JP7077857B2 - Electronic devices, information processing systems, and information processing methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices, information processing systems, and information processing methods.

A mechanism for downloading an application from a Web page provided by a Web server and installing it on an electronic device and an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an example thereof has been conventionally known. An application that can be downloaded and installed from a Web page is distributed in the form of an object file or the like, and is installed in the MFP by an installer or the like. An application distributed in the form of such an object file or the like (in other words, an application installed on the MFP by an installer or the like) is also referred to as a "native application" or a "native application".

In addition, there is known a technique for determining whether or not firmware needs to be updated from an object file or the like when downloading and installing a native application from a website, and updating the firmware of the MFP according to the determination result. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, in a Web page where various applications are introduced, not only a native application but also a Web application (hereinafter, also referred to as "Web application") may be introduced. Since such an application does not have the object file to be determined, it cannot be determined whether or not the firmware needs to be updated, and the application may not be available.

In such a case, for example, a serviceman (also referred to as a "customer engineer") needs to go to the place where the electronic device is installed to update the firmware. Therefore, there is a waiting time until the user can use the application, which reduces convenience.

The embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to prevent a decrease in convenience when using a Web application that requires firmware update.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device connected to at least one server via a network, which enables an application including at least a Web application to be used in the electronic device. Based on the Web content acquired from the server, at least a display control unit that displays a list of the applications that can be used in the electronic device, and the Web application that is displayed in the list of the applications displayed by the display control unit. , The acquisition unit that acquires the first version information, which is the version information of the firmware required for use in the electronic device, from the server, and the second version information, which is the version information of the firmware mounted on the electronic device. A determination unit that determines whether or not the version information is equal to or higher than the first version information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit determines that the second version information is not equal to or higher than the first version information. If so, it is characterized by having an update unit for updating the firmware mounted on the electronic device.

It is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience when using a Web application that requires firmware update.

It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the image processing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchical structure of the software group included in the operation apparatus and the main body apparatus of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of the image processing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the application registration process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an application registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of application information. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the Web application introduction process which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an application list screen and an application introduction screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the firmware update confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the application use screen before and after the introduction of the Web application.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes one or more electronic devices (an image processing device 10 as an example), one or more terminal devices 20, an application market server 30, and firmware distribution. A server 40 and a Web application server 50 are included. The image processing device 10, the terminal device 20, the application market server 30, the firmware distribution server 40, and the Web application server 50 are communicably connected via a network N such as the Internet.

The app market server 30 is a web server that provides a website (hereinafter, also referred to as "app market site") that introduces applications that can be used in the image processing device 10 that is an example of an electronic device. The application market server 30 is realized by one or more information processing devices (computers).

The types of applications introduced on the app market site include native apps and web apps. The native application is, for example, an application distributed in the form of an object file or the like and installed in the image processing device 10 by an installer or the like. The Web application is distributed in a format such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for using the Web application (that is, a format such as the URL of the Web application server 50 that provides the Web application), and the URL is distributed. It is an application that can be used by registering the indicated shortcut icon or the like in the image processing device 10. However, the types of applications introduced on the app market site are not limited to native applications and Web applications, and various types of applications may be introduced. The URL is an example of address information. The icon is an example of a display component.

Further, the application introduced on the application market site is registered in advance in the application market server 30 by the terminal device 20 or the like.

The electronic device includes, for example, an image processing device 10, such as an MFP having a print function, a print function, a scan function, a fax communication function, and the like. In addition, office equipment such as printing devices, scanners, electronic blackboard devices, projectors, video conference terminals, shared terminals used in offices, other imaging devices such as digital cameras, game devices, in-vehicle terminals, digital signage, etc. Output device, HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machine, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), wearable PC, desktop PC and the like.

The image processing device 10 can use the application by introducing the application (native application or Web application) from the application market site provided by the application market server 30.

Introducing a native application means installing an object file or the like in the image processing device 10. On the other hand, introducing a web application means registering a shortcut icon indicating the URL of the web application server 50 that provides the web application in the image processing device 10. Hereinafter, a case where the image processing device 10 introduces a Web application from an application market site will be mainly described.

When introducing a Web application from an application market site, the image processing device 10 determines whether or not the firmware version of the image processing device 10 is a version required for using the Web application. When it is determined that the firmware version of the image processing device 10 is not the version required for using the Web application, the image processing device 10 uses the firmware distribution server for the version of the firmware required for using the Web application. Get from 40 and update the firmware. The firmware is software (program) for controlling the operation of the image processing device 10.

The firmware distribution server 40 is a server that provides firmware in response to a request from the image processing device 10. The firmware distribution server 40 is realized by one or more information processing devices (computers).

The terminal device 20 is a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like that registers an application introduced on the application market site in the application market server 30. The terminal device 20 is used by, for example, a vendor (third vendor) who develops an application.

The web application server 50 is a web application server that provides a web application to be introduced in the image processing device 10. In the web application introduced in the image processing device 10, the web content provided by the web application server 50 (for example, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), JavaScript (registered trademark), etc.) is executed on the browser of the image processing device 10. It is realized by being done.

The Web application server 50 is installed by, for example, a third vendor who develops an application. The Web application server 50 may be set by, for example, a company that installs the application market server 30.

