Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that can suppress a storage capacity required for installation compared to a case of installing all plug-ins relating to a package.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus of a first aspect includes a processor. The processor selects a plug-in, which is a plug-in for extending functions executed by an apparatus, relating to functions in the apparatus itself from an aggregation plug-in in which each of the plug-ins for a plurality of functions are aggregated, and extends the functions using the plug-ins.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for an image processing system including an image processing device and a management device connected via a network, the management device including: means for acquiring remote environment data that records plug-in programs held by the managed image processing device in response to a change in the content of a flow definition for successively executing a plurality of processes on image data; means for generating plug-in environment data that records plug-in programs to be held by the managed image processing device in response to the flow definition; means for generating difference data that records a difference between the remote environment data and the plug-in environment data; means for acquiring infrastructure environment data that describes an execution infrastructure environment for the plug-in programs of the managed image processing device; means for reading the difference data and the infrastructure environment data to determine whether or not to provide a plug-in program and the version to be provided; and means for transmitting setting data to the image processing device that instructs the construction of a plug-in environment in accordance with a determination by the determining means, and the image processing device updates its own plug-in environment in accordance with the setting data received from the management device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5338571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, functions of an apparatus may be expanded by acquiring a plug-in for expanding the functions of the apparatus from a management server via a network.

[0005] Incidentally, when acquiring a plug-in, by acquiring a package that consolidates plug-ins relating to multiple functions, it is possible to extend multiple functions at the same time.

[0006] The management server transmits a package to the device and installs all plug-ins related to the package in the device, thereby expanding the functions of the device. The management server stores in advance the plug-ins required for the function expansion for each device, and transmits an instruction to uninstall the installed plug-ins that are not required for the function expansion in the device, thereby controlling the expansion of the functions of the device.

[0007] When the recording capacity for recording installed plug-ins is limited, it is necessary to suppress the recording capacity required for installation.

[0008] However, when installing all the plug-ins related to a package, it is not always possible to reduce the recording capacity required for the installation.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that can reduce the recording capacity required for installation, compared to the case where all plug-ins related to a package are installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An information processing device of a first aspect has a processor, and the processor selects a plug-in related to a function of the device from an aggregated plug-in that aggregates plug-ins for a plurality of functions, and extends the function using the plug-in.

[0011] In the information processing device of the second aspect, in the information processing device according to the first aspect, the processor pre-stores function information that is information on functions related to the information processing device itself, and selects a plug-in corresponding to a function related to the function information.

[0012] An information processing device of a third aspect is the information processing device according to the second aspect, in which the processor receives from a user whether or not a function needs to be extended, and stores the information in the function information.

[0013] An information processing device of a fourth aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the processor displays information related to a plug-in related to an aggregated plug-in.

[0014] An information processing device of a fifth aspect is the information processing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the processor accepts a user's selection of a plug-in from the displayed plug-ins.

[0015] An information processing device of a sixth aspect is an information processing device relating to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which when the processor expands a function related to a plug-in that was not selected, the processor re-acquires the aggregated plug-in, and selects a plug-in related to the function from the re-acquired aggregated plug-ins to expand the function.

[0016] In an information processing device of a seventh aspect, in the information processing device of the sixth aspect, if the aggregated plug-in acquired again includes a plug-in that updates a function that was previously extended, the processor acquires a plug-in related to the aggregated plug-in and updates the function.

[0017] An information processing device of an eighth aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the processor accepts a request to delete an extended function from the information processing device itself.

[0018] An information processing program of a ninth aspect is a program for causing a computer to select a plug-in related to a function of the device from an aggregated plug-in that aggregates plug-ins for a plurality of functions, the plug-in being used to extend the function executed by the device. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the information processing device of the first aspect and the information processing program of the ninth aspect, the recording capacity required for installation can be reduced compared to the case where all plug-ins related to a package are installed.

[0020] According to the information processing device of the second aspect, the device itself can control the expansion of functions.

[0021] According to the information processing device of the third aspect, the user can select the function that the device itself will extend.

[0022] According to the information processing device of the fourth aspect, the plug-in to be installed can be recognized.

[0023] According to the information processing device of the fifth aspect, the user can select the plug-in when installing the plug-in.

[0024] According to the information processing device of the sixth aspect, the latest plug-in can be installed.

[0025] According to the information processing device of the seventh aspect, the functions related to the plug-ins to be installed can be unified to the latest functions.

[0026] According to the information processing device of the eighth aspect, it is possible to free up recording capacity for recording plug-ins. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plug-in package for explaining selection of a plug-in according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of an installation screen according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a package details screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow for installing a plug-in according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 10 extends its functions by installing a plug-in for extending the functions executed by the device in the device. As an example, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described as being mounted on an image forming device having functions such as a copy function and a scan function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing device 10 may be a terminal such as a personal computer or a server separate from the image forming device, or may be a printer having only a printing function.

