Management device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism which can easily provide a PSA for a client device used by a user who cannot access an online store.SOLUTION: A management PC 102 communicates with a local application management server 101, a client PC 103, a local printer 105, etc., via a network 110. Moreover, the management PC 102 acquires an expansion application installer from an online application management server 109 via the Internet. The management PC 102 registers the expansion application installer with the local application management server 101 according to settings performed on a print management screen 401. The client PC 103 downloads an expansion application installer 212 from the local application management server 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A configuration in which print data is transmitted to a printing device using a printer driver is generally known. An operating system (OS), which is basic software, is installed in a client device such as a PC used by a user. The printer driver is configured according to the print architecture defined by the OS and is called from the OS to operate. A vendor providing a printing device provides a printer driver that conforms to the specifications of the OS. The OS and the printer driver cooperate to realize a function of performing printing using the output destination printing device.

[0003] In recent years, security has been emphasized in printer drivers, and the extensibility of the printer drivers themselves has decreased compared to conventional drivers. To compensate for such a decrease in extensibility, a vendor providing a printing device can provide a dedicated application for assisting the functions of a printer driver, which is an inbox driver. Such an application is called PSA (Printer Support Apps). By using PSA, the printing experience of Windows users can be enhanced.

[0004] By the way, as a technology for providing software to a client device used by a user, the technology of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a distribution server provides software to a client device used by a user. There is also a technology for constructing a printer driver distribution server for providing a printer driver to a client device used by a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-63450 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] On the other hand, as a method of providing PSA to a client device used by a user, a method of downloading from an online store operated by Microsoft to the client device is common. However, depending on the user environment, it may not be possible to access the online store. Factors that prevent access to the online store include, for example, not having an account that can access the online store, and restrictions on Internet access being provided in a corporate network or the like. Also, in a corporate network, only applications permitted by the information security department may be available for use. In such an environment, it is not possible to easily provide PSA to the client device used by the user.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can easily provide PSA to a client device used by a user who cannot access an online store. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the management device of the present invention is a management device that executes software for managing a printer via a network, and has a providing means for providing a setting screen for constructing an application management server on the network, and a registering means for registering an installer with the application management server according to the setting made on the setting screen. The installer is an installer of an application for expanding an inbox driver installed for the client device to use the printer, and is characterized in that the client device downloads the installer from the application management server.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily provide PSA to a client device used by a user who cannot access an online store.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system including a management PC 102 as a management device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, this printing system includes a local application management server 101, a management PC 102, client PCs 103 and 104, local printers 105 and 106, a shared printer 107, and a print server 108. These are connected to each other via a network 110 with a limited range such as a LAN. Also, in this printing system, the management PC 102 can communicate with an online application management server 109 via the Internet. Note that in FIG. 1, as an example, a configuration in which this printing system includes two client PCs is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and this printing system may have a configuration including at least one client PC.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing system of FIG. 1.

[0014] The local application management server 101 as an application management server has a function as a software distribution server. The local application management server 101 manages software to be installed on an information processing device connected via the network 110 and distributes the software to the information processing device. Note that in the present embodiment, as an example, the local application management server 101 is described as being configured by one physical server, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the local application management server 101 may be configured by a plurality of physical servers. Also, the local application management server 101 may be a cloud server in which one or a plurality of virtualized servers are available via the Internet. The local application management server 101 includes a local application management service 211.

[0015] The local application management service 211 distributes an application installer to an information processing apparatus connected via the network 110. For example, the local application management service 211 distributes an extended application installer 212 to the client PC 103 in accordance with a request received from the client PC 103 connected via the network 110. The extended application installer 212 includes an extended application 213 and extended setup information 214 referred to by the extended application 213. The extended application 213 is a PSA and is a dedicated application for assisting the functions of a printer driver, which is an inbox driver installed in the management PC 102, the client PCs 103, 104, etc.

[0016] The management PC 102 and the client PC 103 can execute various programs such as application programs and are equipped with a printer driver having a function of converting print data into a printer language corresponding to a printer. Further, the management PC 102 and the client PC 103 can communicate bidirectionally with other devices connected to the network 110. The printer driver supports all of a plurality of types of printers, for example, the local printers 105, 106, and the shared printer 107.

[0017] The management PC 102 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone, and is a terminal directly operated by a user (hereinafter referred to as the "management user") having the administrator authority of this printing system. Note that the management PC 102 can also have a function as a client. The management PC 102 is connected to the network 110 by a network cable such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The management PC 102 monitors the states of other devices connected to the network 110 and performs various settings. Any application software can be executed on the management PC 102. The management PC 102 includes an OS (operating system) 222, a printer driver 223, a printing application 224, and a print spooler 225 as basic software. Further, the management PC 102 includes an extended application installer 221 and a management application 226. In the present embodiment, the management user can operate the management PC 102 to obtain an extended application installer 212 or the like from the online application management server 109. Further, the management user can store the obtained extended application installer 212 in the local application management server 101 using the management application 226.

[0018] Both of the client PCs 103 and 104 are information processing devices such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone, and are terminals directly operated by a user (hereinafter simply referred to as the "user") who does not have the above-described administrator authority. Note that in the present embodiment, the client PCs 103 and 104 have the same functional configuration, and hereinafter, the functional configuration will be described using the client PC 103 as an example.

