JP6489176B2 - INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of starting a plurality of operating systems, an information processing system capable of notifying a user of the startable operating system, a control method thereof, a program, and an information processing apparatus, The present invention relates to a control method and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) exists for operating an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The OS provides basic functions commonly used by many applications, such as input / output functions such as keyboard input and screen output, and disk and memory management, and manages the entire computer system.

  There are a plurality of types of OS. Since the functions provided by the OS differ from one OS to another, when developing an application, the target OS is first determined, and an application that meets the specifications of the OS is developed. Therefore, the user of the information processing apparatus needs to purchase or download an application suitable for the OS of the information processing apparatus and install it.

  By the way, if an application corresponding to all OSs is developed, the development cost increases. Therefore, an application may be developed only for a specific OS. In this case, even if the user wants to use the application, the application cannot be used unless the OS has an information processing apparatus that can be used.

  Therefore, a mechanism for operating a plurality of OSs in the information processing apparatus is considered. Patent Document 1 below discloses a mechanism in which an information processing apparatus includes a first OS and a second OS, and the functions executed by the information processing apparatuses are switched by a display control unit or superimposed.

JP 2013-140516 A

  In universities and the like, classes are performed using an information processing apparatus capable of starting such a plurality of OSs. This is because there are applications that can be used only in a specific OS as described above.

  In particular, since an OS to be used for each class is determined, a mechanism for scheduling an OS that can be activated in advance is implemented in universities and the like. For example, control is performed so that only the first OS can be used from 9:00 on Monday, and the second OS can also be used from 13:00 on Monday.

  However, in an information processing apparatus that can use a plurality of OSs, there is a problem that which OS can be used at present is known only when the information processing apparatus is activated. This is because the server device that can communicate with the information processing device manages which OS can be used in the information processing device. That is, when the information processing apparatus is activated, the server apparatus is inquired about the OS that can be activated, and the available OS is presented to the user in response to the answer.

  Therefore, there is a problem that the user cannot recognize an available OS without restarting the information processing apparatus.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an information processing system including an information processing apparatus that can use different operating systems, and operates on an operating system different from the operating system that is operating on the information processing apparatus, and is equivalent to an application that is operating on the information processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of notifying information related to an application having the above function when an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available .

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system of the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing apparatus that can use different operating systems, and an application having the same function corresponds to each of the different operating systems. Storage means for storing the application information, condition storage means for storing a condition for enabling an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus, and the information according to the condition for enabling the information. When an operating system different from the operating system running on the processing device becomes available, from the application information, the operating system operates on an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing device, Serial specifying means for specifying an application is an application function equivalent operating in the information processing apparatus, characterized by comprising a notification unit configured to notify information on the a specified equivalent function application.

According to the present invention, in an information processing system including an information processing apparatus that can be used by switching between different operating systems , the information processing apparatus operates on an operating system different from the operating system that is operating on the information processing apparatus. It is possible to provide a mechanism capable of notifying information related to an application having the same function as the application when an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available. .

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of an information processing system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus 101 and a server apparatus 102. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of an information processing apparatus 101 and a server apparatus 102. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process which performs scheduling of OS to start. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen structure of the schedule setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the table structure of various tables. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when the information processing apparatus 101 is activated. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when an OS that can be started in the information processing apparatus 101 is changed. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table configuration of a notification information table 900. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a notification screen 1000. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the present invention. In the information processing system of the present invention, an information processing apparatus 101 and a server apparatus 102 are connected to each other via a network 103 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) so that data communication can be performed. The configuration of various terminals or servers connected on the network 103 in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  The information processing apparatus 101 is an apparatus that can use a plurality of operating systems (hereinafter referred to as OS). When the information processing apparatus 101 is activated, it inquires the server apparatus 102 about an OS that can be activated, and presents the OS that can be activated to the user in response to an answer from the server apparatus. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that two OSs, ie, a first OS and a second OS are installed.

