JP2023032872A - Setting information providing device, setting information application system, setting information application program, and setting information application method - Google Patents

Abstract

To apply setting information appropriate to a driver installed in an information processor.SOLUTION: A setting information providing system 1 acquires a definition file 124 corresponding to a serial number of a printer 5 from a server device 2 and applies each setting information of the definition file 124 to each setting item when a printer driver of the printer 5 is installed in a user terminal device 4. Thus, the setting information providing system 1 can apply each setting information of the definition file 124 to each setting item in the printer driver of the user terminal device 4 without causing an administrator to perform updating a file or the like even when the latest printer driver is updated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a setting information providing device, a setting information applying system, a setting information applying program, and a setting information applying method, and is preferably applied to a case where, for example, a driver for driving a printer or the like is installed in a computer or the like. .

Conventionally, when a printer or the like (hereinafter also referred to as a target device) is connected to a computer device (hereinafter also referred to as an information processing device) and driven, a device driver (hereinafter also referred to as a driver) is installed in the computer device. , which is widely spread.

For example, a printer driver, which is a device driver for a printer, is provided with a plurality of setting items related to the printing process of the printer, and operates the printer according to the setting values (hereinafter also referred to as setting information) of each setting item. . The setting items include, for example, color setting (color or monochrome), print orientation (portrait or landscape), and the like. Initial setting values (so-called default values) are set for these setting items at the time of installation, and the values can be changed by subsequent setting work.

On the other hand, for example, when a company introduces a printer and connects it to a network, a printer driver is installed in each of the multiple computer devices connected to the network, and setting values are set according to the operation rules of the company. can be applied to However, in a plurality of computer apparatuses, the work of applying setting values to each setting item of the printer driver is extremely complicated and requires a great deal of time and effort.

In view of this, a method has been proposed by corporate administrators, etc., in which an installation package is created in advance, in which the installer of the printer driver and the setting values of each setting item are grouped together, and is distributed to each computer device (for example, see Patent Reference 1). According to this method, by executing the installation package on each computer device, the printer driver can be installed and the setting values can be applied to each setting item.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-59106 (Fig. 5 etc.)

By the way, the printer driver is sometimes updated (also called a version upgrade) for the purpose of correcting defects, adding functions, or the like. For this reason, a company administrator or the like needs to create and distribute an installation package each time the printer driver is updated, which is a problem in that it takes time and effort.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a setting information providing apparatus, a setting information application system, a setting information application program, and a setting information application capable of applying appropriate setting information to a driver installed in an information processing apparatus. I would like to propose a method.

In order to solve this problem, in the setting information providing apparatus of the present invention, a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external device, setting information that is used when driving the target device, and unique information for the target device. A storage unit for storing individual setting information associated with assigned identification information; and a communication unit, upon receiving a request for setting information together with the identification information, providing individual setting information associated with the identification information. I tried to set up a provision part.

The setting information application system of the present invention is a system in which a target device, a driving device, and a providing device are connected via a network. A communication unit and a target storage unit for storing identification information uniquely assigned to the target device are provided. a provision storage unit for storing setting information used in the communication and individual setting information that associates the identification information of the target device with the drive device; an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information from a target device via a drive communication unit; an individual setting information acquisition unit that acquires individual setting information associated with the identification information from a provision device through the drive communication unit; A setting information application unit that applies setting information included in the individual setting information is provided for a driver that drives the device.

Further, in the setting information application program of the present invention, an identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information uniquely assigned to the target device from the target device for the information processing device; a setting information requesting step of requesting setting information to be used in driving the attached target device; and an individual setting information obtaining step of obtaining individual setting information, which is setting information associated with the identification information, from the providing device. and a setting information applying step of applying the setting information included in the individual setting information to the driver for driving the target device.

Further, in the setting information application method of the present invention, an identification information acquisition step of acquiring identification information uniquely assigned to the target device from the target device; a setting information requesting step of requesting setting information to be used when performing the above; an individual setting information acquiring step of acquiring individual setting information, which is setting information associated with the identification information, from the providing device; and driving the target device and a setting information setting step of applying the setting information included in the individual setting information to the driver for the purpose.

According to the present invention, individual setting information uniquely corresponding to a target device is stored in advance in a setting information providing device, and in a driving device for driving the target device, individual setting information corresponding to the target device is sent from the setting information providing device. can be obtained and applied. As a result, in the present invention, there is no need to integrate the driver for driving the target device and the individual setting information. can provide personalized information suitable for

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a setting information providing device, a setting information applying system, a setting information applying program, and a setting information applying method that can apply appropriate setting information to a driver installed in an information processing device.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall configuration of a setting information providing system; FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device; FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an administrator terminal device; FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal device; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printer; FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional block configuration of the setting information providing system; FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a definition file creation processing procedure; 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a setting information input screen; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a definition file; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a serial number list; FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a setting information application processing procedure (1); FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing a setting information application processing procedure (2); FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printer selection screen; FIG.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form (it is mentioned as embodiment below) for implementing invention is demonstrated using drawing.

