JP2019164568A - Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method capable of updating without stopping a function of an application.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes, in an operation unit 120: an application reception unit that receives a first client application from an application server; a control unit that installs the received client application; and an execution unit that executes it. The control unit installs, when a second client application with a different version from the first client application is installed, the first client application while holding the second client application. The execution unit causes, when the first and second client applications are installed, either the first or second client application to communicate with the application server using a status management table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a mechanism is known in which application software is downloaded from a Web server on a cloud to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) or the like, and an application is installed or updated.

  As a system using such a technique, an update method is disclosed that holds a difference between a new application and an old application for the purpose of returning the thin client terminal to a state before update (Patent Document 1).

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, even if the operation is to be always operated until a new application is installed and a connection with the application service is established, the function of the application cannot be used temporarily. Will occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method capable of updating without stopping the function of an application. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected to an application server via a network, and receives a first client application uploaded to the application server. An application receiving unit; a control unit that installs the first client application; and an execution unit that executes a client application installed in the information processing apparatus, wherein the control unit includes the first client application. When a second client application having a version different from that of the first client application is installed in the information processing apparatus, the first client application is installed while holding the second client application. And when the first and second client applications are installed in the information processing apparatus, the execution unit reads a status management table including version information of the first and second client applications. Used to determine which of the first or second client application is to communicate with the application server.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to update without stopping the function of the application.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the application server according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the application server according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a display screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the display screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the display screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when the latest client application is uploaded to the application server according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram when the latest client application and an old client application coexist temporarily in the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure in the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the information processing procedure in the information processing system according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Further, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and components in the following embodiments can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, are substantially the same, and have a so-called equivalent range. Is included. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the scope of the following embodiments.

(Overall configuration of information processing system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an MFP 100 and an application server 200, which are connected to each other via a network 90.

  The MFP 100 has at least two functions among a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. In MFP 100, an installation application that provides a function of performing control for installing an application in MFP 100 is installed in advance.

  Application server 200 holds various applications including client applications, and distributes applications in response to requests from MFP 100. In addition, application server 200 provides MFP 100 with an application notification screen in which display information instructing installation of the application is associated with each application.

(Hardware configuration of application server)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the application server 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the application server 200 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, an input unit 224, a display unit 225, a communication interface (I / F) 226, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 227. These are connected to each other via a system bus 228.

  The CPU 221 comprehensively controls the operation of the application server 200. The ROM 222 is a non-volatile memory that stores various data such as programs. The RAM 223 is a volatile memory that functions as a work area (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 221.

  The input unit 224 is a device that is used to input an operation by a user, and is configured with, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The display unit 225 is a device that displays various types of information, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device.

  The communication I / F 226 is an interface for connecting to the network 90.

  The HDD 227 stores various data necessary for realizing the functions of the application server 200.

(Hardware configuration of MFP)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP 100 includes a main body 110 capable of realizing various functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and an operation unit 120 that receives a user operation. The main body 110 and the operation unit 120 are connected to each other via a dedicated communication path 130 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 130 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be of any standard regardless of wired or wireless.

  The main body 110 can perform an operation according to the operation received by the operation unit 120. The main body 110 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.

  The main body 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an HDD 114, a communication I / F 115, a connection I / F 116, and an engine unit 117, which are connected to each other via a system bus 118.

  The CPU 111 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 110. The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the main body 110 by executing a program stored in the ROM 112 or the HDD 114 or the like using the RAM 113 as a work area (work area), and the above-described printing function, copying function, scanner function, and facsimile function Various functions such as are realized.

  The communication I / F 115 is an interface for connecting to the network 90. The connection I / F 116 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 120 via the communication path 130.

  The engine unit 117 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile 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, a facsimile unit that performs facsimile communication, and the like are provided. Further, a specific option such as a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials or an ADF (automatic document feeder) for automatically feeding a document can be provided.

  The operation unit 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, a flash memory 124, a communication I / F 125, a connection I / F 126, and an operation panel 127, which are connected to each other via a system bus 128. ing.

