JP2018072869A - Information processing apparatus, information processing program and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of efficiently installing necessary and sufficient software for a user.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing one or more pieces of software information; an information acquisition unit for acquiring one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit; one or more pieces of alternative software information defined by associating first software which is existing software with second software which is alternative software; and a decision unit for determining whether or not the alternative software information is defined in the first software with respect to one or more pieces of software acquired by the information acquisition unit, and deciding the corresponding second software as software to be installed in the storage unit when the alternative software information is defined in the first software.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method.

  Conventionally, when an image forming apparatus is introduced, software such as a driver and an application necessary for using the image forming apparatus needs to be installed in an information processing apparatus such as a PC. When actually installing these softwares, the user selects necessary drivers and applications from the display list of the installer and installs them. For example, there is a conventional technique for allowing a user to select a purpose of use and installing software that matches the purpose of use (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-350652 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the purpose of use is selected in order to use a new model image forming apparatus again when the currently used image forming apparatus is replaced with a new model image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to install a driver or application suitable for the purpose of use in the information processing apparatus.

  Therefore, an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method that can efficiently install software necessary and sufficient for a user are desired.

  An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: (1) a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of software; (2) an information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit; (3) Alternative software information defined in association with one or more second software that is an alternative to the first software that is existing software, and (4) using the information acquisition unit It is determined whether the substitute software information is defined in the first software for the acquired one or a plurality of software, and if so, the corresponding second software is stored in the storage unit. And a determination unit that determines the software to be installed.

  An information processing program according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a computer mounted on an information processing apparatus having a storage unit that stores one or more software, and (1) stores one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit. An information acquisition unit to be acquired; (2) alternative software information in which one or a plurality of alternative software is defined in association with the second software that is an alternative to the existing first software; and (3) For one or a plurality of software acquired using the information acquisition unit, it is determined whether or not the alternative software information is defined in the first software, and if it is defined, the corresponding second Software is made to function as a determination part which determines as software installed in the said memory | storage part.

  An information processing method according to a third aspect of the present invention is an information processing method used for an information processing apparatus, and includes a storage unit, an information acquisition unit, alternative software information, and a determination unit. (1) One or more storage units (2) The information acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit, and (3) the first software that is the alternative software information is existing software 1 or a plurality of second software as alternatives are defined in association with each other, and (4) the determination unit performs the replacement with respect to the one or a plurality of software acquired using the information acquisition unit. It is determined whether or not software information is defined in the first software, and if so, the corresponding second software is installed in the storage unit. And determining a wear.

  According to the present invention, software necessary and sufficient for a user can be efficiently installed.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the computer which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the alternative software table which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation list which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the computer (installer) which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the alternative software supplementary information table which concerns on deformation | transformation embodiment.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment (A-1-1) Overall Configuration FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the image forming system 5 includes a computer 1, a printer A, a multifunction device B, and a multifunction device C. In FIG. 2, the number of each device is not limited.

  The computer 1 is an information terminal for using the printer A, the multifunction machine B, and the multifunction machine C. For example, the computer 1 performs data print processing, print settings, and the like, and outputs image data to the printer A or the like via a network (for example, a local area network).

  The printer A prints and outputs an image on a medium such as paper based on image data acquired through a network.

  A single multifunction device B also functions as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a FAX (fax), and the like.

  As with the multifunction machine B, the multifunction machine C is a single machine that also functions as a printer, a scanner, a copier, and a fax machine. In this embodiment, the multi-function device C is assumed to be a successor model of the multi-function device B newly introduced into the image forming system 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the multifunction machine C may be the same type as the multifunction machine B or a conventional model.

  The printer A, the multifunction machine B, and the multifunction machine C are examples of an image forming apparatus.

(A-1-2) Detailed Configuration of Computer 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer 1 according to the embodiment.

  The computer 1 includes a display unit 2, an input unit 3, a storage unit 10, and an installer 11. Note that some of the components of the computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured as software.

  The display unit 2 is a functional unit that performs display, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

  The input unit 3 is a functional unit that inputs information, and is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse.

  The storage unit 10 stores software (programs) used in the printer A and the multifunction device B. As the storage unit 10, for example, a nonvolatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory can be applied.

  The storage unit 10 includes a printer driver A 100 and a color adjustment tool 101 used in the printer A, a printer driver B 102 and a scanner driver B 103 used in the multifunction machine B, a scan application (first version) 104, and an address book registration. A tool 105 and a menu setting tool 106 are stored (installed).