[1. Configuration of setting information providing system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the setting information providing system 1 according to this embodiment has a configuration in which a server device 2, an administrator terminal device 3, a user terminal device 4 and a printer 5 are connected via a network 6. there is The administrator terminal device 3, the user terminal device 4 and the printer 5 are installed in the same company 10. FIG. The server device 2 is operated by the manufacturer of the printer 5 .

Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the company 10 newly introduces the printer 5 . In this company 10, an administrator using an administrator terminal device 3 manages various information devices (user terminal device 4, printer 5, etc.).

The server device 2 as a providing device and a driver providing device is an information processing device, and as shown in the schematic hardware configuration diagram of FIG. are connected to each other. The control unit 21 as a providing unit has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21C, and the like. The control unit 21 reads various programs from the ROM 21B and the storage unit 22, uses the RAM 21C as a work area, executes various processing by performing various arithmetic processing in the CPU 21A, and controls the server device 2 in an integrated manner. do.

The storage unit 22 as a provision storage unit is a non-volatile information storage medium such as a hard disk drive, flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 22 stores various programs, various setting information, various data, and the like. The communication unit 23 as a providing communication unit is, for example, a wired LAN interface conforming to standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 (IEEE802.3u/ab/an). The communication unit 23 performs predetermined modulation processing, demodulation processing, etc. to exchange various information with various information processing devices (hereinafter also referred to as external devices) via the network 6 (FIG. 1). Send and receive.

The administrator terminal device 3 as a setting device is an information processing device, and as shown in a schematic hardware configuration diagram of FIG. 35 are connected to each other via the bus 30 . This administrator terminal device 3 is, for example, a notebook computer device, and is used by the administrator of the company 10 (FIG. 1) as described above.

The control unit 31 is configured in the same manner as the control unit 21 (FIG. 2) of the server device 2, and has a CPU 31A, a ROM 31B, a RAM 31C, and the like. The control unit 31 reads various programs from the ROM 31B and the storage unit 32, uses the RAM 31C as a work area, executes various processing by performing various arithmetic processing in the CPU 31A, and controls the administrator terminal device 3. to control.

The storage unit 32 is a nonvolatile information storage medium such as a solid state drive, flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 32 stores various programs, various setting information, or various data. The communication unit 33 is a wireless LAN interface complying with standards such as IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax). The communication unit 33 transmits and receives various information to and from the network 6 (FIG. 1) by performing predetermined modulation processing, demodulation processing, and the like.

The display unit 34 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and configures and displays various display screens. The operation unit 35 is, for example, an input operation device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or touch pad, and receives various operations by the administrator.

The user terminal device 4 as a driving device is an information processing device, and as shown in the schematic hardware configuration diagram of FIG. 45 are connected to each other via the bus 40 . This user terminal device 4 is, for example, a notebook computer device, and is used by a user who is an employee of a company 10 (FIG. 1).

The control unit 41 as an identification information acquisition unit, individual setting information acquisition unit, setting information application unit, and installation processing unit is configured in the same manner as the control unit 31 (FIG. 3), and includes a CPU 41A, a ROM 41B, a RAM 41C, and the like. ing. The control unit 41 reads various programs from the ROM 41B and the storage unit 42, uses the RAM 41C as a work area, executes various processing by performing various arithmetic processing in the CPU 41A, and controls the user terminal device 4. to control.

The storage unit 42 as a drive storage unit is configured in the same manner as the storage unit 32 (FIG. 3), and is a non-volatile information storage medium such as a solid state drive or flash memory. The storage unit 42 stores various programs, various setting information, or various data. The communication unit 43 as a drive communication unit is configured in the same manner as the communication unit 33 (FIG. 3), and complies with standards such as IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax). It is a wireless LAN interface. The communication unit 43 transmits and receives various information to and from the network 6 (FIG. 1) by performing predetermined modulation processing, demodulation processing, and the like.

The display unit 44 is configured in the same manner as the display unit 34 (FIG. 3), and is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and configures and displays various display screens. The operation unit 45 is configured in the same manner as the operation unit 35 (FIG. 3), and is an input operation device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or touch pad, and receives various operations by the user.

