Information processing apparatus, setting tool program, and information processing system

Abstract

To register a client device with a server device.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises a control circuit operating as a setting tool which includes: an application setting unit which runs a setting tool program to perform settings of an application relating to a client device; and a server synchronization unit which is triggered by the settings for the client device which are performed by the application setting unit, to register the client device synchronously with a server device with which client devices to be provided with a part of functions of the application are to be registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a setting tool program for setting an application related to a client device, an information processing apparatus that executes the setting tool program, and an information processing system.

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where application settings related to client devices (for example, image forming apparatuses) in an office are performed using a setting tool installed in an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer) used by an administrator or the like in the office. For example, according to Patent Document 1, using a setting tool, management of the installation status of an application on a client device, management of the application status of applying the layout of a graphical user interface installed on the client device, layout display according to a user, etc. are performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some functions of an application installed on a client device may be provided via a network instead of locally on the client device. In that case, it is necessary to register the client device that provides this function with the server device that provides the function.

[0005] It is desirable to register a client device with a server device appropriately and user-friendly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure By executing a setting tool program, An application setting unit that sets an application related to a client device; A server synchronization unit that synchronizes and registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device that provides some functions of the application using, as a trigger, the setting related to the client device by the application setting unit A control circuit that operates as a setting tool having is provided.

[0007] According to the present embodiment, the setting tool synchronizes and registers the client device with the server device using the setting related to the client device as a trigger. As a result, for the user, by performing a one-step action of setting the application related to the client device using the setting tool, the same client device is synchronously registered with the server device in the background. This reduces the number of user operation steps, eliminates the need to redundantly register the client device, and can reduce the chance of user input errors.

[0008] The server synchronization unit When the number of licenses of the client device that provides the some functions has reached the upper limit and the client device is not registered or activated in the server device, Provides a device editing user interface for editing device information of a client device registered and activated in the server device, Edits the device information of the client device registered and activated in the server device via the device editing user interface, By adding the client device to the server device, the client device is synchronously registered with the server device.

[0009] If the number of licenses is reduced to create available licenses, it becomes possible to activate the client device.

[0010] The server synchronization unit When the upper limit of the number of licenses for the client device provided with the part of the functions has not been reached and the client device is not registered or activated in the server device, By adding the client device to the server device, the client device is synchronized and registered in the server device.

[0011] Thereby, when the client device is not registered or activated in the server device, the setting tool can add the client device to the server device without the need for an action on the server device by the user.

[0012] The server synchronization unit When the client device is registered and activated in the server device regardless of whether the number of licenses has reached the upper limit, By selecting the client device already registered in the server device, the client device is synchronized and registered in the server device.

[0013] Thereby, when the client device is registered and activated in the server device, the setting tool can transmit and store the latest device information of the client device in the server device without the need for an action on the server device by the user.

[0014] The application setting unit has a device registration unit for registering a client device in the setting tool, The server synchronization unit synchronizes and registers the client device added to the setting tool with the server device, triggered by the device registration unit adding the client device to the setting tool.

[0015] As a result, for the user, by performing a one-step action of registering the client device in the setting tool, the same client device is synchronously registered with the server device in the background. This reduces the steps of user operations, eliminates the need to redundantly register the client device, and can reduce the chance of user input errors.

[0016] The application setting unit has an application installation request reception unit that receives a request to install the application on the client device. The server synchronization unit synchronizes and registers the client device that newly installs the application with the server device, triggered by the application installation request reception unit receiving a request to newly install the application on the client device.

[0017] As a result, when installing an application on the client device, the client device is registered with both the setting tool and the server device.

[0018] The application setting unit has a layout installer that installs the layout of the graphical user interface of the application on the client device. The server synchronization unit synchronizes and registers the client device that newly installs the layout with the server device, triggered by the layout installer receiving a request to newly install the layout on the client device.

[0019] As a result, when installing the layout on the client device, the client device is registered with both the setting tool and the server device.

[0020] When the application is not installed on the client device registered synchronously or the version of the installed application is old, the server device installs the application on the client device registered synchronously.