  The server apparatus 102 is an apparatus that manages the information processing apparatus 101. In the present embodiment, in particular, which OS can be used by the information processing apparatus 101 is managed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 102.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 (storage means) has a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), functions executed by the information processing apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 102. Various programs described below necessary for realizing the above are stored. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The type of the display device is assumed to be a CRT or a liquid crystal display, but is not limited thereto.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected via the.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs used by the information processing apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 102 of the present invention to execute various processes to be described later are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. It is what is done. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211.

  Next, a functional configuration diagram showing functional configurations of the information processing apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 102 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the functional configuration of FIG. 3 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  The information processing apparatus 101 includes a transmission / reception control unit 311, a display control unit 312, an OS management unit 313, and a notification control unit 314.

  The transmission / reception control unit 311 has a function of controlling communication with the server apparatus 102. The display control unit 312 has a function of causing the display 210 to display various data stored in the information processing apparatus 101 and various data received from the server apparatus 102.

  The OS management unit 313 has a function of managing whether or not a plurality of OSs that can be started by the information processing apparatus 101 can be started. Depending on the information received from the server apparatus 102, it controls which OS is activated or not activated.

  The notification control unit 314 has a function of notifying an OS that can be started by the information processing apparatus 101. The notification control unit 314 exists for each OS. In this embodiment, the notification control unit 314 operates in each of the first OS and the second OS.

  The server apparatus 102 includes a transmission / reception control unit 321, a schedule management unit 322, and a notification control unit 323.

  The transmission / reception control unit 321 has a function of controlling communication with the information processing apparatus 101. The schedule management unit 322 has a function of managing the OS startable date and time in the information processing apparatus 101. The OS that can be started by the information processing apparatus 101 is switched according to information managed by the schedule management unit 322.

  The notification control unit 323 has a function of notifying the information processing apparatus 101 of the OS that can be started or the OS that cannot be started when the bootable OS managed by the schedule management unit 322 is switched. .

  Next, a process for scheduling the OS to be started will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the information processing apparatus 101 in FIG. 4 is operated by an administrator of the information processing apparatus 101 and the server apparatus 102.

  First, in step S <b> 401, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a schedule setting screen acquisition request to the server apparatus 102 in order to register the OS startable time of the information processing apparatus 101.

  In step S <b> 402, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 receives the schedule setting screen acquisition request transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101. In step S403, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 acquires a schedule setting screen stored in the external memory 211 or the like. The schedule setting screen is a screen as shown in FIG.

  The schedule setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes an installation location selection field 501, a schedule template selection field 502, and a period input field 503. The installation location selection column 501 is a column for setting which OS to schedule for which classroom information processing apparatus 101 is to be scheduled. The schedule template selection column 502 is a column for selecting a template for a startup schedule of an OS set for one week in advance. The administrator creates a schedule template to be displayed in the schedule template selection field 502 in advance. For example, the “first OS” can be activated from “9:00 to 13:00” on “Monday”, or “first OS and second OS” from “13:00 to 17:00” on “Monday”. And so on. This is created for one week and used as one template. The created template stores various information in a table as shown in the schedule template DB 610 of FIG. That is, the template displayed in the schedule template selection field 502 is obtained from the schedule template DB 610 in FIG.

  The period input field 503 is a field for inputting a period for applying the template selected in the schedule template selection field 502. For example, when “2013/04 / 02-2013 / 07/31” is set in the period input field 503, the schedule template selection field 502 is selected from April 2, 2013 to July 31, 2013. A template is applied.

  Returning to FIG. In step S404, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 transmits the schedule setting screen 500 acquired in step S403 to the information processing apparatus 101.

  In step S405, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 receives the schedule setting screen 500 transmitted from the server apparatus 102, and displays the received schedule setting screen 500 on the display 210 in step S406. Here, the administrator who operates the information processing apparatus 101 inputs necessary items in the selection column and the input column described above.

  In step S407, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether the registration button 504 on the schedule setting screen 500 has been pressed. If it is determined that the registration button 504 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S408. If it is not determined that the registration button 504 has been pressed (when the registration button 504 has not been pressed), the processing waits until the registration button 504 is pressed.

