JP6021609B2 - Information processing apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for updating software.

  Some conventional software update methods are realized by sequentially applying upgrades from a specific version to another version later than that in the information processing apparatus. Alternatively, a file that does not exist in the list after copying the necessary file in the information processing apparatus, including a list of files necessary for updating to the new version and the substance of the necessary file in the software for update. There is something to delete. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-574065

  In the conventional example in which the version upgrades performed up to the new version are sequentially applied, when the software is updated to the latest version, it is necessary to manage the version that can be updated next in each version. This version control is a burden for a provider who provides software for update. In addition, when upgrading to the latest software version, there is a problem that the older the current software version is, the longer the update process takes.

  In any of the conventional examples described above, when the function is individually expanded in the software by a plug-in or the like, it is an unnecessary file for updating, but the file necessary for the function expansion exists. There is a possibility that such files will be deleted.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention obtains the latest version information of the software from the server by the function of the update processing unit included in the base unit that provides the basic function of the software. A comparison unit that compares the current version of the software with the acquired latest version by the function of the acquisition unit and the update processing unit; and the result of the comparison by the function of the update processing unit; When the current version of the update is not the latest, a second acquisition unit that acquires an update package for updating the software, and the update processing unit functions to update the acquired update file of the base unit. If included in the package, The software is installed by the starting means for starting the base updater section for updating the source section, the stopping means for stopping the base section by the function of the base updater section, and the function of the base updater section. First control means for performing control to copy the update file of the base unit to the directory, wherein the first control means is a deletion target according to the attribute of the file among the copied update files. The update file identified as being is deleted from the directory.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily create an update package on the providing side for software that repeats a plurality of version upgrades.

The figure which shows the structural example of the system to which this invention is applied. Block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus Diagram showing an example of the software module configuration The figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the whole flow of the update process by the update process part 304 and the base updater 303 Example of directory and file structure included in update package It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the copy process of the file in the case of an update process The figure which shows the example of the screen for selecting the additional function for the customer in the server

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system in the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes an information processing apparatus (host computer) on which software to be updated (in this embodiment, client software for network device management) runs. Reference numeral 103 denotes a server that holds and transmits information on the latest version of software to be updated and files necessary for the update. In this figure, the function for managing version information and the function for holding and transmitting the files necessary for updating are provided by one server 103, but these functions should be distributed and provided by different servers. Is also possible. The server 104 is an information processing apparatus on which server software for network device management operates. The server 103 and the server 104 are connected to the Internet 101.

  The network 106 is a network within a customer where a network device registered as a management target of the server software is installed. The network 106 is connected to the Internet 101 via the router 105. Here, the router 105 may have a firewall function. Reference numerals 107, 108, and 109 denote network devices to be managed that are connected to the network 106. These network devices communicate via a network 106 with a client 102 running client software. Examples of the network device include peripheral devices such as a printer device, a digital multifunction peripheral, and a scanner, and electronic devices such as a digital camera and a smartphone.

  As a function of the client software, the client 102 performs a management operation on the device in accordance with an instruction from the server software, and transmits the result to the server software. Examples of management operations include operation information collection processing for network devices, operation setting value setting processing for network devices, and the like. The operation information includes error information, various log information, operation counter information, and the like. The operation information is used for analyzing the operation status of the network device and how it is used by the user, and for notifying the administrator when an error occurs. Further, the server 104 manages network devices installed in a plurality of customer networks by communicating with a client in which client software in a plurality of customer networks operates as a function of the server software.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus such as the client 102, the server 103, and the server 104. In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 201 includes a CPU 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, and an external storage device 209. The CPU 202 executes software stored in the ROM 204 or the external storage device 209 or downloaded from the LAN 213, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 211. Examples of this software include the server software and client software described above. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory or a work area for the CPU 202. The external storage device 209 includes a hard disk (HD), a flash memory, and the like. The external storage device 209 stores a boot program, an operating system, a database server, a WEB server, various applications including a WEB browser, database data, user files, and the like. Further, in the information processing apparatus 201, reference numeral 206 denotes a keyboard controller (KBDC), which sends input information from a keyboard (KBD) 205 or a pointing device (not shown) to the CPU 202. Reference numeral 208 denotes a video controller (VC), which controls display on the display device 207 made up of CRT, LDC, or the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes a disk controller (DKC), and 212, which controls access to the external storage device 209, is a communication controller (COMM I / F), which is connected to the network.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a schematic diagram showing modules constituting the client software 301 operating in the client 102 in units of functions.

