Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can prevent the start-up of an application provided with a trial period.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus comprises a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application program provided with a trial period. The processor stops the initial automatic start-up of the application program provided with the trial period associated with the start-up of the information processing apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as digital multifunction peripherals may have firmware that includes an application program (hereinafter, application) installed during the manufacturing process. The firmware installed during the manufacturing process is called, for example, SYSROM. Applications included in SYSROM are classified into a type that is started by user operation (manual start) and a type that is started without user operation (automatic start). Some applications included in SYSROM are set with a trial period during which they can be used free of charge. For applications with a trial period, a trial license is created when the application is first started, and a countdown of the trial period begins.

[0003] On the other hand, after manufacturing, information processing devices such as digital multifunction devices are sometimes set up by a worker with specialized knowledge before being provided to a user. When the worker sets up the device, applications included in the SYSROM are installed and auto-start applications are started. For this reason, if a trial period is set for an auto-start application, a trial license is issued during setup by the worker. In such cases, there is a problem in that the trial period of the application is effectively shortened due to the time lag between when the worker sets it up and when the user starts using it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-207494 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that are capable of suppressing the launch of an application that has a trial period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, an information processing device includes a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application program with a trial period. The processor stops an initial automatic start of the application program with the trial period that accompanies the start of the information processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process until an image forming apparatus serving as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is provided to a user. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation of installing firmware in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation of installing an application in the normal startup mode after unpacking in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of management information for the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment to manage applications. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation of checking the start of an application in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation performed when an application set for manual startup is started in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus serving as an information processing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a system control unit 11, an input device 12, a display device 13, a scanner 14, a printer 15, and the like.

[0009] The input device 12 is a device for inputting operation instructions, etc. The input device 12 supplies the system control unit 11 with a signal indicating the content of the input instruction. The display device 13 is a device that displays images. The display device 13 displays images in response to instructions from the system control unit 11. The input device 12 and the display device 13 are each formed of, for example, a display device with a touch panel.

[0010] The scanner 14 scans an original placed on a platen and obtains an image of the original. For example, the scanner 14 has a light emitter and a photoelectric conversion device. The light emitter emits light toward the surface of the original placed on the platen. The photoelectric conversion device has a light receiving element (such as a CCD image sensor) that receives light from the surface of the original and converts it into electronic data.

[0011] The printer 15 is an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium. The printer 15 forms an image on a sheet in response to an instruction from the system control unit 11. The image forming method of the printer 15 is not limited to a specific method, and may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal transfer method.

[0012] The system control unit 11 executes various information processing and generally controls the operation of each unit. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 1, the system control unit 11 includes a processor 21, a ROM 22, an RMA 23, a storage unit 24, a communication interface (I / F) 25, an input interface (I / F) 26, a display interface (I / F) 27, a scanner IF 28, and a printer IF 29.

[0013] The processor 21 executes various types of information processing and generally controls the operation of each unit. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The processor 21 executes programs stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 to realize various types of processing.

[0014] The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 22 stores a program for the system control unit 11 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to operate as an information processing device. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory. The RAM 23 functions as a working memory for temporarily storing data. The ROM 22 stores firmware that operates on an operating system (OS).

[0015] Data is written to the ROM 22 during the manufacturing process at a manufacturing factory or the like of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. In this embodiment, firmware including an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) is stored in the ROM 22 during the manufacturing process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The application included in the firmware stored in the ROM 22 is installed in the storage unit 24 during normal startup after unpacking and setup, which will be described later.

[0016] The storage unit 24 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 24 is configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 24 stores various types of data. For example, the storage unit 24 stores application programs installed by the operation of the processor 21. The storage unit 24 also stores management information for the application programs.

[0017] The communication interface 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device. For example, the processor 21 may output image data obtained by processing, which will be described later, to the external device via the communication interface 25.

[0018] The input interface 26 is an interface for connecting the input device 12. The display interface 27 is an interface for connecting the display device 13. The scanner interface 28 is an interface for connecting the scanner 14. The printer interface 29 is an interface for connecting the printer 15.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process until the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is provided (delivered) to a user. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is an information processing device that requires setup by a worker with specialized knowledge after manufacture. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is manufactured in a manufacturing factory according to specifications that are specified in advance. For example, in the manufacturing process, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 installs firmware including an application in a ROM serving as a system memory. After being manufactured in the manufacturing factory, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is packaged and transported to a setup center installed in the shipping destination area or the like.

