CN101038535A

CN101038535A - Information processing device

Info

Publication number: CN101038535A
Application number: CN 200710087787
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中重麻美
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2007-03-19
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-19
Also published as: CN100504753C

Abstract

An information processing device is disclosed that is able to extend functions without performing installation and enables easy function settings. The information processing device is able to communicate with an image forming device, and includes a storage unit for storing basic information of the information processing device; an information acquisition unit for acquiring function information from the image forming device; a function detection unit for detecting a function of the image forming device from the function information; and a storage controller which determines whether function data of the detected function is included in the basic information, and modifies the basic information according to the determination results. When the function data of the detected function is not included in the basic information, the storage controller stores the function data in the storage unit.

Description

Messaging device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the messaging device that can communicate with imaging device.

Background technology

When as the host terminal of personal computer (PC) when imaging device as printer is connected by network, the software that is commonly called printed driver is installed in the host terminal, so that by using by the page-description language of imaging device support, will being converted to the print data with the imaging device compatibility that is connected to host terminal by network (that is, can by this imaging device printing) by the document that the application that is installed in the host terminal is created or browsed.Here, " with the print data of imaging device compatibility " means the print data that can print in imaging device.

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the basic configuration of explanation printed driver.

As shown in Figure 1, printed driver 12 is installed in the host terminal 1, and comprises: Data Receiving part 121, and it receives the document data of being created or being browsed by the application 11 that is installed in the host terminal 1; GUI (graphical user interface) controller 122, it carries out control so that the value of setting of printed driver 12 or document data is stored in the storage unit 123; Storage unit 123, the value of setting of value of setting of the document data that its storage is received by Data Receiving part 121 and the printed driver 12 controlled by GUI controller 122; And writing part 124, it is converted to print data with the imaging device compatibility based on the value of setting that is stored in the storage unit 123 with document data.

Data Receiving part 121 receives by the document datas of using 11 establishments or browsing, and storage unit 123 is from using 11 values of setting that obtain by the document data of Data Receiving part 121 receptions.In addition, storage unit 123 obtains the value of setting of printed drivers 12 from GUI controller 122, so that will be converted to the print data with the imaging device compatibility by the document data that Data Receiving part 121 receives.The value of setting that will obtain by storage unit 123, together with document data by 121 receptions of Data Receiving part, send to by Data Receiving part 121 and to write part 124.Based on from using the value of setting of 11 document datas that obtain, and based on the value of setting of the printed driver 12 that obtains from GUI controller 122, write part 124 document data is converted to print data with the imaging device compatibility.Port controller 13 from host terminal 1 sends to imaging device via network by the print data that writes part 124 conversions.

In the latest network environment, there are a plurality of imaging devices to be connected to network usually.In addition, along with promoting the use of of mobile phone and portable PC, a user can use different imaging devices to become necessary in different places; Therefore need a host terminal can control a plurality of imaging devices.For example, must in host terminal, install and the corresponding a plurality of printed drivers of corresponding imaging device.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2004-310488 (hereinafter, being called " list of references 1 ") discloses such print system, and a driver wherein is installed in a plurality of printing device of same type in one-step installation.In list of references 1 disclosed print system, it is with identical ID number but different network ID number is managed that a plurality of printing device appear; Therefore, in the host terminal side of a plurality of printing device of management, a plurality of printed drivers needn't be installed.

Yet this host terminal is not always controlled the printing device of same type.When host terminal is controlled dissimilar printing device, corresponding printed driver should be installed in this host terminal.In addition, even when host terminal is controlled the printing device of same type all the time, because term of life or failure cause and printing device in may using with the transposing of new printing device.Because the transposing of printing device if require expansion to be installed in the function of the printed driver in the host terminal, then should be installed the printed driver with expanded function in host terminal.The installation printed driver has increased the working load on the OS (operating system) that puts on host terminal in host terminal; In addition, such installation has increased user's cost and the working time.

