Information processing system, program product, and information processing method

Abstract

Provided are an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method, the information processing system being provided with a processor that performs a process of updating a program for controlling the operation of the system when the system is not connected to the Internet and when the program for controlling the operation of the system is not updated before a set deadline. Control for prohibiting the use of the system is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method. The present invention can also be applied to a program and a program product. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, there is described an image processing apparatus that downloads and operates a file in which a serial ID number of a device is respectively embedded in the file itself of firmware to be downloaded, so that only a registered user or a specified user cannot operate the file.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-235791

[0004] It is desired to prohibit the use of an information processing system whose location is unknown or an information processing system occupied in a form not desired by the owner, etc., but when these information processing systems are not connected to the Internet, it is impossible to prohibit the use by remote operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method that can prohibit use even when not connected to the Internet.

[0006] The information processing system according to the first aspect includes a processor that performs the following processing: when the program for controlling the operation of the present system has not been updated before the set deadline in the case where the present system is not connected to the Internet, perform control to prohibit the use of the present system.

[0007] The information processing system according to the second aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, and the processor performs the following processing: in the case where the program for operating the present system has not been updated within the set period, when the manufacturing date of the consumable loaded satisfies the set conditions, prohibit the use of the present system.

[0008] The information processing system according to the third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, and the condition is that the manufacturing date of the consumable is later than the provision date of the program.

[0009] The information processing system according to the fourth aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, and the condition is that the manufacturing date of the consumable is later than the shipping date of the present system.

[0010] The information processing system according to the fifth aspect is the information processing system according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and the processor performs the following processing: when the program is updated, in the case where the individual identification number of the system that prohibits the operation included in the program is the same as the individual identification number of the present system, prohibit the use of the present system.

[0011] In the information processing system according to the sixth mode, in the information processing system according to the fifth mode, the processor performs the following processing: when the present system is connected to the Internet, it connects to the management server and updates the program.

[0012] In the information processing system according to the seventh mode, in the information processing system according to any one of the first to sixth modes, the processor performs the following processing: when the use of the present system is prohibited, at the same time, the consumables mounted on the present system cannot be used in the present system and systems other than the present system.

[0013] In the information processing system according to the eighth mode, in the information processing system according to the seventh mode, the processor performs the following processing: in order to make the consumables unusable, the identifier indicating prohibition of use stored in the storage unit included in the consumables is set to prohibited.

[0014] The program product according to the ninth mode records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0015] When the present system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the present system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of the present system.

[0016] The information processing method according to the tenth mode includes the following steps: when the present system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the present system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of the present system.

[0017] Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the information processing system according to the first mode, it is possible to prohibit use even when not connected to the Internet.

[0019] According to the information processing system according to the second mode, it is possible to prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date satisfies the set conditions.

[0020] According to the information processing system according to the third mode, it is possible to prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date is later than the program supply date.

[0021] According to the information processing system according to the fourth mode, it is possible to prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date is later than the shipment date of the present system.

[0022] According to the information processing system according to the fifth mode, it is possible to prohibit the use of an information processing system with an individual identification number set to operation prohibition.

[0023] According to the information processing system according to the sixth mode, when the information processing system is connected to the Internet, it is possible to force an update of the program.

[0024] According to the information processing system of the seventh mode, it is possible to prevent the consumables mounted on the information processing system where the operation is prohibited from being used.

[0025] According to the information processing system of the eighth mode, it is possible to prevent the consumables from being used by using the identifier stored in the storage unit provided in the consumables.

[0026] According to the program product of the ninth mode, it is possible to prohibit the use even when not connected to the Internet.

[0027] According to the information processing method of the tenth mode, it is possible to prohibit the use even when not connected to the Internet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 FIG. is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 FIG. is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of consumables of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of the structure of firmware;

[0034] Figure 6 FIG. is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow at the time of operation determination in an image forming apparatus;

[0035] Figure 7 FIG. is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow at the time of firmware program update in an image forming apparatus.

[0036] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0037] 10 - Image forming apparatus, 11 - CPU, 12 - RAM, 13 - Storage device, 14 - Communication interface, 15 - User interface device, 16 - Scanner, 17 - Printing engine, 18 - Control bus, 20 - User terminal, 30 - Management server, 40 - Internet, 45 - Local area network, 51 - Control unit, 52 - Operation input unit, 53 - Display unit, 54 - Data transceiver unit, 55 - Authentication unit, 56 - Storage unit, 57 - Image reading unit, 58 - Image output unit, 61 - Drum cartridge, 61a - Storage unit, 62 - Toner cartridge, 62a - Storage unit. Detailed implementation mode

[0038] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a mode example for implementing the technology of the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment.