[0020] The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is set up (unpacked and set up) by a worker with specialized knowledge at a setup center before delivery to the user. The unpacked and set up is performed by a worker with specialized knowledge, not by the user who will actually use the digital multifunction peripheral 1. After the unpacked and set up is completed, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is transported from the setup center to the user and set up at the installation location designated by the user.

[0021] The unpacking and setup is not limited to being performed at a setup center. The unpacking and setup may be performed at any time before the user starts using the digital multifunction peripheral 1. It is assumed that there is a time lag between the completion of the unpacking and setup and the user actually starting to use the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as an information processing device. In the embodiment described below, it is assumed that the digital multifunction peripheral 1 that has been unpacked and set up by a worker with specialized knowledge at a setup center is provided to the user.

[0022] Next, an operation of installing firmware including an application in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 serving as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment during the manufacturing process will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation for installing firmware including an application into the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. In the manufacturing process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 at a manufacturing factory, firmware including an application is installed in a system memory such as the ROM 22 (ACT11). For example, firmware including a data file of the application is written to the ROM 22 mounted on the system control unit 11 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Here, the data file of the application stores data for installing the application in a storage device such as the storage unit 24.

[0023] When the firmware including the application is installed, the digital multifunction device 1 turns on a packing mode indicating that the device is in a state of being packed for shipment, and sets an unpacking flag to on (ACT12). For example, the processor 21 of the system control unit 11 in the digital multifunction device 1 turns on the packing mode and sets an unpacking flag to on in the storage unit 24. In this state, the digital multifunction device 1 is packed. As a result, the digital multifunction device 1 in which the firmware including the application is installed is transported to the setup center with the packing mode on and the unpacking flag set to on.

[0024] Next, an application installation operation in the normal startup mode after unpacking in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation of installing an application in the normal start-up mode after unpacking in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the embodiment. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 manufactured at the manufacturing factory is brought to the setup center with firmware installed, the packing mode set to ON, and the unpacking flag set to ON. When the unpacked digital multifunction peripheral 1 is started up at the setup center, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 starts up in the packing mode and executes the unpacking setup.

[0025] When the unpacking setup is completed, the packing mode is turned off, and the digital multifunction device 1 starts up in the normal startup mode (normal startup) (ACT21). When starting up normally, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction device 1 judges whether the mode is the normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is set to ON (ACT22). If the mode is the normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is ON, the processor 21 executes the installation of the application (built-in application) included in the firmware.

[0026] When the processor 21 is in normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is on (ACT22, YES), the processor 21 determines whether or not there is a built-in application included in the firmware that has not been installed (ACT23). If there is a built-in application that has not been installed, the processor 21 executes installation of the built-in application (ACT24). For example, the processor 21 extracts a data file of the built-in application included in the firmware. The processor 21 installs the application program in the storage unit 24 based on the data stored in the data file of the built-in application.

[0027] Furthermore, when installing a built-in application, the processor 21 stores management information of the application in the storage unit 24. The management information of the application is information for managing the setting information and the operating state of the application, etc. The user can check the management information of the application via a user interface, etc.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of management information for the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment to manage applications. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the management information of the application includes information indicating "activation method," "initial activation," "trial period," and the like. "Startup method" is information indicating the startup method of the application. For example, "startup method" indicates whether the application is started automatically when the digital multifunction device 1 is started (system startup) or manually when the application is started in response to an operational instruction from the user. An application whose startup method is automatic startup is started when the digital multifunction device 1 is started even without a startup instruction from the user. An application whose startup method is manual startup is started in response to a startup instruction from the user.

[0029] "First launch" is information indicating whether or not the first launch of an application has not been performed. For example, an application whose first launch is "not performed" indicates that the first launch has not been performed. As management information for an application, not only information indicating whether or not the first launch has been performed, but also the number of launches may be stored (managed). "Trial period" is information indicating whether or not a trial period (trial period) is granted to the application. As management information for an application, not only the presence or absence of a trial license but also information indicating the period granted as a trial period may be stored (managed).

[0030] When the installation of one built-in application is completed, the processor 21 executes a startup check process for the installed application (ACT25). In the startup check process, the processor 21 executes a process for suppressing the initial startup of an application that has a trial period (trial period). For example, the processor 21 changes the startup method of the trial application from automatic startup to manual startup in response to a user operation. The startup check process will be described in detail later.