[0019] On the client PC 103, any application software can be executed. The client PC 103 includes a registry 231. Also, the client PC 103 includes an OS 232, a printer driver 233, a printing application 234, and a print spooler 235 as basic software. Furthermore, the client PC 103 includes an extended application 213 and extended setup information 214 included in the extended application installer 212 obtained from the local application management service 211. When the user gives a printing instruction using the printing application 234, the printer driver 233 generates print data and passes this print data to the print spooler 235. The print spooler 235 queues the passed print data as a print job and sends the print job to the printer designated by the user among the local printers 105, 106 and the shared printer 107.

[0020] The registry 231 is an area of a registry database in which a plurality of setting values regarding the OS 232 are described. The registry 231 can describe values in a Key And Value format. Also, in the registry 231, a correspondence relationship between the identifier of the extended application 213 and the HWID of the local printer supported by the extended application 213 is registered. The HWID is an identifier that differs for each printer model and type, and is identification information used to specify the type of printer.

[0021] The shared printer 107 and the local printers 105 and 106 are all image forming apparatuses (including printers, copier, multifunction peripheral, etc.), and are connected to the network 110 via a network interface (not shown). The shared printer 107 and the local printers 105 and 106 perform printing based on print jobs transmitted from the client PCs 103, 104, etc. Note that the local printers 105 and 106 and the shared printer 107 may be of various types such as a laser beam printer adopting an electrophotographic method, an inkjet printer adopting an inkjet method, a printer using a thermal transfer method, etc. Note that the local printers 105 and 106 have "XXXX" and "YYYY", respectively, as identification information (HWID).

[0022] The print server 108 is provided with a shared print service 241. The print server 108 receives a print instruction and print data from the outside. Further, the print server 108 transmits the received print data to the shared printer 107 via the shared print service 241.

[0023] The online application management server 109 is a server having a function as a software distribution server, and is provided with an online application management service 251. The software to be distributed includes applications, drivers, security patches, etc. The online application management service 251 receives a distribution request for an application via the Internet and distributes an installer for the application corresponding to this distribution request. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the management PC 102 is permitted to access the online application management server 109 and can directly acquire an extended application installer 212, etc. from the online application management server 109. On the other hand, it is assumed that the client PCs 103 and 104 are not permitted to access the online application management server 109 and cannot directly acquire an extended application installer 212, etc. from the online application management server 109.

[0024] Next, the hardware configurations of the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus in the printing system of FIG. 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the management PC 102, the client PCs 103 and 104 as the information processing apparatuses in this printing system all have the same hardware configuration. Hereinafter, as an example, the hardware configuration of the management PC 102 will be described. Also, the local printers 105 and 106 and the shared printer 107 as the image forming apparatuses in this printing system all have the same hardware configuration. Hereinafter, as an example, the hardware configuration of the local printer 105 will be described.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configurations of the management PC 102 and the local printer 105 in FIG. 1.

[0026] First, the hardware configuration of the management PC 102 will be described. In FIG. 3, the management PC 102 includes a CPU 300, a ROM 301, a RAM 302, a CD drive 303, a storage unit 305, a keyboard 306, a display unit 307, a pointing device 309, and a connection unit 310. The CPU 300, the ROM 301, the RAM 302, the CD drive 303, the storage unit 305, the keyboard 306, the display unit 307, and the connection unit 310 are connected to each other via a system bus 308.

[0027] The CPU 300 executes application programs, printer driver programs, an OS, network printer control programs, etc. stored in the storage unit 305. Also, the CPU 300 performs control to temporarily store information, files, etc. necessary for program execution in the RAM 302.

[0028] The ROM 301 stores various data such as programs like the basic I / O program, font data used during document processing, and template data. The RAM 302 is a temporary storage means and functions as the main memory and work area of the CPU 300. The CD drive 303 is an optical disk CD drive that reads a storage medium 304 such as a CD-ROM. Note that the storage medium 304 is not limited to a CD-ROM and may also be a CD-R, CD-RW, PC card, DVD, memory card, MO, etc. A program readable by a computer is stored in the storage medium 304.

[0029] The storage unit 305 is a storage device that functions as a large-capacity memory, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 305 stores application programs, printer driver programs, operating systems, control programs, related programs, etc.

[0030] The keyboard 306 and the pointing device 309 are used when inputting user instructions. The display unit 307 displays various information such as the status of the printer according to the instructions input by the keyboard 306. The connection unit 310 transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as the local printer 105 via the bidirectional interface 311.

[0031] Next, the hardware configuration of the local printer 105 will be described. In FIG. 3, the local printer 105 includes a PCPU 320, a PROM 321, a PRAM 322, an external memory 323, an operation unit 324, a data control unit 325, and a connection unit 326. These are connected to each other via a system bus 327.

[0032] The PCPU 320 is a printer CPU and is in charge of overall control of the local printer 105. The PCPU 320 transmits an image signal to the data control unit 325 based on the control program stored in the PROM 321 and the external memory 323 and the printer control command received by the connection unit 326.

[0033] PROM321 is the internal memory of the local printer 105, and like the external memory, it stores various data and control programs for controlling the local printer 105. PRAM322 functions as the main memory of the PCPU320. Also, when the control by the PCPU320 is executed, PRAM322 functions as a work data area for temporarily storing various data. The external memory 323 is connected as an option of the local printer 105 and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, etc.

