JP2012048565A - Software management device and software management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by reducing the burden on an operator who updates or newly installs an application.SOLUTION: An operation terminal 2 includes: a memory 13 that stores a printer driver; an equipment display box that displays selectably equipment type identification information on a connectable label printer 3; an application file list box that selectably displays identification information on an application corresponding to the equipment type identification information selected by a user, as a candidate to be newly installed or updated; and an "install" button for selecting the selected application and inputting an instruction for starting the new installation or update of the application by the operator, and performs installation processing for the selected at least one application in response to the instruction input.

Description

  The present invention relates to a software management apparatus and software management system capable of executing version upgrade and new installation of an application.

  For example, a print label producing system for producing a desired print label by an operation from a terminal such as a personal computer is already known. First, the user installs an appropriate application suitable for creating a print label in the label producing apparatus on the terminal. Thereafter, when the print contents, design, etc. of the print label desired to be created are set with the application running on the terminal, the corresponding print data is generated by the terminal. The generated print data is transmitted to the label producing device, and printing corresponding to the print data is executed on the non-printing medium by the printing means provided in the label producing device, thereby producing a print label.

  As described above, the application may be upgraded or a new function may be added to the application on the terminal. In such a case, it is necessary to update the application. Conventionally, as a technique related to such an application update, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1.

  In this prior art, in the terminal, the OS for updating the program and the client OS are separated. The update OS is started before the client OS, so that the client OS is always started in the latest state, thereby reducing the download time for the update.

JP 2007-66266 A

  In general, in a terminal connected to a label producing apparatus as described above, when an application for creating a label is to be updated, an operator (user) first identifies the application identification information (name) stored in the terminal. ) On the display. Then, by selecting the displayed application and performing an appropriate operation, the selected update candidate application can be downloaded from, for example, a server and installed. However, when displaying an application on a display or the like as described above, since all the many applications stored in the terminal are usually displayed, the user finds out an application that is an update candidate from the many displays. There was a need to choose. For this reason, the operation and trouble at the time of updating become complicated, and the burden on the user is heavy. Although the above-mentioned conventional technology can shorten the download time after an application as an update candidate is specified, as described above, no particular consideration is given to reducing the burden on the user for specifying the application. It was.

  In the above, the case where the user intends to update the application already installed corresponding to the label producing apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, even if the user wants to newly install an application applicable to the label producing apparatus from the server, as described above, all the applications that can be downloaded from the server are usually displayed. It was necessary to find and select an application to be an update candidate from among the above, which was a heavy burden on the user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a software management apparatus and a software management system that can reduce the burden on an operator when performing update or new installation of an application and improve convenience.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is a software management device comprising printing means for performing printing corresponding to print data on a print medium and connected to a label producing device for producing a print label. A storage means for storing at least one printer driver for transmitting the print data to the label producing apparatus, and a device display for selectively displaying model identification information of at least one label producing apparatus that can be connected. And the identification information of at least one application that is a new installation candidate or an update candidate corresponding to the one type of model identification information selected by the operator on the device display means is displayed in a selectable manner. Application display means and a small number selected in the application display means At least one application is selected, and an operation means for an operator to input an instruction to start new installation or update of the application, and at least one selected by the instruction input from the operation means And an installation processing means for performing an installation process on the application.

  In the first invention of this application, a print label is created in the label producing device based on the transmission of data from the software management device. A printer driver is stored in the storage means of the software management apparatus. An application used in this software management apparatus may be upgraded or a new function may be added. In such a case, it is necessary to update the application. In addition, a new application may need to be installed to perform a desired function.

  In these cases, the device display means displays the device identification information of at least one label producing device that can be connected to the software management device in a selectable manner. When the operator selects one of the displayed device identification information, it corresponds to the selected one device identification information, and the version is upgraded and becomes an update candidate (or new) The identification information of at least one application such as an installation candidate) is displayed so as to be selectable by the application display means. When the operator selects at least one application among the displayed applications using the operation means and inputs an instruction to start the update (or new installation), the installation processing means selects the at least one selected application. Perform application installation processing.

