JP2022006513A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that, in a trial period for replacing an old model with a new model, allows the combinational use of functions of both models before and after the replacement in the set trial period without issuing new permission information different from permission information registered in the old model, and when the trial period ends, prevents the functions of both models from being allowed to be used.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, in replacement of an old model image forming apparatus with a new model image forming apparatus, a license management control unit receives, via an operation input unit, an IP address for specifying the image forming apparatus before the replacement and a setting in a trial period of the apparatus, acquires a license key from the old model image forming apparatus before the replacement based on the received IP address to make functions of the apparatus effective, when the trial period ends, if the apparatus is selected to be continuously used, makes functions of the other image forming apparatus ineffective, and if the apparatus is selected not to be used, makes the functions of the apparatus ineffective.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

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

Patent Document 1 discloses a license management system in which a license server is used to invalidate the license of the old MFP and enable the function of the new MFP when the MFP is replaced.

In Patent Document 2, when the license information is transferred from the old device to the new device, the license information is transferred from the old device to the new device by issuing the license information of the time limit to the old device of the transfer source. A system is disclosed that allows both old and new devices to use device functions at the same time during the period.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-271680 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-146302

When replacing an old model information processing device with a new model, it is necessary to try out the new model information processing device to be replaced and then decide whether or not to adopt the new model. There is. However, such an information processing device may be configured to expand the function by installing an application program (hereinafter abbreviated as an application) according to the function selected by the user. In this case, the authentication process is performed so as to activate the function of the installed application by registering the permission information such as the license key in the information processing device.

In such a case, if you want to activate the function used in the old model during the trial period of the new model information processing device, you need to register the license key and activate the function in the new model as well. There is. However, if the license key registered in the old model is moved to the new model, the function cannot be used in the old model. Also, if you duplicate the license key registered in the old model and register it in the new model, the license key will remain in the old model after the adoption of the new model, and there is a possibility that a double license will occur. be.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to issue a new license key with an expiration date, register it on a new model, and activate the function on both the old and new models for the trial period. However, when such a method is used, when adopting a new model, the license key for which the expiration date has been set is deleted and the license key registered in the old model is transferred to the new model. Complicated processing is required.

An object of the present invention is that the permission information registered in the old model is used during the trial period of the new model when trying to replace the old model in which a certain function is enabled with the new model by using the permission information. Without issuing different new permission information, the functions of both models before and after the replacement can be used together during the set trial period, and the functions of both models can be used when the trial period ends. It is to provide an information processing device, an information processing system and a program capable of preventing the information from being lost.

[Information processing device]
The present invention according to claim 1 comprises a memory and a processor.
The processor
Accepts information to identify the information processing device before replacement and setting the trial period of the own device,
Based on the received information, obtain permission information from other information processing devices before replacement, enable the functions of your own device, and enable it.
When it is selected to continue using the own device at the end of the set trial period of the own device, it is selected to invalidate the functions of the other information processing devices and not to use the own device. In this case, it is an information processing device that invalidates the function of its own device.

The present invention according to claim 2 invalidates the function of the own device when the trial period ends without selecting either the fact that the processor continues to use the own device or the fact that the own device is not used. The information processing device according to claim 1.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the processor is selected to continue using the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends, the other information processing device has the function. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the function of the other information processing apparatus is invalidated by making a request to invalidate the information processing apparatus.

The third aspect of the present invention according to claim 4 is that the processor invalidates the function of the other information processing apparatus by requesting the deletion of the permission information stored in the other information processing apparatus. Information processing device.

The present invention according to claim 5 manages the availability of the function when the processor is selected to continue using the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management device is requested to invalidate the function of the other information processing device, thereby invalidating the function of the other information processing device.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the processor acquires permission information from another information processing device before replacement and activates the function of the own device, the information of the trial period set, the permission information, and the permission information The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein identification information for identifying the own device is transmitted to the management device.

The present invention according to claim 7 is a case where the processor sends permission information held to the management device to permit the use of the function when the use of the function is selected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the function can be used.

