Information processing server, method, program, information processing system, and information processing device

Abstract

To control operation of firmware of an information processing device.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an information processing server is provided with a control part for making a function provided by firmware unusable when notification showing that the firmware is installed in an information processing device is acquired, and making the function usable when notification showing that an application used by the function is installed in the information processing device is acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, firmware is written into information processing devices such as image forming devices (for example, MFPs (Multifunction Peripheral / Printer / Products)). The firmware controls hardware to provide various functions. Firmware is not only written when the information processing device is manufactured, but also new versions of firmware can be downloaded or otherwise installed into the information processing device. When the firmware is updated, new functions become available in the information processing device.

[0003] An application installed in an information processing device uses the functions of firmware, that is, the application can use functions according to the version of the firmware. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there may be a time lag between the timing of writing firmware during manufacture or upgrading and the timing of the release of an application that uses the function provided by the firmware. In this case, even if the firmware is updated, it is desirable to disable the function of the updated firmware until the application that uses the function provided by the updated firmware is released.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to control the operation of firmware in an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing server according to one embodiment of the present invention has a control unit that, when it receives a notification indicating that firmware has been installed on an information processing device, makes a function provided by the firmware unavailable, and when it receives a notification indicating that an application that uses the function has been installed on the information processing device, makes the function available. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation of firmware in an information processing device is controlled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for enabling a firmware function. [Diagram 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining activation of a function of firmware according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus (in the case of an MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an information processing server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow for enabling a function of firmware according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] <Terminology explanation> "Firmware" is installed in an information processing device (for example, the main body of an MFP). Firmware controls the hardware to provide various functions. "Applications" are installed on information processing devices (e.g., the operation unit of an MFP). Applications use the functions provided by firmware.

[0011] 1 and 2, a comparison will be made between enabling a function of a conventional firmware and enabling a function of a firmware according to an embodiment of the present invention. Assume that firmware 1 is installed in an information processing device (for example, an image forming device such as an MFP) 10. In this case, in the information processing device 10, it is possible to use an application 1 compatible with the firmware 1, but it is impossible to use an application 2 compatible with the firmware 2.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the activation of a function of conventional firmware.

[0013] Assume that in step 1 (S1), the firmware of the information processing device 10 is updated (for example, upgraded from firmware 1 to firmware 2). At this point, the functions provided by firmware 2 are disabled.

[0014] In step 2 (S2), it is assumed that application 2 that is compatible with firmware 2 (that is, that uses the function provided by firmware 2) has been released. The information processing device 10 downloads and installs application 2.

[0015] In step 3 (S3), the function provided by firmware 2 is manually enabled (i.e., made available). Therefore, application 2 compatible with firmware 2 can be used.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the activation of a function of firmware according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] S1 and S2 are the same as those in the conventional method shown in FIG. 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0018] In step 3 (S3), the functions provided by firmware 2 are automatically enabled (i.e., made available). As a result, application 2 compatible with firmware 2 can be used.

[0019] <System configuration> Fig. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and an information processing server 20. The information processing device 10 and the information processing server 20 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via an arbitrary network. Each will be described below.

[0020] The information processing device 10 is, for example, an image forming device such as an MFP. Firmware is installed in the information processing device 10 (for example, a main body of the MFP). Applications are installed in the information processing device 10 (for example, an operation unit of the MFP). The applications can use functions provided by the firmware.

[0021] Note that the information processing apparatus 10 is not limited to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP as long as it is an apparatus having a communication function. The information processing apparatus 10 may be, for example, an output device such as a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board), a digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC, etc.

[0022] The information processing server 20 is a server that controls the operation of the firmware installed in the information processing apparatus 10. When the information processing server 20 acquires a notification indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing apparatus 10, it makes the functions provided by the firmware unavailable. Further, when the information processing server 20 acquires a notification indicating that an application that uses the functions provided by the firmware has been installed in the information processing apparatus 10, it makes the functions provided by the firmware available.

[0023] Note that the device group described in the embodiments merely shows one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In one embodiment, the information processing server 20 includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via an arbitrary type of communication link including a network and a shared memory, etc., and implement the processing disclosed in this specification.

[0024] <Hardware Configuration of MFP> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus (in the case of an MFP) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, an information processing device (in the case of an MFP) 10 includes a controller 1010, a short-range communication circuit 1020, an engine control unit 1030, an operation panel 1040, and a network I / F (Interface) 1050.

[0026] Of these, the controller 1010 has a CPU 1001 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 1002, a north bridge (NB) 1003, a south bridge (SB) 1004, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 1005, a local memory (MEM-C) 1006 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 1007, and an HD 1008 which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 1003 and the ASIC 1005 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1021.

[0027] Of these, the CPU 1001 is a control unit that performs overall control of the information processing device (in the case of an MFP) 10. The NB 1003 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 1001 with the MEM-P 1002, the SB 1004, and the AGP bus 1021, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 1002, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0028] The MEM-P 1002 is composed of a ROM 1002a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 1010, and a RAM 1002b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 1002b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0029] The SB1004 is a bridge for connecting the NB1003 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The ASIC1005 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 1021, the PCI bus 1022, the HDD 1007, and the MEM-C 1006. The ASIC1005 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC1005, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 1006, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 1031 and the printer unit 1032 via the PCI bus 1022. The ASIC1005 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0030] The MEM-C 1006 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 1008 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD 1008 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 1008 under the control of the CPU 1001. The AGP bus 1021 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 1002 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0031] Further, the short-distance communication circuit 1020 includes a short-distance communication circuit 1020a. The short-distance communication circuit 1020 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth.