In order to address this problem, proposed plug-in module is installed in the printed driver that is installed in the host terminal, just and have only and when needing the new printed driver with expanded function is installed, add expanded function.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2005-173701 (hereinafter, being called " list of references 2 ") discloses such messaging device, and it can install the plug-in module that is used to realize additional function effectively in existing printed driver.

In the last few years, along with the function of the utility routine of carrying out in imaging device and host terminal is improved, printed driver had increasing function.Yet, depends on the user, and use the different piece of the function of printed driver, and under many circumstances, the function of not every printed driver all is necessary.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2001-75758 (hereinafter, be called " list of references 3 ") such printed driver disclosed, it has only just present the function that is had by printer when the function that printed driver is configured such that with printer in system, so this may make to be provided with and is absorbed in (faithful to) function that printer was had in simple mode and with high operability.

In list of references 2 disclosed messaging devices, because only new additional function is installed as plug-in module, so compare with the equipment of having to reinstall whole printed driver, the working load that puts on messaging device has reduced.Yet, because the operation number in installing does not reduce, so such as cost and working time, the working load that puts on the user almost do not reduce.

In list of references 3 disclosed printed drivers, because need dynamic link library (DLL) to be provided for data into the printer setup print conditions of each connection, so in comprising the environment that connects printer that does not specify number, need mass-memory unit to store many DLL.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention can solve one or more problem in the correlation technique.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention can provide such messaging device, and it can be expanded its function and need not carry out installation and can be easy to function setting.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of messaging device that can communicate with imaging device, it comprises:

Storage unit, the essential information of canned data treatment facility;

Information acquisition unit is obtained function information from imaging device;

The Function detection unit, the function of detection imaging device from the function information that obtains by information acquisition unit; And

Memory controller is determined whether the performance data that is associated with the function that is detected by the Function detection unit is included in the essential information of storing in the storage unit, and is determined that according to this results modification is stored in the essential information in the storage unit,

Wherein

When the performance data that is associated with the function that is detected by the Function detection unit was not included in the essential information of storing in the storage unit, memory controller stored performance data in the storage unit into.

According to current embodiment, in the time of in new function being added to the messaging device of the present invention that can communicate with imaging device, perhaps when having connected dissimilar imaging devices, it is enough making messaging device among the present invention only obtain the information that is not included in the cut-and-dried essential information from imaging device.Therefore, when adding or upgrade imaging device, add at every turn or when upgrading, needn't introduce and imaging device information corresponding treatment facility.That is, reduced the working load that puts on the user by installation process.Therefore, according to the present invention, might provide such messaging device, it can expanded function and need not carry out installation.

Here, " essential information " means minimum necessary information that comprises and the information of adding after a while in as installed software prior with the corresponding device driver of imaging device.

As embodiment, essential information comprise performance data and with the function associated state mark of messaging device, function information comprise performance data and with the function associated state mark of imaging device, and memory controller will distribute to function associated state mark with messaging device with the function associated state mark of imaging device, and the function of described messaging device is identical with the function of imaging device.

According to current embodiment, might be in response to the state of imaging device the function of configuration information treatment facility.For example, when imaging equipment is printer, might to recognize some functions of messaging device current be disabled owing to the factor of printer side, these factors for example use up as the size or the type of the consumables of staple or toner and so on or paper incompatible for optional equipment or printer are not installed.For example, if optional equipment has been installed after a while, and eliminated the factor that prevents that specific function from carrying out in printer, then this function becomes available.

As embodiment, when the performance data in being included in essential information is not included in the function information, memory controller to the corresponding status indication apportioning cost of this performance data, to indicate this performance data to be included in the essential information but be not included in the function information.

According to current embodiment, such messaging device might be provided, it can utilize the function of actual needs.Promptly, when messaging device according to the present invention is applied to PC or other host terminal, even when having added optional equipment because the messaging device never call current in imaging device disabled function, so also might minimize the working load of the OS that puts on host terminal.

