Image forming apparatus and methods used in the image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes an application information obtaining part for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed, the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 an application information obtaining part for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the application information obtaining part obtains the application information from the application.  
     
     
         3 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the application information is information that is included in an execution file of the application.  
     
     
         4 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the application information obtaining part obtains the application information from a file separate from the application.  
     
     
         5 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the application information obtaining part obtains the application information by provisionally launching the application.  
     
     
         6 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the application information obtaining part obtains the application information by using interprocess communication between the application information obtaining part and the application.  
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the application causes the image forming apparatus to perform: 
 a step of determining whether to provisionally launch the application or to normally launch the application according to a request from the application information obtaining part; and    a step of providing the application information to the application information obtaining part if the application is provisionally launched.    
     
     
         8 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the image forming apparatus further comprising a storage for storing the application information obtained by the application information obtaining part.  
     
     
         9 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the storage is at least one of a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory and a memory card, and wherein the application information obtaining part obtains the application information by reading information stored in the storage.  
     
     
         10 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the application information includes a product ID that is specific for the application.  
     
     
         11 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the application information further includes at least one of a vendor name, an application name, version information and resource information.  
     
     
         12 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the storage stores product IDs of installable applications, and the image forming apparatus determines whether a target application is installable by checking whether a product ID of the target application is stored.  
     
     
         13 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the image forming apparatus further comprising: 
 hardware resources used for image forming process;    control services for controlling the hardware resources; and    a virtual application service that operates as a client process for the control services and operates as a sever process for the application.    
     
     
         14 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the virtual application service includes the application information obtaining part.  
     
     
         15 . A method used in an image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed, the method comprising: 
 an application information obtaining step of obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.    
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the application information from the application.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the application information is information that is included in an execution file of the application.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the application information from a file separate from the application.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the application information by provisionally launching the application.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the application information from the application by using interprocess communication.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the application causes the image forming apparatus to perform: 
 a step of determining whether to provisionally launch the application or to normally launch the application according to a request; and    a step of providing the application information to the image forming apparatus if the application is provisionally launched.    
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , the method further comprising a step of storing the application information in a storage in the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the storage is at least one of a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory and a memory card, and wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the application information by reading information stored in the storage.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the application information includes a product ID that is specific for the application.  
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the application information further includes at least one of a vendor name, an application name, version information and resource information.  
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the storage stores product IDs of installable applications, and the image forming apparatus determines whether a target application is installable by checking whether a product ID of the target application is stored.  
     
     
         27 . A computer program to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed, the computer program comprising: 
 application information obtaining program code means for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.    
     
     
         28 . A computer readable medium storing program code to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed, the computer readable medium comprising: 
 application information obtaining program code means for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.    
     
     
         29 . An image forming apparatus including an operation panel for displaying or inputting operation information, the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 an information obtaining part for obtaining application information on an application to be used in the image forming apparatus; and    a display part for displaying the application information or information related to the application information on the operation panel.    
     
     
         30 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , the image forming apparatus further comprising: 
 a determination part for determining whether the application is installable in the image forming apparatus according to the application information obtained by the information obtaining part.    
     
     
         31 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the display part displays one or more installable applications on the operation panel according to the result of determination by the determination part, wherein an installable application can be selected from the one or more installable applications.  
     
     
         32 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the display part displays information including application names and application outline descriptions for the one or more applications.  
     
     
         33 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the display part displays a reason why an application is not installable according to the result of determination by the determination part.  
     
     
         34 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the display part displays a warning when an application selected for install is already installed in the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         35 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the application information or the information related to the application information that is displayed on the operation panel includes information necessary for determining whether the application is installable.  
     
     
         36 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the information necessary for determining whether the application is installable includes version information of the application and version information of the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         37 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the information necessary for determining whether the application is installable includes necessary resource information of the application and available resource information of the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         38 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the display part displays an install operation screen or an uninstall operation screen by using the application information, 
 the image forming apparatus further comprising: 
 a part for performing install process or uninstall process for the application according to operations on the install operation screen or the uninstall operation.  
   