[0030] 1, an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage 14, an input unit 15, a monitor 16, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 17. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the storage 14, the input unit 15, the monitor 16, and the communication I / F 17 are each connected to one another by a bus 18. Here, the CPU 11 is an example of a processor.

[0031] The CPU 11 supervises and controls the entire information processing device 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs including the information processing program used in this embodiment, data, and the like. The RAM 13 is a memory used as a work area when various programs are executed. The CPU 11 performs a process of installing a plug-in related to a plug-in package by expanding the program stored in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executing it. The storage 14 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. The storage 14 may store an information processing program, and the like. The input unit 15 is a mouse and a keyboard that accept character input, and the like. The monitor 16 displays a list and details of the plug-in packages. The communication I / F 17 transmits and receives data.

[0032] Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0033] 2, the information processing device 10 includes an acquisition unit 21, a storage unit 22, a setting unit 23, a display unit 24, a reception unit 25, and an expansion unit 26. The CPU 11 executes an information processing program to function as the acquisition unit 21, the storage unit 22, the setting unit 23, the display unit 24, the reception unit 25, and the expansion unit 26.

[0034] The acquisition unit 21 acquires a plug-in package that aggregates plug-ins related to each of the functions to be extended. Here, the plug-in package is an example of an "aggregated plug-in." Note that a form in which the acquisition unit 21 according to the present embodiment acquires a plug-in package will be described. However, the acquisition unit 21 is not limited to this. The acquisition unit 21 may acquire the plug-ins related to each of the functions at different occasions.

[0035] Acquisition unit 21 also acquires information about plug-ins related to the plug-in package (hereinafter referred to as "plug-in information"). Here, the plug-in information is information such as the names of the plug-ins included in the plug-in package, the names of the functions corresponding to the plug-ins, the names of the functions necessary for installation, and the capacity of the plug-ins.

[0036] The storage unit 22 stores information related to the functions of the device itself (hereinafter referred to as "function information"). The function information is information on functions installed in the device itself, such as a scan function and a FAX function. In addition, the storage unit 22 stores in advance, as function information, a setting for whether or not to extend the function set by the user for each function.

[0037] The setting unit 23 sets a plug-in to be installed from among the plug-ins related to the acquired plug-in package. Specifically, the setting unit 23 uses the function information stored in the storage unit 22 to determine whether or not to install the plug-in related to the plug-in package acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0038] For example, the setting unit 23 compares the plug-in information with the function information to determine whether the plug-in corresponds to a function related to the device. The setting unit 23 compares the plug-in information with the function information, and if the function related to the plug-in included in the plug-in information corresponds to the function related to the function information, the setting unit 23 sets the plug-in necessity setting to "Necessary". On the other hand, if the function related to the plug-in included in the plug-in information does not correspond to the function related to the function information, the setting unit 23 sets the plug-in necessity setting to "No".

[0039] By setting the necessity setting by the setting unit 23, when installing a plug-in, the plug-ins necessary for the device itself are selected from the plug-ins related to the plug-in package, and unnecessary plug-ins are deleted.

[0040] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, if a plug-in package has plug-ins related to a scan function, a transfer function, a fax function, and a print function, a printer equipped with a print function selects and installs the plug-in related to the print function to expand the function. When installing a plug-in, the printer deletes the plug-ins related to the scan function, transfer function, and fax function, which are not equipped, from the plug-in package and installs them.

[0041] On the other hand, a multifunction device equipped with a scan function, a transfer function, a fax function, and a print function can select and install plug-ins related to the scan function, the transfer function, the fax function, and the print function to expand the functions.

[0042] In addition, the function is expanded depending on the setting of whether or not to expand the function set by the user stored in the function information. For example, when the user has set in advance in the setting information that the function is not to be expanded, the setting unit 23 sets the plug-in necessity setting to "No" regardless of whether the function of the plug-in related to the plug-in package corresponds to the function related to the function information.

[0043] The display unit 24 shown in Fig. 2 displays the acquired plug-in package and plug-in information. As an example, as shown in Fig. 4, the display unit 24 displays an installation screen 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the installation screen 30 displays a selection field, a package name, a package size, and a details field. Here, the selection field displays an install button 31 for receiving the selection of the plug-in package to be installed, and the package name is a name for identifying the plug-in package to be installed. In addition, the package size is the capacity of the plug-in package, and the details field displays a details button 32 for receiving an instruction to display detailed information about the plug-in package.

