JP2001117857A - System and method for setting device use environment, and computer-readable recording medium with device use environment setting program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device use environment setting system which sequentially recognize and select the usable attributes of devices. SOLUTION: A printer use environment setting system 10 is equipped with an input part 12 which receives an instruction as to attribute information display, a printer selection part 14 which selects a specific printer connected to a client, an attribute information acquisition part 16 which acquires attribute information regarding properties usable at the specific printer, an attribute selection part 18 which selects attributes used at the specific printer according to the attribute information acquired by the acquisition part 16, and a display part 20 which displays the attribute information acquired by the acquisition part 16 and the attributes selected by the attribute selection part 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device use environment setting system for setting a device use environment of a client, a device use environment setting method, and a computer readable recording medium storing a device use environment setting program. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a network system has been widely constructed in which devices such as a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner are connected to a client via a network, and the client can drive the device via the network. . In the network system, a client drives a device using a device driver installed on the client. At this time, the client arbitrarily selects specific parameters (attributes) for various function items of the device, Various outputs (or inputs) can be made. That is, taking a printer as an example,
The printer prepares parameters such as A3 or A4 or one-sided printing or two-sided printing for functional items such as paper feed size and one-sided / two-sided printing, and the client can arbitrarily select these parameters. Various outputs can be performed. Also, JP-A-9-34
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 656 discloses a technique of recognizing a new function (selectable parameter) of a device when the power of the device is turned on, and installing a suitable driver.

[0003]

However, the technique described in the above publication has the following problems because the recognition of a new function of the device by the client is limited to when the power of the device is turned on. Was. In other words, when the output side is sent from the client to the device after the power is turned on, or when the default value of the parameter related to the output instruction is set, the device side has available parameters while the client side has the available parameters. Has a problem that such usable parameters cannot be recognized and cannot be selected.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems,
Provided are a device use environment setting system, a device use environment setting method, and a computer readable recording medium on which a device use environment setting program is recorded, which can sequentially recognize and select attributes usable in a device. As an issue.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a device use environment setting system according to the present invention is a device use environment setting system for setting a device use environment of a client, the system being connected to the client. A device selecting unit for selecting a specific device; an attribute information obtaining unit for obtaining attribute information relating to an attribute usable in the specific device selected by the device selecting unit; and the attribute information obtaining unit obtaining the attribute information obtained by the attribute information obtaining unit. Attribute selecting means for selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information.

[0006] By acquiring attribute information on attributes that can be used in the selected specific device and setting the attributes to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information, not only when the power of the device is turned on, but also It is possible to sequentially recognize and select available attributes in a specific device.

In the device usage environment setting system according to the present invention, the attribute information acquiring means may acquire the attribute information from the specific device.

[0008] By acquiring the attribute information from the specific device, it becomes unnecessary to centrally manage the attribute information of the device.

Further, in the device usage environment setting system of the present invention, a display means for displaying the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition means, and a display instruction for displaying the attribute information on the display means are provided. An input means for inputting may be further provided.

[0010] By displaying the attribute information, the user can easily select the attribute.

In the device use environment setting system according to the present invention, when the display instruction is inputted by the input means, the device selecting means selects the specific device, and the attribute information acquiring means comprises It may be characterized in that the attribute information is obtained, and the display means displays the attribute information.

When the display instruction is input, the specific device is selected, the attribute information is acquired, and the attribute information is displayed. Can be recognized and selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device use environment setting method for setting a device use environment of a client, comprising the steps of: identifying a specific device connected to the client; A device selecting step of selecting, and an attribute information acquiring step of acquiring attribute information on attributes usable in the specific device selected in the device selecting step,
An attribute selecting step of selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information acquired in the attribute information acquiring step.

By acquiring attribute information relating to an attribute usable in the selected specific device and selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information, the attribute information is not limited to when the power of the device is turned on. It is possible to sequentially recognize and select available attributes in a specific device.

