JP2018156467A - Information processing system, information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an introduction cost of application software.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 100 including an information processing apparatus 1, and a server system 2 which is connected to the information processing apparatus via a network 8 and replies to the information processing device 1 various pieces of information corresponding to a request from the information processing device 1, the server system 2 includes: precondition holding means for holding a precondition necessary for application software available in the information processing apparatus 1; and notification information generation means for generating notification information for notifying the information processing apparatus 1 of the application software usable by the information processing apparatus 1 and a precondition related to the application software in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 includes: acquisition means for acquiring the notification information generated by the notification information generation means as a reply from the server system 2; and notification means for notifying the notification information acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  In recent years, cloud computing services are expanding as a method for speeding up system construction and reducing system operation costs.

  Recently, application software (hereinafter referred to as “application”) is downloaded from a Web UI provided by a Web server on the cloud to an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP), and the application is installed. The update mechanism is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, for each of a plurality of applications held by a server, an application explanation page on which a download button (virtual button) requesting download of the application is displayed from the server to the computer device (client device). Provided and displayed on the display of the computer device. A technique is disclosed that permits a download only when the download button on the application description page is selected and only when the selected application is supported by the computer device.

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the user may not be able to confirm the preconditions necessary for using the application, which may increase the application introduction cost for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method capable of reducing the cost when introducing application software.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is connected to an information processing apparatus via a network and responds to the information processing apparatus with various types of information in response to requests from the information processing apparatus. In the information processing system comprising a server system, the server system is configured to satisfy a precondition holding unit that holds a precondition necessary for application software that can be used in the information processing apparatus, and a request from the information processing apparatus. And a notification information generating unit configured to generate notification information for notifying the information processing device of the application software that can be used by the information processing device and the preconditions relating to the application software. The notification information generated by the information generation means is sent from the server system. Comprising obtaining means for obtaining the answer, and a notification means for notifying the notification information acquired by the acquisition unit, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, when installing or updating application software, the user can check the prerequisites necessary for using the application software, so that the cost of introducing the application can be reduced. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the MFP. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the MFP. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the operation screen. FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the application list screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a URL scheme. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the Web server. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that the Web server has. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that the download server has. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the application information providing server. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first correspondence information. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second correspondence information. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of third correspondence information. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the information processing system. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a display operation procedure of the application list screen. FIG. 17 is a front view showing an example of the application details screen. FIG. 18 is a front view showing an example of the installation success screen. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the Web server generates an application list screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is an aspect of the image forming apparatus will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having a plurality of different functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a print function, and a fax function.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 100 includes an MFP 1 and a server system 2, which are connected to each other via a network 8 such as the Internet. The information processing system 100 implements a cloud computing type service.

  For convenience of explanation, in the example of FIG. 1, one MFP 1 is illustrated as an information processing apparatus included in the information processing system 100, but is not limited thereto, and is included in the information processing system 100. The number and type of information processing apparatuses are arbitrary. In short, the information processing system 100 only needs to include one or more information processing apparatuses.

  In the example of FIG. 1, a firewall 6 is provided between the MFP 1 and the network 8. Further, optional devices 31-1 to 31-n can be connected to the MFP 1. As the optional devices 31-1 to 31-n, an image processing device such as a printer or a camera, a voice input / output device such as a microphone or a speaker, an IC card reader / writer, or the like is assumed. Further, the connection 7 between the MFP 1 and the optional devices 31-1 to 31-n may be physically connected in a wired manner, or connected by wireless such as near field communication (NFC). It may be a form. In the following description, when the optional devices 31-1 to 31-n are not distinguished from each other, they may be simply referred to as “optional devices 31”. A specific configuration of the MFP 1 will be described later.

  The server system 2 displays a list of one or more application software (referred to as “applications” in the following description), and provides a Web page for using and downloading each application, in other words, providing an application. A function of providing the Web page (which may be referred to as an “application list screen 50” in the following description) to the MFP 1, a function for determining whether or not an application selected from the application list screen 50 can be downloaded, And a function of transmitting an application permitted to be downloaded to the MFP 1.