  The CPU 121 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 120. The CPU 121 controls the overall operation of the operation unit 120 by executing a program stored in the ROM 122, the flash memory 124, or the like using the RAM 123 as a work area (work area), and displays an image or the like corresponding to an input received from the user. Various functions to be described later such as information display are realized.

  The communication I / F 125 is an interface for connecting to the network 90. The connection I / F 126 is an interface for communicating with the main body 110 via the communication path 130.

  The operation panel 127 receives various inputs according to user operations and displays various information. These pieces of information include, for example, information corresponding to the accepted operation, information indicating the operation status of the MFP 100, information indicating a setting state, and the like. In this example, the operation panel 127 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (LCD) equipped with 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.

(Software configuration of MFP)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the main body 110 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 112, the HDD 114, and the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 111 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 101 is an application that operates a hardware resource and provides a predetermined function. Examples of applications include a copying application that provides a copying function, a scanner application that provides a scanner function, a facsimile application that provides a facsimile function, and a printing application that provides a printing function. Examples of the application layer 101 include SDK (Software Development Kit) in which tools necessary for developing software are collected, 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 110 for the application. More specifically, it is software that provides functions for accepting operation requests for hardware resources and arbitrating operation requests. The operation requests received by the service layer 102 include requests such as reading by a scanner and printing by a plotter. Note that the interface function by the service layer 102 is provided not only to the application layer 101 of the main body 110 but also to the application layer 201 of the operation unit 120. That is, the application layer 201 (application) of the operation unit 120 can also realize a function using the hardware resources of the main body 110 via the interface function of the service layer 102. For example, the interface function of the service layer 102 is provided by a Web API (Application Programming Interface).

  The software of the OS layer 103 is basic software (OS: Operating System) that provides a basic function of controlling hardware included in the main body 110. The software of the service layer 102 converts the use request of the hardware resource from various applications into a command interpretable by the OS layer 103 and passes it 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 120 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 120 are the same as the main body 110 in terms of the hierarchical structure. However, the function provided by the application in the application layer 201 and the types of operation requests that can be accepted by the service layer 202 are different from those on the main body 110 side.

  The application of the application layer 201 may be software that operates a hardware resource included in the operation unit 120 to provide a predetermined function, but mainly includes a function (copy function, scanner function, facsimile function, print function) included in the main body 110. This is software that provides a UI (user interface) function that performs operations and displays related to (function). The application layer 201 includes an application market application (native application), a browser application, and the like. The service layer 202 includes an installer.

  As described above, in MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, main body 110 and operation unit 120 operate with independent operating systems, and therefore communication between main body 110 and operation unit 120 is an inter-process communication within a common apparatus. Rather, it is performed as communication between different devices. This includes operations such as command communication for transmitting information such as instruction contents received from the user received by the operation unit 120 to the main body 110, and operations for the main body 110 to notify the operation unit 120 of events. Here, the function of the main body 110 can be used when the operation unit 120 performs command communication to the main body 110. The event notified from the main body 110 to the operation unit 120 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 110, the contents set on the main body 110 side, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, since power is supplied to the operation unit 120 from the main body 110 via the communication path 30, power control of the operation unit 120 is performed independently of power control of the main body 110. Can be done.

(Application server functional configuration)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the application server 200 according to the embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 mainly illustrates functions related to the embodiment, but the functions of the application server 200 are not limited to these.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the application server 200 includes an application notification screen generation unit 21, an application notification screen transmission unit 22, an application holding unit 23, an application transmission unit 24, an application control unit 25, and a storage unit 26. .

  Application notification screen generation unit 21 generates an application notification screen that notifies MFP 100 that the latest version of the application has been uploaded to application server 200. The function of the application notification screen generation unit 21 is realized, for example, when the CPU 221 in FIG. 2 executes a program stored in the ROM 222 or the like.

