JP2010072860A - Electronic equipment, remote management system, control method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent counter information corresponding to an application from being lost at uninstallation of the application even when there is a limitation on resources for storing the counter information. <P>SOLUTION: Before uninstalling an application downloaded and installed from an application download server 400, a multi-function peripheral 100 refers to a notification flag showing whether notification on corresponding counter information (charging relevant information) has been made or not. When the notification flag indicates that the notification has been made, the multi-function peripheral 100 uninstalls the application. When the notification flag indicates that the notification has not been made, a remote server (management device) 300 is notified of the counter information stored in a counter information storage part. When the notification is successful, the notification flag is set to the completion of notification. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus (for example, a printer, a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral) or an image reading apparatus (for example, a scanner), a remote management system including the electronic apparatus and a management apparatus, The present invention relates to a control method in an electronic device, a program for realizing a function necessary for a computer that controls the electronic device (a function related to the present invention), and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

For example, as an image forming apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral, an apparatus capable of installing an application program (hereinafter also referred to as “application” or “application”) and adding various functions has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In such an image forming apparatus, the counter information for accounting related to the application (indicating the number of times the application is executed) is stored in the storage resource. However, if the application is deleted by uninstalling the application, The counter information (for billing related to the application) is also deleted.
JP 2006-271005 A

  On the other hand, in an existing general-purpose PC (personal computer), information about an application is saved in a storage medium (for example, a hard disk device) in the form of a folder or a file when an application program (hereinafter also referred to as “application” or “application”) is uninstalled. And when re-installing the application, the information before the uninstallation can be reused.

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the corresponding counter information is deleted by uninstalling the application, it becomes impossible to charge the usage fee based on the counter information.
Therefore, it is only necessary to adopt the information holding method as described above so that the counter information does not disappear. However, since the storage resources are limited for the reasons shown in the following (a) and (b), the information holding is performed. I don't want to adopt the method as much as possible.
(A) Some image forming apparatuses do not have a mass storage device (hard disk device).
(B) I do not want to store the counter information in a mass storage device that can be mounted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in an electronic device capable of executing installation or uninstallation of an application, even when there are limited storage resources for holding counter information corresponding to the application, An object of the present invention is to prevent the disappearance of corresponding counter information when the application is uninstalled.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a communication device, a control method in the communication device, a program executed by a computer that controls the communication device, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.
An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an install / uninstall execution unit that performs installation or uninstallation of an application program, an execution number measurement unit that measures the number of executions of the application program, and the above-described measurement performed by the execution number measurement unit. Counter information storage means for holding the number of executions of the application program as counter information, and counter information for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information An electronic apparatus having a transmission means, which is characterized as follows.

  That is, a flag storage unit that holds a flag indicating whether the counter information has been transmitted or not transmitted, and the flag is referred to before the uninstall is executed by the install / uninstall execution unit. When the flag is set to transmitted, the uninstall is executed by the install / uninstall execution means, and when the flag is set to not transmitted, the counter information storage means is stored. The control means for transmitting the held counter information to the management apparatus by the counter information transmitting means, and the flag has been transmitted when the control information is successfully transmitted by the counter information transmitting means by the control means. And flag setting means for setting.

The flag setting means may set the flag as not transmitted when the installation is completed.
The flag setting means may set the flag as untransmitted when there is a change in the counter information held in the counter information storage means.
Further, when the transmission of the counter information by the counter information transmission unit fails, the control unit is caused to perform the transmission again, and the installation / uninstallation execution unit performs the uninstallation until the transmission is successful. It is preferable to provide means for prohibiting the above.

  Alternatively, when the transmission of the counter information by the counter information transmission unit fails, the control unit separately holds the counter information in the counter information storage unit, and then the installation / uninstallation execution unit performs the uninstallation. When the transmission of the counter information by the means for executing installation and the counter information transmission means fails, the counter information is made to be transmitted again, and after the transmission is successful, the counter information separately held in the counter information storage means May be provided.

  Counter information acquisition means for acquiring the counter information from the management device when the installation of the application program is executed by the installation / uninstallation execution means and then reinstallation of the application program is executed; It is preferable to provide an initial value setting means for causing the counter information storage means to set the counter information acquired by the counter information acquisition means as an initial value.

