Program, information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To enable a cooperation-destination application and a cooperation-originator application to operate properly in applications that have a function of cooperating with a different application.SOLUTION: A program is for a first application, and causes a computer that is an information processing device to function as: control means for performing an execution process to execute a second application which is different from the first application and which can operate in cooperation with the first application; and executing means for executing an update process to update the first application based on an input of a user instruction to cause the control means to perform the execution process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Printer-specific software provided by printer vendors (hereinafter referred to as a specific printer driver) is known as software for controlling a printer. Similarly, a technology is known in which an operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) provides a standard printing function (hereinafter referred to as an OS standard printing function) without the need for a specific printer driver. The OS standard printing function runs on a printing system provided by the OS (hereinafter referred to as an OS printing system). One such printing system is the CUPS (registered trademark) (Common UNIX (registered trademark) Printing System) printing system that runs on macOS (registered trademark) by Apple Inc. of the United States.

[0003] Also, as software for controlling a printer, software that provides various functions such as displaying printing and printer status information, performing maintenance functions, and setting up a printer in the form of an application, in addition to printer drivers and standard printing functions of the OS, is also known. The printer status information referred to here is information on errors that have occurred in the printer itself and information on the amount of ink remaining in the printer. The maintenance function is a head cleaning function and a test print function for checking whether the head is clogged. The printer setup function is a function for installing related applications that allow the printer to be used from an information processing device such as a PC, a function for providing information on preparing the printer for operation, a network connection setting function, a print queue registration function, and the like.

[0004] To use an application that controls a printer, it is necessary to select the target printer. For example, to print on a desired printer, the user specifies the printer on the print settings screen. Here, to specify the printer on the print settings screen, the printer queue, which is the printer information, must be registered on the PC beforehand. Also, to register the printer queue on the PC, the printer and PC must be connected, and a communication path must be set, such as setting the printer to be on the same network as the PC or connecting via USB (Universal Serial Bus). Since these settings are not configured on a printer immediately after purchase, there are setup applications that provide a setup function to establish a communication path between the printer and the PC so that the printer can be used from the PC. The setup function mainly establishes a communication path between the printer and the PC and registers the printer queue on the PC. This makes it possible to use the printer's functions such as printing and scanning from the PC.

[0005] There are also portal applications that provide functions such as printing and scanning using a printer from a PC. By executing a setup application from such a portal application, the printer can be set up in the setup application starting from the portal application. Therefore, after the user has set up the printer, they can smoothly start using the printer's functions such as printing and scanning using the portal application.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for downloading a program for executing another application from an originating application and executing the other application from the originating application. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-24505 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As described in the Background Art section, when performing operations in cooperation with different applications, the applications can transfer parameters to each other, thereby enabling the applications to perform the operations in cooperation according to the state and execution result of the applications. In order to transfer parameters and perform operations in cooperation, the applications must have the same cooperation specifications. For example, if the version of the application from which the cooperation originates is old, the cooperation specifications may not be the same, and therefore there is a possibility that there will be a shortage of parameters to be passed when the latest version of the application to be linked is executed, or the parameter specifications may not match. In that case, the application to be linked may not operate as expected. In addition, there is a possibility that the application to be linked may receive unknown parameters from the application to be linked, or the parameter specifications may not match. In that case, the application from which the cooperation originates may not operate as expected.

[0009] In the invention of Patent Document 1, when a function that operates in cooperation with a different application is executed, the cooperation source application is upgraded to execute the cooperation destination application, and the cooperation destination application can be executed when the cooperation source application is executed. However, the cooperation source application is not upgraded when a function that operates in cooperation with a specific application is executed.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable an application having a function for cooperating with a different application to operate appropriately as a cooperating application and a cooperating source application. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the program of the present invention causes a computer of an information processing device to function as a control means for performing an execution process to execute a second application which is a program for a first application and is different from the first application and capable of operating in conjunction with the first application, and an execution means for performing an update process to update the first application based on input of a user instruction to cause the control means to perform the execution process. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, in an application having a function for cooperating with a different application, it becomes possible for the cooperating application and the cooperating source application to operate appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display unit of a portal application in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing application information in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing client information in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing application cooperation processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen of a portal application in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing application cooperation processing in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen of a portal application in the third and fifth embodiments. [Figure 11] 23A and 23B are diagrams showing a link processing failure screen and a link processing success screen in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a linkage option selection screen in the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0015] First Embodiment First, the overall configuration of the printing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, an information processing device 100, which is a host computer, and a printing device 110 are connected via a communication bus 30 (network) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Although only one printing device (printer) is shown in Fig. 1, any number of printers can be connected via the communication bus 30.