[0031] When the processor 21 completes the startup check process for the installed application, it returns to ACT23 and checks whether there is a built-in application that has not been installed. If there is a built-in application that has not been installed (ACT23, YES), the processor 21 proceeds to ACT24 and executes the above-mentioned process again. If there is no built-in application that has not been installed (ACT23, NO), the processor 21 ends the installation of the built-in application during normal startup after unpacking and setup.

[0032] Through the above process, the digital multifunction device 1 installs the applications included in the firmware during normal startup after unpacking and setup. According to the above-described operation example, the digital multifunction device 1 executes startup check processing for the applications installed during normal startup after unpacking and setup. This allows the digital multifunction device 1 to suppress the initial startup of applications for which a trial period is set (trial applications) through the startup check processing for the installed applications. The above-mentioned operation example of normal startup after unpacking and setup describes the installation of built-in applications and the startup check process. However, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 may execute processes other than the installation of built-in applications and the startup check process during normal startup after unpacking and setup.

[0033] Next, a description will be given of application startup check processing in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation of application startup check processing in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. When the processor 21 receives a request to start an application, it checks whether the request is a system-initiated request or a user-initiated request (ACT31). For example, the processor 21 restarts the digital multifunction peripheral 1 after installing an application for normal startup after unpacking and setup. The processor 21 generates a system-initiated request when restarting the digital multifunction peripheral 1. When the processor 21 receives a user-initiated request to start an application (ACT31, NO), it starts the application designated by the user (ACT32).

[0034] When the processor 21 receives an application startup request (system startup request) accompanying startup of the digital multifunction device 1 (ACT31, YES), the processor 21 proceeds to ACT33. That is, when a system startup request occurs, the processor 21 checks whether the application startup method is automatic startup or manual startup (ACT33). If the application startup method is manual startup (ACT33, NO), the processor 21 does not start the application (ACT37) because it should not be started by a system startup request.

[0035] When the startup method of the application is automatic startup (ACT33, YES), the processor 21 determines whether the application is being started for the first time (initial startup has not been performed) (ACT34). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the initial startup has not been performed or has already been performed based on the management information of the application for which the startup request has been received.

[0036] In addition, a group of applications that realize one function by combining a plurality of different types of applications may be installed in the digital multifunction device 1. For example, the types of applications include an application with a UI (user interface), a resident application, an application for administrator settings, etc. The group of applications may be formed by indicating information indicating the applications to be combined in the management information of each application.

[0037] In a group of applications that realizes one function by combining multiple applications, the number of times each application has been started is checked for all applications. For example, a second application that can be combined with a first application is determined to have been started for the first time if the first application has been started for the first time.

[0038] If the application has already been started for the first time (ACT34, NO), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT32). A trial license has already been issued for an application that has already been started for the first time, even if a trial period is granted. Therefore, it is not necessary to restrict the start of an application that has already been started for the first time, even if a trial period is granted, and the application can be started without restrictions from the second time onwards.

[0039] If the application has not been started for the first time (not started for the first time) (ACT34, NO), the processor 21 determines whether or not a trial period is provided for the application (ACT35). For example, the processor 21 determines whether or not the application is one for which a trial period is provided based on the management information of the application. If the application does not have a trial period provided (ACT35, NO), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT32).

[0040] If a trial period is assigned to the application (ACT35, YES), the processor 21 changes the start method in the management information of the application to manual start (ACT36). That is, the processor 21 updates the start method in the management information of the application from automatic start to manual start.

[0041] However, the processor 21 may return the startup method of an application, which has been changed to manual startup in the startup check process, to automatic startup after the initial startup. For example, the processor 21 may add information indicating that the startup method will be changed (returned) to automatic startup after the initial startup to the management information of the application, which has been changed to automatic startup in the startup check process.

[0042] According to the above-described startup check process, the digital multifunction peripheral as an information processing device can stop the initial automatic startup of the trial application. Also, if the initial startup of the trial application has not been performed, the digital multifunction peripheral can change the startup method from automatic startup to manual startup. This allows the digital multifunction peripheral to manage the startup method of the application whose initial automatic startup has been stopped as manual startup.

[0043] The above-mentioned startup check process is not limited to being performed when the application included in the firmware is started after installation. For example, the above-mentioned startup check process may be performed during other startup processes (for example, restarting the digital multifunction machine 1).

