JP7417187B2 - Image forming system, image forming device and application control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus, and an application control program.

Conventional image forming systems have the problem that when the same application is used on multiple image forming apparatuses, it is cumbersome to install the same application on each of the multiple image forming apparatuses. In order to solve the problem that the number of applications installed on each image forming apparatus increases due to the same application being installed on each, and as a result, the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus becomes insufficient. When an application that is not installed on one image forming apparatus but is installed on a second image forming apparatus is selected on the first image forming apparatus, this application is temporarily installed on the first image forming apparatus. A program that is installed and executed is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In a conventional image forming system, an application temporarily installed on a first image forming apparatus is executed on the first image forming apparatus, and then an application is installed on the first image forming apparatus to secure the memory capacity of the first image forming apparatus. , it is uninstalled from the first image forming apparatus.

JP2018-098741A

However, in conventional image forming systems, each time an application that is not installed on the first image forming apparatus but is installed on the second image forming apparatus is selected on the first image forming apparatus, the application needs to be installed on the first image forming apparatus, there is a problem that the performance of the first image forming apparatus deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an application control program that can improve the performance of an image forming apparatus.

An image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the image forming apparatus receives an application owned by another image forming apparatus, and a transfer source of the application. The image forming apparatus acquires usage information indicating information regarding the use of this application from the transfer source, and when the execution of the application ends, the image forming apparatus and the application Among the transfer sources, the one that satisfies a specific condition regarding the use of this application is determined based on the usage information obtained from the transfer source, and when the transfer source satisfies the specific conditions, this application is used. , is characterized in that it is transferred to the transferee.

With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention satisfies a specific condition regarding the use of this application between the image forming apparatus and the transfer source of this application when execution of the application ends in the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, since this application is owned by the user, frequent installation of the application can be reduced, and as a result, the performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the specific condition may include a condition that the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus that uses the application most frequently.

With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention allows, when execution of an application ends in an image forming apparatus, to form an image that is used most frequently among this image forming apparatus and the transfer source of this application. Since the device is made to own this application, the frequent installation of the application can be effectively reduced, and as a result, the performance of the image forming device can be improved.

In the image forming system of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus transfers the application to another image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus also notifies the setting value of the application to the image forming apparatus of the transfer destination, and When the application is transferred from another image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus may apply the setting values notified from the image forming apparatus that is the transfer source of this application to this application.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, when an application is transferred from an image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus that is the transfer source of this application notifies the image forming apparatus that is the transfer destination. Since the set values are applied to this application in the transfer destination image forming apparatus, the set values of the application can be inherited even if the application is transferred, and usability can be improved.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the application includes identification information of the image forming apparatus that is permitted to operate the application itself, and the image forming system includes the identification information of the image forming apparatus that is permitted to operate the application itself; By activating this application on the image forming apparatus using an activation key that is information for activating this application, this application is operated on this image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is activated. The system allows the application to operate on the image forming apparatus for which the identification information is included in the application, even if activation for this application is not performed using the activation key. good.

With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention enables an image forming apparatus whose application does not include identification information to activate the application using an activation key. Since the application is run, the application installed on any image forming apparatus can be used only on the authorized image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the image forming system of the present invention operates an application on an image forming apparatus whose identification information is included in the application even if activation of this application is not performed using an activation key. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

In the image forming system of the present invention, when activation of the application using the activation key is executed for the image forming apparatus, the identification information of the image forming apparatus may be included in the application.

With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention includes the identification information of the image forming apparatus in the application when the activation of the application using the activation key is executed for the image forming apparatus. For an image forming apparatus that has been activated once using a key, this application can be operated even if activation for this application is not performed again using an activation key, so that convenience can be improved.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus may store an icon of the application owned by another image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus owning this application.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus stores the icon of the application owned by another image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus owning this application. Since there is no need to access another image forming apparatus when displaying an icon, the time required to display an application icon can be shortened.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an installation execution unit that installs an application, and the image forming apparatus that includes the installation execution unit installs the application that the image forming apparatus itself owns. a file transmitting unit that transmits a file for the image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, and the file transmitting unit transmits a file to the image forming apparatus that is the request source of the file when the file is requested from the other image forming apparatus. The installation execution unit transmits the file to the apparatus, and when the file transmission unit included in the image forming apparatus including the installation execution unit itself transmits the file of the application, the installation execution unit installs this application into this image. When the application is uninstalled from the image forming apparatus and the installation execution unit requests the file from another image forming apparatus, the installation execution unit installs the application using the file sent from this image forming apparatus. , the application is owned by the image forming apparatus that includes the installation execution unit itself, and usage information indicating the use of this application in the image forming apparatus that is the source of the file of this application is transmitted to the source. When the execution of the application ends, the file transmission unit acquires information about the use of this application among the image forming apparatus including the file transmission unit itself and the transmission source of the file of this application. determining which one satisfies a specific condition for the transmission source based on the usage information obtained from the transmission source, and determining whether to transmit the file of this application to the transmission source when the transmission source satisfies the specific condition. Features.