The image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and may have another configuration. For example, the image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include an application distribution server that provides an image processing device 10 with an object file or the like of a native application introduced on an application market site.

<Hardware configuration>
Next, the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10, the terminal device 20, the application market server 30, and the firmware distribution server 40 included in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<< Image processing device 10 >>
First, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operating device 11 and a main body device 12.

The operation device 11 selects an image processing function to be executed by the main unit 12, inputs various setting values for executing the image processing function, inputs an execution instruction for starting execution of the image processing function, and switches a display screen. Etc., which is used when the user performs various operations.

The main unit 12 executes various processes such as execution of an image processing function according to various operations of the user in the operation device 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation device 11 of the image processing device 10 has a CPU 111 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. Further, the operation device 11 has a flash memory 114, an operation panel 115, a connection I / F 116, and a communication I / F 117. Each of these hardware is connected to each other via a bus 118.

The CPU 111 is an arithmetic unit that controls the entire operating device 11 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 112 or the flash memory 114 with the RAM 113 as a work area.

The ROM 112 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) capable of holding data even when the power is turned off. The RAM 113 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

The flash memory 114 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various programs executed by the CPU 111 (for example, a program that realizes the present embodiment) and various data.

The operation panel 115 is used when the user performs various operations. Further, the operation panel 115 displays various screens and the like to the user.

The connection I / F 116 is an interface for communicating with the main body device 12 via the communication path 13. For the connection I / F 116, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard interface is used.

The communication I / F 117 is an interface for communicating with other devices and the like. For the communication I / F 117, for example, a Wi-Fi standard wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like is used.

Similarly, the main body device 12 of the image processing device 10 has a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. Further, the main body device 12 has an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 124, an image processing engine 125, a connection I / F 126, and a communication I / F 127. Each of these hardware is connected to each other via a bus 128.

The CPU 121 is an arithmetic unit that controls the entire main unit 12 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 122 or the HDD 124 with the RAM 123 as a work area.

The ROM 122 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) capable of holding data even when the power is turned off. The RAM 123 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

The HDD 124 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various programs executed by the CPU 121 (for example, a program that realizes the present embodiment) and various data.

The image processing engine 125 is hardware that performs image processing for realizing various image processing functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a fax function.

The image processing engine 125 includes, for example, a plotter that prints on a sheet material such as paper, a scanner that optically reads a document and generates image data, a FAX communication device that performs FAX communication, and the like. Further, the image processing engine 125 may include, for example, a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials, an ADF (automatic document feeding device) for automatically feeding documents, and the like.

The connection I / F 126 is an interface for communicating with the operating device 11 via the communication path 13. For the connection I / F 126, for example, a USB standard interface is used.

The communication I / F 127 is an interface for communicating with other devices and the like. For the communication I / F 127, for example, a Wi-Fi standard wireless LAN or the like is used.

By having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes described later.

Note that FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a configuration in which the image processing device 10 has an operation device 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an information processing terminal such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a PDA is used as an image. It may function as an operating device of the processing device 10. That is, these information processing terminals can control the image processing device 10 by communicating with the image processing device 10 via the communication I / F 117 of the operating device 11 or the communication I / F 127 of the main body device 12. May be.

<< Terminal device 20, application market server 30, and firmware distribution server 40 >>
The terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the computer 300 shown in FIG. Similarly, one or more information processing devices that realize the application market server 30 and the firmware distribution server 40 are realized by, for example, the computer 300 shown in FIG.

The computer 300 shown in FIG. 3 has an input device 301, a display device 302, an external I / F 303, a RAM 304, a ROM 305, a CPU 306, a communication I / F 307, and an auxiliary storage device 308. Each of these hardware is connected by a bus 309.

The input device 301 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used for the user to input each operation. The display device 302 includes a display and the like, and displays the processing result by the computer 300. The computer 300 does not have to have at least one of the input device 301 and the display device 302.

The communication I / F 307 is an interface for connecting the computer 300 to the network N. The computer 300 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 307.

The external I / F 303 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 303a and the like. The computer 300 can read and write the recording medium 303a via the external I / F 303. The recording medium 503a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

The ROM 305 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 305 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS (Operating System) settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 300 is started. The RAM 304 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

The CPU 306 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 300 by reading programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 305 or the auxiliary storage device 308 onto the RAM 304 and executing processing.

The auxiliary storage device 308 is, for example, an HDD, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 308 include an OS which is basic software for controlling the entire computer 300, application software which provides various functions on the OS, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 308 manages the stored programs and data by a predetermined file system or DB (database).

The terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by having the hardware configuration of the computer 300 shown in FIG. Similarly, the application market server 30 and the firmware distribution server 40 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by having the hardware configuration of the computer 300 shown in FIG.

Similarly, one or more information processing devices that realize the Web application server 50 may be realized by, for example, the computer 300 shown in FIG.

<Layered structure of software group of image processing device 10>
Next, the hierarchical structure of the software group included in the operation device 11 and the main body device 12 of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of software groups included in the operation device 11 and the main body device 12 of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a hierarchical structure of software groups included in the operating device 11 and a hierarchical structure of software groups included in the main body device 12.

First, the hierarchical structure of the software group included in the main body device 12 (that is, the program group stored in the ROM 122 and the HDD 124 of the main body device 12) will be described. The software group included in the main unit 12 can be roughly divided into an application layer 221, a service layer 222, and an OS layer 223.