  In step S <b> 408, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 transmits 102 a schedule registration instruction input in various selection fields and input fields of the schedule setting screen 500 to the server apparatus.

  In step S <b> 409, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 receives the schedule registration instruction transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101. In step S410, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 registers the schedule in the schedule DB in response to the schedule registration instruction received in step S409. An example of the schedule DB is shown in the schedule DB 600 of FIG. The schedule ID of the schedule DB 600 is identification information uniquely assigned for each schedule. The installation location ID stores identification information indicating the installation location selected in the installation location selection column 501, and the schedule template ID stores identification information of the template selected in the schedule template selection column 502. In the start date (year / month / day) and end date (year / month / day), the period input in the period input field 503 is stored.

  In step S411, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 generates a plurality of change jobs. The change job is a job registered in the server apparatus 102 and is a job for notifying the information processing apparatus 101 that the OS to be started has been changed. That is, a change job for each change timing is generated. The changed job is stored in the changed job information DB 620. The job ID of the changed job information DB 620 is identification information assigned to each changed job. The change event occurrence date / time (year / month / day / day / hour / minute / second) is the timing of notifying the information processing apparatus 101. The change event occurrence date / time (year / month / day / day / hour / minute / second) stores the timing calculated from the start date (year / month / day) of the schedule DB 600 and the start time of the schedule template DB 610. The installation location ID is the same as that stored in the schedule DB 600. The startup OS type (before change) and the startup OS type (after change) are the type (type) of the OS started before the change event occurrence date and time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second) and the change event occurrence date / time (year). Stores the type of OS that can be started after (date / day / minute / second). The server apparatus 102 causes the information processing apparatus 101 to start the OS of the startup OS type (after the change) when a plurality of the change jobs are operated and the change event occurrence date / time (year / month / day / day / hour / minute / second) is reached. You will be notified.

  In step S <b> 412, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 transmits the processing result in the server apparatus 102 to the information processing apparatus 101. In step S413, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 receives the processing result transmitted from the server apparatus 102, notifies the user, and ends the series of processes. As described above, the schedule of the OS to be started is registered.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table configuration of various tables used in the present embodiment. The various tables shown in FIG. 6 are stored in the RAM 203 or the external memory 211 of the server apparatus 102, and are updated as appropriate. Further, “PK” shown in each table of FIG. 6 is an abbreviation of “Primary Key”, and is an item indicating a so-called “primary key”. Moreover, the line which connects the items of each table has shown the same information.

  Since the schedule DB 600 and the changed job information DB 620 are as described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  The schedule template DB 610 is a database that manages schedule templates and includes items such as a schedule template ID, a startup OS type, a day of the week, a start time, and an end time. The schedule template ID is identification information assigned to each template. The boot OS type indicates the type of OS booted by the information processing apparatus 101. The day of the week, start time, and end time are information indicating when to start the type of OS indicated by the startup OS type.

  The terminal information DB 630 includes a terminal ID, a host name, an IP address, a MAC address, and an installation location ID, and is a database that manages information for each information processing apparatus 101. The terminal ID is identification information assigned to each information processing apparatus 101. The host name, IP address, and MAC address indicate the host name, IP address, and MAC address of the information processing apparatus 101, respectively. The installation location ID is the same as the installation location ID in the schedule DB 600 and the change job information DB 620.

  The terminal image management DB 640 is a database that includes a terminal ID, an image ID, and an OS, and manages a disk image that operates for each information processing apparatus 101. The terminal ID is the same as the terminal ID in the terminal information DB. The image ID is identification information assigned to each disk image of the operating OS. OS indicates the type of OS of the disk image.

  The image DB 650 is a database configured with image ID, OS, version, image name, and creation date and managing information for each disk image. The image ID is the same as the image ID of the terminal image management DB 640. OS indicates the type of OS of the disk image. The version indicates the version of the OS, and the image name indicates the name of the disk image. The creation date indicates the date when the disc image was created.