  Alternatively, when the application program is uninstalled by the installation / uninstallation execution means and then reinstallation of the application program is executed, the presence / absence of counter information separately held in the counter information storage means is determined. When the counter information is present, the counter information is obtained by the counter information obtaining means for obtaining the counter information, and when the counter information is not obtained by the counter information obtaining means for obtaining the counter information from the management device. There may be provided initial value setting means for causing the counter information storage means to set the counter information as an initial value.

  A remote management system according to the present invention is a remote management system including the electronic device described above and a management device that manages the electronic device, and receives counter information transmitted from the electronic device to the management device. Counter information receiving means and charging means for charging a usage fee based on the counter information received by the counter information receiving means are provided.

  The program according to the present invention includes an install / uninstall execution unit that performs installation or uninstallation of an application program, an execution number measurement unit that measures the number of executions of the application program, and the application that is measured by the execution number measurement unit. Counter information storage means for holding the number of program executions as counter information, and counter information transmission for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information A control method in an electronic apparatus having means and a flag storage means for holding a flag indicating whether the counter information has been transmitted or not transmitted. The control method is as follows.

  That is, before the uninstallation is executed by the installation / uninstallation execution means, if the flag is set to have been transmitted with reference to the flag, the installation / uninstallation execution means executes the uninstallation. A control step of causing the counter information transmission means to transmit the counter information held in the counter information storage means to the management device when the installation is executed and the flag is set to not transmitted; And a flag setting step of setting the flag to already transmitted when the counter information transmission means succeeds in the control step.

  The program according to the present invention includes an install / uninstall execution unit that performs installation or uninstallation of an application program, an execution number measurement unit that measures the number of executions of the application program, and the application that is measured by the execution number measurement unit. Counter information storage means for holding the number of program executions as counter information, and counter information transmission for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information The present invention is a program for realizing the following functions in a computer that controls an electronic device having a means and a flag storage means for holding a flag indicating whether the counter information has been transmitted or not transmitted.

That is, before the uninstallation is executed by the installation / uninstallation execution means, if the flag is set to have been transmitted with reference to the flag, the installation / uninstallation execution means executes the uninstallation. A control function that causes the counter information transmission means to transmit the counter information held in the counter information storage means to the management device when the installation is executed and the flag is set to not transmitted; This is a program for realizing a flag setting function for setting the flag to already transmitted when the counter information transmitting means succeeds in transmitting the counter information by the control function.
The recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the electronic device refers to the flag indicating whether the corresponding counter information has been transmitted or not transmitted before executing the uninstallation of the application program. If it is set, the uninstallation is executed, and if the flag is set to not transmitted, the counter information (number of executions of the application program) held in the counter information storage means is managed. When the transmission is successful, the above flag is set to “transmitted” so that the uninstallation can be executed. Therefore, when the application is uninstalled, the corresponding counter information is held in the management apparatus. be able to. Therefore, even when the electronic device has a limited counter information storage unit corresponding to the storage resource that holds the counter information, the counter information can be prevented from disappearing.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as a remote management system, a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) that is an electronic device and a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on counter information (application execution count) of the MFP. An example using an image forming apparatus management system provided with a certain remote server will be described.

[Configuration example of image forming apparatus management system]
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This image forming apparatus management system is a remote management system including a plurality of multifunction peripherals 100 (101, 102, 103), a remote server 300, and an application download server 400.
In this embodiment, the MFP 100 is communicably connected to the remote server 300 and the application download server 400 via a communication network (including networks such as a public line network and the Internet) 200 according to the network environment of the customer. Note that various electronic devices such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and other image forming apparatuses can be used instead of the multifunction peripheral 100.

Each MFP 100 can measure the number of executions of the application, hold the number of executions as counter information, and report (transmit) the counter information to the remote server 300 as necessary.
The remote server 300 remotely manages each multi-function peripheral 100, receives counter information transmitted from each multi-function peripheral 100, and calculates the charge for the multi-function peripheral 100 based on the received counter information. And can be charged.
The application download server 400 can download an application to each multifunction device 100.