[0034] The operation unit 324 is composed of an input unit such as an operation panel and operation switches, and a display unit such as an LED and a liquid crystal panel, etc., and receives the operator's operations and displays various information. The operator can, for example, confirm various settings in the local printer 105 via the operation unit 324. The data control unit 325 is a printer engine and is controlled by the PCPU320. The data control unit 325 performs printing processing based on the image signal output from the PCPU320. The connection unit 326 is connected to the connection unit 310 of the management PC 102, for example, via the bidirectional interface 311.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the print management screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307 of the management PC 102 in FIG. 3.

[0036] The print management screen 401 is a screen for performing various settings related to the printing system in FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the management user can perform operations such as registering an application to be installed in an information processing device connected to the network 110 from the print management screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307 of the management PC 102.

[0037] The print management screen 401 includes sub - dialogs 411, 421, 431, 441, 451. On the print management screen 401, as common functions of the sub - dialogs, hiding, redisplaying, minimizing, and maximizing can be performed.

[0038] In sub-dialog 411, it is possible to specify a print server and register or delete a print queue for the specified print server.

[0039] In sub-dialog 421, it is possible to give an instruction to upload a printer driver to the specified print server.

[0040] In sub-dialog 431, it is possible to specify a software distribution server and check the software registered on the specified software distribution server. Sub-dialog 431 includes controls 432 to 437.

[0041] In control 432, the server name of the software distribution server is specified. In control 433, the domain name to which the software distribution server specified in control 432 belongs is specified. In control 434, it is possible to display the list of names, descriptions, and collections of the software registered on the software distribution server specified in control 432. Note that the collection can be specified in sub-dialog 451 described later.

[0042] In sub-dialog 431, for example, when the administrator presses control 435, a dialog (not shown) is displayed on display unit 307, and the administrator can newly register a software distribution server using this dialog. Also, when the administrator presses control 436 while the software information displayed in control 434 is selected, the software corresponding to the selected information can be deleted. Further, when the administrator presses control 437 while the software information displayed in control 434 is selected, the detailed information of the software corresponding to the selected information can be displayed.

[0043] In sub-dialog 441, the application can be registered with the software distribution server. Sub-dialog 441 includes controls 442 to 445. In control 442, a list of applications that can be registered with the software distribution server is displayed. For example, in control 442, a list of applications stored in the management PC 102 is displayed together with their detailed information.

[0044] In sub-dialog 441, for example, when the management user presses control 443 with the information of the application displayed in control 442 selected, the installer of the selected application is registered with the software distribution server. Also, when the management user presses control 444 with the information of the application displayed in control 442 selected, the information of the selected application is deleted from control 442. Further, when the management user presses control 445, in the management PC 102, a dialog (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 307, and the management user can newly acquire an application using this dialog. For example, the management PC 102 connects to the online application management server 109 and requests a list of available applications. The management PC 102 downloads the installer of the application specified by the management user from the online application management server 109 from among this list and stores the downloaded installer in a predetermined storage location.

[0045] In sub-dialog 451, various detailed settings regarding distribution can be made. Sub-dialog 451 includes controls 452 to 454.

[0046] In control 452, the execution conditions of the program are specified. For example, if "only when the user is logged in" is selected in control 452, when the user is logged in to the client PC targeted for distribution, the installer of the application targeted for distribution is distributed to this client PC.

[0047] In the control 453, arguments to be passed to the installer of the application to be distributed are specified. For example, if "-Silent" is specified in the control 453, the installer of the application to be distributed is called with the argument "-Silent", and the installation process of this installer is executed without the UI or the like instructing the start of installation being displayed on the display unit 307.

[0048] In the control 454, users, groups, and client devices capable of distributing the application to be distributed are specified. In the sub-dialog 451, it is also possible to specify, using a control (not shown), the time to start distributing the application to be distributed, the exclusion time for distribution, which is the time when distribution is not performed, and the like.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the registration process of the installer of the application executed in the printing system of FIG. 1. The registration process in FIG. 5 is performed by the local application management server 101, the management PC 102, and the online application management server 109. The registration process in FIG. 5 is executed, for example, when the management user presses the control 445 on the print management screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307. When the control 445 is pressed, the management PC 102 accesses the online application management server 109.

[0050] In FIG. 5, first, the management application 226 of the management PC 102 sends a request to the online application management service 251 of the online application management server 109 to transmit a list of applications for which the service has been made public (S501).

[0051] The online application management service 251 that has received the request to transmit the list responds with a list of applications to the management application 226 (S502).

[0052] On the management PC 102, a dialog box (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 307 to have the management user specify the application to be acquired based on the received list of applications. The management application 226 makes a transmission request for the application specified by the management user in this dialog box to the online application management service 251 (S503).

[0053] The online application management service 251 transmits the installer of the application indicated by this transmission request, for example, the extended application installer 221, to the management application 226 (S504).

[0054] The management application 226 stores the received installer, for example, the extended application installer 221, in a storage area previously secured in the management PC 102 such as the storage unit 305 (S505). Further, the management application 226 additionally displays information on the application corresponding to the stored installer on the control 442 of the print management screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307.

[0055] After that, when the management application 226 receives an upload instruction for the application, such as when the management user presses the control 443 of the print management screen 401 (S506), the management application 226 retrieves the installer of the application specified by the management user from the above storage area. The management application 226 uploads (transmits) the retrieved installer to the local application management service 211 (S507). For example, the management application 226 retrieves the extended application installer 221 from the above storage area and uploads the extended application installer 221 to the local application management service 211. Note that the management application 226 may edit the extended application installer retrieved from the above storage area and upload the edited extended application installer to the local application management service 211. In the present embodiment, the extended application installer uploaded from the management application 226 to the local application management service 211 is the extended application installer 212.