A printer 5 as a target device is an information processing device, and as shown in a schematic hardware configuration diagram of FIG. They are interconnected. The printer 5 is also called an image forming apparatus, and forms (that is, prints) an image on paper, for example, by electrophotography. Incidentally, the printer 5 is a single-function SFP (Single Function Printer) having only a printer function, and does not have an image scanner function for reading documents, a communication function using a telephone line, or the like.

The control unit 51 is configured in the same manner as the control unit 21 (FIG. 2) of the server device 2, etc., and has a CPU 51A, a ROM 51B, a RAM 51C, and the like. The control unit 51 reads various programs from the ROM 51B and the storage unit 52, uses the RAM 51C as a work area, executes various processing by performing various arithmetic processing in the CPU 51A, and comprehensively controls the printer 5. .

The storage unit 52 as the target storage unit is configured in the same manner as the storage unit 32 (FIG. 3), and is a non-volatile information storage medium such as a solid state drive or flash memory. The storage unit 52 stores various programs, various setting information, or various data. The communication unit 53 as a target communication unit is configured in the same manner as the communication unit 33 (FIG. 3), and complies with standards such as IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax). It is a wireless LAN interface. The communication unit 53 transmits and receives various information to and from the network 6 (FIG. 1) by performing predetermined modulation processing, demodulation processing, and the like.

The printing unit 54 includes, for example, an exposure device, a fixing device, and a paper transport mechanism (not shown). The printing unit 54 forms a toner image with the exposure device based on the image data supplied from the control unit 51 while conveying the paper by the conveying mechanism, and fixes the toner image on the paper with the fixing device. Print an image based on image data.

By the way, the printer 5 is assigned a unique serial number (hereinafter also referred to as identification information) at the time of manufacture. can be affixed to the housing or packing box of the

The network 6 is an information network composed of various network devices (none of which are shown) such as hubs, routers, and base stations. function as a network of

The setting information providing system 1 executes a predetermined program in each of the server device 2, the administrator terminal device 3, the user terminal device 4 and the printer 5 so as to form functional blocks as shown in FIG. It's becoming For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 6, various files and various data are also represented as blocks.

The server device 2 includes a communication control unit 121, a web page control unit 122, a file transmission/reception control unit 123, a definition file 124, a definition file management unit 125, a serial number list 126, a serial number list management unit 127, and the latest printer driver 128. is included.

The communication control unit 121 controls various communications with the network 6 . The web page control unit 122 generates web pages, acquires input content, and the like. A file transmission/reception control unit 123 as a provision unit controls transmission and reception of various files.

The definition file 124 as individual setting information is a file in which various setting information about the printer 5 and the serial number of the printer 5 are associated (details will be described later). A definition file management unit 125 as an individual setting information generation unit generates, saves, and reads the contents of the definition file 124 . A serial number list 126 as an identification information list is a list in which the serial numbers of the printers 5 are stored (details will be described later). The serial number list management unit 127 updates the serial number list 126 and reads the contents.

The latest printer driver 128 is a program installed in the user terminal device 4 to connect and drive (operate) the printer 5 . In particular, the latest printer driver 128 of the server device 2 is immediately updated to the latest version when it is upgraded for the purpose of correcting a problem or adding a function.

The administrator terminal device 3 as a setting device includes a communication control section 131 , a display control section 132 and an input section 133 . The communication control unit 131 controls various communications with the network 6 in the same manner as the communication control unit 121 of the server device 2 . The display control unit 132 generates a predetermined display screen based on information obtained via the communication control unit 131, and controls the display unit 34 (FIG. 3) to display it. The input unit 133 accepts an input operation by the administrator via the operation unit 35 ( FIG. 3 ) and transfers it to the display control unit 132 .

The user terminal device 4 includes a communication control section 141 , a display control section 142 , an input section 143 and an installation package 144 . The installation package 144 also contains an existing printer driver 145 . Furthermore, the user terminal device 4 may have a definition file 146, as indicated by the dashed line in the drawing (details will be described later).

The communication control unit 141 controls various communications with the network 6 in the same manner as the communication control unit 121 of the server device 2 . The display control unit 142 generates a predetermined display screen based on information obtained via the communication control unit 141, and controls the display unit 44 (FIG. 4) to display it. The input unit 143 accepts an input operation by the user via the operation unit 45 ( FIG. 4 ) and transfers it to the display control unit 142 .

The installation package 144 installs the existing printer driver 145 in the user terminal device 4 (that is, installs it into an executable state). This installation package 144 is obtained in advance via the network 6 or via a removable storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory (not shown), and stored in the storage unit 42 (FIG. 4). there is Therefore, the existing printer driver 145 may be an older version than the latest printer driver 128 of the server device 2 .