[Example of hardware configuration of MFP]
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 of FIG. 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

  The MFP 100 is an image forming apparatus capable of realizing various functions including a copying machine, a printer, a FAX (fax) device, and a scanner device (service), that is, a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and a scanner function. 2, controller board 110, operation panel 120, FCU (fax control unit) 121, USB (Universal Serial Bus) • I / F 122, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 • I / F 123, It comprises a plotter / scanner engine 124 and a peripheral device 125. These configurations are hardware resources for performing image processing such as image reading, printing (image formation), and image information transmission of a document.

The controller board 110 comprehensively controls each unit of the multifunction peripheral 100. Various functions can be realized by the control.
The operation panel 120 is an interface for an operator who performs operations on the multifunction peripheral 100, and includes various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) for performing data input and job execution instructions, and various types of information. It includes an LCD or CRT character display for display.

The FCU 121 controls communication with an image forming apparatus such as an external device such as a FAX apparatus or a modem function (FAX communication function) or another multifunction peripheral via a public line in the communication network 200. .
The USB I / F 122 and the IEEE 1394 I / F 123 are USB standard and IEEE 1394 standard interfaces (direct interfaces) for directly connecting to an external device for communication.

  The plotter / scanner engine 124 prints the image information read by the scanner (image reading means) and the print information received from the external device as a visible image on paper (or other recording medium). This corresponds to a plotter (image forming means). If the print information received from an external device such as a PC (not shown) is not image information for printing but character code or drawing information, the controller board 110 converts them into image information for printing.

Peripheral machine 125 sorts (sorts), punches (perforates) paper that has been printed by automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically feeds the document to the image reading position of the scanner or plotter / scanner engine 124. ), A post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling.
The controller board 110 includes a CPU 111, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 112, SDRAM 113, flash memory 114, HDD 115, remote management system memory 116, NIC 101, modem 102, and the like.

  The CPU 111 is arithmetic processing means that performs data processing (control of each function) via the ASIC 112. The CPU 111 activates (executes) a boot program in the flash memory 114 via the ASIC 112 to read out an OS image, loads the SDRAM image into the SDRAM 113, develops the OS, and activates the expanded OS. Thereafter, as necessary, each application and service program in the flash memory 114 (or HDD 115) is read out, loaded into the SDRAM 113, expanded, activated, and controlled by the device. Various functions including functions as a certain install / uninstall execution means, execution count measurement means, counter information transmission means, control means, flag setting means, counter information acquisition means, and initial value setting means can be realized.

The ASIC 112 is designed to share a device to be controlled by the CPU 111 and to support high efficiency of development of applications and the like from the viewpoint of architecture.
The SDRAM 113 is a memory used as a program memory for storing various programs, a work memory used by the CPU 111 during data processing, or the like.
The flash memory 114 is a non-volatile memory (NV-RAM) that stores various non-volatile data (management information such as model number and IP address) in addition to a boot program and an OS image.

The HDD 115 is a hard disk device (storage means) that is a non-volatile storage medium, and can store various programs including applications.
The remote management system memory 116 is a non-volatile memory that stores various types of information for realizing each function (remote management function) in the remote management system. Information for realizing the remote management function includes information (communication path information) indicating a communication path with the management apparatus 400 including destination information of the remote server 300 and the application download server 400.

The NIC 101 is an interface connected to communicate with the remote server 300 and the application download server 400 via the Internet in the communication network 200 of FIG.
The modem 102 is communicably connected to the remote server 300 via a public line in the communication network 200.

[Example of software configuration of MFP]
Next, the software configuration of the MFP 100 in FIG. 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In addition, although the process by each program shown below is actually executed by the CPU 111 operating according to the program, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the program executes the process. Thereafter, the same applies to the case where the program is described as performing some processing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.
The MFP 100 includes a storage unit 181 corresponding to the plotter / scanner engine 124, the flash memory 114, or the HDD 115 in FIG. 2, and other hardware resources 182 (NIC 101, modem 102, FCU 121, USB). (I / F 122, IEEE 1394, I / F 123, etc.) and a software group including a platform 190 and an application 191.