  As will be described in detail later, in the example of FIG. 1, the server system 2 is a cloud that is a server group including a Web server 5, an application information providing server 3, and a download server 4. The server system 2 may be configured by a single server having the functions of a Web server 5, an application information providing server 3, and a download server 4 described later, or the Web server 5 and the application information providing server 3. , And two or more servers in which the functions of the download server 4 are distributed. In short, the server system 2 only needs to include one or more servers.

  The Web server 5 provides a Web UI, and provides, for example, an application list screen 50 to the MFP 1. More specific contents will be described later.

  The application information providing server 3 provides various information necessary for creating the application list screen 50. More specific contents will be described later.

  The download server 4 transmits (downloads) an application to the MFP 1 in response to a request from the MFP 1. More specific contents will be described later.

  In this example, an application for acquiring the application list screen 50 from the server system 2 and displaying it on the MFP 1 (in the following description, it may be referred to as “app market application”), or displayed on the application list screen 50 An application that provides a function for performing control (control for downloading and installing the application to the MFP 1) for using the application selected by the user among the selected applications (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "installer") Are installed in the MFP 1 in advance. In this example, the function of the application market application is realized by using an application for providing the function of the Web browser (hereinafter also referred to as “browser application”). In this example, the browser application is also installed in the MFP 1 in advance.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a main body 10 capable of realizing various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that receives a user operation. Note that accepting a user operation is a concept including accepting information (including a signal indicating a coordinate value of a screen) input according to the user operation. The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected via a dedicated communication path 30 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 30 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be of any standard regardless of wired or wireless.

  The main body 10 can perform an operation corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 20. The main body 10 can also communicate with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer), and can also perform an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

  First, the hardware configuration of the main body 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a hard disk drive (HDD) 14, a communication I / O. An F (Interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, and an engine unit 17 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a system bus 18.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the main body 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and the above-described copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function, etc. Implement various functions.

  The communication I / F 15 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 30.

  The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. For example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that performs printing on a sheet material such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication are provided. Furthermore, the engine unit 17 may include a specific optional device 31 such as a finisher that sorts printed sheet materials or an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds a document.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a communication I / F 25, a connection I / F 26, an operation panel 27, and an external connection I / F 28. These are connected to each other via a system bus 29.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 uses the RAM 23 as a work area (work area) and executes a program stored in the ROM 22 or the flash memory 24 to control the operation of the entire operation unit 20 and information (image) according to the input received from the user. Various functions described later such as display of) are realized.

  The communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to the network 8. The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the main body 10 via the communication path 30.

  Operation panel 27 accepts various inputs in accordance with user operations and displays various types of information (for example, information in accordance with accepted operations, information indicating the operation status of MFP 1, information indicating setting status, etc.). . In this example, the operation panel 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (LCD) having a touch panel function, but is not limited thereto. For example, an organic EL display device equipped with a touch panel function may be used. Further, in addition to or instead of this, an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display unit such as a lamp may be provided.

  The external connection I / F 28 is an interface for connecting to the optional device 31, and for connecting to hardware such as an image processing device such as a camera, a voice input / output device such as a microphone and a speaker, and an IC card reader / writer, for example. Interface.

  Next, the software configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the MFP 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the main body 10 includes an application layer 101, a service layer 102, and an OS layer 103. The entities of the application layer 101, the service layer 102, and the OS layer 103 are various software stored in the ROM 12, the HDD 14, and the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 11 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 101 is an application for operating a hardware resource and providing a predetermined function. Examples of the application include a copy application for providing a copy function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, a printer application for providing a printer function, and the like.

  In addition, examples of applications in the application layer 101 include an SDK (Software Development Kit) that collects tools necessary for developing software, a browser, and dependent software necessary for using the application.