[0039] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming system of the present embodiment is composed of an image forming apparatus 10, a user terminal 20, and a management server 30.

[0040] The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multi-function machine having multiple functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing system in the technology of the present invention.

[0041] The user terminal 20 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the local area network 45 and is a terminal for using the functions of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0042] The management server 30 is a server for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 or / and supplying a firmware program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The firmware program is an example of a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The management server 30 is connected to the local area network 45 via the Internet 40.

[0043] Next, Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the data processing system of the present embodiment.

[0044] As Figure 2 shown, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF.) 14, a user interface (abbreviated as UI.) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 16, and a printing engine 17. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

[0045] The communication IF14 transmits and receives data to and from external devices etc. via the Internet 40. The UI device 15 accepts input of instructions from the user. The scanner 16 reads the original document loaded into the image forming apparatus 10 as image data. The printing engine 17 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing.

[0046] The CPU 11 is a processor that executes prescribed processing according to the firmware program stored in the RAM 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 has been described as a processor that reads and executes the firmware program stored in the RAM 12 or the storage device 13, but it is not limited thereto. This firmware program may also be provided in a manner recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, it may be provided in a manner recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc) - ROM (Read Only Memory) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) - ROM, or in a manner recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and a memory card. Also, this firmware program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14.

[0047] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the above firmware program.

[0048] As Figure 3 shown, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 51, an operation input unit 52, a display unit 53, a data transceiver unit 54, an authentication unit 55, a storage unit 56, an image reading unit 57, and an image output unit 58.

[0049] The control unit 51 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and according to the input of instructions from the user, controls the reading of the original image by the image reading unit 57, the control of outputting print data from the image output unit 58, etc.

[0050] The operation input unit 52 inputs information on various operations performed by the user. The display unit 53 is controlled by the control unit 51 and displays various information to the user. The data transceiver unit 54 transceives data between external devices such as the user terminal 20. The authentication unit 55 performs authentication processing on users attempting to use the image forming apparatus 10.

[0051] The storage unit 56 stores data such as firmware. The image reading unit 57 reads a document image from the loaded document according to the control by the control unit 51. The image output unit 58 outputs an image to a recording medium such as printing paper according to the control by the control unit 51.

[0052] From the perspective of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 10, there are the following requirements: It is desired to prohibit the use of the image forming apparatus 10 whose location is unknown or the image forming apparatus 10 occupied in a form not desired by the administrator. When the image forming apparatus 10 whose operation is to be prohibited is connected to the Internet 40, the use of the image forming apparatus 10 can be prohibited by remote operation from the management server 30. However, when the image forming apparatus 10 whose operation is to be prohibited is not connected to the Internet 40, the use of the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be prohibited by remote operation from the management server 30.

[0053] To eliminate this problem, the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs the following control: When the image forming apparatus 10 is not connected to the Internet 40 and the firmware program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 has not been updated before the set deadline, the use of the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited.

[0054] The firmware program can be upgraded in version at regular intervals such as every month or every six months. The properly used image forming apparatus 10 is usually connected to the management server 30 via the Internet 40. When the firmware program is updated, a new firmware program is downloaded from the management server 30 and updated to the latest firmware program.

[0055] However, the image forming apparatus 10 that is not connected to the Internet 40 and is misused may not update the firmware program regularly. Therefore, by prohibiting the use of the image forming apparatus 10 whose firmware program has not been updated before the set deadline, the misuse of the image forming apparatus 10 can be prevented.

[0056] Here, for the "set deadline", any deadline can be set as long as it can estimate the degree of misuse of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0057] For example, in the case of regularly updating the firmware program, the deadline can be set as the time after a period with a certain margin during the regular update period based on the previous update date of the firmware program. Specifically, in the case of regularly updating the firmware program every month, the date two months later can be set as the deadline based on the previous update date of the firmware program.

[0058] Further, regardless of whether there is a regular update of the firmware program, when it is predicted that the firmware program will be updated at least once within a specified period, the period after a period with a certain margin within the specified period can be set as the deadline based on the previous update date of the firmware program. Specifically, when it is predicted that the firmware program will be updated at least once every six months, the date eight months later can be set as the deadline based on the previous update date of the firmware program.