[0021] According to the present embodiment, when the setting tool synchronously registers the client device with the server device, the server device installs the latest version of the application on the synchronously registered client device. As a result, the latest version of the application is installed triggered by some setting related to the client device registered in the setting tool. Thereby, the latest version of the application can be installed on the client device without requiring the user's action.

[0022] The setting tool program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes the control circuit of the information processing apparatus to operate as a setting tool having an application setting unit that sets an application related to the client device, and a server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided triggered by the setting related to the client device by the application setting unit. operate as a setting tool having an application setting unit that sets an application related to the client device, and a server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided triggered by the setting related to the client device by the application setting unit. operate as a setting tool having an application setting unit that sets an application related to the client device, and a server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided triggered by the setting related to the client device by the application setting unit.

[0023] An information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure by executing a setting tool program has an application setting unit that sets an application related to the client device, and A server device that registers a client device in which some functions of the application are provided, triggered by the settings related to the client device by the application setting unit, and a server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device A control circuit that operates as a setting tool having An information processing apparatus having The server device, and Comprises.

Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately and user - friendly register a client device in a server device.

[0025] Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] 1. Information Processing System

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] The information processing system 1 includes a client device 10, an information processing apparatus 20, and a server device 30. The client device 10 and the information processing apparatus 20 are communicably connected via a network N such as a LAN. The server device 30 and the information processing apparatus 20, and the server device 30 and the client device 10 are communicably connected via a network N such as the Internet.

[0031] The client device 10 is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The client device 10 may be plural or singular, and will be illustrated and described as singular unless otherwise specified. An application 110 can be installed in the client device 10. The application 110 is, for example, a platform application (for example, a HyPAS application) for executing a web application provided to the client device 10 via the network N. The application 110 may already be installed in the client device 10, or may not yet be installed.

[0032] The information processing device 20 is a personal computer or the like used by an administrator or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as a user) in an office where the client device 10 is installed. A setting tool program is installed in the information processing device 20. By executing the setting tool program, the information processing device 20 operates as a setting tool 210. The setting tool 210 is a user interface for performing various settings of the application 110 installed in the client device 10. The setting tool 210 is also called a config tool. Using the user interface of the setting tool 210, the user performs various settings related to the application regarding the client device 10 (for example, registering the client device 10 in the setting tool 210, installing the application 110, installing the layout of the graphical user interface, etc.).

[0033] The server device 30 registers the client device 10 for which some functions of the application 110 are provided. Some functions of the application 110 are, for example, functions realized by a web application operating on the application 110 which is a platform application. The server device 30 is a web server that provides some functions of the application 110 to the client device 10 registered in the server device 30. For example, when the application 110 is a platform application (such as a HyPAS application) for an image forming device (client device 10), some of its functions include a workflow (scan, copy scan data to a folder, and finish) function.

[0034] 2. Functional Configuration of the Information Processing System

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the functional configuration of the information processing system.

[0036] In the control circuit 200 of the information processing apparatus 20, a processor such as a CPU loads a setting tool program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it, thereby operating as the setting tool 210. The setting tool 210 includes an application setting unit 220 and a server synchronization unit 230. The application setting unit 220 includes a device registration unit 221, an application installation request reception unit 222, and a layout installer 223.

[0037] The application setting unit 220 performs various settings for the application 110 related to the client device 10. Examples of the various settings include, for example, new registration of the client device 10 to the setting tool 210 by the device registration unit 221, reception of a request for installing the application 110 to the client device 10 by the application installation request reception unit 222, reception of a request for installing the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 to the client device 10 by the layout installer 223, and the like.

[0038] The server synchronization unit 230 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 to the server device 30 using, as a trigger, various settings for the client device 10 by the application setting unit 220 (that is, new registration of the client device 10 to the setting tool 210, reception of a request for installing the application 110 to the client device 10, reception of a request for installing the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 to the client device 10, etc.).

[0039] In the control circuit 300 of the server device 30, a processor such as a CPU loads an information processing program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it, thereby operating as a device management unit 301 and an application installer 302.