  As described above, in the software management apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, application update processing (or new installation) is performed. When starting the update process (or new installation), the operator selects one of the model identification information displayed on the device display means, so that an update candidate corresponding to the selected model identification information is selected. Only the application (or new installation candidate) is displayed on the application display means. Therefore, compared with the case where all the applications stored in the software management apparatus are displayed without input of model identification information, an application that becomes an update candidate (or a new installation candidate) is quickly and easily selected and updated quickly ( Or a new installation). As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  A second invention is the application according to the first invention, wherein the application display means is an application corresponding to one of the model identification information selected by the operator on the device display means, and is not installed and the new installation candidate The identification information of at least one application to be or the identification information of at least one application that is a newer version than the installed version and is the update candidate is displayed in a selectable manner.

  As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the same version of the application already stored in the software management apparatus from being reinstalled wastefully.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the device display means displays the at least one model identification information corresponding to the connectable at least one label producing device in a selectable manner, The application display means collects a plurality of pieces of identification information of a plurality of applications that correspond to the one model identification information selected by the operator in the device display means and are candidates for new installation or update. The installation processing means performs installation processing on the selected applications in response to an instruction input from the operation means.

  As a result, even if there are multiple applications that correspond to one label creation device and need to be updated (or newly installed), they can be selected quickly and easily and updated (or newly installed) quickly. be able to.

  According to a fourth invention, in the first or second invention, the device display means displays a plurality of model identification information respectively corresponding to a plurality of connectable label producing devices, and the application display means Is an application corresponding to the one model identification information selected by the operator in the device display means, and the identification information of at least one application that is a new installation candidate or an update candidate is displayed in a selectable manner, The installation processing means performs installation processing on the selected at least one application in response to an instruction input from the operation means.

  As a result, even if it is a software management device that is selectively connected to a plurality of label producing devices and can create print labels using an application for each label producing device, it is updated (or newly installed) for each label producing device. ) Can be quickly and easily selected, and can be quickly updated (or newly installed).

  In order to achieve the above object, a fifth invention comprises a software management device provided with printing means for performing printing corresponding to print data on a printing medium, and connected to a label producing device for producing a print label, and the software A software management system having a server connected to the management apparatus so that information can be transmitted and received, wherein the software management apparatus stores at least one printer driver for transmitting the print data to the label producing apparatus Means, and device display means for selectively displaying the model identification information of at least one of the label producing devices that can be connected, and the server is one selected by the operator using the device display means. An application corresponding to the model identification information, and a new installation candidate or an update candidate Application information output means for outputting identification information of at least one application, and the software management device further includes the at least one of the new installation candidates and update candidates output from the application information output means. An application display means for selectively displaying application identification information, and at least one application displayed on the application display means, and an operator inputs an instruction to start a new installation or update of the application And the server further down-loads the selected at least one application to the software management apparatus in response to an instruction input from the operation means. A download means for over-de, the software management apparatus further performs installation processing of the at least one application from the download section, and having an installation processing means.

  In the software management system according to the fifth aspect of the present application, a print label is created by the label creation device based on the transmission of data from the software management device. A printer driver is stored in the storage means of the software management apparatus. An application used in this software management apparatus may be upgraded or a new function may be added. In such a case, it is necessary to update the application. In addition, a new application may need to be installed to perform a desired function.

  In these cases, processing is performed between the software management apparatus and a server connected to the software management apparatus so that information can be transmitted and received.

  That is, the device display means of the software management device displays the device identification information of at least one label creating device that can be connected to the software management device in a selectable manner. When the operator selects one of the displayed device identification information, the selection result is transmitted to the server. Here, the server sequentially grasps the status of each application version upgrade, the addition of new functions, and the market launch of new applications. The application information output means of the server corresponds to the selected one device identification information, and at least the version upgrade or the like is performed to become an update candidate (or a new installation candidate) The identification information of one application is output to the software management apparatus.

  The application identification means of the software management apparatus displays the identification information of the application that is an update candidate (or a new installation candidate) that is output in this way so that it can be selected. When the operator selects at least one of the displayed applications using the operation means and inputs an instruction to start the update (or new installation), a corresponding signal is transmitted to the server. In response to this, the download unit of the server downloads at least one corresponding application to the software management apparatus, and the installation processing unit of the software management apparatus performs the installation process of the at least one application from the download unit.