[Information processing system]
The present invention according to claim 8 includes a memory and a processor, and the processor accepts information for specifying an information processing device before replacement and setting of a trial period of the own device, and before replacement based on the received information. When it is selected to acquire permission information from another information processing device, enable the function of the own device, and continue to use the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends, the above-mentioned When it is selected to invalidate the functions of other information processing devices and not to use the own device, the first information processing device that invalidates the functions of the own device and
The processor includes a memory and a processor, and the processor transmits permission information registered in the own device to the first information processing device in response to a request from the first information processing device, and the first information is provided. When a request to invalidate the enabled function is received from the processing device, the second information processing device that deletes the permission information used to enable the function, and the second information processing device.
It is an information processing system equipped with.

The present invention according to claim 9 includes a memory and a processor, and the processor manages the availability of functions in the first and second information processing devices, and information on a trial period from the first information processing device. When the permission information is sent together with the permission information, even if it is the same as the permission information already registered until the trial period ends, the transmitted permission information is registered and the trial period ends. Further includes a management device that requests the first information processing device to select whether to continuously use the first information processing device or the second information processing device. Item 8 is the information processing system.

[program]
The present invention according to claim 10 includes a step of accepting information for specifying an information processing device before replacement and setting of a trial period of the own device.
Based on the received information, the step of acquiring permission information from other information processing devices before replacement and activating the functions of the own device,
When it is selected to continue using the own device at the end of the set trial period of the own device, it is selected to invalidate the functions of the other information processing devices and not to use the own device. In this case, it is a program for causing the computer to execute a step of disabling the function of the own device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is registered in the old model during the trial period of the new model when trying to replace the old model in which a certain function is enabled by using the permission information with the new model. Without issuing new permission information that is different from the existing permission information, the functions of both models before and after replacement can be used together in the set trial period, and both models are available when the trial period ends. It is possible to provide an information processing device that can prevent the function of the above from being used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, information processing capable of preventing the functions of both models from being used when the trial period ends without selecting either the old model or the new model is possible. The device can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to invalidate the functions of other information processing devices without requiring a management device for managing the availability of the functions of the information processing device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the permission information stored in another information processing device is deleted and the function is invalidated without the need for a management device for managing the availability of the function of the information processing device. It becomes possible to change.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the availability of the function of the information processing device is managed by the management device, the function of another information processing device can be invalidated.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the availability of the function of the information processing device is managed by the management device, the function of the information processing device for which the trial period is set can be enabled only for the trial period. It will be possible.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the availability of the function of the information processing device is managed by the management device, the function of the information processing device for which the trial period is set can be enabled only for the trial period. It will be possible.

According to the present invention according to claim 8, it is registered in the old model during the trial period of the new model when trying to replace the old model in which a certain function is enabled by using the permission information with the new model. Without issuing new permission information that is different from the existing permission information, the functions of both models before and after replacement can be used together in the set trial period, and both models are available when the trial period ends. It is possible to provide an information processing system that can prevent the function of the above from being used.

According to the present invention according to claim 9, when the availability of the function of the information processing device is managed by the management device, the old model in which a certain function is enabled by using the permission information is replaced with the new model. During the trial period of the new model when trying, the functions of both models before and after the replacement can be performed in the set trial period without issuing new permission information different from the permission information registered in the old model. It is possible to provide an information processing system that can be used in combination and can prevent the functions of both models from being used when the trial period ends.

According to the present invention according to claim 10, it is registered in the old model during the trial period of the new model when trying to replace the old model in which a certain function is enabled by using the permission information with the new model. Without issuing new permission information that is different from the existing permission information, the functions of both models before and after replacement can be used together in the set trial period, and both models are available when the trial period ends. It is possible to provide a program that can prevent the function of the above from being used.