The software classified into the application layer 221 is software for operating hardware resources to realize an image processing function. Specific examples thereof include a printing application, a scanning application, a copy application, and a fax application.

The software classified into the service layer 222 is software that intervenes between the application layer 221 and the OS layer 223. The software serves as an interface for the software of the application layer 221 to use the hardware resources included in the main unit 12 and for notifying the state of the hardware resources included in the main unit 12.

Specifically, it accepts execution requests for hardware resources and mediates the received execution requests. The execution request received by the service layer 222 includes, for example, an image processing execution request by the image processing engine 125 (a scan execution request by a scanner, a print execution request by a plotter, and the like).

The role of the software classified in the service layer 222 as the interface is the same for the application layer 211 of the operating device 11. That is, the software classified into the application layer 211 of the operation device 11 can also operate the hardware resource of the main body device 12 and realize the image processing function by accessing the service layer 222.

Examples of the software classified into the service layer 222 include the system module 450. The system module 450 is software (program) that manages the firmware version of the image processing device 10 and updates the firmware.

The software classified into the OS layer 223 is a program called basic software (OS), and provides a basic function of controlling hardware resources possessed by the main unit 12. The software classified in the OS layer 223 accepts an execution request for a hardware resource from the software classified in the application layer 221 via the software classified in the service layer 222, and performs processing according to the execution request. Run.

Next, the hierarchical structure of the software group included in the operating device 11 (that is, the program group stored in the ROM 112 or the flash memory 114 of the operating device 11) will be described. Similar to the main body device 12, the software group included in the operation device 11 can be roughly classified into an application layer 211, a service layer 212, and an OS layer 213.

However, the types of functions provided by the software classified in the application layer 211 and the types of execution requests that can be accepted by the service layer 212 are different from those of the main unit 12. The software classified into the application layer 211 of the operation device 11 mainly provides a user interface function for performing various operations and displays.

Examples of the software classified into the application layer 211 include a market application 410 and a browser 420. The market application 410 is software (program) for displaying the application market site on the browser 420. The browser 420 is software (program) that displays a website such as an application market site. Further, the browser 420 can provide the service realized by the web application by executing the web content acquired from the web application server 50.

Examples of the software classified into the service layer 212 include the installer 430. The installer 430 is software (program) that installs a native application on the image processing device 10 and displays a screen (firmware update confirmation screen) for notifying the user that a firmware update is required.

In this embodiment, the operating system 11 and the main unit 12 operate independently of each other. Further, if the operating device 11 and the main body device 12 can communicate with each other, the OSs do not have to be of the same type. For example, it is possible to use Android (registered trademark) for the OS in the operating device 11 while Linux (registered trademark) is used for the OS in the main body device 12.

As described above, the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is controlled by an OS in which the operating device 11 and the main body device 12 are different. Therefore, the communication between the operating device 11 and the main body device 12 is performed not as interprocess communication within one device but as communication between different information processing devices.

However, the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the case where the operating device 11 and the main body device 12 are operating different types of OS, and the operating device 11 and the main body device 12 have the same type of OS. It may be working. Further, the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the case where the OS is independently operated by the operation device 11 and the main body device 12, and one OS is operated on the operation device 11 and the main body device 12. You may be doing it.

The operating device 11 and the main body device 12 each have firmware. Hereinafter, the firmware of the operating device 11 is referred to as “first firmware”, and the firmware of the main unit device 12 is referred to as “second firmware”. When the first firmware and the second firmware are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as "firmware".

The first firmware is software (program) classified into the service layer 212, and the second firmware is software (program) classified into the service layer 222. However, the first firmware may include software (program) classified into OS layer 213, and the second firmware may include software (program) classified into OS layer 223. good.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation device 11 of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a market application 410, a browser 420, an installer 430, and a shortcut storage unit 440.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body device 12 of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment has a system module 450 and a farm version storage unit 460.

The market application 410 can realize the site display request unit 411 by being executed by the CPU 111. The site display request unit 411 displays the application market site on the browser 42.

When the browser 420 is executed by the CPU 111, the display control unit 421, the input reception unit 422, the request unit 423, the version determination unit 424, the update instruction unit 425, the shortcut storage unit 426, and the shortcut registration unit are executed. 427 and the shortcut deletion unit 428 can be realized.

The display control unit 421 displays the screens of various websites such as the application market site. The input receiving unit 422 receives various operation inputs of the user on the website.

The request unit 423 transmits various requests. The various requests include, for example, a display request for acquiring the screen (Web page) of the application market site from the application market server 30, an acquisition request for acquiring the firmware version of the image processing device 10 from the main unit device 12, and the like. be. Further, various requests include, for example, an acquisition request for acquiring information of an application to be introduced into the image processing device 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as "application information") from the application market server 30.

The version determination unit 424 determines whether or not the version of the firmware of the image processing device 10 is equal to or higher than the version required for using the Web application to be introduced in the image processing device 10.

When the update instruction unit 425 determines that the firmware version of the image processing device 10 is not higher than the version required for using the Web application to be introduced in the image processing device 10, the update instruction unit 425 instructs the installer 430 to update the firmware.