  As described above, in the software management system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, update processing (or new installation) of the application of the software management apparatus is performed in cooperation with the server. When starting the update process (or new installation), the operator selects one of the model identification information displayed on the device display means, so that an update candidate corresponding to the selected model identification information is selected. Only the application (or new installation candidate) is displayed on the application display means. Therefore, compared with the case where all the applications stored in the software management apparatus are displayed without input of model identification information, an application that becomes an update candidate (or a new installation candidate) is quickly and easily selected and updated quickly ( Or a new installation). As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on an operator when updating an application or performing a new installation, and to improve convenience.

It is a system configuration figure showing the whole software management system provided with the operation terminal of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of a software management system. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional composition on processing control in an operation terminal. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by CPU of an operating terminal. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by a server. It is a figure showing the example of a display of the display part of an operating terminal. It is a figure showing the example of a display of the display part of an operating terminal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an entire software management system including a software management apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a software management system 1 includes a server RS, an operation terminal (software management apparatus) 2 composed of, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and a label printer (such as a USB) connected to the operation terminal 2 via an interface such as a USB. Label producing device) 3. The server RS, the operation terminal 2, and the label printer 3 are connected to each other via a network NW.

  The label printer 3 sends and receives various information and instruction signals to and from the operation terminal 2, and creates a print label L having a desired character or graphic print based on print data from the operation terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the operation terminal 2 and the label printer 3.

  In FIG. 2, an operation terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a memory 13 (storage means) such as a RAM or a ROM, and an operation unit 14 to which instructions and information from a user (operator) are input. Communication control for controlling transmission / reception of information signals to / from the label printer 3 via the network NW, a display unit 17 that displays various information and messages, a mass storage device 16 that includes a hard disk device and stores various information. Part 15.

  The CPU 12 performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while using the temporary storage function of the RAM. The CPU 12 sends and receives various instruction signals and information signals to and from the label printer 3 through the network NW by the signal processing.

  On the other hand, the label printer 3 is detachable (or includes a tape roll 204) around which a tape 203 (which is originally spiral but simplified and shown in a concentric circle) 203 is wound as a printing medium. A tape roll holder portion 210 to which a cartridge can be attached and detached, a print head 205 (printing means) for performing desired printing on the tape 203 fed out from the tape roll 204, and a tape 203 that has been printed to a predetermined length. And a transport device 209 which is provided facing the print head 205 and which transports the tape 203 from the tape roll 204 under control of the control circuit 202. The control circuit 202 is connected to the communication control unit 15 of the operation terminal 2 via the communication control unit 208 via the network NW, so that information can be transmitted to and received from the operation terminal 2.

  In the above configuration, when the user creates the print label L with the label printer 3, the user performs an appropriate operation with the operation unit 14 based on the application activated on the operation terminal 2, thereby the print label L Input the setting of characters and figures to be printed on the surface. Thereby, the print data corresponding to the setting input is generated by the CPU 12. The print data is transmitted from the operation terminal 2 to the control circuit 202 of the label printer 3 when the user inputs an instruction to create the print label L by an appropriate operation using the operation unit 14. Then, under the control of the control circuit 202, printing is performed by the print head 205 based on the print data, and the print label L is created.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 2.

  In FIG. 3, in this example, on the memory (RAM) 13 of the operation terminal 2, the respective programs of the two applications AP1, AP2 and the printer driver PD related to the creation of the print data are expanded and started. Thus, it is possible to send and receive an instruction signal and an information signal to each other. The two applications AP1 and AP2 transmit and receive signals to one common printer driver PD. The printer driver PD transmits / receives a signal to / from the label printer 3 through the connection between the communication control units 15 and 208 via the network NW.

  The applications AP1 and AP2 are, for example, a fixed asset management application program for creating a print label L to be affixed to equipment such as a desk or a chair, and a name tag for creating a print label L to be carried by a person such as an employee or a visitor There are a management application program, a document management application program for creating a print label L to be attached to a document file, and the like. These application programs set various kinds of setting information necessary for creating the print label L to generate print data, and output a print label L creation command including the print data to the printer driver PD.