With this configuration, when the execution of the application ends, the image forming apparatus of the present invention sends this information to the image forming apparatus itself and the transferee of this application, whichever satisfies a specific condition regarding the use of this application. Because applications are owned, frequent installation of applications can be reduced, resulting in improved performance.

The application control program of the present invention is an application control program that causes an image forming apparatus to implement an installation execution section that installs an application, and the application control program causes the image forming apparatus that implements the installation execution section to implement the installation execution section that installs an application. A file transmitting unit is realized that transmits a file for installing the application owned by the forming apparatus itself to another image forming apparatus, and the file transmitting unit is configured to transmit a file for installing the application that is owned by the forming apparatus itself, In this case, the file is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that is the request source of the file, and the installation execution unit is configured to transmit the file to the image forming apparatus that implements the installation execution unit itself. When transmitting the file, this application is uninstalled from this image forming apparatus, and when the installation execution unit requests the file from another image forming apparatus, the installation execution unit uninstalls the file that is sent from this image forming apparatus. By installing the application using the file that has been sent, this application is owned by the image forming apparatus that implements the installation execution unit itself, and the image forming apparatus that is the source of the file of this application owns the application. , the image forming apparatus acquires usage information indicating information regarding use of the application from the transmission source, and the file transmission unit realizes the file transmission unit itself when execution of the application ends; Among the senders of the files of this application, which one satisfies a specific condition regarding the use of this application is determined based on the usage information obtained from the sender, and the sender meets the specific condition. The file of this application is transmitted to the sender when the request is satisfied.

With this configuration, when the application control program of the present invention is executed, an image forming apparatus that executes the application control program of the present invention can meet specific conditions regarding the use of this application between the image forming apparatus itself and the transferee of this application. Since this application is owned by those who meet the requirements, frequent installation of the application can be reduced, and performance can be improved as a result.

The image forming system, image forming apparatus, and application control program of the present invention can improve the performance of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the case of an MFP. 3 is a diagram showing an example of login information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of application ownership device information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user-compatible application information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of application ownership device determination information illustrated in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram when an official application as the application shown in FIG. 2 is created by an application developer. 8 is a diagram showing how the official application shown in FIG. 7 is created based on the test application and the acd file. FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram when an activation key, which is information for activating the application shown in FIG. 2, is acquired by a developer. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 when a user instructs the image forming apparatus to install an application. 11 is a sequence diagram of “A” shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 when a user logs in; FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 when an icon displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus is clicked. 14 is a sequence diagram of “B” shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of “C” shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a PKG format file packaged in the operations shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the application ownership optimal device determination process shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 when a user instructs the image forming apparatus to uninstall an application.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer, and image forming apparatuses 30, 40, and 50 each having a similar configuration to the image forming apparatus 20. We are prepared. In addition to the image forming apparatuses 20, 30, 40, and 50, the image forming system 10 can include at least one image forming apparatus having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 20. Image forming apparatuses are assigned serial numbers that are identification information. All image forming apparatuses in the image forming system 10 are connected to each other by grid computing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 in the case of an MFP.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a button, through which various operations are input, and a display device, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), which displays various information. a display unit 22, a printer 23 that is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 that is a reading device that reads images from a document, and an external facsimile machine and public telephone line (not shown). The fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device that performs fax communication via communication lines such as A communication unit 26 that is a communication device that communicates with the apparatus, a storage unit 27 that is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and the entire image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 28 is also provided.

The storage unit 27 stores an application control program 27a for executing control regarding applications, which will be described later. The application control program 27a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 20 at the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 20, for example, or may be added to the image forming apparatus 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. It may be installed or may be additionally installed on the image forming apparatus 20 from a network.

