Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the launch of applications that have been granted a trial period. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the information processing device comprises a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application program that has been given a trial period. The processor stops the initial automatic startup of the application program that has been given a trial period when the information processing device is started.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral may install firmware incorporating an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) in the manufacturing process. The firmware installed in the manufacturing process is, for example, called SYSROM. Applications incorporated in SYSROM are of two types: those activated by user operation (manual activation) and those activated without user operation (automatic activation). In addition, some of the applications incorporated in SYSROM are provided with a free trial period (trial period). For an application with a trial period set, a trial license is created at the first startup, and the countdown of the trial (trial) period starts.

[0003] On the other hand, an information processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral may be provided to a user after being set up by an operator with specialized knowledge after manufacture. In the setup by the operator, the applications incorporated in SYSROM are installed in the apparatus, and the automatically activated applications are started. Therefore, for an automatically activated application, if a trial period is set, a trial license is issued during the setup by the operator. In such a case, there is a problem that the trial period of the application is substantially shortened due to the time lag from the setup by the operator until the user starts using it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the launch of an application that has been granted a trial period, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, the information processing device comprises a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit stores an application program that has been granted a trial period. The processor stops the initial automatic startup of the application program that has been granted a trial period when the information processing device is started. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus as an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process from the time the image forming apparatus, which serves as an information processing device according to the embodiment, is provided to the user. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of firmware installation in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of application installation operation in the normal startup mode after unpacking in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of management information for managing applications in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the application startup check in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation when an application set to manual startup is launched in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

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

[0010] The scanner 14 scans a document placed on the document glass and acquires an image of the document. For example, the scanner 14 has a light-emitting element and a photoelectric converter. The light-emitting element emits light toward the surface of the document placed on the document glass. The photoelectric converter has a light-receiving element (such as a CCD image sensor) that receives light from the surface of the document and converts it into electronic data.

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

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

[0013] The processor 21 performs various information processing tasks and comprehensively controls the operation of each component. The processor 21 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 21 implements various processes by executing programs stored in the ROM 22 or the memory unit 24.

[0014] ROM22 is non-volatile memory. ROM22 stores the program for the system control unit 11 of the digital multifunction printer 1 to operate as an information processing device. RAM23 is volatile memory. RAM23 functions as working memory for temporarily storing data. ROM22 stores firmware that runs on the operating system (OS).

[0015] Data is written to ROM22 during the manufacturing process at a manufacturing plant for the digital multifunction printer 1. In this embodiment, ROM22 stores firmware that includes an application program (hereinafter referred to as "application") during the manufacturing process of the digital multifunction printer 1. The application included with the firmware stored in ROM22 is installed in the storage unit 24 during normal startup after the unpacking setup described later.

[0016] The storage unit 24 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 24 is composed of a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 24 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 24 stores application programs installed by the operation of the processor 21. Also, the storage unit 24 stores management information of the application programs.

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

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

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

[0020] Digital multifunction printer 1 undergoes pre-delivery setup (unpacking and setup) at the setup center by a qualified technician. This unpacking and setup is performed by a qualified technician, not the actual user. After the unpacking and setup is complete, digital multifunction printer 1 is transported from the setup center to the user and installed at the location specified by the user.

[0021] Furthermore, unpacking and setup are not limited to being performed at a setup center. Unpacking and setup can be performed at any point before the user begins using the digital multifunction device 1. It is assumed that there will be a time lag between the completion of unpacking and setup of the digital multifunction device 1 as an information processing device and the actual start of use by the user. In the embodiments described below, the digital multifunction device 1, which has been unpacked and set up by a skilled worker at a setup center, is provided to the user.

