting the license management system.
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a software configuration 301 of the license server 101. In each functional unit of the software configuration 301 illustrated in FIG. 3A, the CPU 223 of the license server 101 loads and executes a program stored in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101 on the volatile memory 225. It is realized with. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be described in detail.

  The device product information holding unit 311 is a means for holding a device product information table 501 (FIG. 5) described later on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The application information holding unit 312 is a unit that holds an application information table 511 (FIG. 5) described later on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The product information holding unit 313 is means for holding a product information table 521 (FIG. 5) described later on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The sales license number holding unit 314 is means for holding a sales license number information table 531 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The device ID information holding unit 315 is means for holding a device ID information table 541 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The device ID control information holding unit 316 is a unit that holds a device ID control information table 551 (FIG. 5) described later on the hard disk 224 of the license server 101. The operation confirmation license number information holding unit 317 is means for holding an operation confirmation license number information table 561 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101.

  The device product information registration request receiving unit 321 is a unit that receives a device product information registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The device product information registration request receiving unit 321 registers the device product code, device product name, DeviceID, and device number range included in the received device product information request as a new record in the device product information table 501.

  The application information registration request receiving unit 322 is means for receiving an application information registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The application information registration request receiving unit 322 acquires an application included in the received application information request. Then, the application information registration request receiving unit 322 registers the information described in the application manifest and the path in which the application is stored in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101 as a new record in the application information table 511.

  The product information registration request receiving unit 323 is a unit that receives the product information registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The product information registration request receiving unit 323 registers the product code, product name, number of rights, application ID, and application version included in the received product information registration request as a new record in the product information table 521.

  The sales license number issuance request reception unit 324 is a means for receiving a sales license number issuance request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The sales license number issuance request receiving unit 324 returns the sales license number generated so as to be unique to the product code acquired from the received sales license number issuance request as a response. The sales license number issuance request receiving unit 324 registers the product code acquired from the received sales license number issuance request and the generated sales license number as a new record of the sales license number information table 531.

  The license issuance request receiving unit 325 is a unit that receives a license issuance request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The device ID registration request receiving unit 326 is a unit that receives the device ID registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The DeviceID registration request receiving unit 326 registers the DeviceID and GroupID acquired from the received DeviceID registration request as a new record in the DeviceID information table 541.

  The device ID control information registration request receiving unit 327 is a unit that receives a device ID control information registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The Device ID control information registration request receiving unit 327 registers the application ID, application version, and Device ID acquired from the received Device ID control information registration request as a new record in the Device ID control information table 551.

  The operation confirmation license number issuance request reception unit 328 is a unit that receives an operation confirmation license number issuance request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The operation confirmation license number issuance request receiving unit 328 returns, as a response, the operation confirmation license number generated so as to be unique to the application ID and application version acquired from the received operation confirmation license number issuance request. The operation confirmation license number issuance request reception unit 328 registers the received application ID and application version and the generated operation confirmation license number as a new record in the operation confirmation license number information table 561.

  The application acquisition request receiving unit 329 is a unit that receives an application acquisition request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101.

  The operation check completion file registration request receiving unit 330 is a means for receiving an operation check completion file registration request via the network I / F 205 of the license server 101. The operation confirmation completion file has a data structure as shown in FIG. 7D, and the operation confirmation completion file 731 is composed of data 732 to 734. The application ID 732 stores the application ID of the application whose operation confirmation has been completed. The application version 733 stores the application version of the application whose operation has been confirmed. The Device ID 734 stores the Device ID of the image forming apparatus 103 for which the operation check of the application has been completed. The operation check completion file registration request receiving unit 330 registers the application ID, application version, and Device ID included in the received operation check completion file as a new record in the Device ID control information table 551.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a software configuration 302 of the image forming apparatus 103. Each functional unit of the software configuration 302 is realized by the CPU 207 of the image forming apparatus 103 loading a program stored in the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 103 onto the volatile memory 210 and executing the program.

  The application management information holding unit 341 is a unit that holds an application management information table 401 (FIG. 4) described later on the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 103. The device information holding unit 342 is a unit that holds a device information table 411 (FIG. 4) described later on the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 103.