The storage unit 27 stores login information 27b for logging in a user of the image forming apparatus 20 itself.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the login information 27b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the login information 27b shows a user ID as user identification information and authentication information for user authentication in association with each other for each user. The authentication information is, for example, a password. FIG. 3 is drawn with the specific content of the authentication information omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 27 can store an application 27c. The storage unit 27 can store at least one application other than the application 27c. An application ID, which is identification information, is attached to the application.

The storage unit 27 stores Manifest. which is a file indicating various information regarding the application 27c. MF27d can be stored. The storage unit 27 stores Manifest. MF can be stored. Manifest. The MF includes application data, which is information necessary for installing the application, and application setting data, which indicates various setting values of the application. The application data includes information such as the name of the application and the application ID.

The storage unit 27 includes an icon storage folder 27e for storing application icons. The icon storage folder 27e can store an icon 27f of the application 27c. The icon storage folder 27e can store at least one application icon in addition to the icon 27f. An icon ID, which is identification information, is attached to the icon. The icon storage folder 27e also stores application ownership device information 27g indicating the image forming apparatus that owns the application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the application ownership device information 27g.

As shown in FIG. 4, the application ownership device information 27g shows the application ID of an application, the serial number of the image forming apparatus that owns this application, and the icon ID of the icon of this application in association with each other. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 27 stores user-compatible application information 27h indicating applications associated with users. The user-compatible application information 27h can be changed according to an instruction via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of user-compatible application information 27h.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user-compatible application information 27h indicates the user ID of the user and the application ID of the application associated with this user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 27 stores application ownership device determination information 27i indicating information about the image forming device 20 itself for determining which image forming device should own the application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the application ownership device determination information 27i.

As shown in FIG. 6, the application ownership device determination information 27i includes the application ID of the application, the remaining amount of memory after installing this application, that is, the remaining amount of RAM (hereinafter referred to as "remaining memory amount"), This indicates the number of times the application has been used (hereinafter referred to as the "number of times the application has been used").

The control unit 28 shown in FIG. 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 28. RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU of the control unit 28 executes a program stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 includes an installation execution unit 28a that installs an application by executing an application control program 27a, an activation execution unit 28b that executes activation of the application, and a login processing unit that executes user login processing. 28c, an application execution unit 28d that executes an application, and a file transmission unit 28e that transmits a file for installing an application to another image forming apparatus.

When an activation key, which is information for activating an application, is input, the activation execution unit 28b performs an activation process based on the application ID of the application to be activated and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself. When information generated according to a specific rule matches the input activation key, the target application is activated.

Next, the creation of an application (hereinafter referred to as "official application") that has been approved to be released on the market will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when an official application is created by the application developer 80.

As shown in FIG. 7, a developer 80 uses a computer (not shown) to create an application (hereinafter referred to as a "test application") before it is permitted to be released on the market. S101).

After the work in S101, the developer 80 uses a computer (not shown) to apply for registration of the application to the licensing system 90 (S102). The licensing system 90 may be configured by one computer or multiple computers. Licensing system 90 is managed by the manufacturer of the image forming device on which developer 80 wishes to run the application. When an application is registered with the licensing system 90, it has been authorized by the licensing system 90 to be released to the market. The application in S102 includes information necessary for the application to be released on the market (hereinafter referred to as "release information") and a list of serial numbers of image forming apparatuses on which the developer 80 desires to operate the application. (hereinafter referred to as the "serial number list"). The release information includes, for example, an application name that is the name of the application, an application type that is the type of the application, and a "development company" that is information indicating the developer 80 of the application.

Upon receiving the application in S102, the licensing system 90 registers the application targeted for the application in S102 (S103).

Next, the licensing system 90 generates an .acd file, which is a file necessary for the application to be released on the market (S104). Here, the licensing system 90 writes all the serial numbers shown in the serial number list included in the application in S102 to the acd file.

After the process in S104, the licensing system 90 transmits the ACD file generated in S104 to the developer 80 (S105).

When the developer 80 receives the ACD file sent from the licensing system 90 by a computer (not shown) in S105, the developer 80 officially executes the test application based on the test application created in S101 and the ACD file received from the licensing system 90. An application is created using a computer (not shown) (S106).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the official application 60 is created based on the test application 61 and the acd file 62.

As shown in FIG. 8, the official application 60 is created based on a test application 61 and an acd file 62.