[0022] Next, we will describe the operation of installing firmware containing an application into the digital multifunction device 1, which is an information processing device according to the embodiment, during the manufacturing process. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of installing firmware containing an application into the digital multifunction device 1, which is an information processing device according to the embodiment. During the manufacturing process at the factory, the digital multifunction printer 1 has firmware containing the application installed in a system memory such as ROM 22 (ACT 11). For example, the ROM 22 installed in the system control unit 11 of the digital multifunction printer 1 has firmware containing the application data file written to it. Here, the application data file stores data for installing the application in a storage device such as the memory unit 24.

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

[0024] Next, we will describe the application installation operation in the normal startup mode after unpacking of the digital multifunction device 1, which serves as an information processing device according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of application installation in the normal startup mode after unpacking in the digital multifunction printer 1 according to this embodiment. The digital multifunction printer 1, manufactured at the factory, is delivered to the setup center with the firmware installed, the packing mode turned on, and the unpacking flag set to on. When the unpacked digital multifunction printer 1 is started up at the setup center, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction printer 1 starts in packing mode and performs unpacking setup.

[0025] Once the unpacking setup is complete, the packing mode is turned off, and the digital multifunction printer 1 starts up in normal startup mode (normal startup) (ACT21). When starting up normally, the processor 21 of the digital multifunction printer 1 determines whether it is in normal startup mode and whether the unpacking flag is set to ON (ACT22). If it is in normal startup mode and the unpacking flag is ON, the processor 21 installs the application included with the firmware (built-in application).

[0026] If the system is in normal boot mode and the unpacking flag is on (ACT22, YES), the processor 21 determines whether or not there are any built-in applications included with the uninstalled firmware (ACT23). If there are any uninstalled built-in applications, the processor 21 performs the installation of the built-in applications (ACT24). For example, the processor 21 extracts the data files of the built-in applications included with the firmware. The processor 21 then installs the application program into the storage unit 24 based on the data stored in the data files of the built-in applications.

[0027] Furthermore, during the installation of a built-in application, the processor 21 stores the application's management information in the storage unit 24. This application management information includes settings and operational status of the application. The application management information can be viewed by the user through a user interface or other means.

[0028] Figure 5 shows an example of management information for managing applications in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 5, the application management information includes information such as "startup method," "first launch," and "trial period." The "Startup Method" indicates how an application is launched. For example, the "Startup Method" indicates whether the application is automatically launched when the digital multifunction printer 1 starts up (system starts up) or manually launched in response to user instructions. Applications with an automatic startup method will start when the digital multifunction printer 1 starts up, even without user instructions. Applications with a manual startup method will start in response to user instructions.

[0029] "Initial launch" indicates whether or not the application has been launched for the first time. For example, an application with "Not launched" indicates that the initial launch has not been performed. In addition to information indicating whether or not the initial launch has been performed, application management information may also include the number of times the application has been launched. The "trial period" indicates whether or not an application has a trial period. Application management information may include not only whether or not a trial license exists, but also information indicating the duration of the trial period.

[0030] Once the installation of a built-in application is complete, processor 21 performs a startup check process for the installed application (ACT25). During the startup check process, processor 21 performs a process to suppress the initial startup of applications that have a trial period. For example, processor 21 changes the startup method of a trial application from automatic startup to manual startup, where it is started in response to user input. The startup check process will be explained in detail later.

[0031] Once the processor 21 has completed the startup check process for the installed applications, it returns to ACT23 to check whether there are any uninstalled built-in applications. If there are uninstalled built-in applications (ACT23, YES), the processor 21 proceeds to ACT24 and repeats the process described above. If there are no uninstalled built-in applications (ACT23, NO), the processor 21 terminates the installation of built-in applications during normal startup after unpacking and setup.

[0032] Through the above process, the digital multifunction printer 1 will have the applications included with the firmware installed during normal startup after unpacking and setup. Furthermore, according to the example operation described above, the digital multifunction printer 1 will perform a startup check process for the installed applications during normal startup after unpacking and setup. This allows the digital multifunction printer 1 to suppress the initial startup of applications with a set trial period (trial applications) through the startup check process of the installed applications. The above-mentioned example of normal startup after unpacking and setup illustrates the installation and startup check process of the built-in applications. However, the digital multifunction printer 1 may perform processes other than the installation and startup check process of the built-in applications during normal startup after unpacking and setup.

