JP5298996B2 - Information processing apparatus, software distribution server, software distribution system, software distribution method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mediation device for batch downloading the common section of software to be installed, to different types of image processing apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 200 is configured of a configuration information acquiring section 202 for acquiring a plurality of configuration information, showing the configuration elements of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses 100, from each of the plurality of image processors 100 by a fixed time interval; a configuration analyzing section 203 for determining a common configuration section which are configuring elements common to the plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 among the configuring elements shown by the configuration information, on the basis of the plurality of acquired configuration elements; an input control section 201 for accepting the designated input of software to be installed to the plurality of image processing apparatuses 100; and a communication section 204 for transmitting the distribution request of the software to be installed to a software distribution server 400 and for receiving the configuration information of the software to be installed from the software distribution server 400. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a software distribution server, a software distribution system, a software distribution method, and a program that mediate software installation work from a server to an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, when the same application is installed on a plurality of clients connected on the same network, downloading for the number of clients is required. Therefore, in order to reduce the communication load due to repetitive work, a batch installation method for a plurality of client devices has been developed.

  As a batch installation method for a plurality of client devices, a technique in which an installer, which is a program for installing an application on a client, uses information for installation (hereinafter referred to as “installer information”) possessed by an installation medium. It has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, when installing an application based on the installer information, the installer information on the installation medium on the server side is acquired and analyzed, and the application itself is distributed from the server to the client based on this information. A method of simultaneously updating the application information database of each client device is disclosed.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the client devices on which applications are installed are the same framework, and batch installation to client devices configured with different frameworks is considered. Absent.

  As a result, when the frameworks of multiple client devices to be installed are different, the installer information is acquired individually, the download time in the installation process increases, and the communication load cannot be reduced. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing apparatus that can collectively download common parts of installed software to different types of image processing apparatuses by analyzing software configuration information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a software distribution server for distributing software and an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein the plurality From each of the image processing apparatuses, an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and based on the plurality of pieces of acquired configuration information, A configuration analysis unit that obtains a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing devices among the components indicated by the configuration information, and an input reception unit that receives a designation input of software to be installed on the plurality of image processing devices And sending a distribution request for the installation target software to the software distribution server. A communication unit that receives configuration information of the installation target software from a distribution server, and the configuration analysis unit further configures the configuration of the installation target software based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit Among the elements, an individual component that is an individual component for each image processing apparatus is obtained, compressed configuration information indicating the common component and the individual component of the installation target software is generated, and the communication unit In addition, the compression configuration information of the software to be installed is transmitted to the software distribution server, and the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information are received from the software distribution server and received. The common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit corresponding to the image processing apparatus include the plurality of images. And transmitting for the installation to respective sense device.

  In addition, the present invention is a software distribution server that distributes software that is connected to an information processing apparatus, a storage unit that stores software, and a plurality of images that are connected to the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus A transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing apparatus, configuration information indicating a component of the installation target software when a distribution request for the installation target software to the processing apparatus is received; and the installation target software from the information processing apparatus A receiving unit that receives compressed configuration information indicating a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing devices and an individual component that is a separate component for each of the image processing devices The transmission unit includes the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information. And transmits the serial information processing apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software distribution server for distributing software and an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a storage unit and designation input of software to be installed to the plurality of image processing apparatuses are performed. An input receiving unit that receives the configuration information indicating the components of the software installed in each of the plurality of image processing devices; A communication unit that transmits a software distribution request to the software distribution server and receives the configuration information of the installation target software from the software distribution server, the received configuration information, and the acquired configuration information, As the acquisition component, the configuration element indicated by the acquired configuration information A configuration analysis unit that obtains a component of the installation target software corresponding to the acquisition component and generates an acquisition configuration information indicating the component of the installation target software corresponding to the acquisition component, and the communication unit includes: The acquisition configuration information is transmitted to the software distribution server, the acquisition component indicated by the acquisition configuration information is received from the software distribution server, stored in the storage unit, and the received acquisition component is stored in the image It is transmitted to the processing device for installation.

In addition, the present invention is a software distribution server that distributes software that is connected to an information processing apparatus, a storage unit that stores software, and a plurality of images that are connected to the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus A transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing apparatus, configuration information indicating a component of the installation target software when a distribution request for the installation target software to the processing apparatus is received; and the installation target software from the information processing apparatus A receiving unit that receives configuration information indicating software components that are not installed in the image processing apparatus, and the transmission unit converts the configuration elements indicated by the configuration information into the information It transmits to a processing apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In addition, the present invention provides a software distribution server for distributing software and an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses, and an input receiving unit that receives designation input of software to be installed in the plurality of image processing apparatuses An acquisition unit that acquires configuration information indicating software components installed in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses from any one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and a distribution request for the installation target software Is acquired from the communication unit that receives the configuration information of the software to be installed from the software distribution server, the received configuration information, and the acquired configuration information. Corresponding to the component indicated by the acquired configuration information. A configuration analysis unit that obtains a component of the software to be installed and generates an acquisition configuration information indicating the component of the software to be installed corresponding to the acquisition component, and the communication unit includes the acquisition configuration Information is transmitted to the software distribution server, the acquisition component indicated by the acquisition configuration information is received from the software distribution server, and the received acquisition component is installed in all of the plurality of image processing apparatuses. It is characterized by transmitting.

  The present invention is also a software distribution method executed by an information processing device and a software distribution server, wherein the information processing device receives the plurality of images from each of the plurality of image processing devices at regular time intervals. An acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each processing device, and a component indicated by the configuration information based on the plurality of pieces of configuration information acquired by the information processing device A configuration analysis step for obtaining a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing devices, and an input receiving step for the information processing device to receive designation input of software to be installed in the plurality of image processing devices And the information processing device sends a distribution request for the installation target software to the software. A communication step of transmitting to the software distribution server and receiving the configuration information of the software to be installed from the software distribution server, wherein the configuration analysis step further includes the received configuration information and the common configuration unit. Based on the components of the software to be installed, the individual components that are individual components of each image processing apparatus are obtained, and the common components and the individual components of the software to be installed are compressed. Generating the configuration information, and the communication step further transmits the compression configuration information of the software to be installed to the software distribution server, and the common configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information from the software distribution server and Receiving the individual component, and the received common component Serial sending for installation and the individual components corresponding to the image processing apparatus to each of the plurality of image processing apparatus, characterized by.

