JP5552818B2 - Program, image forming apparatus, and installation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program, an image forming apparatus, and an installation method.

  In recent years, a technique for expanding functions by installing a plug-in in a printing device is already known (Patent Document 1). A technique for extending the function of a printer driver by plug-in is already known (Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  Hereinafter, the plug-in installed in the printing device is referred to as a function plug-in, and the printer driver plug-in installed in the information processing apparatus (PC) is referred to as a driver plug-in. When the printer function of the printing device is expanded by installing a function plug-in, the function of the printer driver needs to be expanded in order to use the function. In this case, it is convenient from the viewpoint of development and the user to realize the function expansion by using the driver plug-in rather than upgrading the function of the printer driver itself. On the other hand, if development is performed in units of driver plug-ins, there may be a version mismatch between the function plug-in and the driver plug-in. As a mechanism for detecting this inconsistency, a method in which the information processing apparatus detects inconsistency by performing bidirectional communication with a printing device is already known (Patent Document 4).

  However, in the installation of the driver plug-in of the prior art, version mismatch between the function plug-in and the driver plug-in is detected, but it is not confirmed whether the user is permitted to use the function plug-in. . Therefore, the driver plug-in can be installed in any information processing apparatus, and there is a problem that license management cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program or the like capable of managing driver plug-in licenses when installing a driver plug-in.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of plug-ins for executing functions of the image forming apparatus are installed and the functions can be executed. A receiving means for receiving plug-in identification information for identifying the user and user authentication information for performing user authentication, and whether each of the plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user. Storage means for storing usability information, authentication means for performing authentication based on user authentication information received by the receiving means, and the plug-in identification received by the receiving means when authentication by the authentication means is successful Based on the information and the availability information stored in the storage means, the user who has succeeded in the authentication is the plug-in identification information. Comprising determination means for determining whether or not it is possible to use plug-ins shown, a transmitting means for transmitting a determination result by the determination means to the information processing device.

An image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming method in which a plurality of plug-ins for executing the functions of the image forming apparatus are installed and the functions can be executed. A reception procedure for receiving plug-in identification information for identifying a plug-in and user authentication information for performing user authentication, and whether or not each of the plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user. A storage procedure for storing the usable / unusable information shown, an authentication procedure for performing authentication based on the user authentication information received by the reception procedure, and the plug-in received by the reception procedure when authentication by the authentication procedure is successful Based on the identification information and the usability information stored by the storage procedure, the user who has succeeded in the authentication makes the plug-in identification information Having a determination procedure whether it is possible to use plug-ins shown, and a transmission step of transmitting a determination result by the determining step to the information processing apparatus.

In addition, an image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention installs a plurality of plug-ins for executing the functions of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus capable of executing the functions, and the plurality of plug-ins. An image forming system having an information processing apparatus that controls the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes plug-in identification information for identifying a plug-in from the information processing apparatus and user authentication for performing user authentication. Receiving means for receiving information; storage means for storing availability information indicating whether each of a plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user; and received by the receiving means Authentication means for performing authentication based on user authentication information, and if the authentication by the authentication means is successful, A determination unit that determines whether or not a user who has succeeded in authentication can use the plug-in indicated by the plug-in identification information based on the plug-in identification information and the availability information stored in the storage unit; A transmission unit configured to transmit a determination result by the determination unit to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus is configured to install a plug-in for a driver corresponding to the plug-in. The sending means for sending the in-identification information and the user authentication information to the image forming apparatus, and whether or not the user indicated by the user authentication information can use the plug-in indicated by the plug-in identification information in the image forming apparatus. Acquisition means for acquiring a determination result .

  The present invention can also be realized by causing a computer to read a recording medium that records the program of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when installing a driver plug-in, the license management of the driver plug-in can be performed.

