JP2008269158A - Image forming apparatus, automatic driver installation method, and program for executing automatic updating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate burdens on a manager or a user by automatically setting an information processor using an image forming apparatus when installing an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When an image forming apparatus is installed, and connected to a network, an available information processor is detected on the network, and a stored driver is automatically downloaded to the available information processor, and the driver is installed or updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program that transmits an image forming apparatus driver to a client that has been automatically detected using the image forming apparatus, and executes an installation method and an automatic update method when there is a driver update.

  In general, in order to control an image processing apparatus such as a printer with an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, it is necessary to incorporate a driver program (printer driver or the like) suitable for the image forming apparatus into the information processing apparatus. Further, in order to incorporate the driver into the information processing apparatus, the driver is copied to an HDD or the like so that it can be used. That is, it is necessary to install a driver and create a printer object.

  As a driver installation technique, an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate with each other on a one-to-one basis, and the driver is acquired from an external device and connected to the image forming apparatus on a one-to-one basis from the image forming apparatus. There is technology to send, install. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, a command for inquiring about the type of the image processing apparatus is output to the image processing apparatus through the direction communication means and the information processing apparatus side bidirectional communication means of the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus, and the designated type of driver There is a technique for generating a command for outputting a command to be transferred to the processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  Further, when sending a driver of an image forming apparatus to an information processing apparatus, there is a technique for sending a transmission request from an information apparatus and transmitting the driver in response to the request. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

In addition, an image forming apparatus connected to an external medium having several types of drivers is transferred to an information processing apparatus instructed to have a driver included in the external medium by an operation of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus or an instruction from the information processing apparatus. There was technology to download and make driver downloads easier. (For example, refer to Patent Document 4).
JP 2001-13497 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-311663 JP 2002-149363 A JP 2003-241925 A

  However, in the conventional technology described above, in order to install a driver program for an unspecified number of image forming apparatuses existing on a network, a user issues an instruction from each personal computer, and the driver is downloaded and installed. Because it was necessary, it was a burden on the user or administrator.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a driver for an information processing apparatus for using the image forming apparatus is stored in the image forming apparatus. Is an automatic driver update system in an image-type device that detects that the image-type device is installed and connected to the network. When connected to the network, an information processing device that searches and responds to the network as a trigger A means for automatically downloading a saved driver to an information processing apparatus that detects and responds, and installs or updates the driver;
A means for registering information processing apparatuses that do not automatically download drivers in advance, a means that does not automatically install and update drivers for registered information processing apparatuses, and a notification that it has been updated instead. Means to
Means for detecting a responding information processing apparatus connected to the network when the image forming apparatus is started, means for holding information of an information processing apparatus that has not responded at installation among the information processing apparatuses capable of responding, and Means for automatically installing and updating a driver only on an information processing apparatus that has not responded;
When the latest driver is updated on a server on the external network, means for recognizing the update, means for downloading the updated driver, and holding version information of the driver that has been sent to the information processing device And a means for automatically installing and updating a driver only to an information processing apparatus whose version of the driver transmitted before the latest downloaded driver is detected. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate a burden on an administrator or a user by automatically setting an information processing apparatus that uses the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is installed.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of an automatic driver update system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes clients (computers) 101 to 103 serving as information processing apparatuses and image forming apparatuses 104 to 105 serving as printing apparatuses (print devices). It is composed. Each of the image forming apparatuses 104 to 10 includes a network interface for connecting to a network, and the network interface can include one or more network interfaces. When a plurality of network interfaces are provided, connection to a plurality of networks 107 and 108 is possible.

  The print control program is stored in an executable state. In addition to the function of managing the image forming apparatuses 104 to 105 including the present system, files used in the network are accumulated, and the network usage state is monitored. It has the function to do.

  The image forming apparatuses 104 to 105 detect the clients (computers) 101 to 103, and download and install drivers suitable for the image forming apparatuses 104 to 105 to the clients (computers) 101 to 103.

  The image forming apparatuses 104 to 105 are print devices as physical apparatuses that receive print jobs including print data from the clients (computers) 101 to 103, analyze the received print jobs, and perform printing. As the image forming apparatuses 104 to 105, any type of printing apparatus such as a laser beam printer employing an electrophotographic system, an ink jet printer employing an ink jet system, or a printer utilizing a thermal transfer system can be employed.

  The server 106 stores the latest driver, the image forming apparatus 105 periodically checks the driver of the server 106, and if the latest driver exists, downloads the latest driver.