  The present invention is also a software distribution system including an information processing apparatus and a software distribution server connected to the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus includes the plurality of image processing apparatuses at regular intervals. Each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses acquires the plurality of configuration information indicating the components of the software installed in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and the configuration information indicates based on the acquired plurality of configuration information A configuration analysis unit that obtains a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing devices among the components, an input reception unit that receives designation input of software to be installed in the plurality of image processing devices, and the installation A distribution request for the target software is transmitted to the software distribution server, and the software distribution server A communication unit that receives configuration information of the software to be installed from a server, and the configuration analysis unit further includes a component of the software to be installed based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit Among them, an individual component that is an individual component for each image processing device is obtained, and compression configuration information indicating the common component and the individual component of the software to be installed is generated, and the communication unit includes: Further, the compression configuration information of the software to be installed is transmitted to the software distribution server, the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information are received from the software distribution server, and the received The plurality of image processing devices include a common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit corresponding to the image processing device. And transmits to the installation, respectively.

  According to the present invention, a software distribution server for distributing software and a computer connected to the plurality of image processing apparatuses are installed from each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses to each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses at regular intervals. An acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating the component elements of the software that has been acquired, and common to the plurality of image processing devices among the components indicated by the configuration information based on the plurality of pieces of configuration information acquired Configuration analysis means for obtaining a common component that is a component, input receiving means for receiving designation input of software to be installed for the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and a distribution request for the software to be installed are transmitted to the software distribution server And the software to be installed from the software distribution server. The communication function for receiving the configuration information of the hardware is caused to function in the computer, and the configuration analysis unit is further configured based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit, among the components of the software to be installed, Obtaining an individual component that is an individual component for each image processing device, generating compressed configuration information indicating the common component and the individual component of the software to be installed, and the communication unit further includes: The compressed configuration information of the software to be installed is transmitted to the software distribution server, the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information are received from the software distribution server, and the received common configuration unit And the individual components corresponding to the image processing devices are connected to the plurality of image processing devices. It is sent for installation in, respectively, characterized by.

  According to the present invention, a common part of software is downloaded to different types of image processing apparatuses at a time, so that it is possible to reduce the communication load caused by the external network.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a software distribution system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 and the software distribution server 400 connected via the network 80. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of software configuration information of an application. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100a. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100b. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100c. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the compact information. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of software distribution processing. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100a. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100b. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100c. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the common configuration unit. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating individual components of the multifunction peripheral 100a. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an individual configuration unit of the multifunction peripheral 100b. FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating an individual configuration unit of the multifunction peripheral 100c. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a configuration of the information processing apparatus 700 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 1200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13A is a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction device 1200. FIG. 13-2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction device 1200. FIG. 13C is a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction device 1200. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200a. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200b. FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200c. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating components corresponding to the applications installed in the MFP 1200a. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating acquisition components of the MFP 1200b. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating acquisition components of the MFP 1200c. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a configuration of the information processing apparatus 900 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 1900 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20A is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900. FIG. 20B is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900. FIG. 20C is a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900. FIG. 21A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1900a. FIG. 21B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction machine 1900b. FIG. 21C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1900c. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating components corresponding to applications installed in the multifunction peripheral 1900a. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating acquisition components of the multifunction machine 1900b. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating acquisition components of the multifunction machine 1900c. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFPs 100, 1200, and 1900 according to the first to third embodiments.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a software distribution system to which an information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, in the software distribution system, an information processing apparatus 200, a license management server 300, and a software distribution server 400 are connected via a network 80 such as the Internet. A firewall 90 is provided between the information processing apparatus 200 and the network 80. In the information processing apparatus 200, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c (hereinafter, unspecified multifunction peripherals are simply referred to as multifunction peripherals 100) are connected via a network different from the network 80, such as a LAN. .

  The firewall 90 monitors data flowing on the boundary with the outside so that a third party who has entered the information processing apparatus 200 through an external network such as the Internet does not perform fraud, and detects and blocks unauthorized access.

  The multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c are devices having a plurality of functions such as copying, faxing, and printers, and are connected to the information processing device 200 through a local network. In the software distribution system according to the present embodiment, three multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one, two, or four or more multifunction peripherals are connected. It is good also as a structure which connected.

  In addition, an application composed of a plurality of components is installed in the multifunction device 100, and the multifunction device 100 stores the structure of the components as software configuration information.

  The software distribution server 400 is a device that holds software installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 and provides the software to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the information processing apparatus 200. Here, the software held by the software distribution server 400 is associated with software configuration information describing a configuration list of components that the software can distribute to other devices.

  The license management server 300 is a device that manages a license (usage right) of software provided from the software distribution server 400 and installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 via the information processing device 200.

  The information processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that mediates processing performed between the software distribution server 400 and the license management server 300 and the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c. Specifically, the software provided by the software distribution server 400 is transmitted to the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, 100c, or a license file for the software managed by the license management server 300 is requested, so that the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, To 100c. Here, the license file is data in which a software license is described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 and the software distribution server 400 connected via the network 80.

  First, the information processing apparatus 200 includes an input control unit 201, a configuration information acquisition unit 202, a configuration analysis unit 203, a communication unit 204, a display control unit 205, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as shown in FIG. ) 210 and is connected to the input device 220 and the display device 230.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 202 periodically acquires software configuration information of applications installed in all the multifunction peripherals 100 connected to the information processing apparatus 200 via the local network.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of software configuration information. The software configuration information is composed of a plurality of hierarchies. In FIG. 3, the software configuration information 500 is the highest layer, a service function level element 501 that is valuable to applications and users, a 502 to which an element function module or service component belongs, and a lower layer such as a framework or a driver. 503 that absorbs the function of the level and provides it as a service suitable for the application.