  The printer driver A100 is a printer driver for issuing a print command from the computer 1 to the printer A.

  The color adjustment tool 101 is a tool (application) that performs color adjustment on the printer A.

  The printer driver B102 is a printer driver for issuing a print command from the computer 1 to the multifunction device B.

  The scanner driver B103 is a scanner driver for acquiring scan data scanned by the multifunction device B.

  The scan application (version 1) 104 is an application that acquires (scans) the scan data scanned by the multifunction device B via the scanner driver B103.

  The address book registration tool 105 is an application for changing the settings of the address book of the multi-function device B (a destination list when sending an image by e-mail or fax).

  The menu setting tool 106 is an application for changing the menu setting of the multifunction machine B.

  The installer 11 is used to install a printer driver C116, a fax driver C117, a scanner driver C118, a scan application (second version) 119, and a setting tool 120, which are programs for controlling the newly introduced multifunction peripheral C, in the computer 1. It is an installer. The installer 11 may be acquired from a distribution server (not shown) via a network, or may be acquired via an external storage device (USB or the like).

  The installer 11 includes a setting unit 110, an information acquisition unit 111, a determination unit 112, an installation unit 113, an alternative software table 114, an installation list 115, a printer driver C116, a fax driver C117, a scanner driver C118, a scan application (second version) 119, And a setting tool 120.

  The setting unit 110 performs control to display a setting screen for selecting general software to be installed on the display unit 2. Further, the setting unit 110 performs control to add all the selected software to the installed software name 115A of the installation list 115. After the addition, the setting unit 110 calls the installation unit 113.

  The information acquisition unit 111 extracts all software names installed in the computer 1. In addition, the information acquisition unit 111 passes the extracted software name to the determination unit 112.

  For all the software names passed from the information acquisition unit 111, the determination unit 112 includes a printer driver, a fax driver, and a scanner driver as the driver type in the case of a driver, an application name in the case of an application, and an alternative software table 114 described later. It is determined whether there is an entry that matches the existing software 114A. Then, the determination unit 112 adds the replacement software 114B of the matching entry if it does not exist in the installation software name 115A of the installation list 115 described later, and calls the installation unit 113.

  The installation unit 113 installs all the software with the installed software name 115 </ b> A in the installation list 115 in the computer 1.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the alternative software table.

  In FIG. 3, an alternative software table 114 as alternative software information is a table that defines a software name as an alternative having an equivalent function with respect to already installed software. The substitute software table 114 includes existing software 114A as first software and substitute software 114B as second software.

  Existing software 114A defines existing software.

  The substitute software 114B defines substitute software having an equivalent function to the existing software 114A. It is determined that there is no alternative software for software that is not defined in the existing software 114A.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a printer driver, a fax driver, a scanner driver, a scan application, an address book registration tool, and a menu setting tool are defined as the existing software 114A, and the corresponding alternative software 114B includes a printer driver C116, a fax driver C117, A scanner driver C118, a scan application (second version) 119, and a setting tool 120 are defined.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the installation list.

  The installation list 115 is a list of software to be installed, and includes an installed software name 115A. The installed software name 115A stores the name of the software to be installed.

  The printer driver C116 is a printer driver installation package for printing on the multifunction machine C.

  The fax driver C117 is a fax driver installation package for sending a fax from the multifunction machine C.

  The scanner driver C118 is a scanner driver installation package for acquiring scan data scanned by the multifunction machine C.

  A scan application (version 2) 119 is an application installation package that acquires scan data via the scanner driver B103 and the scanner driver C118.

  The setting tool 120 is an application installation package for changing the setting of the address book of the MFP C and the setting of the menu.

(A-2) Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the computer 1 (operation of the installer 11) according to the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer 1 (installer 11). As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the MFP C is newly introduced instead of the MFP B currently in use. Then, the computer 1 installs the software for the multifunction device C (activates the installer 11) in order to make the multifunction device C usable. The process of FIG. 5 is a process executed when the installer 11 is activated. In the following description, it is assumed that the alternative software table 114 is in the state shown in FIG.

  When the installer 11 is activated, the information acquisition unit 111 includes a printer driver A100, a color adjustment tool 101, a printer driver B102, a scanner driver B103, a scan application (first version) 104, which are software names installed in the computer 1. The address book registration tool 105 and the menu setting tool 106 are extracted and passed to the determination unit 112 (S101).