[0056] In addition, the management application 226 additionally displays information on the application corresponding to the uploaded installer on the controller 434. For example, the name of this application is displayed in the "Name" column of the controller 434, and information about this application is displayed in the "Description" column of the controller 434. Also, the value specified by the controller 454 of the sub-dialog 451 is displayed in the "Collection" column of the controller 434. If the information to be displayed in these columns is not set, a blank or default value is displayed.

[0057] The local application management service 211 registers the installer transmitted in S507 (S508). Specifically, the local application management service 211 stores the installer transmitted in S507 in a storage area reserved in advance in the local application management server 101.

[0058] On the other hand, on the management PC 102, when receiving a detailed setting instruction such as the management user pressing the controller 437 (S509), the management application 226 extracts the detailed setting information specified by the management user in the sub-dialog 451 or the like. The management application 226 transmits the extracted detailed setting information to the local application management service 211 (S510).

[0059] The local application management service 211 stores the detailed setting information transmitted in S510 in a storage area reserved in advance in the local application management server 101 (S511), and this process ends.

[0060] Next, in the printing system of this embodiment, an installation control process for installing the extended application 213 on the client PCs 103 and 104 that are not permitted to access the online application management server 109 will be described. Hereinafter, as an example, a process for installing the extended application 213 on the client PC 103 among the client PCs 103 and 104 will be described.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the installation control process executed in the printing system of FIG. 1. The installation control process of FIG. 6 is executed by the client PC 103 and the local application management server 101. In the installation control process of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the extended app installer 212 transmitted from the management PC 102 in the above-described registration process and the detailed setting information set in the sub-dialog 451 are already registered in the local application management service 211.

[0062] In FIG. 6, first, the local application management service 211 of the local application management server 101 waits until the delivery time determined based on the detailed setting information set in the sub-dialog 451 (S601). When the delivery time arrives, the local application management service 211 transmits information on the deliverable applications to the OS 232 of the client PC 103 (S602). Here, as an example of the information on the deliverable applications, it is assumed that information such as the name of the extended application 213 included in the extended app installer 212, its version, and its file size is transmitted.

[0063] When the OS 232 receives the information on the deliverable applications, it displays a software installation permission dialog for obtaining an installation permission from the user of the client PC 103 on the display unit of the client PC 103.

[0064] The OS 232 that has obtained the installation permission makes a delivery request for the extended app installer 212 to the local application management service 211 (S603).

[0065] The local application management service 211 delivers the extended app installer 212 corresponding to the delivery request received from the OS 232 to the client PC 103 (S604).

[0066] The OS 232 activates the received extended application installer 212 and installs the extended application 213 included in the extended application installer 212 on the client PC 103 (S605). In S605, for example, the OS 232 stores the extended application 213 in a predetermined storage area and appropriately sets the registry required by the extended application 213.

[0067] Next, the OS 232 registers the extended setup information 214 included in the extended application installer 212 (S606). Specifically, the OS 232 extracts the extended setup information 214 from the extended application installer 212 and stores the extracted extended setup information 214 in the OS area where the set of configuration files is stored. Then, this process ends.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the extended setup information 214 in FIG. 2.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the extended setup information 214 describes information for identifying the extended application 213 to be associated with the printer queue.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 7, the name for identifying the extended application 213 is described in the PackageFamilyName 701. Also, the ID "APP-1" for identifying the extended application 213 is described in the AUMID 702. Further, in the PrinterHardwareID 703, the string "PrinterAPP_XXXX" is described, which is obtained by adding the identification additional information "Printer_APP" to the identification information (HWID) "XXXX" of the local printer 105.

[0071] Next, the process executed by the client PC 103 will be described.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of printer registration control processing executed by the client PC 103 in FIG. 1. In the printer registration control processing, registration of a printer and association of an extended application with the printer are performed. The printer registration control processing is executed by the OS 232.

[0073] In FIG. 8, the OS 232 makes a multicast inquiry within the network 110 to search for a printer corresponding to the printer driver 233 (S801). For the search, for example, Bonjour, WSD (Web Services for Devices), etc. are used.

[0074] When the OS 232 receives a response to the above inquiry, it displays a printer list for selecting an additional target printer on the display unit of the client PC 103 based on this response (S802). Here, it is assumed that the local printers 105 and 106 are found by the search and their information is displayed in the printer list.

[0075] Next, the OS 232 accepts a user operation for selecting a target printer from the printer list (S803). Here, it will be described that the local printer 105 is selected.

[0076] Next, the OS 232 performs setup processing of the printer driver 233 so that printing can be performed using the target printer selected in S803. In the setup processing, registration of the printer driver 233, creation of a printer queue, setting of the print spooler 235 and the registry 231 used by the OS 232, etc. are performed. Further, setting of a print port and setting of the capabilities of the printer driver based on print attribute information conforming to IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) acquired from the local printer 105 which is the target printer are performed. By executing the processing of S801 to S804, the local printer 105 can be used from the printer driver 233.

[0077] The processing from S805 is control for extending the printer driver 233 with the extended application 213. In S805, the OS 232 obtains, from the target printer, the HWID which is identification information for identifying the printer. Specifically, the OS 232 obtains "XXXX", which is the HWID of the local printer 105, from the local printer 105 which is the target printer.