  Although the application 500 has a three-layer structure, the number of layers varies depending on the scale of the system and the responsibility of each layer. Also, the boxes in each layer indicate a group of functions or modules, each of which depends on the lower layer box, and conversely, there is no dependency from the lower layer to the upper layer.

  The HDD 210 stores the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 100 connected to the information processing apparatus 200 via the local network, acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 202.

  The display control unit 205 displays a list of applications that can be installed in the multifunction peripheral 100 on the display device 230.

  The input control unit 201 receives input from the input device 220 such as designation of an application to be installed on the multifunction peripheral 100 by the user and an instruction for an installation request.

  The communication unit 204 receives an input application to be installed from the multi-function peripheral 100, transmits a software distribution request to the software distribution server 400, or installs an application to be installed according to the distribution request from the software distribution server 400. Receive software configuration information (hereinafter referred to as “software configuration information of an application related to a distribution request”) and software of an application to be installed related to a distribution request (hereinafter referred to as “software related to a distribution request”). To do.

  The configuration analysis unit 203 analyzes the software configuration information of the applications acquired from all the multifunction peripherals 100, and obtains a common configuration unit that is a component common to the software configuration information of all the applications.

  Specifically, the constituent elements are extracted from each of the software configuration information of the application acquired from the MFP 100, the constituent elements common to all the acquired software configuration information among the extracted constituent elements are categorized, and the common constituent unit And

  FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are diagrams each showing the software configuration information of the application. 4A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100a, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100b. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100c.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the components common to all of the multifunction peripheral 100a, the multifunction peripheral 100b, and the multifunction peripheral 100c are “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”. Yes, these are common components.

  The configuration analysis unit 203 also includes, based on the software configuration information of the application received from the software distribution server 400, and the common configuration unit obtained as described above, the MFP 100 among the components of the application to be installed. An individual component that is an individual component is obtained for each piece of software configuration information of the application installed on the computer.

  Specifically, first, the constituent elements of the difference between the constituent elements indicated by the software configuration information of each application received from the MFP 100 and the constituent elements of the common constituent section are extracted as individual constituent sections.

  In FIG. 4A, the components are the components of the common component from “1-1, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” of the components indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 100a. “1-1”, which is a difference component between “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, is extracted as an individual component of the multifunction peripheral 100a.

  Also, in FIG. 4B, the components of the common component from “1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100b. “1-2” that is a difference component between “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” is extracted as an individual component of the multifunction peripheral 100b.

  Similarly, in FIG. 4C, the configuration of the common configuration unit is configured from “1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” of the component indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100c. “1-3”, which is a difference component between the elements “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, is extracted as an individual component of the MFP 100c.

  The configuration analysis unit 203 further generates compact information indicating all the individual configuration units and the common configuration units of the multifunction peripheral 100 calculated from the above. Here, the compact information is software configuration information related to a distribution request to the software distribution server 400 and indicates a minimum software configuration that can be installed in all the multifunction peripherals 100.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the compact information. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the compact information 600 includes an individual configuration unit 602 (“1-1”, “1-2”, and “1-3”) and one common configuration unit 601 ( “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”).

  Conventionally, in order to install an application on all the multifunction peripherals 100, an individual component (“1-1”), a common component (“2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”), and an individual component (“ 1-2 ") and common components (" 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 "), individual components (" 1-3 ") and common components (" 2-1, 2-2 and 2 "). -3 ") must be downloaded separately.

  However, as described above, by reducing the software configuration information of the application related to the distribution request to the software distribution server 400 into the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit, it is possible to eliminate the acquisition request overlapping the common configuration unit. It becomes possible.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the software distribution server 400 connected to the information processing apparatus 200 via the network 80 includes a transmission unit 401, a reception unit 404, a software acquisition unit 403, and an HDD 410. In preparation.

  The HDD 410 stores various applications in association with software configuration information indicating the components constituting the application.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 402 acquires the software configuration information of the application related to the distribution request from the information processing apparatus 200 from the HDD 410.

  The software acquisition unit 403 acquires software corresponding to the compact information received from the information processing apparatus 200 from the HDD 410.

  The receiving unit 404 receives a distribution request for an application to be installed and compact information from the information processing apparatus 200.

  The transmission unit 401 transmits software configuration information related to the distribution request and software corresponding to the compact information to the information processing apparatus 200.

  Next, the overall functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. The multi-function device 100 includes a monochrome laser printer (B & W LP) 101, a color laser printer (Color LP) 102, a hard disk device (HDD) 103, and hardware resources 104 such as a scanner, a facsimile, a memory, and a network interface. The software group 110 includes a platform 120 and an application 130.

  The platform 120 interprets a processing request from an application and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and a system resource manager that manages one or a plurality of hardware resources and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service. (SRM) 123 and a general-purpose OS 121.

  The control service is formed of a plurality of service modules, and includes an SCS (system control service) 122, an ECS (engine control service) 124, an MCS (memory control service) 125, an OCS (operation panel control service) 126, and an FCS. (Fax Control Service) 127 and NCS (Network Control Service) 128. The platform 120 has an application program interface (API) that enables a processing request to be received from the application 130 using a predefined function.

  The general-purpose OS 121 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 120 and the application 130 in parallel as processes.

  The process of the SRM 123 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 122. The SRM123 process uses hardware resources such as engines such as a scanner unit and printer unit, memory, HDD file, and host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request from the upper layer to be used, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 123 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Tell the upper layer that it is possible. In addition, the SRM 123 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine). .

  The process of the SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, resource management, interrupt application control, and the like.

  The process of the ECS 124 controls the engine of the hardware resource 104 including a black and white laser printer (B & W LP) 101, a color laser printer (Color LP) 102, a scanner, a facsimile, and the like.

  The MCS 125 process acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.

  The FCS 127 process includes facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. Provides an API to do.

  The NCS 128 process is a process for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application, and data from the application. Mediation when sending to the network side.

  The NRS (New Remote Service) 129 is an application that realizes functions related to remote management via the network and a scheduler function, such as data conversion when data is transmitted and received via the network.

  When the application installation control service 131 receives an installation signal from the information processing apparatus 200, the application installation control service 131 installs a component corresponding to the own apparatus among the packages received from the information processing apparatus 200.

