JP5713123B2 - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, electronic device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, electronic apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus called a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral is provided with an API (Application Program Interface) for using the functions of the image forming apparatus, and an application developed using the API can be executed. There exist things (for example, patent document 1).

  In general, the function of the image forming apparatus differs depending on the model. If such a difference in function is reflected in the API as it is, an application development vendor must develop an application for each model. Therefore, by expressing the function of the image forming apparatus in the API in an abstract manner, the dependency on the API model can be reduced, and as a result, the application developed using the API can be expanded to a plurality of models. Can be easily.

  However. Even if the difference in function is absorbed by the API, memory resources and CPU performance differ depending on the model, and there are differences in the number of installed applications and the presence or absence of additional memory even for the same model. There are differences regarding the execution environment apart from the functions.

  Therefore, on the side called through the API (hereinafter referred to as “service module”), in order to achieve the maximum performance within the limited resources of the embedded system, the logic implementation corresponding to the actual execution environment is implemented. Is required. In order to improve performance, it may be possible to implement logic corresponding to various assumed execution environments in the same service module. However, the following points are problematic.

  First, the program size of the service module is enlarged, and the consumption memory when loading on the memory (RAM) is increased.

  Secondly, there is a high possibility that a work area (such as a heap area) that is not actually used will be secured in the memory, resulting in an increase in memory consumption.

  Both of these are serious problems for an embedded image forming apparatus in which the memory limit is stricter than that of a general-purpose computer. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a plurality of service modules that provide the same function with the same API according to the execution environment. However, it is not preferable to let the operator select which service module is suitable for the execution environment of the image forming apparatus because the operability of the image forming apparatus is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when there are a plurality of software modules that provide a function used by an application, an information processing system that allows an application to use an appropriate software module , the information processing apparatus, and to provide electronic equipment, information processing method, information processing program, and a recording medium.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an information processing system including an electronic device and an information processing device connected to the electronic device via a network. The electronic device performs processing on the electronic device. Information transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus transmits information transmitted by the transmission means. Providing the interface to be used by the application from among the interface providing means for providing the same interface in the receiving means for receiving the information and the plurality of interface providing means for providing the interface based on the information received by the receiving means Selecting means for selecting means, the plurality of the plurality Of the interface providing means, the first interface providing means includes an interface of another interface providing means, and the selecting means is configured such that the interface used by the application is based on the information, the first interface providing means. If it is determined that the information is satisfied by the interface included in the means, the first interface providing means is selected.

In such an information processing system , when there are a plurality of software modules that provide a function used by the application, an appropriate software module can be used by the application.

According to the present invention, when there are a plurality of software modules that provide a function used by an application, an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an electronic device, an information processing method, and an information processing system capable of causing an application to use an appropriate software module, it is possible to provide information processing program, and a recording medium.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of provision function information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of execution condition information. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of a connection manager. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the selection process of the service module by a connection manager. It is a 2nd flowchart for demonstrating the selection process of the service module by a connection manager. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of the memory shortage by a connection manager. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of service module information. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of service module information. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of service module information. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of utilization function information. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence in case the selection process of a service module is performed by the external server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an electronic device, and includes hardware such as a controller 101, a scanner 106, a printer 107, a modem 108, a network interface 109, and an operation panel 110.

  The controller 101 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 103, a ROM 104, an HDD 105, and the like. The ROM 104 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 102 realizes functions to be described later by processing a program loaded in the RAM 103. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 105 is used as a storage area for storing data generated by executing a program such as image data. The HDD 105 also stores programs that can be installed and uninstalled, data used by the programs, and the like.

  The scanner 106 is hardware for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing image data on printing paper. The modem 108 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The network interface 109 is hardware for connecting to a network (regardless of wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The operation panel 110 is hardware including buttons, a liquid crystal panel, and the like for receiving input from the user and notifying the user of information.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes software (programs) such as an OSGi platform 11, a service module 12, a connection manager 13, and an application module 14. These software are processed by the CPU 102 to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute the function.

  The OSGi (Open Service Gateway initiative) platform 11 is a standardized technology by the OSGi Alliance, and is an execution environment for software components (software modules) created based on open software componentization technology based on the Java (registered trademark) language. This is a software platform to be provided. On the OSGi platform 11, Java (registered trademark) language software is implemented in the form of software components called “bundles”. One bundle is composed of one JAR file and can be installed independently.