[0078] Next, the OS 232 obtains the extended setup information 214 stored in the client PC 103 (S806). Next, the OS 232 determines whether or not it has been able to obtain the extended setup information 214 corresponding to this HWID based on the HWID obtained in S805 (S807). For example, when the value of PrinterHardwareID 703 in the extended setup information 214 obtained in S806 is "PrinterApp_XXXX" and the HWID is "XXXX", it is determined that the extended setup information 214 corresponding to this HWID has been obtained. In this case, this processing proceeds to S808. In S808, the OS 232 performs the association of the extended application 213. Specifically, the OS 232 registers the value of AUMID 702 taken out from the extended setup information 214 and the HWID obtained in S805 in the registry 231 registered in S804. By this registration, the association between the local printer 105 and the extended application 213 is performed in the client PC 103. Thereafter, this processing ends.

[0079] On the other hand, in S807, when it is determined that the extended setup information 214 corresponding to the HWID obtained in S805 cannot be obtained, the association of the extended application 213 is not performed and this processing ends.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print control process executed by the client PC 103 in FIG. 1. The print control process is also executed by the OS 232, similar to the printer registration control process described above. The print control process starts when the user designates a printer for which to execute a print process from among the printers registered in the printer registration control process described above, and issues a print instruction to execute the print process on the designated printer using the print function of the print application 234.

[0081] In FIG. 9, first, the OS 232 causes the simple print settings dialog 1000 in FIG. 10 to be displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103 (S901). In the simple print settings dialog 1000, simple settings for printing are made. The simple print settings dialog 1000 includes a "Detailed Settings" button 1001, an "Apply" button 1002, a "Cancel" button 1003, and an "OK" button 1004. The "Detailed Settings" button 1001 is a button for instructing the display of a detailed print settings dialog described later. The "Apply" button 1002 is a button for instructing the saving of print settings. The "Cancel" button 1003 is a button for instructing the cancellation of print settings. The "OK" button 1004 is a button for instructing the start of printing.

[0082] When the OS 232 receives a user operation in the simple print settings dialog 1000 (S902), it determines whether the "Detailed Settings" button 1001 has been clicked (pressed) (S903). If it is determined that the "Detailed Settings" button 1001 has not been clicked, this process proceeds to S912 described later. If it is determined that the "Detailed Settings" button 1001 has been clicked, this process proceeds to S904.

[0083] In S904, the OS 232 determines whether the extended application 213 is associated. For example, in the registry 231, if an ID for identifying the extended application 213 is not registered in association with the printer designated by the user, it is determined that the extended application 213 is not associated. In this case, this process proceeds to S905.

[0084] In S905, the OS 232 causes the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 in FIG. 11(a) to be displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103. In the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100, detailed settings for printing, such as paper size, number of copies, paper type, color printing mode, etc. are set. For example, in the color printing mode 1101, the user can select one of "Black and White", "Color", and "Automatic (Black and White / Color)", and "Color" is set as the default value. Also, in the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100, the screen can be scrolled by operating the scroll bar 1102, and the setting values of various print setting items can be set. FIG. 11(b) shows an example in which the print setting items change when the scroll bar 1102 is moved. In the example of FIG. 11(b), as print setting items, folding settings, punching, paper ejection port, and page aggregation can be set. After the processing of S905 is completed, this processing proceeds to S908 described later.

[0085] On the other hand, in S904, for example, in the registry 231, if an ID for identifying the extended application 213 is registered in association with the printer specified by the user, it is determined that the extended application 213 is associated. In this case, this processing proceeds to S906. In S906, the OS 232 starts the extended application 213 associated with this printer, that is, the extended application 213 corresponding to the above ID.

[0086] Next, the OS 232 controls the extended application 213 to display the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 in Fig. 12(a) on the display unit of the client PC 103 (S907). Similar to the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 described above, in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200, detailed settings for printing such as paper size, number of copies, paper type, color printing mode, etc. are set. Note that the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 includes a "language switch" button 1201 that is not included in the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 described above. When the user presses the "language switch" button 1201, a language switch screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103. On this language switch screen, the user can select one from Japanese / English / French / German displayed as language options. For example, if the user selects "English" on this language switch screen, as shown in Fig. 12(b), in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200, the language display of buttons, etc. is changed to English. Thus, the extended application 213 has a language switch function that is not a standard function. In this embodiment, the configuration in which the extended application 213 has a language switch function that is not a standard function has been described, but the extended application 213 may have other functions other than the language switch function. After completing the process of S907, this process proceeds to S908 described later.

[0087] In S908, when the OS 232 receives a user operation in the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 or the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103, this process proceeds to S909.

[0088] In S909, the OS 232 determines whether the OK button has been pressed in the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 or the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103. If it is determined that the OK button has not been pressed, this process returns to S908. If it is determined that the OK button has been pressed, this process proceeds to S910.

[0089] In S910, the OS 232 determines the set values set in the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 or the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103 as print setting information. Next, the OS 232 ends the display of the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 or the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 (S911). When the display of the standard detailed print settings dialog 1100 or the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 ends, the simple print settings dialog 1000 is displayed on the display unit of the client PC 103.

[0090] Next, the OS 232 determines whether the "Cancel" button 1003 of the simple print settings dialog 1000 has been pressed (S912). If it is determined that the "Cancel" button 1003 has been pressed, this process ends. If it is determined that the "Cancel" button 1003 has not been pressed, this process proceeds to S913.

[0091] In S913, the OS 232 determines whether the "OK" button 1004 of the simple print settings dialog 1000 has been pressed. If it is determined that the "OK" button 1004 of the simple print settings dialog 1000 has not been pressed, this process returns to S902. If it is determined that the "OK" button 1004 of the simple print settings dialog 1000 has been pressed, this process proceeds to S914.