  The process of the OCS 126 controls an operation panel (operation panel) 910 serving as information transmission means between the operator (user) and the main body control. The OCS 126 obtains a key press (or touch operation) from the operation panel as a key event, and operates according to a request from the application 130 or the control service and a part of the OCS process that transmits a key event function corresponding to the obtained key to the SCS 122. A drawing function for drawing and outputting various screens on the panel, a function for controlling the operation panel, and the like are composed of pre-registered OCS library portions. The OCS library is mounted by being linked to each module of the application 130 and the control service. The OCS 126 may be configured to operate as a process, or the OCS 126 may be configured as an OCS library.

  The application 130 includes a printer application 111 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 112 that is a copy application, and a fax application 113 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 114 as a scanner application, a network file application 115 as a network file application, a process inspection application 116 as a process inspection application, and a WEB server for a client terminal such as a PC connected to the Internet It has a WEB application 171 that operates as an (http server) and displays various screens on a WEB browser that operates on a client terminal.

  Each process of the application 130 and each process of the control service realize user services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles while performing inter-process communication by calling functions, sending return values thereof, and sending and receiving messages. doing.

  As described above, the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of applications 130 and a plurality of control services, all of which operate as processes. In each of these processes, one or a plurality of threads are generated and parallel execution is performed in units of threads. The control service provides a common service to the application 130. For this reason, a large number of these processes perform a parallel operation and a parallel operation of threads to perform inter-process communication with each other. User services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles are provided.

  Also, in the multifunction device 100, a third party such as a customer of the multifunction device 100 or a third vendor can develop and install the external application 172 in the application layer above the control service layer. The external application 172 is installed by the application installation control unit 131 via the network.

  In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of application 130 processes and a plurality of control service processes operate. However, the application 130 and the control service process have a single configuration. Is also possible. Each application 130 can be added or deleted for each application. That is, as described above, the external application 172 can be installed and can be uninstalled.

  Next, software distribution processing by the software distribution system will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of software distribution processing.

  The information processing apparatus 200 periodically acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in each of the multifunction device 100a, the multifunction device 100b, and the multifunction device 100c by the configuration information acquisition unit 202 (step S101).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIGS. 8-1 to 8-3 is acquired. 8A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100a, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100b. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction peripheral 100c.

  In the information processing apparatus 200, the configuration analysis unit 203 calculates a common configuration unit from the acquired software configuration information (step S102).

  Specifically, when the constituent elements of the software configuration information of the MFP 100a, the MFP 100b, and the MFP 100c illustrated in FIGS. 8-1 to 8-3 are extracted, the components common to all are illustrated in FIG. As shown, “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” are set, which are common components.

  The input control unit 201 of the information processing device 200 accepts selection of an application to be installed from the list displayed on the display device 230 by the display control unit 205 (step S103).

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 200 transmits an installation request for the selected application to the software distribution server 400 (step S104).

  The configuration information acquisition unit 402 of the software distribution server 400 acquires the software configuration information of the application related to the distribution request from the HDD 410, and the transmission unit 401 transmits the software configuration information of the application related to the acquired distribution request to the information processing apparatus 200. (Step S105).

  The configuration analysis unit 203 of the information processing apparatus 200 is information obtained by downsizing the software configuration information of the application related to the distribution request when the communication unit 204 receives the software configuration information of the application related to the distribution request from the software distribution server 400. Compact information is generated (step S106).

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the common components “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” illustrated in FIG. 9 and the individual components “1-1” of the multifunction peripheral 100a illustrated in FIG. ”And the individual component“ 1-2 ”of the MFP 100b shown in FIG. 10-2 and the individual component“ 1-3 ”of the MFP 100c shown in FIG. It is.

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing device 200 transmits the compact information to the software distribution server 400 (step S107).

  The software acquisition unit 403 of the software distribution server 400 receives the compacted information by the receiving unit 404, acquires software corresponding to the compacted information, and installs it in all of the multifunction peripheral 100a, the multifunction peripheral 100b, and the multifunction peripheral 100c. A package is created (step S108).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 400 transmits the package created by the software acquisition unit 403 to the information processing apparatus 200 (step S109).

  When receiving the package from the software distribution server 400, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 200 transmits the received package to all of the multifunction peripheral 100a, the multifunction peripheral 100b, and the multifunction peripheral 100c (step S110).

  Here, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 200 first transmits only the individual configuration units corresponding to the MFP 100a, the MFP 100b, and the MFP 100c, and transmits the individual configuration unit after transmitting the individual configuration unit. It is also possible to transmit.

  Next, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 200 transmits an installation signal to all of the multifunction peripheral 100a, the multifunction peripheral 100b, and the multifunction peripheral 100c (step S111).

  The application installation control service 131 of the multifunction device 100a, the multifunction device 100b, and the multifunction device 100c installs the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit of the own device in the received package according to the installation signal (step S112).

  Specifically, the multi-function peripheral 100a installs the common components “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” illustrated in FIG. 9 and the individual components “1-1” illustrated in FIG. 10-1. . In addition, the multifunction peripheral 100b installs the common configuration units “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” illustrated in FIG. 9 and the individual configuration unit “1-2” illustrated in FIG. 10-2. Further, the multifunction peripheral 100c installs the common configuration units “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” illustrated in FIG. 9 and the individual configuration unit “1-3” illustrated in FIG. 10-3.

  Note that each of the multifunction peripheral 100a, the multifunction peripheral 100b, and the multifunction peripheral 100c may first install an individual component corresponding to the own device, and then install a common component after installing the individual component.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the applications to be installed are collectively received from the software distribution server 400 regardless of the number of the multifunction peripherals 100, the communication between the information processing apparatus 200 and the software distribution server 400 is performed. The load can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a configuration of the information processing apparatus 700 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 700 includes an input control unit 201, a configuration information acquisition unit 702, a configuration analysis unit 703, a communication unit 204, a display control unit 205, a cache memory 706, and an HDD 710. Mainly prepared. The system configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, the configuration information acquisition unit 202 periodically acquires all software configuration information of applications installed in each of the multifunction peripherals 100.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the configuration information acquisition unit 702 acquires the software configuration information of the applications installed in each multifunction device 1200 individually.