[0016] The information processing device 100 is an example of an information processing device. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) is installed in the information processing device 100. An information processing device 120 described later has the same configuration. The information processing device 100 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and has an interface (I / F) unit 17, a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a display unit 14, an input unit 15, and an external storage device 16. The information processing device 100 of this embodiment is not limited to a desktop PC, and may be a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or the like.

[0017] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls each part of the information processing device 100, and executes control programs such as an OS. The ROM 12 controls the system operation by the stored OS. The RAM 13 is a random access memory in which the working area of ​​the CPU 11 is expanded. The external storage device 16 stores various control programs such as applications. The input unit 15 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for operating the information processing device 100. The display unit 14 is a display device that displays information input from the input unit 15 for confirmation, displays a user interface screen of the OS or an application, displays messages, etc. The I / F unit 17 is a communication module that transmits and receives data to and from the printing device 110.

[0018] The printing device 110 is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printing device 110 has an I / F unit 27, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a display unit 24, an input unit 25, and a print engine 26. The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that controls the following units. The ROM 22 is a read-only memory, and stores a program that controls the print engine 26. The RAM 23 is a write-in / read-out memory at any time, and temporarily stores a program required for the operation of the print engine 24, setting values ​​received from the information processing device 100, and the like. The input unit 25 is buttons and the like for operating the printing device 110. The display unit 24 is a display device that displays information input from the input unit 25 for confirmation, or displays a status message of the printing device 110, and the like.

[0019] The print engine 26 prints on a recording medium based on print data sent from the information processing device 100. The I / F unit 27 is a communication module that receives print data from the information processing device 100, and has a function of transmitting current status information of the printing device 110 from the printing device 110 to the information processing device 100. The status information here is status data that indicates the state of the printing device 110, which the printing device 110 can return in response to a request from the information processing device 100 connected via the I / F unit 27. The status data is information for notifying the operating state of the printing device 110, such as "printing" or "standby state", or an error state of the printing device 110, such as "out of paper", "cover open", or "no ink remaining".

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing system of this embodiment. First, the software configuration of the information processing device 100 will be described. The information processing device 120 described later also has the same configuration. The information processing device 100 includes a portal application 101, an OS printing system 106, and a network (NW) communication control unit 109. The portal application 101 includes a display unit 102, a storage unit 103, a setup control unit 104, and a NW communication control unit 105. The OS printing system 106 includes an OS standard printing control unit 107 and a printer management unit 108. The portal application 101 is software for using a printing device from the information processing device, and is installed in the information processing device 100 as necessary. The portal application 101 is software that runs on the OS, which is the basic software of the information processing device 100. The portal application 101 provides various functions such as printing, displaying printer status information, executing maintenance functions, and setting up a printer. Here, printing by the portal application is realized by specifying a file of a predetermined format (standard format) selected by the user to the OS printing system 105.

[0021] The OS printing system 105 is an element of the OS that controls printing, and sequentially processes print requests from the portal application 101 as jobs. The OS standard printing control unit 106 included in the OS printing system 105 is software that has a standard function (OS standard printing function) required for generating print data. The OS standard printing control unit 106 spools the drawing data generated by the portal application 101 and generates print data in a predetermined format. Furthermore, the OS standard printing control unit 106 performs processing to output the generated print data in the standard format to the NW communication control unit 107 in order to transmit the print data in the standard format to the printing device 110. Note that the OS standard printing control unit 106 of this embodiment communicates with the printing device 110 via the NW communication control unit 107 using IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), which is a standard printing protocol. Furthermore, the OS standard printing control unit 106 acquires capability information of the printing device 110 via the NW communication control unit 107 to determine whether the printing device 110 supports the OS standard printing function.

[0022] The flow of a print instruction will be described below. After generating drawing data, the portal application 101 issues a print request to the OS printing system 105 based on a user instruction. The print request is input to the OS printing system 105 as a print job. When a print request is issued, a setting screen provided by the OS standard print control unit 106 can be used to accept setting instructions from the user regarding print settings.

[0023] When a print request is made, a print job including information on print settings and drawing data generated by the portal application 101 is passed from the portal application 101 to the OS print system 105. The information on print settings includes information such as paper size, paper feeding method, and which print queue to print in.

[0024] When the OS standard print control unit 106 of the OS printing system 105 receives a print job, it generates print data in a predetermined format conforming to the OS standard print function. The printing device 110 corresponding to the OS standard print function 103 is capable of interpreting print data in a format conforming to the OS standard print function. The OS printing system 105 then transmits the generated print data via the NW communication control unit 107 to the printing device 110 corresponding to the OS standard printing. The printing device 110 includes a NW communication control unit 111, a print control unit 112, and a printing unit 113. The print control unit 112 receives print data from the information processing device 100 via the NW communication control unit 111, and controls the printing unit 113 based on the print data to execute printing. The printing device 130 described later also includes a NW communication control unit, a print control unit, and a printing unit.