The block diagram which shows an example of the hardware of the system which concerns on this invention, and information processing apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the module structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on an Example. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the MFP and the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of availability information in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of driver plug-in installation processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for inputting user authentication information according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for confirming user authentication information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of an MFP and an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of availability information in the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the message after expiration of an expiration date. The figure which shows an example of a license registration screen. The flowchart which shows an example of a license registration process. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of an MFP and an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for inputting user authentication information in Embodiment 3. FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the confirmation process of availability information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
<System and hardware>
First, the hardware of the system and information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware of a system and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the system according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus 1, an information processing apparatus 2, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 5, and an MFP 6 are connected via a network. The MFPs 5 and 6 print the print data received from the information processing apparatus 1. Although the MFP will be described below as a multifunction peripheral, it may be a printing device such as a printer, and these are collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, a hard disk drive (HDD) 13, a network I / F unit 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, an external recording device I / F part 17 is included.

  The CPU 11 is a calculation unit that performs control of each device, calculation of data, and processing in the computer. The CPU 11 executes a program stored in the RAM 12, receives data from the input device or the storage device, calculates and processes the data, and outputs the data to the output device or the storage device.

  The RAM 12 is a storage device that stores or temporarily stores programs and data such as an OS and application software that are basic software executed by the CPU 11.

  The HDD 13 is a storage device that stores data related to application software and the like.

  The network I / F unit 14 is connected via a network (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark)) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) constructed by a data transmission path such as a wired and / or wireless line. This is an interface between the MFPs 5 and 6 having a connected communication function and the information processing apparatus 1.

  The input unit 15 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input, various function keys, and the like, a mouse and a slice pad for selecting keys on the display screen of the display unit 28, and the like. The input unit 15 is a user interface for a user to give an operation instruction to the CPU 11 or input data.

  The display unit 16 is configured by a CRT, an LCD, or the like, and displays according to display data input from the CPU 11.

  The external recording device I / F unit 17 is an interface between the information processing device 1 and a recording medium 18 (for example, a flash memory) connected via a data transmission path such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  Further, a predetermined program is stored in the recording medium 18, and the program stored in the recording medium 18 is installed in the information processing apparatus 1 via the external recording apparatus I / F unit 17, and the installed predetermined program is information It can be executed by the processing device 1.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and in the example shown in FIG. 1, two information processing apparatuses and two MFPs are connected. It goes without saying that it is not limited.

<Module configuration>
Next, the module configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, a plug-in installed in the MFP is referred to as a function plug-in, and a printer driver plug-in installed in the information processing apparatus (PC) is referred to as a driver plug-in.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 operates an OS (Operating System) 22 (for example, a Windows (registered trademark) OS), an application 21, and a printer driver 23. The printer driver 23 includes a graphic driver module 25 and a UI driver module 24.

  The function of the printer driver 23 shown in FIG. 2 can be expanded by a driver plug-in. The driver plug-in has a driver plug-in module 28 and driver plug-in setting item information 30 and is installed in the printer driver 23 by the driver plug-in installer 26.

  The driver plug-in installer 26 has an installation module 27 and an authentication information confirmation module 29. Hereinafter, the driver plug-in installer 26 may be simply referred to as an installer 26.

  The installation module 27 copies the driver plug-in module 28 to a predetermined folder in which the printer driver 23 is installed, and registers the driver plug-in setting item information 30 in the printer driver 23.

  The authentication information confirmation module 29 acquires user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) from the user, communicates with the MFP 5 and confirms whether the user authentication information is correct. The driver plug-in module 28 exchanges data with the UI driver module 24 via the UI I / F and with the graphic driver module 25 via the graphic I / F. Each module described above is processed by the CPU 11, for example.

<Function>
Next, functions of the MFP 5 and the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the MFP and the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The MFP 5 includes a communication unit 501, a management unit 502, a usability information storage unit 503, an authentication unit 504, and a determination unit 505. The MFP 5 may be the MFP 6.

