Information processing apparatus, and information processing program

Abstract

To increase a storage capacity of a storage unit while an installed program can be used.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus acquires information indicating an installation form that indicates that a specified storage capacity is to be reserved for installation in a storage unit, to a program installed executable by the installation form, and when the program includes an installation form of a storage capacity smaller than a storage capacity by the install form in which the program is installed based on the information indicating the acquired installation form (S112), controls to change the installation form of the program from the installed installation form to the installation form of the smaller storage capacity (S116).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques for introducing (installing) a program in consideration of the capacity of the introduction destination have been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, in response to a change in the content of a flow definition for continuously executing a plurality of processes on image data, a means for acquiring remote environment data for recording a plugin program held by an image processing apparatus to be managed, a means for generating plugin environment data for recording a plugin program to be held by the image processing apparatus to be managed corresponding to the flow definition, a means for generating difference data for recording the difference between the remote environment data and the plugin environment data, a means for acquiring base environment data for describing the execution base environment of the plugin program of the image processing apparatus to be managed, a means for reading the difference data and the base environment data and determining the suitability of providing the plugin program and the version to be provided, and a means for transmitting setting data for instructing the construction of the plugin environment to the image processing apparatus according to the determination of the determination means, and an image processing system in which the image processing apparatus updates its own plugin environment according to the setting data received from the management apparatus are disclosed.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a server connected to a plurality of workstations each having a storage for forming a network, the server including a plurality of storage devices, and a computer system in which, when the storage of one workstation is full in a full test, the data selected from the storage is automatically transferred to one of the plurality of storage devices of the server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] When the storage capacity of the storage unit becomes insufficient during program installation, it is possible to move or delete the already installed programs to an external device to secure the storage capacity of the storage unit. However, it becomes difficult to use the deleted existing programs, and when the moved existing programs are required to secure storage capacity in the storage unit for installation, it becomes difficult to use the moved existing programs. By the way, when installing a program, there is an installation form in which all the usage capacities used during installation are secured in the storage unit for installation. There is also an installation form in which a part of the usage capacity used during installation is secured in the storage unit, and the remaining usage capacity is secured in an external device to suppress the storage capacity of the storage unit for installation. However, it is difficult to change the installation form of the installed program after installation, and the storage capacity of the storage unit after installation cannot be changed.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that can increase the storage capacity of a storage unit while making it possible to use an already installed program, as compared with the case of moving or deleting an already installed program without considering the installation form. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is equipped with a processor, the processor is An application that is installed in a memory unit in a manner executable by one of a first installation form indicating securing and installing a first storage capacity and a second installation form indicating securing and installing a second storage capacity smaller than the first storage capacity, and information indicating the installation form at the time of installation is stored in association with the application. Obtain information indicating the installation form for the application, Based on the obtained information indicating the installation form, when it is indicated that the application is installed in the first installation form, perform control to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form An information processing apparatus.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, The processor Obtain information indicating a control timing for performing control to change the installation form of the application, Perform control to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form according to the obtained information indicating the control timing.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, The processor As the information indicating the control timing, obtain information indicating a predetermined time determined in advance, Periodically obtain the information indicating the installation form according to the obtained predetermined time.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, The processor As the information indicating the control timing, obtain information indicating that a new application different from an existing application indicating the application stored in the memory unit is to be installed, When information indicating installation of the new application is acquired, before installing the new application, control is performed to change the installation form of the existing application from the first installation form to the second installation form.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the processor acquires information indicating each of the storage capacity that can be secured in the storage unit and the storage capacity to be secured in the storage unit when the new application is installed, and based on the acquired information, when the storage capacity of the storage unit to be secured by the new application is larger than the storage capacity that can be secured in the storage unit, control is performed to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing program, which causes a processor to acquire information indicating the installation form of an application that is installed in a storage unit in an executable manner by one of a first installation form indicating securing a first storage capacity for installation and a second installation form indicating securing a second storage capacity smaller than the first storage capacity, and the information indicating the installation form is stored in association with the application, and based on the acquired information indicating the installation form, when it is indicated that the application is installed in the first installation form, control is performed to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form. An information processing program characterized by causing the above processing to be performed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the first aspect and the sixth aspect, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be increased while making the installed program available, as compared with the case of moving or deleting the installed program without considering the installation form. According to the second aspect, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be increased at a predetermined time, as compared with the case of changing the installation form without acquiring the control timing. According to the third aspect, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be increased at a predetermined predetermined time, as compared with the case of changing the installation form without acquiring the control timing based on a predetermined time. According to the fourth aspect, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be increased when installing the application, as compared with the case of changing the installation form without considering the timing of installing the application. According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be increased, as compared with the case of not considering the storage capacity secured when installing a new application.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, components and processes that perform the same functions in terms of operation, action, and function may be given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is only schematically shown to the extent that the technology of the present disclosure can be sufficiently understood. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to only the illustrated examples. Further, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the present invention and well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0016] In the present disclosure, the "device" is a concept of an electronic device including an image forming apparatus having an image processing function and a communication function. The image processing function is a concept including an image forming function including an image copying function for copying (copying) a document and an image printing function for printing (printing) the data of the input document, and an image reading function for reading (scanning) the document as an image and converting it into data. The communication function is a concept including a wired communication function for transmitting and receiving data by a wired connection to an external device or a direct connection to an external device and a wireless communication function for transmitting and receiving data by a wireless connection to an external device. Further, the device is also a concept including a computer capable of executing processing by an installed program.