  The printer driver PD receives a print label L creation command output from the applications AP1 and AP2, and outputs a corresponding creation command to the label printer 3.

  The two applications AP1 and AP2 and the printer driver PD are both executed by a single CPU 12 provided in the operation terminal 2, but for example, by time-sharing interrupt control such as a time sharing system (TSS). , Each executed independently. Further, the printer driver PD may be preinstalled in the basic OS of the operation terminal 2 constituted by a general-purpose personal computer, or may be a program that is individually activated on the OS like other applications. .

  The label printer 3 creates the print label L when the creation command is input from the printer driver PD. That is, printing is performed based on the print data included in the creation command.

  In the above basic configuration, the feature of the present embodiment is that when updating the applications AP1 and AP2 already installed in the operation terminal 2 as described above (or installing another application as described later). The operation content and operation procedure performed by the user on the operation terminal 2.

  That is, the application (two applications AP1 and AP2 in the above example) stored in the memory 13 of the operation terminal 2 may be upgraded or a new function may be added. In such a case, it is necessary to update (update) the applications AP1 and AP2. In some cases, a new application must be installed on the operation terminal 2 in order to execute a desired function. In such a case, the process regarding the update (or new installation) is performed between the server RS and the operation terminal 2. Hereinafter, the details will be described in order.

  In other words, the server RS sequentially grasps the status of upgrade of a large number of applications including the applications AP1 and AP2, the addition status of new functions, and the market launch of new applications applicable to the label printer 3. . Upgrade information, new application information, and the like of these applications AP1, AP2, etc. are stored as a database in the server RS, for example.

  When the user intends to update the applications AP1 and AP2 (or newly install another application) and appropriately operates the operation unit 14 of the operation terminal 2, the display unit 17 displays the device identification information (for example, the label printer 3). The device name, model number, nickname appropriately created by the user, etc.) are displayed so as to be selectable (see FIG. 6 described later). That is, when a plurality of label printers 3 are connected, their device identification information is displayed in a selectable manner. If there is a label printer 3 connected in the past even though it is not currently connected, all of the device identification information is displayed in a selectable manner. Alternatively, only the device identification information of one currently connected label printer 3 may be displayed. In other words, at least the label printer 3 that can be connected to the operation terminal 2 is displayed. In this case, the “selection” refers to specifying device identification information that is displayed only once.

  When the user selects one piece of device identification information from the displayed device identification information, the selection result is transmitted to the server RS. The server RS is an application corresponding to the selected one piece of device identification information, so that the version upgrade or the like is performed to become an update candidate (or the market introduction or the like is performed to become a new installation candidate). Identification information (for example, software name, product number, etc.) of one application is output to the operation terminal 2. The output update candidate (or new installation candidate) identification information of at least one application is displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation terminal 2 so that it can be selected (the meaning of “selection” is the same as described above). (See FIGS. 6 and 7). The user selects at least one of the displayed applications and inputs an instruction to start the update (or new installation), whereby the corresponding application is downloaded from the server RS to the operation terminal 2. Thereafter, the operation terminal 2 performs installation processing of the downloaded application.

  FIG. 4 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 to execute the above functions, and FIG. 5 shows a control procedure executed by the server.

  As described above, when the user who intends to update the applications AP1 and AP2 (or newly install another application) appropriately operates the operation unit 14 of the operation terminal 2, the flow of FIG. 4 is started. . First, in step S <b> 1, the CPU 12 outputs a display signal to the display unit 17. Accordingly, the model identification information of the label printer 3 is displayed on the display unit 17 so as to be selectable. As described above, the device identification information displayed at this time may be device identification information of the label printer 3 that can be connected to at least the operation terminal 2.