  Application notification screen transmission unit 22 transmits the application notification screen generated by application notification screen generation unit 21 to MFP 100. The function of the application notification screen transmission unit 22 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 221 that executes the program and the communication I / F 226 in FIG.

  The application holding unit 23 holds a plurality of applications including the latest version of the client application. In response to an installation request from MFP 100, application transmission unit 24 transmits the client application held in application holding unit 23 to MFP 100. The application holding unit 23 is realized by, for example, the HDD 227 in FIG. The application transmission unit 24 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 221 that executes the program and the communication I / F 226 in FIG.

  The application control unit 25 controls the above-described units of the application server 200. Specifically, the application control unit 25 determines whether or not the version of the client application of the MFP 100 is the latest when the MFP 100 accesses the application server 200. If it is not the latest, the application notification screen generation unit 21 and the application notification screen transmission unit 22 notify the MFP 100 of an installation instruction for the latest version. In addition, after the latest version of the client application is installed, the application control unit 25 releases the screen lock of the client application so that the user can use it. The function of the application control unit 25 is realized, for example, when the CPU 221 in FIG. 2 executes a program stored in the ROM 222 or the like.

  The storage unit 26 stores various data necessary for the function of the application server 200. The storage unit 26 stores, for example, a “version management table” that performs version management of each application. Further, the storage unit 26 stores, for example, a “client application management table” associated with the MAC address (Media Access Control address) of each MFP 100. The MAC address is an address for identifying each MFP 100 on the network 90. The “client application management table” holds current application information and the like of each MFP 100. The function of the storage unit 26 is realized by, for example, a combination of the HDD 227, the ROM 222, and the RAM 223 in FIG.

(Functional configuration of MFP)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 6 mainly illustrates functions related to the embodiment, but the functions of the operation unit 120 are not limited to these.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation unit 120 serving as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is an operation unit 120 connected to the application server 200 via the network 90, and is a first uploaded to the application server 200. An application receiving unit that receives the latest version of the client application as a client application, an installation control unit 15 as a control unit that installs the first client application, and an execution unit that executes the client application installed in the information processing apparatus The installation control unit 15 includes a second client application whose version is different from the latest version of the client application. When the old version of the client application is installed in the operation unit 120, the latest version of the client application is installed while retaining the old version of the client application, and the execution unit is operated by the new and old client applications. When installed in the unit 120, the client application status management table as a status management table including version information of the new and old client applications is used to communicate any of the new and old client applications with the application server. To decide. Hereinafter, functions of the operation unit 120 of the embodiment will be described in detail.

  The operation unit 120 includes a display control unit 11, an application notification screen acquisition unit 12, an application request transmission unit 13, an application reception unit 14, and an installation control unit 15.

  The display control unit 11 performs control to display a screen on the operation panel 127. For example, the display control unit 11 performs control to display an operation screen on which various operations are performed on the operation panel 127. The display control unit 11 has a function of performing control to display an application notification screen acquired by an application notification screen acquisition unit 12 described later. The function of the display control unit 11 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 121 that executes the program and the operation panel 127 in FIG.

  The application notification screen acquisition unit 12 acquires an application notification screen from the application server 200. The function of the application notification screen acquisition unit 12 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 121 that executes the program and the communication I / F 125 in FIG.

  The application request transmission unit 13 requests the application server 200 to install a client application. In the present embodiment, when the user touches a button on the operation panel 127, the application request transmission unit 13 transmits a signal requesting installation of the client application to the application server 200. The function of the application request transmission unit 13 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 121 that executes the program and the communication I / F 125 in FIG.

  The application reception unit 14 acquires the client application from the application server 200 as a response to the client application installation request from the application request transmission unit 13. The function of the application receiving unit 14 is realized by, for example, a combination of the CPU 121 that executes the program and the communication I / F 125 in FIG.

  The installation control unit 15 performs control to install the client application received by the application reception unit 14 in the MFP 100. Further, the installation control unit 15 performs control to update the already installed client application to the latest version. At this time, the installation control unit 15 temporarily coexists the old client application already installed and the latest client application. The function of the installation control unit 15 is realized, for example, when the CPU 121 in FIG. 3 executes a program stored in the ROM 122 or the like.