[0017] In addition, in the present disclosure, "installation" is a concept including processes for newly introducing an application program to a device or updating it from an existing one. Also, in the present disclosure, "application program" is a concept including programs for causing a device to execute various services and processes. Further, a program is a concept including an auxiliary program that extends the functions of a main program such as a plugin program. An application program is an example of the application of the present disclosure. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a program.

[0018] [First Embodiment]

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to an embodiment for implementing the technology of the present disclosure.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a device 2, a network attached storage (NAS) 3, and a network device 4. In the present embodiment, the network attached storage (NAS) 3 uses NAS (Network Attached Storage) that functions as an auxiliary storage device of other devices connected to the network, and is referred to as NAS 3 in the following description. Details of NAS 3 will be described later.

[0021] The device 2, NAS 3, and network device 4 are connected via an internal network 5 such as an intranet, and can communicate with each other. The internal network 5 is connected to an external network 6, which is a public network such as the Internet, via a connecting device (not shown) such as a router. These device 2, NAS 3, and network device 4 are arranged in a management area AR that manages devices commonly used in a corporate base, organization, or the like.

[0022] An external network 6 is connected to a server 7. As an example, a general-purpose computer device such as a server computer or a personal computer (PC) is applied to the server 7. In the present embodiment, the server 7 functions as a device that provides a program to be installed in the device 2.

[0023] (Device) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of the configuration of the device 2 will be described. For example, the device 2 is configured to include a general-purpose computer device.

[0024] The device 2 includes a computer main body 20. The computer main body 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a ROM (Read-Only memory) 23, and an input / output port (I / O) 24, which are connected to each other via a bus 26. A storage unit 25 that operates as an auxiliary storage device realizable by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a non-volatile flash memory or the like is connected to the bus 26. Further, a communication unit 27 and a UI unit 28 such as a touch panel capable of displaying an image are connected to the I / O 24.

[0025] The device 2 also has an image processing function. To realize this image processing function, it includes a dedicated mechanism 20K, which is connected to the I / O 24. The image processing function includes, as an example, an image forming function including an image copying function for copying (copying) a document and an image printing function for printing (printing) the data of the input document, and an image reading function for reading (scanning) a document as an image and converting it into data. Also, as an example, the dedicated mechanism 20K includes a scanner for scanning a document and a printer for printing various data.

[0026] The storage unit 25 stores an installation program 25P for causing the device 2 to function as the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure. The CPU 21 reads out the installation program 25P from the storage unit 25, expands it in the RAM 22, and executes the process. Thereby, the device 2 that has executed the installation program 25P operates as the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure. Note that the installation program 25P may be provided by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0027] Further, the storage unit 25 stores various data 25D used in the device 2, and also stores a dedicated program 25M for realizing an image processing function in the device 2. The data in which the data 25D is stored includes a table indicating the installation form of the program installed in the device 2 (details will be described later). The CPU 21 reads out the dedicated program 25M from the storage unit 25, expands it in the RAM 22, and executes the process. Thereby, the device 2 that has executed the dedicated program 25M operates so as to be able to execute an image processing function including an image forming function and an image reading function.

[0028] (NAS) Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the NAS 3 will be described. The NAS 3 is a device that functions as a storage device in the management area AR, and exchanges data with other devices connected to the management area AR, that is, the internal network 5.

[0029] The NAS 3 includes a controller 31, a storage unit 35, and a communication unit 37. The storage unit 35 stores a NAS program 35P. Also, the storage unit 35 stores various data 35D. The NAS 3 reads out the NAS program 35P stored in the storage unit 35 by the controller 31 and executes the process, thereby transmitting and receiving the data 35D to and from other devices on the internal network 5, such as the device 2, via the communication unit 37.

[0030] (Network device) The network device 4 is a device that can be connected to the internal network 5 in the management area AR, and various devices such as a server computer, a general-purpose computer device such as a personal computer (PC), a NAS, and a gateway are applicable.