[0044] The installation screen 30 also displays the remaining storage capacity of the device itself, and allows the user to select an installable plug-in package by comparing the package size with the remaining storage capacity of the device itself.

[0045] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the details button 32 is pressed, the display unit 24 displays a package details screen 40 as detailed information of the corresponding plug-in package. As shown in FIG. 5, the package details screen 40 includes an install button 41 and a package details display area 42. When the install button 41 is pressed, an instruction to install a plug-in related to the displayed package is received. The package details display area 42 displays a necessity column, a function name, a required function column, and a plug-in size as detailed information of the plug-in package. Here, the necessity column displays a necessity button 43 for selecting whether or not to install the plug-in, and the function name is the name of the function that the plug-in supports. The required function column is a function of the device required to install the plug-in, and the plug-in size is the capacity of the plug-in.

[0046] When the necessity setting for a plug-in determined by the setting unit 23 is set to “Necessary,” the package details screen 40 displays a necessity button 43A in the necessity column for the corresponding plug-in, indicating that the necessity setting is set to “Necessary.”

[0047] When the necessity setting of a plug-in determined by the setting unit 23 is set to "No", the package details screen 40 displays a necessity button 43B indicating that the necessity setting is set to "No" in the necessity column of the corresponding plug-in. In addition, the package details screen 40 grays out the area related to the plug-in, thereby indicating that the plug-in is not eligible for installation.

[0048] The package details screen 40 also displays the remaining storage capacity of the device itself, and allows the user to compare the plug-in size with the remaining storage capacity, thereby selecting installable plug-ins.

[0049] 2 receives an instruction to install a plug-in related to a plug-in package when the Install button 31 on the installation screen 30 or the Install button 41 on the package details screen 40 is pressed. In addition, when the Need button 43 on the package details screen 40 is pressed, the receiving unit 25 receives an instruction to install a plug-in or an instruction not to install a plug-in.

[0050] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, a package details screen 40 accepts a selection from the user as to whether or not to install the plug-in by the user pressing a necessity button 43.

[0051] For example, when the user presses the necessity button 43A on the package details screen 40 indicating the necessity setting of "Necessary", the display unit 24 switches the display to the necessity button 43B indicating the necessity setting of "No", and the reception unit 25 receives the instruction not to install the plug-in. Also, when receiving the instruction not to install the plug-in, the setting unit 23 sets the necessity setting to "No".

[0052] On the other hand, when the user presses the necessity button 43B on the package details screen 40 indicating the necessity setting of "No", the display unit 24 switches the display to the necessity button 43A indicating the necessity setting of "Need", and the reception unit 25 receives an instruction to install the plug-in. Furthermore, when receiving an instruction to install the plug-in, the setting unit 23 sets the necessity setting to "Need".

[0053] The extension unit 26 installs a plug-in, the necessity setting of which has been set to "necessary" by the setting unit 23 from the plug-in package, into the local device, thereby extending the functions.

[0054] Here, the plug-in package acquired by acquisition unit 21 is stored in a temporary area of ​​RAM 13, and expansion unit 26 selects and installs plug-ins whose necessity setting is set to "Necessary", excluding plug-ins whose necessity setting is set to "No". By installing the plug-in, the plug-in is stored in the plug-in storage area of ​​storage 14, and becomes executable as a function by the device itself.

[0055] In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the plug-in to be installed is preset by the user, and the plug-in to be installed is displayed on the screen to allow the user to select it. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be either the case where the plug-in is preset by the user, or the case where the user is allowed to select it. For example, the installation may be set to be performed automatically, and a preset plug-in may be installed, or the installation may be set to be performed manually, and a plug-in selected by the user may be installed. In addition, the user may be allowed to select between automatic and manual settings, and the selection may be recorded in the function information. In addition, when there is a single plug-in package, the plug-in package may be installed automatically, and when there are multiple plug-in packages, the installation screen 30 may be displayed, and control may be performed to manually install the plug-in package.

[0056] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for installing a plug-in according to this embodiment. The information processing program shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the CPU 11 reading and executing an information processing program from the ROM 12 or the storage 14. The information processing program shown in Fig. 6 is executed, for example, when an instruction to install a plug-in is input by a user.

[0057] In step S101, the CPU 11 acquires plug-in information.

[0058] In step S102, CPU 11 determines whether there are multiple plug-ins related to the obtained plug-in information and whether they are configured by function. If the plug-ins are configured by function (step S102: YES), CPU 11 proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the plug-ins are not configured by function (single-function plug-ins) (step S102: NO), CPU 11 proceeds to step S105.

[0059] In step S103, the CPU 11 acquires function information relating to the functions of the own device.