When the shortcut storage unit 426 determines that the version of the firmware of the image processing device 10 is not higher than the version required for using the Web application to be introduced in the image processing device 10, the shortcut information (for example, a shortcut) of the Web application is determined. The image of the icon, the URL of the shortcut destination, etc.) are saved in the shortcut storage unit 440. The shortcut storage unit 440 can be realized by, for example, a flash memory 114 or the like.

When the firmware update is successful, the shortcut registration unit 427 registers the shortcut icon in the operation device 11 by using the shortcut information stored in the shortcut storage unit 440. By registering the shortcut icon in the operation device 11, the web application provided by the web application server 50 of the shortcut destination URL indicated by the shortcut icon can be used (that is, the web application is introduced into the image processing device 10). ).

The shortcut deletion unit 428 deletes the shortcut information stored in the shortcut storage unit 440 when the firmware update fails.

The installer 430 can realize the update request unit 431 by being executed by the CPU 111. When the update request unit 431 is instructed to update the firmware from the browser 420, the update request unit 431 requests the system module 450 of the main unit 12 to update the firmware. The installer 430 may be executed by the CPU 111 to realize, for example, an installation unit for installing a native application on the operation device 11.

The system module 450 can realize the version acquisition unit 451, the firmware acquisition unit 452, and the firmware update unit 453 by being executed by the CPU 121.

The version acquisition unit 451 acquires information indicating the version of the firmware of the image processing device 10 from the firmware version storage unit 460. The firmware version storage unit 460 stores information (for example, a version number, etc.) indicating the version of the firmware of the image processing device 10. The firmware version storage unit 460 can be realized by, for example, HDD 124 or the like.

The firmware acquisition unit 452 acquires the latest version of the firmware from the firmware distribution server 40 when the operation device 11 requests the firmware update. The firmware is provided, for example, in a package in which the latest version of the first firmware and the latest version of the second firmware are integrated.

The firmware update unit 453 updates the firmware of the image processing device 10 with the firmware (latest version of the firmware) acquired from the firmware distribution server 40.

As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment has a browser 510. The browser 510 can realize the display control unit 511, the input reception unit 512, and the request unit 513 by being executed by the CPU.

The display control unit 511 displays a website screen (web page) or the like in order to register an application introduced on the app market site. The input receiving unit 512 receives various operation inputs of the user on the website.

The request unit 513 transmits various requests. The various requests include, for example, a display request for acquiring a website screen (web page) from the app market server 30 for registering an application introduced on the app market site. Further, various requests include a registration request for requesting the application market server 30 to register an application introduced on the application market site.

As shown in FIG. 5, the application market server 30 according to the present embodiment has an application providing processing unit 610 and an application registration processing unit 620. The application providing processing unit 610 and the application registration processing unit 620 are realized by the CPU executing one or more programs installed in the application market server 30.

Further, the application market server 30 according to the present embodiment has an application information storage unit 630. The application information storage unit 630 can be realized by using an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD. The application information storage unit 630 may be realized by using a storage device (for example, a DB (database) server or the like) connected to the application market server 30 via a network.

The application providing processing unit 610 provides the image processing device 10 with a screen or the like of an application market site. Further, the application providing processing unit 610 acquires the application information of the application selected on the application market site (that is, the application introduced in the image processing device 10) from the application information storage unit 630, and obtains the acquired application information as an image. Provided to the processing apparatus 10.

The application registration processing unit 620 provides the terminal device 20 with an application registration screen (application registration screen) or the like introduced on the application market site. Further, the application registration processing unit 620 stores various information of the application registered via the application registration screen in the application information storage unit 630 as application information.

The application information storage unit 630 stores the application information of the application introduced on the application market site. The application information includes information such as the name of the application (application name) and the firmware version required for using the application. Details of the application information will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 5, the firmware distribution server 40 according to the present embodiment has a firmware distribution processing unit 710. The firmware distribution processing unit 710 is realized by the CPU executing one or more programs installed in the firmware distribution server 40.

Further, the firmware distribution server 40 according to the present embodiment has a package storage unit 720. The package storage unit 720 can be realized by using an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD. The package storage unit 720 may be realized by using a storage device (for example, a DB (database) server or the like) connected to the firmware distribution server 40 via a network.

The firmware distribution processing unit 710 acquires the latest version of the firmware package from the package storage unit 720 in response to the request from the image processing device 10, and distributes the acquired package to the image processing device 10.

The package storage unit 720 stores the latest version of the firmware package. The package storage unit 720 may store not only the latest version of the firmware package but also, for example, a firmware package of a version less than the latest version.

<Details of processing>
Next, the details of the processing of the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

≪App registration process≫
Hereinafter, a process in which a person in charge of a third vendor or the like registers a Web application in the application market server 30 using the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the application registration process according to the present embodiment. By registering the web application in the app market server 30, the web application is introduced on the app market site and can be introduced into the image processing device 10.

First, the input receiving unit 512 of the browser 510 accepts the display operation of the application registration screen (step S101). The user of the terminal device 20 can perform a display operation of the application registration screen by, for example, pressing a link or the like for displaying the application registration screen.

Next, the request unit 513 of the browser 510 transmits a display request of the application registration screen to the application market server 30 (step S102). The display request of the application registration screen is, for example, an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) request in which the URL of the application registration screen is specified.

