US 8,477,328 B2Granted

Function-providing system

AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation

InventorsShinya Taniguchi, Taro Ishige, Koki Go

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Abstract

From among identical modules stored on a module storage 112 and a module storage 212, an authenticated printing management module 130 selects the module with higher level information. For example, an ID authentication module 132 is stored in both the module storage 112 of an MFP 10 and the module storage 212 of a network interface card 11. The authenticated printing management module 130 selects the ID authentication module of the network interface card 11, in accordance with level information that represents an ID authentication module selection hierarchy. By so doing, where modules necessary for executing authenticated printing are included on both the MFP 10 and the network interface card 11, modules present on either the MFP 10 or the network interface card 11 are able to be selected appropriately for use.

A function-providing system comprising:

an information device, an added function-providing device and a controller, wherein the added function-providing device is connected to the information device and providing an added function to the information device, and wherein the controller controls operation of the information device and of the added function-providing device,
wherein the information device comprises:
a first module memory that stores at least one program module for executing a prescribed function, wherein at least one program module includes a first program module;
and
a first module executor that executes the program module stored in the first module memory;
the added function-providing device comprises:
a second module memory that stores at least one program module for executing the prescribed function, wherein at least one program module includes a second program module, wherein the second program module is identical to the first program module;
and
a second module executor that executes the program module stored in the second module memory;
and
the controller comprises:
a selecting module that selects, from among program modules stored in the first module memory and the second module memory, at least one program module for executing the prescribed function, the selecting module selects either the first program module or the second program module when the prescribed function includes a function executed by the first program module and the second program module;
and
control module that makes the first module executor or/and the second module executor execute a program module selected by the selecting module, wherein
the first module memory additionally stores first level information representing a selection hierarchy of program modules stored in the first module memory;
the second module memory additionally stores second level information representing a selection hierarchy of program modules stored in the second module memory;
and
the selecting module selects, from the first program module and the second program module, the program module highest in the selection hierarchy, according to the first level information and the second level information.

15 more elements

Abstract

Claims14