The printer 5 includes a communication control section 151 and a serial number 152 . The communication control unit 151 controls various communications with the network 6 in the same manner as the communication control unit 121 of the server device 2 . Serial number 152 is stored in storage unit 52 (FIG. 5) at the time of manufacture, as described above.

[2. Create definition file]
Next, in the setting information providing system 1 (FIG. 6), the case where the definition file 124 is newly created and stored in the server device 2 based on the operation of the administrator terminal device 3, that is, the case of new registration explain.

The control unit 31 of the administrator terminal device 3 (FIG. 3) receives a predetermined operation from the administrator via the operation unit 35, reads out the web browser program from the storage unit 32, and executes it. Accordingly, the control unit 31 forms each functional block shown in FIG. 6, starts the processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 7, and moves to the first step SP11.

In step SP11, when a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is specified in the web browser, the control unit 31 causes the communication control unit 131 to transmit a connection request to the server device 2. FIG.

On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the server device 2 (FIG. 2) reads a predetermined server program or the like from the storage unit 22 in advance and executes it. Accordingly, the control unit 21 forms each functional block shown in FIG. 6, and then starts the processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG.

When the control unit 21 receives the request for connection from the administrator terminal device 3, the process proceeds to step SP21, the web page control unit 122 (FIG. 6) generates data for displaying the web page, and sends the data to the communication control unit. 121 to the administrator terminal device 3.

Upon receiving the data from the server device 2, the control unit 31 of the administrator terminal device 3 moves to the next step SP12, and the display control unit 132 (FIG. 6) causes the setting information input screen P1 shown in FIG. is displayed on the display unit 34 (FIG. 3), and the process proceeds to the next step SP13.

This setting information input screen P1 is displayed when a printer driver for using the printer 5 is installed in each terminal device such as the user terminal device 4 installed in the company 10 (FIG. 1). This is a screen for specifying in advance the contents to be set for each setting item (hereinafter also referred to as setting information). The setting information input screen P1 is provided with a printer model selection field C1, a serial number input field C2, a color setting field C3, a print orientation setting field C4, a double-sided printing setting field C5, and a registration button B1.

The printer model selection field C1 is a field for selecting the model of the printer 5 (also called a printer name). In this printer model selection field C1, when a button with a triangle displayed on the right end is pressed, a plurality of printer models are temporarily displayed as a drop-down list (not shown) below. can be selected. The serial number input field C2 is a field for inputting the serial number of the printer 5. FIG. The administrator enters the serial number into the serial number input field C2 while referring to the serial number written on the main body of the printer 5, the warranty card, or the like.

The color setting column C3 is a column for selecting either "monochrome" or "color" using a radio button. The print orientation setting column C4 is a column for selecting either “portrait” or “landscape” as the print orientation with respect to the paper. The two-sided printing setting field C5 is a field for selecting one of "single-sided", "long-side binding", and "short-side binding" using a radio button. In this double-sided printing setting field C5, it is possible to collectively select whether to print on one side or both sides, and whether to bind on the long side or the short side in the case of double-sided printing. The registration button B1 is a button for confirming and registering the contents selected or input in each column, that is, for storing the contents in the server device 2 when the registration button B1 is pressed.

In step SP13 (FIG. 7), the control unit 31 selects or inputs content for each column such as the printer model selection column C1 on the setting information input screen P1 based on the administrator's operation on the input unit 133 (FIG. 6). is received, and when the registration button B1 is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step SP14.

In step SP14, the control unit 31 transmits the serial number and each selected setting information input on the setting information input screen P1 to the server device 2 through the communication control unit 131 (FIG. 6). After that, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP15 and ends the processing procedure RT1.

Upon receiving the serial number and each setting information from the administrator terminal device 3 in response to this, the control unit 21 of the server device 2 proceeds to the next step SP22. At step SP22, the control unit 21 causes the definition file management unit 125 (FIG. 6) to generate the definition file 124 based on the received serial number and each setting information, and proceeds to the next step SP23. This definition file is, for example, a text file, and as shown in FIG. 9, the serial number and each setting information are character strings (such as "serial") representing respective item names and predetermined symbols (such as "="). ) are listed next.

At step SP23, the control unit 21 stores the generated definition file 124 in the storage unit 22 (FIG. 2), and proceeds to the next step SP24. At step SP24, the control section 21 updates the serial number list 126 by the serial number list management section 127 (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 10, the serial number list 126 is obtained by extracting and listing the serial numbers included in each definition file 124 .

After that, the control unit 21 proceeds to the next step SP25 (FIG. 7) and ends the processing procedure RT2. Incidentally, the control unit 21 repeats a series of processes each time a connection request is made from each terminal device (not shown) connected to the network 6 like the administrator terminal device 3 .