  The software of the service layer 102 is software that is interposed between the application layer 101 and the OS layer 103 and provides an interface for using hardware resources included in the main body 10 for the application. More specifically, it is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for a hardware resource and arbitrating the operation request. As an operation request received by the service layer 102, a request such as reading by a scanner or printing by a plotter can be considered.

  Note that the interface function by the service layer 102 is provided not only to the application layer 101 of the main body 10 but also to the application layer 201 of the operation unit 20. That is, the application layer 201 (application) of the operation unit 20 can also realize a function using hardware resources (for example, the engine unit 17) of the main body 10 through the interface function of the service layer 102. For example, the interface function of the service layer 102 is provided by WebAPI.

  The software of the OS layer 103 is basic software (operating system (OS)) for providing a basic function for controlling hardware included in the main body 10. The software of the service layer 102 converts a hardware resource use request from various applications into a command interpretable by the OS layer 103 and passes the command to the OS layer 103. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 103, the hardware resource performs an operation according to the request of the application.

  Similarly, the operation unit 20 includes an application layer 201, a service layer 202, and an OS layer 203. The application layer 201, the service layer 202, and the OS layer 203 included in the operation unit 20 have the same hierarchical structure as that of the main body 10 side. However, the functions provided by the application of the application layer 201 and the types of operation requests that can be accepted by the service layer 202 are different from those of the main body 10 side.

  The application of the application layer 201 may be software for operating a hardware resource included in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function, but mainly functions provided in the main body 10 (copy function, scanner function, fax function). , A printer function) software for providing a UI (user interface) function for performing operations and display. The application layer 201 includes an application market application (native application), a browser application, and the like. The service layer 202 includes an installer.

  In this embodiment, the software of the OS layer 103 on the main body 10 side and the software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of functions. That is, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. For example, it is possible to use Linux (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 103 on the main body 10 side and Android (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side.

  As described above, in MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, main body 10 and operation unit 20 operate on different operating systems, and therefore communication between main body 10 and operation unit 20 is an inter-process communication within a common apparatus. Rather, it is performed as communication between different devices. An operation (command communication) for transmitting information (instruction content from the user) received by the operation unit 20 to the main body 10, an operation for the main body 10 notifying the operation unit 20 of an event, and the like correspond to this. Here, the function of the main body 10 can be used when the operation unit 20 performs command communication with the main body 10. The event notified from the main body 10 to the operation unit 20 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 10 and the contents set on the main body 10 side.

  In the present embodiment, power supply to the operation unit 20 is performed from the main body 10 via the communication path 30, so that power control of the operation unit 20 is performed separately from the power control of the main body 10 (independently). Can do).

  Next, functions of the MFP 1 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions that the MFP 1 has. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the MFP 1 includes a display control unit 111, an application list screen acquisition unit 112, an application request transmission unit 115, an application information reception unit 116, a connection determination unit 117, and an installation control unit 118. Have. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 mainly illustrates functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the MFP 1 are not limited to these.

  The display control unit 111 performs control to display a screen on the operation panel 27. For example, the display control unit 111 performs control to display an operation screen for performing various operations on the operation panel 27. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the operation screen, and an icon 60 for starting the app market application is displayed on the operation screen. Further, the display control unit 111 has a function (notification means) for performing control to display an application list screen 50 acquired by an application list screen acquisition unit 112 described later. The application list screen 50 will be described later.