[0040] 3. Operation Flow of the Information Processing System

[0041] The operation flow of the information processing system 1 will be described in the following order. (1) When the client device 10 is newly registered in the setting tool and the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit (there is a license). (2) When the client device 10 is newly registered in the setting tool and the number of licenses has reached the upper limit (there is no license). (3) When the application 110 is installed on the client device 10. (4) When the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 is installed on the client device 10.

[0042] (1) When the client device 10 is newly registered in the setting tool and the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit (there is a license)

[0043] Figure 3 shows the first operation sequence of the information processing system. Figure 4 shows the first operation flow of the setting tool.

[0044] As a prerequisite for the operation, the information processing device 20 is running the setting tool 210 by executing the setting tool program. The application setting section 220 of the setting tool 210 displays the application setting GUI 400 on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing device 20. The application setting GUI 400 is a graphical user interface for performing various settings of the application 110 regarding the client device 10.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an example of the application setting GUI.

[0046] The application setting GUI 400 includes a device list 410. The device list 410 is a list of device information of a plurality of client devices 10 that are connected to the information processing device 20 via a network N such as a LAN and have been registered in the setting tool 210. The device information includes, for example, the model name 411, serial number 412, IP address 413, host name 414, and location 415, etc.

[0047] The user operates the discover device icon 401 of the application setting GUI 400 to register the new client device 10 with the setting tool 210.

[0048] When the device registration unit 221 of the application setting unit 220 of the setting tool 210 detects an operation of the discover device icon 401 (step S101), it detects the client device 10 connected to the information processing device 20 via a network N such as a LAN (step S102). The device registration unit 221 stores the device information of the detected client device 10 in the device information storage unit 240 set in the non-volatile storage device (HDD, SSD, etc.) of the information processing device 20. Thereby, the device registration unit 221 registers the client device 10 with the setting tool 210 (step S103).

[0049] After this, the user operates the refresh icon 402 of the application setting GUI 400. Then, the device information of the newly detected client device 10 is added to the device list 410 of the application setting GUI 400. In other words, the device list 410 of the application setting GUI 400 is updated.

[0050] The server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 added to the setting tool 210 with the server device 30, triggered by the fact that the device registration unit 221 of the application setting unit 220 has added the client device 10 to the setting tool 210. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0051] The server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 refers to the license information of the client device 10 provided with some functions of the application 110 (functions provided by the server device 30) of the server device 30 and the device information registered in the server device 30 (step S104).

[0052] The license information includes the upper limit of the number of licenses and the current number of activations. The upper limit of the number of licenses is the upper limit of the number of client devices 10 to which the functions are provided from the server device 30, and the number is determined by contract for each customer who introduces the client device 10. Activation means that the client device 10 registered in the server device 30 is activated so as to be able to execute the functions provided from the server device 30. The current number of activations is the number of currently activated client devices 10, and can also be referred to as the current number of licenses.

[0053] The device information registered in the server device 30 is device information for specifying the client device 10 to which the functions are provided from the server device 30. The device information includes activation information in addition to the model name, serial number, IP address, host name, location, and the like. The activation information indicates whether or not the client device 10 is activated.

[0054] The server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 determines whether or not the license number has reached the upper limit based on the upper limit of the number of licenses included in the license information of the server device 30 and the current number of activations (step S105). If the current number of activations is equal to or more than the upper limit of the license number, it means that the license number has reached the upper limit and there is no vacancy in the license number (step S105, NO). On the other hand, if the current number of activations is less than the upper limit of the license number, it means that the license number has not reached the upper limit and there is a vacancy in the license number (step S105, YES).