     
     
         39 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , the image forming apparatus further comprising a part for causing a remote apparatus to display a screen that is the same as a screen displayed on the operation panel.  
     
     
         40 . A method used for displaying operation information on an operation panel in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 an information obtaining step of obtaining application information on an application to be used in the image forming apparatus; and    a display step of displaying the application information or information related to the application information on the operation panel.    
     
     
         41 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , the method further comprising: 
 a determination step of determining whether the application is installable in the image forming apparatus according to the application information.    
     
     
         42 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays one or more installable applications on the operation panel according to the result of the determination step, wherein an installable application can be selected from the one or more installable applications.  
     
     
         43 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays information including application names and application outline descriptions for the one or more applications.  
     
     
         44 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays a reason why an application is not installable according to the result of the determination step.  
     
     
         45 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays a warning when an application selected for install is already installed in the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         46 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the application information or the information related to the application information that is displayed on the operation panel includes information necessary for determining whether the application is installable.  
     
     
         47 . The method as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the information necessary for determining whether the application is installable includes version information of the application and version information of the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         48 . The method as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the information necessary for determining whether the application is installable includes necessary resource information of the application and available resource information of the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         49 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the image forming apparatus displays an install operation screen or an uninstall operation screen by using the application information, 
 wherein the image forming apparatus performs install process or uninstall process for the application according to operations on the install operation screen or the uninstall operation.    
     
     
         50 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the image forming apparatus causes a remote apparatus to display a screen that is the same as a screen displayed on the operation panel.  
     
     
         51 . A computer program to be executed on an image forming apparatus including an operation panel for displaying or inputting operation information, the computer program comprising: 
 information obtaining program code means for obtaining application information on an application to be used in the image forming apparatus; and    display program code means for displaying the application information or information related to the application information on the operation panel.    
     
     
         52 . A computer readable medium storing program code to be executed on an image forming apparatus including an operation panel for displaying or inputting operation information, the computer readable medium comprising: 
 information obtaining program code means for obtaining application information on an application to be used in the image forming apparatus; and    display program code means for displaying the application information or information related to the application information on the operation panel.    
     
     
         53 . An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 an information obtaining part for obtaining necessary resource information for executing an application and available resource information in the image forming apparatus; and    a launch restriction part for comparing the necessary resource information and the available resource information, and performing launch restriction process on the application according to the result of comparison between the necessary resource information and the available resource information.    
     
     
         54 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the information obtaining part obtains the necessary resource information from an execution file of the application.  
     
     
         55 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the information obtaining part obtains the necessary resource information by provisionally launching the application.  
     
     
         56 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the information obtaining part obtains, as the necessary resource information, a usage record of a resource used by the application.  
     
     
         57 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the information obtaining part obtains the usage record from system information that holds usage records used by processes in the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         58 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the information obtaining part obtains, as the necessary resource information, a memory area size to be used by the application.  
     
     
         59 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the memory area size is a heap area size.  
     
     
         60 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates a necessary resource amount and the available resource information indicates an available resource amount, and wherein the launch restriction part displays a ratio of the necessary resource amount to the available resource amount on an operation panel.  
     
     
         61 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates a necessary resource amount and the available resource information indicates an available resource amount, and wherein the launch restriction part displays a warning on an operation panel when the necessary resource amount is larger than the available resource amount.  
     
     
         62 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein, if the application can operate by using a second resource that is different from a first resource corresponding to the necessary resource amount, the launch restriction part causes the application to use the second resource instead of the first resource.  
     
     
         63 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates an apparatus that is to be used by the application, and wherein the launch restriction part performs the launch restriction process when the image forming apparatus is not provided with the apparatus.  
     
     
         64 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , the image forming apparatus further comprising: 
 hardware resources used for image forming processes;    control services for controlling the hardware resources; and    a virtual application service that operates as a client process for the control services and operates as a sever process for the application.    
     