[0025] Next, the network configuration in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Two PCs, an information processing device 100 and an information processing device 120, are connected to the Internet 40 via a network 30. Similarly, the printing device 110 is also connected to the Internet 40 via a network 30 such as a LAN. Similarly, the external device 300 is also connected to the Internet 40. The external device 300 holds information related to a portal application as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 3, the printing device 130 is a printer immediately after purchase, and network settings have not been performed. The network settings are, for example, settings for connecting the printer to a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) router.

[0026] To enable the printing device 130 to be used from the information processing device 100, the user executes the setup function of the portal application 101 of the information processing device 100 to perform setup including network settings of the printing device 130. In addition to network settings of the printing device, the setup includes initial settings such as ink installation and registration adjustment to enable the printing device to be used, print queue registration to use the printing device from the information processing device, and installation of related applications.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the portal application 101 in this embodiment. While the portal application 101 is being executed, an application window 400 is displayed on the display unit 14 of the information processing device 100. From the application window 400, a function of the portal application 101 can be executed by selecting a scan button 406 or an application menu 405. In addition, by pressing a printer list button 407, a list of printers that are supported by the portal application 101 among the printers registered in the printer management unit 108 can be confirmed. In addition, a printer icon 409 indicates the printer being used by the portal application 101, and by pressing a status button 410, the status of the printer being used by the portal application 101 can be confirmed.

[0028] Pressing the setup button 408 causes the setup control unit 104 to execute a printer setup function, which is one of the linkage functions. When the setup function of the portal application 101 is executed, the setup control unit 104 of the portal application 101 downloads a setup application from the Internet and starts it. The user sets up the printer 130 using the setup application, and by ending the setup application, the printer 130 becomes available for use from the information processing device 100 and the portal application 101. The setup application performs initial settings such as network settings for the printing device, ink installation and registration adjustment to make the printing device available, print queue registration to use the printing device from the information processing device, and installation of related applications.

[0029] 5 shows application information that the setup control unit 104 acquires from the external device 300 when the setup function of the portal application 101 is executed in this embodiment. The application information 500 is information about the portal application, and includes an application version 501, a parameter version 502, a supported OS 503, and a download link 504. It further includes a supported option 505, an associated application 506, and an associated application version 507.

[0030] The application version 501 is the published application version of the portal application 101. The parameter version 502 defines the version of the parameter specification when each application version cooperates with a cooperative application described later. For example, when the parameter specification is changed or a parameter is added, the parameter version is incremented and managed, so that the parameter specification can be managed uniquely by the parameter version. When there are multiple cooperative applications, the parameter version may be stored in association with each cooperative application. The supported OS 503 indicates the OS version supported by each application version. The download link 504 is a URL for downloading each application version, and the portal application of the target application version can be downloaded by accessing the URL.

[0031] Support options 505 indicate functions supported by each application version. For example, in the application information 500 of FIG. 5, only the application version v1.5.0 supports the functions of option b and option c. Cooperative application 506 indicates an application with which each application version cooperates. Cooperative application version 507 indicates the application version of cooperative application 506 supported when operating in cooperation with cooperative application 506. For example, in the application information 500, application versions v1.5.0 and v1.4.0 support the cooperative application version v1.2.0. Also, in the application version v1.3.0, it is indicated that the cooperative application version v1.1.0 is supported. The setup control unit 104 refers to application version 501 from the acquired application information 500 to determine the latest application version. In the example of application information 500 of FIG. 5, the latest application version is v1.5.0.

[0032] 6 shows client information referred to by the setup function unit 104 of the portal application 101 in this embodiment. The client information 600 is stored in the RAM 13 or the like of the information processing device 100 and is information related to the portal application 101 and the information processing device 100 that are installed in the information processing device 100. The client information 600 includes an application version 601, a parameter version 602, a linked application 603, a supported option 604, and an OS version 605.

[0033] An application version 601 is the application version of the portal application 101 installed in the information processing device 100, and is acquired from the storage unit 103 of the application 101. A parameter version 602 is also the parameter version of the portal application 101, and is acquired from the storage unit 103 of the application 101. A linked application 603 indicates an application with which the application 101 links, and is similarly acquired from the storage unit 103 of the application 101. A supported option 604 indicates an option that can be specified when the user issues an input instruction to the portal application 101. For example, if an option for specifying a printer to be set up is supported as option a, the name of the printer to be set up can be specified in the linked application. An OS version 605 is the OS version of the information processing device 100, and is acquired by the setup control unit 104 from the OS.