  The application information DB 660 is a database that includes application IDs, application names, and versions, and manages information for each application. The application ID is identification information assigned to each application. The application name indicates the name of the application. The version indicates the version of the application.

  The image application management DB 670 is a database that includes image IDs and application IDs, and manages applications installed for each disk image. The image ID is the same as the image ID of the image DB 650. The application ID is the same as the application ID in the application information DB 660.

  Next, processing when the information processing apparatus 101 is activated will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the information processing apparatus 101 in FIG. 7 is operated by a user (student) who uses the information processing apparatus 101.

  First, in step S701, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether an activation instruction for the information processing apparatus 101 has been received. The activation instruction indicates that an activation button included in the information processing apparatus 101 is pressed. If it is determined that the activation instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S702. If it is not determined that the activation instruction has been accepted (when the activation instruction has not been accepted), the process waits until there is an activation instruction.

  In step S <b> 702, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a bootable OS type acquisition request to the server apparatus.

  In step S <b> 703, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 receives the bootable OS type acquisition request transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101. In step S704, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 acquires the type of OS that can be started by the requested information processing apparatus 101. More specifically, the installation location of the information processing apparatus 101 is specified from the MAC address of the information processing apparatus 101. Further, the current date and time are specified. Based on these pieces of information, the current change job is specified from the change job information DB 620. The OS indicated by the specified startup OS type (after change) of the changed job is an OS that can be started up by the information processing apparatus 101 at present.

  In step S <b> 704, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 transmits the boot OS type acquired in step S <b> 703 to the information processing apparatus 101.

  In step S <b> 705, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 receives the boot OS type transmitted from the server apparatus 102. In step S706, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether or not the received startup OS type indicates “unusable”. Information indicating “unusable” may be stored in the boot OS type (before change) and the boot OS type (after change). If “unusable” is set, the use of the information processing apparatus 101 is not permitted in the first place. If it is determined that the startup OS type is “unusable”, this series of processing ends. That is, nothing is activated. If it is not determined that the startup OS type is “unusable” (when the startup OS type is not “unusable”), the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 activates the information processing apparatus 101 with an OS corresponding to the activation OS type received in step S706. At this time, if a plurality of OSs can be used, the user is prompted to select an OS to be started. Then, the selected OS is activated. As described above, the information processing apparatus 101 is activated.

  Next, processing when the OS that can be started in the information processing apparatus 101 is changed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the information processing apparatus 101 in FIG. 8 is operated by a user (student) who uses the information processing apparatus 101.

  First, in step S801, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 determines whether or not to change the type of the boot OS according to the change job being executed (determination unit). More specifically, it is determined whether or not to change the type of the boot OS depending on whether or not the current date / time has reached the change event occurrence date / time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second) of the change job. If it is determined that the type of the boot OS is to be changed, the process proceeds to step S802. If it is determined that the type of the boot OS is not changed, the process waits as it is and continuously executes the change job.

  In step S <b> 802, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 transmits a boot OS type change instruction to the target information processing apparatus 101 (transmission unit). The boot OS to be changed is an OS indicated by the boot OS type (after change) of the change job. At this time, the startup OS type (before change) is also transmitted.

  In step S803, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 receives the boot OS type change instruction transmitted from the server apparatus 102 (reception unit).

  In step S804, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether or not the boot OS type change instruction received in step S803 is an instruction that enables a plurality of OSs to be used. In this embodiment, since the first OS and the second OS are installed in the information processing apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether both OSs are available. More specifically, which of the set of changed contents of the boot OS type in the notification information table 900 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the received boot OS type (before change) and boot OS type (after change) pair. And whether or not both OSs can be used may be determined based on whether or not the application check in the specified set of records is “◯”. If it is determined that the instruction indicates that a plurality of OSs can be used, the process proceeds to step S805. If it is not determined that the instruction is that multiple OSs can be used, the process advances to step S813.