  The description of FIG. 4 is continued. The application list screen acquisition unit 112 functions as an acquisition unit, and acquires the application list screen 50 from the Web server 5. In the present embodiment, when the user touches the icon 60 on the operation screen, the browser application (application list screen acquisition unit 112) requests the Web server 5 to request the application list screen 50 (hereinafter referred to as “application”). May be referred to as “list screen request”). As a response, the application list screen 50 is acquired from the Web server 5.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the application list screen 50. In the example of FIG. 6, the application list screen 50 includes, for each of a plurality of applications, explanation information 41 that explains the contents of the application, and a button 40 for instructing installation of the application (hereinafter referred to as “install button 40”). Button B is displayed. In this example, the URL scheme describing the execution procedure of the installation command is pasted on the installation button 40 corresponding to the application.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the URL scheme pasted on the install button 40 corresponding to the application identified by the ID (application ID) “49354”. The “installer” part in FIG. 7 is a header part of the URL scheme. Hereinafter, the header part of the URL scheme may be referred to as a “scheme part”. A scheme portion “installer” represents information for identifying an application that executes an installation command, and in this example represents an installer installed in the MFP 1. In FIG. 7, the “installApp” portion of “installApp? Id = 49354” is an install command, and the argument of the install command is “id = 49354”. This represents an installation instruction for the application identified by the id “49354”. When the install button 40 to which the URL scheme shown in FIG. 7 is pasted is pressed, the URL scheme shown in FIG. 7 is broadcast to each application of the MFP 1, and the installer reacts to the broadcast URL scheme. In this example, each function of an application request transmission unit 115, an application information reception unit 116, a connection determination unit 117, and an installation control unit 118, which will be described later, is provided by an installer.

  The application request transmission unit 115 includes an application ID for identifying an application, and transmits an application request for requesting the application to the server system 2. In this example, the acquisition permission information indicating that the acquisition of the application is permitted includes the URL of the download server 4, and the application request transmission unit 115 sends the download server 4 specified by the URL to the download server 4. Send the above application request. A more specific processing procedure will be described later.

  The application information receiving unit 116 shows, as a response to the above-described application request, at least an application and an optional device necessary for using the application, and condition information indicating a precondition necessary for using the application Are received from the server system 2. In this example, the application information receiving unit 116 receives application information from the download server 4 as a response to the above-described application request.

  The description of FIG. 4 is continued. The connection determination unit 117 indicates that the optional device 31 (the optional device 31 identified by the optional device identification information in the information file) indicated by the information file (condition information) included in the application information received by the application information receiving unit 116 is the MFP 1. It is determined whether it is connected to. For example, the connection determination unit 117 includes option device list information indicating a list of option devices 31 connected to the MFP 1 and option device identification information in the information file included in the application information received by the application information receiving unit 116. In comparison, it can also be determined whether or not the optional device 31 identified by the optional device identification information is connected to the MFP 1. For example, the option device list information is information indicating option device identification information for each of one or more option devices connected to the MFP 1, and the connection determination unit 117 is a program for managing the option device 31 connected to the MFP 1 (for example, The above-described option device list information may be acquired from the program on the main body 10 side, or the device itself may manage (hold) the option device list information.

  If the connection determination unit 117 determines that the option device 31 indicated by the information file (condition information) included in the application information received by the application information reception unit 116 is connected to the MFP 1, the installation control unit 118 Control is performed to install the application included in the application information received by the application information receiving unit 116 in the MFP 1. Further, the installation control unit 118 determines that the connection determination unit 117 determines that the optional device indicated by the information file (condition information) included in the application information received by the application information reception unit 116 is not connected to the MFP 1. Then, the control for installing the application included in the application information received by the application information receiving unit 116 in the MFP 1 is stopped. In this case, for example, the installation control unit 118 can also perform control to display an error screen on the operation panel 27. In this case, for example, the installation control unit 118 requests the display control unit 111 to display an error screen, and the display control unit 111 that has received the request performs control to display the error screen on the operation panel 27. Good.

  In this example, the functions of the display control unit 111, the application list screen acquisition unit 112, the application request transmission unit 115, the application information reception unit 116, the connection determination unit 117, and the installation control unit 118 described above are the operations Provided by section 20. Each of the above functions is realized by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in the ROM 22 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the above functions is realized by a dedicated hardware circuit. May be. Among the functions of the application list screen acquisition unit 112 described above, the function of transmitting an application list screen request to the Web server 5 and the function of receiving the application list screen 50 from the Web server 5 communicate with the CPU 21 that executes the program. It may be considered that it is realized by a combination with the I / F 25. For example, when transmitting an application list screen request to the Web server 5, the CPU 21 controls the communication I / F 25 to transmit an application list screen request to the Web server 5. For example, when the application list screen 50 is received from the Web server 5, the communication I / F 25 receives the application list screen 50 from the Web server 5. Then, the communication I / F 25 notifies the CPU 21 of the application list screen 50 received from the Web server 5. Thereby, the CPU 21 can detect reception of the application list screen 50. Similarly, the functions of the application request transmission unit 115 and the application information reception unit 116 may be realized by a combination of the CPU 21 that executes the program and the communication I / F 25.