The acd file 62 includes release information 62a and activation information 62b, which is information for operating an application on the image forming apparatus. The release information 62a includes, for example, an application name, an application type, and a development company. The activation information 62b includes the number of machines indicating the number of image forming apparatuses whose serial numbers have been written in the ACD file 62, and all serial numbers shown in the serial number list included in the application in S102. It is. The number of machines is information indicating the number of serial numbers included in the activation information 62b so that all serial numbers can be properly read out from the activation information 62b. The information contained in the acd file 62 is encrypted. All image forming apparatuses in the image forming system 10 have a function of decoding the information contained in the ACD file 62.

Note that in the following, an application means an official application.

Next, acquisition of the activation key will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram when the activation key, which is information for activating an application, is acquired by the developer 80.

If the developer 80 wishes to run this application on an image forming apparatus for which the application activation information does not include a serial number, the developer 80 wishes to run the application as shown in FIG. An application is made to the licensing system 90 for an activation key for the image forming apparatus to be used (S121) using a computer (not shown). The application in S121 includes the application ID of the application and the serial number of the image forming apparatus on which the application is desired to operate. The application in S121 may include multiple serial numbers.

Upon receiving the application in S121, the licensing system 90 generates the activation key applied for in S121 (S122). The activation key is, for example, 20-digit information that is generated for each image forming apparatus according to a specific rule based on the application ID included in the application in S121 and the serial number included in the application in S121. .

After the process of S122, the licensing system 90 transmits the activation key generated in S122 to the developer 80 (S123).

Therefore, the developer 80 obtains the activation key by receiving the activation key transmitted from the licensing system 90 with a computer (not shown) in S123.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be explained.

First, the operation of the image forming system 10 when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to install an application will be described. Note that although the case where the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to install an application will be described, the case where the user instructs the installation of an application to an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 20 also applies. The same is true.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system 10 when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to install an application. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of "A" shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, an image forming apparatus 30 is illustrated as an example of an image forming apparatus in the image forming system 10 other than the image forming apparatus 20. Note that all image forming apparatuses in the image forming system 10 other than the image forming apparatus 20 operate in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 30.

For example, the user can install the application by using the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 while connecting a storage medium such as a USB memory in which a file for installing the application is written to the image forming apparatus 20. An instruction can be given to the image forming apparatus 20 via the image forming apparatus 20.

When receiving the application installation instruction, the installation execution unit 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 reads the application installation file from the storage medium in accordance with the application installation instruction, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. S141).

Next, the installation execution unit 28a installs the application using the file read in S141 (S142). Therefore, this application is stored in the storage unit 27.

After the process of S142, the installation execution unit 28a updates the application ownership device determination information 27i regarding the application installed in S142 (S143). That is, the installation execution unit 28a stores the remaining memory amount after the installation in S142 in the application ownership device determination information 27i.

After the process of S143, the installation execution unit 28a stores the icon of the application installed in S142 in the icon storage folder 27e (S144).

Next, the installation execution unit 28a updates the application ownership device information 27g to indicate that the image forming apparatus that owns the application installed in S142 is the image forming apparatus 20 (S145). That is, the installation execution unit 28a associates the application ID of the application installed in S142, the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20, and the icon ID of the icon stored in the icon storage folder 27e in S144, and generates application ownership device information. Write to 27g.

After the process of S145, the installation execution unit 28a notifies all image forming apparatuses connected by grid computing of the icon of the application installed in S142 (S146). This notification includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 and the application ID of the application installed in S142.

Upon receiving the notification in S146, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 stores the icon notified in S146 in the icon storage folder of the image forming apparatus 30 (S147).

Next, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 installs the image forming apparatus 30 to indicate that the image forming apparatus that owns the application corresponding to the icon stored in the icon storage folder in S147 is the image forming apparatus 20. The application ownership device information is updated (S148). That is, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 associates the application ID, serial number, and icon ID included in the notification in S146 with each other and writes them into the application ownership device information of the image forming apparatus 30.

After the process of S146, the activation execution unit 28b of the image forming apparatus 20 checks whether the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself is included in the ACD file of the application installed in S142 (S149).

When the activation execution unit 28b confirms in S149 that the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself is included in the ACD file of the application installed in S142, it activates the application installed in S142. (S150).

After the process of S150, the activation execution unit 28b notifies the completion of application installation and activation via the display unit 22 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S151).

When the activation execution unit 28b confirms in S149 that the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself is not included in the ACD file read in S141, the activation execution unit 28b completes the installation of the application and issues an activation key for this application. This request is notified via the display section 22 or the communication section 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S152).