  The installation screen display unit 351 is a means for displaying an installation screen 601 described later. The installation screen display unit 351 may be a unit that returns HTML as a response to an installation screen display request from the Web browser of the information processing apparatus 102, or may be a unit that displays on the display unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 103. Good.

  The online installation request receiving unit 352 is a means for receiving an online installation request transmitted when the online installation radio button 602 is selected on the installation screen 601 (FIG. 6) and the installation button 607 is pressed. The online installation request receiving unit 352 that has received the online installation request executes an application acquisition request unit 353 described later using the license number acquired from the received online installation request, and acquires an application. Next, the online installation request receiving unit 352 operates a license issuance request unit 354 described later using the acquired license number and the device number acquired from the device number column 412 of the device information table 411 to acquire a license. Next, the online installation request receiving unit 352 executes an installation unit 355 described later using the acquired application and license to install the application.

  The application acquisition request unit 353 generates an application acquisition request including a license number, and transmits the application acquisition request to the license server 101 via the network I / F 205. Further, the application acquisition request unit 353 acquires an application returned as a response to the transmitted application acquisition request from the Network I / F 205.

  The license issuance request unit 354 generates a license issuance request including the license number and the device number, and transmits the license issuance request to the license server 101 via the network I / F 205. Also, the license issuance request unit 354 acquires a license returned as a response to the transmitted license issuance request from the Network I / F 205.

  The installation unit 355 performs an installation process using the application and the license, and makes the application usable by the image forming apparatus 103. The installation unit 355 stores a new record including the application ID, application name, and application version described in the application manifest in the application management information table 401 during the installation process. Further, the installation unit 355 indicates that the value of the operation check flag column 405 of the added record is “false” when the license used for the installation is a sales license, and “true” when the license is an operation check license. Is stored.

  The application management screen display unit 356 is a means for displaying an application management screen 611 described later. The application management screen display unit 356 may be a unit that returns HTML as a response to an application management screen display request from the Web browser of the information processing apparatus 102 or a unit that displays on the display unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 103. May be.

  The application management screen display unit 356 acquires the values of the application name column 403 and the application version column 404 of the application management information table when the application management screen 611 is generated. Then, the application management screen display unit 356 sets the acquired application name and application version to be displayed in the application name 612 and the application version 613 on the application management screen. In addition, the application management screen display unit 356 sets the operation confirmation completion button 614 to be displayed when the operation confirmation flag column 405 of the application management information table is “true”.

  The offline installation request reception unit 357 is a means for receiving an offline installation request transmitted when the offline installation radio button 603 is selected on the installation screen 601 and the installation button 607 is pressed. The offline installation request receiving unit 357 that has received the offline installation request executes the installation unit 355 using the application and license acquired from the received offline installation request to install the application.