[0034] The setup control unit 104 compares the latest application version acquired from the external device 300 with the application version of the portal application 101. If a portal application of a newer version than the application version of the portal application 101 is published on the external device 300, the setup control unit 104 downloads the application from a download link 604. By replacing the portal application 101 installed in the information processing device 100 with the downloaded latest version of the portal application, it becomes possible to perform cooperative processing with the cooperative application according to the latest cooperative specifications.

[0035] 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by the setup control unit 104 of the portal application 101 to enable the printing device 130 to be used from the information processing device 100. Hereinafter, the setup control unit 104 will be described as the subject of each process, but in reality, the corresponding function is realized by the CPU 11 executing the corresponding program. The process flow of FIG. 7 is started when the user inputs an instruction in the portal application 101.

[0036] In S700, the portal application 101 acquires an input instruction selected by the user, and proceeds to S701. In S701, it is determined whether the input instruction by the user is an instruction for a function that requires cooperation with an external application. The determination of whether a function requires cooperation with an external application may be performed by predefining it in the portal application 101, or may be performed by dynamically acquiring it from an external device or the like. Here, a function executed by pressing the setup button 408 is predefined in the portal application 101 as a function that requires cooperation with an external application.

[0037] If the result of the determination in S701 is that the instruction is not for a function that requires cooperation with an external application, the process proceeds to S702. If the setup button 408 is selected as the user's input instruction, the process proceeds to S703. In S702, the function according to the user's input is executed, and the process ends.

[0038] In S703, the latest version of the portal application 101 is obtained from the application information 500 obtained from the external device 300, and the process proceeds to S704. Note that here, the portal application 101 may obtain only the latest version of the application information 500 from the external device 300. In S704, the latest version obtained in S703 is compared with the current version of the portal application 101 obtained from the client information, and the process proceeds to S705. In S705, if the versions do not match as a result of S704, it is determined that an upgrade is necessary, and the process proceeds to S706, and if the versions match, it is determined that an upgrade is not necessary, and the process proceeds to S707. In S706, the portal application 101 of the information processing device 100 is upgraded to the latest version, and the process proceeds to S707. The portal application 101 may be upgraded by obtaining a download link from the external device 300 and accessing the link destination to download the latest version of the portal application to the information processing device 100, and replacing the portal application 101 with the portal application 101. Also, the download link does not necessarily have to be acquired from the external device 300. For example, the storage unit 103 of the portal application 101 may hold a download link for downloading the latest version.

[0039] In S707, the cooperative application is downloaded to the information processing device 100, and the process proceeds to S708. A download link for downloading the cooperative application may be stored in the application information 500, or may be stored in the external device 300 separately from the application information 500. Alternatively, a download link for the cooperative application may be obtained from the storage unit 103 of the portal application information 101, and the cooperative application may be downloaded to the information processing device 100 by accessing the link destination. In S708, the downloaded cooperative application is started, and the process proceeds to S709. In S709, a cooperative process with the cooperative application is executed, and the process ends.

[0040] The cooperative process with the cooperative application indicates sending information of the portal application 101 to the cooperative application as a parameter, and operating the application 101 according to the parameter received from the cooperative application. For example, by sending the name of the portal application 101 to the cooperative application, the cooperative application can recognize that it has been started from the portal application 101. This makes it possible to switch the process from when the user directly starts the cooperative application, and to perform a process of sending parameters from the cooperative application to the portal application 101. In addition, by sending the application version of the portal application 101 to the cooperative application, the cooperative application can switch the process according to the application version of the portal application 101.

[0041] Furthermore, by the portal application 101 receiving parameters of the processing result from the cooperative application, the portal application 101 can display a guide to the user according to the success or failure of the processing. Therefore, by performing cooperative processing with the cooperative application, the portal application 101 can display the result of the execution of the cooperative application for the function input by the user, and complete the function. The timing of transmitting the parameters to the cooperative application may be before, simultaneously with, or after the cooperative application is started. Furthermore, the timing of receiving the parameters from the cooperative application may be during the cooperative application's start, simultaneously with, or after the cooperative application is ended. Furthermore, the method of transmitting and receiving the parameters is not limited to the option specification at the time of starting the portal application, and may be output to and read from a temporary file, etc.

[0042] According to this embodiment, if the portal application 101 is not the latest version, the portal application 101 can be upgraded and then a printer can be set up using a cooperative application. This allows applications to operate with the same cooperative specifications, so that the portal application 101 and the cooperative application can operate as expected. In addition, it is expected that the user will be able to obtain the desired results for the function for which the user has input instructions. In addition, since a process of downloading the cooperative application is performed after the portal application 101 is upgraded, it is possible to always cooperate with the latest version of the cooperative application, and similarly, it is expected that the user will be able to obtain the desired results.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, whether or not a function requires cooperation is determined based on an input instruction from the user, and if cooperation is required, the application is upgraded. On the other hand, when a user executes a function that does not require upgrading of the portal application 101, the portal application 101 can be used as is without upgrading, thereby saving processing time related to the upgrade.

