JP2009064197A - Printer system, printer device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer system, printer device and program for updating and organizing a printer driver in a client device easily. <P>SOLUTION: An IP address and a sub-net are registered in a printer device installed in a network (S101), and when a group of a client device on a network allowed to use the printer device is designated (S102), the printer device automatically extracts a printer driver and port information (S103), and transmits it to the grouped client device (S104). The client device installs the received printer driver and automatically sets the port information (S106), and updates a printer list (S107), and enables the printer device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer system, a printer device, and a program for automatically updating a driver or the like of a client device connected to a network.

  In general, in a client server system, when the same driver is installed on multiple client PCs (Personal Computers), in order to reduce the burden of installation work by the system administrator, In accordance with the notification from the management server, pull-type installation is performed in which the user operates the client PC to download and install from the management server.

  For example, in an office environment where there are a large number of client PCs and printers are frequently replaced, it is necessary to install a printer driver and set an available printer on each client PC every time the printers are replaced. For this reason, the printer driver is installed on the client PC via the management server based on the information on the client PC or printer registered in advance in the management list of the management server (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2006-243913 A

  However, in the above technique, it is necessary to manually register a client PC to be managed and a printer to be installed in the management server. Even if the printer is removed, an unnecessary printer driver remains in the client PC, and unnecessary printer information also remains in the list of available printers held by the client PC. In order to delete them, manual operation on the client PC is required.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer system, a printer apparatus, and a program that can easily update and organize a printer driver in a client apparatus.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A printer system in which a printer device and a client device are connected via a network,
The printer device includes:
A storage unit storing a printer driver of the printer device;
A control unit that transmits the printer driver to an IP address range of the network determined from an IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates a use-permitted range of the printer device on the network;
With
The client device is
A printer system comprising: a control unit that installs the printer driver in the client device when the transmitted printer driver is received via the network.

[5] A printer device connected via a network to a client device having a function of installing a printer driver upon receiving a printer driver transmitted over the network,
A storage unit storing a printer driver of the printer device;
A control unit that transmits the printer driver to an IP address range of the network determined from an IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates a use-permitted range of the printer device on the network;
A printer apparatus comprising:

[9] When a printer driver transmitted over a network is received, a client device having a function of installing the printer driver and a printer device connected via the network are connected to the client device.
The printer driver stored in the storage unit of the printer device in the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and the range designation information for designating the use permission range of the printer device on the network A program for realizing the function of sending messages.

  In the above-described invention, the printer device stores the printer driver stored in the storage unit from the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the own device and the range designation information for designating the use-permitted range of the own device on the network. Send to address range. When the client device receives the printer driver transmitted from the printer device via the network, the client device installs the printer driver in its own device.

  As described above, when the printer driver is installed on the client device, the IP address range to which the printer device transmits the printer driver, that is, the client device on which the printer driver is to be installed is automatically determined based on the range designation information. Therefore, an input operation such as individually registering the installation target in advance is not necessary, and the installation can be easily performed. Moreover, since it can be installed without using a server, the system configuration can be simplified.

[2] The printer device
An operation unit for accepting an operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network;
The printer system according to [1], wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit.

[6] An operation unit for receiving an operation for causing the printer device to participate in the network is further provided.
The printer device according to [5], wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit.

[10] In the printer device,
The program according to [9], which realizes a function of performing the transmission when an operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network is received by an operation unit included in the printer device.

  In the above invention, the printer driver is transmitted in response to a manual operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network, and the printer driver can be transmitted at an arbitrary timing. As a result, the printer driver can be securely installed by transmitting the printer driver when the client device is activated.

[3] A printer system in which a printer device and a client device are connected via a network,
The printer device includes:
A control unit that transmits unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates the unusable range of the printer device on the network;
The client device is
When the transmitted unusable information is received via the network, the printer system includes a control unit that uninstalls the printer driver when the printer driver of the printer device is installed.

[7] Upon reception of the unusable information transmitted on the network, when a printer driver corresponding to the unusable information is installed, the client device having a function of uninstalling the printer driver via the network Connected printer device,
A controller that transmits the unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates the unusable range of the printer device on the network. A printer device.

[11] Upon receiving the unusable information transmitted over the network, when a printer driver corresponding to the unusable information is installed, the client device having a function of uninstalling the printer driver and the network Connected to the printer device
To realize a function of transmitting the unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information for designating the unusable range of the printer device on the network program.

