Information processing device and method, recording medium and program

An information processing method comprising:

• storing in a memory first functional generation information and application software, the first functional generation information including (1) a first URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the functional generation information is registered, (2) a second URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the application software is registered, and (3) a combination of cryptographic keys;
• obtaining second functional generation information, wherein the second functional generation information would enable the application software to access second functions if the second functional generation information is concurrently located in the memory with the application software, wherein the second functional information is registered at the first URL in an information providing apparatus that is remotely located from said information processing apparatus, and wherein said information providing apparatus is connected to said information processing apparatus via a network;
• comparing said second functional generation information to the first function generation information stored in the memory, wherein the first functional generation information enables the application software, independent of a software version of the application software, to access first functions;
• determining which of said first or second functional generation information is a newest functional generation information;
• updating, when it is determined that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information, said first functional generation information stored in said memory to said second functional generation information such that said memory contains said second functional generation information and said application software, independent of the software version, is enabled to access the second functions;
• and
• updating the application software stored in said memory to application software located at the second URL of said second functional generation information, when the determining determines that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

• storing in a memory of the computer a first functional generation information and application software, the first functional generation information including (1) a first URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the functional generation information is registered, (2) a second URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the application software is registered, and (3) a combination of cryptographic keys;
• obtaining second functional generation information, wherein the second functional generation information would enable the application software to access second functions if the second functional generation information is concurrently located in the memory of the computer with the application software, wherein the second functional information is registered at the first URL in an information providing apparatus that is remotely and separately located from the computer, and wherein said information providing apparatus is connected to the computer via a network;
• comparing said second functional generation information to the first functional generation information stored in the memory, wherein the first functional generation information enables the application software, independent of a software version of the application software, to access first functions;
• determining which of said first or second functional generation information is a newest functional generation information;
• updating, when it is determined that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information, said first functional generation information stored in the memory of the computer to said second functional generation information, such that the memory of the computer contains said second functional generation information and said application software, independent of the software version, is enabled to access the second functions;
• and
• updating the application software stored in said memory to application software located at the second URL of said second functional generation information, when the determining determines that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

• storing in a memory of the computer a first functional generation information and application software, the first functional generation information including (1) a first URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the functional generation information is registered (2) a second URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the application software is registered, and (3) a combination of cryptographic keys;
• obtaining second functional generation information, wherein the second functional generation information would enable the application software to access second functions if the second functional generation information is concurrently located in the memory with the application software, wherein the second functional information is registered at the first URL in an information providing apparatus that is remotely located from said information processing apparatus, and wherein said information providing apparatus is connected to said information processing apparatus via a network;
• comparing said second functional generation information to the first functional generation information stored in said memory, wherein the first functional generation information enables the application software, independent of a software version of the application software, to access first functions;
• determining which of said first or second functional generation information is a newest functional generation information;
• updating, when it is determined that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information, said first functional generation information stored in said memory to said second functional generation information, such that said memory contains said second functional generation information and said application software, independent of the software version, is enabled to access the second functions;
• and
• updating the application software stored in said memory to application software located at the second URL of said second functional generation information, when the determining determines that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information.

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to separately store functional generation information and application software, wherein the functional generation information enables the application software to access functions, independent of a software version of the application software, when the functional generation information is concurrently located in the memory with the application software, the functional generation information including (1) a first URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the functional generation information is registered, (2) a second URL that corresponds to an external location where an update to the application software is registered, and (3) a combination of cryptographic keys;
• a managing unit configured to manage first functional generation information stored in said memory that enables the application software to access first functions;
• an obtaining unit configured to obtain second functional generation information that, if located in the memory, would enable the application software to access second functions, wherein the second functional generation information is registered at the first URL in an information providing apparatus that is remotely located from said information processing apparatus, wherein said information providing apparatus is connected to said information processing apparatus via a network, and wherein said obtaining unit obtains said second functional generation information based on said first functional generation information;
• a comparing and determining unit configured to compare said first functional generation information and said second functional generation information and configured to determine which of said first or second functional generation information is a newest functional generation information;
• an information updating unit configured to update said first functional generation information stored in said memory to said newest functional generation information, when said comparing and determining unit determines that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information, such that said memory contains said second functional generation information and the application software, independent of the software version, is able to access the second functions;
• and
• application software updating unit configured to update the application software stored in said memory to application software located at the second URL of said second functional generation information, when said comparing and determining unit determines that said second functional generation information is newer than said first functional generation information.