[0060] In step S104, CPU 11 sets a necessity setting for the plug-in related to the plug-in package. Here, if the function of the plug-in related to the plug-in information corresponds to the function related to the function information, the necessity setting for the plug-in is set to "Necessary." On the other hand, if the function of the plug-in related to the plug-in information does not correspond to the function related to the function information, the necessity setting for the plug-in is set to "No."

[0061] In step S105, the CPU 11 displays the installation screen 30 and determines whether or not to manually set the plug-in to be installed. If the plug-in to be installed is to be manually set (step S105: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the plug-in to be installed is not to be manually set (step S105: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S109.

[0062] In step S106, the CPU 11 displays the installation screen 30.

[0063] In step S107, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a plug-in is required. If a plug-in is required (step S107: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if a plug-in is not required (step S107: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S109.

[0064] In step S108, the CPU 11 sets whether or not the accepted plug-in needs to be installed.

[0065] In step S109, the CPU 11 obtains the plug-in package to be installed.

[0066] In step S110, CPU 11 installs a plug-in. If the necessity setting for a plug-in related to the plug-in package is set to "No", the plug-in is deleted from the plug-in package, and if the necessity setting is set to "Need", the plug-in is installed.

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, the recording capacity required for installation can be reduced compared to the case where all plug-ins related to a package are installed.

[0068] The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described as accepting the selection of a plug-in to be installed from among a plug-in package. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing device 10 may accept the selection of a plug-in related to a function that has not been expanded in the past.

[0069] For example, if a plug-in included in a plug-in package has not been installed, the user may be prompted to select whether or not to install the plug-in again at a given opportunity. When installing a plug-in, the user reacquires the plug-in package, selects the plug-in from the reacquired plug-in package, and installs the plug-in. By reacquiring the plug-in package, a plug-in with the latest function is installed.

[0070] Furthermore, if a plug-in related to a previously extended function has been updated in the reacquired plug-in package, the plug-in related to the previously extended function is installed from the reacquired plug-in package.

[0071] By installing any plug-in obtained from the plug-in package and installing updated plug-ins related to functions that have been expanded in the past, inconsistencies due to differences in plug-in versions are suppressed.

[0072] Also, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described as accepting the selection of a plug-in to be installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plug-in may already be installed, and a request to delete a plug-in related to an extended function may be accepted. By deleting a plug-in related to an extended function, an unused function is deleted, and the recording capacity for recording the plug-in increases.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above using each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the scope described in each embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be made to each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including, for example, a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU: Central Processing Unit) and a dedicated processor (e.g., a GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, an FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0075] In addition, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the information processing program is installed in the storage, but the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing program according to the present embodiment may be provided in a form recorded in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the information processing program according to the present invention may be provided in a form recorded in an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM. The information processing program according to the present invention may be provided in a form recorded in a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and a memory card. The information processing program according to the present embodiment may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication I / F. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10. Information processing device 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14. Storage 15 Input section 16 monitors 17 Communication I / F 18 Bus 21 Acquisition Department 22 Memory section 23 Setting section 24 Display 25 Reception 26 Extension 30 Installation screen 31, 41 Introduction button 32 Details button 40 Package details screen 42 Package details display area 43, 43A, 43B Necessity button

Claims

1. a processor, the processor comprising: a plug-in for extending a function executed by the device, the plug-in relating to a function of the device being selected from an aggregate plug-in that aggregates the plug-ins for a plurality of functions, and the plug-in is used to extend the function; If there are a plurality of aggregation plug-ins, a selection as to whether or not to install each of the plurality of aggregation plug-ins is accepted. Information processing device.

2. The processor, storing function information, which is information on functions related to the device itself, in advance; Select a plug-in corresponding to the function related to the function information The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor, A request for function expansion is received from the user, and the request is stored in the function information. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The processor, Display information about plugins related to the aggregation plugin The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The processor, A plug-in selection by the user is accepted from the displayed plug-ins. The information processing device according to claim 4.

6. The processor, When extending the function related to the unselected plug-in, the aggregate plug-in is acquired again; From the aggregated plug-ins acquired again, a plug-in related to the function is selected to expand the function. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The processor, If the reacquired aggregation plug-in includes a plug-in that updates a previously expanded function, a plug-in related to the reacquired aggregation plug-in is acquired and the function is updated. The information processing device according to claim 6.

8. The processor, Regarding the extended function, the deletion of the function from the own device is accepted. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. On the computer, a plug-in for extending a function executed by the device, the plug-in relating to a function of the device being selected from an aggregate plug-in that aggregates the plug-ins for a plurality of functions, and the plug-in is used to extend the function; If there are a plurality of aggregation plug-ins, a selection as to whether or not to install each of the plurality of aggregation plug-ins is accepted. An information processing program for executing processing.

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