  The client software 301 includes a base 302 and base update data 303, which operate as different programs. In addition, this figure shows an example in which the client software 301 includes a function expansion module that extends the function provided by the base 302.

  Here, the base 302 is a main program for providing the main function of the client software 301. In particular, the base 302 includes an update processing unit 304 that controls update processing, and a basic function providing unit 305 that provides basic functions for managing network devices by the client software 301. Here, the basic function includes a function for searching a network for a network device, a function for managing identification information and network information of a network device to be managed, a function for collecting operation information from the network device, and the like.

  The base updater 303 is a dedicated program for upgrading the base 302. Here, it is assumed that during the operation of the program, the program and files such as libraries on which the program depends cannot be updated. Therefore, the base updater 303 executes the update process of the base 302 whose operation is stopped.

  The operating basic function providing unit 305 periodically calls the update processing unit 304 and updates the client software 301 as necessary. The update is performed when the latest version of the base program is found or when an update instruction is detected by the user.

  The update processing unit 304 confirms and downloads a new version of the base program. In addition, the update processing unit 304 activates the base update data 303 to perform update processing. The base updater 303 is activated by the update processing unit 304 and performs update processing of the base 302.

  The function expansion modules 306 and 307 are program modules that operate in the same process as the base 302 added later in order to expand the functions of the base 302. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which these function expansion modules are not targeted for update processing executed by the base updater 303.

  Here, the function provided by the extended function module includes operation information acquisition processing for the purpose of network device maintenance and the like. As the operation information, for example, when the network device is a printer, there are counter information indicating the total number of sheets discharged while the apparatus is operating, and part counter information indicating the number of times the parts in the apparatus are used. Other function extensions include a setting change function for changing the setting value of the network device in accordance with an instruction from the server software, a setting value backup function, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for selecting a service (additional function) to be provided by each customer, which is displayed as a function of server software operating on the server 104. In accordance with the service selected here, an extended function module is added to the client 102 on the customer side as necessary.

  In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes customer information. Reference numeral 702 denotes a list with check boxes for selecting services that can be added to the target customer. Reference numeral 703 denotes a button for saving the service checked in the list 702. A list of additional functions corresponding to the stored customer service is stored in a database or the like in the server 104. In response to the request for acquiring the list of additional functions from the basic function providing unit 305 of the client software 301, the server software returns the list of stored additional functions. The basic function providing unit 305 checks the function expansion module that has already been added, and if there is no function expansion module corresponding to the acquired additional function list, requests the server 103 for a file including the necessary function expansion module. . Here, it is assumed that the server 103 transmits a file including the function expansion module to the client 102 as a response to the request. The basic function providing unit 305 extracts the function expansion module from the acquired file including the function expansion module, and additionally installs it in the client software 301.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of update processing by the update processing unit 304 and the base update data 303.

  First, in step S401, the update processing unit 304 inquires of the server 103 about the latest version number of the client software 301 and acquires it. In step S <b> 402, the update processing unit 304 compares the version number of the operating client software 301 with the latest version number acquired in step S <b> 401. The version number is expressed by a numerical string delimited by dots, for example, 1.0.2.103. In this embodiment, if the higher numerical values are compared and different, it is assumed that the version number with the larger numerical value is larger. When the upper numerical values are equal, the lower numerical values are compared. If there is no lower numerical value, the comparison is performed assuming that 0 is specified. For example, 1.0.102 has a larger version number than 1.0.1.5, 1.0.2.99, and 1.0.2, and 1.0.3.5 and 2.0. The version number is smaller than 0.3. If it is determined in step S403 that the client software 301 being operated is the latest version, the update processing unit 304 ends this processing. On the other hand, if it is not the latest version, the update processing unit 304 proceeds to S404.

  In step S404, the update processing unit 304 downloads an update package including a file for updating to the latest version of software from the server 104. The update package is a combination of a plurality of files and directory structures compressed into a single file.

  FIG. 5 is an example of the structure of directories and files included in the update package. The update package includes an XML file 501 (UpdatePackage.xml) that describes information about the update package. Further, the update package includes a directory “base” 502 including a file group necessary for updating the base 302 and a directory “baseupdata” 503 including a file group necessary for updating the base update data. The configuration of files and directories under each directory in the update package is compliant with the configuration of files and directories in the client 102 in which the client software 301 is installed.