In the device usage environment setting method according to the present invention, the attribute information obtaining step may obtain the attribute information from the specific device.

By acquiring the attribute information from the specific device, it becomes unnecessary to centrally manage the attribute information of the device.

Further, in the device use environment setting method of the present invention, a display step of displaying the attribute information acquired in the attribute information acquisition step, and a display instruction for displaying the attribute information in the display step are provided. An input step for inputting may be further provided.

Displaying the attribute information makes it easy for the user to select an attribute.

In the device use environment setting method according to the present invention, when the display instruction is input in the input step, the specific device is selected in the device selection step, and the attribute information is obtained in the attribute information obtaining step. It may be characterized in that attribute information is obtained and the attribute information is displayed in the display step.

When a display instruction is input, the specific device is selected, the attribute information is acquired, and the attribute information is displayed. Can be recognized and selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium storing a device usage environment setting program of the present invention. A possible recording medium, comprising: a device selection process for selecting a specific device connected to the client; and attribute information for acquiring attribute information on an attribute usable in the specific device selected by the device selection process. Computer recording a device use environment setting program for causing a computer to execute an acquisition process and an attribute selection process of selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition process Readable recording medium It is characterized in that.

By acquiring attribute information relating to an attribute usable in the selected specific device and setting the attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information, not only when the device is powered on, It is possible to sequentially recognize and select available attributes in a specific device.

[0023] In a computer-readable recording medium recording a device usage environment setting program according to the present invention, the attribute information acquisition processing may be characterized in that the attribute information is acquired from the specific device.

By acquiring the attribute information from the specific device, it becomes unnecessary to centrally manage the attribute information of the device.

Further, in a computer readable recording medium recording the device use environment setting program of the present invention, a display process for displaying the attribute information obtained by the attribute information obtaining process, and a display process for displaying the attribute information are performed. It may be a computer-readable recording medium that records a device usage environment setting program that causes a computer to further execute an input process of inputting a display instruction to be displayed by a process.

Displaying the attribute information makes it easy for the user to select an attribute.

In a computer-readable recording medium storing the device use environment setting program according to the present invention, when the display instruction is input by the input processing, the specific device is selected by the device selection processing. The attribute information may be obtained by the attribute information obtaining process, and the attribute information may be displayed by the display process.

When the display instruction is input, the specific device is selected, the attribute information is acquired, and the attribute information is displayed. Each time the display instruction is input, the specific device is selected. Can be recognized and selected.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A device use environment setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The device use environment setting system according to the present embodiment is a printer use environment setting system for setting a printer (device) use environment of a client connected to a network.

First, a network to which a client for setting a printer usage environment by the printer usage environment setting system according to the present embodiment is connected will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network to which a client for setting a printer use environment by a printer use environment setting system according to the present embodiment is connected. The network 100 is connected to a network server 102, a client 104, and a plurality of printers 106.

Next, the physical configuration of the client 104 will be described. FIG. 2 is a physical configuration diagram of the client 104. The client 104 is physically a computer terminal. Client 104
As shown in FIG. 2, a CPU 118 that controls the entire client 104, a program or the like stored in a floppy disk 120, or a floppy disk drive 122 or a floppy disk drive 122 that stores data or the like in the floppy disk 120.
A hard disk drive 124 for storing programs and the like read from the floppy disk 120, a mouse 126 and a keyboard 127 for inputting an output instruction to the printer 106, a display 128 for displaying a user interface screen and the like, arithmetic processing, and the like. It comprises a main memory 128 constituting a working memory for performing the operation, and a physical port 108 for physically connecting the client 104 and the network 100.

Next, the configuration of the printer use environment setting system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the printer use environment setting system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an input unit 12, a printer selection unit 14 (device selection unit), and an attribute information acquisition unit 1.
6. It comprises an attribute selection unit 18 and a display unit 20. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The input unit 12 is connected to the display unit 20 by the printer 10.
The user inputs a display instruction for displaying attribute information (details will be described later) of No. 6. More specifically, the display instruction is given by instructing a specific printer 106 (for example, printer A in FIG. 1) on which the attribute information is to be displayed, and an output instruction to the printer 106 or a display instruction of the attribute information of the printer 106 is issued. Is entered.