  The service module 12 is a bundle that provides an interface (API (Application Program Interface)) that abstracts the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 and provides a service that executes the functions in response to a call to the interface. There are a plurality of instances (substances) of the service module 12 depending on the contents of the service to be provided, the version of the service, a suitable execution environment (performance of the image forming apparatus 10, etc.). For example, there may be a plurality of service modules 12 in which the contents of the interface and service overlap or are common. Each service module 12 is attached (associated) with a provided function information file 121 and an execution condition file 122.

  The provided function information file 121 is a file in which information (provided function information) for identifying a function provided by the service module 12 is stored. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the provided function information.

  In FIG. 3, the function provision information is structured hierarchically such as a large classification, a medium classification, and a small classification. For the major classification, for example, the function name (identification information) provided by the service module 12 among the functions classified in the largest unit such as scanning, printing, or FAX is designated. In the middle category, the name of the function (identification information) provided by the service module 12 is specified in the function that is positioned as an attribute of the function in the large category, such as the presence / absence of color correspondence or the corresponding paper size. Items (functions) that can be specified for the middle category may differ depending on the values specified for the major category. In the small category, the name of the function (identification information) provided by the service module 12 is specified in the function positioned as a more detailed attribute of the function in the large category, such as resolution and double-sided printing availability. The items (functions) that can be specified for the small category may differ depending on the values specified for the large category or the medium category.

  The execution condition file 122 is a file in which information (execution condition information) indicating execution conditions of the service module 12 is stored. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the execution condition information.

  In FIG. 4, the execution condition information includes memory free capacity, services expected to be executed simultaneously, CPU performance, speed priority or memory saving priority, and a service module to be replaced.

  In the memory free space, a memory free space necessary or recommended for executing the service module 12 is designated. For a service that is expected to be executed at the same time, the name or ID of the service module 12 that is likely to be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with the service module 12 is specified. As the CPU performance, the CPU performance (the number of clocks or the like) that is desirable (for example, at least required or recommended) when the service module 12 is executed is designated. In addition to speed priority or memory saving priority, information for identifying whether the service module 12 is created with speed priority or memory saving priority is designated. For example, in the service module 12 that performs expansion, editing, and recompression of the compressed image of the scan result, when priority is given to speed, a large amount of work memory is secured and images for one page are processed in a batch. It becomes a method. On the other hand, when priority is given to memory saving, it is desirable to divide and process one page image. As described above, even if the service module 12 provides the same function, the logic (entity) may be different depending on whether priority is given to speed or memory saving. The item (separate speed priority or memory saving priority) takes this situation into consideration. When the service module 12 is installed, the name or ID of the existing service module 12 that is forcibly replaced by the service module 12 is specified as the service module to be replaced.

  By the way, the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition file 122 are stored in the HDD 105 when the service module 12 is installed. That is, the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition file 122 are created when the service module 12 is created, and attached to the service module 12. In the present embodiment, the file names of the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition file 122 are configured to include a unique ID (hereinafter, “service ID”) assigned to the service module 12. To do. That is, it is assumed that the corresponding service module 12 can be identified based on the file name. The association between the service module 12 and the service ID is separately recorded in the HDD 105.

  The description format of the provided function information and the execution condition information is not limited to a predetermined format. For example, it may be described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language).

  Returning to FIG. The application module 14 is a bundle that constitutes an application that is directly used by the user. The application module 14 realizes the request from the user by using the function of the image forming apparatus 10 through the interface provided by the service module 12. There may be a plurality of instances of the application module 14 depending on the type of application.

  A usage function information file 141 is attached to (associated with) each application module 14. The used function information file 141 is a file in which information (used function information) for identifying a function used by the application module 14 is stored. The utilization function information is defined by the same configuration as the provision function information described above (corresponding to the provision function information). Therefore, a configuration example of the usage function information in the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. However, normally, in the provided function information, one function is specified in the large classification (that is, one service module 12 usually provides one function in the large classification), whereas the used function information is A plurality of functions can be designated in the large classification (that is, one application module 14 can use a plurality of functions in the large classification). When a plurality of major classifications are designated, a middle classification is designated for each major classification, and a minor classification is designated for each major classification or middle classification.