  The communication unit 501 exchanges data with other devices. For example, the communication unit 501 receives user authentication information and plug-in identification information for identifying a plug-in from the information processing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the plug-in identification information is also referred to as a plug-in ID. In addition, the communication unit 501 transmits to the information processing apparatus 1 a determination result as to whether or not a user who has logged in to the information processing apparatus 1 can use the function plug-in. The determination result may indicate whether to install a driver plug-in.

  The management unit 502 registers and manages the availability information, and reads and writes information included in the availability information. The availability information is information indicating which function plug-ins each user can use. The management unit 502 may also manage user authentication information and manage registered authentication information used for user authentication information. The availability information storage unit 503 stores availability information. The usability information storage unit 503 is, for example, a memory in the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of availability information in the first embodiment. In the example of the availability information shown in FIG. 4, “usable” or “unusable” is registered for each plug-in for each user. For example, for “user 1”, “plug-in ID A” is “usable”, but “plug-in ID B” is “unusable”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the authentication unit 504 performs user login authentication. Further, when the user authentication information is acquired from the communication unit 501, the authentication unit 504 performs authentication using the user ID and password included in the user authentication information. If the authentication is successful, the authentication unit 504 notifies the determination unit 505 to that effect, and if the authentication is unsuccessful, notifies the information processing apparatus 1 of the authentication failure via the communication unit 501.

  When receiving a notification of successful authentication from the authentication unit 504, the determination unit 505 determines whether a user who has succeeded in authentication can use the function plug-in indicated by the plug-in identification information acquired by the communication unit 501. The determination method determines whether it can be used or not by referring to the availability information.

  In addition to the determination method using the usability information shown in FIG. 4, the management unit 502 manages the number of users permitted to install the driver plug-in, and the number of users permitted by the determination unit 505 exceeds a predetermined number. In this case, the determination unit 505 may determine “unusable”. The management unit 502 and the determination unit 505 may be configured as one function. The functions of the communication unit 501 are processed by the network I / F unit of the MFP 5, for example, and the functions of the management unit 502, the authentication unit 504, and the determination unit 505 are processed by the CPU of the MFP 5, for example.

  Next, functions of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. The information processing apparatus 1 includes an installation unit 101, a communication unit 104, and a print setting unit 105. The installation unit 101 is an installer 26, for example, and includes a request unit 102 and an acquisition unit 103.

  When the request unit 102 detects installation activation of the driver plug-in, the request unit 102 requests the OS 22 to transmit the plug-in identification information of the function plug-in corresponding to the driver plug-in and the user authentication information to the MFP 5.

  The obtaining unit 103 obtains a determination result as to whether or not the function plug-in can be used from the MFP 5 via the communication unit 104.

  If the determination result is usable, the installation unit 101 installs a driver plug-in. If the determination result is unusable, the installation unit 101 does not perform installation.

  The communication unit 104 exchanges data such as transmitting data such as print data to the MFP 5. For example, the communication unit 104 transmits plug-in identification information and user authentication information to the MFP 5. Further, the communication unit 104 receives from the MFP 5 the result of determining whether or not the function plug-in can be used.

  The print setting unit 105 is a function of the printer driver 23 and issues a print data transmission request to the MFP 5 or sets a print function. The function of the communication unit 104 of the information processing apparatus 1 is processed by, for example, the network I / F unit 14, and the function of each other unit is processed by, for example, the CPU 11.

  As described above, when installing the driver plug-in on the information processing apparatus side, it is possible to determine whether the function plug-in corresponding to the driver plug-in can be used in the MFP. At this time, it is possible to prevent the driver plug-in from being installed unconditionally by not permitting the driver plug-in installation if it cannot be used.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the system in the first embodiment will be described. First, driver plug-in installation processing will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of driver plug-in installation processing according to the first embodiment.

  In step S <b> 101, the user activates the installer 26 from the screen of the OS 22. In step S102, the installer 26 (installation unit 101) displays a UI for acquiring user authentication information and allows the user to input user authentication information.

  In step S102, the request unit 102 transmits a command for confirming the user authentication information to the MFP 5 using the input user authentication information and the plug-in identification information for identifying the plug-in to be installed as parameters. To request.