Therefore, the user can input the activation key requested in S152 via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20. Note that if the user is not the developer 80, the user obtains an activation key from the developer 80.

When the activation key is input after the process of S152, the activation execution unit 28b of the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether the input activation key is appropriate (S153). Here, the activation execution unit 28b generates information generated according to a specific rule based on the application ID of the target application that requested the activation key in S152 and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself. If it matches the activation key, it is determined that the input activation key is appropriate. On the other hand, the activation execution unit 28b determines that the information generated according to a specific rule based on the application ID of the target application that requested the activation key in S152 and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself is used to activate the input activation key. If the activation key does not match, it is determined that the input activation key is not appropriate.

If the activation execution unit 28b determines in S153 that the input activation key is appropriate, it activates the application installed in S142 (S154).

After the process of S154, the activation execution unit 28b writes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 into the ACD file of the application (S155). Here, the activation execution unit 28b also increases the value of the number of machines in the ACD file of the application by one.

After the process of S155, the activation execution unit 28b notifies the completion of activation of the application via the display unit 22 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S156). Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 20 can recognize that the target application can be used on the image forming apparatus 20.

If the activation execution unit 28b determines in S153 that the input activation key is not appropriate, it notifies the activation failure via the display unit 22 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S157). Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 20 can recognize that the target application cannot be used on the image forming apparatus 20.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when a user logs in will be described. Although the case where the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 will be described, the same applies to the case where the user logs in to an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 20.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when a user logs in.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the login processing unit 28c of the image forming apparatus 20 receives a user's login instruction via the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20, the login processing unit 28c of the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether or not to permit the instructed login. A judgment is made (S161). Here, the login processing unit 28c determines that login is permitted when the combination of the user ID and authentication information included in the login instruction is included in the login information 27b. On the other hand, the login processing unit 28c determines that login is not permitted when the combination of the user ID and authentication information included in the login instruction is not included in the login information 27b.

If the login processing unit 28c determines in S161 that the login is not permitted, it notifies the login failure via the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S162), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 12.

If the login processing unit 28c determines in S161 that login is permitted, it specifies all the application IDs associated with the user ID included in the login instruction in the user corresponding application information 27h (S163).

Next, the login processing unit 28c identifies icon IDs associated with each of all the application IDs identified in S163 in the application ownership device information 27g (S164).

Next, the login processing unit 28c acquires icons attached with all the icon IDs specified in S163 from the icon storage folder 27e (S165).

Next, the login processing unit 28c displays all the icons acquired in S165 on the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S166), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 12.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 when the icon displayed on the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 is clicked will be described. Note that although the case where an icon displayed on the display section 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 is clicked will be described, the same applies to the case where an icon displayed on the display section of an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 20 is clicked. It is.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system 10 when the icon displayed on the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 is clicked. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of "B" shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of "C" shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the application execution unit 28d of the image forming apparatus 20 responds to the icon ID of the clicked icon (hereinafter referred to as "target icon" in the description of FIGS. 13 to 15). Whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 itself owns the application to which the associated application ID is attached in the application ownership device information 27g (hereinafter referred to as "target application" in the explanation of FIGS. 13 to 15). (S181). Here, the application execution unit 28d executes an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "target image forming apparatus" in the description of FIGS. 13 to 15) that is associated with the icon ID of the target icon in the application ownership device information 27g. ) is the image forming apparatus 20 itself, it is determined that the image forming apparatus 20 itself owns the target application. On the other hand, if the target image forming apparatus is not the image forming apparatus 20 itself, the application execution unit 28d determines that the image forming apparatus 20 itself does not own the target application.

When the application execution unit 28d confirms in S181 that the image forming apparatus 20 itself owns the target application, it executes the target application (S182).

After the process of S182, the installation execution unit 28a increases the number of times the target application has been used by one in the application ownership device determination information 27i (S183).

After the process of S183, when the setting value of the target application is changed, the application execution unit 28d executes Manifest. of the target application. Setting values in the application setting data included in the MF are changed (S184). The process of S184 is executed every time the setting value of the target application is changed.

When the installation execution unit 28a confirms in S181 that the image forming apparatus 20 itself does not own the target application, it requests the target image forming apparatus for a file for installing the target application (S185). The request in S185 includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 and the application ID of the target application. The following description will be made assuming that the target image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus 30.