  When the application module 14 uses the service module 12, the connection manager 13 sends the connection information to the application module 14 or the image forming apparatus 10 based on the provided function information file 121, the execution condition file 122, the used function information file 141, and the like. A service module 12 suitable for the execution environment is selected, and processing for causing the application module 14 to use the selected service module 12 is performed. More specifically, when there are a plurality of service modules 12 related to the function that the application module 14 wants to use, an appropriate service module 12 is selected from the plurality of service modules 12 by the connection manager 13.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the function of the connection manager. In FIG. 5, an application module 14a is an application module 14 that uses a scan function and a print function, and includes a scan function use request r1 (calling the interface of the service module 12 for using the scan function) and a print function use request r2. (Calling the interface of the service module 12 for using the print function) is issued.

  In the figure, the connection manager selects the scan service A12a or the scan service B12b for the scan function use request r1 and the print service C12c or the print service D12d for the print function use request r2. Yes. The scan service A 12a and the scan service B 12b are service modules 12 that provide a scan function through the same interface. The print service C12c and the print service D12d are service modules 12 that provide a print function through the same interface.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG.

  Each service module 12 stores the function provision information stored in the provision function information file 121 of the service module 12 and the execution condition information stored in the execution condition file 122 in advance (for example, during installation). (S11 to S14). Here, registration means that the connection manager 15 makes available function information and execution condition information available. For example, each file name may be notified to the connection manager 15. This is because the connection manager 15 can acquire and use provided function information and execution condition information based on the file name. Further, when the connection manager 15 recognizes in advance the location (for example, folder) where the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition file 122 of each service module 12 are stored, the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition are stored in the location. You may substitute the process of step S11-14 with the process which preserve | saves the file 122. FIG. That is, the connection manager 15 can actively acquire the provided function information file 121 and the execution condition file 122 from the location.

  For example, when execution of the application module 14a is requested by input through the operation panel 110 (S15), the application module 14a displays the storage location (file name) of the attached use function information file 141 or the use function. The function information stored in the information file 141 is notified to the connection manager 13. Here, it is assumed that the use function information of the application module 14a includes a scan function and a print function as the use functions related to the large classification. Therefore, the notification corresponds to a scan function use request (S16) and a print service use request (S17) in the large classification.

  The connection manager 15 loads one of the scan service A12a and the scan service B12b with respect to the scan function based on the use function information of the application module 14a and the provided function information and execution condition information of each service module 12. And select one of the print service C12c and the print service D12d as a load target for the print function. The selected service module 12 is loaded into the RAM 103, and thereafter executes processing in response to various method calls from the application module 14a.

  Next, the process of selecting 12 service modules to be used by the connection manager 15 will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining service module selection processing by the connection manager.

  When used function information is received from the application module 14 (S101), one major classification in the used function information is set as a processing target (S102). Subsequently, use function information related to the major classification (function indicated by the major classification, function indicated by the middle classification belonging to the major classification, and function indicated by the minor classification belonging to the major classification), and each service module The service module 12 according to the provided function information satisfying the use function information according to the major classification (that is, the service module capable of providing all the functions belonging to the major classification by comparing (collating) with the provision function information of the major provision 12 12) is searched (S103). The provided function information that satisfies the used function information refers to information that includes the function specified in the used function information (including the exact match) in all the major classification, middle classification, and minor classification hierarchies.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the searched service module 12 is one (S104). When there is one search result (Yes in S104), the searched service module 12 is loaded (expanded) on the RAM 103 as a usage target (S105).

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of search results (No in S104), the current execution environment (free memory capacity, information indicating CPU performance) and execution condition information (free memory capacity, CPU) of each searched service module 12 The service module 12 that is most suitable for the current execution environment is selected (S106).

  It should be noted that the service module 12 whose service ID is registered in the item related to the service module to be replaced with the execution condition information of the other service module 12 is excluded from the selection target. Even if selected, the service module 12 should be replaced by the other service module 12. Therefore, even if the old service module 12 is not explicitly uninstalled, the new service module 12 is automatically targeted for use.