  Next, functions that the Web server 5 has will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the Web server 5. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the Web server 5 includes a CPU 521, a ROM 522, a RAM 523, an input unit 524, a display unit 525, and a communication I / F 526. The hardware configurations of the application information providing server 3 and the download server 4 are the same as the hardware configuration of the Web server 5 in FIG.

  The CPU 521 comprehensively controls the operation of the Web server 5. The ROM 522 is a non-volatile memory that stores various data such as programs. The RAM 523 is a volatile memory that functions as a work area (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 521. The input unit 524 is a device that is used for input of an operation by the user, and includes, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The display unit 525 is a device that displays various types of information, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The communication I / F 526 is an interface for connecting to the network 8.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that the Web server 5 has. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the Web server 5 includes an application list screen generation unit 511 and an application list screen transmission unit 512 that are notification information generation means. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 mainly illustrates functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the Web server 5 are not limited to these.

  The application list screen generation unit 511 generates the application list screen 50 described above. When receiving the above-described application list screen request from MFP 1, application list screen transmitting unit 512 transmits application list screen 50 generated by application list screen generating unit 511 to MFP 1 as a response.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the application list screen transmission unit 512 described above is realized by the CPU 521 executing a program stored in the ROM 522 or the like, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a dedicated hardware circuit (semiconductor Integrated circuit etc.). Here, it may be considered that the function of the application list screen transmission unit 512 is realized by a combination of the CPU 521 that executes the program and the communication I / F 526.

  Next, functions of the download server 4 will be described. As described above, the hardware configuration of the download server 4 is the same as the hardware configuration of the Web server 5 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that the download server 4 has. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the download server 4 includes an application request reception unit 411 and an application information transmission unit 412. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 10 mainly illustrates functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the download server 4 are not limited to these.

  The application request receiving unit 411 receives the above-described application request from the MFP 1. As a response to the application request, application information transmission unit 412 transmits application information corresponding to the application ID (application identification information) included in the application request to MFP 1. More specifically, the application information transmission unit 412 uses the application request reception unit 411 from among a plurality of pieces of application information held in advance by the server system 2 (which may be the download server 4 or another server). Application information having file information including an application ID (application identification information) included in the received application request is selected, and the selected application information is transmitted to MFP 1.

  In the present embodiment, the functions (application request receiving unit 411 and application information transmitting unit 412) of the download server 4 described above are realized by the CPU 521 executing a program stored in the ROM 522 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Here, it may be considered that the functions of the application request receiving unit 411 and the application information transmitting unit 412 are realized by a combination of the CPU 521 that executes the program and the communication I / F 526.

  Next, functions of the application information providing server 3 will be described. As described above, the hardware configuration of the application information providing server 3 is the same as the hardware configuration of the Web server 5 in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that the application information providing server 3 has. As shown in FIG. 11, the application information providing server 3 includes an application information storage unit 301 that is a precondition holding unit. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 11 mainly illustrates functions related to the present embodiment, but the functions of the application information providing server 3 are not limited to these.