  The application execution unit 16 controls to start and execute the client application installed by the installation control unit 15. The function of the application execution unit 16 is realized, for example, when the CPU 121 in FIG. 3 executes a program stored in the ROM 122 or the like.

  The functions of the operation unit 120 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the operation panel 127 of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the case where the MFP 100 having the old version of the client application accesses the application server 200 to which the latest version of the client application has been uploaded, and is generated by the application notification screen generation unit 21 and notified by the application notification screen transmission unit 22. Display screen. For example, the user can touch the “Yes” button on the operation panel 127 to install the latest version of the client application in the MFP 100.

  At this time, the installation control unit 15 does not overwrite the old client application, but installs the latest client application as another application. As a result, the already installed old client application and the latest client application coexist temporarily.

  The installation control unit 15 confirms activation of a new client application with respect to the application server 200. New client applications are launched in the background when installed. Specifically, the screen of the new client application is locked until activation confirmation is obtained from the application server 200. During this time, the user can use only the old client application.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display screen displayed on the operation panel 127 of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a display screen immediately after a new client application is installed and a connection with the application server 200 is not established.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the display screen displayed on the operation panel 127 of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a display screen when a client application is uploaded to the application server 200 and an old client application is operated to use a function whose compatibility between the application server 200 and the API is broken. The client application of the application server 200 has been updated to the latest version when trying to use an old client application because the latest version of the client application has not been installed or the connection with the application server 200 has not been established. As a result, the compatibility of the API is lost, and the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  After that, when the activation confirmation is obtained, the screen of the old client application is locked. Then, the application server 200 prompts the user to delete the old client application using the new client application, and the screen lock of the new client application is released.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the display screen displayed on the operation panel 127 of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a display screen when an old client application is launched when a new client application is installed and a connection with the application server 200 is established. The user can delete the old client application from the display screen shown in FIG.

  In the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, the installation control unit 15 of the MFP 100 causes the old version of the client application to coexist until a new version of the client application is installed and a connection with the application server is established. During this time, if the application server 200 can respond to a request from an old client application, a response is returned. Thereafter, when the connection request from the new client application is confirmed, the connection from the new client application is accepted.

(Operation example of information processing system)
Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 when the latest client application is uploaded to the application server 200 will be described using FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when the latest client application is uploaded to the application server 200 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the latest version of the client application is uploaded to the application server 200 in advance (step S201). When the latest version of the client application is uploaded, the application control unit 25 updates the “version management table” (step S202).

  On the other hand, when the MFP 100 having the old version of the client application accesses the application server 200 and the client application is activated (step S101), the client application has the version number recorded in its own “client application status management table”. Is notified to the application server 200 (step S102).

  The application control unit 25 compares the received version number with the latest client application version number in the “version management table” stored in the storage unit 26 (step S203). If the notified client application version is lower than the latest client application version, the application control unit 25 sets the “Latest” item in the “client application management table” of the source MAC address to “false” ( Step S204). The application notification screen transmission unit 22 push-notifies the installation instruction for the latest client application (step S205).

  If the latest application has already been installed, the application notification screen transmission unit 22 notifies the MFP 100 to confirm again whether the latest client application has been installed after the designated n hours (step S206).

  Next, the behavior of the information processing system 1 when the latest client application and the old client application coexist temporarily will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram in a case where the latest client application and an old client application coexist temporarily in the MFP 100 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, immediately after the latest client application is installed, when the latest client application is activated (step S111), the installation control unit 15 locks the screen of the latest client application on the MFP 100. (Step S112).

  The latest client application issues an activation notification to the application server 200 (step S113). When receiving the activation notification, the application server 200 updates the “client application management table” (step S211).