  The update package contains all the files used from the first version to the latest version of the client software. Specifically, the files that have changed since the first version of the client software or all files necessary for the latest version of the client software are included in the package. In the latest version of client software, even files that are no longer needed are included in the update package. However, a file that is not used by the latest version of the client software includes information that is determined as a deletion target in the copy process of FIG. 6 to be described later. An example of information that is determined to be a deletion target is that the file size attribute is zero. Other examples of information that is determined as a deletion target and description of the copy process itself will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 405, the update processing unit 304 expands the downloaded update package in a temporary directory in the client 102. Next, in S406, the update processing unit 304 checks whether an update file of the base updater 303 is included in the expanded update package. Specifically, the update processing unit 304 checks whether a directory “baseupdata” 503 exists in the update package and whether a file exists in the directory. Here, when the directory exists and the file exists in the directory, the update processing unit 304 determines that the update file of the base update data 303 exists. In S407, when the update file of the base update data 303 does not exist, the process proceeds to S409, and when it exists, the process proceeds to S408.

  In step S408, the update processing unit 304 copies the update file of the base updater portion in the update package expanded in the temporary directory to the directory of the client 102 in which the client software 301 is installed. The file copy processing here is copy processing including deletion of unnecessary files, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S409, the update processing unit 304 checks whether an update file for the base 302 is included in the update package. Specifically, the update processing unit 304 checks the directory “base” 502 and the presence / absence of files in the directory. If the update file of the base 302 is not included in the update package in S410, the update processing unit 304 ends this process. If an update file of the base 302 exists in the update package, the process proceeds to S411. In step S411, the update processing unit 304 activates the base updater 303.

  In step S412, the base updater 303 activated by the update processing unit 304 stops the program of the base 302 in order to update the program of the base 302 and the file on which the program depends. In this case, of course, the update processing unit 304 also ends the processing and stops.

  Next, in S413, the base updater 303 copies the update file of the base 302 in the update package that is expanded in S405 to the directory of the client 102 in which the client software 301 is installed. As a result, the base 302 is updated. The file copy process here is a copy process including deletion of unnecessary files, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. Finally, in S411, the base updater 303 activates the base 302 and ends itself.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining details of the file copy processing called in S406 and S410 of FIG. The subject of the process that executes this process is the update processing unit 304 or the base updater 303 that has called this process.

  The copy process is called together with the path name of the directory (such as “base” 502 in the case of the base) containing the update file in which the update package is expanded and the path name of the directory in which the client software 301 to be updated is installed. Hereinafter, in the copy process, initially, the directory and subdirectory where the update package is expanded are set as the copy source, and the directory and / or subdirectory where the client software 301 is installed is set as the copy destination.

  In step S601, it is confirmed whether the copy destination directory exists. If the copy destination directory does not exist, a copy destination directory is created in step S602. Next, in S603, the following processes of S604 to S606 are executed for all the files in the copy source directory.

  First, in S604, the target file in the copy source directory is copied to the copy destination directory. Next, in S605, whether or not the target file can be deleted is determined according to the attribute of the file to be copied, and if it is determined that the file should be deleted, the process proceeds to S606. In S606, the file copied in the copy destination directory in S604 is deleted. After the processes of S605 and S606 are performed, the process returns to S604 for the remaining files in the copy source directory, and the process is repeated.

  For example, the file size is used as the attribute of the file serving as a determination criterion for determining the file to be deleted in S605. Here, if the file size is zero, it is assumed that the file is to be deleted. In addition, as an attribute used for determination and its standard, whether the file creation date is a specific date (a date that is not normally possible, such as “January 1, 1900”), whether the file version is a specific date Whether it is a version (a version that is not normally possible, such as “99.999.99.99”). Here, the contents of the file to be deleted are assumed to cause no problem in the operation of the client software (for example, an empty library that does not include a function or a class), assuming that the deletion of the file has failed in S606. ing.

  In step S607, the processing in steps S608 to S610 is performed on all subdirectories in the copy source directory.