  The application information storage unit 301 includes a plurality of applications associated with an organization ID for identifying an organization that provides an application corresponding to regional information indicating a geographical location where the MFP 1 is installed or sales company information indicating a store of the MFP 1 For each, a model ID for identifying a model of an information processing apparatus that can use the application is stored in association with various precondition information necessary for using the application. In the present embodiment, the application information storage unit 301 stores the first correspondence information shown in FIG. 12, the second correspondence information shown in FIG. 13, and the third correspondence information shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 12, the first correspondence information includes a model ID assigned to each model of MFP 1, an application ID for identifying an application, a sales company ID indicating a store of MFP 1, and a country in which the sales company exists. Is information in which the country ID indicating the date, the date information indicating the date when the application was published, the version information of the application, and the description information describing the contents of the application are associated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the second correspondence information uses an application ID, an external service such as an external storage service required to use the application corresponding to the application ID, and an application corresponding to the application ID. Dependent software required to do this, the version of the dependent software, software that cannot be used together with the application corresponding to the application ID, and information on optional equipment required to use the application corresponding to the application ID Information.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the third correspondence information includes a model ID, a tenant ID indicating a tenant in which the MFP 1 is installed, and external service availability information indicating availability of an external service such as an external storage service in the tenant. Is associated with each other.

  Next, an operation procedure of the information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the information processing system 100. As shown in FIG. 15, first, when the user touches the icon 60 (see FIG. 5) on the operation screen (step S1), the above-described application market application is activated, and the application market application uses the browser application. Then, the above-mentioned application list screen request is transmitted to the Web server 5 (step S2). As a response, the application list screen 50 is received from the Web server 5 (step S3), and the received application list screen 50 is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S4).

  Here, the display of the application list screen in steps S2 to S4 described above will be described in detail.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a display operation procedure of the application list screen. As illustrated in FIG. 16, when the user touches the icon 60 (see FIG. 5) on the operation screen to request display of the application list screen (step S <b> 101), the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1 A device status acquisition request such as a connection status is transmitted to the main body 10 of the MFP 1 (step S102). The main body 10 of the MFP 1 that has received the device status acquisition request acquires the device status (step S103) and transmits it to the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1 (step S104).

  Receiving the device status, the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1 transmits an application list screen acquisition request to the Web server 5 (step S105). The acquisition request for the application list screen includes the model ID of the MFP 1 and the like.

  Receiving the application list screen acquisition request, the Web server 5 requests the application information providing server 3 for various types of information related to the application that can be used by the MFP 1 (step S106).

  Then, as a response, the application information providing server 3 transmits various types of information related to applications that can be used by the MFP 1 from the application information providing server 3 (step S107).

Here, the various information which the application information provision server 3 receives from the application information provision server 3 is as follows.
-Model ID of MFP1
-Applications that can be used together-Necessary optional equipment-Country ID
・ Sales company ID
・ Publication date ・ App ID
・ Explanatory information explaining the contents of the application ・ Required dependent software ・ Required external services ・ External service availability

  Thereafter, the Web server 5 generates an application list screen (step S108) and displays it on the operation panel 27 of the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1. The user checks the application list screen displayed on the operation panel 27 of the operation unit 20 of the MFP 1 (step S109).

As shown in FIG. 6, the application list screen 50 according to the present embodiment displays, for each of a plurality of applications, preconditions 42 necessary for Install / Update in addition to the explanation information 41 that explains the contents of the application. . The prerequisite 42 necessary for Install / Update is, for example, information as shown below.
(Example 1) Uninstallation of XXX is required (Example 2) Installation of an IC card reader is required (Example 3) Use of external services is required

  The information shown in (Example 1) is based on software that cannot be used together with the application corresponding to the application ID in the second correspondence information shown in FIG. The information shown in (Example 2) is based on optional equipment necessary for using the application corresponding to the application ID in the second correspondence information shown in FIG. The information shown in (Example 3) is based on an external service necessary for using the application corresponding to the application ID in the second correspondence information shown in FIG.

  That is, the application list screen 50 is notification information that notifies the MFP 1 of the application that can be used by the MFP 1 and the preconditions for the application in response to a request from the MFP 1.

