JP2002007133A - Method for installing device driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to install a device driver without previously knowing the destination of connection of a device. SOLUTION: When install of a printer driver is started and 'search' is selected by a user, a host 1 obtains information such as a printer machine type name on the basis of the printer driver. Then, the host 1 starts port retrieval (connection destination retrieval), and searches all printers 3 connected to the host 1, and inquires of each printer 3 as to printer information. Each printer 3 returns the printer information in response to this inquiry. The host 1 extracts the same printers 3 having the same machine type name as the printer machine type name based on the printer driver according to the printer information collected in this way, and displays them with the destinations of connection on a display device 12. Then, the user can select the printer which the user wants to use from those printers, and the destination of connection is automatically set in an OS 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device driver installation method which allows a user to install a device driver without knowing a device connection destination (network path) in advance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a peripheral device is newly connected to a personal computer or the like for use, it is necessary to install a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device to be connected to the personal computer. The device driver is a program for controlling peripheral devices, and is provided by a manufacturer for each peripheral device.

[0003] This is because the specifications and control method of each peripheral device differ for each maker or model, and all the peripheral devices are OS (Op
operating system) is difficult to manage on the main unit.
Each time the peripheral device is disconnected from the main body and used, the peripheral device is managed by incorporating (installing) this program, that is, a device driver.

Accordingly, for example, when a new personal computer is connected to a network to which a plurality of personal computers and various devices are connected, and when a predetermined device connected to the network from the personal computer is used, the personal computer is used. Then, a device driver for a device to be used is installed to use the predetermined device.

[0005]

By the way, when a device driver is installed and a corresponding device is on the network, the user has to specify the connection destination (network path) of the device to be used. . Therefore, the user must know in advance the connection destination of the device to be used at the time of installation, which greatly impairs the convenience of the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device which enables a user to install a device driver without knowing a connection destination of a device in advance, thereby improving user convenience. The purpose is to provide a driver installation method.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
When the installation of the device driver is started, device information is obtained based on the device driver,
A connected device is searched to extract a device corresponding to the device information, and a predetermined device is selected from the extracted devices, so that a connection destination is connected to the selected predetermined device. This is the method of installing the device driver that is set first.

Accordingly, when the installation of the device driver is started, the corresponding device is automatically extracted. For example, when the user selects an arbitrary device from the extracted devices, the connection destination becomes It is set as the connection destination of the selected device, and the user can perform the installation without knowing the connection destination of the device in advance, and the convenience for the user is greatly improved.

A second aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to the first aspect, wherein the device driver is a printer driver. As a result, the convenience of the user when installing the printer driver can be greatly improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The system shown in FIG.
It comprises a host computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a host) 1, a network printer 3a, 3b, 3c, a local printer 3d, and the like. The host 1 and the network printers 3a, 3b, 3c are connected to a LAN (Loc
al Area Network) Port 5 and LAN
6 and the host 1 and the local printer 3d
Are connected via a printer I / F (interface) 4. Although not shown, other hosts and various devices are also connected to the LAN 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the host 1
Windows (registered trademark) is mounted as S7. Note that Windows is an OS provided by Microsoft. The host 1 also includes a processor 8 for performing overall processing of the host 1, a ROM 9 for storing various programs, and a RAM for storing various variables and the like.
10, FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk) and C
A D-ROM media drive 11, a display device 12 as an output device, a keyboard 13 and a mouse 14 as input devices, a storage unit 15 for storing various applications and printer drivers, and a printer I / O as an interface of the local printer 3d. F4 and LAN6
And a LAN port 5 connected thereto, all of which are connected via a bus 16.

When the user operates the host 1 having the above-described configuration to start up a predetermined application stored in the storage unit 15 and execute printing, a printer driver already stored in the storage unit 15, ie, a printer driver already stored in the storage unit 15, Although it is possible to execute printing on the printer 3 corresponding to the installed printer driver, it is not possible to execute printing on the printer 3 corresponding to the printer driver that has not been installed.

Therefore, for example, when the printer driver corresponding to the network printer 3a is not stored (installed) in the storage unit 15, the user can make the network printer 3a execute printing from the host 1. Needs to install a printer driver corresponding to the network printer 3a.