  In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, the configuration analysis unit 203 obtains the common configuration unit from the software configuration information of the application installed in all the multifunction devices 100.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the configuration analysis unit 703 calculates the difference between the components stored in the cache memory 706 among the acquired software configuration information as an individual configuration unit.

  First, the configuration and function of each unit of the information processing apparatus 700 will be described. The configuration and function of each unit other than the configuration information acquisition unit 702, the configuration analysis unit 703, and the cache memory 706 are the same as those of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 702 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction device 1200 from any one of the multifunction devices 1200 connected to the information processing apparatus 700 via the local network.

  The cache memory 706 stores software components received from the communication unit 204.

  The configuration analysis unit 703 includes a configuration element indicated by the software configuration information of the application relating to the distribution request received from the software distribution server 800 and a configuration indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1200 acquired from the MFP 1200. From the element, a component to be acquired from the software distribution server 800 (hereinafter referred to as “acquired component”) is obtained.

  Specifically, components are extracted from the software configuration information related to the distribution request and the software configuration information acquired from the MFP 1200, and the software configuration information acquired from the MFP 1200 out of the software configuration information related to the distribution request. Is generated as software configuration information (hereinafter referred to as “acquired configuration information”).

  Further, among the components of the software configuration information acquired from the MFP 1200, whether or not there is the same component as the software component stored in the cache memory 706 is compared. Extracts the components obtained by subtracting the same components as the individual configuration information indicating the components that the MFP 1200 has individually.

  Next, the configuration and function of each unit of the software distribution server 800 connected to the information processing apparatus 700 via the network 80 will be described. Since the configuration and functions other than the software acquisition unit 803 are the same as those of the software distribution server 400 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The software acquisition unit 803 acquires software components corresponding to the software configuration information of the application relating to the distribution request received from the information processing apparatus 700 from the HDD 410.

  Next, the overall functional configuration of the MFP 1200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 1200 according to the second embodiment. Note that the configuration and functions of each part other than the application installation control service 1231 are the same as those of the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Upon receiving an installation signal from the information processing apparatus 700, the application installation control service 1231 installs the software received from the information processing apparatus 700.

  Next, software distribution processing by the software distribution system will be described. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C are sequence diagrams for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the MFP 1200. First, with reference to FIG. 13A, an installation process to the MFP 1200a will be described.

  The input control unit 201 of the information processing device 700 accepts selection of an application to be installed from the list displayed on the display device 230 by the display control unit 205 (step S201).

  The information processing apparatus 700 uses the configuration information acquisition unit 702 to acquire the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction device 1200a (step S202).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200a. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the components of the application installed in the MFP 1200a are “1-1, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. Obtained as software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200a.

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits a distribution request for the selected application to the software distribution server 800 (step S203).

  The configuration information acquisition unit 402 of the software distribution server 800 acquires the software configuration information of the application relating to the distribution request from the HDD 410, and the transmission unit 401 transmits the acquired software configuration information to the information processing apparatus 700 (step S204).

  When the configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing device 700 acquires the software configuration information related to the distribution request from the software distribution server 800 through the communication unit 204, the configuration analysis unit 703 calculates the acquired configuration information (step S205).

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits the acquired configuration information for the multifunction device 1200a to the software distribution server 800 (step S206).

  When the software distribution server 800 receives the acquisition configuration information by the reception unit 404, the software acquisition unit 803 acquires software corresponding to the received acquisition configuration information (step S207).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 800 causes the software acquisition unit 803 to transmit software corresponding to the acquired configuration information to the information processing apparatus 700 (step S208).

  When receiving the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information from the software distribution server 800, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 stores the software corresponding to the received acquired configuration information in the cache memory 706 (step S209) and acquires the configuration. The software corresponding to the information is transmitted to the MFP 1200a (step S210).

  Next, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits an installation signal to the multifunction device 1200a (step S211).

  The application installation control service 1231 of the multifunction device 1200a installs software corresponding to the received acquired configuration information in accordance with the installation signal (step S212).

  Specifically, the multi-function device 100a installs the components “1-1, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” corresponding to the applications installed in the multi-function device 1200a illustrated in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13B, software distribution processing to the MFP 1200b will be described.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 702 of the information processing apparatus 700 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction device 1200b from the multifunction device 1200b (step S221).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200b. As illustrated in FIG. 14B, the components of the application installed in the MFP 1200b are “1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. It is acquired as software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200b.

  The configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing apparatus 700 calculates the software configuration information of the application to be installed in the multifunction device 1200b (step S222).

  Here, in the cache memory 706 of the information processing apparatus 700, the software related to the distribution request of the MFP 1200a already received from the software distribution server 800 in step S209 is stored.

  Therefore, the configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing apparatus 700 acquires, from the software distribution server 800, a difference component between the component indicated by the software configuration information acquired from the MFP 1200b and the stored software component. Obtained as an acquisition component indicating the component to be performed.

  Specifically, from the component “1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1200b illustrated in FIG. The software components “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” stored in the cache memory 706 of the apparatus 700 are subtracted. Accordingly, the acquisition component of the MFP 1200b is “1-2” illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits acquisition configuration information indicating the acquisition component calculated by the configuration analysis unit 703 to the software distribution server 800 (step S223).

  When the receiving unit 404 receives the acquisition configuration information from the information processing apparatus 700, the software acquisition unit 803 of the software distribution server 800 acquires software corresponding to the acquisition configuration information from the HDD 410 (step S224).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 800 transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information acquired from the software acquisition unit 803 to the information processing apparatus 700 (step S225).

  When receiving the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 stores the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information in the cache memory 706 (step S226) and transmits the software to the multifunction device 1200b (step S227). .

  When the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits an installation signal to the multifunction device 1200b (step S228), the multifunction device 1200b installs software corresponding to the received acquired configuration information (step S229).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13C, software distribution processing to the MFP 1200c will be described.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 702 of the information processing apparatus 700 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction device 1200c from the multifunction device 1200c (step S231).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. 14-3 is acquired. FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200c. As illustrated in FIG. 14C, the components of the application installed in the MFP 1200c are “1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. It is acquired as software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1200c.

