Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, which can restrain starting of an application endowed with a trial period. According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application to which a trial period has been assigned. The processor stops the initial automatic start-up of the application that has been endowed with the trial period accompanying the start-up of the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Image forming devices such as digital multifunction printers sometimes install firmware bundled with application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications) during the manufacturing process. The firmware installed during the manufacturing process is called SYSROM, for example. Applications bundled with SYSROM include types that are started by user operation (manual start) and types that are started without user operation (automatic start). In addition, applications bundled with SYSROM sometimes have a trial period (trial period) that can be used free of charge. Applications that are set with a trial period create a trial license at the time of initial startup and start the countdown for the trial (trial) period.

[0003] On the other hand, after manufacturing, information processing devices such as digital multifunction machines are sometimes provided to users after being set up by operators with specialized knowledge. During the operator's setting, applications bundled with SYSROM are installed in the device, and automatically started applications are started. Therefore, if a trial period is set for the automatically started application, a trial license is issued during the operator's setting. In this case, there is a problem that the time interval from the operator's setting to the user's start of use of the application's trial period is substantially shortened. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing activation of an application to which a trial period is granted.

[0006] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0007] According to an embodiment, an information processing device includes a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application program that is given a trial period. The processor stops the initial automatic startup of the application program that is given a trial period when the information processing device is activated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining an example of a process until the image forming apparatus as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is provided to a user.

[0010] Figure 3This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of installing firmware in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of installing an application in the normal activation mode after unpacking in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of management information used for the image forming apparatus management application according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation of checking the activation of an application in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation when activating an application set to be manually activated in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0015] Description of Reference Numerals

[0016] 1…digital multifunction peripheral (information processing device, image forming device), 11…system control unit, 12…input device, 13…display device, 14…scanner, 15…printer, 21…processor, 22…ROM, 23…RAM, 24…storage unit, 25…communication interface, 26…input interface, 27…display interface, 28…scanner interface, 29…printer interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] In the following embodiment, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) is described as an example of an image forming apparatus which is an information processing apparatus.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 1 as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the multifunction peripheral 1 includes a system control unit 11 , an input device 12 , a display device 13 , a scanner 14 , a printer 15 , and the like.

[0021] The input device 12 is a device for inputting operation instructions, etc. The input device 12 supplies a signal indicating the contents of the input instruction to the system control unit 11 .

[0022] The display device 13 is a device that displays an image. The display device 13 displays an image in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 11. The input device 12 and the display device 13 are constituted by, for example, a display device with a touch panel.

[0023] The scanner 14 scans the manuscript placed on the manuscript table to obtain an image of the manuscript. For example, the scanner 14 has a light emitter and a photoelectric converter. The light emitter emits light to the manuscript surface arranged on the manuscript table. The photoelectric converter has a light receiving element (CCD image sensor, etc.) that receives light from the manuscript surface and converts it into electronic data.

[0024] The printer 15 is an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium. The printer 15 forms an image on the sheet according to an instruction from the system control unit 11. The image forming method of the printer 15 is not limited to a specific method, and may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal transfer method.

[0025] The system control unit 11 performs various information processing or controls the operation of each unit in a centralized manner. Figure 1 In the illustrated configuration example, the system control unit 11 includes a processor 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a communication interface (I / F) 25, an input interface (I / F) 26, a display interface (I / F) 27, a scanner IF 28, and a printer IF 29.

[0026] The processor 21 performs various information processing or controls the operation of each unit in a centralized manner. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 21 implements various processing by executing programs stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 .

[0027] The ROM 22 is a nonvolatile memory. The ROM 22 stores a program for the system control unit 11 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to operate as an information processing device. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory. The RAM 23 functions as a working memory for temporarily storing data. The ROM 22 stores firmware that operates on an operating system (OS).

[0028] Data is written to the ROM 22 during the manufacturing process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, for example, at a manufacturing plant. In the present embodiment, during the manufacturing process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, firmware bundled with an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) is stored in the ROM 22. The application bundled with the firmware stored in the ROM 22 is installed in the storage unit 24 during normal startup after unpacking and setting, which will be described later.

[0029] The storage unit 24 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 24 is composed of a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 24 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 24 stores application programs installed by the operation of the processor 21. In addition, the storage unit 24 stores management information of the application programs.

[0030] The communication interface 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device. For example, the processor 21 may output image data obtained by a process described later to the external device via the communication interface 25.

[0031] The input interface 26 is an interface for connecting to the input device 12. The display interface 27 is an interface for connecting to the display device 13. The scanner interface 28 is an interface for connecting to the scanner 14. The printer interface 29 is an interface for connecting to the printer 15.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the process until the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is provided (delivered) to the user.