It is a figure which shows the system structure of the image formation system of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of pixel 0 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image forming apparatus 30 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 in the case of a single authentication method. 6 is a sequence chart showing a state of data transmission / reception performed between the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 in the processing procedure described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. It is a figure for demonstrating how the trial period is input on the operation panel 61. It is a figure for demonstrating how the IP address of the transfer source multifunction device 0 is input from the operation panel 61. It is a figure which shows an example of the license list information displayed on the operation panel 61. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 at the end of a trial period. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen at the time of making an inquiry to a user whether to select whether to replace with a new model or to continue the trial of the old model. It is a figure which shows the outline of the operation when the image forming apparatus 30 which set the trial period requests the image forming apparatus 20 to copy the license key, and activates the license of own apparatus. The figure which outlines the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 when the user chooses to use a new model after the trial period has elapsed (FIG. 12A), and the old model after the trial period has elapsed. It is a figure (FIG. 12 (B)) which shows the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 when it chooses to use. It is a figure which shows the system structure of the image formation system of one Embodiment of this invention in the case of adopting a server authentication method. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 in the case of a server authentication method. It is a figure which shows the example of the management information registered in a license management server 10. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation when the start instruction of an application is given in the image forming apparatus 30. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the selection process of the new model and the old model described in step S504 of the flowchart of FIG. 16. It is a figure which shows the operation when the image forming apparatus 30 which set the trial period requests the image forming apparatus 20 to copy the license key, and activates the license of the own apparatus. It is a figure which shows the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 when the user chooses to use a new model after the lapse of the trial period in the case of the system configuration of the server authentication method. It is a figure which shows the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 when the user chooses to use an old model after the lapse of the trial period in the case of the system configuration of the server authentication method.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system of one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system composed of image forming devices 20, 30 and terminal devices 50 interconnected by a network 40. The terminal device 20 generates print data and transmits the print data generated via the network 40 to the image forming devices 20 and 30. The image forming apparatus 20 and 30 receive the print data transmitted from the terminal apparatus 50 and output an image corresponding to the print data on the paper. The image forming devices 20 and 30 are so-called multifunction devices having a plurality of functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function.

Here, the image forming apparatus 20 is an old model apparatus originally installed in the user's workplace, office, or the like. The image forming apparatus 30 is a new model apparatus installed by a sales company that recommends the user to replace the image with a new model by setting a trial period in the user's workplace or office.

During this trial period, both the old model image forming apparatus 20 and the new model image forming apparatus 30 can be used in combination. Then, if the user tries to use both the old model image forming apparatus 20 and the new model image forming apparatus 30 during this trial period and decides to replace the old model with the new model, the old model is used. The image forming apparatus 20 of the above is removed, and if it is decided to continue using the old model, the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model is removed.

When such a new model and an old model are used in combination, it is necessary to enable various functions in both the new model and the old model during the trial period of the new model image forming apparatus 30.

However, the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 of the present embodiment are configured to expand the functions by installing an application program (hereinafter abbreviated as an application) corresponding to the function selected by the user. Then, the function cannot be used simply by installing the application, and the function of the installed application is activated by registering the permission information such as the license key in the image forming devices 20 and 30 and performing the authentication process. It is supposed to be done.

In such a state, when trying to activate the function used in the old model during the trial period of the new model image forming apparatus 30, register the license key in the new model and activate the function. There is a need. However, if the license key registered in the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model is moved to the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model, the function cannot be used in the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model. Further, if the license key registered in the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model is duplicated and registered in the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model, the license key remains in the old model after the adoption of the new model. Heavy licenses may occur.

Further, it is conceivable to issue a new license key with an expiration date, register it in the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model, and activate the function on both the old and new models for the trial period. However, when such a method is used, when the new model is adopted, the license key for which the expiration date is set is deleted, and the license key registered in the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model is replaced with a new one. Complicated processing such as transfer to the image forming apparatus 30 of the model is required.

Therefore, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, by using the following method, a new license key different from the license key registered in the old model is not issued, and the replacement is performed in the set trial period. While making it possible to use the functions of both the front and rear models together, it prevents the functions of both models from being used when the trial period ends.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 in the image forming system of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 30 is a communication interface (communication interface) for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device and the like via a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, and a network 30. It has a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15, a scanner 16, and a print engine 17, including a 14 (abbreviated as IF) 14, a touch panel or a liquid crystal display, and a keyboard. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

The print engine 17 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through steps such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 by executing a predetermined process based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 11. It is also possible to provide.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 realized by executing the above control program.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment includes a license management control unit 31, an operation input unit 32, a display unit 33, a data transmission / reception unit 34, a control unit 35, and an image reading unit. It includes 36, a data storage unit 37, an image output unit 38, and an application management unit 39.

The data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as a terminal device 50 or an image forming device 20 via a network 40.