[0044] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the setup control unit 104 executes a process of upgrading the portal application 101 when an upgrade is required. In this embodiment, the setup control unit 104 executes a process of notifying the user that an upgrade is required when an upgrade is required. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and common descriptions are omitted. In particular, the following describes the differences from the first embodiment, namely, the update confirmation screen and update instruction screen displayed by the setup control unit 104, and the processing flow of the setup control unit 104.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an update confirmation screen and an update instruction screen displayed by the portal application 101 in this embodiment. FIG. 8(A) shows the update confirmation screen, and FIG. 8(B) shows the update instruction screen. The update confirmation screen 800 in FIG. 8(A) shows to the user that the portal application 101 needs to be updated to the latest version. The update confirmation screen 800 includes an update notification message 801 that notifies the user that an update to the latest version is needed, a download confirmation message 802, a download cancel button 803, and a download execution button 804. The update confirmation screen 800 is displayed on the display unit 102 when the user executes a function for linking with an external application and the setup control unit 104 determines that the portal application 101 needs to be updated. When the user presses the download cancel button 803, the execution of the function for linking is terminated without downloading the latest version. When the user presses the download execution button 804, the download of the latest version of the portal application 101 is executed.

[0046] 8(B) is a diagram showing an update instruction screen that instructs the user to terminate the portal application 101 and update to the latest version. The update instruction screen 810 includes an update instruction message 811 that instructs the user to terminate the portal application 101 and update to the latest version, an end confirmation message 812, a cancel end button 813, and an end button 814. The update instruction screen 810 is displayed on the display unit 102 after the setup control unit 104 completes the download process of the latest version of the portal application. When the user presses the cancel end button 813, the function of performing the link process is terminated. When the user presses the end button 814, the portal application 101 is terminated.

[0047] The update confirmation screen 800 and the update instruction screen 810 may be displayed on the display unit 102 by the setup control unit 104, or the setup control unit 104 may notify the OS so that the OS displays them in an OS notification area.

[0048] 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the setup control unit 104 of the portal application 101 for enabling the printing device 130 to be used from the information processing device 100 in this embodiment. More specifically, the process flow is shown in which the setup control unit 104 of the portal application 101 checks with the user whether the portal application has been upgraded. Hereinafter, the setup control unit 104 will be described as the subject of each process, but in reality, the corresponding function is realized by the CPU 11 executing the corresponding program. The process flow of FIG. 9 is started when the user inputs an instruction in the portal application 101.

[0049] 9 are similar to S700 to S705 and S707 to S709 in Fig. 7 of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted. In this embodiment, when it is determined in S905 in Fig. 9 that the portal application 101 needs to be upgraded, the process proceeds to S906.

[0050] In S906, it is determined whether or not the user has selected to execute the download on the update confirmation screen 800 displayed by the portal application 101 on the display unit 102. If the user has pressed the download cancel button 803, the process ends. If the user has pressed the download execution button 804, the process proceeds to S907.

[0051] In S907, the setup control unit 104 downloads the latest version of the portal application to the information processing device 100, and the process proceeds to S908. The latest application may be downloaded by acquiring a download link from the external device 300 and accessing the link destination, or by accessing a download link for the latest version stored in the storage unit 103 of the application 101.

[0052] In S908, an update instruction screen 810 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the portal application 101, and if the user presses the exit cancel button 813, the processing is terminated. If the user presses the exit button 814, the portal application 101 is terminated and the processing is terminated. After the portal application 101 is terminated, the user follows the instructions on the update instruction screen 810 to update to the latest version. After the update is complete, if the user starts the portal application again and uses the linkage function, it is determined in S905 that an upgrade is not necessary, and the processing proceeds to S909, completing the processing.

[0053] At any time from S906 to the end of the portal application, information indicating that the user has selected the update may be stored in storage unit 103. Then, when the portal application is started, the information and application version stored in storage unit 103 may be referenced to start downloading the linked application in the subsequent step S909.

[0054] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the portal application 101 is not the latest version, the portal application 101 can be upgraded and then a printer can be set up using a cooperative application. This allows the cooperative specifications to be aligned and the portal application 101 and the cooperative application to operate as expected, and it is expected that the user will be able to obtain the desired results for the functions that he or she has input instructions for.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, when the portal application 101 needs to be upgraded, the user is allowed to select whether or not to perform the update. This allows the user to postpone the use of the function that requires the update when the user wants to use other functions that do not require the update, thereby improving user convenience. Furthermore, even if the setup control unit 104 cannot replace the portal application 101 with the latest version, in this embodiment, the portal application can be upgraded by user operation.