     
         65 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the virtual application service includes the information obtaining part and the use restriction part.  
     
     
         66 . A launch restriction method used in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the launch restriction method comprising: 
 an information obtaining step of obtaining necessary resource information for executing an application and available resource information in the image forming apparatus; and    a launch restriction step of comparing the necessary resource information and the available resource information, and performing launch restriction process on the application according to the result of comparison between the necessary resource information and the available resource information.    
     
     
         67 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the necessary resource information from an execution file of the application.  
     
     
         68 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the necessary resource information from the execution file of the application by provisionally launching the application.  
     
     
         69 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains, as the necessary resource information, a usage record of a resource used by the application.  
     
     
         70 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains the usage record from system information that holds usage records used by processes in the image forming apparatus.  
     
     
         71 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the image forming apparatus obtains, as the necessary resource information, a memory area size to be used by the application.  
     
     
         72 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the memory area size is a heap area size.  
     
     
         73 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates a necessary resource amount and the available resource information indicates an available resource amount, and wherein the image forming apparatus displays a ratio of the necessary resource amount to the available resource amount on an operation panel.  
     
     
         74 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates a necessary resource amount and the available resource information indicates an available resource amount, and wherein the image forming apparatus displays a warning on an operation panel when the necessary resource amount is larger than the available resource amount.  
     
     
         75 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 74 , wherein, if the application can operate by using a second resource that is different from a first resource corresponding to the necessary resource amount, the image forming apparatus causes the application to use the second resource instead of the first resource.  
     
     
         76 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the necessary resource information indicates an apparatus that is to be used by the application, and wherein the image forming apparatus performs the launch restriction process when the image forming apparatus is not provided with the apparatus.  
     
     
         77 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 66 , the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 hardware resources used for image forming processes;    control services for controlling the hardware resources; and    a virtual application service that operates as a client process for the control services and operates as a sever process for the application.    
     
     
         78 . The launch restriction method as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein information obtaining step and the launch restriction step are performed by the virtual application service.  
     
     
         79 . A computer program to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the computer program comprising: 
 information obtaining program code means for obtaining necessary resource information for executing an application and available resource information in the image forming apparatus; and    launch restriction program code means for comparing the necessary resource information and the available resource information, and performing launch restriction process on the application according to the result of comparison between the necessary resource information and the available resource information.    
     
     
         80 . A computer readable medium storing program code to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the computer readable medium comprising: 
 information obtaining program code means for obtaining necessary resource information for executing an application and available resource information in the image forming apparatus; and    launch restriction program code means for comparing the necessary resource information and the available resource information, and performing launch restriction process on the application according to the result of comparison between the necessary resource information and the available resource information.    
     
     
         81 . An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 a part for referring to a database which includes, for each application, information on propriety of combination of applications; and    a launch control part for performing launch control process on an application according to the information on propriety.    
     
     
         82 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the launch control part displays a screen for selecting at least one application from among the plurality of applications on an operation panel.    
     
     
         83 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the launch control part launches at least one application among the plurality of applications or performs launch setting on at least one application among the plurality of applications.    
     
     
         84 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 83 , wherein the launch control part launches an application having the highest priority among the plurality of applications or performs launch setting on the application having the highest priority.  
     
     
         85 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the lunch control part displays a warning screen on an operation panel when combination of applications is unrecommended.    
     
     
         86 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 82 , wherein, when a launch request or a launch setting request is made for a first application, the launch control part refers to the database, obtains an identifier of a second application that is incompatible or unrecommended against the first application, and performs the launch control process on the first and second applications.  
     
     
         87 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and indicates a level of the incompatible relationship or the unrecommended relationship, and 
 the launch control part performs the launch control process according to the level.    
     
     
         88 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the launch control part displays a screen showing an indispensable or recommended application for another application on an operation panel.    
     
     
         89 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the launch control part launches an indispensable or recommended application for another application, or performs launch setting on the indispensable or recommended application for another application.    
     