[0092] In S914, the OS 232 sends a print job to the printer specified by the user. Note that this print job is a print job generated based on the print setting information determined in S910. When the process of S914 is completed, this process ends.

[0093] According to the above-described embodiments, the management PC 102 registers the extended app installer 212 with the local application management server 101 according to the settings made on the print management screen 401. The client PC 103 downloads the extended app installer 212 from the local application management server 101. Thereby, it is possible to easily provide the extended app installer 212 including the extended application 213 which is a PSA to the client PC 103 used by a user who cannot access the online application management server 109.

[0094] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the local application management server 101 is constructed separately from the print server 108. Thereby, it is possible to easily provide the extended app installer 212 to the client PC 103 used by a user who cannot access the online application management server 109 without increasing the processing load of the print server 108.

[0095] Note that, in the present embodiment, the local application management server 101 may be constructed integrally with the print server 108. Thereby, it is possible to easily provide the extended app installer 212 to the client PC 103 used by a user who cannot access the online application management server 109 without newly preparing a server device that functions as the local application management server 101.

[0096] Also, in the present embodiment, the local application management server 101 may be constructed within the management PC 102. Thereby, it is possible to easily provide the extended app installer 212 to the client PC 103 used by a user who cannot access the online application management server 109 only by preparing the management PC 102.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the local application management server 101 and the print server 108 may be constructed within the management PC 102. Thereby, by only preparing the management PC 102, the local application management service 211 and the shared print service 241 can be utilized.

[0098] Also, in this embodiment, the management PC 102 may perform control to change the configuration of the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200. Note that since the functional configuration of the print system that performs such control is different from the functional configuration shown in FIG. 2 described above, the functional configuration thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0099] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a print system that performs control to change the configuration of the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200. As a difference from the functional configuration of the print system in FIG. 2 described above, in the print system of FIG. 13, the extended app installer 212 that the local application management server 101 acquires from the management PC 102 further includes a setting value file 1301. Further, the client PC 103 further includes the setting value file 1301 included in the extended app installer 212 acquired from the local application management server 101.

[0100] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the setting value file 1301 in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, when the extended application 213 is started, it reads the setting value file 1301 and uses the setting values included in the setting value file 1301 for the display control of the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200.

[0101] The setting value file 1301 is composed of an item name 1401, a settable value 1402, a default value 1403, and an invalid value 1404. The item name 1401 is the label name to be displayed in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200. In the settable value 1402, values that can be selected for each print setting item included in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 are defined. In the default value 1403, initial values for each print setting item included in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 are defined. In the invalid value 1404, among the values defined in the settable value 1402, values to be made invalid are set. In FIG. 14, as an example, as shown at 1405, "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" and "Color" are set as invalid values for the item name "Color Print Mode". For example, when the extended application 213 reads the setting value file 1301 set in this way, the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 in which "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" and "Color" cannot be selected in the "Color Print Mode" is displayed. In such an extended detailed print settings dialog 1200, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" and "Color" in the "Color Print Mode" are displayed in an invalid state (displayed in gray) so that they cannot be selected.

[0102] Next, registration of the application installer by the print system in FIG. 13 will be described.

[0103] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing the registration process of the application installer executed in the printing system of FIG. 13. The registration process in FIG. 16 is a process similar to the registration process in FIG. 5 described above. Hereinafter, the content different from the registration process in FIG. 5 described above will be particularly described. Similar to the registration process in FIG. 5 described above, the registration process in FIG. 16 is also performed by the local application management server 101, the management PC 102, and the online application management server 109. Similar to the registration process in FIG. 5 described above, the registration process in FIG. 16 is also executed, for example, when the management user presses the control 445 on the print management screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307. When the control 445 is pressed, the management PC 102 accesses the online application management server 109.

[0104] In FIG. 16, S1601 to S1605, which are the same processes as S501 to S505 described above, are performed.

[0105] Next, the management application 226 performs the setting value file editing process of FIG. 17 described later (S1606). Next, S1607 to S1612, which are the same processes as S506 to S511 described above, are performed, and this process ends. By this process, the extended application installer 212 including the setting value file 1301 edited by the management user in S1606 is stored in the storage area of the local application management server 101.

[0106] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting value file editing process of S1606 in FIG. 16. The setting value file editing process in FIG. 17 is executed when the management PC 102 receives an editing instruction for the setting value file from the management user. In this embodiment, the management user can give an editing instruction for the setting value file by pressing the "Setting Value Edit" button 1801 in FIG. 18 in the sub-dialog 441. The "Setting Value Edit" button 1801 is a button displayed in the sub-dialog 441 when the management user selects one extended application from the list displayed in the control 442.

[0107] In FIG. 17, first, the management application 226 deploys the extended application installer (S1701). Specifically, the management application 226 retrieves the installer of the extended application (extended application installer) selected by the management user from the list displayed on the control 442 from the storage area, and deploys this installer to a prepared work area. For example, it is to decompress a self-extracting file or the like.

[0108] Next, the management application 226 determines whether the deployment extended application installer contains a setting value file (S1702). For example, by searching the files extracted from the deployed extended application installer, if a file with a name corresponding to the setting value file (for example, "Setup.INI") exists, it is determined that the deployed extended application installer contains the setting value file. In this case, this process proceeds to S1703.