[0059] Also, regarding the "control to prohibit the use of the image forming apparatus 10", as long as it is a control that makes the image forming apparatus 10 unusable by the user, it can be any content. For example, it can be set as a control to prohibit the startup of the image forming apparatus 10, or it can be set as a control that does not accept the user's operation even if the image forming apparatus 10 is started.

[0060] In the present embodiment, when the firmware program for operating the image forming apparatus 10 is not updated within the set period, and when the manufacturing date of the consumables mounted satisfies the set conditions, the control unit 51 can prohibit the use of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0061] In addition, the consumables mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 refer to, for example, a drum cartridge or a toner cartridge for the print engine 17.

[0062] Here, the conditions can be set, for example, such that the manufacturing date (e.g., batch) of the consumables is later than the provision date of the firmware program, or the manufacturing date (e.g., batch) of the consumables is later than the shipment date of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0063] Further, when the firmware program is updated, when the individual identification number of the image forming apparatus that prohibits the operations included in the firmware program is the same as the individual identification number of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 51 can also prohibit the use of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0064] At this time, when the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the Internet 40, the control unit 51 can connect to the management server 30 to update the firmware program.

[0065] Specifically, as Figure 4 shown, the manager can list the individual identification numbers of the image forming apparatuses suspected of improper use as a use prohibition list and include them in the firmware program.

[0066] When the firmware program is updated, when the individual identification number included in the use prohibition list included in the firmware program is the same as the individual identification number of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 51 prohibits the use of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0067] Also, when the use of the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited, the control unit 51 can simultaneously make the consumables mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 unusable in the image forming apparatus 10 and other apparatuses.

[0068] At this time, in order to make the consumables unusable, the control unit 51 only needs to set the identifier indicating prohibition of use stored in the storage unit provided in the consumables to prohibited.

[0069] Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, in the print engine 17 of the image forming apparatus 10, a drum cartridge 61 and a toner cartridge 62 are used as consumables. The drum cartridge 61 includes a storage unit 61a that stores an identifier indicating prohibition of use. Similarly, the toner cartridge 62 includes a storage unit 62a that stores an identifier indicating prohibition of use.

[0070] When the identifier is set to a state indicating prohibition of use, the drum cartridge 61 and the toner cartridge 62 cannot be used in similar apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 10.

[0071] When the use of the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited, the control unit 51 only needs to set the identifier stored in the storage unit 61a of the drum cartridge 61 and the identifier stored in the storage unit 62a of the toner cartridge 62 to a state indicating prohibition of use.

[0072] Next, with reference to Figure 6 the flowchart, the processing flow at the time of action determination in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0073] In step S11, the control unit 51 determines whether the firmware program has not been updated before the set deadline.

[0074] In step S11, when it is determined that the firmware program has been updated before the set deadline, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "no", the control unit 51 ends the action determination process.

[0075] In step S11, when it is determined that the firmware program has not been updated before the set deadline, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "yes", the control unit 51 determines in step S12 whether the lot number of the consumables satisfies the condition. Here, as an example, it is determined whether the lot number of the consumables is later than the provision date of the firmware program.

[0076] In step S12, when it is determined that the lot number of the consumables is not later than the provision date of the firmware program, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "no", the control unit 51 ends the action determination process.

[0077] In step S12, when it is determined that the batch of the consumable is later than the provision period of the firmware program, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "yes", in step S13, the control unit 51 performs a prohibition process on the use of the image forming apparatus 10. Then, in step S14, a prohibition process on the use of the consumable is performed, and the operation determination process ends.

[0078] Next, with reference to Figure 7 the flowchart of, the process flow during the version upgrade of the firmware program in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0079] In step S21, the control unit 51 starts the version upgrade of the firmware program.

[0080] Next, in step S22, the control unit 51 determines whether the image forming apparatus 10 is an individual registered in the use prohibition list included in the firmware program.

[0081] In step S22, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 10 is an individual registered in the use prohibition list, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "yes", the control unit 51 stops the version upgrade process of the firmware program. In step S23, a prohibition process on the use of the image forming apparatus 10 is performed. Then, in step S24, a prohibition process on the use of the consumable is performed, and the version upgrade process of the firmware program ends.

[0082] In step S22, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus 10 is not an individual registered in the use prohibition list, that is, when it is determined that the determination result is "no", the control unit 51 continues the version upgrade process of the firmware program in step S25. If the version upgrade process of the firmware program is completed, the process ends.