[0031] The network device 4 can be constructed in the so-called cloud 8. That is, the network device 4 can use an electronic device 9 such as a server constructed on a network such as the Internet using cloud computing as virtual computer resources similar to the network devices constructed within the management area AR. Since various devices applicable to the network device 4 are general-purpose devices, the description of the configuration of the network device 4 is omitted.

[0032] (Server) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the configuration of the server 7 will be described. The server 7 includes a computer main body 70, and the computer main body 70 includes a CPU 71, a RAM 72, a ROM 73, and an I / O 74, which are connected to each other via a bus 76. A storage unit 75 and a communication unit 77 are connected to the bus 76.

[0033] An operation program 75P for causing the server 7 to function as a server device is stored in the storage unit 75. The CPU 71 reads the operation program 75P from the storage unit 75, expands it in the RAM 72, and executes the processing. In addition, various data 75D used in the server 7 are stored in the storage unit 75. The data in which the data 75D is stored includes an installation program provided to the device 2 via the communication unit 77 (details will be described later).

[0034] Note that the installation program provided from the server 7 may be in any of an execution program format, an applet format (for example, a Java (registered trademark) applet), and a WEB (World Wide Web) content format (for example, an html format or a Java (registered trademark) script).

[0035] (Installation form) Next, the installation form of the program according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram related to the installation form of the program to be installed on device 2 in this embodiment.

[0036] In FIG. 5, as an example of the program related to the installation on device 2, various programs such as a print extension program, an image processing program, a facsimile program, and an email transmission program are shown. The print extension program (hereinafter referred to as print extension PG) is an example of a program having a function of expanding the printing function standardly equipped in device 2. The image processing program (hereinafter referred to as image processing PG) is an example of a program having a function of expanding the image processing function in device 2. The facsimile program (hereinafter referred to as FAX PG) is an example of a program providing a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving images on device 2. The email transmission program (hereinafter referred to as email transmission PG) is an example of a program providing an email transmission function for transmitting and receiving emails on device 2.

[0037] These print extension PG, image processing PG, FAX PG, and email transmission PG include meta information and main body information. The meta information is incidental information related to installation such as the installation form and the installation destination. The main body information is the main information of the program used when each program is installed. The main body information is information with a larger capacity than the meta information.

[0038] The installation form is information indicating how to install a program on a device to be installed (here, device 2). Specifically, it is information indicating a form determined by information regarding the handling of the capacity of the program to be installed and information regarding the storage destination. In the present embodiment, as an example of information indicating the installation form, cases where indicators of local installation, local compressed installation, and remote installation are applied will be described. It is predetermined that the program can be installed on device 2 in at least one of the installation forms of local installation, local compressed installation, and remote installation. The indicators of local installation, local compressed installation, and remote installation in the installation form in the present embodiment are examples of the first installation form and the second installation form of the present disclosure.

[0039] Local installation, which is an indicator of the installation form, indicates that the program is installed on device 2 without being compressed, that is, the program is stored in the storage unit 25 of device 2. Local compressed installation indicates that the program is compressed and installed on device 2, that is, the program is compressed and stored in the storage unit 25 of device 2. Remote installation indicates that the program is stored in an external storage device (for example, the storage unit 35 of NAS3) without being stored in device 2.

[0040] Note that the meta information of the program includes information regarding the installation form. For example, in the installation form of remote installation, the main body information is stored in an external storage device, and the meta information including the storage destination is stored in the device to be installed (here, device 2). Also, the meta information in the program in the installation form of local compressed installation includes information indicating that the program has been compressed and installed on device 2.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the image processing PG is shown to be installed in a local installation form in which the program is stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2. Also, the FAX PG is shown to be installed in a local compression installation form in which the program is compressed and stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2. Further, the mail transmission PG is shown to be installed in a remote installation form in which the program is stored in the storage unit 35 of the NAS 3. Furthermore, it is shown that the print extension PG shifts to a state of being installed in a local installation form in which the program is stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2.

[0042] By the way, the installation form may cause different responsiveness of the program in the target device (here, the device 2) depending on the index. For example, the responsiveness decreases in the order of local installation, local compression installation, and remote installation. Therefore, for the program, the installation form is predetermined in consideration of the responsiveness of the program. For example, the print extension PG is preset to have higher responsiveness than the image processing PG. Also, the image processing PG is preset to have higher responsiveness than the FAX PG, and the FAX PG is preset to have higher responsiveness than the mail transmission PG. Therefore, in terms of responsiveness, there is a relationship of print extension PG > image processing PG > FAX PG > mail transmission PG.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram relating to an example of an installation form applicable to a program.