  The platform 190 interprets a processing request from the application 191 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and a system resource that manages one or a plurality of hardware resources and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service. A manager (SRM) 170 and a general-purpose OS 171 are included. Programs constituting these software are stored in the storage unit 181.

The control service is formed of a plurality of service modules, and includes an OCS (operation panel control service) 160, an ECS (engine control service) 161, an MCS (memory control service) 162, an NCS (network control service) 163, and an FCS. (Fax control service) 164, SCS (system control service) 165, and application activation control module 166.
The platform 190 has an application program interface (API) that can receive a processing request from the application 191 using a predefined function.

The general-purpose OS 171 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 190 and the application 191 in parallel as processes.
The process of the SRM 170 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 165.
The process of the SRM 170 performs execution control in accordance with a request from an upper layer using hardware resources such as the plotter / scanner engine 124, the storage unit 181, and other hardware resources 182.

Specifically, the SRM 170 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is Tell the upper layer that it is available.
Further, the SRM 170 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes the request contents (for example, paper conveyance by the plotter, image forming operation, memory reservation, file generation, etc.).

The process of the OCS 160 controls an operation panel (operation panel) 120 serving as information transmission means between the operator (user) and the main body control.
The OCS 160 acquires a key press from the operation panel 120 as an input event, sends an input event function corresponding to the acquired key to the SCS 165, and requests various operations from the application 191 or the control service to the operation panel 120. A drawing function for drawing and outputting a screen, a function for controlling the operation panel 120, and the like are configured from a portion of the OCS library registered in advance. This OCS library is mounted linked to each module of the application 191 and the control service. Note that all of the OCS 160 may be configured to operate as a process, or all of the OCS 160 may be configured as an OCS library.

The ECS 161 process controls the plotter / scanner engine 124 and other hardware resources 182.
The MCS 162 process acquires and releases image memory, uses a hard disk drive (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.
The process of the NCS 163 is a process for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications requiring network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application 191, or the application 191. Mediates when sending data to the network side. Specifically, it has server daemons such as ftpd, httpd, lpd, snmpd, telnetd, and smtpd, and client functions of the same protocol.

The process of FCS 164 includes facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. Provides an API to do.
The process of the SCS 165 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, resource management, interrupt application control, and the like.

The application 191 is an application for a printer (plotter) having a copy application 151 that is a copy application, a fax application 152 that is a facsimile application, and a page description language (PDL), PCL, and Postscript (PS). A printer application 153, a scanner application 154 that is a scanner application, a network file application 155 that is a network file application, a web application 156 that is a web application, and external applications 157, 158,. Have.
Each process of the application 191 and each process of the control service realize user services relating to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, facsimiles, etc. while performing inter-process communication by calling functions, sending their return values, and sending and receiving messages. ing.

As described above, the MFP 100 includes a plurality of applications 191 and a plurality of control services, all of which operate as processes. In each of these processes, one or a plurality of threads are generated and parallel execution is performed in units of threads. The control service provides a common service to the application 191. For this reason, a large number of these processes perform parallel operations and parallel operations of threads to perform inter-process communication with each other and perform cooperative operations. User services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles are provided.
Further, in the multifunction device 100, a third party such as a customer of the multifunction device 100 or a third vendor can develop and install an external application on the application layer above the control service layer. 2 shows an example in which external applications 157, 158,... Are installed.

In the MFP 100, a plurality of application 191 processes and a plurality of control service processes are operating. However, the application 191 and the control service processes may each have a single configuration.
Each application 191 can execute installation (addition) or uninstallation (deletion) for each application.
In this multi-function device 100, the application activation control module 166 located on the platform constitutes install / uninstall execution means related to the present invention, and external applications 157, 158,... Are downloaded from the application download server 400, The application is installed in the application storage unit 133 (see FIG. 4) in the storage unit 181, and the installed external application is activated to operate in the application layer.

On the other hand, the application 191 provided at the time of shipment of the MFP 100, such as the copy application 151, the fax application 152, the printer application 153, the scanner application 154, and the net file application 155, and each control service are stored in the storage unit 181 (flash memory 114 or It is incorporated in the HDD 115) at the time of shipment, and is activated by the application activation control module 166 when the multifunction peripheral 100 is activated (when the power is turned on).
The application activation control module 166 manages the activation of the external applications 157, 158,... As a list, and when the license authentication is performed, the external applications 157, 158,... Installed in the application storage unit 133 in the storage unit 181. 158,... Are activated.