[0056] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the setup control unit 104 executes a process for updating the portal application 101 when it is not the latest version. In the third embodiment, the process performed by the setup control unit 104 to determine whether the portal application 101 needs to be updated differs from that performed in the first and second embodiments. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations that have already been described in the first and second embodiments, and common descriptions will be omitted. The following description will focus on the method by which the setup control unit 104 determines whether the portal application 101 needs to be upgraded, which is a difference from the first and second embodiments.

[0057] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an optional update confirmation screen that indicates to the user that updating the portal application 101 to the latest version is optional. The optional update confirmation screen 1000 in FIG. 10A includes an optional update notification message 1001 that notifies the user that updating to the latest version is optional, an optional update cancel button 1002, and an optional update execution button 1003. The optional update confirmation screen 1000 is displayed when the latest version of the portal application 101 is available and updating is optional when the user instructs to execute a function to link with an external application. When the user presses the optional update cancel button 1002, the function of performing the linking process is continued without updating to the latest version. On the other hand, when the user presses the optional update execution button 1003, the portal application 101 executes an update to the latest version.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the setup control unit 104 determines whether or not an update of the application 101 is necessary, if the collaboration specifications of the application 101 and the collaborative application are the same, it determines that the update is optional. Parameter version 502 of the application information 500 defines the collaboration parameter specifications of the applications. In other words, if there is a change in the collaboration parameters, the parameter version 502 is changed, and the collaboration parameter specifications can be managed by the parameter version 502.

[0059] When the parameter version of the currently used (installed) portal application 101 matches the parameter version of the latest application version, the link parameters handled by the current portal application 101 are the latest. In other words, even if the application is not updated to the latest version, processing with the linked app can be performed with the latest link parameters. Therefore, it is not necessary to update to the latest version of the portal application, and it can be determined that updating is optional.

[0060] According to this embodiment, if the current portal application 101 is not the latest version but the specifications of the link parameters match, the link function can be used without updating the portal application. This allows the link function to be used immediately, improving user convenience. Note that when the parameter versions of the link parameters of the current portal application 101 and the latest version of the portal application do not match, a process for updating the portal application 101 can be executed as in the first and second embodiments.

[0061] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the configurations already described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the common description will be omitted. This embodiment is applied, for example, to a case where the information processing device 100 cannot update to the latest version of the portal application.

[0062] For example, when the OS version 605 of the information processing device 100 is 11, the latest application version v1.5.0 in the application information 500 supports OSs 12 and 13, which does not include the OS version of the information processing device 100. Therefore, the application cannot be updated to the latest application version v1.5.0.

[0063] In such a case, the application version is updated to the latest version v1.3.0 among the application versions that support the OS version 605 of the information processing device 100. However, if a portal application 101 that is not the latest version is used to perform a cooperative process with a cooperative application of the latest version, there is a possibility that the specifications of the cooperative parameters will not match.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, the setup control unit 104 refers to the cooperative application 506 and the cooperative application version 507 in the application information 500 to acquire the corresponding cooperative application version. Since the cooperative application version corresponding to the application version v1.3.0 is v1.1.0, the cooperative application of v1.1.0 is downloaded and cooperative processing is performed.

[0065] As a result, in this embodiment, when an information processing device with an old OS version is used and it is not possible to update to the latest version of the portal application, it is possible to use a cooperative application having matching specifications for the cooperative parameters.

[0066] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the configurations already described in the above embodiments, and the common description will be omitted. The fifth embodiment executes a process of displaying a download guidance screen to a user regarding the download of a portal application.

[0067] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a download guidance screen for showing the user a download link for the latest version of the portal application in this embodiment. The download guidance screen 1010 includes a download guidance message 1011 for instructing the user to execute a download operation for the latest version of the portal application. It also includes a download link 1012 and a download guidance screen close button 1013. The download guidance screen 1010 is displayed when the setup control unit 104 determines that the latest version of the application 101 is available and needs to be updated when the user instructs to execute a function for linking with an external application. Alternatively, the download guidance screen 1010 may be displayed when the user presses the download execution button 804 or the optional update execution button 1003.

[0068] The download link 1012 is obtained from the download link 504 of the latest version of the portal application of the external device 300. The user can download the latest version of the portal application to the information processing device 100 by pressing the download link 1012. The download link 1012 does not have to be in a pressable link format, and may be in a text format. The user can close the download guidance screen by pressing a download guidance screen close button 1013.

