Image forming apparatus and methods used in the image forming apparatus

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An apparatus including installed application programs, the apparatus comprising:
circuitry configured to:
store information on propriety of launching application programs and information on indispensable relationships between application programs in the apparatus, at least a subset of the application programs including the installed application programs, the information on propriety of launching application programs indicating whether a launch-requested application program is restricted until an indispensable application program of the launch-requested application program is requested to launch;obtain information on the launch-requested application program;determine whether an installed application program is an indispensable application program to the launch-requested application program such that the launch-requested application program requires launch of the indispensable application program for the launch-requested application program to launch; andperform a launch control process on the launch-requested application program when the circuitry determines that the installed application program is the indispensable application program to the launch-requested application program, wherein the circuitry, in performing the launch control process, is further configured to:
determine whether a launch of both the indispensable application program and the launch-requested application program is requested;launch the launch-requested application program and the indispensable application program when the launch of both the indispensable application program and the launch-requested application program is requested;determine, based on the information on propriety of launching application programs when the launch of both the indispensable application program and the launch-requested application program is not requested, whether launch of the launch-requested application program is restricted until the indispensable application program is requested to launch;determine whether the indispensable application program is installed when the launch of the launch-requested application program is not restricted;determine, when the indispensable application program is not installed, whether the indispensable application program is installable;install, when the indispensable application program is not installed and the indispensable application program is installable, the indispensable application program; andlaunch the launch-requested application program and the indispensable application program when the launch of the indispensable application program is requested, the launch of the launch-requested application program is not restricted and the indispensable application program is installed.