[0055] In addition, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 determines whether the client device 10 registered (step S103) in the setting tool 210 is registered in the server device 30, and determines whether it is activated (step S106). Specifically, if the device information of the client device 10 registered (step S103) in the setting tool 210 is included in the device information referred to (step S104) from the server device 30, the server synchronization unit 230 determines that this client device 10 is registered in the server device 30. The server synchronization unit 230 refers to the device information of this client device 10 referred to (step S104) from the server device 30, and determines whether the client device 10 is activated. On the other hand, if the device information of the client device 10 registered (step S103) in the setting tool 210 is not included in the device information referred to (step S104) from the server device 30, the server synchronization unit 230 determines that this client device 10 is not registered in the server device 30.

[0056] The case where the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit, there is room in the number of licenses (step S105, YES), and the client device 10 is not registered or not activated in the server device 30 (step S106, NO) will be explained. In this case, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 in the server device 30 by adding the client device 10 to the server device 30 (step S107). Specifically, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 transmits the device information of the client device 10 to the server device 30 and stores it.

[0057] On one hand, it explains the case where the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit, there is room for the number of licenses (step S105, YES), and the client device 10 has been registered with and activated on the server device 30 (step S106, YES). In this case, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 selects the client device 10 to be registered this time (i.e., the client device 10 registered in the setting tool 210 (step S103)) from among the client devices 10 registered with the server device 30, and synchronizes and registers the client device 10 with the server device 30 (step S108). Specifically, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 selects the client device 10 on the server device 30, transmits the latest device information of the client device 10, and stores it.

[0058] Figure 6 shows the operation flow of the server device.

[0059] The device management unit 301 of the server device 30 receives the device information transmitted from the setting tool 210 (step S107 or step S108). The device management unit 301 stores the received device information of the client device 10 in the device information storage unit 310 set in the non-volatile storage device (HDD, SSD, etc.) of the server device 30. Thereby, the device management unit 301 registers the client device 10 with the server device 30 (step S201).

[0060] The device management unit 301 of the server device 30 accesses the client device 10 based on the IP address etc. of the device information of the client device 10 registered in synchronization with the server device 30. The device management unit 301 refers to the installation information of the application 110 on the client device 10 (step S202). The installation information includes the presence or absence of the installation of the application 110, and the version information etc. of the application 110 if it is installed.

[0061] The device management unit 301 of the server device 30 determines whether the latest version of the application 110 is installed on the client device 10 registered in synchronization with the server device 30 (step S203). If the latest version of the application 110 is installed on the client device 10, the device management unit 301 ends the process (step S203, YES).

[0062] On the other hand, if the device management unit 301 of the server device 30 determines that the application 110 is not installed on the client device 10 or the version of the installed application 110 is old (step S203, NO), the application installer 302 of the server device 30 installs the application 110 on the client device 10 registered in synchronization (step S204).

[0063] (2) When the client device 10 is newly registered in the setting tool and the number of licenses has reached the upper limit (there is no license)

[0064] FIG. 7 shows the second operation sequence of the information processing system. As for the operation flow of the information processing apparatus, continue to refer to FIG. 4.

[0065] The operations of steps S101 to S105 are the same as the operations of steps S101 to S105 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore, the operations after step S105 will be described.

[0066] The case where the number of licenses has reached the upper limit, there is no vacancy in the number of licenses (step S105, NO), and the client device 10 is not registered or activated in the server device 30 (step S109, NO) will be described. In this case, if the number of activations (in other words, the number of licenses) is reduced to create a vacancy in the number of licenses, the client device 10 can be activated.

[0067] Therefore, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 displays the device editing GUI 500 on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing apparatus 20 (step S110). The device editing GUI 500 is a graphical user interface for editing the device information of the client device 10 registered and activated in the server apparatus 30.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows an example of the device editing GUI.

[0069] The device editing GUI 500 includes a license icon 501. When the user operates the license icon 501, a device list 510 is displayed. The device list 510 is a list of the device information of a plurality of client devices 10 registered in the server apparatus 30. The device information includes, for example, a model name 511, an IP address 512, a serial number 513, a MAC address 514, a location 515, a status 516, and the like. The status 516 is either active 517 or inactive 518. Active 517 means that the client device 10 is activated to be able to execute the functions provided by the server apparatus 30. Inactive 518 means that the client device 10 is not activated to be able to execute the functions provided by the server apparatus 30.