  The operation confirmation completion file generation unit 358 is executed when the operation confirmation completion button 614 on the application management screen 611 is pressed. The operation check completion file generation unit 358 acquires the application ID and application version of the application that is the target of the pressed operation check completion button 614 from the application management information table 401. Further, the operation check completion file generation unit 358 acquires a device number from the device information table 411. Next, the operation check completion file generating unit 358 stores the data in the operation check completion file 731 in the data 732 to 734 and generates the operation check completion file. The operation check completion file registration request unit 359 has a function of transmitting an operation check completion file registration request including the operation check completion file generated by the operation check completion file generation unit 358 to the license server 101 via the network I / F. is there.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table held on the hard disk 208 of the image forming apparatus 103.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an application management information table 401.
The record of the application management information table 401 is added when an application is installed. The application ID column 402 is a column for storing the application ID of the installed application. The application name column 403 is a column for storing the application name of the installed application. The application version column 404 is a column for storing the application version of the installed application. The operation check flag column 405 is a column for storing a flag indicating whether or not the license has been installed with the operation check license. “True” is stored in the operation confirmation flag column 405 when the installation is performed using the operation confirmation license, and “false” is stored in the case where the sales license is used.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the device information table 411.
The record of the device information table 411 is already set as master data at the time of factory shipment. The device number column 412 is a column for storing a device number that uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus. The Device ID column 413 is a column that stores Device ID (model information) indicating the model of the image forming apparatus. The Group ID column 414 is a column that stores a Group ID that groups the types of image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a table held in the hard disk 224 of the license server 101.
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a device product information table 501.
The record of the device product information table 501 is added before selling a new model of the image forming apparatus to the market. The device product code column 502 is a column that stores a device product code that uniquely identifies a device product. The device product name column 503 is a column for storing the product name of the device product. The DeviceID column 504 is a column for storing DeviceID (model information) indicating the model of the device product. The device number range column 505 is a column for storing a range of device numbers belonging to the device product.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an application information table 511.
A record in the application information table 511 is added every time an application to which a new function is added is registered in the license server 101. The application ID column 512 is a column that stores application IDs of registered applications. The application name column 513 is a column that stores application names of registered applications. The application version column 514 is a column for storing the application version of the registered application. The supported device ID column 515 is a column for storing the device ID described in the registered application. The support group ID column 516 is a column for storing the group ID described in the registered application. The application path column 517 is a column for storing a path in which the registered application is stored in the hard disk 224.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a product information table 521.
The record of the product information table 521 is added every time a new product is registered in the license server 101. The product code column 522 is a column that stores a product code that uniquely identifies a registered product. The product name column 523 is a column for storing the product name of the registered product. The number-of-rights column 524 is a column that stores the number of rights of the application that can be used with the registered product. The application ID column 525 is a column that stores application IDs of applications that can be used by registered products. The application version column 526 is a column for storing an application version of an application that can be used by a registered product.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating a sales license number information table 531.
The record of the sales license number information table 531 is added when a sales license number is issued from the license server 101 for a product. The sales license number column 532 stores the issued sales license number. The product code column 533 is a column for storing a product code of a product for which a sales license number has been issued. The issuance device number column 534 is a column for storing the device number of the image forming apparatus that has issued the sales license using the sales license number.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating a DeviceID information table 541.
The record in the Device ID information table 541 is information that associates Group ID and Device ID, and is added before a new model of the image forming apparatus is sold on the market. The Device ID column 542 is a column that stores the Device ID. The GroupID column 543 is a column that stores a GroupID.

FIG. 5F illustrates the DeviceID control information table 551.
As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 10, the record in the DeviceID control information table 551 is added each time an operation confirmation completion file is received. The application ID column 552 is a column for storing the application ID of the target application. The application version column 553 is a column for storing the application version of the target application. The issuable Device ID column 554 is a column that stores a Device ID that allows a license to be issued to a target application.

FIG. 5G illustrates an operation confirmation license number information table 561.
The record of the operation confirmation license number information table 561 is added each time the license server 101 issues an operation confirmation license number. The application ID column 562 is a column for storing the application ID of the application that is the target of the issued operation confirmation license. The application version column 563 is a column for storing the application version of the application that is the target of the issued operation confirmation license. The operation check license number column 564 is a column for storing an operation check license number that enables use of the operation check license.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen provided by the image forming apparatus 103.
FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an installation screen 601.
The installation screen 601 is a screen displayed on the display unit 211 by the installation screen display unit 351 of the image forming apparatus 103. The online installation radio button 602 is a radio button selected when installing an application via the Internet. The offline installation radio button 603 is a radio button selected when installing an application without going through the Internet.

  The license number input field 604 is a field for inputting a license number. The license number input field 604 can be input when the online installation radio button 602 is selected.

  The application input field 605 is a field for inputting an application path. The application input field 605 can be input when the offline installation radio button 603 is selected. The license input field 606 is a field for inputting a license path. The license input field 606 can be input when the offline installation radio button 603 is selected.

  An install button 607 is a button for transmitting an install request to the image forming apparatus. If the online installation radio button 602 is selected when the install button 607 is pressed, an online installation request is transmitted to the online installation request receiving unit 352. The online installation request includes the license number input in the license number input field 604. Using these pieces of information, the online installation request receiving unit 352 that has received the online installation request acquires a license and an application from the license server 101. The processing on the license server 101 side at this time is shown in FIGS. Thereafter, installation is performed using the acquired license and application.