[0032] Furthermore, the engine control unit 1030 is composed of a scanner unit 1031 and a printer unit 1032. The operation panel 1040 includes a panel display unit 1040a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values ​​and a selection screen, etc., and receives input from an operator, and an operation panel 1040b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 1010 controls the entire information processing device (in the case of an MFP) 10, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 1040. The scanner unit 1031 or the printer unit 1032 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0033] The information processing device (in the case of an MFP) 10 can sequentially switch and select among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using an application switching key on the operation panel 1040. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is selected, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is selected, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is selected, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is selected.

[0034] The network I / F 1050 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 1020 and the network I / F 1050 are electrically connected to the ASIC 1005 via a PCI bus 1022.

[0035] <Hardware configuration of information processing server> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing server 20 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in FIG. 5, it is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2002, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 2003, a HD 2004, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 2005, a display 2006, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 2007, a network I / F (Interface) 2008, a data bus 2009, a keyboard 2010, a pointing device 2011, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 2013, and a media I / F (Interface) 2015.

[0037] Of these, the CPU 2001 controls the operation of the information processing server 20 as a whole. The ROM 2002 stores programs such as an IPL used to drive the CPU 2001. The RAM 2003 is used as a work area for the CPU 2001. The HD 2004 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 2005 controls reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 2004 under the control of the CPU 2001. The display 2006 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 2007 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 2008 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The bus line 2009 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 2001 shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] The keyboard 2010 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 2011 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 2013 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 2012 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the medium is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 2015 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 2014 such as a flash memory.

[0039] <Functional blocks of the information processing device 10> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 101, a firmware storage unit 102, and an application storage unit 103. The information processing device 10 also functions as the control unit 101 by executing a program.

[0041] The control unit 201 transmits a notification to the information processing server 20 indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device 10. In addition, the control unit 101 transmits a notification to the information processing server 20 indicating that an application that uses a function provided by the firmware has been installed in the information processing device 10.

[0042] The firmware storage unit 102 stores firmware.

[0043] The application storage unit 103 stores applications.

[0044] <Function blocks of the information processing server 20> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the information processing server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The information processing server 20 includes a control unit 201, a firmware providing unit 202, and an application providing unit 203. The information processing server 20 also functions as the control unit 201, the firmware providing unit 202, and the application providing unit 203 by executing a program.

[0046] When the control unit 201 receives a notification indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device 10, it disables the use of the functions provided by the firmware of the information processing device 10. Furthermore, when the control unit 201 receives a notification indicating that an application that uses the functions provided by the firmware has been installed in the information processing device 10, it enables the use of the functions provided by the firmware of the information processing device 10.

[0047] The firmware providing unit 202 provides the firmware to the information processing device 10 .

[0048] The application providing unit 203 provides applications to the information processing device 10 .

[0049] <Processing method> FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing for enabling a function of firmware according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In step 101 (S101), the firmware providing unit 202 of the information processing server 20 provides firmware to the information processing device 10. Specifically, the information processing device 10 downloads the firmware from the information processing server 20 and installs it in the information processing device 10 (for example, the main body of an MFP). Note that the firmware may be written at the time of manufacture.

[0051] In step 102 (S102), the control unit 201 of the information processing server 20 restricts (i.e., makes unavailable) the functions provided by the firmware of the information processing device 10. Specifically, when the control unit 201 acquires a notification from the information processing device 10 indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device 10, it makes unavailable the functions provided by the firmware of the information processing device 10.

[0052] In step 103 (S103), the application providing unit 203 of the information processing server 20 provides an application to the information processing device 10. Specifically, the information processing device 10 downloads the application from the information processing server 20 and installs it in the information processing device 10 (for example, an operation unit of the MFP).

[0053] In step 104 (S104), the control unit 101 of the information processing device 10 transmits to the information processing server 20 a notification indicating that an application that utilizes the function provided by the firmware in S101 has been installed in the information processing device 10.

[0054] In step 105 (S105), upon receiving the notification of S104, the control unit 201 of the information processing server 20 enables (i.e., makes available) the functions provided by the firmware of the information processing device 10. For example, upon receiving the notification of S104, the control unit 201 makes available the functions used by the application of S103, among the functions provided by the firmware. Therefore, the application of S103 can be used.

[0055] <Effects> In this manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to make the functions of firmware already installed in the information processing device unavailable until an application is installed in the information processing device.

[0056] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing device 20. Information Processing Server 101 Control section 102 Firmware storage unit 103 Application storage unit 201 Control section 202 Firmware Provision Department 203 Application Provision Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0059] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-176502 A

Claims

1. When a notification is received indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device, the function provided by the firmware is disabled; an information processing server including a control unit that, when receiving a notification indicating that an application that uses the function has been installed on the information processing device, makes the function available;

2. The information processing server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit enables a function that is used by the application out of the functions provided by the firmware to be available.

3. 3. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein the firmware is installed when the information processing device is manufactured, or is installed in order to update the information processing device to a new version.

4. A method executed by an information processing server, comprising: when receiving a notification indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device, disabling a function provided by the firmware; making the function available when a notification is received indicating that an application that uses the function has been installed in the information processing device; The method includes:

5. The information processing server, When a notification is received indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device, the function provided by the firmware is disabled; A program for functioning as a control unit that makes the function available when a notification is received indicating that an application that uses the function has been installed on the information processing device.

6. An information processing system including an information processing server and an information processing device, The information processing server includes: When a notification is received indicating that the firmware has been installed in the information processing device, the function provided by the firmware is disabled; an information processing system including a control unit that makes the function available when a notification is received indicating that an application that uses the function has been installed on the information processing device;

7. An information processing device in which firmware is installed, When an application that utilizes a function provided by the firmware is installed in the information processing device, the function is changed from unavailable to available.

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