  An example of the input operation screen displayed on the display unit 17 at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, on the input operation screen 17A, a device display box 17a (device display means) for displaying device identification information of the label printer 3 in a selectable manner is arranged. In this example, the device display box 17a collectively displays model names (“printer A”, “printer B”, “printer C”) of a plurality of label printers 3 as device identification information (in this example, pull-down display). ) In this example, model names (“scanner D”, “scanner E”, and “scanner F”) of devices other than the label printer 3 (in this example, an optical reading device) that can be connected to the operation terminal 2 are also displayed. The “install” button 17b and the “close” button 17c will be described later. The user selects any one of the model names of the label printer 3 displayed in this way by operating the operation unit 14.

  Returning to FIG. 4, after step S <b> 1, in step S <b> 2, the CPU 12 determines whether the model name of the label printer 3 in the device display box 17 a has been selected as described above by the operation of the operation unit 14 of the user. Determine. The loop waits until the label printer 3 is selected. When the label printer 3 is selected, the determination in step S2 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the CPU 12 transmits data including the model name of the label printer 3 selected in step S2 to the server RS through the network NW. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4 described later.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5, the server RS first determines in step S21 whether or not the data in step S3 from the operation terminal 2 has been received. Until it is received, the determination in step S21 is not satisfied, and the loop waits. If data is received from the operation terminal 2, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S23.

  In step S23, the server RS searches the database based on the printer model name received and acquired in step S21, and identifies identification information (software name, software name) applicable to the label printer 3 of the model name. Acquire product number etc. (hereinafter referred to as application name). Then, all the acquired application names are listed and transmitted to the operation terminal 2 through the network NW. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24 described later.

  Moving to FIG. 4, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 determines whether or not the list of application names in step S <b> 23 from the server RS is received in step S <b> 4. Until it is received, the determination in step S4 is not satisfied, and a loop waits. If received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S5.

  In step S5, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 detects the version of the application already installed in the operation terminal for each application included in the list of application names received from the server RS in step S4. The detected version is set in the corresponding column of the application name list, and the application current status list is set. Of the applications included in the application name list, an application that is not installed in the operation terminal is set to version “0” in the field of the application in the application name list. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 transmits data including the application current state list completed in step S5 to the server RS through the network NW. After step S7, the process proceeds to step S8 described later.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5, the server RS determines whether or not data including the application current state list in step S <b> 7 from the operation terminal 2 has been received in step S <b> 24. Until it is received, the determination in step S24 is not satisfied, and a loop waits. If data is received from the operation terminal 2, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S25.

  In step S25, the server RS receives the application name list transmitted to the operation terminal 2 in step S23 and the application current list received and acquired in step S24 (the application and its version actually installed in the operation terminal 2). Matching). That is, among the applications included in the application name list transmitted in step S23, those that have not been installed on the operation terminal 2 and those that are newer than those installed on the operation terminal 2 are identified ( In other words, the same version or an older version already installed in the operation terminal 2 is excluded), and the application adaptation candidate list is obtained. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the server RS transmits the application adaptation candidate list created in step S25 to the operation terminal 2 via the network NW. This step S26 functions as application information output means of each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S27 described later.

  4, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 determines whether or not the application adaptation candidate list in step S26 from the server RS is received in step S8. Until the application adaptation candidate list is received, the determination in step S8 is not satisfied and the process waits for a loop. If it is received, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 outputs a display signal to the display unit 17, and the display unit 17 displays a list of application adaptation candidate lists received from the server RS in step S8. FIG. 7 shows an example of the input operation screen that is shifted from the input operation screen 17A and displayed on the display unit 17 at this time. In FIG. 7, an application file list box 17d (application display means) for displaying the application adaptation candidate list is arranged on the input operation screen 17B. In this example, the names, version names, and capacities (sizes) of a plurality of applications as the application identification information are “application a Ver3 MB”, “application b Ver6 OOMB”, and “application c Ver3.1 OOMB”. "Application d Ver3.2 XXMB". In addition, a check box for enabling the user to select the application is provided at the left end of the display of each application. The user makes a selection by checking a check box corresponding to at least one application that he / she wishes to install among the displayed versions of the application by operating the operation unit 14 (shown in the figure). In the example, Ver6 application b and Ver3.2 application d are selected). The “update list” button 17e is a button for returning to step S8 and receiving the application adaptation candidate list received from the server RS again when the user operates.