Then, the application registration processing unit 620 of the application market server 30 returns the application registration screen to the terminal device 20 as Web content. The application registration screen is returned to the terminal device 20 as, for example, an HTTP response.

Next, the display control unit 511 of the browser 510 interprets the application registration screen returned from the application market server 30, and displays, for example, the application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 (step S103).

The application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 is a screen for registering an application introduced on the application market site. The application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 includes an application name designation field G110, an application type designation field G120, a product ID designation field G130, and a product key designation field G140. Further, the application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 includes a shortcut destination URL designation field G150, an icon image designation field G160, a support model designation field G170, and a required firmware version designation field G180.

In the application name designation field G110, the name (application name) of the application introduced on the application market site is specified. In the application type designation field G120, the type of application (native application or Web application) introduced on the application market site is specified. For example, when "Native" is specified in the application type specification field G120, it means that the application type is "native application", and when "Web" is specified, the application type is "Web application". Represents that.

In the product ID designation field G130, a product ID that identifies an application introduced on the application market site is designated. The product key designation field G140 is used when "Native" is specified in the application type designation field G120, and is also referred to as a product key (this is also referred to as a "license key") when downloading an object file or the like of a native application. ) Is specified.

The shortcut destination URL designation field G150 is used when "Web" is specified in the application type designation field G120, and the URL (shortcut destination URL) of the Web application server 50 that provides the Web application is specified.

The icon image designation field G160 is used when "Web" is specified in the application type designation field G120, and the icon image of the shortcut icon for using the Web application is designated. After the icon image is specified in the icon image designation field G160, the user can delete the once designated icon image by pressing the icon deletion button G161.

In the support model designation column G170, a model (for example, model number, etc.) of the image processing device 10 that can use the application introduced on the application market site is designated. In the required firmware version specification field G180, the firmware version required for using the application introduced on the application market site is specified.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, "FWVer2.5" is specified in the required firmware version designation field G180. This indicates that the application can be used if the firmware version is "FWVer2.5" or higher.

The user of the terminal device 20 can perform the application registration operation by pressing the OK button G190 after designating various information in each of the above-mentioned designated fields. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the application registration operation (that is, the application registration operation for registering the Web application in the application market server 30) is performed after "Web" is specified in the application type designation field G120.

The application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and the application registration screen G100 may include various other designated fields. For example, a specification field in which a description of the application displayed on the application market site can be specified may be included. Further, for example, a designation field in which a country or region in which the application can be introduced (for example, the United States of America or Japan) can be specified may be included.

Return to FIG. The input receiving unit 512 of the browser 510 accepts the application registration operation (step S104).

Next, the request unit 513 of the browser 510 transmits the application registration request to the application market server 30 (step S105). In the application registration request, for example, various information specified in each designation field of the application registration screen G100 shown in FIG. 7 (that is, for example, an application name, an application type, a product ID, a shortcut destination URL, an icon image, a support model, etc. Required farm version, etc.) is included.

Upon receiving the application registration request, the application registration processing unit 620 of the application market server 30 registers the application related to the registration request (step S106). That is, the application registration processing unit 620 creates application information from various information included in the registration request, and stores the created application information in the application information storage unit 630. By storing the application information in the application information storage unit 630, the application introduced on the application market site is registered in the application market server 30.

Then, the application registration processing unit 620 of the application market server 30 returns the registration result to the terminal device 20.

Here, the application information stored in the application information storage unit 630 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of application information.

As shown in FIG. 8, each application information stored in the application information storage unit 630 includes a product ID, an application name, an application type, a product key, a shortcut destination URL, an icon image, and a support model. And the required farm version. Each of these pieces of information is designated by the user, for example, on the application registration screen G100 shown in FIG.

As described above, the product key is specified when the application type is "Native". Further, the shortcut destination URL and the icon image are specified when the application type is "Web".

Further, for example, when the application type is "Native", the required farm version may not be specified in the application information. This is because in the case of a native application, the required firmware version can be described in an object file or the like.

As described above, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, a person in charge of a third vendor or the like can register an application (native application or Web application) in the application market server 30 by using the terminal device 20. .. When the application is registered in the application market server 30, the application is introduced on the application market site and can be introduced into the image processing device 10.

In the present embodiment, the application is registered in the application market server 30 by using the browser 510 mounted on the terminal device 20, but for example, dedicated software (for example, an application registration tool) may be used.

≪Web application introduction process≫
Hereinafter, the process of introducing the Web application introduced on the application market site into the image processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the Web application introduction process according to the present embodiment.

First, the site display request unit 411 of the market application 410 transmits a display request of the application list screen displaying the list of applications introduced on the application market site to the browser 420 (step S201). The site display request unit 411 transmits, for example, a display request for the application list screen to the browser 420 in response to the activation of the market application 410. The market application 410 can be started, for example, by the user selecting an icon for starting the use of the market application 410 from the icons displayed on the operation panel 115.

Next, the request unit 423 of the browser 420 transmits a display request of the application list screen to the application market server 30 (step S202). The display request of the application list screen is, for example, an HTTP request in which the URL of the application list screen is specified.

Then, the application providing processing unit 610 of the application market server 30 returns the application list screen to the image processing device 10 as Web content. The application list screen is returned to the image processing device 10 as, for example, an HTTP response.