[0033] Next, the application startup check process in the digital multifunction device 1, which is an information processing device according to the embodiment, will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the application startup check process in the digital multifunction device 1, which is an information processing device according to the embodiment. When processor 21 receives an application startup request, it checks whether it is a system-initiated startup request or a user-initiated startup request (ACT31). For example, processor 21 restarts the digital multifunction printer 1 after installing applications during normal startup following unpacking and setup. When restarting the digital multifunction printer 1, processor 21 generates a system-initiated startup request. If processor 21 receives a user-initiated startup request (ACT31, NO), it starts the application specified by the user (ACT32).

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

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

[0036] Furthermore, the digital multifunction printer 1 may have a group of applications installed that combine multiple different types of applications to achieve a single function. For example, application types may include applications with a UI (user interface), resident applications, and applications for administrator settings. The application group should be organized so that the management information of each application indicates the applications it is paired with.

[0037] Applications that combine multiple applications to achieve a single function will have their launch count checked across the entire application group. For example, if a second application is combined with a first application, it will be determined that the first application has already been launched if the first application has already been launched for the first time.

[0038] If the application has already been launched for the first time (ACT34, NO), the processor 21 launches the application (ACT32). An application that has already been launched for the first time already has a trial license issued, even if a trial period is provided. Therefore, there is no need to suppress the launch of an application that has already been launched for the first time, even if a trial period is provided, and it will be launched without restriction from the second time onward.

[0039] If the application has not yet been launched for the first time (ACT34, NO), the processor 21 determines whether the application has been granted a trial period (ACT35). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the application has been granted a trial period based on the application's management information. If the application does not have a trial period (ACT35, NO), the processor 21 launches the application (ACT32).

[0040] If the application is granted a trial period (ACT35, YES), the processor 21 changes the startup method in the application's management information to manual startup (ACT36). In other words, the processor 21 updates the startup method in the application's management information from automatic startup to manual startup.

[0041] However, the processor 21 may also change the startup method of an application whose startup method was changed to manual startup during the startup check process back to automatic startup after the first startup. For example, the processor 21 may add information to the management information of an application whose startup method was changed to automatic startup during the startup check process to indicate that the startup method will be changed back to automatic startup after the first startup.

[0042] Through the startup check process described above, the digital multifunction printer, as an information processing device, can prevent the initial automatic startup of the trial application. Furthermore, if the initial startup of the trial application has not yet been performed, the digital multifunction printer can change the startup method from automatic startup to manual startup. This allows the digital multifunction printer to manage the startup method of applications whose initial automatic startup was prevented as manual startup.

[0043] Furthermore, the startup check process described above is not limited to being performed when the application bundled with the firmware is started after installation. For example, the startup check process described above may also be performed during other startup processes (e.g., restarting the digital multifunction printer 1).

[0044] Next, the application startup operation in the digital multifunction device 1, which serves as an information processing device according to this embodiment, will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the application startup process by manual startup in the digital multifunction device 1, which is an information processing device according to the embodiment. Processor 21 is deemed to have received a startup request (manual startup) initiated by a user (ACT41). For example, processor 21 receives a startup request for a specified application entered by the user using input device 12.

[0045] When the processor 21 receives a startup request from a user, it determines whether the application specified by the user is being started for the first time (the initial startup has not yet been performed) (ACT42). For example, the processor 21 determines whether the initial startup has not yet been performed or has been performed based on the management information of the application for which the startup request was received. If the user-specified application has already been launched for the first time (ACT42, NO), the processor 21 launches the application (ACT47).