[0044] In FIG. 6, it is shown that the print extension PG is applicable only to local installation. Also, it is shown that the image processing PG and the FAX PG are applicable to both local installation and local compression installation, and that the mail transmission PG is applicable to all of local installation, local compression installation, and remote installation. When there are a plurality of indexes for the installation form of the program, any one installation form is selected and installed at the time of installation.

[0045] (Installation Program) Next, the information processing executed on Device 2 will be described. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which information processing for increasing the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of Device 2 is applied at the timing of newly installing a program on Device 2. This timing of newly installing a program on Device 2 is an example of the information indicating the control timing of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed on Device 2. The processing routine shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the flow of the installation program 25P stored in the storage unit 25 of Device 2. In Device 2, the information processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the installation program 25P stored in the storage unit 25 being executed by the CPU 21.

[0047] When the CPU 21 detects an instruction to install a program by accessing Device 2, in step S100, it acquires information indicating the program installation instruction. In the following description, a case where an installation instruction for the print extension PG is given will be described. Also, as an example, a case where the image processing PG is installed in the local installation form and the FAX PG and the mail transmission PG are installed in the local compression installation form in Device 2 will be described (FIG. 9).

[0048] In step S100, at least information indicating the installation form of the program to be installed is acquired. Here, since it is an installation instruction for the Print Extension PG, as the installation form of the Print Extension PG, an index for local installation is acquired. The CPU 21 determines in step S102 whether local installation is permitted as the installation form. Since the Print Extension PG is an index for local installation, an affirmative determination is made in step S102, and in step S104, information indicating "local" is set in the installation flag. Note that in step S100, as information regarding the program to be installed, information indicating the storage capacity (for example, the sizes of meta information and main body information) to be secured when installing is also acquired.

[0049] Next, the CPU 21 determines in step S106 whether the capacity of device 2 is sufficient. Specifically, it is determined whether the capacity of device 2, that is, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25, is the storage capacity of the free capacity capable of installing the program (that is, the Print Extension PG). The process of step S106 is performed by comparing the acquired installation capacity of the Print Extension PG instructed to be installed (step S100) with the free capacity of the storage unit 25.

[0050] If an affirmative determination is made in step S106, that is, if the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is equal to or greater than the storage capacity to be secured when installing the Print Extension PG, the CPU 21 executes the installation process according to the installation flag in step S108 and ends this processing routine. In this step S108, the program to be installed from the server 7 to the device 2, that is, the Print Extension PG, is acquired and the installation process is executed. Here, since information indicating "local" is set in the installation flag, in step S108, the Print Extension PG is installed in the installation form stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2.

[0051] Note that in step S106, an affirmative determination may be made when the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is the same as the storage capacity to be secured when installing the print extension PG. Also, in step S108, information indicating the installation form of the installed program (i.e., the print extension PG) is stored in the storage unit 25. The information indicating the installation form to be stored is information for registering, as a table (Figure 6), information indicating the installation form that includes at least all the applicability of the program, and also includes information indicating the actual installation form that has been installed.

[0052] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S106, that is, if the capacity of device 2 is insufficient and the storage unit 25 has insufficient capacity to install the print extension PG, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the CPU 21 determines whether local compressed installation is permitted as an installation form. Since the print extension PG has an installation permission set only for local installation, a negative determination is made in step S110, and the process proceeds to step S112.

[0053] In step S112, the CPU 21 executes a change determination process for the installation form of the installed program. Specifically, the change determination process for the installation form is executed by calculating the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of device 2 that increases due to the change in the installation form for the installed program (Figure 8). The change determination process for the installation form executed in step S112 will be described later.

[0054] When the process of step S112, that is, the above-described change determination process for the installation form (Figure 8), is completed, the CPU 21 determines in step S114 whether the print extension PG can be installed on device 2. Specifically, if it is possible to install the print extension PG on device 2 by changing the installation form for the installed program as a result of the change determination process for the installation form, an affirmative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S116.

[0055] In step S116, after the CPU 21 executes the process of changing the installation form for the installed program based on the result of the installation form change determination process in step S112, the process proceeds to step S108. Here, since the installation flag maintains the information indicating "local", in step S108, the print extension PG is installed according to the installation form stored in the storage unit 25 of device 2.

[0056] Here, the installation form change determination process will be mainly described with respect to the change of the installation form. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the installation form change determination process executed in step S112. This installation form change determination process is executed as the process of step S112 shown in FIG. 7.