  In addition, regarding items relating to speed priority or memory saving priority in the execution condition information, priority is given to memory saving priority if the free memory capacity is less than a predetermined value, and speed priority is given if it is greater than the predetermined value. Is used as a reference for giving priority to the selection target. However, when speed priority or memory saving priority is explicitly specified for the connection manager 15 rather than the application module 14, comparison with the item is performed based on the specification by the application module 14.

  Subsequently, the selected service module is loaded on the RAM 103 as a usage target (S106). When the processes in steps S102 to S107 are completed for all major classifications included in the used function information (Yes in S108), the process ends.

  Note that the processing shown in FIG. 8 may be executed instead of FIG. FIG. 8 is a second flowchart for explaining service module selection processing by the connection manager. In FIG. 8, the same steps as those in FIG.

In FIG. 8, step S106 in FIG. 7 is replaced with step S106a. In step S <b> 106 a, the connection manager 15 preferentially selects the service module 12 indicated in the execution condition information as having a memory saving priority.
Or, by comparing the free memory capacity in the execution condition information of each searched service module 12, the one with the smallest value of the free memory capacity searched (that is, necessary or recommended for execution). You may select as a utilization object the thing with a small free space of a memory.

  In FIG. 8, the process after step S111 surrounded by a broken line is added after step S108. In FIG. 8, step S107 in FIG. 7 is deleted. Therefore, none of the service modules 12 is loaded on the RAM 103 at the start of step S111.

  In step S111, the connection manager 15 calculates the total value of the memory free capacity of the execution condition information of all the service modules 12 selected as the use target in the processing up to step S108. Subsequently, the difference (current memory free capacity−total value of necessary memory free capacity) between the memory free capacity in the current execution environment and the total value calculated in step S111 is calculated (S112). Subsequently, the difference is compared with a threshold value (S113). If the difference is larger than the threshold (Yes in S113), it is determined whether or not the priority is given to the application module 14 (S114). When it is specified that the speed priority is specified (Yes in S114), the function having the speed priority service module 12 is used by the speed priority service module 12 within the allowable range of the current memory free capacity. Replace the target. That is, the service module 12 that has already been selected is excluded from the usage target, and the speed priority service module 12 is selected as the usage target. Whether or not the current free memory capacity is within the allowable range is determined in the process of replacing the already-selected service module 12 with the speed-priority one by one before the replacement. What is necessary is just to compare the memory free capacity in the information with the memory free capacity in the current execution environment.

  When the replacement is completed, all the service modules 12 that are selected as usage targets at this time are loaded onto the RAM 103.

  On the other hand, when the difference is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in step S113 (No in S113), the connection manager 15 executes a process when the memory is insufficient (S117).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the connection manager runs out of memory.

  In step S201, referring to "service module expected to be used simultaneously" in the execution condition information of each service module 12 selected as a usage target (S201), it is expected to be used simultaneously The service modules 12 are grouped every time (S202). Here, “simultaneously” means “at substantially the same timing” or “in parallel”. Note that the service module expected to be used at the same time may be notified by the application module 14 to the connection manager 15 (for example, it may be included as part of the used function information). In this case, the “service module expected to be used at the same time” may not be included in the execution condition information.

  Subsequently, for each group, a total value of free memory capacity in the execution condition information of each service module 12 is calculated (S203). Subsequently, the maximum value is determined by comparing the total values calculated for each group (S204).

  Subsequently, a difference (current memory free capacity−maximum value) between the free capacity of the memory in the current execution environment and the maximum value calculated in step S204 is calculated (S205). Subsequently, the difference is compared with a threshold value (S206). When the difference is larger than the threshold (Yes in S206), loading and unloading on the RAM 103 of the service module 12 are performed for each group according to the progress of processing of the application module 14 (S207).

  Specifically, the connection manager 15 stores the service module 12 corresponding to the function related to the use request and the service module 12 belonging to the same group as the service module 12 at the timing when the use request is issued from the application module 14. To load. Each loaded service module 12 notifies the connection manager 15 of an end notification when the processing to be executed by the service module 12 ends and when it is possible to unload. The connection manager 15 unloads all the service modules 12 belonging to the group at the timing when the end notification is received from all the service modules 12 belonging to the same group. By repeating such processing, the application module 14 can be executed while reducing the amount of memory consumed at one time. The unloaded service module 12 is loaded as necessary when a use request is issued again from the application module 14.