  The determination unit 112 initializes (deletes) all entries of the installed software name 115A in the installation list 115 (S102).

  The determination unit 112 determines whether a software name is received from the information acquisition unit 111 (S103). If the determination unit 112 has not received the software name, the determination unit 112 proceeds to the process of step S113 described later. If the software name is received, the determination unit 112 performs the following process.

  If the determination unit 112 determines that the software name has been received from the information acquisition unit 111 in the process of step S103 described above, the determination unit 112 sets the first received software name (in this example, the printer driver A100) as a processing target ( S104).

  The determination unit 112 determines whether the software to be processed exists in the alternative software table 114 (existing software 114A) (S105). For example, the printer driver A100 is an entry that matches the printer driver existing in the existing software 114A in the alternative software table 114. When there is no entry that matches the existing software 114A, the determination unit 112 proceeds to the process of step S109 described later. When there is a matching entry, the determination unit 112 performs the following process.

  The deciding unit 112 reads software as a substitute for the matching entry from the substitute software 114B (S106). For example, software that replaces the printer driver (printer driver A100) of the existing software 114A is the printer driver C116 of the replacement software 114B.

  The determination unit 112 determines whether or not alternative software read from the alternative software 114B exists in the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A) (S107). When the substitute software exists in the installed software name 115A, the determination unit 112 proceeds to the process of step S109 described later. On the other hand, when the substitute software does not exist in the installed software name 115A, the determination unit 112 performs the following process.

  The determination unit 112 adds the substitute software read from the substitute software 114B to the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A) (S108). For example, since the printer driver C116 does not exist in the installed software name 115A in the installation list 115, the printer driver C116 is added to the installed software name 115A.

  The determination unit 112 determines whether or not the next software to be processed exists for the software name received from the information acquisition unit 111 (S109). When there is no next processing target software, the determination unit 112 executes a process of step S110 described later, and when there is a next processing target software, the determination unit 112 proceeds to the above-described step S104. For example, the process is executed again from step S104 for the color adjustment tool 101 that is the next processing target of the printer driver A100. The color adjustment tool 101 is not an installation target because there is no entry that matches the existing software 114 </ b> A in the alternative software table 114. Further, referring to the alternative software table 114, the printer driver B102 which is the next processing target has the printer driver C116 as alternative software, but already exists in the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A). Do not duplicate the list. Similarly, when the scanner driver B 103, the scan application (version 1) 104, the address book registration tool 105, and the menu setting tool 106 are processed, the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A) becomes the state shown in FIG. .

  If the determination unit 112 determines that the processing of the software received from the information acquisition unit 111 has been performed in the process of step S109 described above, the determination unit 112 determines whether software is present in the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A). (S110). When there is no software in the installed software name 115A, the determination unit 112 proceeds to the process of step S113 described later, and when there is software in the installed software name 115A, performs the following process.

  The determination unit 112 calls the installation unit 113 (S111).

  The install unit 113 installs all the software with the install software name 115A in the install list 115 in the storage unit 10 (S112).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the software does not exist in the installation list 115 (installed software name 115A) in the process of step S110 described above, the determining unit 112 calls the setting unit 110 (S113).

  The setting unit 110 displays a screen for selecting software to be installed on the display unit 2, and accepts a selection from the user (S114).

  The setting unit 110 adds all the software selected by the user to the installed software name 115A, and executes the process of step S111 described above (S115).

(A-3) Effects of Embodiment According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  By executing the installer 11, the computer 1 includes an image forming apparatus that is not currently used for replacement without selecting software to be installed for the newly introduced image forming apparatus or selecting a purpose of use. It is possible to extract drivers and applications installed for all image forming apparatuses and automatically install drivers and applications for new apparatuses (in this embodiment, multifunction machine C) having equivalent functions. It becomes.

  That is, it is possible to efficiently install necessary and sufficient software for the user.

(B) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include modified embodiments as exemplified below.

  (B-1) In the above embodiment, the example in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to the computer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to various information processing apparatuses such as smartphones and tablet terminals. Can do.

  (B-2) In the above embodiment, even if the existing software 114A is defined in the alternative software table 114, if the existing software is not installed in the storage unit 10, the alternative software 114B corresponding to the existing software 114A is It will not be installed. For example, a fax driver is defined in the existing software 114A of the alternative software table 114, but the fax driver does not exist in the storage unit 10 (because the fax driver is not installed when installing the software of the MFP B). When C software is installed, the fax driver C117 is not installed. As a modification, in the installation process of the installer 11 (for example, immediately after step S112 in FIG. 5), software that has not been installed at the time of software installation of the printer A and the multifunction device B is also displayed on the display unit 2, for example. By pressing a button (a button for extracting software related to the printer A, a button for extracting software related to the multifunction machine B, or a button for extracting both software) in the screen, the alternative software table 114 (existing software 114A) If it exists, the corresponding alternative software 114B may be installed after inquiring the user.