[0057] In step S200, the CPU 21 arranges the installed programs in descending order of capacity. The process of step S200 is an example of the preprocessing in the installation form change determination process. This preprocessing is a setting process for handling the installed programs in the order of decreasing contribution degree to the increase in the storage capacity of the storage unit 25. The contribution degree is information indicating the degree of contribution to the increase in the storage capacity of the storage unit 25. For example, it is possible to apply the storage capacity of the program occupying the storage unit 25 to the contribution degree. Therefore, when the storage capacity of the program is applied as the contribution degree, it increases as the storage capacity of the program occupying the storage unit 25 increases.

[0058] Next, the CPU 21 executes the first-stage process in step S202. The process of step S202 is an example of this process in the installation form change determination process. This first-stage process, which is this process, is a process of calculating the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases when a locally installed and installed program is changed to local compressed installation. In step S202, for the installed programs arranged in descending order of contribution degree, for each program targeted at the locally installed and installed program, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases due to the change to local compressed installation is calculated. In this step S202, the total storage capacity that increases when a plurality of programs to be changed to local compressed installation are combined may be calculated. For example, it is possible to stepwise calculate different storage capacities as the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases according to the program set when a plurality of programs are combined.

[0059] Next, the CPU 21 determines in step S204 whether it is possible to secure the capacity. Specifically, it is determined whether a capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the program to be installed (that is, the print expansion PG) has been calculated in step S202.

[0060] If there is a program that can secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print expansion PG by changing the installation form, it is affirmed in step S204, and the CPU 21 performs the setting of installability and the setting of the program for changing the installation form in step S206. The process of step S206 is an example of the post-processing in the installation form change determination process. Here, as the setting of installability, information indicating installable is set, and as the program for changing the installation form, one or a plurality of programs that can secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print expansion PG are set, and this processing routine ends.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the concept related to the determination of the change in the installation form. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the concept related to the change in the installation form.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, when the installation form of the image processing PG is changed from local installation to local compressed installation (Chg01), if a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print extension PG can be secured, it is determined that the print extension PG can be installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in response to the change in the installation form of the image processing PG, the main body information of the image processing PG is deleted from the storage unit 25 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 10), and the compressed main body information is stored in the storage unit 25 (Chg01). As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is secured, and the print extension PG is installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25.

[0063] If it is difficult to secure the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 in the first-stage process, that is, if a negative determination is made in step S204, the CPU 21 executes the second-stage process in step S210. The process of step S210 is another example of the present process described above. This second-stage process is a process of calculating the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases when the installed program installed by local compressed installation is changed to remote installation. In step S210, for the installed programs arranged in descending order of contribution degree, for each program targeted at the installed program installed by local compressed installation, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases due to the change to remote installation is calculated. In this step S210, the total storage capacity that increases when one or a combination of programs to be changed to remote installation is calculated may be calculated. Further, the total storage capacity that increases when the program by the first-stage process and the program by the second-stage process are combined may be calculated.

[0064] Next, the CPU 21 determines in step S212 whether capacity can be secured. Specifically, it is determined whether a capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print extension PG has been calculated in step S210.

[0065] If there is a program that can secure a storage capacity greater than the capacity of the print extension PG by changing the installation form, the answer in step S212 is affirmative, and the CPU 21 performs the setting of installability and the setting of the program for changing the installation form in step S206. For example, if it is possible to secure the capacity by combining the image processing PG and the mail transmission PG, information indicating installability is set as the installability setting, and the image processing PG and the mail transmission PG are set as the program for changing the installation form, and this processing routine ends.

[0066] In the second-stage processing, as shown in FIG. 9, when the installation form of the image processing PG is changed to local compressed installation (Chg01) and the mail transmission PG is changed to remote installation (Chg02), it becomes possible to secure a storage capacity greater than the capacity of the print extension PG. In this case, it is determined that the print extension PG can be installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, corresponding to the change in the installation form, the main body information of the image processing PG is deleted from the storage unit 25, and the compressed main body information is stored in the storage unit 25 (Chg01). Also, the main body information of the mail transmission PG is deleted from the storage unit 25 and stored in the storage unit 35 of the NAS 3 (Chg02). As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is secured, and the print extension PG is installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25.

[0067] When it is difficult to secure the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 in the second-stage process, that is, when a negative determination is made in step S212, the CPU 21 executes the third-stage process in step S220. The process of step S220 is another example of this process described above. This third-stage process is a process of calculating the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases when a locally installed installed program is changed to a remote installation. In step S220, for the installed programs arranged in descending order of contribution degree, for each program targeted at the locally installed installed program, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 that increases due to the change to remote installation is calculated. In this step S220, the total storage capacity that increases when one or a plurality of programs to be changed to remote installation are combined may be calculated. Further, the total storage capacity that increases when the program by the first-stage process, the program by the second-stage process, and the program by the third-stage process are combined may be calculated.