  On the other hand, if the difference is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in step 206 (No in S206), the connection manager 15 determines that the application module 14 is not executable.

  By the way, the threshold value used in step S113 of FIG. 8 and step S206 of FIG. 9 has a meaning as a margin or a margin value required for the memory usage of the service module 12. Note that the threshold may not always be constant. That is, when the application module 14 is actually executed, in addition to the memory used by the service module 12, there is a memory used by the application module 14 itself. Therefore, it is desirable to consider the amount of memory used by the application module 14 in the selection process of the service module 12. However, the amount of memory used by the application module 14 depends on the specification of the application module 14 and also depends on the actual use situation. Specifically, even in the same application module 14, the amount of memory consumption differs between when scanning an A3 document at 600 dpi and when scanning an A4 document at 200 dpi. Therefore, there is a possibility that the performance of the application module 14 cannot be sufficiently exhibited with the unambiguous threshold.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, during the execution of the application module 14, the connection manager 15 may constantly measure the free space of the memory and dynamically update the threshold value. Further, the threshold value may be updated at a timing when the threshold value is used. In this case, it is not necessary to always measure the free space of the memory, and the threshold value may be updated based on the free space at the timing of using the threshold value.

  By making the threshold value dynamically updateable, it is possible to increase the threshold value in the event that a memory shortage error occurs even though it is determined that the connection manager 15 can execute the threshold value. . By doing so, the margin of the memory for operation of the application module 14 can be increased, and the occurrence of a memory shortage error again can be suppressed.

  Note that, in a state where one or more application modules 14 are already being executed, when the activation of another application module 14 is requested, the application module 14 that is already being executed (hereinafter referred to as “running application”) is also used. In consideration of the consumption of resources (memory, etc.) by the newly started application module 14 (hereinafter referred to as “newly started application”), the processing shown in FIG. You may make it change dynamically. Specifically, when the connection manager 13 determines that the free space of the memory is insufficient by any service module 12 during the search of the service module 12 for the newly activated application, the memory consumption is further increased. The service modules 12 that are small (that is, the value of the memory free capacity is small in the execution condition information) and the service modules 12 in which the memory saving priority is specified in the execution condition information, satisfy all the functions used by the running application. The service module 12 that can be used may be newly used for the application being executed. By doing so, a plurality of application modules 12 can be efficiently executed.

  By the way, the function provision information, the execution condition information, and the use function information are not limited to the formats described above (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, etc.). For example, the function provision information and the execution condition information may be stored in the same file as one piece of information (hereinafter, such information is referred to as “service module information”) in the following format.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of service module information. In the figure, service module information includes a service ID, function provision information, and execution condition information. The function provision information is composed of types and attributes. The type indicates the type of function and corresponds to the large classification in the example of FIG. The attribute corresponds to the middle category or the minor category in the example of FIG. 3, and its configuration differs depending on the type. Since the service module information in FIG. 10 corresponds to the scan function, “scan” is designated as the type. The attribute is configured by setting information in scanning.

  On the other hand, the execution condition information is composed of used memory and performance. The used memory corresponds to the memory free capacity in the example of FIG. The performance is an index indicating the performance of the function (scan function), and the unit can be different depending on the function. In the case of the scan function, the number of scans per second is the unit.

  The service module information for the service modules 12 having different attributes and performance for the same scan function is as follows, for example. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of service module information. The service module information in FIG. 10 is for the service module 12 related to the scan function as in FIG. 10, but the attribute value and the execution condition information value are different from those in FIG.

  In addition, service modules for different functions (for example, printing functions) are as follows, for example. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example of service module information. The service module information shown in FIG. The attribute has a configuration corresponding to the print function.

  Corresponding to the above service module information, the used function information associated with the application module 14 may be configured as follows. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of use function information.

  In the figure, in the use function information, a list of use functions, a list of attribute items for each use function, and a use attribute value for each attribute item are set. The type of function used by the application module 14 is indicated by the list of used functions. The attribute value used by the application module 14 is indicated by the usage attribute value.