  As described above, the application list screen 50 of the present embodiment notifies the user of the preconditions 42 necessary for Install / Update at the time of installation or update, so that the user can confirm the preconditions necessary for using the application. The cost at the time of introduction can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the precondition 42 necessary for Install / Update is displayed on the button B for each of a plurality of applications displayed in a list on the application list screen 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the precondition 42 necessary for Install / Update may be displayed on the application detail screen displayed by double-clicking the button B for each of the plurality of applications displayed in a list on the application list screen 50. Here, FIG. 17 is a front view showing an example of the application details screen 51. In the example of FIG. 17, the application detail screen 51 has preconditions 52 necessary for application installation / update, in addition to the explanation information 54 describing the contents of the application and the install button 53 corresponding to the application.

  Returning to FIG. 15, when the user presses the install button 40 of any application on the application list screen 50 (step S5), the MFP 1 (application request transmission unit 115) identifies the application permitted to be acquired. The above-described application request for requesting the application is transmitted to the server system 2 (step S6), and the response is a response to the application ID (application ID pasted on the install button 40 pressed in step S5). Application information is received from the download server 4 (step S7).

  Next, the MFP 1 (connection determination unit 117) determines whether or not the optional device 31 indicated by the information file (condition information) included in the application information received from the download server 4 is connected to the MFP 1 (step S8). . As described above, for example, the MFP 1 compares the option device list information indicating the list of option devices connected to the MFP 1 with the option device identification information included in the application information information file received from the download server 4. It is also possible to determine whether or not the optional device 31 identified by the optional device identification information is connected to the MFP 1. If the determination result in step S12 is affirmative (in the case of “connection OK”), the MFP 1 (installation control unit 118) performs control to install the application included in the application information received from the download server 4 in the MFP 1 (step S9). ). If the installation is successful, the MFP 1 (installation control unit 118) may perform control to display on the operation panel 27 a screen (successful installation screen) for notifying that the application has been successfully installed as shown in FIG. Good. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S12 is negative (in the case of “connection NG”), the MFP 1 (installation control unit 118) performs control to install the application included in the application information received from the download server 4 in the MFP 1. For example, an error screen is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S10).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the Web server 5 generates the application list screen 50 in step S108 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the application list screen generation unit 511 of the Web server 5 first creates a list narrowing down available applications based on the model ID and the like (step S201).

  Thereafter, the application list screen generation unit 511 determines whether the latest version has been installed for one application (step S202). When the latest version has been installed (Yes in step S202), the application list screen generation unit 511 replaces the display item indicating that the version has been installed with the install button 40 of the button B of the application (FIG. 6). (Refer to step S203), and the process for the application is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the latest version has not been installed (No in step S202), the application list screen generation unit 511 determines whether the latest version of the dependent software necessary for using the application has been installed (step S204). ). If the latest version of the dependent software has been installed (Yes in step S204), the application list screen generation unit 511 proceeds directly to step S206. On the other hand, if the dependent software has not been installed (No in step S204), the application list screen generation unit 511 adds a notification that the dependent software needs to be installed to the precondition 42 necessary for Install / Update. (Step S205), the process proceeds to Step S206.

  Next, the application list screen generation unit 511 determines whether software that cannot be used together with the application has been installed (step S206). If software that cannot be used together has not been installed (No in step S206), the application list screen generation unit 511 proceeds directly to step S208. On the other hand, when software that cannot be used together has been installed (Yes in step S206), the application list screen generation unit 511 needs to uninstall software that cannot be used in combination as a prerequisite 42 necessary for Install / Update. A notice to that effect is added (step S207), and the process proceeds to step S208.

  Next, the application list screen generation unit 511 determines whether option devices, setting values, external services, and the like necessary for using the application are set (step S208). If the optional device, setting value, external service, etc. have been set (Yes in step S208), the application list screen generation unit 511 proceeds directly to step S210. On the other hand, if the optional device, setting value, external service, etc. have not been set (No in step S208), the application list screen generation unit 511 includes the optional device, setting value, A notification that the setting of an external service or the like is necessary is added (step S209), and the process proceeds to step S210.