  The configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing apparatus 700 calculates the software configuration information of the application to be installed in the multifunction device 1200c (step S232).

  Here, the cache memory 706 of the information processing apparatus 700 stores software related to the distribution request of the MFP 1200a already received from the software distribution server 800 and software corresponding to the acquired configuration information of the MFP 1200b. . Therefore, the configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing apparatus 700 acquires, from the software distribution server 800, a difference component between the component indicated by the software configuration information acquired from the MFP 1200c and the stored software component. As an acquisition component indicating the component to be obtained.

  Specifically, the information processing apparatus starts from the constituent elements “1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1200c illustrated in FIG. The software components “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” stored in the cache memory 706 of 700 are subtracted. Accordingly, the acquisition component of the MFP 1200c is “1-3” illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 204 of the information processing device 700 transmits acquisition configuration information indicating the acquisition component calculated by the configuration analysis unit 703 to the software distribution server 800 (step S233).

  When the receiving unit 404 receives the acquisition configuration information from the information processing apparatus 700, the software acquisition unit 803 of the software distribution server 800 acquires software corresponding to the acquisition configuration information from the HDD 410 (step S234).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 800 transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information acquired from the software acquisition unit 803 to the information processing apparatus 700 (step S235).

  When receiving the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 stores the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information in the cache memory 706 (step S236) and transmits the software to the multifunction device 1200c (step S237). .

  When the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 transmits an installation signal to the multifunction device 1200c (step S238), the application installation control service 1231 of the multifunction device 1200c installs software corresponding to the received acquired configuration information (step S239). ).

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate duplicate distribution requests for software that has already been received from the software distribution server and stored in the information processing apparatus, so that the communication load can be reduced. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, unlike the batch download method described in the first embodiment, the process of periodically acquiring the software configuration information of the MFP and creating the common configuration unit is omitted. The processing procedure can be simplified and the processing cost can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a configuration of the information processing apparatus 900 according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 900 mainly includes an input control unit 201, a configuration information acquisition unit 702, a configuration analysis unit 903, a communication unit 904, a display control unit 205, and an HDD 210. .

  In the information processing apparatus 700 according to the second embodiment, the configuration analysis unit 703 includes the same components as the software components stored in the cache memory 706 among the components of the software configuration information acquired from the multifunction device 1200. If there is the same component, the component obtained by subtracting the same component is extracted as individual configuration information indicating the component that the MFP 1200 has individually.

  On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus 900 according to the present embodiment, the configuration analysis unit 903 includes software (hereinafter referred to as “hereinafter,“ It is compared whether or not there is the same component as the component of “sent software”), and the individual configuration information is extracted.

  In addition, the communication unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 700 according to the second embodiment stores the software received from the software distribution server 800 in the cache memory 706 and transmits the software to one of the MFPs 1200.

  In contrast, in the information processing apparatus 900 according to the present embodiment, the communication unit 904 transmits the software received from the software distribution server 800 to all the multifunction devices 1900 without storing the software in the cache memory.

  The configuration and function of each unit of the information processing apparatus 900 will be described. The configuration and function of each unit other than the configuration analysis unit 903 and the communication unit 904 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration analysis unit 903 includes, among the components of the software configuration information acquired from the multifunction device 1900, the components (hereinafter referred to as “transmitted software”) that have already been transmitted to the multifunction device 1900 (hereinafter “transmission”). In the case where there is the same component, the MFP 1900 individually indicates the component having the component obtained by subtracting the same component. Extracted as individual configuration information.

  Upon receiving the software related to the distribution request from the software distribution server 800, the communication unit 904 transmits the received software to all the multifunction devices 1900.

  Note that the software distribution server 800 connected to the information processing apparatus 900 via the network 80 is the same as the software distribution server 800 of the second embodiment, and thus the description of the configuration and functions of each unit is omitted.

  Next, the overall functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1900 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 1900 according to the third embodiment. Note that the configuration and function of each part other than the application installation control service 1931 are the same as those of the multi-function device 100 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Upon receiving an installation signal from the information processing apparatus 900, the application installation control service 1931 saves only the components corresponding to the application installed in the own machine out of the software received from the information processing apparatus 900, and after saving Update application configuration information.

  Next, software distribution processing by the software distribution system will be described. FIGS. 20A to 20C are sequence diagrams for explaining the procedure of the software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900. FIGS. First, with reference to FIG. 20A, installation processing in the multifunction machine 1900a will be described.

  The input control unit 201 of the information processing apparatus 900 accepts selection of an application to be installed from the list displayed on the display device 230 by the display control unit 205 (step S301).

  The information processing apparatus 900 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction machine 1900a by using the configuration information acquisition unit 702 (step S302).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. FIG. 21A is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1900a. As illustrated in FIG. 21A, the components of the application installed in the MFP 1200a are “1-1, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. Obtained as software configuration information of the multifunction machine 1900a.

  Note that the processing from step S303 to step S308 is the same as step S203 to step S208 in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In step S309, the communication unit 904 of the information processing apparatus 900 that has received the software related to the distribution request from the software distribution server 800 transmits the received software to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S309).

  The communication unit 904 of the information processing device 900 transmits an installation signal to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S310), and upon receiving software from the information processing device 900, the multifunction device 1900 installs configuration information corresponding to the own device. (Step S311).

  Here, since all of the received software is configuration information corresponding to the MFP 1900a, the application installation control service 1931 installs all the received software (step S311).

  Specifically, the MFP 1900a installs the components “1-1, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” corresponding to the applications installed in the MFP 1900a illustrated in FIG.

  After completing the installation process, the application installation service 1931 of the multifunction machine 1900a updates the software configuration information of the application after installation (step S312).

  Next, a software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900b will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 702 of the information processing apparatus 900 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1900b from the MFP 1900b (Step S321).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. 21-2 is acquired. FIG. 21B is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction machine 1900b. As illustrated in FIG. 21B, the components of the application installed in the multifunction peripheral 1900b are “1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. Obtained as software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction machine 1900b.