[3. Apply setting information]
Next, in the setting information providing system 1 (FIG. 6), a printer driver for driving (operating) the printer 5 is supplied to the user terminal device 4 based on the user's operation on the user terminal device 4. A case of installing and applying each setting information will be described.

Upon receiving a predetermined operation from the user via the operation unit 45, the control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 (FIG. 4) reads out the installation package of the printer driver from the storage unit 42 and executes it. Accordingly, the control unit 41 forms each functional block shown in FIG. 6, starts the processing procedure RT3 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and proceeds to the first step SP31.

At step SP31, the control unit 41 searches for printers connected to the network 6 (FIG. 1) by means of the communication control unit 141 (FIG. 6), and proceeds to the next step SP32. At this time, the control unit 41 sends information regarding each printer connected to the network 6, specifically the printer name (model name), IP address and serial number (hereinafter collectively referred to as printer information). ).

On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the control unit 51 of the printer 5 (FIG. 5) starts a predetermined basic program, then reads out a predetermined information notification program from the storage unit 52 and executes it. Accordingly, the control unit 51 forms each functional block shown in FIG. 6, and then starts the processing procedure RT5 shown in FIG.

When the control unit 51 acquires a request for printer information regarding the printer 5 from the user terminal device 4 , the process proceeds to step SP<b>51 to transmit the printer information of the printer 5 to the user terminal device 4 . After that, the control unit 51 proceeds to step SP52 and ends the processing procedure RT5.

In response to this, the control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 receives printer information from each printer such as the printer 5 connected to the network 6 (FIG. 6), and stores the printer information in the storage unit 42 (FIG. 4). Temporarily store it and move to the next step SP32.

At step SP32, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 142 (FIG. 6) to display the printer selection screen P2 shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 44 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to the next step SP33. The printer selection screen P2 is a screen for displaying information about printers connected to the network 6 in a list format and for selecting one of them. Specifically, the printer selection screen P2 is provided with a printer information list table T11 and a selection button B11.

The printer information list table T11 has columns for printer name, IP address, and serial number, and information about one printer is displayed in one row. Therefore, in the printer information list table T11, the number of lines of information corresponding to the number of printers connected to the network 6 is displayed.

In the printer information list table T11, any one line (that is, any one printer) can be selected. Display in a different color than the row. The selection button B11 is a button for confirming the selection in the printer information list table T11 and proceeding to the next process.

At step SP33, the control unit 41 receives an operation to select any row in the printer information list T11 on the printer selection screen P2 based on the user's operation on the input unit 143 (FIG. 6). After that, when the selection button B11 is pressed, the control unit 41 proceeds to the next step SP34. Here, it is assumed that the printer 5 displayed on the first line of the printer information list table T11 has been selected.

At step SP34, the control unit 41 stores the serial number of the selected printer 5 in the storage unit 42, and proceeds to the next step SP35. At step SP35, the control unit 41 checks the version of the existing printer driver 145 (FIG. 6) in the installation package 144, and proceeds to the next step SP36.

At step SP36, the control unit 41 inquires the version of the latest printer driver 128 to the server apparatus 2 through the communication control unit 141. FIG. On the other hand, the control unit 21 (FIG. 2) of the server device 2 reads out and executes a predetermined program from the storage unit 22 in advance, forms each functional block shown in FIG. has started the processing procedure RT6 shown in .

When the control section 21 receives an inquiry about the version of the latest printer driver 128 from the user terminal device 4, the process proceeds to step SP61. At step SP61, the control section 21 reads the version of the latest printer driver 128 by the file transmission/reception control section 123 (FIG. 6), and transmits it to the user terminal device 4 by the communication control section 121. FIG.

In response to this, the control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 acquires the latest version of the printer driver 128 from the server device 2, and proceeds to the next step SP37 (FIG. 12).

At step SP37, the control unit 41 compares the version of the existing printer driver 145 and the version of the latest printer driver 128 to determine whether the existing printer driver 145 is the latest. If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the existing printer driver 145 should be installed as is. At this time, the control unit 41 proceeds to the next step SP38.

At step SP38, the control unit 41 installs the existing printer driver 145 using the installation package 144, and proceeds to the next step SP41. At this time, the installation package 144 sets predetermined standard setting information preset by the manufacturer of the printer 5 regarding setting items such as "color setting" and "print orientation" (FIG. 8).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP37, this means that the existing printer driver 145 should not be installed as it is. At this time, the control unit 41 proceeds to the next step SP39.