[0069] Here, the download prompting screen 1010 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the portal application 101, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a web browser may be opened to display a download page of the application. Also, an application store app that distributes applications may be opened to display a download page of the application. If the external device 300 cannot be accessed and the latest version cannot be determined, the download prompting screen 1010 or a web browser may be opened to display a download page of the application, and the user may obtain the latest version of the application.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the user can download the latest version of the application 101 from the download guidance screen at a time convenient for the user. In addition, the portal application can be downloaded to any area of ​​the information processing device 100 by user operation, which improves user convenience.

[0071] Sixth embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the configurations already described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the common description will be omitted. In the sixth embodiment, when an already downloaded portal application exists in the information processing device 100, a process of upgrading is performed using the already downloaded portal application. Also, when an already downloaded cooperative application exists in the information processing device 100, a process of starting the already downloaded cooperative application is performed.

[0072] In S706 or S907, if the latest version of the portal application has already been downloaded and exists in the information processing device 100, the portal application already downloaded may be used for version upgrade. For example, if version upgrade fails in S706, the latest version of the portal application has already been downloaded to the information processing device 100, so there is no need to download it again in S706 when re-executing the process flow in Fig. 7. Similarly, if the user does not upgrade the latest version of the portal application downloaded in S907, there is no need to download it again in S907 when re-executing the process flow in Fig. 9.

[0073] Furthermore, in S707 or S909, if the latest version of the cooperative application has already been downloaded and exists in the information processing device 100, the downloaded cooperative application may be executed. For example, when the process flows of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 are executed continuously, since the latest version of the cooperative application has been downloaded to the information processing device 100, there is no need to download it again in S707 or S909.

[0074] Note that the portal application and the cooperative application are not limited to the latest versions, and as described in the third embodiment, it may be determined based on whether the application and the cooperative application to be downloaded are of the versions present in the information processing device 100.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the processing time required for downloading a portal application and a cooperative application can be reduced.

[0076] Seventh embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the configurations already described in the above embodiments, and the common description will be omitted. In the seventh embodiment, a process in which the portal application 101 uses a link parameter to link with a link application will be described.

[0077] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the portal application 101 in this embodiment for notifying the user of the result of the collaboration process. FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing a collaboration process failure screen for notifying the user that the collaboration process has failed. The collaboration process failure screen 1100 includes a collaboration process failure message 1101 for informing the user that the collaboration process has failed and that the user should execute the collaboration process again, an end collaboration process button 1102, and an execute collaboration process button 1103. The collaboration process failure screen 1100 is displayed on the display unit 102 when the portal application 101 receives a parameter indicating the failure of the collaboration application process from the collaboration application. The user ends the collaboration function process by pressing the end collaboration process button 1102, and executes the collaboration function again by pressing the execute collaboration process button 1103.

[0078] 11(B) is a diagram showing a successful collaboration screen that notifies the user that the collaboration has been successful. The successful collaboration screen 1110 includes a successful collaboration message 1111 that notifies the user that the collaboration has been successful, an end collaboration button 1112, and an execute additional function button 1113. The successful collaboration message 1111 includes a message that notifies the user that the collaboration has been successful, and thus, how to execute a function that can be executed by the portal application 101 after the collaboration has been successful.

[0079] The linkage process success screen 1110 is displayed on the display unit 102 when the portal application 101 receives a parameter indicating the success of the linkage process from the linkage application. Furthermore, when detailed parameters due to the success of the process are additionally received together with the parameter indicating the success of the process, the content of the detailed parameters is displayed in the linkage process success message 1111. For example, when the setup of a printer is successful in the process of the linkage application, and parameters such as the name of the printer that has been successfully set up and the serial number are received from the linkage application, the information can be used in the portal application 101. Depending on the received printer name, the portal application 101 can guide available services or display them on the printer icon 409 of the portal application 101, so that the user can immediately make effective use of the printer that has been set up. The user can end the linkage function process by pressing the linkage process end button 1112, and can execute a service function according to the printer that has been successfully set up by pressing the additional function execution button 1113. For example, a service function according to the printer can be registered to a member service.

[0080] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a link option selection screen presented to a user when link processing is executed in this embodiment. The link option selection screen 1200 includes a setup printer selection message 1201 for guiding the user to select a printer for executing setup, a setup printer selection list 1202, a setup cancel button 1203, and a setup execution button 1204. The link option selection screen 1200 is displayed on the display unit 102 when a link application is started in S708 or S910. The setup printer selection list 1202 is a list showing a list of printers for allowing the user to select a printer for executing setup. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the printers displayed in the setup printer selection list 1202 display the names and connection forms of printers connected to the information processing device 100. It is also possible to display all printers supported by the application 101, instead of the printers connected to the information processing device 100, and allow the user to select the printer he or she wants to set up.

