Information processing apparatus capable of executing a common control program for controlling, management apparatus, information processing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium with common control program therein

An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives an instruction to obtain a model information file, which is list information regarding models controllable by a common control program, an input unit that, if the reception unit receives the instruction to obtain the model information file, inputs identification information regarding the information processing apparatus, and an obtaining unit that obtains, from an external management apparatus, a model information file corresponding to the identification information input by the input unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-040274 filed Mar. 6, 2019.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a management apparatus, an information processing system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

(ii) Related Art

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-183434, a method for supporting remote maintenance is disclosed. The method includes operating, by a user or a manager of a computer system, a certain maintenance key switch provided for the computer system if an apparatus included in the computer system needs to be maintained, accessing, through a network using the computer system as a result of the operation performed on the maintenance key switch, a maintenance information provision server that stores electronic maintenance support information in a database and automatically transmitting information for identifying the apparatus and state information to the maintenance information provision server through the network, searching, using the maintenance information provision server on the basis of the information transmitted from the computer system, the database for maintenance support information regarding the apparatus and transmitting the found maintenance support information to the computer system through the network, and receiving, using the computer system, the maintenance support information transmitted from the maintenance information provision server and outputting a cause of a failure of the apparatus and a maintenance method to an output apparatus.

SUMMARY

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing apparatus, a management apparatus, an information processing system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium capable of making it unnecessary to update a common control program for controlling a plurality of apparatuses whose models are different from one another even when compatible models of the common control program have changed.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a reception unit that receives an instruction to obtain a model information file, which is list information regarding models controllable by a common control program, an input unit that, if the reception unit receives the instruction to obtain the model information file, inputs identification information regarding the information processing apparatus, and an obtaining unit that obtains, from an external management apparatus, a model information file corresponding to the identification information input by the input unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the information processing system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a terminal apparatus10that serves as an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, printers2,3, and4that serve as image forming apparatuses, such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs), and a server12.

The terminal apparatus10and the server12are connected to each other by the Internet11and communicate information with each other.

The terminal apparatus10and the printers2,3, and4are connected to each other by a local area network (LAN)1and communicate information with each other.

The terminal apparatus10generates a print job and transmits the generated print job to the printer2,3, or4through the LAN1. The printer2,3, or4that has received the print job from the terminal apparatus10outputs an image based on the print job to a sheet.

The printers2,3, and4connected to the LAN1are so-called “multivendor apparatuses” whose models are different from one another and that have been manufactured by different manufacturers.

A common driver capable of controlling a plurality of printers whose models are different from one another is installed on the terminal apparatus10. The terminal apparatus10executes a common control program using the common driver to control such printers.

The common control program is software capable of controlling a plurality of apparatuses whose models are different from one another. That is, by installing and updating the common driver on the terminal apparatus10, a plurality of printers whose models are different from one another can be controlled, and a printer driver for each model need not be installed or updated.

The server12is a web server, for example, including the common driver. That is, a user of the terminal apparatus10can access the server12through the Internet11and install and update the common driver.

FIG. 2illustrates the hardware configuration of the terminal apparatus10in the information processing system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the terminal apparatus10includes a central processing unit (CPU)20, a memory21capable of temporarily storing data, a storage device22such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a user interface (UI) device23including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, and a communication interface24that communicates data with external apparatuses through networks such as the LAN1and the Internet11. These components are connected to one another by a control bus25.

The CPU20controls the operation of the terminal apparatus10by performing a certain process on the basis of the common control program stored in the memory21or the storage device22. Although the CPU20reads and executes the common control program stored in the memory21or the storage device22in the present exemplary embodiment, the common control program may be stored in a storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and provided for the CPU20.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the terminal apparatus10achieved by executing the common control program.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the terminal apparatus10according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a control unit30, a first data communication unit31, a second data communication unit32, a storage unit33, and a display unit34.

The first data communication unit31communicates data with the server12through the Internet11.

The second data communication unit32communicates data with the printers2,3, and4through the LAN1.

The display unit34displays, on a display screen, an operation screen for operating the printers2,3, and4and the server12. The display unit34receives, on the display screen, operations performed on the printers2,3, and4and the server12.

The storage unit33stores a common control program51, a model information file52, and the like. The model information file52is saved, for example, in a registry.