  (B-3) If software that is not related to the printer A and the multifunction device B and is unique to the multifunction device C exists, the software asks whether or not to install the software, and then installs the software. May be.

  (B-4) As a modification, the computer 1 has, for example, an alternative software supplement information table 200 as shown in FIG. When installing the setting tool 120 in the installation process (for example, during the process of step S112 in FIG. 5), the installer 11 refers to the alternative software supplementary information table 200 and displays usage help on the display unit 2. You may do it. Similarly, when installing the printer driver C116, the installer 11 refers to the alternative software supplement information table 200 and displays the part added / changed from the printer driver A100 (printer driver B102) on the display unit 2. good.

  (B-5) In the example of FIG. 3 (alternative software table 114), an example is described in which one alternative software is defined for one existing software. However, as a modification, for one existing software, Multiple alternative software may be defined.

  (B-6) In the above embodiment, the printer A, the multifunction device B, and the multifunction device C have been described on the assumption that they are products of the same company. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the already installed printer A and multifunction device B and the newly introduced multifunction device C may be products of different companies. That is, in the alternative software table 114, as long as the existing software 114A and the alternative software 114B can be associated with each other, there is no particular relationship with which company the product is.

  (B-7) In the above embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the computer 1 has acquired the installers 11 at a time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the alternative software table 114 may be configured to always obtain the latest alternative software table 114 via a network when installing.

  (B-8) The configuration of the software of the printer A and the multifunction device B already installed in the storage unit 10 of FIG. 1 and the configuration of the software of the multifunction device C of the installer 11 are examples and are limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, various types of software such as an application for printing a PDF file, a color sample tool, and a log management tool may be added as the software of the MFP C of the installer 11. Even in such a case, the operation of the installer 11 is as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Input part, 5 ... Image forming system, 10 ... Memory | storage part, 11 ... Installer, 101 ... Color adjustment tool, 105 ... Address book registration tool, 106 ... Menu setting tool, 110 ... Setting unit 111 ... Information acquisition unit 112 ... Determination unit 113 113 Installation unit 114 114 Alternative software table 114A Existing software 114B Alternative software 115 Installation list 115A Installation software name 120 Setting tool 200 ... Replacement software supplementary information table, A ... Printer, 100 ... Printer driver A, B ... Multifunction device, 102 ... Printer driver B, 103 ... Scanner driver B, C ... Multifunction device, 116 ... Printer driver C, 117 ... Fax Driver C, 118 ... Yanadoraiba C, 104 ... scanning application (version 1), 119 ... scanning application (second edition).

Claims (5)

A storage unit for storing one or more software;
An information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit;
Alternative software information defined in association with one or more second software that is an alternative to the first software that is existing software;
For one or a plurality of software acquired using the information acquisition unit, it is determined whether or not the alternative software information is defined in the first software, and if it is defined, the corresponding second An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines software as software to be installed in the storage unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first software, the second software, and one or a plurality of software stored in the storage unit are software related to an image forming apparatus.   The first software, the second software, and the one or more software stored in the storage unit are a driver that controls the image forming apparatus, an application related to the image forming apparatus, or a combination thereof. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. A computer mounted on an information processing apparatus having a storage unit for storing one or more software;
An information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit;
Alternative software information defined in association with one or more second software that is an alternative to the first software that is existing software;
For one or a plurality of software acquired using the information acquisition unit, it is determined whether or not the alternative software information is defined in the first software, and if it is defined, the corresponding second An information processing program that causes software to function as a determination unit that determines software to be installed in the storage unit. In an information processing method used for an information processing apparatus,
A storage unit, an information acquisition unit, alternative software information and a determination unit;
The storage unit stores one or more software,
The information acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of software information stored in the storage unit,
The substitute software information defines one or a plurality of the first software that is the existing software in association with the second software to be substituted,
The determining unit determines whether or not the alternative software information is defined in the first software with respect to one or a plurality of software acquired using the information acquiring unit. The information processing method, wherein the second software to be determined is determined as software to be installed in the storage unit.

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