[0109] In S1703, the management application 226 causes the setting value editing screen 1900 of FIG. 19 to be displayed on the display unit 307. The setting value editing screen 1900 is a screen for editing the setting value file included in the installer of the extended application (extended application installer) selected by the management user from the list displayed on the control 442. The setting value editing screen 1900 is composed of an editing target item selection area 1901, "up" button 1902, "down" button 1903, setting value display area 1904, "hide" button 1905, "display" button 1906, "property" button 1907, "save" button 1908, and "cancel" button 1909.

[0110] In the editing target item selection area 1901, the items displayed in the extended detail print settings dialog 1200 and the settable values corresponding to each item are displayed in a tree format. The management user can change the order of the items displayed in the extended detail print settings dialog 1200, change the setting values, etc. by selecting the displayed items and settable values and operating various buttons.

[0111] The "Up" button 1902 and the "Down" button 1903 are buttons for changing the display order of the items and configurable values displayed in the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200. For example, when the "Up" button 1902 is selected while the "Color" displayed in the editing target item selection area 1901 is selected by the administrator user, "Color" moves above "Black and White" in the editing target item selection area 1901. In the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 based on the configuration value file 1301 changed in this way, as the configurable values of the "Color printing mode", "Color" and "Black and White" are displayed in this order.

[0112] In the configuration value display area 1904, the configurable values that can be added as the configurable values corresponding to the item selected in the editing target item selection area 1901 are displayed. For example, when the "Hide" button 1905 is selected while the "Color" displayed in the editing target item selection area 1901 is selected by the administrator user, "Color" is deleted from the editing target item selection area 1901, and "Color" is added to the configuration value display area 1904. In the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 based on the configuration value file 1301 changed in this way, as the configurable values of the "Color printing mode", "Color" is not displayed, and only "Black and White" is displayed. Also, when the "Show" button 1906 is selected while the "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" displayed in the configuration value display area 1904 is selected by the administrator user, "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" is added to the editing target item selection area 1901, and "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" is deleted from the configuration value display area 1904. In the extended detailed print settings dialog 1200 based on the configuration value file 1301 changed in this way, as the configurable values of the "Color printing mode", "Black and White", "Color", and "Automatic (Color / Black and White)" are displayed in this order.

[0113] The "Properties" button 1907 is a button for editing the properties of the item or configurable value selected in the editing target item selection area 1901. When the "Properties" button 1907 is pressed, a properties screen (not shown) is displayed, and in this properties screen, for example, the change of the display string is performed.

[0114] The "Save" button 1908 is a button for giving an instruction to save the setting value file 1301 edited on the setting value editing screen 1900. The "Cancel" button 1909 is a button for giving an instruction to discard the editing performed by the administrative user on the setting value editing screen 1900.

[0115] Returning to FIG. 17, when the management application 226 receives a user operation on the setting value editing screen 1900 (S1704), it determines whether the "Save" button 1908 has been pressed (S1705).

[0116] In S1705, if it is determined that the "Save" button 1908 has been pressed, the management application 226 saves the setting value file edited on the setting value editing screen 1900 and reconfigures the installer (S1706). Specifically, the management application 226 saves the setting value file edited by the administrative user on the setting value editing screen 1800. Further, the management application 226 replaces the setting value file of the installer expanded in the work area in S1701 with the edited setting value file and compresses it into a self-extracting installer file. Furthermore, the management application 226 stores the replaced installer in the storage area of the extended application. After that, this process ends.

[0117] In S1705, if it is determined that the "Save" button 1908 has not been pressed, the management application 226 determines whether the "Cancel" button 1909 has been pressed (S1707). If it is determined that the "Cancel" button 1909 has not been pressed, this process returns to S1704. If it is determined that the "Cancel" button 1909 has been pressed, this process ends.

[0118] In S1702, if a file extracted from the expanded extension application installer is searched and a file having a name corresponding to the setting value file (for example, "Setup.INI") does not exist, it is determined that the expanded extension application installer does not include the setting value file. In this case, this process proceeds to S1708. In S1708, the management application 226 displays an error screen on the display unit 307. For example, in the case of an extension application that does not support editing of the setting value file, the installer of this extension application does not include the setting value file. In such a case, an error screen including a message such as "It is not an object of editing." is displayed on the display unit 307. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the management PC 102 performs control to change the configuration of the extended detailed print setting dialog 1200. Thereby, the management user can operate the management PC 102 to edit the configuration of the extended detailed print setting dialog 1200 according to the user environment, and thus the extended detailed print setting dialog 1200 can be made easier to use according to the user environment.

[0120] Also, in the present embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which only the installer of the extension application corresponding to the printer existing in the user environment among the extension application installers stored in the management PC 102 is registered in the local application management server 101.

[0121] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the device management screen 2000 of the management application 226 displayed on the display unit 307 of the management PC 102 in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, the management application 226 acquires and holds information on the printer to be managed. The management application 226 displays the device management screen 2000 on the display unit 307 to provide the management user with information on the printer to be managed and accepts various operations.

[0122] The device management screen 2000 is composed of a printer information display area 2001 and a detailed information display area 2002. In the printer information display area 2001, a list of information of the printers to be managed is displayed. The information of the printer is, for example, the device model, IP address, and hardware address of the printer. Note that the device model in the printer information display area 2001 shall be the same as the HWID. In the detailed information display area 2002, the detailed information of the printer selected in the printer information display area 2001 is displayed.