At step SP39, the control unit 41 requests the server device 2 to acquire the latest printer driver 128 through the communication control unit 141 (FIG. 6). In response to this, the control section 21 of the server device 2 transmits the latest printer driver 128 to the user terminal device 4 using the communication control section 121 and the file transmission/reception control section 123 . The control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 receives the latest printer driver through the communication control unit 141, stores it in the storage unit 42 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to the next step SP40.

At step SP40, the control unit 41 installs the latest printer driver from the installation package 144, and proceeds to the next step SP41. At this time, the installation package 144 sets standard setting information for each setting item, as in step SP38.

At step SP41, the control unit 41 requests the server device 2 to acquire the serial number list 126 through the communication control unit 141 (FIG. 6). In response to this, the control section 21 of the server device 2 transmits the serial number list 126 to the user terminal device 4 using the communication control section 121 , the file transmission/reception control section 123 and the serial number list management section 127 . The control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 receives the serial number list through the communication control unit 141, stores it in the storage unit 42 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to the next step SP42.

At step SP42, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the serial number of the printer 5 is registered in the received serial number list. If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the definition file 124 created for the printer 5 has been registered in the server device 2 . At this time, the control unit 41 proceeds to the next step SP43.

At step SP43, the control unit 41 notifies the server apparatus 2 of the serial number and requests acquisition of the definition file through the communication control unit 141 (FIG. 6). In response to this, the control unit 21 of the server device 2 causes the communication control unit 121, the file transmission/reception control unit 123, and the definition file management unit 125 to transfer the definition file 124 of the serial number that matches the notified serial number to the user terminal device. 4. After that, the control unit 21 proceeds to the next step SP65 and ends the processing procedure RT6.

The control unit 41 of the user terminal device 4 receives the definition file through the communication control unit 141, stores it in the storage unit 42 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to the next step SP44. Hereinafter, the definition file received at this time will be referred to as definition file 146 (FIG. 6). In step SP44, the control section 41 applies each setting information stored in the definition file 146 to each corresponding setting item for updating, and proceeds to the next step SP45.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP42, this means that the definition file 124 associated with the serial number of the printer 5 has not been created. At this time, the control unit 41 does not change each setting item as the standard setting information, and proceeds to the next step SP45. In step SP45, the control unit 41 terminates the processing procedure RT3.

[4. effects, etc.]
In the configuration described above, the setting information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment causes the server apparatus 2 to store in advance the definition file 124 in which the serial number of the printer 5 and each piece of setting information are associated with each other. After that, in the setting information providing system 1, when installing the printer driver of the printer 5 in the user terminal device 4, the definition file 124 corresponding to the serial number of the printer 5 is acquired from the server device 2, and the definition file 124 is Apply each setting information to each setting item.

That is, in the setting information providing system 1, the definition file 124 corresponding to the printer 5 is created in advance and registered in the server device 2, and each setting item in the printer driver of the user terminal device 4 is set to the definition file 124. Each setting information can be applied. Therefore, in the setting information providing system 1, there is no need to create and distribute an installation package incorporating each setting information. There is no need to recreate or redistribute the .

Further, in the setting information providing system 1, when installing the printer driver in the user terminal device 4, the server device 2 is asked about the latest version of the printer driver. At this time, if the existing printer driver 145 (FIG. 6) is not the latest, the user terminal device 4 obtains the latest printer driver 128 from the server device 2 and installs it.

Therefore, in the setting information providing system 1, even if the existing printer driver 145 included in the installation package 144 of the user terminal device 4 is not the latest, the latest printer driver 128 obtained from the server device 2 can be installed. Then, in the setting information providing system 1, if the definition file 124 of the printer 5 is registered in the server device 2, the definition file 124 is acquired by the user terminal device 4, and each setting information is applied to each setting item. can.

From another point of view, in the setting information providing system 1, the user of the user terminal device 4 does not have to worry about the version of the existing printer driver 145 (FIG. 6) included in the installation package 144. FIG. That is, in the setting information providing system 1, the latest printer driver can be installed in the user terminal device 4 and each setting information can be applied simply by having the user install the printer driver.

Further, in the setting information providing system 1, in the installation process, printer information is obtained from each printer connected to the network 6, and the printer information list table T11 is displayed on the printer selection screen P2 (FIG. 13). In many cases, in the company 10 (FIG. 1), the administrator notifies the user of the IP address, node name, etc. of the printer 5 in advance. For this reason, in the setting information providing system 1, the user of the user terminal device 4 can specify the serial number of the printer 5 simply by having the user of the user terminal device 4 select the printer 5 based on the IP address. A definition file 124 can be acquired.