  In the above invention, the printer device transmits the unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the own device and the range designation information for designating the unusable range of the own device on the network. When the unusable information transmitted from the apparatus is received via the network, if the printer driver of the transmission source printer apparatus is installed, the printer driver is uninstalled.

  As described above, when uninstalling the printer driver from the client device, the IP address range to which the printer device transmits unusable information, that is, the client device to be uninstalled from the printer driver is determined based on the range designation information. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an input operation such as individually registering objects to be uninstalled in advance, and the uninstallation can be easily performed. Further, unnecessary printer drivers are deleted, so that printer drivers are organized.

[4] The printer device
An operation unit for accepting an operation for moving the printer device out of the network;
The printer system according to [3], wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit.

[8] An operation unit for receiving an operation for moving the printer device out of the network.
The printer device according to [7], wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit.

[12] In the printer device,
The program according to [11], for realizing a function of performing the transmission when an operation for moving the printer device out of the network is received by an operation unit included in the printer device.

  In the above invention, the unusable information is transmitted in response to a manual operation for moving the printer device out of the network, and the unusable information can be transmitted at an arbitrary timing. As a result, it is possible to reliably uninstall the client apparatus by transmitting unusable information when the client apparatus is activated.

  According to the printer system, the printer device, and the program according to the present invention, it is possible to easily update and organize the printer driver in the client device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a printer system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer system 10 includes a printer device 11 and a plurality of client devices 12, and the printer device 11 is connected to each client device 12 via a network 13 so that they can communicate with each other.

  In the printer system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the printer device 11 is installed on the network 13, the printer device 11 prints to a predetermined client device 12 (within the same subnet / within a specified subnet) on the network 13. It has a function of transmitting driver and port information and enabling the use of the printer device 11 by a predetermined client device 12 (push-type installation). Further, when the printer device 11 is removed (withdrawn) from the network 13, the printer device 11 transmits unusable information to a predetermined client device 12 (within the same subnet / within the designated subnet) on the network 13. And a function for disabling use of the printer device 11 by a predetermined client device 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printer system 10.

  The printer device 11 is configured as a multifunction machine having a copy function for reading a document, printing a corresponding image on paper, and outputting it, a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like. ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 23, nonvolatile memory 24, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 25, scanner unit 26, printer unit 27, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) ) A display unit 28, an input unit 29, and a communication I / F (Interface) 30 are provided.

  The system control unit 21 includes an arithmetic processing function, an operation control function for controlling the operation of the printer device 11, a mode determination function for determining a function mode (copy / scan / print / FAX mode) of the printer device 11, and an LCD display unit 28 Display control function for controlling display, image processing function for performing various image processing including OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing, and a predetermined IP address range when the printer device 11 joins or leaves the network 13 A function of transmitting predetermined information is provided.

  The ROM 22 functions to store various control programs executed by the system control unit 21. The HDD 23 functions to store data in a fixed format, various saved data, a printer driver installed in the client device 12, and the like. The nonvolatile memory 24 has a function of storing a serial number, various software parameters, and the like. The DRAM 25 functions as an image memory that temporarily stores image data read by the scanning operation.

  The scanner unit 26 functions to read a document or a fixed form. The printer unit 27 has a function of printing an image based on the image data on paper and outputting it.

  The LCD display unit 28 and the input unit 29 constitute a display operation panel and input keys. The LCD display unit 28 functions to perform various displays related to the function mode, operation, warning, error, and the like of the printer device 11, and the input unit 29 functions to accept input operations from the user.

  The communication I / F 30 fulfills a function of controlling communication and data transfer with external devices including the client device 12 connected via the network 13.

  The client device 12 is configured by a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and functions for creating a document or an image by an application program operating on an OS (Operating System), or when printing a document or an image. A function of transmitting a print job (print data) to the printer device 11 via the network 13 is provided. The client device 12 includes a printer driver 31, a printer list 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and a communication I / F 35.

  The printer driver 31 is a control program that causes the printer apparatus 11 to execute a print output in accordance with a print instruction by an application program. The printer list 32 is a list in which available printer devices are registered. For example, information for displaying a selection list of printers in a print dialog displayed when a print button is pressed from an application program ( It fulfills the function of registering available printers.

  The display unit 33 is configured by an LCD or the like, and functions to display a display screen for operating and setting the OS and application programs, and various images and videos. The input unit 34 is configured with a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and fulfills a function of accepting operations and inputs from the user.

  The communication I / F 35 performs a function of controlling communication and data transfer with an external device including the printer device 11 connected via the network 13.