[0083] [Modification Example]

[0084] As described above, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU: Central Processing Unit (central processing unit), etc.), a dedicated processor (such as a GPU: Graphics Processing Unit (graphics processor), an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array (field programmable gate array), a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0086] Moreover, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments can be executed not only by one processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate positions in cooperation. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and can be changed as appropriate.

[0087] Moreover, the operations of the processor in the above embodiments can be executed not only by one processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate positions in cooperation. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and can be changed as appropriate.

[0088] Moreover, in the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it can also be applied to various information processing systems such as scanners.

[0089] [Supplementary Note]

[0090] Regarding the above embodiments, the following supplementary note is also disclosed. (1)

[0092] An information processing system including a processor,

[0093] wherein the processor performs the following processing:

[0094] When the system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the system has not been updated before the set deadline, control to prohibit the use of the system is performed. (2)

[0096] The information processing system according to (1), wherein

[0097] the processor performs the following processing:

[0098] When the program for operating the system has not been updated within the set period and the manufacturing date of the consumables installed satisfies the set conditions, the use of the system is prohibited. (3)

[0100] The information processing system according to (2), wherein

[0101] the condition is that the manufacturing date of the consumables is later than the provision date of the program. (4)

[0103] The information processing system according to (2), wherein

[0104] The condition is that the manufacturing period of the consumable is later than the shipping period of this system. (5)

[0106] The information processing system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

[0107] The processor performs the following processing:

[0108] When the program is updated, if the individual identification number of the system that prohibits the actions included in the program is the same as the individual identification number of this system, the use of this system is prohibited. (6)

[0110] The information processing system according to (5), wherein

[0111] The processor performs the following processing:

[0112] When this system is connected to the Internet, it connects to the management server to update the program. (7)

[0114] The information processing system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

[0115] The processor performs the following processing:

[0116] When the use of this system is prohibited, at the same time, the consumables mounted on this system cannot be used in this system and systems other than this system. (8)

[0118] The information processing system according to (7), wherein

[0119] The processor performs the following processing:

[0120] In order to make the consumable unusable, the identifier indicating prohibition of use stored in the storage unit provided in the consumable is set to prohibited. (9)

[0122] A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0123] When this system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of this system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of this system.

[0124] Hereinafter, the effects of the structure based on the appended note will be described.

[0125] With the information processing system according to (1), it is possible to prohibit use even when not connected to the Internet.

[0126] The information processing system according to (2) can prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date meets the set conditions.

[0127] The information processing system according to (3) can prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date is later than the program's provision date.

[0128] The information processing system according to (4) can prohibit the use of an information processing system equipped with consumables whose manufacturing date is later than the shipment date of this system.

[0129] The information processing system according to (5) can prohibit the use of an information processing system with an individual identification number set to prohibit operation.

[0130] The information processing system according to (6) can force the update of the program when the information processing system is connected to the Internet.

[0131] The information processing system according to (7) can make the consumables installed in the information processing system whose operation is prohibited unusable.

[0132] The information processing system according to (8) can use the identifier stored in the storage unit of the consumables to make the consumables unusable.

[0133] According to the program of (9), it can be prohibited from being used even when not connected to the Internet.

[0134] The above embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not comprehensively and exhaustively cover the present invention and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed manner. Obviously, various modifications and variations are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. This embodiment is selected and described to most easily illustrate the principles of the present invention and its applications. Thus, other technicians in this technical field can understand the present invention through various modified examples optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising a processor, The processor performs the following processing: When the system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of the system.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein The processor performs the following processing: When the program for operating the system has not been updated within the set period and the manufacturing date of the consumables installed meets the set conditions, prohibit the use of the system.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein The condition is that the manufacturing date of the consumables is later than the provision date of the program.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein The condition is that the manufacturing date of the consumables is later than the shipping date of the system.

5. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The processor performs the following processing: When the program is updated, if the individual identification number of the system that prohibits the actions included in the program is the same as the individual identification number of this system, prohibit the use of this system.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein The processor performs the following processing: When the system is connected to the Internet, connect to the management server to update the program.

7. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The processor performs the following processing: When prohibiting the use of the system, simultaneously make the consumables installed in this system unusable in this system and other systems.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein The processor performs the following processing: In order to make the consumables unusable, set the identifier indicating prohibition of use stored in the storage unit provided in the consumables to prohibited.

9. A program product, recording a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: When the system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of the system.

10. An information processing method, comprising the following steps: When the system is not connected to the Internet and the program for controlling the operation of the system has not been updated before the set deadline, perform control to prohibit the use of the system.

Images