[0033] The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is an information processing device that needs to be set up by an operator with specialized knowledge after manufacture. Figure 2 In the example shown, the digital multifunction machine 1 is manufactured in a manufacturing plant according to pre-specified specifications. For example, the digital multifunction machine 1 installs firmware bundled with applications in a ROM as a system memory during the manufacturing process. The digital multifunction machine 1 is packaged after being manufactured in the manufacturing plant and transported to a center set up in a region or the like of a shipping destination.

[0034] The digital multifunction machine 1 is set up (unpacking and setting up) before delivery to the user by an operator with specialized knowledge in a setting center. The unpacking and setting up is not performed by the actual user, but by an operator with specialized knowledge. After the unpacking and setting up is completed, the digital multifunction machine 1 is transported from the setting center to the user and set up at the setting location specified by the user.

[0035] It should be noted that the unpacking and setting are not limited to being implemented in the setting center. The unpacking and setting can be implemented at any time point before the user starts to use the digital multifunction machine 1. The digital multifunction machine 1 as an information processing device is based on the premise that there will be a time interval between the completion of the unpacking and setting and the actual start of the user's use. In the embodiment described below, it is assumed that the digital multifunction machine 1 is provided to the user after the unpacking and setting are implemented by an operator with specialized knowledge in the setting center.

[0036] Next, the operation of installing firmware bundled with an application in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing device according to the embodiment in the manufacturing process will be described.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of installing firmware bundled with an application in the multifunction peripheral 1 as an information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0038] In the manufacturing process in the manufacturing plant, in the digital multifunction machine 1, the firmware bundled with the application is installed in the system memory such as the ROM 22 (ACT 11). For example, the firmware bundled with the data file of the application is written into the ROM 22 of the system control unit 11 mounted on the digital multifunction machine 1. Here, the data file of the application stores data for installing the application in the storage device such as the storage unit 24.

[0039] In the digital multifunction machine 1, when installing the firmware bundled with the application, the packaging mode indicating the state of packaging for shipment is turned on (ON), and the unpacking flag is turned on (ACT 12). For example, the processor 21 of the system control unit 11 in the digital multifunction machine 1 sets the packaging mode to ON, and sets the unpacking flag to ON in the storage unit 24. In this state, the digital multifunction machine 1 is packaged. Thus, the digital multifunction machine 1 with the firmware bundled with the application installed is transported to the installation center in the state where the packaging mode is set to ON and the unpacking flag is turned on.

[0040] Next, the installation operation of the application in the normal activation mode after unpacking in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of installing an application in the normal activation mode after unpacking in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the embodiment.

[0042] The digital multifunction machine 1 manufactured in the manufacturing plant is installed with firmware and is transported to the installation center in a state where the packaging mode is turned on and the unpacking flag is turned on. At the installation center, when the unpacked digital multifunction machine 1 is started, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction machine 1 is started in the packaging mode to perform the unpacking setting.

[0043] When the unpacking setting is completed, the packaging mode is turned off, and the digital multifunction machine 1 is started in the normal startup mode (normal startup) (ACT 21). In the case of normal startup, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction machine 1 determines whether it is the normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is set to on (ACT 22). If it is the normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is on, the processor 21 executes the installation of the application (built-in application) bundled with the firmware.

[0044] In the normal startup mode, when the unpacking flag is turned on (ACT 22, yes), the processor 21 determines whether there is a built-in application bundled with the uninstalled firmware (ACT 23). When there is an uninstalled built-in application, the processor 21 performs the installation of the built-in application (ACT 24). For example, the processor 21 extracts the data file of the built-in application bundled with the firmware. The processor 21 installs the application in the storage unit 24 based on the data stored in the data file of the built-in application.

[0045] When installing a built-in application, processor 21 stores management information of the application in storage unit 24. The management information of the application is information for managing setting information of the application, operating status of the application, etc. The user can confirm the management information of the application through the user interface or the like.

[0046] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of management information used by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment to manage applications.

[0047] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, the management information of the application includes information indicating “startup method”, “first startup”, “trial period”, and the like.

[0048] The "startup method" is information indicating the startup method of the application. For example, the "startup method" indicates whether the application is automatically started when the digital multifunction machine 1 is started (system startup) or manually started according to the user's operation instruction. An application whose startup method is automatically started will be started when the digital multifunction machine 1 is started even without the user's startup instruction. In addition, an application whose startup method is manually started will be started according to the user's startup instruction.

[0049] "First launch" is information indicating whether the first launch of the application has not been implemented. For example, an application whose first launch is "Not" indicates that the first launch has not been performed. As management information of the application, not only information indicating whether the first launch has not been implemented can be stored (managed), but also the number of launches can be stored (managed).