  The user confirms each version of the application displayed as the final update candidate (or new installation candidate) in the application file list box 17d as described above by operating the operation unit 14, and then clicks the “install” button 17b (operation By operating (means), the update (or new installation) is instructed. In any of the screens 17A and 17B described above, the screen can be closed (or returned to the previous screen before the transition) by operating the “close” button 17c.

  Returning to FIG. 4, after step S9, in step S10, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 checks the check box in the application file list box 17d by operating the operation unit 14 of the user as described above. It is determined whether or not the above selection has been made, and the determination is not satisfied until the selection is made, and a loop waits. If the check box is checked as described above, the determination at step S10 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S11. In step S <b> 11, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 determines whether an update (or new installation) instruction has been given by the user operating the “install” button 17 b. When the “install button” 17b is operated as described above, the determination in step S11 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 downloads the application program that becomes the final update candidate (or new installation candidate) from the server RS via the network NW. Thereafter, the CPU 12 of the operation terminal 2 installs the downloaded application program in the memory 13 in step S13, and ends this flow. This step S13 functions as an installation processing unit described in each claim.

  On the other hand, in parallel with the above, in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 27, the server RS determines whether or not an installation instruction has been given by the user's operation of the “install” button 17 b described above. The loop waits until instructed, and when instructed, the determination in step S27 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the server RS downloads and outputs the application program that becomes the final update candidate (or new installation candidate) to the operation terminal 2 via the network NW, and ends the flow of FIG. This step S28 functions as download means described in each claim.

  As described above, the operation terminal 2 of the software management system according to the present embodiment performs update processing (or new installation of a new application) of the applications AP1 and AP2 in cooperation with the server RS. When starting the update process (or new installation), the user inputs one of the model identification information (in the above example, the model name of the label printer 3) displayed in the device display box 17a of the input operation screen 17A. By selecting, only the update candidate (or new installation candidate) application corresponding to the selected model identification information is displayed in the application file list box 17d of the input operation screen 17B. Therefore, compared with the case where all the applications stored in the operation terminal 2 are displayed without the input of the model identification information by the user, an application that is an update candidate (or a new installation candidate) is selected quickly and easily, Updates (or new installations) can be performed quickly. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced and convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the user selects a plurality of applications at once in the application file list box 17d of the input operation screen 17B, and performs update processing (or new installation) of the selected plurality of applications. be able to. As a result, even when there are a plurality of applications that correspond to one label printer 3 and need to be updated (or newly installed), the applications are quickly and easily selected and updated (or newly installed) quickly. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, as described above, the user selects model identification information of a plurality of label printers 3 in the device display box 17a of the input operation screen 17A, and updates candidates corresponding to the plurality of label printers ( Alternatively, identification information of at least one application that is a candidate for new installation) is displayed in the application file list box 17d of the input operation screen 17B, and update processing (or installation processing) for the application can be performed.

  Thus, even if the operation terminal 2 is selectively connected to a plurality of label printers 3 and can create the print label L using an application for each label printer 3, it is updated (or new) for each label printer 3. It is possible to quickly and easily select an application that needs to be installed, and to perform an update (or new installation) quickly.

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the server RS collates the application name list with the application current status list including the application name actually installed in the operation terminal 2 and its version in step S25 of FIG. Thereby, in the application file list box 17d of the input operation screen 17B on the operation terminal 2, identification of an application that is not installed and is a candidate for new installation (or an application that is a version newer than the installed version and is an update candidate). Only information is displayed for selection. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent an application having the same version as that already stored in the operation terminal 2 from being reinstalled in the operation terminal 2 in vain.

  In the above description, the case where printing is performed on the tape 203 as a printing medium fed from the tape roll 204 and then cut to create the print label L is described as an example. It is good also as a system which prints on a tape and the cover film (printing medium) different from the said base tape, and produces the printing label L using the tape which bonded them.

  Further, the above description has been given by taking as an example the case where the tape 203 is wound around the reel member to form a roll, and the roll is arranged in the cartridge 210 and the tape 203 is fed out. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. . For example, a long flat paper-like or strip-like tape or sheet (including one formed by cutting a tape wound around a roll and then cutting to an appropriate length) is stacked in a predetermined storage section. The cartridge is made into a cartridge (for example, stacked in a tray shape), and the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder on the label printer 3 side, and is transported and transported from the storage portion to perform printing, thereby producing a print label L. It may be.