[0070] The user manually edits any active 517 status 516 displayed on the device editing GUI 500 to change it to inactive 518. Alternatively, the user manually deletes any of the device information displayed on the device editing GUI 500 to delete the registration of the client device 10 to the server apparatus 30. As a result, the number of activations (in other words, the number of licenses) decreases, creating room in the number of licenses and making it possible to activate the client device 10 newly registered in the server apparatus 30.

[0071] The server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 inactively edits the device information of the client device 10 registered and activated in the server device 30 via the device editing GUI 500 (step S111). The server synchronization unit 230 transmits the edited device information to the server device 30 (step S112).

[0072] The device management unit 301 of the server device 30 receives the edited device information transmitted from the setting tool 210 (step S112). The device management unit 301 stores (updates) the received edited device information in the device information storage unit 310 set in the non-volatile storage device (HDD, SSD, etc.) of the server device 30.

[0073] As a result, since the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit and there is available space in the number of licenses (step S105, YES), the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 can synchronize and register the client device 10 in the server device 30 (step S107).

[0074] On the other hand, a case where the number of licenses has reached the upper limit, there is no available space in the number of licenses (step S105, NO), and the client device 10 has been registered and activated in the server device 30 (step S109, YES) will be described. In this case, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 selects the client device 10 to be registered this time (that is, the client device 10 registered in the setting tool 210 (step S103)) from among the client devices 10 already registered in the server device 30, thereby synchronizing and registering the client device 10 in the server device 30 (step S108). In short, regardless of whether the number of licenses has reached the upper limit (step S105), when the client device 10 has been registered and activated in the server device 30 (step S106 or step S109, YES), the server synchronization unit 230 selects the client device 10 to be registered this time from among the client devices 10 already registered in the server device 30 (step S108).

[0075] The operations after step S201 are the same as the operations after step S201 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.

[0076] (3) When installing the application 110 on the client device 10

[0077] FIG. 9 shows a third operation sequence of the information processing system. FIG. 10 shows a second operation flow of the setting tool.

[0078] The user operates the GUI (for example, the application setting GUI 400, or other GUIs) displayed on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing apparatus 20 in order to install the application 110 on the client device 10. When the application installation request receiving unit 222 of the application setting unit 220 of the setting tool 210 receives a request to install the application 110 on the client device 10 (step S301), it determines whether the client device 10 on which the application 110 is to be installed is selected (step S302).

[0079] If the client device 10 on which the application 110 is to be installed is not selected on the application setting GUI 400 (step S302, NO), the application installation request receiving unit 222 displays the application setting GUI 400 on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing apparatus 20 in order to add (step S304, YES) or select (step S304, NO) the client device 10.

[0080] The user wants to install the application 110 on a new client device 10 that is not displayed in the device list 410 of the application settings GUI 400 (i.e., not registered in the setting tool 210). In this case, the user operates the discover device icon 401 of the application settings GUI 400 to register the new client device 10 in the setting tool 210.

[0081] When the device registration unit 221 of the application settings unit 220 of the setting tool 210 detects the operation of the discover device icon 401 (step S304, YES), it executes the operations after step S102. As a result, the new client device 10 is registered in the server device 30 (step S107 or step S108), and the server device 30 installs the application 110 on the client device 10 (step S204).

[0082] On the other hand, the user wants to install the application 110 on a client device 10 that is displayed in the device list 410 of the application settings GUI 400 (i.e., already registered in the setting tool 210). In this case, the user selects the client device 10 on which the application 110 should be installed on the application settings GUI 400 by operating the checkbox 419 of the application settings GUI 400 (step S304, NO). Alternatively, when the user inputs an operation for installing the application 110 on the client device 10 (step S301), the client device 10 on which the application 110 should be installed has already been selected (step S302, YES). In these cases, the client device 10 on which the application 110 should be installed is already registered in the setting tool 210.

[0083] In these cases, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 starts operations for synchronizing and registering the client device 10 with the server device 30 (after step S104). As a result, a new client device 10 is registered with the server device 30 (step S107 or step S108), and the server device 30 installs the application 110 on the client device 10 (step S204).