[0050] "Trial period" is information indicating whether a trial period (trial period) is granted to the application. As application management information, not only the presence or absence of trial permission can be stored (managed), but also information indicating the period granted as the trial period can be stored (managed).

[0051] When the installation of a built-in application is completed, the processor 21 performs a startup check process of the installed application (ACT 25). In the startup check process, the processor 21 performs a process of suppressing the initial startup of the application that has been assigned a trial period (trial period). For example, the processor 21 changes the startup method of the trial application from automatic startup to manual startup based on user operation. The startup check process will be described in detail later.

[0052] When the startup check process of the installed application is completed, the process returns to ACT 23, and the processor 21 confirms whether there is an uninstalled built-in application. If there is an uninstalled built-in application (ACT 23, yes), the process enters ACT 24, and the processor 21 performs the above process again. In addition, if there is no uninstalled built-in application (ACT 23, no), the processor 21 ends the installation of the built-in application in the normal startup after the unpacking setting.

[0053] Through the above processing, the digital multifunction machine 1 installs the application bundled with the firmware in the normal startup after unpacking and setting. In addition, according to the above-mentioned operation example, the digital multifunction machine 1 performs the startup check processing of the application installed in the normal startup after unpacking and setting. As a result, the digital multifunction machine 1 can suppress the initial startup of the application (trial application) set with a trial period through the startup check processing of the installed application.

[0054] The above-mentioned example of normal startup after unpacking and setting is an example of the operation of installing and checking the startup of built-in applications. However, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 may perform other operations than installing and checking the startup of built-in applications in normal startup after unpacking and setting.

[0055] Next, a startup check process of an application in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described.

[0056] Figure 6 This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the activation check process of an application in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0057] When the processor 21 receives a startup request for an application, it checks whether it is a startup request based on the system or a startup request based on a user operation (ACT 31). For example, the processor 21 restarts the digital multifunction machine 1 after installing an application in a normal startup after unpacking settings. When the processor 21 restarts the digital multifunction machine 1, it generates a startup request based on the system. When the processor 21 receives a startup request based on a user operation (ACT 31, No), it starts the application specified by the user (ACT 32).

[0058] When the processor 21 receives a startup request for an application accompanying the startup of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (a startup request based on the system) (ACT31, YES), it proceeds to ACT33. That is, when a startup request based on the system is generated, the processor 21 checks whether the startup method of the application is automatic startup or manual startup (ACT33). When the startup method of the application is manual startup (ACT33, NO), the processor 21 must start the application according to the startup request based on the system, and therefore does not start the application (ACT37).

[0059] When the application startup method is automatic startup (ACT 33, YES), the processor 21 determines whether the application is started for the first time (initial startup not yet executed) (ACT 34). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the initial startup is not yet executed or completed based on the management information of the application for which the startup request is received.

[0060] It should be noted that the digital multifunction machine 1 may install an application group that realizes one function by combining multiple different types of applications. For example, the types of applications include applications with a UI (user interface), resident applications, and applications for administrator settings. The application group may be any information indicating the following, which indicates the applications that are combined in the management information of each application.

[0061] The application group that realizes one function by combining multiple applications is checked for the number of startup times of the entire application. For example, if the first application is started up for the first time, the second application combined with the first application is determined to have been started up for the first time.

[0062] When the initial launch of the application is completed (ACT 34, No), the processor 21 launches the application (ACT 32). Even if a trial period is granted, the application that has been launched for the first time has been issued a trial license. Therefore, even if a trial period is granted, the application that has been launched for the first time does not need to be suppressed from launching, and can be launched without restriction for the second time and thereafter.

[0063] When the initial startup of the application is not performed (initial startup is not) (ACT34, No), the processor 21 determines whether a trial period is given to the application (ACT35). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the application is given a trial period based on the management information of the application. When the trial period is not given to the application (ACT35, No), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT32).

[0064] When the trial period is given to the application (ACT 35, YES), the processor 21 changes the startup method in the management information of the application to manual startup (ACT 36). That is, the processor 21 updates the startup method from automatic startup to manual startup in the management information of the application.

[0065] However, the processor 21 may also restore the startup method of the application whose startup method is changed to manual startup by the startup check process to automatic startup after the initial startup. For example, the processor 21 may also add information indicating that the startup method is changed (restored) to automatic startup after the initial startup to the management information of the application changed to automatic startup by the startup check process.

[0066] According to the startup check process described above, the digital multifunction peripheral as an information processing device can stop the initial automatic startup of the trial application. In addition, if the initial startup of the trial application is not implemented, the digital multifunction peripheral can change the startup method from automatic startup to manual startup. Thus, the digital multifunction peripheral can manage the startup method of the application that stops the initial automatic startup as manual startup.