  The notification information table 900 is stored in the RAM 203 of the information processing apparatus 101, the external memory 211, and the like. The notification content is managed. The change contents of the startup OS type indicate a set of OS types before and after the change. The application check presence / absence is a flag for determining whether or not to execute step S805 to step S812 described later. The dialog display determination indicates the notification content for the user, and the terminal operation that can be performed after the dialog message is displayed indicates the processing content that operates after the notification to the user.

  In step S <b> 805, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a request for acquiring a list of applications installed in the available OS (hereinafter, application list) to the server apparatus 102. At this time, information indicating the usable OS is also transmitted from the activated OS type (after change) received in step S803.

  In step S806, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 receives the application list acquisition request transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101. In step S807, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 generates an application list of the available OSs based on the information indicating the available OSs, the image DB 650, the application information DB 660, and the image application management DB 670. Get this.

  In step S808, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 102 transmits the application list acquired in step S807 to the information processing apparatus 101.

  In step S <b> 809, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 receives the application list transmitted from the server apparatus 102. In step S810, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether there is an application equivalent to an application running on the currently used OS among applications installed in the available OS. Determine. For example, it is assumed that the user is operating a document creation application of the first OS during a time zone in which the first OS can be used. This user normally uses the document creation application of the second OS. However, since only the first OS can be activated during the current time zone, the user cannot use the document creation application of the second OS. Therefore, there is a possibility that the document creation application of the first OS is unavoidably used. In other words, the user can switch to the second OS by notifying that the second OS that has become available also has an application equivalent to the application currently being used. On the other hand, when there is no application equivalent to the application currently being used in the second OS that can be used, the merit of using the second OS is small, so the second OS can be used. Do not notify that it has become. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to control whether to notify a user according to needs.

  If it is determined that there is an application equivalent to an application running on the currently used OS among the applications installed in the available OS, the process proceeds to step S811. If it is not determined that there is an application equivalent to an application running on the currently used OS among the applications installed in the available OS, this series of processing ends. That is, nothing is notified.

  In step S811, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 notifies the user of the OS that can be activated (notification unit). At this time, the message to be notified is based on information stored in the dialog display determination of the notification information table 900. For example, if the second OS becomes available when the first OS is running, a screen like a notification dialog 1000 shown at the top of FIG. 10 is displayed. In this screen, the user is notified that the second OS can be used, and that an application equivalent to the currently used application can also be used in the second OS. The notification dialog 1000 is provided with various buttons. A restart button 1001 for starting with an available OS, and a continuous use button 1002 for continuously using the currently started OS. There is a stop button 1003 for stopping the use of the currently activated OS (selection accepting means). These buttons are generated and displayed based on information stored in the possible terminal operations after the dialog message is displayed. When any one of these is pressed, the process proceeds to step S812.

  In step S812, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 executes processing according to the type of button pressed in step S811. When the restart button 1001 is pressed, the currently activated OS is terminated, the available OS is started (restart means), and when the continuous use button 1002 is pressed, Do nothing in particular. When the stop button 1003 is pressed, the currently activated OS is terminated. When these processes are finished, this series of processes is finished.

  On the other hand, in step S813, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 determines whether only an OS different from the currently activated OS can be used in accordance with the activation OS type change instruction received in step S803. . For example, when only the second OS is available when the first OS is activated, it is determined that only an OS different from the currently activated OS is available. If it is determined that only an OS different from the currently activated OS is available, the process advances to step S814. When it is not determined that only an OS different from the currently activated OS is available (for example, using both the first OS and the second OS, the first OS is used). If only the first OS can be used), the series of processes is terminated without any notification.

  In step S814, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 notifies the user of the termination of the running OS. The notification dialog 1000 shown in the middle part of FIG. 10 notifies that the available time of the first OS has ended and the second OS can be used. The notification dialog 1000 includes a restart button 1001 and a stop button 1003. Then, the notification dialog 1000 shown in the lower part of FIG. 10 notifies that the unavailable time has been reached. The notification dialog 1000 includes an OK button 1004. By pressing this button, the process proceeds to step S815.