As embodiment, this messaging device also comprises: the setting option input-output unit, and it shows based on being stored in the essential information in the storage unit graph image is set,

Wherein,

This setting option input-output unit in response to be included in the essential information, with the corresponding status indication of function of messaging device, and revise the form that graph image is set.

According to current embodiment, the user is the function of confirmation treatment facility visually, and when the functional parameter of configuration information treatment facility, the user can be provided with parameter easily and rightly in response to the state of messaging device.

As embodiment, the setting option input-output unit with reference to be included in the corresponding status indication of performance data that is not included in the essential information in the function information, and the setting option that demonstration is associated with this performance data on the graph image be not set.

According to current embodiment, the user can visually confirm current available function, and when the functional parameter of configuration information treatment facility, knows that very the setting of which function can be modified, and compare with the printed driver that comprises unnecessary function, improved operability.

Therefore, according to embodiments of the invention, because messaging device can only obtain the information that is not included in the essential information, wherein this essential information is the function information of the imaging device that connected, and be minimum necessary information included in the prior installed software, so such messaging device might be provided, it can expanded function and need not carry out installation, and makes it possible to carry out easily function setting.

According to the detailed description of preferred embodiments that provides below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, these and other purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage will become more obvious.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the basic configuration of explanation printed driver;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of explanation according to the ios dhcp sample configuration IOS DHCP of the messaging device of the embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 A is the diagram of the example of explanation printer function information;

Fig. 3 B is the diagram of explanation essential information example of storage in storage unit 21;

Fig. 4 is that explanation is used to add or enable the process flow diagram of operation example printer function, messaging device 2; And

Fig. 5 be explanation when detect be present in the messaging device 2 but not during the function in the printer, the process flow diagram of the operation example of messaging device 2.

Embodiment

Explain the preferred embodiments of the present invention below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[configuration of messaging device]

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of explanation according to the ios dhcp sample configuration IOS DHCP of the messaging device of the embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figure 2, messaging device 2 comprises GUI controller 222, storage unit 223 and writing unit 224 is set.These parts are realized the function of such printed driver, and promptly being used to generate can be by the data of the printer explanation that connects by the network as Local Area Network and so on.

Storage unit 223 storage is set will be by the value of setting of the document data and the messaging device 2 of printer prints, and comprises storage unit 21 and information acquisition unit 22.The essential information of storage unit 21 canned data treatment facilities.This essential information is used so that the control printer by messaging device 2.Information acquisition unit 22 is obtained the function information of printer from printer.

GUI controller 222 is carried out control, so that with the value of setting of messaging device 2 or will be stored in by the value of setting of the document data of printer prints and be provided with in the storage unit 223.GUI controller 222 comprises Function detection unit 23, memory controller 24 and setting option input-output unit 25.

Function detection unit 23 detects the repertoire of printer from the function information of the printer that obtained by information acquisition unit 22.The data of memory controller 24 control stores in storage unit 21 are so that coupling is by the function of Function detection unit 23 detected printers.

Setting option input-output unit 25 display graphics image on screen so that be provided with based on canned data in the storage unit 21, is adjusted the control command that the value of setting or issue generate the data that can be explained by printer.For example, when messaging device 2 is included among the PC, setting option input-output unit 25 is gone up demonstration at the display device (such as monitor) of PC graph image is set, and in response to the graph image that is provided with on the display, the value of setting that user's operation is imported with reception as the input equipment of mouse and keyboard and so on.

Writing unit 224 is based on canned data in storage unit 223 is set, and document data is converted to and can be explained and will be by the print data of its printing by printer.Writing unit 224 comprises function executing unit 26, and its data based on storage in the storage unit 21 are carried out and the corresponding function of target printer.

If printer is energized or be connected when messaging device 2 energising, then information acquisition unit 22 detects its available printer, and obtains function information from detected printer.