According to the above configuration, the setting information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when installing the printer driver of the printer 5 in the user terminal device 4, sends the definition file 124 corresponding to the serial number of the printer 5 to the server. Acquired from the device 2, each setting information of the definition file 124 is applied to each setting item. For this reason, in the setting information providing system 1, even when the latest printer driver is updated, the definition can be added to each setting item in the printer driver of the user terminal device 4 without requiring the administrator to update the file. Each setting information in the file 124 can be applied.

[5. Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the setting information registered in the definition file includes three items of "color setting", "print orientation", and "double-sided printing setting" (FIG. 8). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The setting information of various items such as "position" may be registered in the definition file. In this case, each setting information registered in the definition file may be two or less items or four or more items. Furthermore, each setting information registered in the definition file may be different for each printer name (that is, model name).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the printer 5 and the definition file are associated with each other based on the serial number, which is the identification number uniquely assigned to the printer 5 (FIGS. 8 and 13). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of information that can uniquely identify the printer 5, such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address, which is information uniquely assigned to the communication unit 53 (FIG. 5) of the printer 5, can be used. Information may be associated with the definition file.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the IP address is included in the printer information that the user terminal device 4 acquires from each printer, and the printer selection screen P2 (FIG. 13) prompts the user to select the printer using the IP address as a clue. A case of making a selection has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer information includes various information such as a "node name", which is a name on the network set for each printer, by which the user can easily identify each printer. The information may be used as a clue to prompt the user to select a printer.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the definition file creation process (FIG. 7), the definition file 124 is created by connecting the administrator terminal device 3 to the server device 2 based on the operation of the administrator. . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the definition file 124 may be created by connecting the user terminal device 4 in which the printer driver is to be installed later, to the server device 2 . In this case, the administrator terminal device 3 may be omitted.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when creating the definition file, the administrator terminal device 3 sends the serial number and each setting information to the server device 2 based on the operation instruction on the setting information input screen P1 (FIG. 8). A case has been described in which the definition file 124 is generated in the server device 2 by transmitting the data (FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the printer driver is installed, the user terminal device 4 acquires the serial number list 126 from the server device 2, and in the user terminal device 4, the serial number of the printer 5 is stored in the serial number list. 126 has been described (FIG. 12). However, the present invention is not limited to this. You can judge. In this case, for example, the creation and management of the serial number list 126 may be omitted, and the presence or absence of the definition file 124 corresponding to the serial number may be checked by sequentially referring to the registered definition files 124 . Furthermore, when the definition file 124 corresponding to the serial number exists, the server device 2 does not reply to the user terminal device 4 that the definition file exists, but immediately downloads the definition file 124. You can send it.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user terminal device 4 acquires the printer information from the printer 5 via the network 6 when installing the printer driver has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user terminal device 4 acquires printer information from the printer 5 via various wired or wireless communication means such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). can be

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when installing the printer driver to the user terminal device 4, it is checked whether the existing printer driver 145 (FIG. 6) is the latest version. The case where the latest printer driver 128 is obtained from and installed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the existing printer driver 145 may be installed as it is without checking whether the existing printer driver 145 is the latest version.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when installing the printer driver in the user terminal device 4, the installation package 144 in which the existing printer driver 145 is installed is executed (FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a program (a so-called installer) that does not include the existing printer driver 145 may be executed on the user terminal device 4 to download and install the latest printer driver 128 from the server device 2. good.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not the existing printer driver 145 is the latest by referring to and comparing the versions of each printer driver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not the existing printer driver 145 is the latest by using various information related to each printer driver, such as the update date and time of each printer driver.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the case where the definition file 124 and the latest printer driver 128 are stored in the server device 2 has been described (FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the latest printer driver 128 may be stored in another server device (not shown) connected to the network 6 instead of storing the latest printer driver 128 in the server device 2 .

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the case where each functional block shown in FIG. 6 is implemented by software has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a part or all of each functional block may be realized by hardware or cooperation of software and hardware.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where various programs are stored in advance in the storage unit 42 in the user terminal device 4 (FIG. 4) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Various programs may be acquired via and executed. Further, in this case, the acquired various programs may be executed while being read from these storage media without being stored in the storage unit 42 . The same applies to the server device 2, the administrator terminal device 3 and the printer 5 as well.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user terminal device 4 is a notebook computer device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the user terminal device 4 may be various information processing devices such as a tablet computer device and a smart phone. The point is that each functional block shown in FIG. 6 can be realized. The same applies to the administrator terminal device 3 as well.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the printer 5 is a single-function printer that does not have a scanner function or a connection function with a telephone line has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 5 may be an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that functions as a copier or a facsimile machine by having a scanner function and a connection function with a telephone line.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the device driver for the printer 5 (that is, the printer driver) is installed in the user terminal device 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a device driver for connecting various electronic devices such as an image scanner and a pen tablet to the user terminal device 4 and driving (operating) is installed in the user terminal device 4. May be applied when

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and other embodiments. In other words, the scope of the present invention extends to embodiments obtained by arbitrarily combining part or all of each of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments described above, and to embodiments in which a part is extracted. is.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 23 as the communication unit, the storage unit 22 as the storage unit, and the control unit 21 as the provision unit configure the server device 2 as the setting information providing device. Stated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting information providing apparatus may be configured by a communication section, a storage section, and a providing section having various configurations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used when a device driver is installed in a user terminal device to drive an electronic device such as a printer.