  In step S103, the OS 22 transmits a command to the MFP 5 via the transmission port with the MFP 5 based on the request in S102. In step S104, the MFP 5 determines whether or not to install based on the user authentication information and the plug-in identification information. In step S105, the MFP 5 notifies the confirmation result to the installer 26 via the OS 22.

  In step S <b> 106, the installer 26 receives the determination result notification. If the determination result is OK, installation of the driver plug-in (file copy, driver information update) is started.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for inputting user authentication information according to the first embodiment. In order to obtain user authentication information, the installer 26 displays a UI as shown in FIG. 6 and allows the user to input user authentication information. Using the user authentication information input in the UI shown in FIG. 6 and the plug-in identification information for identifying the plug-in to be installed as parameters, the OS 22 is requested to transmit a command for confirming the user authentication information (step in FIG. 5). S102).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for confirming user authentication information according to the first embodiment. In step S201, the authentication unit 504 confirms registered user information.

  In step S202, the authentication unit 504 determines whether the received user ID exists in the user information. If the determination result in step S202 is YES (yes), the process proceeds to step S203, and if NO (none), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S203, the authentication unit 504 determines whether the passwords included in the user authentication information received from the information processing apparatus match. If the determination result in step S203 is YES (match), the process proceeds to step S204, and if the determination result is NO (mismatch), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S204, the determination unit 505 refers to the availability information. In step S205, the determination unit 505 determines whether or not the user who has succeeded in authentication can use the plug-in indicated by the plug-in identification information. If the determination result in step S204 is YES (usable), the process proceeds to step S206, and if the determination result is NO (unusable), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S <b> 206, the determination unit 505 returns a determination result “OK” to the information processing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 101. In step S <b> 207, the determination unit 505 returns a determination result “NO” to the information processing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 101.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the driver plug-in from being installed in the information processing apparatus unconditionally. Further, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform license management for each user with respect to the driver plug-in, or to perform license management by managing the number installed in the information processing apparatus 1.

[Example 2]
Next, the information processing apparatus 3 and the MFP 7 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the driver plug-in is used as a trial for a predetermined period by providing a limited period in addition to whether the driver plug-in can be used or not.

<Function>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the MFP and the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The functions shown in FIG. 8 that are the same as the functions shown in FIG. Hereinafter, functions different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

  8 includes a communication unit 701, a management unit 702, a usability information storage unit 703, an authentication unit 504, and a determination unit 704. When the communication unit 701 acquires the license information from the information processing apparatus 3, the communication unit 701 outputs the license information to the management unit 702. The license information includes, for example, a plug-in ID and a license key.

  The management unit 702 manages the availability information. The usability information of the second embodiment includes a limited period. The limited period indicates that it is used as a trial for a predetermined period. For example, 30 days or 60 days are set as the predetermined period. When acquiring the license information from the communication unit 701, the management unit 702 checks whether the license key for the plug-in ID is a correct license key. The correct license key is managed by a memory in the MFP 7. When the license keys are correctly verified, the management unit 702 changes “limited period” of the availability information to “usable”. When the management unit 702 changes the availability information, the management unit 702 transmits the changed content to the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication unit 701.

  The usability information storage unit 703 stores usability information. The availability information includes “limited period” as described above. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of availability information in the second embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, for “Plug-in ID C”, “User 1” and “User 3” can be used for “Limited time”, “User 2” can be “Unavailable”, “User 4”, and “User 4”. “User 5” indicates “available”. As the predetermined period of “limited period”, a different period may be set for each user, or a predetermined value such as 30 days may be set uniformly.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the determination unit 704 may determine “period limited” in addition to “usable” or “unusable”. For example, when “User 1” installs a driver plug-in with “Plug-in ID C”, the determination unit 704 determines “Limited”. When the determination result is “limited period”, information indicating the predetermined period is included in the determination result.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment includes a communication unit 301, an installation unit 302, a license registration unit 303, and a print setting unit 304.