[Functional configuration example of application startup control module]
Next, a functional configuration of the application activation control module 166 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the application activation control module 166 of FIG.
The application activation control module 166 includes an input event processing unit 221, an installation processing unit 222, an uninstallation processing unit 223, an application download unit 224, a communication control unit 225, and a display processing unit 226.

[Configuration example of counter information]
Next, the configuration of the counter information indicating the number of executions of the external applications 157, 158,... In FIG.
5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of counter information indicating the number of executions of the external applications 157, 158,... In FIG.

The counter information 140 includes a device identifier 141, an application identifier 142, a counter identifier 143, a counter value 144, and a counter measurement date and time 145. The counter information 140 is stored in the counter information storage unit (counter information storage unit) 132 in the storage unit 181 in FIG. Remembered.
In the counter information 140 of this example, the counter value 144 indicates the number of executions of the corresponding external application.

[Counter information unreported flag]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the counter information unreported flag.
This counter information unreported flag (hereinafter also simply referred to as “unreported flag”) 148 is a flag indicating whether the counter information has been reported (transmitted) or unreported, and is stored in the flag storage 181 in FIG. Stored in the unit 131.

Each embodiment of the control relating to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system configured as described above will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS.
[First embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a process sequence when executing installation and uninstallation of an application by the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

(1) Processing for Executing Application Installation (Including Reinstallation) First, processing for executing application uninstallation by the application activation control module 166 will be described.
A user selects an application to be used by operating the operation panel 120 as a user input unit of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  As a result, the application activation control module 166 of the multifunction peripheral 100 downloads the application selected by the user operation from the application download server 400. That is, the selected application is downloaded by transmitting an application download request including an application identifier, which is information for identifying the selected application, to the application download server 400 (steps S1 and S2).

Then, the downloaded application is stored in the application storage unit 133 in the storage unit 181 and the stored application is executed (steps S3 and S4).
Next, by executing the application, a counter information storage unit 132 in which the application is a counter area is created in the storage unit 181 (step S5). When the creation of the counter information storage unit 132 is completed, the fact that the creation has been completed is transmitted to the application activation control module 166 (step S6).

Upon receipt of the completion of creation of the counter information storage unit 132, the application activation control module 166 inquires of the remote server 300 whether there is existing counter information. Information is acquired from the remote server 300 (step S7).
Next, an existing counter information holding request including the acquired existing counter information is sent to the application (step S8).

When the application receives the existing counter information holding request, the application holds (sets) the existing counter information included therein as an initial value in the previously created counter information storage unit 132 (step S9). When the holding of the existing counter information is completed, the fact that the holding has been completed is transmitted to the application activation control module 166 (step S10).
When the application activation control module 166 receives that the retention of the existing counter information has been completed, the application activation control module 166 resets the unreported flag 148 in the flag storage unit 131 (sets it to unreported), and then remotely indicates that the application installation has been completed. The server 300 is notified (steps S11 and S12).

(2) Processing for Executing Application Uninstallation Next, processing for executing application uninstallation by the application activation control module 166 will be described.
The application activation control module 166 detects a predetermined factor of the application uninstall process, and checks the unreported flag in the flag storage unit 131 when the application uninstall process is necessary (step S21).

If the unreported flag is reset (set to unreported), the counter information is acquired from the counter information storage unit 132 and reported to the remote server 300 (steps S22 and S23). ).
If the reporting of the counter information is successful, the unreported flag in the flag storage unit 131 is set (set to reported), and then the application is deleted (steps S24 and S25).

On the other hand, if the unreported flag is set when the unreported flag is checked (set to reported), the counter information is not acquired from the counter information storage unit 132, and the counter information is sent to the remote server 300. The application is deleted without reporting (step S25).
After the application is deleted, the counter information in the counter information storage unit 132 is deleted, and the remote server 300 is notified that the uninstallation of the application has been completed (steps S26 and S27).