Function detection unit 23 detects the repertoire of printer from the function information of the printer that obtained by information acquisition unit 22.The essential information of memory controller 24 control stores in storage unit 21, so that mate by Function detection unit 23 detected printer function, the information in for example memory controller 24 interpolations, deletion and the updated stored unit 21.

Setting option input-output unit 25 is based on the essential information that is stored in the storage unit 21, and go up demonstration graph image is set at display device (such as monitor), allow the user to adjust the value of setting or issue control command thus, can be so that generate by the data of printer explanation.In case shown graph image on display device, then the user is by using the input equipment input value of setting.Setting option input-output unit 25 receives the value of being imported by the user of setting, and these values of setting is reflected as the essential information of storage in the storage unit 21.Based on by being included in the essential information of the storage of wherein upgrading in storage unit 21 by the value of setting of user input, 26 generations of function executing unit can be by the data of target printer explanation.

[method of information description]

Next, explain the printer function information that is obtained by information acquisition unit 22 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 3 A is the diagram of the example of explanation printer function information.

As shown in Figure 3A, with the printer function information management be current function P available in printer (n) (n=1,2 ..., data list N).As selection, printer function information can be by management for comprising a plurality of function groups, and each function group comprises a plurality of current functions available in printer.In addition, but function information also comprises the data of the current unavailable function that can become available when having added optional equipment.

Whether available function information comprise and be used for the current status indication of identification function P (n).For example, status indication has " ON " state and " OFF " state; When status indication is in " ON " state, current available in target printer with the corresponding function of the data that comprise this status indication.When status indication is in " OFF " state, current unavailable in target printer with the corresponding function of the data that comprise this status indication, for example this is to have used up as the size or the type of the consumables of staple or toner and so on or paper incompatible because optional equipment or printer are not installed.

For example, when optional equipment being installed in printer after a while and having eliminated the factor that stops this function executing, the function with the status indication that is in " OFF " state becomes available.In this case, status indication becomes " ON ".That is, depend on the state of target printer and change the status indication value.

Memory controller 24 is based on the function information shown in Fig. 3 A and the data of control store in storage unit 21.

Fig. 3 B is the diagram of explanation essential information example of storage in storage unit 21.

Shown in Fig. 3 B, essential information comprises initial information 31 and the additional information 32 of adding after installing, and wherein initial information 31 is included minimum necessary informations in the prior installed software in order to generate the data that can be explained by printer.

Initial information 31 by management for current function D available in messaging device 2 (x) (x=1,2 ..., data list X).Similarly, additional information 32 also by management for current function DT available in messaging device 2 (y) (y=1,2 ..., data list Y).As selection, initial information 31 and additional information 32 also can be by management for comprising a plurality of function groups, and each group comprises current a plurality of functions available in messaging device 2.

Whether function D (x) and function DT (y) can carry out depends on whether these functions are current available in target printer.

Various performance datas comprise and are used for the current whether executable status indication of identification function D (x) and function DT (y).For example, status indication has " ON " state, " OFF " state and " IMP " state.When status indication was in " ON " state, current with the corresponding function of the data that comprise this status indication was executable.When status indication is in " OFF " state, can not carry out with the corresponding function of the data that comprise this status indication is current, for example this be because optional equipment is not installed, printer has used up as the size of consumables of staple or toner and so on or paper or type is incompatible or the other factors of printer side.Yet when having eliminated the factor of prevention function executing, for example when in printer optional equipment being installed after a while, this function becomes available.

When status indication is in " IMP " state,, the specification of target printer can carry out anything but with comprising the corresponding function of data of this status indication because making.Yet when controlling the printer of other type, the function with the status indication that is in " IMP " state becomes and can carry out.In this case, status indication becomes " ON " or " OFF ".That is, the status indication value depends on the type of target printer and changes.

Additional information 32 is corresponding to function available in the printer, and this additional information 32 is detected from the function information shown in Fig. 3 A by Function detection unit 23.When additional information 32 before was not included in the essential information of storage in the storage unit 21, additional information 32 was corresponding to being added by memory controller 24, detecting and be not included in function information in the essential information by Function detection unit 23.