  The communication unit 301 receives the determination result from the MFP 7 and outputs the received determination result to the installation unit 302. When the communication unit 301 acquires the license information from the license registration unit 303, the communication unit 301 transmits the license information to the MFP 7.

  When the determination result indicates “limited period”, the installation unit 302 installs the driver plug-in and registers the use restriction for a predetermined period included in the determination result in the driver plug-in. For example, the installation unit 302 registers the installed date and time information and the predetermined period information in the driver plug-in.

  The print setting unit 304 notifies the license registration unit 303 when a predetermined period has elapsed since the installation of the driver plug-in with the expiration date set. The print setting unit 304 can determine whether the predetermined period has elapsed from the date and time information registered in the driver plug-in and the predetermined period information.

  When the license registration unit 303 is notified from the print setting unit 304 that the predetermined period has elapsed, the license registration unit 303 confirms license registration with the user. Specifically, the license registration unit 303 displays a screen shown in FIG. 10, for example, and allows the user to select a process after the expiration date. Further, the license registration unit 303 may notify the user by displaying a message screen shown in FIG. 10 when the driver setting UI is activated or when printing is performed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message after the expiration date. The expiration date can be obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of installation. In the example shown in FIG. 10, when the expiration date has passed, the user is prompted to select one of “register license”, “not use”, or “cancel”.

  When “Register license” shown in FIG. 10 is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed to accept the input of the license key. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a license registration screen. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a license key is input in the input field. When the information processing apparatus 3 detects that the “OK” button shown in FIG. 11 is pressed, license information including the plug-in ID whose expiration date has expired and the input license key is transmitted to the MFP 7 via the communication unit 303. The

  When “not use” shown in FIG. 10 is selected, the print setting unit 304 uninstalls or deletes the driver plug-in. When “CANCEL” shown in FIG. 10 is selected, the license registration unit 303 may display the screen shown in FIG. 10 again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  If the print setting unit 304 acquires the determination result of “usable” for the same plug-in ID as the plug-in ID included in the license information after transmitting the license information to the MFP 7, the use restriction set in the driver plug-in To be able to use the driver plug-in freely.

  Thereby, the usage period of the driver plug-in can be limited, and the function plug-in can be used by the user during the trial period. After the trial period is over, the user can select whether or not to register the license.

<Operation>
Operations of the MFP 7 and the information processing apparatus 3 relating to license registration in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the license registration process. In step S301 shown in FIG. 12, the license registration unit 303 displays a license registration screen (see, for example, FIG. 11) and inputs a license key.

  In step S302, the license registration unit 303 transmits the license information including the input license key to the MFP 7 via the communication unit 301.

  In step S303, the MFP 7 verifies whether the acquired license key is correct. The correct license key may be held by the MFP 7 or may be held by an external server.

  If the determination result is YES (verification OK) in step S303, the process proceeds to step S304, and if the determination result is NO (verification NG), the process returns to step S301. As a procedure for returning to S 301, when the MFP 7 is the verification NG, the result of the verification NG is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication unit 701. Next, when the information processing apparatus 3 receives the result of the verification NG from the MFP 7, the license registration unit 303 displays the screen shown in FIG. 11 again. Thus, the process can return to step S301.

  In step S <b> 304, the management unit 702 causes the MFP 7 to change “limited period” in the availability information to “usable”. The management unit 704 transmits the changed content to the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication unit 701.

  In step S305, when the information processing apparatus 3 acquires “usable” information for the plug-in ID that has sent the license key to the MFP 7, the use restriction of the driver plug-in corresponding to the plug-in ID is removed. To do. Specifically, the information processing device 3 cancels the expiration date set in the driver registration information of the driver plug-in so that the driver plug-in can be used.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the driver plug-in can be used as a trial for a predetermined period by providing a limited period in addition to whether or not the driver plug-in can be used.