[0067] It should be noted that the startup check process described above is not limited to being executed when the application bundled with the firmware is started after installation. For example, the startup check process described above may also be executed during other startup processes (eg, restarting the digital multifunction peripheral 1 ).

[0068] Next, a description will be given of an application startup operation in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0069] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of a startup process of an application manually started in the multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0070] Assume that the processor 21 receives a start request (manual start) based on a user operation (ACT 41 ). For example, the processor 21 receives a start request for a designated application input by the user using the input device 12 .

[0071] When receiving a start request based on a user operation, processor 21 determines whether the application specified by the user is started for the first time (initial start is not executed) (ACT 42). For example, processor 21 determines whether the initial start is not executed or executed based on the management information of the application for which the start request is received.

[0072] When the application designated by the user has been activated for the first time (ACT 42 , No), the processor 21 activates the application (ACT 47 ).

[0073] If the application designated by the user is not started for the first time (No for the first time) (ACT 42, No), the processor 21 determines whether a trial period is granted to the application (ACT 43). If a trial period is not granted to the application (ACT 43, No), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT 47).

[0074] When a trial period is granted to the application specified by the user (ACT 43, YES), the processor 21 issues a trial license for the application (ACT 44). The trial license is a license that allows the application to be used for a preset period (trial period, trial period) from the current time point as the first startup. For example, as management information of the application, the processor 21 starts a countdown of the remaining period of the trial period from the time point when the trial license is issued.

[0075] When the trial license is issued, the processor 21 determines whether the startup method of the application should be switched to automatic startup (ACT 45). For example, it is assumed that the management information of the application that is changed from automatic startup to manual startup through startup check processing records that the startup method is restored to automatic startup after the first startup. In this case, the processor 21 determines whether information indicating that the startup method is restored to automatic startup after the first startup is recorded in the management information of the application.

[0076] When the processor 21 determines that there is no need to switch to automatic activation (ACT 45 , No), the processor 21 activates the application without changing the activation method (ACT 47 ).

[0077] In addition, when the processor 21 determines that the application should be switched to automatic startup (ACT 45, yes), the processor 21 changes the startup method of the application to automatic startup (ACT 47). The processor 21 updates the startup method from manual startup to automatic startup in the management information of the application. When the startup method of the application is changed to automatic startup, the processor 21 starts the application (ACT 47).

[0078] According to the above-mentioned manual start processing based on user operation, the digital multifunction machine 1 as an information processing device can issue a trial license to an application that is started for the first time. In addition, the digital multifunction machine 1 can restore the start method of an application that changes the start method from automatic start to manual start during installation to automatic start after the first start. As a result, in the digital multifunction machine 1, an application that stops automatic start during the first start can also be set to automatically start after the first start.

[0079] As described above, the digital multifunction machine as an information processing device involved in the embodiment can suppress the automatic start of an application that has not been implemented and has been given a trial period. As a result, the digital multifunction machine can prevent the trial license from being issued through automatic start-up by restarting the application after installation. In addition, the digital multifunction machine can issue a trial license based on the application start-up instruction explicitly indicated by the user. As a result, the digital multifunction machine will not issue a trial license before the user uses it, and it can prevent the trial period from being shortened regardless of the user's intention.

[0080] In addition, the digital multifunction machine as an information processing device involved in the embodiment can change the startup method of the application assigned a trial period from automatic startup to manual startup. As a result, the digital multifunction machine can not only stop the initial automatic startup, but also change the startup method of the application to manual startup and manage it. As a result, it is also possible for the user to confirm through the user interface that the trial application has been changed to manual startup.

[0081] Although several embodiments are described, these embodiments are only presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: a storage unit for storing the application program granted during the trial period; and The processor stops the initial automatic activation of the application program to which the trial period is assigned accompanying activation of the information processing device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The storage unit stores management information including information indicating whether the initial startup of the application program has not been performed. When the information processing device is activated, if the initial activation of the application is not performed according to the management information, the processor stops the automatic activation of the application.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The management information includes information indicating whether the startup method of the application is automatic startup that accompanies startup of the information processing device or manual startup that is started according to a user operation, When the information processing device is activated, if the management information of the application indicates that the initial activation has not been performed, the processor updates the activation method to manual activation.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein: The information processing device further comprises: a system memory storing data files for installing the application together with the firmware, The processor installs the application program in the storage unit based on the data file stored in the system memory together with the firmware.

5. An image forming device, comprising a printer for forming an image on a medium, the image forming device comprising: a storage unit for storing the application program granted during the trial period; and The processor stops the initial automatic activation of the application program to which the trial period is assigned accompanying activation of the image forming apparatus.

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