  Next, the operation of the printer system 10 will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing when the printer apparatus 11 is installed in the printer system 10.

  When the printer device 11 is installed on the network 13, the IP address and subnet mask are registered by the customer engineer through the input unit 29 (step S101), and a group of client devices 12 that permit the use of the printer device 11 on the network 13 is created. Designated (step S102).

  In the designation of the client group, the broadcast distribution setting for permitting use of all the client devices 12 belonging to the same subnet as the subnet to which the printer device 11 belongs, or the subject of permitting use of only the client devices 12 of the designated subnet group. The multicast distribution setting is selected. In the multicast distribution setting, the customer engineer also sets a multicast address.

  Upon receiving the above settings, the system control unit 21 of the printer apparatus 11 creates (automatically extracts) appropriate information (related information) to be transmitted such as the printer driver, port information, and configuration information of the printer apparatus 11 (step). S103). Note that the configuration information is information indicating the installation status of options such as a finisher that can be used in the printer apparatus 11.

  Then, the system control unit 21 transmits a “join” message (event) through the network 13 to the client device 12 existing on the management domain of the printer device 11 (step S104 / arrow A in FIG. 1). In this event transmission, related information (printer driver, port information, configuration information, etc.) automatically extracted in addition to the IP address input to the printer apparatus 11 is transmitted to the designated distribution destination client apparatus 12.

  For example, if the IP address input to the printer 11 is “192.168.1.120” and the subnet mask (range designation information) is “255.255.0.0”, the broadcast address is automatically set in the broadcast distribution setting. “192.168.255.255” is set and transmitted to all client devices 12 having the address “192.168.xxx.xxx”.

  In the multicast distribution setting, the customer engineer sets a multicast address on the printer device 11. For example, when the multicast address (range designation information) is set to “192.168.1.255”, it is transmitted to all the client devices 12 having the address “192.168.1.xxx”.

  The corresponding client device 12 automatically takes in the IP address and related information received from the printer device 11 via the network 13 (step S105 / arrow B in FIG. 1), installs the printer driver 31, and registers the printer device 11. In addition, port information and configuration information are automatically set (step S106). With this setting, the printer list 32 (see FIG. 1) is updated (step S107), and the printer device 11 is made usable.

  FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing when the printer device 11 is removed (withdrawn) from the printer system 10 or when use is restricted.

  When the printer device 11 is removed from the network 13 or when the use of the printer device 11 is restricted, a group of client devices 12 that cannot use the printer device 11 on the network 13 is specified through the input unit 29. (Step S111).

  In the designation of the client group, as in the installation, the broadcast distribution setting in which all the client devices 12 belonging to the same subnet as the subnet to which the printer device 11 belongs cannot be used, or the client device 12 of the designated subnet group is specified. Only the multicast distribution setting that cannot be used is selected, and the multicast address is also set in the multicast distribution setting.

  Then, the system control unit 21 of the printer device 11 transmits a “leave” (or “use restriction”) message (event) through the network 13 to the client device 12 existing on the management domain of the printer device 11 (step S112 / Arrow A) in FIG. In this event transmission, unusable information for disabling the use of the printer device 11 is transmitted to the client device 12 of the designated distribution destination.

  The corresponding client device 12 automatically fetches unusable information received from the printer device 11 via the network 13 (step S113 / arrow B in FIG. 1), and uninstalls the printer driver 31 corresponding to the printer device 11. The registration of the printer device 11 is canceled (step S114). Then, the information on the printer 11 is deleted from the printer list 32, and the printer list 32 is updated (step S115). As a result, the printer apparatus 11 becomes unusable in the client apparatus 12 that has received the unusable information.

  As described above, in the printer system 10 according to the present embodiment, the printer driver 31 of the printer device 11 installed in the network 13 is installed in the client device 12 on the network 13 so that the printer device 11 can be used. When the setting is performed, in order to automatically determine the client group (IP address range) to which the printer device 11 transmits the related information including the printer driver 31, the client device 12 that is permitted to use is individually registered in advance. No input operation is required, and installation and setting can be performed easily. In addition, by performing push-type installation on a plurality of client devices 12, it is possible to save much labor compared to the case where installation and setting are performed individually. Furthermore, since it can be installed without using a server, the system configuration can be simplified.