[0081] When the user presses the Cancel Setup button 1203, the startup process of the cooperative application is terminated, and when the user presses the Run Setup button 1103, the printer name selected by the user is sent as a parameter to the cooperative application, allowing the cooperative application to perform setup processing according to the printer that the user wishes to set up.

[0082] As described above, according to this embodiment, the portal application 101 can use the link parameters to link with a link application.

[0083] <Other embodiments> Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium on which the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is recorded to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored constitutes the present invention.

[0084] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0085] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are not only realized by the computer executing the program code it has read, but also that the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the OS running on the computer performing some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code.

[0086] Furthermore, it goes without saying that this also includes cases where the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board added to a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0087] It should be noted that, within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, any component of each embodiment may be modified, or any component of each embodiment may be omitted.

[0088] (Item 1) A program for a first application, comprising: a control means for performing an execution process for executing a second application which is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution means for executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction input to the control means to execute the execution process; A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to function as such.

[0089] (Item 2) 2. The program according to item 1, wherein the update process is a process of downloading the second application from an external device and installing it on the information processing device.

[0090] (Item 3) 2. The program according to item 1, wherein the update process is a process of downloading the second application from an external device and prompting a user to install the second application on the information processing device.

[0091] (Item 4) The program described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the execution means executes an update process to update the first application to the latest version when the version of the first application is not the latest version published to the external device.

[0092] (Item 5) The program described in item 4, further functioning as a determination means for determining whether the version of the first application is the latest version published to an external device based on version information of the first application.

[0093] (Item 6) 6. The program according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the first application and the second application cooperate with each other by transmitting and receiving parameters.

[0094] (Item 7) 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the execution means executes an update process for updating the first application to the latest version based on the version information of the parameters in the first application and the second application. (Item 8) The program described in any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the execution means executes an update process for updating the first application to the latest version among the versions that can be updated in the OS of the information processing device.

[0095] (Item 9) The program described in any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that the execution process is a process of downloading the latest version of the second application from the external device, installing it on the information processing device, and launching it.

[0096] (Item 10) The program described in any one of items 1 to 9, characterized in that if a first application of a version to be updated by the update process has already been downloaded to the information processing device, the first application is not downloaded and the downloaded first application is launched.

[0097] (Item 11) The program described in any one of items 1 to 10, characterized in that if a version of a second application to be executed by the execution process has already been downloaded to the information processing device, the second application is not downloaded and the downloaded second application is launched.

[0098] (Item 12) 12. The program according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the information processing device is a printer.

[0099] (Item 13) An information processing device in which a first application program is installed, a control means for performing an execution process for executing a second application which is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution means for executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction input to the control means to execute the execution process; 13. An information processing device comprising:

[0100] (Item 14) 1. An information processing method in an information processing device in which a first application program is installed, comprising: a control step of performing an execution process for executing a second application which is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution step of executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction inputted in the control step to perform the execution process; 13. An information processing method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100 Information processing device 101 Portal Applications 102 Display section 104 Setup control section 106 OS Printing System 110 Printing device 130 Printing device 400 Application Window

Claims

1. A program of a first application, a control means for performing an execution process for executing a second application which is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution means for executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction input to the control means to execute the execution process; A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to function as such.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the update process comprises downloading the second application from an external device and installing the second application on the information processing device.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the update process is a process of downloading the second application from an external device and prompting a user to install the second application on the information processing device.

4. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the execution means executes an update process for updating the first application to the latest version when the version of the first application is not the latest version published to the external device.

5. The program according to claim 4, further functioning as a determination means for determining whether the version of the first application is the latest version published to the external device based on version information of the first application.

6. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first application and the second application cooperate with each other by transmitting and receiving parameters.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the execution means executes an update process for updating the first application to the latest version based on version information of the parameters in the first application and the second application.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the execution means executes an update process for updating the first application to a latest version among versions that can be updated in an OS of the information processing apparatus.

9. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the execution process is a process of downloading a latest version of the second application from the external device, installing the second application in the information processing device, and activating the second application.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein if a first application of a version to be updated by the update process has already been downloaded to the information processing device, the first application is not downloaded and the downloaded first application is launched.

11. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that if a version of a second application to be executed by the execution process has already been downloaded to the information processing device, the second application is not downloaded and the downloaded second application is launched.

12. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a printer.

13. An information processing device in which a first application program is installed, a control unit that performs an execution process for executing a second application that is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution means for executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction input to the control means to execute the execution process; 13. An information processing device comprising:

14. 1. An information processing method in an information processing device in which a first application program is installed, comprising: a control step of performing an execution process for executing a second application which is different from the first application and can operate in cooperation with the first application; an execution step of executing an update process for updating the first application based on a user instruction inputted in the control step to perform the execution process; 13. An information processing method comprising:

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