[0044] Next, the startup operation of an application in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of operation of a startup process of an application by manual startup in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. It is assumed that the processor 21 has received a start request (manual start) by a user operation (ACT 41). For example, the processor 21 receives a start request for a specified application input by the user using the input device 12.

[0045] When the processor 21 receives a start request by a user operation, the processor 21 determines whether the application designated by the user is started for the first time (initial start has not been performed) (ACT42). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the initial start has not been performed or has been performed based on management information of the application that has received the start request. If the user-specified application has already been started for the first time (ACT42, NO), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT47).

[0046] If the user-specified application has not been started for the first time (not started for the first time) (ACT42, NO), the processor 21 determines whether or not a trial period is provided for the application (ACT43). If the trial period is not provided for the application (ACT43, NO), the processor 21 starts the application (ACT47).

[0047] If a trial period is assigned to the user-specified application (ACT43, YES), the processor 21 issues a trial license for the application (ACT44). The trial license is a license that permits the use of the application within a preset period (trial period) from the current time, which is the first time the application is started. For example, the processor 21 starts a countdown of the remaining period of the trial period from the time the trial license is issued, as management information for the application.

[0048] When the processor 21 issues the trial license, it determines whether or not the startup method of the application should be switched to automatic startup (ACT45). For example, it is assumed that the management information of the application that has been changed from automatic startup to manual startup in the startup check process records that the startup method will be returned to automatic startup after the initial startup. In this case, the processor 21 determines whether or not information indicating that the startup method will be returned to automatic startup after the initial startup is recorded in the management information of the application.

[0049] When it is determined that there is no need to switch to automatic startup (ACT45, NO), the processor 21 starts the application without changing the startup method (ACT47). Furthermore, when the processor 21 determines that the startup method of the application should be switched to automatic startup (ACT45, YES), the processor 21 changes the startup method of the application to automatic startup (ACT47). The processor 21 updates the startup method in the management information of the application from manual startup to automatic startup. When the processor 21 changes the startup method of the application to automatic startup, it starts the application (ACT47).

[0050] According to the above-mentioned process of manual startup by user operation, the digital multifunction device 1 as an information processing device can issue a trial license to an application that is started for the first time. In addition, the digital multifunction device 1 can change the startup method of an application that was changed from automatic startup to manual startup during installation back to automatic startup after the first startup. As a result, the digital multifunction device 1 can also change the startup method of an application that was stopped from automatic startup at the first startup back to automatic startup after the first startup.

[0051] As described above, the digital multifunction peripheral as an information processing device according to the embodiment can suppress automatic startup of an application that has not yet been started for the first time and is granted a trial period. This allows the digital multifunction peripheral to prevent a trial license from being issued by automatic startup due to a restart after installing an application. Furthermore, the digital multifunction peripheral can issue a trial license in response to an application startup instruction explicitly given by the user. As a result, the digital multifunction peripheral does not issue a trial license before the user uses the application, and can prevent the trial period from being shortened regardless of the user's intention.

[0052] Furthermore, the digital multifunction peripheral as the information processing device according to the embodiment can change the startup method of an application that has a trial period from automatic startup to manual startup. This allows the digital multifunction peripheral to not only stop the initial automatic startup, but also change the startup method of the application to manual startup and manage it. As a result, the user can confirm, via a user interface, that the trial application has been changed to manual startup.

[0053] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...digital multifunction device (information processing device, image forming device), 11...system control unit, 12...input device, 13...display device, 14...scanner, 15...printer, 21...processor, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...memory unit, 25...communication interface, 26...input interface, 27...display interface, 28...scanner interface, 29...printer interface.

Claims

1. In the information processing device, A storage unit that stores an application program having a trial period; a processor that stops the initial automatic startup of the application program having the trial period associated with startup of the information processing device; An information processing device comprising:

2. the storage unit stores management information including information indicating whether or not the application program has been started for the first time; When the information processing device is started, if the application program has not been started for the first time according to the management information, the processor stops automatic start of the application program. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the management information includes information indicating whether a startup method of the application program is automatic startup associated with startup of the information processing device or manual startup in response to a user operation; When the information processing device is started, the processor updates a start method in management information of the application program to manual start if the application program has not been started for the first time. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

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

5. An image forming apparatus including a printer for forming an image on a medium, A storage unit that stores an application program having a trial period; a processor that stops the initial automatic startup of the application program having the trial period associated with startup of the image forming apparatus; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images