  Further, the label printer 3 is configured such that the roll is detachably mounted directly on the label printer 3 side, or a long flat paper or strip-like tape or sheet is transferred from the outside of the label printer 3 one by one by a predetermined feeder mechanism. Further, it is possible to supply the tape roll 204 to the label printer 3 main body side, such as the cartridge 210. The tape roll 204 may be attached to the label printer 3 as a so-called installation type or integral type that cannot be attached to or detached from the label printer 3 side. It is also possible to provide it.

  In addition, in the above, the arrow shown in each figure of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc. shows an example of the flow of a signal, and does not limit the flow direction of a signal.

  The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-described flow, and the addition / deletion of the procedure or the change of the order within the scope without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. May be.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 software management system 2 operation terminal (software management device)
3 Label printer (label production device)
12 CPU
13 Memory (memory means)
14 Operation unit 17 Display unit 205 Print head (printing means)
PD printer driver AP1, AP2 Application L Print label RS server

Claims (5)

A software management device comprising printing means for performing printing corresponding to print data on a printing medium, connected to a label producing device for producing a print label,
Storage means for storing at least one printer driver for transmitting the print data to the label producing device;
Device display means for selectively displaying model identification information of at least one of the label producing devices that can be connected;
Application display means for selectively displaying identification information of at least one application which is an application corresponding to the model identification information selected by the operator on the apparatus display means and which is a new installation candidate or an update candidate. When,
An operation means for selecting at least one application selected in the application display means, and for an operator to input an instruction to start a new installation or update of the application;
A software management apparatus, comprising: an installation processing unit configured to perform an installation process on the selected at least one application in response to an instruction input from the operation unit. The software management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The application display means
From the identification information of at least one application that is not installed and is a candidate for the new installation, or an installed version, corresponding to the one model identification information selected by the operator on the device display means A software management apparatus, wherein the identification information of at least one application that is also a new version and is an update candidate is displayed in a selectable manner. In the software management device according to claim 1 or 2,
The device display means includes
The at least one model identification information corresponding to the at least one label producing device that can be connected is displayed in a selectable manner,
The application display means
Displaying a plurality of identification information of a plurality of applications corresponding to one type of model identification information selected by the operator in the device display means as a new installation candidate or update candidate in a selectable manner. And
The installation processing means includes:
A software management apparatus that performs an installation process on the selected plurality of applications in response to an instruction input from the operation unit. In the software management device according to claim 1 or 2,
The device display means includes
A plurality of the model identification information respectively corresponding to a plurality of label producing devices that can be connected are displayed so as to be selectable,
The application display means
An application corresponding to one of the model identification information selected by the operator in the device display means, the identification information of at least one application to be a new installation candidate or an update candidate is displayed in a selectable manner,
The installation processing means includes:
A software management apparatus that performs installation processing on the selected at least one application in response to an instruction input from the operation unit. A software management device including a printing unit that performs printing corresponding to print data on a print medium; a software management device connected to a label creation device that creates a print label; and a server connected to the software management device so that information can be transmitted and received; A software management system comprising:
The software management device includes:
Storage means for storing at least one printer driver for transmitting the print data to the label producing device;
Device display means for selectively displaying model identification information of at least one of the label producing devices that can be connected;
Have
The server
An application information output unit that outputs identification information of at least one application that is a candidate for new installation or an update that is an application corresponding to the one model identification information selected by the operator on the device display unit ,
The software management device further includes:
Application display means for selectively displaying the identification information of the at least one application that is the candidate for new installation or the candidate for update that is output from the application information output means;
An operation means for selecting at least one application displayed on the application display means, and for an operator to input an instruction to start a new installation or update of the application;
Have
The server further includes:
Download means for downloading the selected at least one application to the software management apparatus in response to an instruction input by the operation means;
The software management device further includes:
A software management system comprising installation processing means for performing installation processing of the at least one application from the download means.

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