The printer selection unit 14 is a client
4 connected to a plurality of printers 1 via a network
06, the specific printer 106 specified by the display instruction input by the input unit 12 is selected.
Further, the printer 106 connected via a network
If there is only one, the printer 106 specified by the display instruction input by the input unit 12 is selected.

The attribute information acquisition unit 16 is a printer selection unit 1
The attribute information relating to the attributes usable in the specific printer 106 selected by the specific printer 1
06. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, these attributes are parameters selected for each of the function items such as paper size, single-sided / double-sided output, monochrome / color output, mailbox / sorter output, finisher, and the like. For example, A3, A
There are parameters such as B4 and B5, and the function items for single-sided / double-sided output include parameters such as single-sided output, double-sided output (horizontal), and double-sided output (vertical). There are three-color output, four-color output, and other parameters. Mailbox / sorter function items include mailboxes, sorters, and a combination of mailboxes and sorters. Finisher function items , Staples, punches, sorters, and other parameters. Here, a mailbox is used when multiple users use a printer connected to the network.
This is an output mode in which the paper discharge destination is different for each user. That is, the attribute information acquisition unit 16 acquires information on whether or not each of the parameters is a usable parameter in the specific printer 106 selected by the printer selection unit 14. The attribute information acquisition unit 16 further stores the parameters in the specific printer 106 into parameters (level 1) that can be used immediately without requiring any special operation by a user, such as replacement of a paper cassette and supply of consumables. The parameters are classified into three types: parameters that can be used by a simple operation by a user (level 2), and parameters that cannot be used without a special operation by a customer engineer or mounting of a specific part (level 3).

The attribute selecting section 18 selects a parameter to be used in the specific printer 106 based on the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquiring section 16. More specifically, the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition unit 16 is displayed on the display unit 20, and is used in the specific printer 106 according to a user's instruction referring to the attribute information displayed on the display unit 20. Select a parameter. Here, the parameters classified into level 1 by the attribute information acquisition unit 16 can be immediately selected, and the parameters classified into level 2 can be selected by the user such as replacement of a paper cassette or supply of consumables. Selection can be made by a simple operation. On the other hand, parameters classified into level 3 by the attribute information acquisition unit 16 cannot be selected by the attribute selection unit 18.

Here, the attribute information acquiring unit 16 and the attribute selecting unit 18 acquire attribute information of different types of printers 106 and combine, for example, modules depending on the respective printers in order to select attributes. It has become.

The display section 20 displays the attribute information obtained by the attribute information obtaining section 16. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for each of the above parameters, which of the levels 1 to 3 is displayed as a user interface screen. Here, the display of which parameter is the parameter of level 1 to 3 may be performed by distinguishing the parameter by an icon, a character decoration, a color, an underline, or the like. The display unit 20 displays the parameters selected by the attribute selection unit 18.

Next, the operation of the printer use environment setting system according to the present embodiment will be described, and the printer use environment setting method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows a printer use environment setting system 1
11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the "0".

To operate the printer use environment setting system 10, first, the input unit 12 operates the display unit 2.
0, a display instruction for displaying the attribute information of the printer 106 is input (S10). The display instruction is output to the printer 106 or the printer 106
Of the attribute information.

When a display instruction is input through the input unit 12, the client 104 is input by the printer selection unit 14.
Printers 10 connected to a network via a network
6, the specific printer 106 specified in the display instruction input by the input unit 12 is selected (S12). Here, when one printer 106 is connected via the network, the printer 106 specified by the display instruction input by the input unit 12 is selected.