  When the update of the “client application management table” is completed, the application server 200 sends a screen lock notification of the old client application to the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 (step S212), and sends a screen lock release notification of the latest client application. (Step S213). Upon receiving these notifications, the installation control unit 15 locks the screen of the old client application (step S114) and releases the screen lock of the latest client application (step S115).

  Thereafter, when the old client application is activated, the screen is locked and the operation cannot be performed, and the user deletes the old client application (step S116). The latest client application is unlocked and can be operated.

(Information processing example in application server)
Next, an example of information processing in the application server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure in the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in step S <b> 221, the latest version of the client application is uploaded to the application server 200. In step S222, the application control unit 25 of the application server 200 updates the “version management table”.

  In step S223, the application control unit 25 determines whether there is an access from the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 and the version number is notified from the client application of the MFP 100.

  When the version number is notified (Yes), in step S224, the application control unit 25 refers to the storage unit 26, and notifies the notified version number and the version number of the latest client application in the “version management table”. Compare

  In step S225, the application control unit 25 determines whether the notified version number is the version number of the latest version of the client application based on whether the version numbers match. If it is the latest version (Yes), the process proceeds to step S229.

  If it is not the latest version (No), in step S226, the application notification screen generation unit 21 generates a display screen for instructing the latest version of the client application, and the application notification screen transmission unit 22 displays the display screen as the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100. Send to.

  In step S227, the application control unit 25 determines whether installation of the latest version of the client application has been accepted on the operation unit 120 side. If not accepted (No), the process returns to step S226 to repeat the installation instruction. When the application is accepted (Yes), in step S228, the application transmission unit 24 transmits the latest version of the client application to the operation unit 120.

  In step S229, the application control unit 25 determines whether an activation notification has been received from the latest version of the client application on the operation unit 120 side. When the activation notification is received (Yes), in step S230, the application control unit 25 updates the “client application management table”.

  In step S231, the application control unit 25 notifies the operation unit 120 of the screen lock of the old version of the client application. In addition, the application control unit 25 notifies the operation unit 120 of screen lock release of the latest version of the client application.

  Thus, the information processing in the application server 200 ends.

(Example of information processing in MFP)
Next, an example of information processing in the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the information processing procedure in the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, in step S <b> 121, the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 accesses the application server 200. In step S122, the client application of MFP 100 is activated. In step S123, the client application refers to its own “client application status management table” and notifies the application server 200 of the version number.

  In step S <b> 124, the application notification screen acquisition unit 12 determines whether an installation instruction for the latest version of the client application has been received from the application server 200. If not received (No), the process proceeds to step S126. When the installation instruction is received (Yes), the application notification screen acquisition unit 12 acquires the application notification screen, and the display control unit 11 causes the operation panel 127 to display the screen.

  In step S125, the application request transmission unit 13 determines whether the user has selected to install the latest version of the client application. When the installation is not selected (No), the process returns to step S124, and the application notification screen acquisition unit 12 and the display control unit 11 repeatedly display the application notification screen according to the instruction of the application server 200. When installation is selected (Yes), the application request transmission unit 13 notifies the application server 200 to that effect, the application reception unit 14 receives the application transmitted from the application server 200, and the installation control unit 15 install. At this time, the old version and the latest version of the client application coexist.

  In step S126, the application execution unit 16 activates the installed latest version of the client application. In step S127, the installed latest version of the client application notifies the application server 200 of a version number and activation notification.

  In step S128, the installation control unit 15 determines whether a screen lock notification has been received from the application server 200 for the old version of the client application. Further, the installation control unit 15 determines whether or not a notification of screen lock release is received from the application server 200 for the new version of the client application.

  When these notifications are received (Yes), in step S129, the installation control unit 15 locks the screen of the old version of the client application. Also, the installation control unit 15 releases the screen lock of the new version of the client application.

  In step S130, the installation control unit 15 deletes the old version of the client application in accordance with a command from the user.

  Thus, the information processing in the operation unit 120 of the MFP 100 ends.

  In some cases, different software is used in the OS layer between the MFP body and the operation unit. Therefore, there is a technique for uploading an application on an application server that uniquely manages the application so that the version upgrade and installation of the client application can be performed remotely.