1 -- setting information providing system, 2 -- server device, 3 -- administrator terminal device, 4 -- user terminal device, 5 -- printer, 6 -- network, 21, 31, 41, 51 -- control Sections 21A, 31A, 41A, 51A...CPU, 21B, 31B, 41B, 51B...ROM, 21C, 31C, 41C, 51C...RAM, 22, 32, 42, 52...storage section, 23, 33 , 43, 53... communication section, 34, 44... display section, 35, 45... operation section, 54... printing section, 121... communication control section, 122... web page control section, 123... file Transmission/reception control unit 124 Definition file 125 Definition file management unit 126 Serial number list 127 Serial number list management unit 128 Latest printer driver 131 Communication control unit 132 Display control unit 133 Input unit 141 Communication control unit 142 Display control unit 143 Input unit 144 Installation package 145 Existing printer driver 146 Definition file 151: communication control unit, 152: serial number, P1: setting information input screen, P2: printer selection screen.

Claims (10)

a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external device;
a storage unit that stores individual setting information that associates setting information used when driving a target device with identification information that is uniquely assigned to the target device;
A setting information providing device, comprising: a providing unit that provides the individual setting information associated with the identification information when a request for the setting information is received together with the identification information via the communication unit. The storage unit stores a driver for driving the target device,
2. The setting information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit provides the driver upon receiving a request for the driver via the communication unit. The storage unit
storing the individual setting information of the plurality of target devices, and storing an identification information list storing the identification information of the plurality of target devices;
2. The setting information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit provides the identification information list upon receiving a request for the identification information list via the communication unit. an information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information and the setting information of the target device from the setting device via the communication unit;
2. The setting information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an individual setting information generating unit that generates the individual setting information based on the identification information and the setting information and stores the information in the storage unit. . A system in which a target device, a driving device, and a providing device are connected via a network,
The target device is
a target communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the network;
a target storage unit that stores identification information uniquely assigned to the target device;
The providing device is
a providing communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the network;
a providing storage unit that stores setting information used when driving the target device and individual setting information that associates the identification information of the target device with the setting information;
The driving device
a drive communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the network;
an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information from the target device via the drive communication unit;
an individual setting information acquisition unit that acquires the individual setting information associated with the identification information from the providing device via the drive communication unit;
A setting information application system, comprising: a setting information application unit that applies the setting information included in the individual setting information to a driver that drives the target device. The driving device
a drive storage unit that stores the driver before it is installed;
and an installation processing unit that installs the driver,
The installation processing unit
When installing the driver, the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from the target device, and the individual setting information acquisition unit acquires the individual setting information associated with the identification information from the providing device. 6. The setting information application system according to claim 5, wherein the setting information application unit applies the setting information included in the individual setting information to the driver. further comprising a driver providing device connected to the network and providing the latest version of the driver;
The installation processing unit inquires of the driver providing device about the latest version, and if the driver stored in the drive storage unit is not the latest version, acquires the latest version of the driver from the driver providing device. 7. The setting information application system according to claim 6, wherein the driver is installed after the driver is installed. For information processing equipment,
an identification information acquisition step of acquiring, from a target device, identification information uniquely assigned to the target device;
a setting information requesting step of requesting, from a providing device, setting information associated with the identification information and used when driving the target device;
an individual setting information acquiring step of acquiring individual setting information, which is the setting information associated with the identification information, from the providing device;
and a setting information applying step of applying the setting information included in the individual setting information to a driver for driving the target device. an identification information acquisition step of acquiring, from a target device, identification information uniquely assigned to the target device;
a setting information requesting step of requesting, from a providing device, setting information associated with the identification information and used when driving the target device;
an individual setting information acquiring step of acquiring individual setting information, which is the setting information associated with the identification information, from the providing device;
and a setting information setting step of applying the setting information included in the individual setting information to a driver for driving the target device. and an installation step of installing the driver,
The setting information setting step includes:
10. The setting information applying method according to claim 9, wherein the setting information included in the individual setting information is applied to the driver installed by the installing step.

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