  Note that the unreported flag in the flag storage unit 131 may be reset (set to reported) by another process during the execution of the application, but if the counter information has changed after that, that is, When an execution counter that measures (increments) the number of executions of an application is measured by the application, the application can reset the unreported flag (set to unreported) (steps S31 and S32).

  As described above, before the MFP performs uninstallation of the application, the corresponding counter information (billing related information) is referred to the unreported flag indicating whether the information has been reported or not reported. If the report flag is set to reported, the uninstallation is executed. If the unreported flag is set to unreported, the counter information stored in the counter information storage unit is transferred to the remote server. (Management device) is notified, and if the notification is successful, the unreported flag is set to “Notified” so that the above uninstall can be executed. Therefore, when uninstalling the application, the corresponding counter information is displayed. Can be held on a remote server.

Therefore, even when the multi-function peripheral has a limited counter information storage unit corresponding to the storage resource that holds the counter information, the counter information can be prevented from disappearing.
In addition, the counter information in the counter information storage unit is deleted when the application is uninstalled. When the application is uninstalled and then reinstalled, the counter information is acquired from the remote server. And by setting it as an initial value in the counter information storage unit, accurate counter information can be maintained.

In addition, by setting the unreported flag to unreported when application installation is complete, it is possible to accurately maintain the condition of whether or not the report when the installed or reinstalled application is uninstalled is successful. .
Furthermore, when there is a change in the counter information held in the counter information storage unit, by setting the unreported flag to unreported, counter information unreported after the counter information has been reported Can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a process sequence when executing installation and uninstallation of an application by the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.
The application activation control module 166 performs the following processing in addition to the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
That is, when the report of the counter information fails (step S231), the report is retried (re-executed) (step S232), and until the report is successful (step S233), the execution of the application (actually the application (Execution of uninstallation) is prohibited (step S234).

When the reporting of the counter information is successful (step S233), the unreported flag in the flag storage unit 131 is set (set to reported) (step S24).
Then, after deleting the application and deleting the counter information in the counter information storage unit 132, the remote server 300 is notified that the uninstallation of the application has been completed (steps S25 to S27).

In this way, if the report of the counter information fails, the counter information is re-executed, and the execution of uninstall of the application is prohibited until the report is successful. Disappearance can be prevented.
In addition, the use of an application due to an uninstall factor can be disabled.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a process sequence when executing installation and uninstallation of an application by the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.
The application activation control module 166 performs the following processing in addition to the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

That is, when the report of the counter information fails (step S231), the counter information storage unit 132, which is a counter area, is created separately and the acquired counter information is held (step S235).
Subsequently, the unreported flag in the flag storage unit 131 is set (set as reported), the application is deleted, the counter information in the counter information storage unit 132 is deleted, and the uninstallation of the application is completed. To the remote server 300 (steps S25 to S27).
Further, when the report of the counter information fails (step S231), the report is retried separately from the processes of steps S235 and S236 (step S232), and when the report is successful (step S233), separately. The created counter information storage unit 132 is deleted. (Step S237)

  As described above, when the counter information report fails, the counter information is separately stored in the counter information storage unit, and then the application is uninstalled, and when the counter information report fails, the report is notified. By performing again and deleting the counter information after the notification is successful, it is possible to prevent the counter information from disappearing until the counter information is successfully reported. Further, even if the reporting of the counter information fails, the application can be uninstalled.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of a processing sequence when the application 100 is installed and uninstalled by the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.
The application activation control module 166 performs the following processing in addition to the processing of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

  That is, by executing the application held in the application storage unit 133, the application creates the counter information storage unit 132, which is a counter area, in the storage unit 181, and then notifies the application activation control module 166 that the creation is completed. In order to transmit (steps S4 to S6), the application activation control module 166 receives the fact that the creation of the counter information storage unit 132 is completed, and acquires the counter information from the counter information storage unit 132 created separately in the storage unit 181. Is performed (step S41).

At this time, the presence or absence of the separately created counter information storage unit 132 is checked, and if the counter information storage unit 132 exists and the counter information can be acquired therefrom, the existing counter information is acquired from the remote server 300. First, the acquired counter information is used as existing counter information, and an existing counter information holding request including the counter information is sent to the application (step S8).
When receiving the existing counter information holding request, the application holds the existing counter information included therein as an initial value in the counter information storage unit 132 created in step S5 (step S9).