Upon receiving the request in S185, the file transmission unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines whether the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 that is the request source in S185 is included in the ACD file of the application that is the target of the request in S185. Confirm (S186).

When the file transmission unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines in S186 that the ACD file includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20, it packages the target application into a PKG format file that can be installed on the image forming apparatus. (S187).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the PKG format file 70 packaged in S187.

A PKG format file 70 shown in FIG. 16 includes an application executable file 71 and a Manifest. MF72. Manifest. The MF 72 includes application data 72a indicating information such as the name of the application and the application ID, and application setting data 72b indicating various setting values of the application.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, after the process in S187, the file transmission unit of the image forming apparatus 30 sends the PKG format file packaged in S187 and the application ownership of the image forming apparatus 30 to the target application. The application usage count associated with the device determination information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 that made the request in S185 (S188).

When the process of S188 is completed, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 uninstalls the target application from the image forming apparatus 30 (S189).

When the installation execution unit 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the PKG format file transmitted in S188, it installs the target application using the received PKG format file (S190). Here, the installation execution unit 28a applies the setting values indicated in the application setting data included in the PKG format file.

After the process of S190, the installation execution unit 28a stores the remaining memory amount after installing the target application in S190 in the application ownership device determination information 27i (S191).

After the process of S191, the application execution unit 28d executes the target application (S192).

After the process of S192, the installation execution unit 28a increases the number of times the target application has been used by one in the application ownership device determination information 27i (S193).

After the process of S193, when the setting value of the target application is changed, the application execution unit 28d executes Manifest. of the target application. Setting values in the application setting data included in the MF are changed (S194). The process of S194 is executed every time the setting value of the target application is changed.

When the execution of the target application is completed after the process of S194, the installation execution unit 28a executes an application-owning optimal device determination process to determine the image forming apparatus that should own the target application (S195).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the application ownership optimal device determination process shown in FIGS. 13 to 15.

As shown in FIG. 17, the installation execution unit 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether the remaining memory amount associated with the target application in the application ownership determination information 27i is below a specific threshold. (S221).

If the installation execution unit 28a determines in S221 that the remaining memory amount associated with the target application in the application ownership device determination information 27i is not less than a specific threshold, the installation execution unit 28a determines that the number of times the application has been used is transmitted in S188. That is, the number of times the application is used on the transfer source image forming apparatus for the target application is the number of times the application is used that is associated with the target application in the application ownership determination information 27i, that is, the number of times the application is used by the transferee for the target application. (S222).

If the installation execution unit 28a determines in S222 that the number of times the application has been used at the transferee is not greater than the number of times the application has been used at the receiver, the installation execution unit 28a determines the image forming apparatus 20 of the transferee as the image forming apparatus that should own the target application. (S223), and the operation shown in FIG. 17 ends.

The installation execution unit 28a determines in S221 that the remaining memory amount associated with the target application in the application ownership determination information 27i is below a specific threshold, or the number of times the application has been used by the transferee is If it is determined in S222 that the number of times the application has been used exceeds the number of times the application has been used at the recipient, the image forming apparatus of the recipient is determined as the image forming apparatus that should own the target application (S224), and the operation shown in FIG. 17 ends.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, after the process of S195, if the installation execution unit 28a determines in the process of S195 that the transfer source image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus that should own the target application, the installation execution unit 28a performs the process of S187. Similar to the process, the target application is packaged into a PKG format file that can be installed on the image forming apparatus (S196).

After the process of S196, the file transmitting unit 28e sends the PKG format file packaged in S196 and the number of times of application usage associated with the target application in the application ownership determination information 27i to the image forming device. 30 (S197).

When the process of S197 is completed, the installation execution unit 28a uninstalls the target application from the image forming apparatus 20 (S198).

When the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the PKG format file transmitted in S197, it installs the target application using the received PKG format file (S199). Here, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 applies the setting values indicated in the application setting data included in the PKG format file.

After the process of S199, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 stores the remaining memory amount after installing the target application in S199 in the application ownership determination information of the image forming apparatus 30 (S200).

When the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines in S186 that the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 is not included in the ACD file, the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 issues a request for an activation key for the image forming apparatus 20 to the target application as an image. The forming device 20 is notified (S201).

Therefore, the activation execution unit 28b of the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the target application of a request for an activation key for the image forming apparatus 20 via the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 (S202).

Therefore, the user can input the activation key requested in S202 via the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20. Note that if the user is not the developer 80, the user obtains an activation key from the developer 80.