[operation of messaging device]

Next, explain the operation of the messaging device 2 among the current embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

So that when making the document data that printer prints created or browsed by the application that is installed in the host terminal, messaging device 2 is converted to document data the print data that can be explained and be comprised the control command that the user imports by printer when the messaging device 2 among the current embodiment as shown in Figure 2 is applied to PC or other host terminal.Messaging device 2 can utilize the function of printer.

Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram of operation example that explanation is used to add or enables the messaging device 2 of printer function.

As shown in Figure 4, at step S101, when the printer of carrying out printing was energized or connects, information acquisition unit 22 was obtained the function information of printer from this printer.

At step S102, Function detection unit 23 detects the repertoire P (1) of the printer of describing to P (N) in the function information that is obtained by information acquisition unit 22.

At step S103, memory controller 24 determines whether be included in the essential information of storage in the storage unit 21 to P (N) by the function P (1) of Function detection unit 23 detected printers.In other words, memory controller 24 determines whether the function P (n) that comprises is consistent to one of D (X) with the function D (1) that comprises in the initial information shown in Fig. 3 B 31 (essential information) in the function information shown in Fig. 3 A.

It is also noted that in current embodiment, memory controller 24 determines whether function P (n) is present in the initial information 31 (essential information) according to the description order in the function information.

If it is consistent to one of D (X) with the function D (1) that comprises in initial information 31 (essential information) that memory controller 24 is determined function P (n), the function P (n) that is target printer is included in the initial information 31 (essential information), and then routine proceeds to step S104.Otherwise routine proceeds to step S105.

In step S104, because the function P of target printer (n) is included in the initial information 31, so memory controller 24 obtains the status indication of the function P (n) in the target printers, and the status indication value of function P (n) distributed to status indication with the corresponding function D of function P (n) (x).In other words, the status indication value of memory controller 24 usefulness function P (n) is replaced the status indication value of function D (x).

At step S105, because it is not consistent with any one in the D (X) of the function D (1) that comprises in the initial information 31 that memory controller 24 is determined function P (n), the function P (n) that is target printer is not included in the initial information 31, so memory controller 24 is regarded the function P of target printer (n) as additional function DT (y).In addition, memory controller 24 obtains the status indication of the function P (n) of target printer, and the status indication value of function P (n) is associated with function DT (y).

At step S106, memory controller 24 increases progressively the index of additional function DT (y).That is, next additional function becomes DT (y+1).

At step S107, whether be present in the essential information index of memory controller 24 incremental functionality P (n) in order to determine function P (n) the function P (n+1) afterwards in the function information.That is, the next function of the target printer that compare becomes P (n+1).

At step S108, whether the new index n that memory controller 24 is determined function P (n) is less than the N as the upper limit of index n.That is, memory controller 24 determines whether to examine and (investigated) the repertoire P (n) that comprises in the function information.

If examined the repertoire P (n) that comprises in the function information, then routine proceeds to step S109.Otherwise, routine turn back to step S103 with repeating step S103 to S107.

At step S109, because the index n of function P (n) is more than or equal to N, promptly examined the repertoire P (n) that comprises in the function information, so memory controller 24 stores additional function DT (1) in the essential information of storage unit 21 into to DT (Y), with as the additional information 32 shown in Fig. 3 B.

It is also noted that, then do not have additional function DT (n) if the repertoire P (n) of target printer is included in the essential information; Therefore, execution in step S109 not.

At step S110, setting option input-output unit 25 display graphics image on screen, wherein with the display mode of the status indication that is suitable for being stored in function D (x) included in the essential information in the storage unit 21 and additional function DT (y), and show various setting options.Below, the graph image that is presented on the screen and be used to allow the user adjust the value of setting is called " graph image is set " or " screen is set ".

Therefore, in the messaging device 2 of current embodiment, when new connection printer, function that might extend information treatment facility 2 and need not carry out installation.