The control unit 35 generates print data based on the print job received from the terminal device 50 via the data transmission / reception unit 34, and controls to output the generated print data from the image output unit 38. The data storage unit 37 stores various data such as print data generated by the control unit 35.

The display unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 35 and displays various information to the user. The operation input unit 32 inputs various operation information performed by the user.

The image output unit 38 outputs an image on a recording medium such as printing paper based on the control by the control unit 35. The image reading unit 36 reads the original image from the set original under the control of the control unit 35.

The application management unit 39 manages the application installed in the own device, and controls various processes such as starting the application, installing / uninstalling the application, and exporting to another image forming device.

Then, the license management control unit 31 manages the license of the installed application. Specifically, the license management unit 31 determines the authenticity of the input license key, and when it is determined that the input line sesqui is genuine, the license management unit 31 registers the license key and uses it as the license key. Activate the function of the corresponding app, that is, activate the license of the app.

Further, when starting the application, the application management unit 39 inquires to the license management control unit 31 whether or not the license of the application to be started is valid. Then, when receiving a reply from the license management control unit 31 that the license of the application is valid, the application instructed to start is started.

When managing a license key for which an expiration date has been set, the license management control unit 31 manages whether or not the expiration date of the license key has been exceeded.

As a method for determining whether or not the license of the application is valid, the license management control unit 31 uses an independent authentication method in which the determination is made by the own device alone, and an inquiry is made to an external license management server to receive the determination result. There is a server authentication method. Here, in the present embodiment, first, a case where the license management control unit 31 determines whether or not the license is valid by the independent authentication method will be described. The server authentication method will be described later.

The license management control unit 31 first confirms that the entered license key is generated by a genuine issuer in order to determine the validity of the license by the independent authentication method. In that case, when the license management control unit 31 inputs the license key represented by the bar code, the character string, or the numerical string, the license key is genuine based on the calculation result of the calculation using the preset hash function. It is determined whether or not the product is generated by a different publisher.

However, this single authentication method has the advantage that the authenticity of the license key can be determined by the device alone, but even if the license key is duplicated, the duplicated license key is determined to be valid. There is also the drawback that it will end up.

Then, when the model of the image forming apparatus is replaced, the license management control unit 31 sets the IP (abbreviation of Internet Protocol) address, which is information for specifying the image forming apparatus 20 before the replacement, and the trial period of the own device. Is received via the operation input unit 32.

Further, the license management control unit 31 acquires a license key, which is permission information, from another image forming apparatus 20 before replacement, that is, an image forming apparatus of an old model, based on the received information such as an IP address, and of its own device. Enable the function.

Then, when the license management control unit 31 selects to continue using the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends, the license management control unit 31 invalidates the functions of the other image forming device 20 and self-uses the device. If it is selected not to use the device, the function of the own device is disabled.

If the trial period ends without selecting whether to continue using the own device or not to use the own device, the license management control unit 31 can use the functions of both models. Disable the function of the own device to prevent it from becoming.

Here, the license management control unit 31 invalidates the function of the other image forming apparatus 20 when it is selected to continue using the own apparatus when the set trial period of the own apparatus ends. By making a request to do so, the function of the other image forming apparatus 20 is invalidated.

In addition, disabling the function of the image forming apparatus 20 specifically means deleting the license key stored in the image forming apparatus 20. Therefore, the license management control unit 31 invalidates the function of the other image forming apparatus 20 by requesting the other image forming apparatus 20 to delete the stored license key.

The image forming apparatus 20 of the old model transmits the license key registered in the own apparatus to the image forming apparatus 30 in response to the request from the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model. Then, when the image forming apparatus 20 receives a request from the new model image forming apparatus 30 to invalidate the activated function, the image forming apparatus 20 deletes the license key used to activate the function. ..

Next, the operation of the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Here, when the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model is installed and operated during the trial period, when the license key registered in the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model is transferred to the image forming apparatus 30, image forming is performed. The license transfer software installed in the device 30 is used. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model is expressed as the transfer source multifunction device, and the new model image forming apparatus 30 is expressed as the transfer destination multifunction device.