  Next, the application list screen generation unit 511 determines whether the old version has been installed (step S210). When the old version has been installed (Yes in step S210), the application list screen generation unit 511 displays a display item indicating that the update is possible on the install button 40 of the button B of the application (see FIG. 6) (step S211), the process for the application is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the old version has not been installed (No in step S210), the application list screen generation unit 511 displays a display item indicating that installation is possible on the install button 40 of the button B of the application ( (See FIG. 6) (step S212), the process for the application is terminated.

  The application list screen generation unit 511 repeats until the processing in steps S202 to S212 is completed for all applications in the list created in step S201 (Yes in step S213).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can confirm the prerequisites necessary for using the application when installing or updating the application, so that the cost for introducing the application can be reduced. .

  In the present embodiment, the application information providing server 3 includes the application information storage unit 301. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the Web server 5 may include the application information storage unit 301.

  Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and is embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. it can. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently from each other in separate operation systems. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate in the same operation system. It may be a form to do.

  The program executed by the information processing system 100 (MFP 1, application information providing server 3, download server 4, Web server 5, etc.) of the above-described embodiment is an installable format or executable format file and is a CD. -It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus), You may comprise so that it may provide or distribute via networks, such as the internet. Various programs may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Application information provision server 4 Download server 5 Web server 8 Network 10 Main body 20 Operation part 40 Installation button 50 Application list screen 60 Icon 100 Information processing system 111 Display control part (notification means)
112 Application list screen acquisition unit (acquisition means)
115 Application Request Transmitting Unit 116 Application Information Receiving Unit 117 Connection Determination Unit 118 Installation Control Unit 301 Application Information Storage Unit (Prerequisite Condition Holding Unit)
411 Application request receiving unit 412 Application information transmitting unit 511 Application list screen generating unit (notification information generating means)
512 Application list screen transmitter

JP 2010-182309 A

Claims (12)

In an information processing system comprising: an information processing device; and a server system that is connected via a network and responds to the information processing device with various types of information according to requests from the information processing device.
The server system is
Precondition holding means for holding preconditions necessary for application software usable in the information processing apparatus;
In response to a request from the information processing apparatus, notification information generating means for generating notification information for notifying the information processing apparatus of the application software that can be used by the information processing apparatus and the preconditions related to the application software;
With
The information processing apparatus includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring the notification information generated by the notification information generation means as a response from the server system;
Notification means for notifying the notification information acquired by the acquisition means;
Comprising
An information processing system characterized by this. The precondition is an external service necessary for using the application software.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The precondition is external service availability information indicating availability of the external service for each tenant.
The information processing system according to claim 2. The precondition is information on optional equipment necessary for using the application software.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The precondition is software that cannot be used together with the application software.
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system is an information processing system. The precondition is dependent software necessary to use the application software and a version of the dependent software.
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system is an information processing system. The application software is a native application that performs arithmetic processing in the information processing apparatus.
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system is an information processing system. The application software is a web application that runs on a browser of the information processing apparatus.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The application software is an SDK (Software Development Kit) in which tools necessary for developing software are collected.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The server system includes at least an application information providing server and a web server,
The application information providing server includes a precondition holding unit,
The Web server includes the notification information generation unit and acquires the precondition from the application information providing server.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein In an information processing apparatus connected to a server system via a network and receiving various information from the server system in response to a request,
A response from the server system is generated by the server system in response to a request from the information processing apparatus, and notification information for notifying the application software that can be used by the information processing apparatus and a prerequisite necessary for the application software is sent from the server system. As an acquisition means,
Notification means for notifying the notification information acquired by the acquisition means;
Comprising
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing method in an information processing system comprising: an information processing device; and a server system connected to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device connected via a network,
Prerequisites necessary for application software that can be used in the information processing apparatus, a prerequisite holding step for holding in the server system,
Notification information generation for generating notification information for notifying the information processing device of the application software that can be used by the information processing device and the prerequisites for the application software in response to a request from the information processing device Process,
An acquisition step of acquiring the notification information generated by the notification information generation step by the information processing device as a response from the server system;
A notification step of notifying the notification information acquired by the acquisition step;
An information processing method comprising:

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