  In step S815, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101 executes the process selected in the notification dialog 1000 or a default process. In the case of the notification dialog 1000 in the middle stage of FIG. 10, since the restart button 1001 or the stop button 1003 is pressed, processing corresponding to each is executed. In the case of the notification dialog 1000 in the lower part of FIG. 10, when the OK button 1004 is pressed, the information processing apparatus 101 is terminated after a predetermined time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus capable of starting a plurality of operating systems has an effect of being able to notify the user of the startable operating system.

  The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

101 Information processing apparatus 102 Server apparatus 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 System Bus 205 Input Controller 206 Video Controller 207 Memory Controller 208 Communication I / F Controller 209 Input Device 210 Display 211 External Memory

Claims (9)

An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that can use different operating systems ,
Storage means for storing application information in which applications having the same function correspond to the different operating systems ,
Condition storage means for storing a condition that an operating system different from the operating system operating in the information processing apparatus can be used;
When an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the available conditions, the operating information running on the information processing apparatus differs from the application information A specifying means for specifying an application that operates in an operating system and has a function equivalent to an application that is operating in the information processing apparatus;
The information processing system characterized in that it comprises a notification unit to notify information on the a specified equivalent function application. An application running on the information processing apparatus and an application operating on an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus and having the same function as the application running on the information processing apparatus are selectively used. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system is operable. An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to operate an application that operates on an operating system different from the operating system that is operating on the information processing apparatus and that has the same function as the application that is operating on the information processing apparatus. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein when the instruction is received, an application running on the information processing apparatus is terminated. A storage means for storing application information that includes an information processing apparatus that can use different operating systems and that has an equivalent function corresponding to each of the different operating systems is different from the operating system that is operating on the information processing apparatus A control method for an information processing system comprising condition storage means for storing a condition for enabling an operating system ,
When an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the availability condition, the specifying unit determines from the application information the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus. A specific step of specifying an application that operates on an operating system different from the system and has a function equivalent to an application that is operating on the information processing apparatus;
Notification means, the control method for an information processing system comprising: a notification step of notification information regarding the a specified equivalent function application. A program that can be executed in an information processing system including an information processing apparatus that can use different operating systems ,
The information processing system;
Storage means for storing application information in which applications having the same function correspond to the different operating systems ,
Condition storage means for storing a condition that an operating system different from the operating system operating in the information processing apparatus can be used;
When an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the available conditions, the operating information running on the information processing apparatus differs from the application information A specifying means for specifying an application that operates in an operating system and has a function equivalent to an application that is operating in the information processing apparatus;
Program for causing to function as a notification unit to notify information on the a specified equivalent function application. Storage means for storing application information in which applications having the same function correspond to different operating systems, and condition storage means for storing conditions under which an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus can be used An information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a server that can use different operating systems ,
When an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the available conditions, the operating information running on the information processing apparatus differs from the application information An accepting unit that operates in an operating system and receives information related to an application having a function equivalent to that of the application running in the information processing apparatus ;
The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification unit for notifying the information on the previous Ki受 only with the application. Storage means for storing application information in which applications having the same function correspond to different operating systems, and condition storage means for storing conditions under which an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus can be used A control method of an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a server that can use a different operating system ,
When an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the availability condition , the accepting unit determines from the application information the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus. A reception step of receiving information related to an application that operates on an operating system different from the system and has a function equivalent to that of the application running on the information processing apparatus ;
Notification means, the control method for an information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification step of notifying the information about the previous Ki受 only with the application. Storage means for storing application information in which applications having the same function correspond to different operating systems, and condition storage means for storing conditions under which an operating system different from the operating system operating on the information processing apparatus can be used A program that can be executed in an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a server including a different operating system ,
The information processing apparatus;
When an operating system different from the operating system running on the information processing apparatus becomes available according to the available conditions, the operating information running on the information processing apparatus differs from the application information An accepting unit that operates in an operating system and receives information related to an application having a function equivalent to that of the application running in the information processing apparatus ;
Program for causing to function as a notification means for notifying information about the previous Ki受 only with the application.

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