First, in the case of the single authentication method, the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 30 when transferring the license between the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in the image forming apparatus 30, the license transfer software is activated in step S101. Then, in step S102, the license management control unit 31 inputs the trial period via the operation input unit 32. Further, in step S103, the license management control unit 31 inputs the IP address of the transfer source multifunction device, that is, the image forming apparatus 20 via the operation input unit 32.

Then, in step S104, the license management control unit 31 accesses the image forming apparatus 20 using the input IP address, and requests a license list from the image forming apparatus 20 which is the transfer source multifunction device.

Then, when the license management control unit 31 receives the license list from the image forming apparatus 20, in step S105, the received license list is displayed on the display unit 33, and the selection of the license to be transferred is accepted.

Next, the license management control unit 31 requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key of the license selected to be transferred in step S106.

Then, in step S107, the license management control unit 31 receives the license key from the image forming apparatus 20 which is the transfer source multifunction device, and activates the license.

When transmitting and receiving license information such as a license key between the image forming devices 20 and 30, when the image forming devices 20 and 30 are arranged at the same base as in the present embodiment shown in FIG. Is communication via LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) to send and receive license information.

When the image forming devices 20 and 30 are located at different bases, license information is transmitted / received by communication via a WAN (abbreviation of Wide Area Network) or a cloud server.

Further, the license information may be duplicated from the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 30 by using a removable recording medium such as a USB memory or an SD card.

Further, the license information expressed by barcodes, numbers, symbols, characters, etc. is output from the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model on the paper, and the paper is scanned and read by the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model. Thereby, the license information can be duplicated from the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 30.

Further, the license information composed of numbers, symbols, characters and the like is displayed on the UI device such as the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model, and is input from the operation input unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model. It is also possible to duplicate the license information from the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 30.

Further, when the image forming apparatus 30 acquires the list information of the licenses held by the image forming apparatus 20, a communication protocol such as SOAP (abbreviation of Simple Object Access Protocol) or REST (abbreviation of Representational State Transfer) is obtained. Sends a license list request and receives license list information. When the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 are not connected by a network, the image forming apparatus 30 writes a license list request on a removable recording medium such as a USB memory or an SD card, and the recording medium is image-formed. When connected to the device 20, the image forming device 20 may interpret the license list request and write the license list information to the recording medium. Then, by connecting the recording medium to the image forming apparatus 30, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires the license list information of the image forming apparatus 20.

Further, it is also possible to exchange license list information between the image forming devices 20 and 30 via paper. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 30 outputs the instruction information expressed by characters or barcodes meaning the license list request on the paper, and the image forming apparatus 20 scans the paper on which the instruction information is output. And read. Then, the image forming apparatus 20 interprets the license list request included in the read image data and outputs the license list information on the paper. Then, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires the license list information of the image forming apparatus 20 by scanning and reading the paper on which the license list information is output by the image forming apparatus 30.

Next, the state of data transmission / reception performed between the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 in the processing procedure described above will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

First, in the image forming apparatus 30, when the license transfer software is activated, the license management control unit 31 accepts the trial period via the operation input unit 32 in step S201. For example, in the image forming apparatus 30, as shown in FIG. 6, information on the start date and time and the end date and time of the trial period is input from the operation panel 61.

Further, in step S202, the license management control unit 31 inputs the IP address of the transfer source multifunction device, that is, the image forming apparatus 20 via the operation input unit 32. For example, in the image forming apparatus 30, as shown in FIG. 7, the IP address of the transfer source multifunction device, that is, the image forming apparatus 20, is input from the operation panel 61.

In the present embodiment, the case where the IP address is used as the information for specifying the transfer source multifunction device will be described, but the configuration may be such that the transfer source multifunction device is specified by using other information. It is possible.

Then, in step S203, the license management control unit 31 accesses the image forming apparatus 20 using the input IP address, and requests a license list from the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model which is the transfer source multifunction device. do.

Then, in step S204, the image forming apparatus 20 that has received this license list request responds to the image forming apparatus 30 with the list information of the licenses recorded in the own apparatus.

Upon receiving the license list information from the image forming apparatus 20, the license management control unit 31 displays the received license list on the display unit 33 in step S205, and accepts the selection of the license to be transferred. FIG. 8 shows an example of the license list information displayed in this way.