On the other hand, when the counter information storage unit 132 created separately does not exist and the counter information cannot be obtained from the counter information storage unit 132, the remote server 300 is inquired about the existence of the existing counter information. The existing counter information is acquired from the remote server 300, and an existing counter information holding request including the acquired existing counter information is sent to the application (step S8).
When receiving the existing counter information holding request, the application holds the existing counter information included therein as an initial value in the counter information storage unit 132 created in step S5 (step S9).

  As described above, when the application is uninstalled and then reinstalled, the presence or absence of counter information separately stored in the counter information storage unit is checked. If the counter information does not exist, the counter information is acquired from the remote server, and the counter information is reinstalled by setting the acquired counter information as an initial value in the counter information storage unit. Information can be set accurately.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus management apparatus system for remotely managing (billing) a multifunction peripheral having a communication function has been described as an example of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication Of course, network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supplies, air conditioning systems, gas, water, electricity, etc. with communication functions, as well as image forming apparatus management apparatus systems that remotely manage image forming apparatuses other than multifunction machines with functions The present invention can be applied to a remote management system for remotely managing various electronic devices having communication functions, including a weighing system, AV equipment, amusement equipment, and a computer that can be connected to a network.

[Program related to this invention]
This program is stored in a computer (CPU) that controls an electronic device, an installation / uninstallation execution unit, an execution frequency measurement unit, a counter information transmission unit, a control unit, a flag setting unit, a counter information acquisition unit, and an initial stage. This is a program for realizing a function as a value setting means, and the above-described effects can be obtained by causing a computer to execute such a program.

Such a program may be stored in storage means such as a ROM provided in the electronic device from the beginning, a nonvolatile memory (flash ROM, EEPROM, etc.), or an HDD (hard disk device), but is a recording medium. Recorded on a CD-ROM or a non-volatile recording medium (memory) such as a memory card, flexible disk, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM It can also be provided. Each program described above can be executed by installing a program recorded in the recording medium in an electronic device and causing the CPU to execute the program, or by causing the CPU to read and execute the program from the recording medium.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even when the electronic device has a limited storage resource that holds counter information corresponding to the application, it is possible to uninstall the application. It is possible to prevent the disappearance of counter information. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic device that can efficiently hold the counter information.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which similarly shows a software structural example. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of the application starting control module 166 of FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of counter information indicating the number of executions of the external applications 157, 158,... In FIG.

It is a figure for demonstrating a counter information unreported flag. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a processing sequence when executing installation and uninstallation of an application by the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG. 1. It is a figure which similarly shows the 2nd example of the sequence of the process at the time of performing respectively installation and uninstallation of an application. It is a figure which similarly shows the 3rd example of the sequence of the process at the time of performing respectively installation and uninstallation of an application. It is a figure which similarly shows the 4th example of the sequence of the process at the time of performing respectively installation and uninstallation of an application.

Explanation of symbols

100: MFP 110: Controller board 111: CPU
112: ASIC 113: SDRAM 114: Flash memory 115: HDD 116: Memory for remote management system 120: Operation panel 121: FCU 122: USB • I / F 123: IEEE1394 • I / F
124: Plotter / scanner engine 125: Peripheral device 131: Flag storage unit 132: Counter information storage unit 133: Application storage unit 140: Counter information 141: Device identifier 142: Application identifier 143: Counter identifier 144: Counter value 145: Counter measurement Date and time 151: Copy application 152: Fax application 153: Printer application 154: Scanner application 155: Net file application 156: Web application 157, 158,...: External application 160: Operation panel control service 161: Engine control service 162: Memory Control service 163: Network control service 164: Fax control service 165: System control service 166: Application activation system Control module 170: SRM 171: General-purpose OS
181: Storage unit 182: Other hardware resources 190: Platform 191: Application 200: Communication network 221: Input event processing unit 222: Installation processing unit 223: Uninstallation processing unit 224: Application download unit 225: Communication control unit 226: Display processing unit 300: remote server 400: application download server