The terminal apparatus10functions as a reception section42, a model information management section43, a display control section44, and the like by executing the common control program51stored in the storage unit33using the control unit30.

The common control program51causes the control unit30to operate as the reception section42, the model information management section43, the display control section44, and the like.

The model information file52is obtained from the server12and stored in the storage unit33as a part of files of the common driver along with data regarding the common control program51when the common driver is installed or updated. A customized model information file52, which will be described later, is also obtained from the server12and stored in the storage unit33.

The customized model information file52is information that includes, among models that can be controlled by the common control program51, models to be used with the terminal apparatus10in a model list61and that excludes models not to be used with the terminal apparatus10from the model list61.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, for example, the model information file52includes model information55regarding the model names of the plurality of printers2,3, and4and option information57indicating setting items, such as information regarding input trays for each model name, information regarding output trays for each model name, information regarding the HDD, information regarding output bins, and information regarding a stapling function.

The reception section42receives an instruction to obtain a customized model information file52. If the reception section42receives an instruction to obtain a customized model information file52, the display control section44displays, on the display unit34, an input screen for asking the user to input a user identifier (ID), which is identification information regarding the user, and a password. At this time, the display unit34functions as an input unit for inputting a user ID, which is identification information, and a password.

The model information management section43obtains update data for the common control program51and the model information file52from the server12and stores the update data and the model information file52in the storage unit33. The model information management section43also receives, from the reception section42, an instruction to obtain a customized model information file52. If a user ID and a password are input, the model information management section43obtains a customized model information file52from the server12and stores the customized model information file52in the storage unit33.

The display control section44displays, on the display unit34, the model list61and a setting item list62set for each model name on a printer property screen on the basis of the model information file52stored in the storage unit33. That is, the display control section44displays the model list61and the setting item list62set for each model name on the basis of a model information file52obtained along with the common control program or a customized model information file52.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the server12.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the server12according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a control unit70, a data communication unit71, and a storage unit72.

The data communication unit71communicates data with the terminal apparatus10and the like through the Internet11.

The storage unit72stores the common control program51, the model information file52, account information54, and the like.

The server12functions as a reception section81, a model information file generation section82, a display control section83, and the like by executing the common control program51stored in the storage unit72using the control unit70.

The common control program51causes the control unit70to operate as the reception section81, the model information file generation section82, the display control section83, and the like.

The display control section83displays, on the display unit34of the terminal apparatus10, an account obtaining screen for obtaining an account in the server12including the common driver. The display control section83also displays, on the display unit34of the terminal apparatus10using a browser, for example, a login screen for accessing the server12.

If the user obtains an account in the server12including the common driver and logs in the server12by inputting a user ID and a password on the login screen, the display control section83displays a model selection screen for customizing the model information file52. That is, the display control section83displays, on the printer property screen displayed on the terminal apparatus10, a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether to include each model in the model list61.

More specifically, a list of models compatible with the common driver illustrated inFIG. 6, for example, is displayed on the display screen of the terminal apparatus10. InFIG. 6, “invalid” is selected for models whose maintenance periods have expired, and “valid” is selected for models whose maintenance periods have not expired.

The reception section81allows the user to select whether to include each model in the model list61displayed on the terminal apparatus10by the common control program51.

Before the reception section81allows the user to select whether to include each model in the model list61, the display control section83controls the selection screen of the terminal apparatus10such that models whose maintenance periods have expired are excluded from the model list61. In addition, before the reception section81allows the user to select whether to include each model in the model list61, the display control section83controls the selection screen such that a newly added model is included in the model list61.

After the user selects, using the reception section81, whether to include each model in the model list61displayed on the terminal apparatus10by the common control program51, model setting information53that includes models determined using the reception section reception section81to be included in the model list61is stored in the storage unit72and associated with the user ID and the password input on the login screen. More specifically, if the user presses a “set” button58on the display screen illustrated inFIG. 6on which the user has performed the selection for the models using the reception section81, information regarding the selection is stored in the storage unit72as the model setting information53and associated with the user ID and the password to form a part of the account information54as illustrated inFIG. 7.

The model information file generation section82generates the model information file52using the model setting information53stored in the storage unit72. That is, if the terminal apparatus10logs in the server12, the model information file generation section82refers to the account information54and generates the model information file52using the model setting information53corresponding to the user ID and the password input at the time of login. That is, the model information file generation section82generates a customized model information file52using the model setting information53including models determined using the reception section81to be included in the model list61.