[0068] Next, the CPU 21 determines in step S222 whether it is possible to secure the capacity. Specifically, it is determined whether a capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print expansion PG has been calculated in step S220.

[0069] If there is a program that can secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print expansion PG by changing the installation form, an affirmative determination is made in step S222, and the CPU 21 transfers the process to step S206.

[0070] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the concept regarding the change determination of the installation form considering the third-stage process. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the concept regarding the change of the installation form considering the third-stage process. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a case where the mail transmission PG is installed in the installation form by local installation according to the user's instruction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 11, when the installation form of the image processing PG is changed from local installation to local compressed installation (Chg01), and when it is possible to secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print extension PG, it is determined that the print extension PG can be installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in response to the change in the installation form of the image processing PG, the main body information of the image processing PG is deleted from the storage unit 25 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 10), and the compressed main body information is stored in the storage unit 25 (Chg01). As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is secured, and the print extension PG is installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12, when the installation form of the image processing PG is changed to local compressed installation (Chg01) and the mail transmission PG is changed to remote installation (Chg03), it becomes possible to secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print extension PG. In this case, it is determined that the print extension PG can be installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, in response to the change in the installation form, the main body information of the image processing PG is deleted from the storage unit 25, and the compressed main body information is stored in the storage unit 25 (Chg01). Also, the main body information of the mail transmission PG is deleted from the storage unit 25 and stored in the storage unit 35 of the NAS3 (Chg03). As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 is secured, and the print extension PG is installed (Inst) in the storage unit 25.

[0073] Here, when it is difficult to secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the print extension PG even if the installation form of the installed program is changed, the CPU 21 makes a negative determination in step S222 and transfers the process to step S224. In step S224, the CPU 21 determines that there is insufficient capacity, that is, it is difficult to secure the storage capacity for installing the print extension PG, and cancels the setting of non-installability and the setting of the program for changing the installation form in step S206, and ends this processing routine. In this step S224, it is preferable to execute a process of presenting information indicating that it is difficult to secure the storage capacity when installing the print extension PG to the user side.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, although the capacity of the device 2 is not sufficient, when local compressed installation is permitted as an installation form of the program (negative in step S106, positive in step S110), the CPU 21 shifts the process to step S122. Programs for which local compressed installation is permitted include the image processing PG, FAX PG, and mail transmission PG (FIG. 6).

[0075] In step S122, the CPU 21 sets information indicating "compression" in the installation flag. Note that, as information regarding the program to be installed described above (step S100), it is described that information indicating the storage capacity (for example, the sizes of meta information and main body information) to be secured when installing by compression is acquired. The storage capacity to be secured when installing by compression may be calculated in step S122.

[0076] Next, in step S124, the CPU 21 determines whether the capacity of the device 2 is sufficient. Specifically, it is determined whether the capacity of the device 2, that is, the storage capacity of the storage unit 25, is equal to or greater than the capacity when the program is installed by compression. The process of step S124 is performed by comparing the acquired compressed installation capacity of the program instructed to be installed with the free capacity of the storage unit 25.

[0077] If the determination in step S124 is affirmative, that is, if the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 can secure the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 by installing the program by compression, the CPU 21 executes the installation process according to the installation flag in step S108. Specifically, the program to be installed from the server 7 to the device 2 is acquired, and the installation process is executed. Here, since information indicating "compression" is set in the installation flag, in step S108, the program is installed in an installation form in which it is stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 by compressed installation.

[0078] In step S124, if a negative determination is made, that is, if it is difficult to secure the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 even when the program is compressed and installed, it is determined whether the program can be installed by compressing and installing the program after changing the installation form of the installed program. Specifically, the CPU 21 shifts the process to step S112 described above. If installation is possible (positive determination in step S114), the installation form of the installed program is changed (step S116), and the program is compressed and installed according to the installation flag (step S108).

[0079] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S114 described above, that is, if it is difficult to install the program even after changing the installation form of the installed program, the CPU 21 makes a negative determination in step S114 and shifts the process to step S130.

[0080] In step S130, the CPU 21 determines whether the installation form permits remote installation. If the determination is positive, information indicating "remote" is set in the installation flag (step S132), and remote installation is executed (step S108). Programs for which remote installation is permitted include the mail transmission PG (Fig. 6). If the determination in step S130 is negative, the CPU 21 interrupts the program installation process in step S134 and ends this processing routine. In the process of step S134, since it is difficult to continue the process conforming to the installation form defined in the program when executing the program installation process, it is preferable to present information indicating the interruption of the process to the user.