When the activation key is input after the process of S202, the activation execution unit 28b of the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the input activation key and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 itself to the image forming apparatus 30. Notify (S203).

Upon receiving the notification in S203, the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines whether the activation key notified in S203 is appropriate (S204). Here, the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 notifies the information generated in accordance with a specific rule based on the application ID of the target application and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 notified in S203 in S203. If the activation key matches the received activation key, it is determined that the activation key notified in S203 is appropriate. On the other hand, the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 is notified in S203 of information generated according to a specific rule based on the application ID of the target application and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 notified in S203. If the activation key does not match the received activation key, it is determined that the activation key notified in S203 is not appropriate.

When the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines in S204 that the activation key notified in S203 is appropriate, it writes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 into the ACD file of the target application (S205). Here, the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 also increases the value of the number of machines in the ACD file of the target application by one.

After the process in S205, processes in S187 to S200 are executed.

If the activation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines in S204 that the activation key notified in S203 is not appropriate, it notifies the image forming apparatus 20 that the target application cannot be executed (S206). ).

Therefore, the activation execution unit 28b of the image forming apparatus 20 notifies via the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 that the target application cannot be executed (S207). Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 20 can recognize that the target application cannot be executed on the image forming apparatus 20.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to uninstall an application will be described. Note that a case will be described in which the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to uninstall an application, but a case in which the user instructs the uninstallation of an application to an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 20 The same applies to

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system 10 when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to uninstall an application.

In FIG. 18, an image forming apparatus 30 is depicted as an example of an image forming apparatus in the image forming system 10 other than the image forming apparatus 20. Note that all image forming apparatuses in the image forming system 10 other than the image forming apparatus 20 operate in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 30.

The user can, for example, instruct the image forming apparatus 20 to uninstall the application via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20.

When receiving the instruction to uninstall an application, the installation execution unit 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 uninstalls the target application from the image forming apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 18 (S261).

After the process of S261, the installation execution unit 28a deletes the icon of the target application from the icon storage folder 27e (S262).

After the process of S262, the installation execution unit 28a deletes information regarding the target application from the application ownership device information 27g and the application ownership device determination information 27i (S263).

After the process of S263, the installation execution unit 28a notifies all image forming apparatuses connected by grid computing that the target application has been uninstalled (S264). This notification includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20, and the application ID and icon ID of the target application.

Upon receiving the notification in S264, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 deletes the icon to which the icon ID notified in S264 is attached, that is, the icon of the target application, from the icon storage folder of the image forming apparatus 30 ( S265).

After the process of S265, the installation execution unit of the image forming apparatus 30 deletes the information regarding the target application from the application owning device information and the application owning device determination information of the image forming apparatus 30 (S266).

As described above, when the execution of an application ends in the image forming apparatus, the image forming system 10 sets specific conditions regarding the use of the application between the image forming apparatus and the transfer source of the application. Since the person who satisfies the requirements is allowed to own this application (S221 to S224), frequent installation of the application can be reduced, and as a result, the performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

When execution of an application ends in the image forming apparatus, the image forming system 10 determines whether the application is used the most frequently, that is, has been used the most times, among the image forming apparatus and the transfer source of the application. Since the image forming apparatus owns this application, the frequent installation of the application can be effectively reduced, and as a result, the performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the image forming system 10 determines the image forming apparatus to which the application is to be owned based on the number of times the application is used. However, when determining an image forming apparatus to own an application, the image forming system 10 may use the frequency of use of the application other than the number of times the application is used instead of the number of times the application is used.

When determining which image forming apparatus owns the application, the image forming system 10 may use the date and time of last use of the application instead of the frequency of use of the application. That is, the image forming system 10 may allow the image forming apparatus with the latest date and time of last use of the application to own this application.

When an application is transferred from an image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus, the image forming system 10 transfers the setting values notified from the transfer source image forming apparatus to the transfer destination image forming apparatus. Since it is applied to this application in the previous image forming apparatus (S190, S199), even if the application is transferred, the setting values of the application can be inherited, and usability can be improved.

The image forming system 10 activates the application on the image forming apparatus for which the serial number is not included in the application by using the activation key (S154). Therefore, an application installed on any image forming device can be used only on the authorized image forming device.

The image forming system 10 operates this application on the image forming apparatus whose serial number is included in the application, even if the activation of this application is not performed using the activation key (S150 and S192), convenience can be improved.