  Further, when the printer device 11 is removed from the network 13 or the use of the printer device 11 is restricted, a client group (IP address range) for transmitting the unusable information of the printer device 11 is automatically determined. Each client device 12 in the client group that has received the unusable information automatically uninstalls the corresponding printer driver 31 and deregisters the printer device 11, so that the printer driver 31 is uninstalled or deregistered. It will be easy. Furthermore, unnecessary printer driver 31 and unnecessary printer information in the printer list 32 are automatically deleted, so that the printer driver 31 and the printer list 32 are organized.

  In addition, since the predetermined information is transmitted in response to a manual operation that causes the printer device 11 to participate in the network 13 or leave the network 13, the above-described manual operation can be performed while the client device 12 is activated. Installation and registration, or uninstallation and deregistration can be performed reliably.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the printer device 11 is configured to transmit its own IP address when participating in the network 13, but the client device 12 does not transmit the IP address and the client device 12 transmits to the printer device 11. An inquiry may be automatically obtained.

  Further, the distribution destination (IP address range) may be different between when the printer apparatus 11 joins and when it leaves. For example, broadcast delivery when participating, change to multicast delivery when leaving, or multicast delivery when joining, change to broadcast delivery when leaving, or multicast address for multicast delivery when joining and leaving May be different. For example, in the case of restricting the use of a printer device 11 (for example, a color printer, etc.) that is initially permitted for broadcast delivery, multicast dissemination of unusable information to a client group whose use is restricted. The use of the printer 11 is restricted in each client device 12 of the client group.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when the printer apparatus is installed in the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the printer device is moved out in the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer system 11 ... Printer apparatus 12 ... Client apparatus 13 ... Network 21 ... System control part 22 ... ROM
23 ... HDD
24 ... Non-volatile memory 25 ... DRAM
26 ... Scanner unit 27 ... Printer unit 28 ... LCD display unit 29 ... Input unit 30 ... Communication I / F
31 ... Printer driver 32 ... Printer list 33 ... Display unit 34 ... Input unit 35 ... Communication I / F

Claims (12)

A printer system in which a printer device and a client device are connected via a network,
The printer device includes:
A storage unit storing a printer driver of the printer device;
A control unit that transmits the printer driver to an IP address range of the network determined from an IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates a use-permitted range of the printer device on the network;
With
The client device is
A printer system comprising: a control unit that installs the printer driver in the client device when the transmitted printer driver is received via the network. The printer device includes:
An operation unit for accepting an operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network;
The printer system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit. A printer system in which a printer device and a client device are connected via a network,
The printer device includes:
A control unit that transmits unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates the unusable range of the printer device on the network;
The client device is
When the transmitted unusable information is received via the network, the printer system includes a control unit that uninstalls the printer driver when the printer driver of the printer device is installed. The printer device includes:
An operation unit for accepting an operation for moving the printer device out of the network;
The printer system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit performs the transmission upon receiving the operation by the operation unit. A client device having a function of installing a printer driver upon receiving a printer driver transmitted over a network, and a printer device connected via the network;
A storage unit storing a printer driver of the printer device;
A control unit that transmits the printer driver to an IP address range of the network determined from an IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates a use-permitted range of the printer device on the network;
A printer apparatus comprising: An operation unit for accepting an operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network;
The printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit performs the transmission when receiving the operation by the operation unit. When the unusable information transmitted over the network is received, when a printer driver corresponding to the unusable information is installed, it is connected via the network with a client device having a function of uninstalling the printer driver. Printer device,
A controller that transmits the unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information that designates the unusable range of the printer device on the network. A printer device. An operation unit for accepting an operation for moving the printer device out of the network;
The printer device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs the transmission when receiving the operation by the operation unit. Upon receiving a printer driver transmitted over a network, a client device having a function for installing the printer driver and a printer device connected via the network,
The printer driver stored in the storage unit of the printer device in the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and the range designation information for designating the use permission range of the printer device on the network A program for realizing the function of sending messages. In the printer device,
The program according to claim 9 for realizing a function of performing the transmission when an operation for allowing the printer device to participate in the network is received by an operation unit included in the printer device. When the unusable information transmitted over the network is received, when a printer driver corresponding to the unusable information is installed, it is connected via the network with a client device having a function of uninstalling the printer driver. The printer device
To realize a function of transmitting the unusable information to the IP address range of the network determined from the IP address of the printer device and range designation information for designating the unusable range of the printer device on the network program. In the printer device,
12. The program according to claim 11, for realizing a function of performing the transmission when an operation for removing the printer device from the network is received by an operation unit included in the printer device.

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