[0081] By the way, in the case of a program that permits local compressed installation and remote installation without permitting local installation, the CPU 21 makes a negative determination in step S102 shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the CPU 21 transfers the process to step S120 and determines whether local compressed installation is permitted as an installation form in the same manner as in step S110. If an affirmative determination is made in step S120, the process proceeds to step S122, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0082] In the above description, the case where the installed programs in the device 2 are arranged in descending order of capacity and the storage capacity increased by changing the installation form is calculated has been described. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the installed programs in the device 2 may be set randomly. Also, it is not limited to calculating the storage capacity increased by changing the installation form for all the programs installed in the device 2. For example, when the installed programs are selected, the capacity may be sequentially determined. Further, in the above description, the case where the first-stage process, the second-stage process, and the third-stage process are sequentially processed has been described. However, the order is not limited to this, and the order may be changed. Also, in the above description, the case where the process proceeds to the second-stage process after the first-stage process and the process proceeds to the third-stage process after the second-stage process has been described. However, according to the order of the programs arranged in descending order of capacity, any one of the first-stage process, the second-stage process, and the third-stage process may be executed.

[0083] Also, in the above-described embodiment, remote installation has been described as an installation form for installing a program in an external storage unit of the device 2. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, remote installation can include an installation form of remote standard installation that does not compress and install a program and an installation form of remote compressed installation that compresses and installs it.

[0084] The target program in device 2 that functions as the above-described information processing apparatus is particularly effective for a plugin program that functions as an auxiliary program for extending the functions of the main program.

[0085] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by changing the installation form of the installed program, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit, and it is possible to secure the capacity of the program to be installed from now on. In addition, the installation form is changed while considering the responsiveness determined according to the installation form for the storage unit with a determined storage capacity. For this reason, it is possible to effectively use the storage unit 25 of device 2 while suppressing the deterioration of the responsiveness of the program. That is, compared with the case of moving or deleting an installed program without considering the installation form, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit while making the installed program available.

[0086] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Note that since the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0087] In the first embodiment, the case where the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of device 2 is increased by changing the installation form of the installed program when installing a program in device 2 has been described. The technology of the present disclosure does not limit the timing for increasing the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of device 2 to the time of installing a program in device 2.

[0088] The second embodiment includes a process of increasing the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of device 2 at a predetermined timing.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed in device 2 as an example of the information processing according to the second embodiment. The processing routine shown in FIG. 13 is an example of the flow of the installation program 25P stored in the storage unit 25 of device 2 and is executed by the CPU 21 of device 2.

[0090] In step S10, the CPU 21 executes a determination process for the capacity securing condition. The determination process for the capacity securing condition is a process for determining the timing to increase the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of device 2. As the capacity securing condition, timing conditions such as a regular timing condition for periodically executing the process every predetermined time, a specified timing condition based on time specification such as year, month, and day, and a user instruction timing condition for executing the process according to a user instruction are applied. In the first embodiment, it corresponds to setting the timing for installing a program in device 2 as the timing condition. The capacity securing condition is an example of the information indicating the control timing of the present disclosure and the information indicating the predetermined time of the present disclosure.

[0091] The CPU 21 repeats a negative determination in step S20 until the determination result of the current time determined in step S10 conforms to the timing condition. When the CPU 21 makes an affirmative determination in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30, and information indicating the installation form in the installed program is acquired. In this step S30, it can be acquired by reading a table (FIG. 6) stored in the storage unit 25. The process of step S30 corresponds to the process of step S100 shown in FIG. 7.

[0092] In the next step S40, the CPU 21 executes a process for determining a change in the installation form for the program already installed in the device 2. Step S40 is the same process as step S112 described above, and is a process for calculating the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of the device 2 that increases due to the change in the installation form of the already installed program (FIG. 8). In the process shown in FIG. 8, the capacity of the program to be installed, which is the criterion used in steps S204, S212, and S222, may be set as a predetermined capacity for ensuring capacity with a predetermined storage capacity. This predetermined capacity can be determined according to the above-described capacity ensuring conditions.

[0093] Next, in step S50, the CPU 21 determines whether the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 can be increased. Specifically, it is determined by determining whether the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of the device 2 that increases due to the change in the installation form, which is the determination result of step S40, is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity.

[0094] If the CPU 21 makes a negative determination in step S50, it ends this processing routine. On the other hand, if it makes an affirmative determination, the CPU 21 ends this processing routine after the process of step S60. In step S60, a process for changing the installation form for the already installed program is executed. Specifically, the CPU 21 executes a process of changing the already installed program specified by the result of the installation form change determination process in step S40 to the installation form determined in step S40. The process of step S60 corresponds to the process of step S116 shown in FIG. 7.

[0095] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the capacity ensuring conditions are met, the capacity in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 can be increased, and the storage capacity can be increased to a predetermined capacity or more at a predetermined time.