[Example 3]
Next, the information processing apparatus 4 and the MFP 5 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, even if the driver plug-in cannot be used, the information processing apparatus 4 stores the driver plug-in in a memory and performs installation when the driver plug-in becomes usable. Even if the function plug-in is initially unusable, the setting may be changed to be usable by the administrator, or the number of licenses may be decreased and may be usable.

<Function>
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the MFP and the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. 13 that are the same as the functions shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, functions different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

  The information processing apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an installation unit 401, a communication unit 104, and a print setting unit 105. The installation unit 401 includes a request unit 102, an acquisition unit 103, and an inquiry unit 402.

  The installation unit 401 can store the driver plug-in in the storage unit (for example, the RAM 12) even if the driver plug-in is unavailable. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for inputting user authentication information according to the third embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 14, when “copy when use right of plug-in is not selected” is selected, even if the determination result from the MFP 5 is “unusable”, the installation unit 401 displays the driver plug-in. Is copied to the storage unit. At this stage, the driver plug-in program is not ready to be executed.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the inquiry unit 402 holds the plug-in ID in which the determination result acquired by the acquisition unit 103 is “unusable” and the driver plug-in is stored in the storage unit. The inquiry unit 402 inquires of the MFP 5 at the set timing whether or not the availability corresponding to the held plug-in ID has been changed. The set timing is, for example, periodically after a certain period of time has elapsed, when the installer 26 is started, when instructed by the user, and the like.

  The inquiry unit 402 transmits user authentication information (user ID, password) and plug-in ID to the MFP 5 via the communication unit 104 when inquiring the MFP 5 about the change of the availability information.

  When the inquiry result indicates that the query is changed to “available”, the installation unit 401 starts installing the driver plug-in corresponding to the plug-in ID. At this time, the installation unit 401 may automatically start the installation if the installer 26 is activated. The installation unit 401 may display a confirmation screen as to whether to start the installation for the user, and may start the installation after waiting for an instruction from the user. After installation, the driver plug-in file is expanded and the driver plug-in program can be executed.

  Thereby, even if the driver plug-in is “unusable”, it is possible to save the trouble of setting the CD-ROM or the like in the information processing apparatus 4 and performing the installation process again.

<Operation>
Operations of the MFP 5 and the information processing apparatus 3 regarding confirmation of the availability information in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a confirmation process of availability information. In step S401 shown in FIG. 15, the inquiry unit 402 determines whether there is a plug-in held. The retained plug-in is a plug-in ID for which the determination result from the MFP 5 is “unusable” and the driver plug-in is stored in the storage unit.

  If the determination result in step S401 is YES (yes), the process proceeds to step S402, and if the determination result is NO (none), the process ends. The inquiry unit 402 may perform the determination in step S401 at a predetermined timing.

  In step S <b> 402, the inquiry unit 402 transmits user authentication information and plug-in ID to the MFP 5 via the communication unit 104. When there are a plurality of plug-in IDs held, the inquiry unit 402 may make an inquiry for a plurality of plug-in IDs at a time.

  In step S <b> 403, the determination unit 505 of the MFP 5 determines whether or not the user can use the user authentication information and the plug-in ID that have received the inquiry. The determination of availability can be made in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the data on the availability information can be appropriately changed by an administrator or the like.

  If the determination result in step S403 is YES (usable), the process proceeds to step S404, and if the determination result is NO (unusable), the process ends.

  In step S404, the installation unit 401 starts installing the driver plug-in corresponding to the driver plug-in ID changed to “usable”. Thus, the driver plug-in file is expanded, necessary data is set, and the driver plug-in program can be executed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when the driver plug-in cannot be used, the information processing apparatus 4 can store the driver plug-in in the memory and perform installation when the driver plug-in becomes available. .

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

  Note that the processing content described in each embodiment may be a program, and the program may be executed by a computer to cause the information processing apparatus to execute the processing described above. It is also possible to record the program on a recording medium, cause the computer to read the recording medium on which the program is recorded, and cause the information processing apparatus to execute the processing described above.