In the display example shown in FIG. 8, a list of licenses owned by the image forming apparatus 20 is displayed on the operation panel 61 of the image forming apparatus 30. The user refers to this list information and selects a license to be transferred to the image forming apparatus 30. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that the licenses of the four applications "SuperPrint", "HyperFax", "UltraScan", and "EasyPrint" are selected as the transfer targets.

Next, in step S206, the license management control unit 31 requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key of the license selected to be transferred.
Then, in step S207, the image forming apparatus 20 responds to the image forming apparatus 30 with the information of the license key requested to be duplicated.

Then, in step S208, the license management control unit 31 receives the license key from the image forming apparatus 20 which is the transfer source multifunction device, and activates the license.

In this way, the image forming apparatus 30 can use various functions activated by the license key from the image forming apparatus 20 until the set trial period ends. Further, even in the image forming apparatus 20, the license key remains, and various functions by various applications can be used as before.

However, when the set trial period ends, the user needs to select whether to continue using the old model image forming apparatus 20 or to replace the model with the new model image forming apparatus 30. be. Here, when the trial period ends, it means a preset timing before the trial period actually ends, and means, for example, a time such as one day before the trial period ends. ..

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when such a trial period ends will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the license management control unit 31 determines in step S301 that the set trial period is about to end, in step S302, a screen requesting acceptance / rejection of either the old model or the new model is displayed on the display unit 33. indicate.

For example, one day before the trial period ends, the license management control unit 31 displays as shown in FIG. 10 on the operation panel 61 and asks the user to switch to the new model or the old model. Ask if you want to continue the trial. Note that FIG. 10 shows an operation example when the user tries to select replacement with a new model.

Then, after the user makes a selection, the license management control unit 31 determines in step S303 whether or not a new model has been adopted. When a new model is adopted in step S303, the license management control unit 31 requests the image forming apparatus 20 which is the old model to invalidate the license in step S304, that is, deletes the stored license key. Request to do.

Further, when the new model is not adopted in step S303, that is, when it is selected to continue using the old model, the license management control unit 31 invalidates the license of the own device in step S305, that is, self. Delete the license key stored in the device.

Next, the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

First, FIG. 11 shows an operation when the image forming apparatus 30 for which the trial period is set requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key and activates the license of the own apparatus.

FIG. 11A shows how the image forming apparatus 30 requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key. FIG. 11B shows how the image forming apparatus 20 generates a duplication of the license key and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 30 in response to the license key duplication request from the image forming apparatus 30. As a result, the same license key is registered in each of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30, respectively.

Then, in such a state, when the user chooses to use the new model after the trial period has elapsed, the image forming apparatus 30 has a license key for the image forming apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. 12 (A). Request to be deleted. Then, the image forming apparatus 20 deletes the recorded license key and invalidates the valid license. As a result, the license key remains only in the image forming apparatus 30.

Further, when the user selects to use the old model after the trial period has elapsed in such a state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the image forming apparatus 30 has a license key recorded in the own apparatus. To revoke a valid license. As a result, the license key remains only in the image forming apparatus 20.

As described above, after the trial period has elapsed, the license key remains only in any one of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a double license.

Next, a system configuration that employs a server authentication method that manages the validity / invalidity of the license on an external server will be described.

The image forming system of this embodiment has a system configuration as shown in FIG. 13, and has a configuration in which a license management server 10 is added to the system configuration in the case of the single authentication method shown in FIG. ing.

In the server authentication method, the license management server 10 registers whether the license of each application in the image forming devices 20 and 30 is valid or invalid, and manages whether or not the function of each application can be used.

Even in the server authentication method, the image forming devices 20 and 30 record the license key for activating the license of the application, but when the application is started, whether or not the license key is valid is notified to the license management server 10. Launch the app only if you make an inquiry and confirm that it is valid. Specifically, the image forming devices 20 and 30 transmit the license key held to the license management server 10 to use when the use of a function instructed to start the application is selected. When the permission is returned, the application is started and the function can be used.

This server authentication method has an advantage that it is possible to detect that the license key is illegally duplicated, but each image forming apparatus can communicate with the license management server 10 via the network. It is necessary to be.