[0096] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is a modification of the above-described embodiments. Since the third embodiment has the same configuration as the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0097] In the above-described embodiments, the case of changing the installation form for the storage capacity of the programs installed in the device 2 has been described. The third embodiment aims to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 in consideration of the usage frequency of the installed programs. That is, as the contribution degree in the above-described preprocessing, instead of contributing to the increase in the storage capacity of the storage unit 25, the usage frequency is set for the program.

[0098] Specifically, as the above-described preprocessing, the CPU 21 may arrange the installed programs in descending order of usage frequency in step S200. That is, the programs are arranged so that the order becomes later as the usage frequency of the program increases from the program with a low usage frequency. As a result, programs with a low usage frequency are selected earlier than programs with a high usage frequency. Therefore, it is possible to increase the storage capacity in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 as a result of programs with a low usage frequency being compressed or moved to an external storage unit.

[0099] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of the device 2 in consideration of the usage frequency of the program, and to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 of the device 2 in a state adapted to the usage situation of the user.

[0100] Regarding installed programs, although the usage frequency is low, there may be cases where the user requires responsiveness. In such cases, for installed programs, exclusion setting information indicating exclusion from the target of the program when considering increasing the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 in consideration of the usage frequency may be provided. The program to which this exclusion setting information is attached is excluded when considering increasing the storage capacity of the storage unit 25 in consideration of the usage frequency, and it becomes possible to maintain the responsiveness of the program intended by the user.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the installation form is set in program units has been described. However, the installation form may be set in group units with a plurality of programs as one unit. Specifically, regarding the functions of the operations in the device 2, the same installation form may be given to the programs related to the same function. For example, it may be configured to include attribute information for each use as additional information (meta-information) of the program. Examples of uses include an image copying function such as copying, an image forming function including an image printing function such as printing, an image reading function such as scanning, and an image transmission function such as facsimile. By embedding this attribute information for each use in the additional information, the same installation form with the same responsiveness may be set for the same function.

[0102] [Other Forms]

[0103] Note that in the above, the technology of the present disclosure has been described in detail for specific embodiments. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments can be taken within the scope of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0104] Also, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage device has been described. However, the processing of the program may be realized by hardware.

[0105] Furthermore, the processing in the above embodiment may be stored and distributed as a program in a storage medium such as an optical disk.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processor (such as a GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, an FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, a programmable logic device, etc.). In addition, the operation of the processor in the above embodiment may be achieved not only by one processor, but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating with each other. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

Explanation of Signs

[0107] 1 Information processing system 2 Device 3 Network storage device (NAS) 4 Network device 5 Internal network 6 External network 7 Server 8 Cloud 9 Electronic device 20K Proprietary mechanism 21 CPU 25 Storage unit 25D Data 25M Proprietary program 25P Installation program 31 Controller 35 Storage unit 35D Data 35P NSA program AR Management area

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein the processor obtains information indicating an installation form of an application that is installed in a memory unit in accordance with one of a first installation form indicating securing and installing a first storage capacity as a predetermined storage capacity required for the installation itself and a second installation form indicating securing and installing a second storage capacity that is smaller than the first storage capacity and is a predetermined storage capacity, and the information indicating the installation form at the time of installation is associated and stored, and based on the obtained information indicating the installation form, when it is indicated that the application is installed in the first installation form, controls to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form.

2. wherein the processor obtains information indicating a control timing for performing control to change the installation form of the application, and performs control to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form according to the obtained information indicating the control timing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. wherein the processor obtains information indicating a predetermined time as the information indicating the control timing, and periodically obtains the information indicating the installation form according to the obtained predetermined time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. wherein the processor As information indicating the control timing, obtain information indicating installation of a new application different from the existing application indicating the application stored in the storage unit. When obtaining information indicating installation of the new application, perform control to change the installation form of the existing application from the first installation form to the second installation form before installing the new application. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The processor Obtain information indicating each of the storage capacity that can be secured in the storage unit and the storage capacity to be secured in the storage unit when installing the new application. Based on the obtained information, when the storage capacity of the storage unit to be secured by the new application is larger than the storage capacity that can be secured in the storage unit, perform control to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. An information processing program, To the processor, For the application installed in the storage unit in an executable manner by one of a first installation form indicating securing a first storage capacity as a predetermined storage capacity required for the installation itself and installing it, and a second installation form indicating securing a second storage capacity as a predetermined storage capacity smaller than the first storage capacity and installing it, and for which information indicating the installation form at the time of installation is stored in association, obtain the information indicating the installation form. Based on the information indicating the obtained installation form, when it is indicated that the application is installed in the first installation form, control is performed to change the installation form of the application from the first installation form to the second installation form. An information processing program characterized by causing this to be processed.

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