When activation of the application using the activation key is executed for the image forming apparatus (S154 and S204), the image forming system 10 includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus in the application (S155 and S205). Therefore, for an image forming apparatus that has been activated once using an activation key, this application will operate even if activation for this application is not performed again using the activation key, improving convenience. be able to.

In the image forming system 10, since the image forming apparatus stores an icon of an application owned by another image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus owning this application (S144 to S148), the icon of the application When displaying the application icon (S166), there is no need to access another image forming apparatus, so the time required to display the application icon can be shortened.

10 Image forming system 20 Image forming apparatus 27a Application control program 27c Application 27f Icon 28a Installation execution section 28e File transmission section 30, 40, 50 Image forming apparatus 70 File

Claims (8)

An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
The image forming apparatus receives an application owned by another image forming apparatus, and acquires usage information indicating information regarding the use of this application in the image forming apparatus that is the transfer source of the application from the transfer source. death,
When the execution of the application ends, the image forming apparatus transfers from the transfer source either the image forming apparatus itself or the transfer source of this application, whichever satisfies a specific condition regarding the use of this application. The image forming system is characterized in that the application is transferred to the transfer source when the transfer source satisfies the specific condition based on the acquired usage information. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the specific condition includes a condition that the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus that uses the application most frequently. When the image forming apparatus transfers the application to another image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus also notifies the transfer destination image forming apparatus of setting values of the application;
When the application is transferred from another image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus that is the transfer destination applies the setting value notified from the image forming apparatus that is the transfer source of this application to this application. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The application includes identification information of the image forming apparatus that is permitted to operate the application itself,
The image forming system activates the application for the image forming apparatus for which the identification information is not included in the application, using an activation key that is information for activating the application. to run this application on this image forming device,
The image forming system operates the application on the image forming apparatus in which the identification information is included in the application, even if activation of this application is not performed using the activation key. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The image forming system includes the identification information of the image forming apparatus in the application when activation of the application using the activation key is performed on the image forming apparatus. Item 4. The image forming system according to item 4. The image forming apparatus includes:
an icon of the application owned by another image forming apparatus;
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image forming apparatus that owns this application is stored. An image forming apparatus including an installation execution unit that installs an application, the image forming apparatus comprising:
The image forming apparatus including the installation execution unit includes a file transmitting unit that transmits a file for installing the application owned by the image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus,
The file transmitting unit transmits the file to the image forming apparatus that requested the file when the file is requested from another image forming apparatus,
The installation execution unit uninstalls the application from the image forming apparatus when the file transmission unit included in the image forming apparatus including the installation execution unit itself transmits the file of the application;
When the installation execution unit requests the file from another image forming apparatus, the installation execution unit installs the application using the file sent from the image forming apparatus, thereby installing the application. causing the image forming apparatus including the execution unit itself to own the file, and acquiring usage information indicating information regarding the use of this application in the image forming apparatus that is the source of the file of this application from the source;
When execution of the application ends, the file transmission unit determines specific conditions regarding use of this application among the image forming apparatus including the file transmission unit itself and the transmission source of the file of this application. An image characterized in that the file of this application is sent to the sender when the sender satisfies the specific condition, and the file is sent to the sender when the sender satisfies the specific condition. Forming device. An application control program that causes an image forming apparatus to implement an installation execution unit that installs an application,
The application control program causes the image forming apparatus that implements the installation execution unit to include a file transmitting unit that transmits a file for installing the application owned by the image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus. Make it happen,
The file transmitting unit transmits the file to the image forming apparatus that requested the file when the file is requested from another image forming apparatus,
The installation execution unit uninstalls the application from the image forming apparatus when the file transmission unit implemented in the image forming apparatus that implements the installation execution unit itself transmits the file of the application. ,
When the installation execution unit requests the file from another image forming apparatus, the installation execution unit installs the application using the file sent from the image forming apparatus, thereby installing the application. causing the image forming apparatus that implements the execution unit to own the file, and acquiring usage information indicating information regarding the use of this application in the image forming apparatus that is the source of the file of this application from the source;
When execution of the application ends, the file transmission section selects a specific information regarding the use of this application from among the image forming apparatus that realizes the file transmission section itself and the transmission source of the file of this application. It is characterized by determining which one satisfies the condition based on the usage information acquired from the transmission source, and transmitting the file of this application to the transmission source when the transmission source satisfies the specific condition. App control program.

Images