  The configuration analysis unit 703 of the information processing apparatus 900 calculates the acquired configuration information of the multifunction machine 1900b (Step S322).

  Here, the information processing apparatus 900 also transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information of the multifunction peripheral 1900a received from the software distribution server 800 to the multifunction peripheral 1900b.

  Therefore, the configuration analysis unit 903 of the information processing apparatus 900 calculates the difference between the software configuration information acquired from the multifunction machine 1900b and the transmitted software as an acquisition component.

  Specifically, the configuration already transmitted from the configuration elements “1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1900b illustrated in FIG. The elements “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” are subtracted. Thus, the acquisition component of the multifunction peripheral 1900b is “1-2” illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 904 of the information processing apparatus 900 transmits the acquired configuration information calculated by the configuration analysis unit 903 to the software distribution server 800 (step S323).

  When the receiving unit 404 receives the acquisition configuration information from the information processing apparatus 900, the software acquisition unit 803 of the software distribution server 800 acquires software corresponding to the acquisition configuration information from the HDD 410 (step S324).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 800 transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information acquired from the software acquisition unit 803 to the information processing apparatus 900 (step S325).

  When receiving the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information, the communication unit 904 of the information processing apparatus 900 transmits the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S326).

  The communication unit 904 of the information processing device 900 transmits an installation signal to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S327). When the multifunction device 1900 receives software corresponding to the acquired configuration information from the information processing device 900, the communication unit 904 supports the own device. The configuration information to be installed is installed (step S328).

  Here, since the received software is configuration information corresponding to the MFP 1900b, the application installation control service 1931 installs all the received software (step S328).

  After completing the installation process, the application installation service 1931 of the multifunction machine 1900a updates the software configuration information of the application after installation (step S329).

  Next, a software distribution process to the multifunction machine 1900c will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration information acquisition unit 702 of the information processing apparatus 900 acquires the software configuration information of the application installed in the multifunction device 1900c from the multifunction device 1900c (step S331).

  Here, the software configuration information shown in FIG. 21-3 is acquired. FIG. 21C is a diagram illustrating software configuration information of an application installed in the MFP 1900c. As shown in FIG. 21C, the components of the application installed in the multifunction machine 1900c are “1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3”, and the configuration information acquisition unit 702 converts them. Obtained as software configuration information of an application installed in the multifunction machine 1900c.

  The configuration analysis unit 903 of the information processing apparatus 900 calculates the acquired configuration information of the multifunction machine 1900c (step S332).

  Here, the information processing apparatus 900 also transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information of the multifunction peripheral 1900a and the multifunction peripheral 1900b already received from the software distribution server 800 to the multifunction peripheral 1900c.

  Therefore, the configuration analysis unit 903 of the information processing apparatus 900 displays a difference component between the component indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1900c acquired from the MFP 1900c and the transmitted component. Obtained from the software distribution server 800 as an acquisition component.

  Specifically, from the configuration elements “1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” indicated by the software configuration information of the application installed in the MFP 1900c illustrated in FIG. The elements “2-1, 2-2, and 2-3” are subtracted. Accordingly, the acquisition component of the multifunction peripheral 1900c is “1-3” illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 904 of the information processing apparatus 900 transmits the acquired configuration information calculated by the configuration analysis unit 903 to the software distribution server 800 (step S333).

  When the receiving unit 404 receives the acquisition configuration information from the information processing apparatus 900, the software acquisition unit 803 of the software distribution server 800 acquires software corresponding to the acquisition configuration information from the HDD 410 (step S334).

  The transmission unit 401 of the software distribution server 800 transmits software corresponding to the acquired configuration information acquired from the software acquisition unit 803 to the information processing apparatus 900 (step S335).

  When receiving the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information, the communication unit 904 of the information processing apparatus 900 transmits the software corresponding to the acquired configuration information to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S336).

  The communication unit 904 of the information processing device 900 transmits an installation signal to all the multifunction devices 1900 (step S337), and upon receiving software from the information processing device 900, the multifunction device 1900 installs configuration information corresponding to the own device. (Step S338).

  Here, since the received software is configuration information corresponding to the MFP 1900c, the application installation control service 1931 installs all the received software, and when the installation process ends, the software of the application after installation The configuration information is updated (step S329).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate duplicate distribution requests for software that has already been received by the multi-function peripheral, thereby reducing the communication load.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, unlike the batch download method described in the first embodiment, the process of periodically acquiring the software configuration information of the MFP and creating the common configuration unit is omitted. It is possible to simplify the procedure and reduce the processing cost.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the cache storage described in the second embodiment is not necessary, and the installation process can be executed even when the RAM capacity of the information processing apparatus is small.

  Information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment include a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, and a display device. And a display device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital It is recorded on a computer readable recording medium such as Versatile Disk).

  The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 of the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the software distribution program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment includes a module configuration including the above-described units (input control unit, configuration information acquisition unit, configuration analysis unit, communication unit, display control unit). As the actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads and executes the software distribution program from the storage medium, so that each unit is loaded on the main storage device, and the input control unit, the configuration information acquisition unit, A configuration analysis unit, a communication unit, and a display control unit are generated on the main storage device.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFPs 100, 1200, and 1900 according to the first to third embodiments. As shown in the figure, the MFPs 100, 1200, and 1900 have a configuration in which the controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire MFP 100, 1200, 1900 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction peripherals 100, 1200, and 1900. The CPU 11 includes a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, PCI bus, HDD 18, and MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data using hardware logic. (Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 16 is connected with an FCU (Facile Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical Engineers 50) interface via an PCI bus. The operation display unit 20 is directly connected to the ASIC 16.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  Note that the software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD ( It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as Digital Versatile Disk).

  Furthermore, the software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. You may do it. The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The software distribution program executed by the information processing apparatuses 200, 700, and 900 according to the present embodiment includes a module configuration including the above-described units (input control unit, configuration information acquisition unit, configuration analysis unit, communication unit, display control unit). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out and executes a software distribution program from the ROM, and the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and an input control unit, a configuration information acquisition unit, a configuration An analysis unit, a communication unit, and a display control unit are generated on the main storage device.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the installation of the application software of the multifunction machine has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to software other than the application.