[0046] If the user-specified application has not yet been launched for the first time (ACT42, NO), the processor 21 determines whether or not a trial period has been granted to the application (ACT43). If the application has not been granted a trial period (ACT43, NO), the processor 21 launches the application (ACT47).

[0047] If a user-specified application has a trial period (ACT43, YES), processor 21 issues a trial license for that application (ACT44). The trial license permits the use of the application for a predetermined period (trial period) starting from the current time, which is the first time the application is launched. For example, as part of the application's management information, processor 21 starts counting down the remaining trial period from the time the trial license is issued.

[0048] When a trial license is issued, processor 21 determines whether or not the startup method of the application should be switched to automatic startup (ACT45). For example, the management information of an application that was changed from automatic startup to manual startup during the startup check process records that the startup method should be changed back to automatic startup after the first startup. In this case, processor 21 determines whether or not information indicating that the startup method should be changed back to automatic startup after the first startup is recorded in the management information of the application.

[0049] If processor 21 determines that there is no need to switch to automatic startup (ACT45, NO), it starts the application without changing the startup method (ACT47). Furthermore, if processor 21 determines that it should switch to automatic startup (ACT45, YES), it changes the startup method of the application to automatic startup (ACT47). Processor 21 updates the startup method in the application's management information from manual startup to automatic startup. Once processor 21 has changed the startup method of the application to automatic startup, it starts the application (ACT47).

[0050] According to the manual startup process performed by the user as described above, the digital multifunction printer 1, as an information processing device, can issue a trial license for the application upon its initial startup. Furthermore, the digital multifunction printer 1 can change the startup method of an application that was changed from automatic startup to manual startup during installation back to automatic startup after the initial startup. As a result, the digital multifunction printer 1 can also enable automatic startup for applications that were disabled during the initial startup, after the initial startup.

[0051] As described above, the digital multifunction printer as an information processing device according to the embodiment can suppress the automatic startup of applications that have been granted a trial period and have not yet been launched for the first time. This prevents the digital multifunction printer from automatically issuing trial licenses after restarting the application after installation. Furthermore, the digital multifunction printer can issue trial licenses only in response to application startup instructions explicitly given by the user. As a result, the digital multifunction printer prevents trial licenses from being issued before the user uses the application, thus preventing the trial period from being shortened unintentionally.

[0052] Furthermore, the digital multifunction printer, as an information processing device according to this embodiment, can change the startup method of an application that has been granted a trial period from automatic startup to manual startup. This allows the digital multifunction printer to not only stop the initial automatic startup but also to manage the application by changing its startup method to manual startup. As a result, the user can also confirm through the user interface or other means that the trial application has been changed to manual startup.

[0053] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...Digital multifunction device (information processing device, image forming device), 11...System control unit, 12...Input device, 13...Display device, 14...Scanner, 15...Printer, 21...Processor, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...Storage unit, 25...Communication interface, 26...Input interface, 27...Display interface, 28...Scanner interface, 29...Printer interface.

Claims

1. In an information processing device, A storage unit that stores application programs that have been given a trial period, A processor that stops the initial automatic startup of an application program for which the aforementioned trial period is granted upon startup of the information processing device, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The storage unit stores management information including information indicating whether or not the initial startup of the application program has not yet been performed. If the information processing device starts up and the application program has not yet been started for the first time according to the management information, the processor stops the automatic startup of the application program. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The management information includes information indicating whether the application program is started automatically when the information processing device is started or manually in response to user operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the information processing apparatus is started, the processor updates the startup method to manual startup in the management information of the application program if the initial startup has not yet been performed.

4. Furthermore, it has a system memory that stores data files for installing the application program along with the firmware. The processor installs the application program into the storage unit based on the data file stored in the system memory together with the firmware. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a printer that forms an image on a medium, A storage unit that stores application programs that have been given a trial period, A processor that stops the initial automatic startup of an application program for which the aforementioned trial period is granted upon startup of the image forming apparatus, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

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