Next, the display control unit 421 of the browser 420 interprets the application list screen returned from the application market server 30, and displays, for example, the application list screen G200 shown in FIG. 10 (step S203).

The application list screen G200 shown in FIG. 10 is a screen on which a list of applications introduced on the application market site is displayed. The application list screen G200 shown in FIG. 10 includes an application list G210. The user can select an application by selecting an icon indicating an application desired to be introduced into the image processing device 10 from the application list G210. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the selection operation of the application in which the icon G211 indicating the Web application of the application name “ID card copy” is selected is performed.

The input receiving unit 422 of the browser 420 accepts the selection operation of the application (step S204).

Next, the request unit 423 of the browser 420 requests the display of the application introduction screen for introducing the application selected by the application selection operation (in this embodiment, the Web application having the application name "ID card copy"). It is transmitted to the market server 30 (step S205). The display request of the application introduction screen is, for example, an HTTP request in which the URL of the application introduction screen is specified.

Then, the application providing processing unit 610 of the application market server 30 returns the application introduction screen for introducing the Web application having the application name “ID card copy” to the image processing device 10 as the Web content. The application introduction screen is returned to the image processing device 10 as, for example, an HTTP response.

Next, the display control unit 421 of the browser 420 interprets the application introduction screen returned from the application market server 30, and displays, for example, the application introduction screen G300 shown in FIG. 10 (step S206).

The application introduction screen G300 shown in FIG. 10 is a screen for introducing a Web application having the application name “ID card copy” into the image processing device 10. The application introduction screen G300 shown in FIG. 10 includes a description G310 of the Web application and an installation button G320 for starting the introduction of the Web application to the image processing device 10. Description of Web Application G310 displays, for example, a description of the outline of the Web application and the like. The user can introduce the Web application into the image processing device 10 by pressing the install button G320. After that, it is assumed that the installation button G320 has been pressed.

In the application introduction screen G300, the native application install button held in the screen when the native application is selected is used to operate the installer of the image processing device 10 on the browser 420 to download and install the object file of the application. It is implemented to hit (call) the API provided by the browser 420. On the other hand, the install button on the screen when selecting a Web application hits the API provided by the browser 420 to acquire the firmware version information required for the browser 420 to be used by the image processing device 10 from the server and perform image processing. Determining whether the firmware version information installed in the device 10 is greater than or equal to the version information acquired from the server, instructing the firmware to be updated when it needs to be updated, and adding the shortcut of the Web application to the home screen. And so on. That is, the installation button of the native application and the install button of the Web application on the application introduction screen are implemented differently so as to hit different APIs provided by the browser 420 at the time of pressing operation.

In the application introduction screen G300 shown in FIG. 10, "Install" is displayed on the button (install button G320) for starting the introduction of the Web application to the image processing device 10. In this way, even in the case of a Web application that only registers a shortcut icon, by displaying "Install", the user of the image processing device 10 can use the application without being aware of the application type (native application or Web application). It can be introduced into the image processing device 10.

In addition to indicating installation and installation start, the button for starting the introduction of the Web application includes, for example, cases of indicating installation, acquisition, registration, use, start of use, use, start of use, and the like. Is also good.

The input receiving unit 422 of the browser 420 accepts the pressing operation of the installation button G320 (step S207).

Next, the request unit 423 of the browser 420 transmits a request for acquiring application information of the selected application (in this embodiment, a Web application having the application name “ID card copy”) to the application market server 30 (step S208). .. In the application information acquisition request, for example, information (for example, a product ID or the like) that identifies the selected application (that is, the Web application having the application name "ID card copy") is specified.

The application provision processing unit 610 of the application market server 30 acquires the corresponding application information (that is, the application information of the Web application of the application name “ID card copy”) from the application information storage unit 630 (step S209). The application provision processing unit 610 may, for example, select information specified in the acquisition request (for example, application information identified by a product ID or the like) from the application information stored in the application information storage unit 630. Just get it.

Then, the application providing processing unit 610 of the application market server 30 returns the acquired application information to the image processing device 10. As described above, the application information whose application type is "Web" (that is, a Web application) includes an application name, a shortcut destination URL, an icon image, a required firmware version, and the like.

When the application information is returned from the application market server 30, the request unit 423 of the browser 420 sends a request for acquisition of the current firmware version (that is, the firmware version of the current image processing device 10) to the main unit 12 (that is, the application information). Step S210). The request unit 423 can request the acquisition of the current firmware version by using, for example, the Web API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the system module 450 of the main unit 12. Further, the request unit 423 requests the acquisition of the current farm version in response to the required farm version included in the application information being passed to the browser 420, for example, using the API provided by the browser 420.

The version acquisition unit 451 of the system module 450 acquires information indicating the current firmware version of the image processing device 10 from the firmware version storage unit 460 (step S211).

Then, the version acquisition unit 451 of the system module 450 returns the information indicating the acquired version (hereinafter, referred to as “current farm version”) to the operation device 11.

Next, the version determination unit 424 of the browser 420 determines whether or not the current farm version returned in step S211 is equal to or higher than the required firmware version included in the application information returned in step S209. (Step S212).

If it is determined that the current farm version is not equal to or higher than the required farm version, the subsequent processes of steps S213 to S220 are executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current farm version is equal to or higher than the required farm version, the subsequent processes of steps S213 to S220 are not executed.