Next, an example of a display screen after the common driver is activated to execute the common control program51will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 8, 9A, and9B.

After the common control program51is executed, the model list61for selecting a model name to be used in the common driver and the setting item list62that displays items settable for each model name are displayed on the property screen. The user may select one of two model modes, namely a model common mode and a model selection mode, on the model list61.

In the model common mode, the same setting items are set for all models. In the model selection mode, a model name to be used is selected and setting items are set for the model name.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, if “model common” is selected on the model list61, for example, the model common mode is established. Common setting items for different models are then displayed on the setting item list62.

If a model name is selected on the model list61, on the other hand, the model selection mode is established. Setting items corresponding to the selected model name are then displayed on the setting item list62as illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B.

Models names controllable by the common driver and setting items for each of the model names are displayed on the model list61and the setting item list62, respectively, on the basis of the model information file52stored in the storage unit33.

Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

First, an operation performed by the terminal apparatus10to register the account information54regarding the user to the server12including the common driver will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

In step S10, the terminal apparatus10accesses the server12through the Internet11and obtains a login account for registering the account information54to the server12. More specifically, the user obtains the login account on an account obtaining screen displayed on the display unit34of the terminal apparatus10.

Next, in step S11, the login account of the user is registered to the server12.

In step S12, the server12displays the login screen on the terminal apparatus10.

In step S13, the terminal apparatus10accesses the server12on the login screen using the obtained login account.

As a result, a model selection screen for storing the model setting information53in the storage unit72is displayed on the display screen of the terminal apparatus10. More specifically, a selection screen such as that illustrated inFIG. 6is displayed. On the initial screen illustrated inFIG. 6, “invalid” is selected for models whose maintenance periods have expired, and “valid” is selected for models whose maintenance periods have not expired. The user may change the settings using the terminal apparatus10. That is, the user may set, using the terminal apparatus10, “valid” for models to be used and included in the model list61of the common driver and “invalid” for models not to be used and included in the model list61.

If the user makes the settings using the terminal apparatus10and presses the “set” button58in step S15, the model setting information53regarding the selected models are stored in the storage unit72of the server12and associated with a user ID and a password to form a part of the account information54in step S16.

Next, an operation performed by the terminal apparatus10to obtain a customized model information file52will be described with reference toFIG. 11.

If the user presses, in step S20, an “obtain model information” button63on a printer property screen of the common driver of the terminal apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 12, for example, a login screen illustrated inFIG. 13is displayed in step S21on the display unit34of the terminal apparatus10.

Next, if a user ID and a password are input and a login button is pressed on the login screen of the terminal apparatus10in step S22, the terminal apparatus10is connected to the server12and a request to obtain a customized model information file52is issued.

As a result, the model information file generation section82generates, in step S23, a model information file52from the account information54stored in the storage unit72on the basis of the model setting information53associated with the user ID and the password used for the login.

In step S24, the customized model information file52is transmitted to the terminal apparatus10.

In step S25, the terminal apparatus10stores the customized model information file52in the storage unit33.

That is, the terminal apparatus10can execute the common driver and display a customized model list61on a printer property screen illustrated inFIG. 14on the basis of the customized model information file52. Models to be used with the terminal apparatus10can be included in the model list61, and models not to be used with the terminal apparatus10can be excluded from the model list61.

That is, not only a model list61based on the model information file52updated each time the common driver is updated but also a model list61based on a customized model information file52can be displayed.

If there is a model whose maintenance period has expired, the model is removed from the model list61by obtaining a latest model information file52from the server12without updating the common driver.

If there is a model whose maintenance period has expired but the user desires to keep using the model, the model remains in the model list61and continues to be used by using a customized model information file52in the server12. Models whose maintenance periods have expired can thus be controlled by the common driver.

Even when the common control program has been updated in the common driver and a new model has been added, the common driver need not be updated if the user adds the new model to the model information file52by customizing the model information file52using the server12.

Although the printers2,3, and4are used as an example of a plurality of apparatuses whose models are different from one another in the present exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may also be applied when other electronic devices are controlled using a common driver.

Although the terminal apparatus10is used as an example of an information processing apparatus in the present exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may also be applied when another information processing apparatus is used.