When a specific printer 106 is selected by the printer selection unit 14, the attribute information acquisition unit 16
The attribute information on the parameters usable in the selected specific printer 106 is acquired from the specific printer 106 (S14). More specifically, information on whether or not each of the parameters is a usable parameter is obtained, and the parameter is a parameter (level 1) that can be used immediately without requiring any special operation by the user. A parameter that can be used by a simple operation by a user (level 2), or a parameter that cannot be used without a special operation by a customer engineer or mounting of a specific part (level 3). Classified into types. The contents of such parameters are as described with reference to FIG.

When the attribute information relating to the usable parameters is acquired and classified by the attribute information acquiring unit 16, the parameters are classified into levels 1 to
3 is displayed on the display unit 20 as a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 5 (S16).

Subsequently, parameters used in the specific printer 106 are selected by the attribute selecting unit 18 (S18). Specifically, a parameter used in the specific printer 106 is selected by a user's instruction referring to the attribute information displayed on the display unit 20. Here, the parameters classified into level 1 by the attribute information acquisition unit 16 can be selected immediately, and the parameters classified into level 2 can be selected by a simple operation by the user. On the other hand, the parameters classified into level 3 by the attribute information acquisition unit 16 are stored in the attribute selection unit 18.
Cannot be selected by

Thereafter, the parameters set by the attribute selecting unit 18 are displayed on the display unit 20, and the operation of the printer use environment setting system 10 ends (S20).

Next, the operation and effects of the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment, the attribute information acquisition unit 16 acquires attribute information on parameters usable in the specific printer 106 selected by the printer selection unit 14, and acquires the attribute information by the attribute information acquisition unit 16. By selecting the parameters of the specific printer 106 by the attribute selecting unit 18 based on the attribute information thus obtained, the parameters that can be used in the specific printer 106 are sequentially recognized and selected, not only when the power of the printer 106 is turned on. It becomes possible.

Further, the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment can collectively manage the attribute information of the printer 106 by the server 102 or the like by acquiring the attribute information from the specific printer 106. This is unnecessary, and as a result, the burden on such management is reduced.

Further, the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment makes it easy for the user to select a parameter by displaying the attribute information on the display unit 20.

The printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment, when a display instruction is input from the input unit 12, selects the specific printer 106 by the printer selection unit 14, and sets the attribute information acquisition unit 16. By acquiring the attribute information on the display unit 20 and displaying the attribute information on the display unit 20, every time the display instruction is input, a parameter (attribute) usable in the specific device is obtained.
Can be recognized and selected.

The printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment may be configured as a physically independent device, and is a system developed on the hard disk drive 124 of the client 104 shown in FIG. May be. Also, not all components need to be deployed on the hard disk drive 124 of the client 104, and some or all components may be deployed on the network server 102 or other clients. Is also good.

Further, the disk may be developed on a hard disk drive 124 via a floppy disk drive 122 from a floppy (registered trademark) disk 120 (a computer-readable recording medium) shown in FIG. In this case, the floppy disk 120 includes a printer for causing the client 104 (computer) to execute the processing performed by the input unit 12, the printer selection unit 14, the attribute information acquisition unit 16, the attribute selection unit 18, and the display unit 20, respectively. The usage environment setting program is recorded.

The printer use environment setting system 10 according to the above-described embodiment is a printer use environment setting system for setting a printer use environment of a client connected to a network. It may set the use environment. Further, it is not limited to a printer, but may be used to set a use environment of other input / output devices such as a facsimile and a scanner.

Note that the printer use environment setting system 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as an application different from the driver for driving the printer 106, so that the driver itself performs bidirectional communication with the printer. Is different.

[0054]

The device use environment setting system, method, and recording medium of the present invention acquire attribute information relating to an attribute usable in a selected specific device, and use the attribute information in the specific device based on the attribute information. By selecting an attribute to be used, it is possible to sequentially recognize and select an attribute that can be used in the specific device, not only when the power of the device is turned on.