  If the offline installation radio button 603 is selected when the install button 607 is pressed, an offline installation request is transmitted to the offline installation request receiving unit 357. The offline installation request includes the application input in the application input field 605 and the license input in the license input field. In this case, installation is performed using a previously acquired license and application.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an application management screen 611.
The application management screen 611 is a screen displayed on the display unit 211 by the application management screen display unit 356 of the image forming apparatus 103. The application name label 612 is a label that displays the application name of the installed application. The application version label 613 is a label that displays the application version of the installed application. The operation confirmation completion button 614 is a button displayed when an application is installed with an operation confirmation license.

The operation of the license management system according to the first embodiment will be described below.
First, an explanation will be given when the application is installed.
When installing an application, the online installation request receiving unit 352 of the image forming apparatus 103 acquires an application and a license using a license number (input at 604 in FIG. 6). The license can be acquired by the online installation request receiving unit 352 transmitting a license issuance request to the license server 101 via the license issuance request unit 354. The application can be acquired by the online installation request receiving unit 352 transmitting an application acquisition request to the license server 101.

Hereinafter, the operation of the license server 101 when an application is installed will be described with reference to FIGS.
8A to 8C are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the license server 101 when a license issuance request is received.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the license server 101 when an application acquisition request is received.
8A to 8C and FIG. 9 are 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 and executing it. It is realized with.

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart executed when the license server 101 receives a license issuance request at the license issuance request receiving unit 325.

  In step S801, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a license access number from the received license issuance request. In step S <b> 802, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a device number from the received license issuance request.

  In step S803, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a Device ID corresponding to the device number acquired in step S802. Specifically, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a record including the acquired device number in the value of the device number range column 505 from the device product information table 501. And the value of DeviceID column 504 of the acquired record is acquired as DeviceID.

  In step S <b> 804, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether the license number acquired in step S <b> 801 is included in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531. If it is determined that it is included (Yes in S804), the process proceeds to S805. In S805, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 issues a sales license. Details of the sales license issuance processing will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8B described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S804 that the license number is not included in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531 (No in S804), the process proceeds to S806. In S806, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether the license number acquired in S801 is included in the operation confirmation license number column 564 of the operation confirmation license number information table 561.

  If it is determined in S806 that the license number is included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561 (Yes in S806), the process proceeds to S807. In S807, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 issues an operation check license. Details of the operation confirmation license issuance processing will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8C described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S806 that the license number is not included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561 (No in S806), the process proceeds to S808. In step S808, the license issuance request reception unit 325 returns a message indicating that the license number acquired in step S801 cannot be used as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that has issued the license issuance request.

  FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing details of the sales license issuance process in S805 of FIG. 8A, and is called when a sales license is issued.

  In S821, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 acquires the product code of the product corresponding to the license number acquired in S801. Specifically, a record in which the acquired license number is included in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531 is acquired, and the value of the product code column 533 of the record is acquired.

  Next, in S822, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 acquires an application ID and an application version corresponding to the product code acquired in S821. Specifically, a record in which the acquired product code is included in the product code column 522 of the product information table 521 is acquired, and the values of the application ID column 525 and the application version column 526 of the record are acquired.

  In step S823, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether the device ID control information table 551 includes a record including the application ID and application version acquired in step S822. If it is determined that the record including the application ID and application version is not included in the DeviceID control information table 551 (No in S823), the process proceeds to S824.

  In S824, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires the support Device ID corresponding to the application ID and application version acquired in S822. Specifically, the record of the application information table 511 that matches the application ID and application version acquired in S822 is acquired, and the value of the support device ID column 515 is acquired.

  Next, in S825, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 acquires the support Group ID corresponding to the application ID and application version acquired in S822. Specifically, a record of the application information table that matches the application ID and application version acquired in S822 is acquired, and the value of the support group ID column 516 is acquired.

  Next, in S826, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires the Device ID corresponding to the support Group ID acquired in S825, and adds it to the support Device ID acquired in S824. Specifically, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 acquires the value of the DeviceID column 542 of the record having the value of the GroupID column 543 that matches the support GroupID acquired in S825 as the DeviceID. Further, the license issuance request reception unit 325 adds the acquired Device ID to the support Device ID acquired in S824 and holds it in the volatile memory 210.