     
         90 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 88 , wherein, when the indispensable or recommended application is not installed in the image forming apparatus, the launch control part downloads the indispensable or recommended application from a server via a network.  
     
     
         91 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 88 , wherein, when the indispensable or recommended application is not installed in the image forming apparatus, the launch control part displays information that can be used for obtaining the indispensable or recommended application.  
     
     
         92 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 88 , wherein, when a launch request or a launch setting request is made for a first application, the launch control part refers to the database, obtains an identifier of a second application that is indispensable or recommended for the first application, and performs the launch control process on the first and second applications.  
     
     
         93 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and indicates a level of the indispensable relationship or the recommended relationship, and 
 the launch control part performs the launch control process according to the level.    
     
     
         94 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 81 , the image forming apparatus further comprising: 
 hardware resources used for image forming processes;    control services for controlling the hardware resources; and    a virtual application service that operates as a client process for the control services and operates as a sever process for the application.    
     
     
         95 . The image forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 94 , wherein the virtual application service includes the part for referring and the launch control part.  
     
     
         96 . A launch control method used in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the launch control method comprising: 
 a step of referring to a database which includes, for each application, information on propriety of combination of applications; and    a launch control step of performing launch control process on an application according to the information on propriety.    
     
     
         97 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the image forming apparatus displays a screen for selecting at least one application from among the plurality of applications on an operation panel.    
     
     
         98 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the image forming apparatus launches at least one application among the plurality of applications or performs launch setting on at least one application among the plurality of applications.    
     
     
         99 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 98 , wherein the image forming apparatus launches an application having the highest priority among the plurality of applications or performs launch setting on the application having the highest priority.  
     
     
         100 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the image forming apparatus displays a warning screen on an operation panel when combination of applications is unrecommended.    
     
     
         101 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 97 , wherein, when a launch request or a launch setting request is made for a first application, the image forming apparatus refers to the database, obtains an identifier of a second application that is incompatible or unrecommended against the first application, and performs the launch control process on the first and second applications.  
     
     
         102 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates incompatible relationship or unrecommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and indicates a level of the incompatible relationship or the unrecommended relationship, and 
 the image forming apparatus performs the launch control process according to the level.    
     
     
         103 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the image forming apparatus displays a screen showing an indispensable or recommended application for another application on an operation panel.    
     
     
         104 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and 
 the image forming apparatus launches an indispensable or recommended application for another application, or performs launch setting on the indispensable or recommended application for another application.    
     
     
         105 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 103 , wherein, when the indispensable or recommended application is not installed in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus downloads the indispensable or recommended application from a server via a network.  
     
     
         106 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 103 , wherein, when the indispensable or recommended application is not installed in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus displays information that can be used for obtaining the indispensable or recommended application.  
     
     
         107 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 103 , wherein, when a launch request or a launch setting request is made for a first application, the image forming apparatus refers to the database, obtains an identifier of a second application that is indispensable or recommended for the first application, and performs the launch control process on the first and second applications.  
     
     
         108 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , wherein the information on propriety indicates indispensable relationship or recommended relationship among a plurality of applications, and indicates a level of the indispensable relationship or the recommended relationship, and 
 the image forming apparatus performs the launch control process according to the level.    
     
     
         109 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 96 , the image forming apparatus comprising: 
 hardware resources used for image forming processes;    control services for controlling the hardware resources; and    a virtual application service that operates as a client process for the control services and operates as a sever process for the application.    
     
     
         110 . The launch control method as claimed in  claim 109 , wherein the step of referring to the database and the launch control step are performed by the virtual application service.  
     
     
         111 . A computer program to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the computer program comprising: 
 program code means for referring to a database which includes, for each application, information on propriety of combination of applications; and    launch control program code means for performing launch control process on an application according to the information on propriety.    
     
     
         112 . A computer readable medium storing program code to be executed on an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of applications can be installed, the computer readable medium comprising: 
 program code means for referring to a database which includes, for each application, information on propriety of combination of applications; and    launch control program code means for performing launch control process on an application according to the information on propriety.