When it is determined that the current farm version is not equal to or higher than the required farm version, the shortcut storage unit 426 of the browser 420 saves the shortcut information in the shortcut storage unit 440 (step S213). The shortcut information is information necessary for registering a shortcut icon for using the Web application, and is, for example, an icon image and a shortcut destination URL included in the application information.

The reason why the shortcut information is saved in the shortcut storage unit 440 is that it is necessary to restart the operation device 11 and the main body device 12 after updating the firmware in step S220 described later.

Next, the update instruction unit 425 of the browser 420 transmits the firmware update instruction to the installer 430 (step S214).

Next, the update request unit 431 of the installer 430 displays, for example, the firmware update confirmation screen G400 shown in FIG. 11 (step S215).

The firmware update confirmation screen G400 shown in FIG. 11 is a screen for asking the user to confirm whether or not the firmware may be updated. The firmware update confirmation screen G400 shown in FIG. 11 includes an “immediate update” button G410. The user can perform the firmware update operation by pressing the "immediate update" button G410. After that, it is assumed that the firmware update operation has been performed.

The firmware update confirmation screen G400 shown in FIG. 11 also includes a "time designation" button G420. When the "time designation" button G420 is pressed, the update request unit 431 displays, for example, the time setting screen G500 shown in FIG. On the time setting screen G500 shown in FIG. 11, the time for updating the firmware can be specified. As a result, the user can update the firmware at a desired time (for example, a time when the image processing device 10 is not used such as at night). At this time, if an operation for introducing another Web application is performed before the time specified by the user, after the firmware is updated, the other Web application is also image-processed at the same time as the Web application. Introduced into device 10.

The update request unit 431 of the installer 430 accepts the firmware update operation (step S216).

Next, the update request unit 431 of the installer 430 sends a firmware update request to the main unit 12 (step S217). The update request unit 431 can make a firmware update request by using, for example, the WebAPI provided by the system module 450 of the main unit 12.

Next, the firmware acquisition unit 452 of the system module 450 transmits a firmware acquisition request to the firmware distribution server 40 (step S218).

Next, the firmware distribution processing unit 710 of the firmware distribution server 40 acquires the latest version of the firmware package from the package storage unit 720 (step S219).

Then, the firmware distribution processing unit 710 of the firmware distribution server 40 returns the acquired package to the main unit 12.

The firmware update unit 453 of the system module 450 updates the first firmware of the operating device 11 and the second firmware of the main unit 12 by the package returned from the firmware distribution server 40 (step S220).

For example, the firmware update unit 453 updates the second firmware of the main unit 12 with the latest version of the second firmware included in the package, and then uses the latest version of the first firmware included in the package to update the operating device 11. Update the second firmware. After that, the farm update unit 453 restarts the main body device 12 after restarting the operation device 11. As a result, the firmware of the image processing device 10 is updated to the latest version. If the package returned from the firmware distribution server 40 is compressed, the firmware update unit 453 decompresses the package and then updates the firmware.

Then, the firmware update unit 453 of the system module 450 returns the firmware update result to the browser 420 via the installer 430.

Subsequent processes in step S221 are executed when the firmware update in step S220 is successful, or when it is determined in step S212 that the current firmware version is equal to or higher than the required firmware version. That is, in this case, the shortcut registration unit 427 of the browser 420 acquires the shortcut information stored in the shortcut storage unit 440, and registers the shortcut icon in the operation device 11 using the acquired shortcut information (step S221). .. As a result, the shortcut icon for using the Web application is registered in the operation device 11, and the Web application is introduced into the image processing device 10.

Here, with respect to the application use screen G600 displayed on the operation device 11, FIG. 12 shows before and after the Web application is introduced into the image processing device 10. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the application usage screen G600 before and after the introduction of the Web application.

As shown in FIG. 12, the application usage screen G600 has a "copy" icon for using the copy application, a "scan" for using the scan application, and an "app market" icon for using the market application 410. Various application icons such as are displayed.

When a Web application having the application name "ID card copy" is introduced into the image processing device 10, a shortcut icon G610 for using the Web application is added to the application usage screen G600. By pressing the shortcut icon G610, the user can use the web application provided by the web application server 50 of the shortcut destination URL indicated by the shortcut icon G610 by using the browser 420. The application usage screen G600 is a screen that is first displayed when the image processing device 10 starts to be used (for example, at the time of login), and is also called a home screen or the like.

Return to FIG. On the other hand, the subsequent processing in step S222 is executed when the firmware update in step S220 described above fails. That is, in this case, the shortcut deletion unit 428 of the browser 420 deletes the shortcut information stored in the shortcut storage unit 440 (step S222).

As described above, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the web application is introduced into the image processing device 10 from the application market site, the firmware of the image processing device 10 is a version required for using the web application. It can be determined whether or not it is. Then, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the firmware of the image processing device 10 is not the version necessary for using the Web application, the firmware version of the image processing device 10 is updated to the latest version. Can be updated to.

