Electronic apparatus, method for adding function, and non-transitory recording medium

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018181452-A1
Application number	US-201715850160-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 21, 2017
Priority date	Dec 26, 2016
Publication date	Jun 28, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electronic apparatus includes a memory and circuitry. The memory stores a plurality of programs, and program registration information including identification information of the plurality of programs each of which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus. The circuitry executes a first program of the plurality of programs stored in the memory. The circuitry executes a second program according to a determination that the identification information of the program registration information includes identification information of the second program stored in an external memory connectable to the electronic apparatus. The circuitry causes the first program and the second program, which are executed, to be communicable with each other to newly add a function to the electronic apparatus.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic apparatus, comprising:
a memory configured to store a plurality of programs, and program registration information including identification information of the plurality of programs each of which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus; and circuitry configured to,
execute a first program of the plurality of programs stored in the memory,
execute a second program according to a determination that the program registration information includes identification information of the second program stored in an external memory connectable to the electronic apparatus, and
cause the first program and the second program, which are executed, to be communicable with each other to newly add a function to the electronic apparatus.

2 . The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the identification information of the second program is same as identification information of a process program that is used before but not after shipment of the electronic apparatus.

3 . The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein,
the first program is executed to obtain setting data set in the electronic apparatus, and the second program, which communicates with the first program, is executed to request the first program to obtain the setting data, and obtain the setting data from the first program.

4 . The electronic apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising an interface configured to call a first function of the first program under control of a third program stored in the memory,
wherein the second program communicates with the first program to call a second function of the first program to obtain the setting data from the first program, the second function being different form the first function.

5 . The electronic apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second program
displays the setting data obtainable from the electronic apparatus, receives selection of setting data from the setting data displayed, and requests the first program to obtain the selected setting data.

6 . The electronic apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the circuitry transmits the setting data obtained with the second program to a server.

7 . A method for adding a function to an electronic apparatus, comprising:
storing, in a memory, a plurality of programs and program registration information including identification information of the plurality of programs each of which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus; executing a first program of the plurality of programs stored in the memory; executing a second program according to a determination that program registration information including identification information of a program which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus includes identification information of a program stored in an external memory, which is different from the memory, connected to the electronic apparatus; and causing the first program and the second program, which are executed, to be communicable with each other to newly add a function to the electronic apparatus.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the identification information of the second program is same as identification information of a process program that is used before but not after shipment of the electronic apparatus, and
wherein the program registration information includes the identification information of the process program.

9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
with the first program being executed, obtaining setting data set in the electronic apparatus, and with the second program being executed and communicating with the first program, requesting the first program to obtain the setting data, and obtaining the setting data from the first program.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
calling a first function of the first program with a third program stored in the memory, the third program providing an interface for the first function; and, with the second program communicating with the first program, calling a second function to obtain the setting data from the first program, the second function being different form the first function.

11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising
displaying the setting data obtainable from the electronic apparatus, receiving selected setting data from the setting data displayed, and requesting the first program to obtain the selected setting data.

12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising transmitting the setting data obtained with the second program to a server.

13 . A non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality of instructions which, in response to execution of one or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method, comprising:
storing, in a memory, a plurality of programs and program registration information including identification information of the plurality of programs each of which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus; executing a first program of the plurality of programs stored in the memory; executing a second program according to a determination that program registration information including identification information of a program which is permitted to be executed in the electronic apparatus includes identification information of a program stored in an external memory, which is different from the memory, connected to the electronic apparatus; and causing the first program and the second program, which are executed, to be communicable with each other to newly add a function to the electronic apparatus.

14 . The non-transitory recording medium of claim 13 , wherein the identification information of the second program is same as identification information of a process program that is used before but not after shipment of the electronic apparatus, and
wherein the program registration information includes the identification information of the process program.

15 . The non-transitory recording medium of claim 13 , storing a plurality of instructions which, in response to execution of one or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method, further comprising:
with the first program being executed, obtaining setting data set in the electronic apparatus, and with the second program being executed and communicating with the first program, requesting the first program to obtain the setting data, and obtaining the setting data from the first program.

16 . The non-transitory recording medium of claim 15 , storing a plurality of instructions which, in response to execution of one or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method, further comprising:
calling a first function of the first program with a third program stored in the memory, the third program providing an interface for the first function; and, with the second program communicating with the first program, calling a second function to obtain the setting data from the first program, the second function being different form the first function.

Assignees

• Yamawaki Taku
• Yokoyama Kayo
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Yamawaki Taku
• Yokoyama Kayo

Classifications

• G06F9/44505

  Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files · CPC title

• G06F9/44521

  Dynamic linking or loading; Link editing at or after load time, e.g. Java class loading · CPC title

• H04N2201/0094

  Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception · CPC title

• H04N1/00278 Primary

  with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer · CPC title

• G06F9/546 Primary

  Message passing systems or structures, e.g. queues · CPC title