  Note that communication between apparatuses included in the print system may be wired communication using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or the like, or wireless communication using radio waves or light.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the automatic driver update system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 104 denotes an image forming apparatus, and 201 denotes a controller, which is a device that controls a control system of the image forming apparatus.

  A CPU 202 controls the entire apparatus, and is based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM 204 or a control program or resource data (resource information) stored in the external memory 214 connected via the disk controller (DKC 208). Thus, overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 210 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 202, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an option RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

  Reference numeral 205 denotes external storage means that functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores an automatic driver update program, a print control program, a driver file (driver installer), related programs, and the like.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes an operation panel (operation unit), which is a button and a liquid crystal panel for performing operations such as operation mode of the image forming apparatus 104, registration of driver download non-permission information, display of the operation status of the image forming apparatus 104, and copy designation A display unit such as an LED 206 is arranged.

  Reference numerals 210 and 211 denote network interface cards (NICs), and the information processing apparatus exchanges data with external devices via the interfaces 210 and 211.

  The print engine 212 shown in this figure uses a known printing technique, and examples of suitable implementation systems include an electrophotographic system (laser beam system), an inkjet system, and a sublimation method (thermal transfer) system. .

  A raster controller 207 is a controller that converts print data in the PDL language into image data.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 that implement the automatic job printing system 301 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Drivers corresponding to the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 are stored in the driver storage unit 307 of the HDD 205.

  In the control unit 302 of the driver update system 301, when the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 are started up, or when the communication control units 303 and 304 change from the state in which connection to the network is disabled to the possible state, the clients connected on the network Search for. When the client 101, 102, 103 whose driver is to be updated is found, the driver stored in the driver storage unit 306 is downloaded, and the client 101, 102, 103 installs the driver.

  The DownLoad non-permitted list management unit 305 holds information on whether or not to allow driver download for each user, and the control unit 302 permits download before sending the driver to the clients 101, 102, and 103. Whether or not the DownLoad unauthorized list management unit 305 is inquired. For a client that cannot be permitted, a request to send a mail is sent to the mail sending unit 306.

  In response to a request from the control unit 302, the mail transmission unit 306 issues a driver acquisition notification mail to the client instructed by the control unit 302. This e-mail contains information that the driver needs to be updated and the URL of the driver's DownLoad site. The location of the URL is the server 106, the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a flow for sending a driver from detection of a client connected to the network after installing the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 in which the automatic job printing system 301 according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed.

  In step 401, when the installation work of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 is completed and the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 are connected to the network, when the control unit 302 detects the network connection, the communication unit 303 detects all the local connections. A packet is sent by broadcast to other devices, and client PCs that respond are detected.

  For a client that can be detected in step 403, a download disapproval list 901 is acquired from the download disapproval list management unit 305 in step 404. In step 405, if the clients 101 to 103 match the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, it is necessary to update the driver for the mail address 903 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901 in Step 406. Send information.

  In step 405, if the clients 101 to 103 do not match the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, the driver is transmitted in step 407. Upon receiving the driver, the clients 101 to 103 install the driver, and create a printer object that can be printed on the transmitted image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  FIG. 5 is a flow of driver sending performed by the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 that implement the automatic job printing system 301 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 501, the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 are activated. Next, in step 502, when the control unit 302 detects a network connection, the communication unit 303 broadcasts a packet to all local devices, and detects a client PC that responds.

  If a client is found in step 503, it is confirmed in step 504 whether the client is detected at the time of installation. If the client has already been detected, the transmitted driver version 1003 of the transmission history data 1001 is confirmed in step 505. The latest driver version in the driver storage unit 305 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 is compared. At this time, if the driver sent version 1003 is old, in step 506, if the clients 101 to 103 match the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, the mail address of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901 in Step 508. Information indicating that the driver needs to be updated is transmitted to 903.

  In step 506, if the clients 101 to 103 do not match the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, the driver is transmitted in step 507. Upon receiving the driver, the clients 101 to 103 install the driver, and create a printer object that can be printed on the transmitted image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  FIG. 6 is a flow when the latest driver is updated in the automatic job printing system 301 and the server 106 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 601, when the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 receive the driver update notification from the server 106, the latest driver is downloaded to the server 106 in step 602. In step 603, when the control unit 302 detects a network connection, the communication unit 303 broadcasts a packet to all local devices, and detects a client PC with a reply.

  When the clients 101 to 103 match the client IP address 902 of the Download unauthorized list 901 in Step 605 for the client that can be detected in Step 604, the mail address 903 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901 is sent in Step 606. , Information indicating that the driver needs to be updated is transmitted.