  Even when the configuration of the function provision information, the execution condition information, and the use function information is changed as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the processing procedure does not need to be changed. That is, in step S102 of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the loop process for each major classification may be the loop process for each used function in the used function information of FIG. In step S103, the service module 12 that can correspond to the use function and use attribute value specified in the use function information of FIG. 13 is selected based on the type and attribute of the function information of the service module information shown in FIG. To determine. Further, in the step using the “free memory capacity” in FIG. 4, the “used memory” in FIG. 10 and the like may be used. Further, in the step using “speed priority” in FIG. 4, “performance” in FIG. 10 or the like may be used.

  For example, when the process of FIG. 8 is executed using FIGS. 10 to 13, the service module that satisfies the scan function (FIG. 13) requested by the application module 14 is ID = 0x00010001 (FIG. 10). Although the service module 12 has ID = 0x00010002 (FIG. 11) (S103), in step S104, the service module 12 with ID = 0x00010002 having a small memory usage is selected. However, when there is a margin in the memory and the process of step S115 is executed, the service module 12 with ID = 0x00010001 having good performance is finally selected as the usage target.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 in the present embodiment, the interface disclosed in the application module 14 is the same, but a plurality of service modules 12 specialized for the assumed execution environment are provided, and the application By determining the request from the module 14, the function provided by the service module 12, and the status of the execution environment, the appropriate service module 12 can be associated (utilized) with the application module 14. In this case, since the service module 12 that is not used is not loaded onto the memory (RAM 103), the amount of memory consumption can be reduced.

  In addition, when it becomes necessary to acquire the log of the application module 14 later from the viewpoint of security, it is possible to output the log without changing the application module 14 by replacing it with the service module 12 that outputs the log. It becomes.

  Note that the actual usage status of the functions provided by the service module 12 may be used as a criterion for selecting the service module 12. Specifically, the service module 12 side provides a log (hereinafter referred to as “usage status log”) that can determine the number of times of use of a function (method) actually used from the application module 14 in the function provided by the service module 12. Record in etc. The information recorded in the usage status log may be, for example, a simple total number of usages, an average value for a certain period in consideration of the time axis, or the like.

  That is, when the possibility of using all functions provided by the service module 12 with a specific model or application module 14 is very low, the installation of the multi-function service module 12 indicates that the memory resource Will be uselessly. A service module 12 corresponding to a subset version of the standard version of the service module 12 in which only a specific function is mounted is mounted, and the function provision information and the like are registered in the connection manager 15 so that the connection manager 15 is based on the usage status log. When the usage status of the method of the service module 12 is determined and it is determined that the subset version is sufficient (that is, the function related to the provided function information of the subset version satisfies the usage function derived based on the usage status log) , Replace with subset version. The replaced standard service module 12 (full set version) is not expanded on the RAM 103, but exists on the ROM 103 or the HDD 105. Therefore, if the application module 14 uses a function that is not included in the subset version, At that time, replacement may be performed again.

  The selection process of the service module 12 to be used may be performed by an external computer (external server) connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when a service module selection process is executed by an external server. In this figure, the external server 20 has a program for executing the processing of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 (recorded on an HDD or the like). In addition, it has function providing information and execution condition information of various service modules 12 and an entity (program) (recorded in an HDD or the like).

  When the connection manager 15 receives the usage function information from the application module 14 (S301), the connection manager 15 sends information necessary for the selection process of the service module 12 to the external server 10 (hardware resources (CPU, memory, etc. of the image forming apparatus 10). ) Related information (device information), information on the execution environment in the current image forming apparatus 10 (free memory capacity, etc., service ID of the service module 12 already loaded, etc.) is transferred to the external server 20 (S302). . Further, the connection manager 15 transfers the usage function information to the external server 20 (S303).

  The external server 20 executes the selection process of the service module 12 (the process of FIG. 7, or FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) based on the transferred information (S304). Subsequently, the external server 20 returns the service ID of the service module 12 to be used to the connection manager 15 (S305). The external server 20 also returns the service ID of the service module 12 if there is a service module 12 that has already been loaded and becomes unnecessary due to the loading of the service module 12 to be newly used. . Subsequently, the external server 20 returns the entity of the service module 12 selected as the usage target to the connection manager 15 (S306). The connection manager 15 installs the returned entity of the service module 12 in the image forming apparatus 10 and stores it in the HDD 105.

  Subsequently, the connection manager 15 unloads the service module 12 related to the service ID notified as unnecessary (S307), selects the service module 12 selected as a use target, and receives the entity in step S306 on the RAM 103. (S308).