In the device use environment setting system, method and recording medium of the present invention, by acquiring the attribute information from the specific device, it becomes unnecessary to centrally manage the attribute information of the device. The management burden on servers and the like is reduced.

Further, in the device use environment setting system, method and recording medium of the present invention, displaying the attribute information facilitates selection of the attribute by the user.

In the device use environment setting system, method and recording medium of the present invention, when a display instruction is input, the specific device is selected, the attribute information is obtained, and the attribute information is displayed. By doing so, every time such a display instruction is input, it is possible to recognize and select an attribute available in the specific device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network to which a client for setting a printer usage environment by a printer usage environment setting system is connected.

FIG. 2 is a physical configuration diagram of a client.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a printer use environment setting system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing parameters.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a user interface screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer use environment setting system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printer use environment setting system, 12 input unit,
14 printer selection unit 16 attribute information acquisition unit 18
Attribute selection unit, 20 ... Display unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (reference) // B41J 29/38 B41J 29/38 Z 5C062 F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AR03 HH03 HJ08 HL01 HN05 HN27 HP08 5B014 GA07 GD44 HC03 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB10 CC05 5B076 AA05 AA12 5B089 GA23 GB09 JA35 JB15 KA13 KB04 KC60 LB08 LB14 5C062 AA05 AA13 AB20 AB23 AC05 AC56

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A device use environment setting system for setting a device use environment of a client, comprising: a device selection unit for selecting a specific device connected to the client; and a specific device selected by the device selection unit. Attribute information acquiring means for acquiring attribute information relating to usable attributes; and attribute selecting means for selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquiring means. A device use environment setting system characterized by the following. 2. The device use environment setting system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information acquisition unit acquires the attribute information from the specific device. A display unit for displaying the attribute information obtained by the attribute information obtaining unit; and an input unit for inputting a display instruction for displaying the attribute information on the display unit. The device use environment setting system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. When the display instruction is input by the input unit, the device selecting unit selects the specific device, the attribute information obtaining unit obtains the attribute information, and the display unit is The device use environment setting system according to claim 3, wherein attribute information is displayed. 5. A device use environment setting method for setting a device use environment of a client, comprising: a device selecting step of selecting a specific device connected to the client; and a device selecting step of: selecting the specific device selected in the device selecting step. An attribute information obtaining step of obtaining attribute information relating to usable attributes; and an attribute selecting step of selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information obtained in the attribute information obtaining step. A device usage environment setting method characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The device use environment setting method according to claim 5, wherein the attribute information obtaining step obtains the attribute information from the specific device. 7. A display method for displaying the attribute information obtained in the attribute information obtaining step, and an input step of inputting a display instruction for displaying the attribute information in the display step. 6. The method for setting a device usage environment according to claim 5, wherein: 8. When the display instruction is input in the input step, the specific device is selected in the device selection step, the attribute information is obtained in the attribute information obtaining step, and the attribute information is obtained in the display step. The method according to claim 7, wherein the attribute information is displayed. 9. A computer-readable recording medium on which a device usage environment setting program for setting a device usage environment of a client is recorded, wherein: a device selection process for selecting a specific device connected to the client; and the device selection process. Attribute information acquisition processing for acquiring attribute information relating to an attribute usable in the specific device selected by the device, and selecting an attribute to be used in the specific device based on the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition processing A computer-readable recording medium recording a device usage environment setting program for causing a computer to execute an attribute selection process to be performed. 10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information acquisition processing acquires the attribute information from the specific device. 11. A computer further executes a display process of displaying the attribute information acquired by the attribute information acquisition process, and an input process of inputting a display instruction for displaying the attribute information by the display process. A computer-readable recording medium on which the device use environment setting program according to claim 9 is recorded. 12. When the display instruction is input by the input processing, the specific device is selected by the device selection processing, the attribute information is obtained by the attribute information obtaining processing, and the attribute information is obtained by the display processing. A computer-readable recording medium recording a device usage environment setting program according to claim 11, wherein the computer displays attribute information.