1, 2, 3, 4 Information processing device 5, 6, 7 MFP
11 CPU
12 RAM
13 HDD
14 Network I / F unit 15 Input unit 16 Display unit 17 External storage device I / F unit 23 Printer driver 26 Driver plug-in installer 28 Driver plug-in 101, 301, 401 Installation unit 102 Request unit 103 Acquisition unit 104, 301 Communication unit 105, 304 Print setting unit 303 License registration unit 402 Query unit 501, 701 Communication unit 502, 702 Management unit 503, 703 Usability information storage unit 504 Authentication unit 505, 704 Determination unit

JP 2006-261970 A JP-A-2005-173701 JP2008-282117 JP 2006-260356 A

Claims (6)

A plurality of plug-ins for executing the functions of the image forming apparatus are installed, and the functions can be executed.
Receiving means for receiving the user authentication information for performing a plug-in identification information for identifying an information processing apparatus or Lapu plug and user authentication,
Storage means for storing availability information indicating whether each of the plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user;
Authentication means for performing authentication based on user authentication information received by the receiving means;
When the authentication by the authenticating unit is successful, the plug-in identifying information indicates a user who has succeeded in the authentication based on the plug-in identification information received by the receiving unit and the usability information stored by the storage unit. A determination means for determining whether or not the plug-in can be used;
Transmitting means for transmitting a determination result by the determination means to the information processing apparatus;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Management means for managing the number of information processing devices installed with a driver plug-in corresponding to the plug-in ;
The determination means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of the information processing apparatuses is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the user who can use the plug-in determines whether the plug-in can be used. The usability information further includes a time limit that limits the period of use of the plug,
The transmission means includes
For the limited time determination result, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 transmits the determination result including the use period information. An image forming method in which a plurality of plug-ins for executing a function of an image forming apparatus is installed, and the function can be executed.
A receiving procedure for receiving plug-in identification information for identifying a plug-in from the information processing apparatus and user authentication information for performing user authentication;
A storage procedure for storing availability information indicating whether each of the plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user;
An authentication procedure for performing authentication based on the user authentication information received by the reception procedure;
When the authentication by the authentication procedure is successful, the plug-in identification information indicates the user who has succeeded in the authentication based on the plug-in identification information received by the reception procedure and the usability information stored by the storage procedure. Judgment procedure for determining whether or not the plug-in can be used,
A transmission procedure for transmitting a determination result by the determination procedure to the information processing apparatus;
An image forming method characterized by comprising: An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of plug-ins for executing the functions of the image forming apparatus are installed and the functions can be executed; and an information processing apparatus using the plurality of plug-ins in the image forming apparatus An image forming system comprising:
The image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving plug-in identification information for identifying a plug-in and user authentication information for performing user authentication from the information processing apparatus;
Storage means for storing availability information indicating whether each of the plurality of plug-ins installed in the image forming apparatus can be used for each user;
Authentication means for performing authentication based on user authentication information received by the receiving means;
When the authentication by the authenticating unit is successful, the plug-in identifying information indicates a user who has succeeded in the authentication based on the plug-in identification information received by the receiving unit and the usability information stored by the storage unit. A determination means for determining whether or not the plug-in can be used;
Transmission means for transmitting the determination result by the determination means to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
When using the plug-in, sending means for sending plug-in identification information for identifying the plug-in and user authentication information to the image forming apparatus;
Acquisition means for acquiring the determination result
An image forming system characterized by that . The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein
The information processing apparatus includes :
When the determination result indicates that the user indicated by the user authentication information cannot use the plug-in indicated by the plug-in identification information, the plug-in availability information of the user indicated by the user authentication information is changed. Inquiry means for inquiring the image forming apparatus whether or not
As a result of the inquiry, if the plug-in availability information of the user indicated by the user authentication information is changed to be usable, an image forming system that installs a driver plug-in corresponding to the plug-in .

Images