  In S827, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether or not the Device ID acquired in S803 is included in the support Device ID (stored in the volatile memory 210) added in S826. If it is determined that the DeviceID is included in the added support DeviceID (Yes in S827), the process proceeds to S828. In S828, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 issues a sales license and returns it as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the license issuance request source. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S827 that the DeviceID is not included in the added support DeviceID (No in S827), the process proceeds to S831.

  If it is determined in S823 that the record including the application ID and application version is included in the DeviceID control information table 551 (Yes in S823), the process proceeds to S829. In S829, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a record that matches the application ID and application version acquired in S822 from the DeviceID control information table. Further, the value of the issueable DeviceID column 554 of the acquired record is acquired.

  Next, in S830, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether the DeviceID acquired in S803 is included in the issuable DeviceID acquired in S829. If it is determined that the DeviceID is included in the issuable DeviceID (Yes in S830), the process proceeds to S828 to issue a sales license.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S830 that the DeviceID is not included in the issuable DeviceID (No in S830), the process proceeds to S831. In S831, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 returns a message indicating that the license number acquired in S801 cannot be used as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the license issuance request source. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating details of the operation confirmation license issuance processing in step S807 of FIG. 8A according to the first embodiment, and is called when the operation confirmation license is issued.

  In S841, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a record in which the license number acquired in S801 is included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561, and the application ID 562 is acquired from the record. To get.

  In step S842, the license issuance request reception unit 325 issues an installable operation check license for the application ID acquired in step S841, and returns it as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that issued the license issuance request. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart executed when the license server 101 receives an application acquisition request at the application acquisition request receiving unit 329.

  In step S901, the application acquisition request reception unit 329 acquires a license number from the received application acquisition request. In step S902, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 checks whether the license number acquired in step S901 is included in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531. If it is determined that it is included (Yes in S902), the process proceeds to S903.

  In S903, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 acquires a record including the license number acquired in S901 in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531. Then, the value of the product code column 533 of the record is acquired as a product code.

  Next, in S904, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 acquires a record that includes the product code acquired in S903 in the product code column 522 of the product information table 521. Then, the values of the application ID column 525 and the application version column 526 of the record are acquired as the application ID and application version. And it changes to S907.

  If it is determined in S902 that the license number acquired in S901 is not included in the sales license number column 532 of the sales license number information table 531 (No in S902), the process proceeds to S905.

  In S905, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 checks whether the license number acquired in S901 is included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561. If it is determined that it is included (Yes in S905), the process proceeds to S906.

  In S906, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 acquires a record including the license number acquired in S901 in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561. Then, the values in the application ID column 562 and application version column 563 of the record are acquired as the application ID and application version. And it changes to S907.

  In S907, the application acquisition request reception unit 329 acquires a record that matches the application ID and application version acquired in S904 or S906 from the application information table 511. Then, the value of the application path column 517 of the acquired record is acquired as the application path.

  In step S908, the application acquisition request reception unit 329 returns the application stored in the application path acquired in step S907 as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the application acquisition request source. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  If it is determined in S905 that the license number acquired in S901 is not included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561 (No in S905), the process proceeds to S909. To do. In S909, the application acquisition request receiving unit 329 returns an error message indicating that the license number acquired in S901 cannot be used to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the application acquisition request source as a response. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 103 can acquire an application and a license used for installation by the processes shown in FIGS. Further, the image forming apparatus 103 can acquire a sales license if the license number used for the acquisition is a sales license number, and an operation check license if the license number is an operation check license number. Usually, only the evaluation member of the application can obtain the license number for operation confirmation, and the user in the market cannot obtain it. In the image forming apparatus 103, the installation unit 355 can install an application by using the acquired application and license.

  When the application is installed using the operation confirmation license, the operation confirmation completion button 614 is displayed by displaying the application management screen 611 (FIG. 6B) of the image forming apparatus 103. The operation confirmation completion button 614 is pressed when the application operation confirmation is completed by the application evaluation member.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sequence executed when the operation check completion button 614 in FIG. 6B is pressed after the application is installed.