[0084] In this way, when the setting tool 210 receives a request to newly install the application 110 on the client device 10 as a trigger, the client device 10 on which the application 110 is newly installed can be synchronized and registered with the server device 30.

[0085] (4) When installing the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 on the client device 10

[0086] FIG. 11 shows the fourth operation sequence of the information processing system. FIG. 12 shows the third operation flow of the setting tool. FIG. 13 shows an example of a layout.

[0087] The user operates a GUI (for example, the application setting GUI 400, or other GUIs) displayed on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing device 20 in order to install the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 on the client device 10.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 13, the layout of the graphical user interface of the application 110 means a group of GUIs in which icons for executing each function of the application 110 are arranged in a tile shape.

[0089] When the layout installer 223 of the application settings unit 220 of the setting tool 210 receives a request to install a layout on the client device 10 (step S401), it determines whether the client device 10 on which the layout is to be installed has been selected (step S402).

[0090] If the client device 10 on which the layout is to be installed is not selected on the application settings GUI 400 (step S402, NO), the layout installer 223 displays the application settings GUI 400 on the display device 250 (display) of the information processing apparatus 20 in order to add (step S404, YES) or select (step S404, NO) the client device 10 (step S403).

[0091] The user wants to install a layout on a new client device 10 that is not displayed in the device list 410 of the application settings GUI 400 (that is, not registered in the setting tool 210). In this case, the user operates the discover device icon 401 of the application settings GUI 400 to register the new client device 10 in the setting tool 210.

[0092] When the device registration unit 221 of the application settings unit 220 of the setting tool 210 detects an operation of the discover device icon 401 (step S404, YES), it executes the operations after step S102. As a result, the new client device 10 is registered in the server device 30 (step S107 or step S108).

[0093] On the one hand, the user wants to install the layout on the client device 10 that is displayed in the device list 410 of the application settings GUI 400 (i.e., already registered in the setting tool 210). In this case, the user selects the client device 10 on which the layout should be installed by operating the checkbox 419 of the application settings GUI 400 on the application settings GUI 400 (step S404, NO). Alternatively, when the user inputs an operation for installing the layout on the client device 10 (step S401), the client device 10 on which the layout should be installed has already been selected (step S402, YES). In these cases, the client device 10 on which the layout should be installed is already registered in the setting tool 210.

[0094] In these cases, the server synchronization unit 230 of the setting tool 210 starts an operation for synchronizing and registering the client device 10 with the server device 30 (from step S104 onwards). As a result, a new client device 10 is registered in the server device 30 (step S107 or step S108).

[0095] The client device 10 transmits the installation information of the application 110 to the setting tool 210. For example, the client device 10 may transmit the installation information to the setting tool 210 in response to a reference request from the setting tool 210. Alternatively, when the client device 10 receives a reference request from the server device 30 (step S202), it may transmit the installation information to the server device 30 and the setting tool 210. The client device 10 may also transmit the installation information to the setting tool 210 when the application 110 is installed (step S204).

[0096] The application setting unit 220 of the setting tool 210 obtains the installation information of the application 110 from the client device 10 (step S405). The layout installer 223 of the application setting unit 220 of the setting tool 210 installs the layout on the client device 10 (step S406).

[0097] In this way, when the setting tool 210 receives a request to newly install the layout of the application 110 on the client device 10 as a trigger, the client device 10 that newly installs the layout can be synchronized and registered with the server device 30.

[0098] 4. Conclusion

[0099] Some functions of the application installed on the client device may be provided via the network rather than locally on the client device. In that case, it is necessary to register the client device on which this function is provided with the server device that provides the function.

[0100] Typically, the setting tool and the server device do not share the device information of the client device. Therefore, the user needs to manually register the client device with the setting tool and the server device respectively.