As mentioned above, when detecting that function is present in the messaging device 2 and when not being present in the printer, setting option input-output unit 25 be not provided with the setting option that shows this function on the graph image.Below, will be to detecting when messaging device 2 that function is present in the messaging device 2 and when not being present in the printer, the operation of messaging device 2 describes.

Fig. 5 be explanation when detecting that function is present in the messaging device 2 and when not being present in the printer, the process flow diagram of the operation example of messaging device 2.

As shown in Figure 5, at step S201, when the printer of carrying out printing was energized or connects, information acquisition unit 22 was obtained the function information of printer from this printer.

At step S202, Function detection unit 23 detects the repertoire P (1) of the printer of describing to P (N) in the function information that is obtained by information acquisition unit 22.

At step S203, whether the function D (x) that memory controller 24 is determined to be included in the initial information 31 (essential information) is consistent to one of P (N) with the function P (1) of the target printer that is detected by Function detection unit 23.

It is also noted that in current embodiment, memory controller 24 determines that function D (x) are whether consistent to one of P (N) with the function P (1) according to the printer of the description order in the essential information.

If memory controller 24 determines that the function D (x) that comprises in the essential information is consistent to one of P (N) with the function P (1) of printer, promptly the function P of target printer (n) is present in the essential information, and then routine proceeds to step S204.Otherwise routine proceeds to step S205.

At step S204, because the function P of target printer (n) has been included in the initial information 31, so memory controller 24 obtains the status indication of the function P (n) in the target printers, and the status indication value that will be included in the function P (n) in the essential information is distributed to the status indication with the corresponding function D of function P (n) (x).In other words, the status indication value of memory controller 24 usefulness function P (n) is replaced the status indication value of function D (x).

It is also noted that, when after finishing process shown in Figure 4, carrying out process shown in Figure 5, because obtained the status indication of the function P (n) of target printer, so can omit step 204.

At step S205, because the function D (x) that memory controller 24 is determined to be included in the essential information is not consistent with any in the P (N) of the function P (1) of printer, the function P (n) that is target printer is not present in the essential information, is set to " IMP " so memory controller 24 is included in the status indication value of the function D (x) in the essential information.

At step S206, whether consistent to one of P (N) in order to determine function D (x) the function D (x+1) afterwards in the essential information with the function P (1) of printer, the index of memory controller 24 incremental functionality D (x).

At step S207, whether the new index x that memory controller 24 is determined function D (x) is less than the X as the upper limit of index x.That is, memory controller 24 determines that whether the repertoire D (x) in the essential informations compares to P (N) with the function P (1) of printer.

If the repertoire D (x) in the essential information compares to P (N) with function P (1), then this routine proceeds to step S208.Otherwise, routine turn back to step S203 with repeating step S203 to S207.

At step S208, because the index x of function D (x) is more than or equal to X, be that repertoire D (x) in the essential information compares to P (N) with function P (1), so setting option input-output unit 25 is with reference to the status indication of function D (x) included in the essential information that is stored in the storage unit 21, and show graph image is set, only do not show the setting option of the function of status indication on it with " IMP " state that is in (it indicates this function can carry out anything but).

Therefore, in the messaging device 2 of current embodiment, because do not show to have the function that deixis is executable anything but, be in the status indication of " IMP " state being provided with on the graph image, promptly on being set, graph image do not show the function that is not present in the target printer substantially, so might improve convenience and operability that graph image is set, and make function setting become easy.

Should be noted that process and the process among Fig. 5 among Fig. 4 can be combined.Yet, because the process among Fig. 4 is determined the function D (x) that comprises and whether is present in the function P (1) of target printer in P (n) in essential information, and the process among Fig. 5 determines whether the function P (n) of the target printer in the function information is present in the function D (1) that comprises in the essential information and arrives among the D (x), so when the process among execution graph 4 and Fig. 5, overlapping operation occurred.Therefore, for example, during the process of Fig. 4, at step S103, when memory controller 24 determines that at the included function D of essential information (1) the memory controller 24 automatically status indication value of function D (x) is set to " IMP " in the middle of the D (X), when function D (x) is not consistent with among the included function P (n) any in the function information.By this way, can omit process among Fig. 5.