[0123] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of the sub-dialog 441 in the print management screen 401 of FIG. 4. The sub-dialog 2100 in FIG. 21(a) includes a control 2101, which is different from the sub-dialog 441 in FIG. 4 described above. The control 2101 has a filtering function for narrowing down the installer to be registered in the local application management server 101. With this filtering function, the list of extended applications to be displayed in the control 2102 can be filtered. In the control 2101, "only managed targets", "select all", and individual model names can be selected. When "only managed targets" is selected, the control 2102 is filtered to only the extended applications corresponding to the printers managed by the device management function of the management application 226.

[0124] For example, assume that the HWID of the printer existing in the user environment is only "MFP_001". Also, as shown in Fig. 21(a), four installers corresponding to two extended applications with the application model "MFP_001", one extended application with the application model "MFP_002", and one extended application with the application model "LBP_001" are stored in the management PC102. In such a case, when "only management target" is selected by the control 2101, as shown in Fig. 21(b), a list filtered only to the extended applications with the application model "MFP_001" is displayed on the control 2102. In this way, by filtering only to the extended applications corresponding to the printers existing in the user environment, it is possible to prevent the extended applications that cannot be used in the user environment from being registered in the local application management server 101.

[0125] When "select all" is selected, all the extended applications stored in the management application 226 are displayed on the control 2102. The model names of the printers managed by the management application 226 are dynamically displayed in the individual model names. When a certain model is selected as the individual model name, the control 2102 is filtered only to the extended applications corresponding to the selected model.

[0126] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads out and executes the program code. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

[0127] In the present embodiment, as an example of application distribution, a service having a software distribution function different from the management application has been described, but the functions may be integrated into the management application.

[0128] Also, in the application distribution, an example has been described in which information on distributable applications is distributed after waiting until the distribution time, and an installer is distributed in response to a request received from the client PC. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the distribution time is not set, or installation is forcibly performed even without a request from the client PC.

[0129] Note that the disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A management device that executes software for managing a printer via a network, the management device having providing means for providing a setting screen for constructing an application management server on the network, and registration means for registering an installer with the application management server according to the settings made on the setting screen, wherein the installer is an installer of an application for expanding an inbox driver installed for the client device to use the printer, and the client device downloads the installer from the application management server. (Configuration 2) The management device according to Configuration 1, further having means for communicating with a print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside, wherein the application management server is constructed separately from the print server. (Configuration 3) The management device according to Configuration 1, further having means for communicating with a print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside, wherein the application management server is constructed integrally with the print server. (Configuration 4) The management device according to Configuration 1, wherein the application management server is constructed within the management device. (Configuration 5) The management device according to Configuration 1, wherein the application management server and the print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside are constructed within the management device. (Configuration 6) The management device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, further comprising means for acquiring the installer via the Internet from a public server that provides the installer, and means for holding the installer acquired from the public server. (Configuration 7) The management device according to Configuration 6, further comprising means for narrowing down the installer to be registered in the application management server among the held installers. (Configuration 8) The management device according to Configuration 7, wherein the narrowing-down means narrows down the installer to be registered in the application management server to an installer of an application corresponding to the printer. (Configuration 9) The management device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, further comprising means for editing the configuration of the setting screen of the application corresponding to the installer.

Description of Signs

[0130] 101 Local Application Management Server 102 Management PC 103, 104 Client PC 105, 106 Local Printer 107 Shared Printer 108 Print Server 109 Online Application Management Server 110 Network 212, 221 Extended Application Installer 213 Extended Application 226 Management Application 233 Printer Driver 300 CPU 305 Storage Unit 307 Display Unit 310 Connection Unit 401 Print Management Screen 1200 Extended Detail Printing Settings Dialog

Claims

1. A management device that executes software for managing a printer via a network, comprising: providing means for providing a setting screen for constructing an application management server on the network; registration means for registering an installer with the application management server according to the settings made on the setting screen; wherein the installer is an installer of an application for expanding an inbox driver installed for the client device to use the printer; a management device, characterized in that the client device downloads the installer from the application management server.

2. further comprising means for communicating with a print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside; The management device according to claim 1, wherein the application management server is constructed separately from the print server.

3. further comprising means for communicating with a print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside; The management device according to claim 1, wherein the application management server is constructed integrally with the print server.

4. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the application management server is constructed within the management device.

5. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the application management server and a print server that receives a print instruction and print data from the outside are constructed within the management device.

6. further comprising means for obtaining the installer via the Internet from a public server that provides the installer; and means for holding the installer obtained from the public server.

7. The management device according to claim 6, further comprising means for narrowing down the installer to be registered with the application management server among the held installers.

8. The management device according to claim 7, wherein the narrowing-down means narrows down the installer to be registered with the application management server to an installer of an application corresponding to the printer.

9. The management device according to claim 1, further comprising means for editing the configuration of the setting screen of the application corresponding to the installer.

10. A control method for a management device that executes software for managing a printer via a network, comprising: a providing step of providing a setting screen for constructing an application management server on the network; a registering step of registering an installer with the application management server according to the setting made on the setting screen, and the installer is an installer of an application for expanding an inbox driver installed for the client device to use the printer, characterized in that the client device downloads the installer from the application management server.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a management device that executes software for managing a printer via a network, wherein the control method of the management device includes a providing step of providing a setting screen for constructing an application management server on the network; a registering step of registering an installer with the application management server according to the setting made on the setting screen, and the installer is an installer of an application for expanding an inbox driver installed for the client device to use the printer, characterized in that the client device downloads the installer from the application management server.

Images