  However, even if it is an operation that you want to keep running for a few minutes, such as collecting a facsimile received document, for a few minutes until a connection with the application server is established after installing a new client application, the application function is temporarily disabled. There was a problem that it could not be used.

  In the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, different versions of client applications coexist in the MFP 100. When communication with a new version of the client application is established, communication with the old version is rejected and communication with the new client application is performed. . For this reason, the application server 200 always returns a response to either the new or the old client application, so that even when the client application is updated, there is no time for the entire application to stop and it can continue to operate. Thereby, seamless client application update is realized.

(Other variations)
In the information processing system according to the modified example of the embodiment, when the connection with the application server of the new version of the client application is established while the old version of the client application is operating, after the operation of the old client application ends, the new client application A display screen that prompts the user to switch to may be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, after the connection of the new client application with the application server 200 is established, the old client application is appropriately deleted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Old client applications may be retained for a predetermined period of time. Thereby, for example, when a defect occurs in a new client application, it is possible to downgrade to an old client application.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “client application management table” is associated with the MAC address, but the storage unit of the application server may store the IP address. If the IP address has been changed, the next communication from the MAC address is awaited, and the record of the IP address is updated at that time. Thereby, for example, when the latest version of the client application is uploaded, the stored IP address can be notified, and information can be provided to the user earlier.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 120 includes the operation panel 127. However, the operation panel 127 may be configured integrally with the main body 110 of the MFP 100, or may be configured to be removable. The operation unit may be a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus is the MFP 100, but is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus may be an apparatus having a single function among a printing apparatus, a copier, a multifunction machine, a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and the like. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may be a projector, a camera, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a fluorescent lamp, a vending machine, various electronic devices such as a handheld terminal, a PC, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 11 Display control part 12 Application notification screen acquisition part 13 Application request transmission part 14 Application reception part 15 Installation control part 16 Application execution part 21 Application notification screen generation part 22 Application notification screen transmission part 23 Application holding part 24 Application transmission Unit 25 application control unit 26 storage unit 100 MFP
110 Main body 120 Operation unit 200 Application server

JP 2013-105332 A

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus connected to an application server via a network,
An application receiver that receives the first client application uploaded to the application server;
A control unit for installing the first client application;
An execution unit that executes a client application installed in the information processing apparatus,
The controller is
When a second client application having a version different from that of the first client application is installed in the information processing apparatus, the first client application is installed while holding the second client application,
The execution unit is
When the first and second client applications are installed in the information processing apparatus, the first or the second client application is used by using a status management table including version information of the first and second client applications. Determining which of the two client applications to communicate with the application server;
Information processing device. When the connection of the first client application with the application server is established during the operation of the second client application, the switch to the first client application is instructed after the operation of the second client application is completed. A display control unit for displaying a display screen to be displayed,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
When the status of the first client application in the status management table is connected and the status of the second client application in the status management table is disconnected, the status management table The status of the first client application is disconnected, and the status of the second client application in the status management table is connected.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. An information processing device;
An application server connected to the information processing apparatus via a network and providing a client application to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An application receiver that receives the first client application uploaded to the application server;
A control unit for installing the first client application;
An execution unit that executes a client application installed in the information processing apparatus,
The controller is
When a second client application having a version different from that of the first client application is installed in the information processing apparatus, the first client application is installed while holding the second client application,
The execution unit is
When the first and second client applications are installed in the information processing apparatus, the first or the second client application is used by using a status management table including version information of the first and second client applications. Determining which of the two client applications to communicate with the application server;
Information processing system. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus connected to an application server via a network,
Receiving a first client application uploaded to the application server;
Installing a first client application while retaining the second client application when a second client application having a version different from that of the first client application is installed in the information processing apparatus; ,
When the first and second client applications are installed in the information processing apparatus, the first or the second client application is used by using a status management table including version information of the first and second client applications. And determining which of the two client applications communicates with the application server.

Images