  When the operation confirmation completion button 614 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 103 generates an operation confirmation completion file 731 (FIG. 7D) by the operation confirmation completion file generation unit 358 in 1101. Then, the image forming apparatus 103 transmits the generated operation confirmation completion file to the license server 101 via the Internet 104 by the operation confirmation completion file registration request unit 359.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the operation confirmation completion file is uploaded from the image forming apparatus 103 to the license server 101 is shown. However, the information processing apparatus 102 may acquire the operation confirmation completion file from the image forming apparatus 103 and the information processing apparatus 102 may upload the operation confirmation completion file to the license server 101. The operation confirmation completion file is uploaded to the license server 101 by transmitting an operation confirmation completion file registration request including the operation confirmation completion file.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart executed when the license server 101 receives an operation confirmation completion file registration request at the operation confirmation completion file registration request receiving unit 330. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is realized 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 and executing it.

  In step S <b> 1001, the operation check completion file registration request reception unit 330 acquires the operation check completion file 731 from the received operation check completion file registration request. Next, in S1002, the operation check completion file registration request receiving unit 330 acquires an application ID and an application version from the operation check completion file 731 (FIG. 7D) acquired in S1001.

  Next, in S1003, the operation check completion file registration request receiving unit 330 acquires the Device ID from the operation check completion file 731 acquired in S1001. Next, in S1004, the operation confirmation completion file registration request reception unit 330 creates a new record including the application ID and application version acquired in S1002 and the DeviceID acquired in S1003, and adds the new record to the DeviceID control information table 551. To do.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the Device ID of the image forming apparatus whose operation confirmation has been completed can be reliably and automatically registered in the license server 101 for the application whose operation is to be confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the management burden on the administrator and the like, and to prevent a license from being erroneously issued to an image forming apparatus whose operation is not guaranteed.

  In the first embodiment, the license number for operation check cannot be managed, and there is a possibility that the application can be used illegally if it is on the market. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an error is generated when a license issuance request using an operation confirmation license number is received from the image forming apparatus 103 corresponding to a DeviceID whose operation is already guaranteed. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the operation confirmation license issuance process in S807 of FIG. 8A according to the second embodiment, which is called when an operation confirmation license is issued. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is realized 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 and executing it.

  In step S1201, the license issuance request reception unit 325 acquires a record in which the license number acquired in step S801 is included in the operation check license number column 564 of the operation check license number information table 561, and the application ID 562 is acquired from the record. To get.

  Next, in S1202, the license issuance request reception unit 325 obtains the issuable Device ID set for the application ID and application version obtained in S1201 from the Device ID control information table 551. Specifically, a record that matches the application ID and application version acquired in S1201 is acquired from the DeviceID control information table 551. Then, the value of the issueable DeviceID 554 of the acquired record is acquired as the issueable DeviceID.

  In step S1203, the license issuance request reception unit 325 checks whether the device ID acquired in step S803 is included in the support device ID acquired in step S1202. And when it determines with it being contained (in the case of Yes in S1203), it changes to S1204. In step S1204, the license issuance request reception unit 325 returns an error message indicating that the operation confirmation license is not issued because the device ID is already supported to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the license issuance request source. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, in S1203, when it is determined that the DeviceID acquired in S803 is not included in the support DeviceID acquired in S1202 (No in S1203), the process proceeds to S1205. In step S1205, the license issuance request receiving unit 325 issues an operation check license and returns it as a response to the image forming apparatus 103 that is the license issuance request source. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operation forming license from being issued to the image forming apparatus 103 for which the operation guarantee has been completed. Therefore, even if the operation confirmation license number is on the market, it is possible to reduce the unauthorized use.

  In each of the above embodiments, the license management of the application installed in the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the installation destination of the application for license management according to the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and may be an information processing apparatus other than the image forming apparatus. For example, a personal computer or the like may be used.

  As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, when the target application is installed using the operation check license, the operation check completion file which is a proof that the operation check has been completed. Can be issued. This operation check completion file holds information for identifying the target application and information on the image forming apparatus for which the operation check has been completed, and registers the operation check completion file in the license server to operate the target application. The model of the image forming apparatus that has been guaranteed can be securely registered in the license server. Then, the license server issues a license for sales only to the model of the image forming apparatus that has no problem as a result of the operation confirmation with the operation confirmation license, so that only the application for which the operation confirmation has been reliably completed is released to the market. Can be. In this way, even if the number of image forming apparatus models increases, it is possible to construct a new model-compatible environment that enables safe application license management corresponding to the new model. This prevents registration errors when registering only image forming devices for which application operation has been confirmed as a supported model, and can cause applications to be installed on models that are not guaranteed to operate in the market. Can be prevented.