In such a server authentication method, the license management control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 communicates with the license management server 10 to determine whether or not the license key is genuine and to the own device. Determine if the license is valid.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 in the case of such a server authentication method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the flowchart of FIG. 14, the processing of steps S401 to S406 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S106 described in the flowchart of FIG. 4, so the description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of the server authentication method, when the license management control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the license key from the image forming apparatus 20 which is the transfer source multifunction device, in step S407, the image forming of the old model before replacement is performed. When the license key is acquired from the device 20 and the function of the own device is activated, the information of the set trial period, the license key, and the individual number which is the identification information for identifying the own device are transmitted to the license management server 10. Activate the license by sending and registering.

FIG. 15 shows an example of management information registered in the license management server 10 in this way. As shown in FIG. 15, in the license management server 10, the license key information and the individual number of the device in which the license key is registered are stored in association with each other. Further, when the information on the trial period is transmitted, the information on the trial period is also stored in association with the information.

For example, if this license key is originally valid for only one device, the license management server 10 registers the same license key in association with the individual numbers of a plurality of different devices. Does not allow.

However, when the license key is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model together with the information of the trial period, it is transmitted even if it is the same as the license key already registered until the trial period ends. Register the license key. However, when the trial period ends, the license management server 10 requests the image forming apparatus 30 of the new model to select whether to continue using the new model or the old model. ..

If it is permitted to activate the licenses of multiple devices for one license key in advance, for example, it is permitted to activate the licenses of five devices for one license key. If so, the license management server 10 treats the license key as if the license is valid for up to five devices, and does not allow the registration of the sixth device.

In the case of such a server authentication method, the license management control unit 31 uses the function when it is selected to continue using the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends. The function of the image forming apparatus 20 is invalidated by requesting the license management server 10 that manages the availability to invalidate the function of the image forming apparatus 20 of the old model.

Next, the operation when the application activation instruction is given in the image forming apparatus 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S501, when an application management unit 39 is instructed to start an application, is the application management unit 39 valid for the license of the application to which the application management unit 31 has been instructed to start? Inquire whether or not. Then, in step S502, the license management control unit 31 inquires of the license management server 10 whether or not the license key registered for the application is valid.

Here, when the license management control unit 31 receives in step S503 that the trial period ends or the time until the end ends is shorter than the preset time, in step S504, the new model and the old model are used. Executes a selection process that asks the user which model to use.

Then, when a certain amount of time remains before the trial period ends, the license management control unit 31 determines in step S505 whether or not the response from the license management server 10 is valid for the license of its own device. Is determined.

Then, when the answer from the license management server 10 indicates that the license is valid, the license management control unit 31 transfers the answer to the application management unit 39. As a result, the application management unit 39 activates the application for which the activation instruction has been given in step S506.

If the response from the license management server 10 indicates that the license is invalid, the license management control unit 31 transfers the response to the application management unit 39. As a result, in step S507, the application management unit 39 notifies the user that the application cannot be started without starting the application for which the start instruction has been given.

Next, the details of the selection process of the new model and the old model described in step S504 of the flowchart of FIG. 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S601, the license management control unit 31 displays a screen requesting acceptance / rejection of either the old model or the new model on the display unit 33. At this time, a display screen similar to the display content as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation panel 61.

Then, after the selection is made by the user, the license management control unit 31 determines in step S602 whether or not the new model has been adopted. When a new model is adopted in step S602, the license management control unit 31 requests the license management server 10 to invalidate the license of the old model in step S603, and requests the image forming apparatus 20 which is the old model to invalidate the license. And request that the license be revoked.

If the new model is not adopted in step S602, that is, if it is selected to continue using the old model, the license management control unit 31 licenses the license of the own device to be invalidated in step S604. Request to the management server 10 and delete the license key stored in the own device.

Next, the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

First, FIG. 18 shows an operation when the image forming apparatus 30 for which the trial period is set requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key and activates the license of the own apparatus.

In FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus 30 requests the image forming apparatus 20 to duplicate the license key, and the image forming apparatus 20 generates the duplication of the license key in response to the license key duplication request from the image forming apparatus 30. It is shown that the image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30. As a result, the same license key is registered in each of the image forming apparatus 20 and 30, respectively. Further, the image forming apparatus 30 transmits the license key received from the image forming apparatus 20, the individual number of the own apparatus, and the information of the trial period to the license management server 10.