As a result, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary for a serviceman or the like to update the firmware of the image processing device 10 when introducing the Web application, and until the user can use the Web application. Waiting time is reduced. Further, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the Web application cannot be used because the version of the firmware of the image processing device 10 is not a version necessary for using the Web application. can do. Furthermore, since the firmware can be updated at the timing of registering the web application or at the time specified by the user, the user can smoothly use the web application when the user uses the web application, and the user can update the firmware. Never have to wait for. Therefore, according to the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience when the user introduces and uses the Web application in the image processing device 10.

In this embodiment, the Web application has been described as an example of an application that does not have an object file, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. This embodiment can be similarly applied to an application that does not have an object file and is registered so that it can be used by an electronic device (for example, an MFP) from an application server or the like, or an application that does not have firmware information. Is.

Further, each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" as used herein is a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function described above. It shall include devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array) and conventional circuit modules.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment disclosed specifically, and various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of claims.

1 Image processing system 10 Image processing device 20 Terminal device 30 App market server 40 Firmware distribution server 50 Web application server 410 Market application 411 Site display request unit 420 Browser 421 Display control unit 422 Input reception unit 423 Request unit 424 Version judgment unit 425 Update Instruction unit 426 Shortcut storage unit 427 Shortcut registration unit 428 Shortcut deletion unit 430 Installer 431 Update request unit 440 Shortcut storage unit 450 System module 451 Version acquisition unit 452 Farm acquisition unit 453 Farm update unit 460 Farm version storage unit 510 Browser 511 Display control unit 512 Input reception unit 513 Request unit 610 Application provision processing unit 620 Application registration processing unit 630 Application information storage unit 710 Firmware distribution processing unit 720 Package storage unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-21285

Claims (11)

An electronic device connected via a network to at least one server that makes an application, including at least a Web application, available on the electronic device.
A display control unit that displays at least a list of the applications that can be used in the electronic device based on the Web content acquired from the server.
Acquisition of the first version information, which is the version information of the firmware necessary for using the Web application displayed in the list of the applications displayed by the display control unit in the electronic device, from the server. Department and
A determination unit for determining whether or not the second version information, which is the version information of the firmware mounted on the electronic device, is equal to or higher than the first version information acquired by the acquisition unit.
When the determination unit determines that the second version information is not equal to or higher than the first version information, the update unit for updating the firmware mounted on the electronic device and the update unit.
An electronic device characterized by having. The acquisition unit
Through the list of the applications displayed by the display control unit,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the information for using the Web application is registered in the electronic device, the first version information is acquired from the server. The information for using the Web application is the address information of the Web application or the image information representing the display component associated with the address information.
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the address information or the image information is registered in the electronic device at least after the determination unit determines the version information. When the determination unit determines that the second version information is not equal to or higher than the first version information, the storage unit stores the address information and the image information for representing the display component in a predetermined storage unit. Have,
The update part
After storing the address information and the image information in the storage unit, if the firmware is not updated, the address information or the image information is deleted from the storage unit. The electronic device according to claim 3. When the firmware is updated by the update unit, it is displayed after the start processing of the electronic device, and the user has a registration unit for registering the display component on the screen for selecting the function to be used in the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 3 or 4. The update part
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the firmware is updated at a time specified by the user. The display control unit
A display component indicating that the Web application is to be introduced into the electronic device is displayed on the screen of the list of the applications or on the screen after the Web application is selected from the list.
When the display component indicating that the Web application is to be introduced is selected by the user, the first firmware required for the acquisition unit to use the Web application without performing the installation process for the introduction. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the version information is acquired. The electronic device includes an operation device operated by a user and a main body device that provides an image processing function.
The update part
The electronic according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first firmware mounted on the operating device and the second firmware mounted on the main body device are updated. machine. The operating device includes a Web browser that operates on the OS of the operating device.
The Web browser is
Display a list of the applications available in the electronic device and
When a user input for making the Web application available in the electronic device is accepted through the displayed list.
Judging the version information,
After determining the version information,
An instruction to update the firmware to the update unit and registration of information for using the Web application to the electronic device are performed.
The electronic device according to claim 8. There is an information processing system that includes at least one server that makes an application including a Web application available to an electronic device, and an electronic device connected to the server via a network.
A display control unit that displays at least a list of the applications that can be used in the electronic device based on the Web content acquired from the server.
Acquisition of the first version information, which is the version information of the firmware necessary for using the Web application displayed in the list of the applications displayed by the display control unit in the electronic device, from the server. Department and
A determination unit for determining whether or not the second version information, which is the version information of the firmware mounted on the electronic device, is equal to or higher than the first version information acquired by the acquisition unit.
When the determination unit determines that the second version information is not equal to or higher than the first version information, the update unit for updating the firmware mounted on the electronic device and the update unit.
An information processing system characterized by having. An electronic device connected via a network to at least one server that makes an application, including at least a Web application, available on the electronic device.
A display control procedure for displaying at least a list of the applications available in the electronic device based on the Web content acquired from the server, and a display control procedure.
Acquisition of the first version information, which is the version information of the firmware necessary for using the Web application displayed in the list of the applications displayed by the display control procedure in the electronic device, from the server. Procedure and
A determination procedure for determining whether or not the second version information, which is the version information of the firmware mounted on the electronic device, is equal to or higher than the first version information acquired by the acquisition procedure.
When it is determined by the determination procedure that the second version information is not equal to or higher than the first version information, an update procedure for updating the firmware mounted on the electronic device and an update procedure.
An information processing method characterized by executing.

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