It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.
Moreover, all the structures which combined said each Example are also contained in this invention.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, 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. That is, the present invention includes all the combinations of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof.

101 License Server 102 Information Processing Device 103 Image Forming Device 104 Internet 105 LAN

Claims (14)

A management server for managing licenses of applications installed in the information processing apparatus;
First issuing means for issuing a first license for installing an application corresponding to the first license number in the information processing apparatus when a license acquisition request using the first license number is received; ,
When the information indicating that the operation of the application installed in the information processing apparatus using the first license is confirmed is issued, the model information of the information processing apparatus is issued and the second license is issued for the application Registration means to register as possible model information;
When a license acquisition request using the second license number is received, the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application corresponding to the second license number. The second license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus is issued, and the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application. If not, a second issuing means that does not issue the second license;
A management server characterized by comprising:   The first issuing means stores in the registration means the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made a license acquisition request using the first license number in correspondence with the application corresponding to the first license number. The management server according to claim 1, wherein the first license is not issued if registered. The first license is an operation confirmation license,
The management server according to claim 1, wherein the second license is a license for sale.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus generates information indicating that the operation has been confirmed when the operation of the application installed using the first license is confirmed. Management server given in any 1 paragraph.   The management server according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the application is identified by information specifying an application and information specifying a version of the application. A management system having an information processing device and a management server for managing a license of an application installed in the information processing device,
The management server
First issuing means for issuing a first license for installing an application corresponding to the first license number in the information processing apparatus when a license acquisition request using the first license number is received; ,
When the information indicating that the operation of the application installed in the information processing apparatus using the first license is confirmed is issued, the model information of the information processing apparatus is issued and the second license is issued for the application Registration means to register as possible model information;
When a license acquisition request using the second license number is received, the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application corresponding to the second license number. The second license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus is issued, and the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application. If not, a second issuing means that does not issue the second license;
Have
The information processing apparatus includes:
A generation unit configured to generate information indicating that the operation of the application is confirmed when the operation of the application installed using the first license is confirmed;
Management system characterized by that.   The first issuing means stores in the registration means the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made a license acquisition request using the first license number in correspondence with the application corresponding to the first license number. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the first license is not issued if the license is registered. The first license is an operation confirmation license,
The management system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second license is a license for sale. The information processing apparatus includes:
When an application is installed using the first license, an instruction unit is provided for instructing when the operation of the application is confirmed.
The management system according to claim 7, wherein the generation unit generates information indicating that the operation has been confirmed when the instruction unit is instructed.   The management system according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A management server control method for managing licenses of applications installed in an information processing apparatus,
A first issuing step of issuing a first license for installing an application corresponding to the first license number in the information processing apparatus when a license acquisition request using the first license number is received; ,
When the information indicating that the operation of the application installed in the information processing apparatus using the first license is confirmed is issued, the model information of the information processing apparatus is issued and the second license is issued for the application A registration step of registering in the registration means as possible model information;
When a license acquisition request using the second license number is received, the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application corresponding to the second license number. The second license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus is issued, and the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application. If not, a second issuing step that does not issue the second license;
A management server control method characterized by comprising: A control method for a management system having an information processing device and a management server for managing a license of an application installed in the information processing device,
Executed by the management server;
A first issuing step of issuing a first license for installing an application corresponding to the first license number in the information processing apparatus when a license acquisition request using the first license number is received; ,
When the information indicating that the operation of the application installed in the information processing apparatus using the first license is confirmed is issued, the model information of the information processing apparatus is issued and the second license is issued for the application A registration step of registering in the registration means as possible model information;
When a license acquisition request using the second license number is received, the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application corresponding to the second license number. The second license for installing the application in the information processing apparatus is issued, and the model information of the information processing apparatus that has made the acquisition request is registered in the registration unit corresponding to the application. If not, a second issuing step that does not issue the second license;
Executed by the information processing apparatus;
A generation step of generating information indicating that the operation of the application is confirmed when the operation of the application installed using the first license is confirmed;
A control method for a management system, comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as a means of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.

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