  In the above embodiment, the software distribution server 400, the license management server 300, and the information processing apparatus 200 are connected to the Internet, and the information processing apparatus 200 and the multifunction peripheral are connected to a LAN. It is not limited. For example, the software distribution server 400, the license management server 300, and the information processing apparatus 200 may be connected to the Internet, and the information processing apparatus 200 and the multifunction peripheral may be connected to a single network such as the Internet.

80 Internet 90 Firewall 100, 1200, 1900 MFP 200, 700, 900 Information processing device 201 Input control unit 202, 702, 902 Configuration information acquisition unit 203, 703 Configuration analysis unit 204, 904 Communication unit 205 Display control unit 210, 410 HDD
220 Input Device 230 Display Device 300 License Management Server 400, 800 Software Distribution Server 401 Transmission Unit 402 Configuration Information Acquisition Unit 403, 803 Software Acquisition Unit 706 Memory

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-149291

Claims (7)

A software distribution server for distributing software, and an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses,
An acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing devices, from each of the plurality of image processing devices at regular intervals;
A configuration analysis unit that obtains a common configuration unit that is a configuration element common to the plurality of image processing apparatuses among the configuration elements indicated by the configuration information based on the plurality of configuration information acquired;
An input receiving unit that receives designation input of software to be installed for the plurality of image processing devices;
A communication unit that transmits a distribution request for the installation target software to the software distribution server and receives configuration information of the installation target software from the software distribution server, and
The configuration analysis unit further obtains an individual configuration unit that is an individual configuration element for each of the image processing apparatuses among the components of the installation target software based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit. , Generating compressed configuration information indicating the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit of the installation target software,
The communication unit further transmits the compression configuration information of the software to be installed to the software distribution server, and receives the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information from the software distribution server. And transmitting the received common component and the individual component corresponding to the image processing device to each of the plurality of image processing devices for installation. A software distribution server for distributing software connected to an information processing device,
A storage unit for storing software;
When receiving a distribution request for installation target software for a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus, configuration information indicating components of the installation target software is received from the information processing apparatus. A transmission unit for transmitting to
Among the components of the software to be installed from the information processing device, a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing devices, and an individual component that is an individual component for each of the image processing devices, A receiving unit for receiving compressed configuration information indicating
The transmission unit transmits the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information to the information processing apparatus. A software distribution server for distributing software connected to an information processing device,
A storage unit for storing software;
When receiving a distribution request for installation target software for a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus, configuration information indicating components of the installation target software is received from the information processing apparatus. A transmission unit for transmitting to
A receiving unit that receives configuration information indicating a component of software that is not installed in the image processing device among components of the software to be installed from the information processing device;
The transmission unit transmits the component indicated by the configuration information to the information processing apparatus. Among the components of the installation target software from the information processing apparatus, the receiving unit includes:
Receiving the acquired configuration information indicating a difference between the received configuration information and the configuration information transmitted to the information processing apparatus;
The software distribution server according to claim 3 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the component indicated by the acquired configuration information to the information processing apparatus. A software distribution method executed by an information processing apparatus and a software distribution server,
The information processing apparatus obtains a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses from each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses at regular intervals; and
A configuration analysis step in which the information processing apparatus obtains a common configuration unit that is a configuration element common to the plurality of image processing apparatuses among the configuration elements indicated by the configuration information, based on the acquired plurality of configuration information;
An input receiving step in which the information processing apparatus receives a designation input of installation target software for the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
The information processing apparatus includes a communication step of transmitting a distribution request for the installation target software to the software distribution server and receiving configuration information of the installation target software from the software distribution server,
The configuration analysis step further obtains an individual configuration unit that is an individual configuration element for each of the image processing apparatuses from among the configuration elements of the installation target software based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit. , Generating compressed configuration information indicating the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit of the installation target software,
The communication step further transmits the compression configuration information of the software to be installed to the software distribution server, and receives the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information from the software distribution server. And transmitting the received common component and the individual component corresponding to the image processing device to each of the plurality of image processing devices for installation,
A software distribution method characterized by the above. A software distribution system comprising an information processing device and a software distribution server connected to the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing devices, from each of the plurality of image processing devices at regular intervals;
A configuration analysis unit that obtains a common configuration unit that is a configuration element common to the plurality of image processing apparatuses among the configuration elements indicated by the configuration information based on the plurality of configuration information acquired;
An input receiving unit that receives designation input of software to be installed for the plurality of image processing devices;
A communication unit that transmits a distribution request for the installation target software to the software distribution server and receives configuration information of the installation target software from the software distribution server, and
The configuration analysis unit further obtains an individual configuration unit that is an individual configuration element for each of the image processing apparatuses among the components of the installation target software based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit. , Generating compressed configuration information indicating the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit of the installation target software,
The communication unit further transmits the compression configuration information of the software to be installed to the software distribution server, and receives the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information from the software distribution server. And transmitting the received common component and the individual component corresponding to the image processing device to each of the plurality of image processing devices for installation. A software distribution server for distributing software and a computer connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses,
Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of pieces of configuration information indicating components of software installed in each of the plurality of image processing devices, from each of the plurality of image processing devices at regular time intervals;
Configuration analysis means for obtaining a common component that is a component common to the plurality of image processing apparatuses among the components indicated by the configuration information based on the acquired plurality of configuration information;
Input accepting means for accepting designation input of software to be installed for the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
Sending the distribution request for the installation target software to the software distribution server and causing the computer to function as communication means for receiving configuration information of the installation target software from the software distribution server,
The configuration analysis unit further obtains an individual configuration unit that is an individual configuration element for each of the image processing apparatuses from among the configuration elements of the software to be installed, based on the received configuration information and the common configuration unit. , Generating compressed configuration information indicating the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit of the installation target software,
The communication means further transmits the compression configuration information of the software to be installed to the software distribution server, and receives the common configuration unit and the individual configuration unit indicated by the compression configuration information from the software distribution server. And causing each of the plurality of image processing devices to transmit the received common component and the individual component corresponding to the image processing device for installation,
A program characterized by

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