[pattern of screen is set]

As mentioned above, the pattern that screen is set that is shown by setting option input-output unit 25 depends on function D (x) included in the essential information in the storage unit 21 and the status indication of DT (y).

For example, when status indication was in " ON " state, current with the corresponding function of the performance data that comprises this status indication was available, and can further revise the setting of this function.In this case, for example, can be shown as with the corresponding setting option of this function and to have full brightness, with to this message of user notification.

When status indication is in " OFF " state, unavailable under the current state of printer with the corresponding function of the data that comprise this status indication, and can not revise the setting of these functions, if but the state of printer has changed, and then Dui Ying function becomes available.In this case, for example, can be shown as with the corresponding setting option of this function and to have a half intensity, with to this message of user notification.

When status indication is in " IMP " state,, the specification of target printer can carry out anything but with comprising the corresponding function of data of this status indication because making.In this case, for example, demonstration and the corresponding setting option of this function on the screen be not set.

The specific embodiment of selecting though be referenced as illustration purpose has been described the present invention, and obviously the present invention is not subject to these embodiment, but can be revised in a large number this by those skilled in the art, and does not deviate from key concept of the present invention and scope.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, described messaging device and be connected to printer, and printed driver is described as being used to generate the explainable data of printer, but the present invention is not subject to this as the imaging device example.For example, the present invention is applicable to scanner driver, PC-FAX driver or miscellaneous equipment driver, if these drivers in the future the instruction transformation of self-application be can be by the data of device processes.

In addition, the present invention is not subject to the module of device driver and equivalence, but applicable to application itself.

In addition, the present invention can be realized by being stored in hard disk (HDD) in messaging device or the program in the storer the ROM (read-only memory) (ROM).That is, the present invention can realize by carrying out the program that can carry out the function expansion as mentioned above.

This patented claim is based on the Japanese priority patent application No.2007-018552 of Japanese priority patent application No.2006-075647 that submitted on March 17th, 2006 and submission on January 29th, 2007, and the full content of these applications is incorporated at this by reference.

Claims

1, a kind of messaging device that can communicate with imaging device comprises:

Storage unit, the essential information of storing described messaging device;

Information acquisition unit is obtained function information from described imaging device;

The Function detection unit, the function of detection imaging device from the function information that obtains by described information acquisition unit; And

Memory controller, determine whether the performance data that is associated with the function that is detected by described Function detection unit is included in the essential information of storing in the described storage unit, and determine that according to this results modification is stored in the essential information in the described storage unit;

Wherein,

When the performance data that is associated with the function that is detected by described Function detection unit was not included in the essential information of storing in the storage unit, described memory controller stored performance data in the storage unit into.

2, messaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

Described essential information comprise performance data and with the function associated state mark of described messaging device;

Described function information comprise performance data and with the function associated state mark of described imaging device; And

Described memory controller will be distributed to function associated state mark with described messaging device with the function associated state mark of described imaging device, and the function of described messaging device is identical with the function of described imaging device.

3, messaging device as claimed in claim 2, wherein,

When the performance data in being included in described essential information is not included in the described function information, described memory controller to the corresponding status indication apportioning cost of this performance data, to indicate this performance data to be included in the described essential information but be not included in the described function information.

4, messaging device as claimed in claim 3 also comprises:

The setting option input-output unit, it shows based on the essential information of storing in the described storage unit graph image is set;

Wherein,

Described setting option input-output unit in response to be included in the described essential information, with the corresponding status indication of function of messaging device, and revise the form that this is provided with graph image.

5, messaging device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, described setting option input-output unit with reference to be included in the essential information but be not included in the corresponding status indication of performance data in the function information, and the setting option that demonstration is associated with described performance data on the graph image is not set at this.