[0101] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the setting tool 210 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 with the server device 30 by using the settings related to the client device 10 as a trigger. For example, the setting tool 210 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 with the server device 30 by using as a trigger registering the client device 10 with the setting tool 210 (step S103) (steps S104 to S108). Thereby, for the user, by performing the one-step action of registering the client device 10 with the setting tool 210 (step S103), the same client device 10 is synchronously registered with the server device 30 in the background. Thereby, the steps of user operation are reduced, there is no need to redundantly register the client device, and the chance of user input errors can be reduced.

[0102] According to the present embodiment, when the setting tool 210 synchronizes and registers the client device 10 with the server device 30 (step S201), the server device 30 installs the latest version of the application 110 on the synchronously registered client device 10 (step S204). Thereby, by using as a trigger any setting related to the client device 10 registered with the setting tool 210, the latest version of the application 110 is installed. Thereby, the latest version of the application 110 can be installed on the client device 10 without requiring user action.

[0103] Although each embodiment and each modification of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0104] 1 Information Processing System 10 Client Device 110 Application 20 Information Processing Apparatus 200 Control Circuit 210 Setting Tool 220 Application Setting Section 221 Device Registration Section 222 Application Installation Request Reception Section 223 Layout Installer 230 Server Synchronization Section 240 Device Information Storage Section 30 Server Device 300 Control Circuit 301 Device Management Section 302 Application Installer 310 Device Information Storage Section

Claims

1. By executing a setting tool program, an application setting unit that sets an application related to a client device, a server synchronization unit that synchronizes and registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided using the setting related to the client device by the application setting unit as a trigger A control circuit that operates as a setting tool having Comprising The application setting unit has a device registration unit that registers a client device in the setting tool, The server synchronization unit synchronizes and registers the client device added to the setting tool with the server device triggered by the device registration unit adding the client device to the setting tool. An information processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The server synchronization unit When the number of licenses of the client device on which the some functions are provided reaches the upper limit, and the client device is not registered or activated in the server device, Provides a device editing user interface for editing device information of a client device registered and activated in the server device, Edits the device information of the client device registered and activated in the server device via the device editing user interface, Adds the client device to the server device to synchronize and register the client device with the server device An information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The server synchronization unit When the number of licenses of the client device on which the some functions are provided has not reached the upper limit, and the client device is not registered or activated in the server device, Adds the client device to the server device to synchronize and register the client device with the server device An information processing apparatus.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The server synchronization unit Regardless of whether the number of licenses of the client device that provides the partial functions has reached the upper limit, if the client device is registered with the server device and activated, By selecting the client device registered with the server device, the client device is synchronously registered with the server device Information processing apparatus.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The application setting unit has an application installation request reception unit that receives a request to install the application on a client device, The server synchronization unit synchronously registers the client device that newly installs the application with the server device, triggered by the application installation request reception unit receiving a request to newly install the application on the client device Information processing apparatus.

6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The application setting unit has a layout installer that installs the layout of the graphical user interface of the application on a client device, The server synchronization unit synchronously registers the client device that newly installs the layout with the server device, triggered by the layout installer receiving a request to newly install the layout on the client device Information processing apparatus.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, If the application is not installed on the client device registered synchronously or the version of the installed application is old, the server device installs the application on the client device registered synchronously Information processing apparatus.

8. The control circuit of the information processing apparatus, An application setting unit that sets an application related to a client device, A server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided, triggered by settings related to the client device by the application setting unit operates as a setting tool having The application setting unit has a device registration unit that registers a client device with the setting tool The server synchronization unit synchronously registers the client device added to the setting tool with the server device, triggered by the device registration unit adding the client device to the setting tool Setting tool program

9. By executing a setting tool program An application setting unit that sets an application related to a client device A server synchronization unit that synchronously registers the client device with a server device that registers a client device on which some functions of the application are provided, triggered by settings related to the client device by the application setting unit A control circuit that operates as a setting tool having An information processing apparatus having The server device Comprising The application setting unit has a device registration unit that registers a client device with the setting tool The server synchronization unit synchronously registers the client device added to the setting tool with the server device, triggered by the device registration unit adding the client device to the setting tool Information processing system

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