  In S608, the path name of one subdirectory in the copy source directory is set as the path name of the new copy source directory. In step S609, the path name of the new copy destination directory is set by adding the path name of the subdirectory set in step S608 to the path name of the current copy destination directory. Next, in S610, the copy process shown in FIG. 6 is recursively called together with the new copy source and the new copy destination. When the processing for all the subdirectories in the copy source directory in S607 ends, the process proceeds to S611.

  In S611, the directory in which the update package is expanded and the subdirectory are deleted, and the copy process shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the software update process, the update file can be created more easily than the method of managing the necessary file configuration for each version and realizing the update process step by step. The burden of is reduced.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Furthermore, the present invention includes a system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and functions thereof.

Claims (14)

First acquisition means for acquiring information on the latest version of the software from the server by the function of the update processing unit included in the base unit that provides the basic function of the software;
Comparison means for comparing the current version of the software with the acquired latest version by the function of the update processing unit;
A second acquisition unit configured to acquire an update package for updating the software when the current version of the software is not the latest, as a result of the comparison, by the function of the update processing unit;
An activation unit that activates a base updater unit for updating the base unit when the update file of the base unit is included in the acquired update package by the function of the update processing unit;
Stop means for stopping the base portion by the function of the base updater portion;
First control means for performing a control of copying an update file of the base unit to a directory in which the software is installed by the function of the base updater unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit deletes, from the copied update file, an update file identified as a deletion target according to a file attribute from the directory. When the update file of the base updater unit is included in the acquired update package before the base updater unit is activated by the function of the update processing unit, the update file of the base updater unit is added to the directory. Further having a second control means for performing a control of copying
2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit deletes, from the copied update file, an update file identified as a deletion target according to a file attribute from the directory. apparatus.   In the attribute of the update file specified as the deletion target, specific information is set as at least one of the file size, the creation date, and the version as information indicating the deletion target. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The update package includes files that have changed since the first version of the software, or all files necessary for the latest version of the software are included in the package, and files that are no longer necessary in the latest version of the client software. Even if it is included in the update package,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unnecessary file is an update file identified as the deletion target.   The basic functions of the software include at least one of a function of searching a network for a network device, a function of managing identification information and network information of a management target network device, and a function of collecting operation information from the network device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. In the software, a function expansion module for realizing an additional function can be installed. The additional function includes a function for obtaining operation information for the purpose of maintaining a network device, a setting value of the network device, and the like. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a setting change function for changing according to an instruction from a server and a backup function for a setting value of a network device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the function expansion module is acquired from the server and installed in accordance with a list of functions acquired from the server. A first acquisition step of acquiring information of the latest version of the software from the server by the function of the update processing unit included in the base unit that provides the basic function of the software;
A comparison step of comparing the current version of the software with the acquired latest version by the function of the update processing unit;
A second acquisition step of acquiring an update package for updating the software when the current version of the software is not the latest, as a result of the comparison, by the function of the update processing unit;
A startup step of starting a base updater unit for updating the base unit when the update file of the base unit is included in the acquired update package by the function of the update processing unit;
A stopping step of stopping the base portion by the function of the base updater portion;
A first control step of performing a control of copying an update file of the base unit to a directory in which the software is installed by the function of the base updater unit,
In the first control step, in the copied update file, an update file specified as a deletion target according to a file attribute is deleted from the directory. When the update file of the base updater unit is included in the acquired update package before the base updater unit is activated by the function of the update processing unit, the update file of the base updater unit is added to the directory. A second control step for performing a control of copying
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, in the second control step, an update file identified as a deletion target according to a file attribute is deleted from the directory in the copied update file.   In the attribute of the update file specified as the deletion target, specific information is set as at least one of the file size, the creation date, and the version as information indicating the deletion target. The method according to claim 8 or 9. The update package includes files that have changed since the first version of the software, or all files necessary for the latest version of the software are included in the package, and files that are no longer necessary in the latest version of the client software. Even if it is included in the update package,
The method according to claim 8, wherein the file that is no longer needed is an update file that is identified as the deletion target.   The basic functions of the software include at least one of a function of searching a network for a network device, a function of managing identification information and network information of a management target network device, and a function of collecting operation information from the network device. 12. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 characterized in that: In the software, it is possible to install a function expansion module for realizing an additional function,
The additional function includes at least a function for obtaining operation information for the purpose of network device maintenance, a setting change function for changing the setting value of the network device in accordance with an instruction from the server, and a backup function for the setting value of the network device. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that any one of them is included. The program for functioning a computer as each means of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7.

Images