  In step 605, if the clients 101 to 103 do not match the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, the driver is transmitted in step 607. Upon receiving the driver, the clients 101 to 103 install the driver, and create a printer object that can be printed on the transmitted image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for registering a client in the Download Unauthorized List 901 on the operation panel 213 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  Reference numeral 701 denotes an operation panel 213, and reference numeral 702 denotes a display surface of the operation panel 213.

  Reference numeral 703 denotes an input area for inputting an IP address (or identification information) of a client that should not automatically download the driver.

  Reference numeral 704 denotes information for identifying whether or not driver update information (including the acquisition URL) is to be transmitted by mail instead of automatically downloading the driver, and reference numeral 705 is the transmission destination mail address. The client IP address 703 set here is stored in the client IP address 902 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901, and the mail address 705 is stored in the mail address 903 of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901.

  These settings are made in advance when the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105 are installed.

  FIG. 8 shows immediately after the processing of steps 402, 502, and 603 for detecting a client connected to the network when the download permission list 901 is not set in advance on the operation panel 213 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 213 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  This screen is a screen 801 for displaying all the clients detected in steps 402, 502, and 603 in a list and manually setting the subsequent processing.

  In step 802, it is specified whether or not to transmit a driver.

  Reference numeral 803 denotes identification information (such as an IP address) of the detected client. A field 804 designates whether an update is notified only by mail without transmitting a driver. Reference numeral 805 denotes an e-mail destination e-mail address when “send by e-mail” is designated in 804. Reference numeral 805 denotes final driver version information transmitted previously by the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  FIG. 9 shows a format of the DownLoad unauthorized list 901 managed by the DownLoad unauthorized list managing unit 305 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  Reference numeral 902 denotes identification information (IP address) of a client that does not automatically transmit a driver.

  Reference numeral 903 denotes an e-mail address for notifying the driver update by e-mail instead of automatically sending the driver.

  FIG. 10 shows a format of the driver transmission history list 1001 managed by the control unit 302 of the image forming apparatuses 104 and 105.

  Reference numeral 1002 denotes client identification information (such as an IP address) transmitted previously.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes the final version of the transmitted driver.

Network configuration block diagram of automatic driver update system Hardware configuration block diagram of the automatic driver update system System configuration block for automatic driver update system Driver update flowchart immediately after setting of the image forming apparatus in the automatic driver update system Flow chart of driver update immediately after activation of image forming apparatus in automatic driver update system Driver update flowchart when the latest driver is updated on the server in the automatic driver update system Example of DownLoad Unauthorized List Setting Screen of Image Forming Device in Driver Automatic Update System Example of manual setting screen when Download unauthorized list of image forming device is not set in automatic driver update system Download unauthorized list format in driver automatic update system Format of driver transmission history list in automatic driver update system

Explanation of symbols

101, 102, 103 Client 104, 105 Image forming apparatus 106 Server 201 Controller 210, 211 Network interface card (NIC)
301 Driver Automatic Update System 302 Control Unit 305 DownLoad Unauthorized List Management Unit 901 DownLoad Unauthorized List 1001 Transmission History List

Claims (4)

  An image forming apparatus that stores an information processing apparatus driver for using the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus, and detects that the image forming apparatus is installed and connected to a network. This is an automatic driver update system in an image-type device that, when connected to the network, searches on the network as a trigger, detects an information processing device that can respond, and saves it to the information processing device that can respond A driver automatic update system that automatically downloads a driver to an information processing apparatus and installs or updates the driver.   2. The automatic driver update system according to claim 1, wherein means for registering an information processing apparatus that does not automatically download a driver in advance and means for not performing automatic driver installation or update for the registered information processing apparatus. And an automatic driver update system characterized by having means for notifying that the information has been updated instead.   3. The automatic driver update system according to claim 1, wherein there is no response at the time of installation among the means for detecting an information processing apparatus capable of responding connected to the network when the image forming apparatus is activated and the information processing apparatus capable of responding. What is claimed is: 1. An automatic driver update system comprising: means for holding information on an information processing apparatus; and means for automatically installing and updating a driver only in an information processing apparatus that has not responded when installed.   4. The automatic driver update system according to claim 1, wherein when a latest driver is updated on a server in an external network, means for recognizing the update, means for downloading the updated driver, and previous information processing Detects all the information processing devices that can respond to the means that holds the version information of the driver that is sending to the device, and automatically handles the driver only for information processing devices that have an older driver version than the latest downloaded driver. A driver automatic update system comprising means for installing and updating.

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