  According to such a configuration, the necessary service modules 12 are transferred from the external server 20 as needed, and therefore it is not necessary that all the service modules 12 are installed in the image forming apparatus 10 in advance. Therefore, the consumption of the HDD 105 or the ROM 104 can be suppressed. In addition, selection and loading of service modules in cooperation with the external server 20 is also effective from the viewpoint that the latest service module 12 that is updated as needed in response to defects can be used.

  Note that the connection manager 15 may delete the entity of the service module 14 that has been transferred according to the application module 14 from the HDD 105 after the application module 14 ends.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 OSGi platform 12 Service module 13 Connection manager 14 Application module 20 External server 101 Controller 102 CPU
103 RAM
104 ROM
105 HDD
106 Scanner 107 Printer 108 Modem 109 Network Interface 110 Operation Panel 121 Provided Function Information File 122 Execution Condition File 141 Usage Function Information File

JP 2005-269619 A

Claims (10)

An information processing system including an electronic device and an information processing device connected to the electronic device via a network,
The electronic device is
A transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing apparatus, information related to use of an interface for causing the electronic device to perform processing by using the function of the electronic device;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving information transmitted by the transmitting means;
Based on the information received by the receiving unit, from among a plurality of interface providing means for providing the interface and selection means for selecting an interface providing means for use in the application,
The selection unit selects an interface providing unit that provides relatively few interfaces from the interface providing units determined to satisfy an interface used by the application based on the information. Information processing system.   The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the interface providing units records information on use of the interface by the application. The transmission means transmits use function information indicating a function used by the application,
The selecting means selects the interface providing means to be used by the application according to a comparison result between the use function information and provided function information indicating functions provided by the plurality of interface providing means. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.   The selection means relates to information indicating an execution environment of the interface providing means when a plurality of the interface providing means are selected according to a comparison between the use function information and the provided function information, and the execution environment in the electronic device. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the interface providing unit is selected according to a comparison result with information.   5. The selection unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the interface providing units selects the interface providing unit based on priority information indicating which of memory consumption and processing performance is to be prioritized. The information processing system according to any one of claims. An information processing apparatus connected to an electronic device via a network,
Receiving means for receiving, from the electronic device, information related to the use of an interface for causing the electronic device to use the function of the electronic device by an application that executes processing;
Based on the information received by the receiving unit, from among a plurality of interface providing means to provide the interface and selection means for selecting an interface providing means for use in the application,
The selection unit selects an interface providing unit that provides relatively few interfaces from the interface providing units determined to satisfy an interface used by the application based on the information. Information processing apparatus. An electronic device connected to an information processing apparatus via a network,
The electronic device is
A transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing apparatus, information related to use of an interface for causing the electronic device to perform processing by using the function of the electronic device;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving information transmitted by the transmitting means;
Based on the information received by the receiving unit, from among a plurality of interface providing means to provide the interface and selection means for selecting an interface providing means for use in the application,
The selection unit selects an interface providing unit that provides relatively few interfaces from the interface providing units determined to satisfy an interface used by the application based on the information. Electronic equipment. An information processing method executed by an electronic device and an information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device via a network,
The electronic device is
By executing the transmission procedure for transmitting to the information processing apparatus information related to the use of the interface for causing the electronic device to use the function of the electronic device by the application that causes the electronic device to execute processing.
The information processing apparatus is
A reception procedure for receiving information transmitted in the transmission procedure;
Based on the information received in the receiving procedure, from among a plurality of interface providing means to provide the interface to perform a selection procedure for selecting the interface providing means for use in the application,
The selection procedure selects, based on the information, an interface providing unit that provides a relatively few interfaces among the interface providing units determined to satisfy an interface used by the application. Information processing method. Information processing devices connected to electronic devices via a network
A reception procedure for receiving, from the electronic device, information related to use of an interface for causing the electronic device to use the function of the electronic device by an application that executes processing.
Based on the information received in the receiving procedure, from among a plurality of interface providing means to provide the interface to perform a selection procedure for selecting the interface providing means for use in the application,
The selection procedure selects, based on the information, an interface providing unit that provides a relatively few interfaces among the interface providing units determined to satisfy an interface used by the application. Information processing program.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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