When the user chooses to use the new model after the trial period has elapsed in such a state, the image forming apparatus 30 is an old model with respect to the license management server 10, as shown in FIG. Request the invalidation of the license of the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the image forming apparatus 30 requests the image forming apparatus 20 to delete the license key. Then, the image forming apparatus 20 deletes the recorded license key and invalidates the valid license. As a result, the license key remains only in the image forming apparatus 30.

Further, when the user selects to use the old model after the trial period has elapsed in such a state, the image forming apparatus 30 deletes the license key recorded in the own apparatus as shown in FIG. 20. Both request the license management server 10 to invalidate the license of its own device. As a result, the license key remains only in the image forming apparatus 20.

In this way, even in the case of the server authentication method, after the trial period elapses, the license key remains only in either the image forming apparatus 20 or 30, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a double license. ..

In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, such as a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, etc.). FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

Further, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor but also by a plurality of processors existing at physically separated positions in cooperation with each other. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus of a certain old model is replaced with the image forming apparatus of a new model has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied even when such various information processing devices are replaced from old models to new models.

10 License management server 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication interface 15 User interface device 16 Scanner 17 Print engine 18 Control bus 20, 30 Image forming device 31 License management Control unit 32 Operation input unit 33 Display unit 34 Data transmission / reception unit 35 Control unit 36 Image reading unit 37 , Data storage unit 38 Image output unit 39 App management unit 40 Network 50 Terminal device 61 Operation panel

Claims (10)

Equipped with memory and processor
The processor
Accepts information to identify the information processing device before replacement and setting the trial period of the own device,
Based on the received information, obtain permission information from other information processing devices before replacement, enable the functions of your own device, and enable it.
When it is selected to continue using the own device at the end of the set trial period of the own device, it is selected to invalidate the functions of the other information processing devices and not to use the own device. If so, an information processing device that invalidates the function of its own device. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor invalidates the function of the own device when the trial period ends without selecting whether to continue using the own device or not to use the own device. .. When the set trial period of the own device ends, the processor requests the other information processing device to disable the function when it is selected to continue using the own device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which invalidates the functions of the other information processing apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the processor invalidates the function of the other information processing device by requesting the deletion of the permission information stored in the other information processing device. If it is selected to continue using the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends, the processor may refer to the management device that manages the availability of the function. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the function of the other information processing apparatus is invalidated by making a request to invalidate the function of the information processing apparatus. When the processor acquires permission information from another information processing device before replacement and activates the function of the own device, the information of the set trial period, the permission information, and the identification information for identifying the own device are used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the management apparatus. When the use of the function is selected, the processor enables the function when the management device is notified that the permission information held is transmitted and the use is permitted. The information processing device according to claim 5. The processor is provided with a memory and a processor, and the processor accepts information for identifying the information processing device before replacement and setting of a trial period of the own device, and based on the received information, permission information from another information processing device before replacement. If it is selected to enable the function of the own device and continue to use the own device when the set trial period of the own device ends, the function of the other information processing device is invalidated. If it is selected not to use the own device, the first information processing device that invalidates the function of the own device and
The processor includes a memory and a processor, and the processor transmits permission information registered in the own device to the first information processing device in response to a request from the first information processing device, and the first information is provided. When a request to invalidate the enabled function is received from the processing device, the second information processing device that deletes the permission information used to enable the function, and the second information processing device.
Information processing system equipped with. When the processor includes a memory and a processor, the processor manages the availability of functions in the first and second information processing devices, and permission information is transmitted from the first information processing device together with information on a trial period. , Even if the permission information is the same as the already registered permission information until the trial period ends, the transmitted permission information is registered, and when the trial period ends, the first information processing is performed. The information processing system according to claim 8, further comprising a management device that requires the device to select whether to continuously use the first information processing device or the second information processing device. A step for accepting information for identifying the information processing device before replacement and setting the trial period of the own device, and
Based on the received information, the step of acquiring permission information from other information processing devices before replacement and activating the functions of the own device,
When it is selected to continue using the own device at the end of the set trial period of the own device, it is selected to invalidate the functions of the other information processing devices and not to use the own device. If, the step to disable the function of the own device and
A program that lets your computer run.

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