Claims (11)

Installation / uninstallation execution means for executing installation or uninstallation of an application program, execution count measuring means for measuring the execution count of the application program, and a counter for the execution count of the application program measured by the execution count measurement means Electronic equipment having counter information storage means for holding information, and counter information transmission means for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information Because
Flag storage means for holding a flag indicating whether the counter information has been transmitted or not transmitted;
Before performing the uninstallation by the installation / uninstallation execution unit, referring to the flag, if the flag is set to be transmitted, the installation / uninstallation execution unit performs the uninstallation. Control means for causing the counter information transmission means to transmit the counter information held in the counter information storage means to the management device when the flag is set to untransmitted;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a flag setting unit configured to set the flag to transmitted when the counter information is successfully transmitted by the control unit by the control unit. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting means sets the flag to untransmitted when the installation is completed. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting means sets the flag as untransmitted when the counter information held in the counter information storage means is changed. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the transmission of the counter information by the counter information transmission unit fails, the control unit causes the transmission to be performed again, and prohibits execution of the uninstallation by the installation / uninstallation execution unit until the transmission is successful. An electronic device comprising means for performing The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the transmission of the counter information by the counter information transmission unit fails, the control unit separately holds the counter information in the counter information storage unit, and then performs the uninstallation by the installation / uninstallation execution unit. And when the transmission of the counter information by the counter information transmission unit fails, the transmission is performed again, and after the transmission is successful, the counter information separately held in the counter information storage unit is deleted. And an electronic device. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Counter information acquisition means for acquiring the counter information from the management device when the installation of the application program is executed by the installation / uninstallation execution means and then reinstallation of the application program is executed;
An electronic apparatus comprising: an initial value setting unit that causes the counter information storage unit to set the counter information acquired by the counter information acquisition unit as an initial value. The electronic device according to claim 5,
When the reinstallation of the application program is executed after the installation / uninstallation execution means has been uninstalled, the presence / absence of counter information separately held in the counter information storage means is checked. Counter information acquisition means for acquiring the counter information when the counter information is present, and acquiring the counter information from the management device when the counter information is not present;
An electronic apparatus comprising: an initial value setting unit that causes the counter information storage unit to set the counter information acquired by the counter information acquisition unit as an initial value. A remote management system comprising: the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a management device that manages the electronic device.
The management apparatus includes a counter information receiving unit that receives counter information transmitted from the electronic device, and a charging unit that charges a usage fee based on the counter information received by the counter information receiving unit. Remote management system. Installation / uninstallation execution means for executing installation or uninstallation of an application program, execution count measuring means for measuring the execution count of the application program, and a counter for the execution count of the application program measured by the execution count measurement means Counter information storage means held as information, counter information transmission means for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information, and the counter information Is a control method in an electronic device having flag storage means for holding a flag indicating whether the transmission has been transmitted or not transmitted,
Before performing the uninstallation by the installation / uninstallation execution unit, referring to the flag, if the flag is set to be transmitted, the installation / uninstallation execution unit performs the uninstallation. A control step of causing the counter information transmission means to transmit the counter information held in the counter information storage means to the management device when the flag is set to non-transmission;
And a flag setting step for setting the flag to “transmitted” when the counter information transmission unit succeeds in transmitting the counter information in the control step. Installation / uninstallation execution means for executing installation or uninstallation of an application program, execution count measuring means for measuring the execution count of the application program, and a counter for the execution count of the application program measured by the execution count measurement means Counter information storage means held as information, counter information transmission means for transmitting the counter information held in the counter information storage means to a management apparatus that charges a usage fee based on the counter information, and the counter information A computer for controlling an electronic device having flag storage means for holding a flag indicating whether or not the transmission has been transmitted,
Before performing the uninstallation by the installation / uninstallation execution unit, referring to the flag, if the flag is set to be transmitted, the installation / uninstallation execution unit performs the uninstallation. A control function for causing the counter information transmission means to transmit the counter information held in the counter information storage means to the management device when the flag is set to not transmitted;
A program for realizing a flag setting function for setting the flag to already transmitted when the counter information transmission unit succeeds in transmitting the counter information by the control function.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10.

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