Next, the user operates the network printer 3a.
The installation process performed by the host 1 when the printer driver is installed will be described. The printer driver is supplied from the FD or CD-ROM via the media drive 11 or from the LAN 6 via the LAN port 5, for example.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a printer driver installation process performed by the host 1.
As shown in the figure, when the installation of the printer driver of the network printer 3a is started, the host 1 first determines whether or not the connection destination is "search" (step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 201). ). Here, the connection destination “search” means that the user has selected a mode for automatically searching for a connection destination device. That is, the OS 7 (Windows) shown in this embodiment
s) During the installation of the device driver,
It has a function to automatically search for a device to connect to,
When this function is executed, all devices corresponding to the device driver to be installed are searched from all devices connected to the network.

In the above-mentioned mode selection, for example, an item “search” is provided in the connection destination selection item on the connection destination selection screen displayed on the display device 12 during the execution of the installation, and the user selects this mode. By selecting "Search", the above-mentioned mode is selected. Or
During the execution of the installation, a screen for selecting either the normal installation mode or the “search” mode may be displayed on the display device 12 to allow the user to make a selection.

Here, when "search" is not selected as the connection destination by the user (S201: No),
A normal installation process is performed (S202). In the normal installation process (S202), the user must specify the connection destination of the network printer 3a by himself as usual. Therefore, when performing normal installation, the user must know the connection destination of the network printer 3a in advance.

On the other hand, when "search" is selected as the connection destination by the user (S201: Yes), a port search (connection destination search) is prepared (S203). , The IP address of the host 1, the name of the host 1, and the location (business establishment, building, floor, etc.). Further, based on the printer driver to be installed, information relating to the printer model name (network printer 3a) is held as information (a) (S204).

When preparation for port search (S203) is completed, port search (connection destination search) processing (S205) is actually performed.
Is performed. In the port search process (S205), the ports connectable to the printer, ie, the printer I / F 4 (serial port, parallel port, etc.) and the LAN port 5
Of printer information connected to the printer 3 connected to the printer.

Incidentally, all the printers 3 shown in this embodiment are
It has a function of responding to printer information in response to the inquiry from the host 1 described above. The printer information includes, for example, the printer model name, the printer name, and the connection destination (IP
Address, etc.), location (business office, building, floor, etc.).

When the printer 3 is connected to the printer I / F 4, the host 1 can recognize the connection destination information without acquiring the connection destination information from the printer 3. When the printer 3 is connected to the LAN port 5,
The host 1 acquires connection destination information from the printer 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of the printer 3 which responds to printer information. As shown in the drawing, the printer 3 is configured to respond to the printer information by using an LPT port 17 for exchanging data with the printer I / F 4,
LAN board 18, which exchanges data with LAN6, LP
A buffer 19 for temporarily storing data received by the T port 17 and the LAN board 18, and data sent from the buffer 19 are analyzed, and printer information and the like are output to the LPT port 17 or the LAN board 18 based on the data. A part 20 is provided.

In the printer 3 having the above configuration, when information from the host 1 is received by the LPT port 17, the information is output to the analysis unit 20 via the buffer 19,
The analysis is performed by the analysis unit 20. When the information received by the LPT board 17 is an inquiry relating to the acquisition of printer information, the printer 1 responds to the host 1 via the LPT port 17 with the model name information of the printer 3 and the like. However, since the host can recognize the connection destination information, it does not respond to the connection destination information.

Similarly, when information from the host 1 is received by the LAN board 18, this information is also stored in the buffer 19.
Is output to the analysis unit 20 via the, and is analyzed by the analysis unit 20. Then, when the information received by the LAN board 18 is an inquiry relating to the acquisition of printer information, model name information and the like of the printer 3 are output to the LAN board 18, and
The LAN board 18 adds connection destination information (LAN information and the like) such as an IP address to the model name information and the like, and returns (responds) this to the host 1.

Returning to FIG. 2, the printer information collected in this manner is held as information (b) in the host 1 (S206). Then, the information (b) that is the collected printer information is compared with the information (a) that is the information of the printer model name (the network printer 3a) obtained based on the printer driver to be installed (S2).
07), the same printer information as the printer model name of the information (a) is extracted from the information (b) (Yes in S207).
s) and save it (S208). At this time,
The extracted printer information is held as information (b ′) (S209).

On the other hand, in the information (b), printer information (S207 is N)
o) is deleted (S210). Then, the host 1 sends the extracted printer information (information (b ′))
It is displayed on the display screen of the display device 12 (S211), and prompts the user to select a printer to be used.

FIG. 4 shows a display screen displayed on the display device 12 at this time. As shown in the figure, four extracted printers are shown, and a printer name, a printer driver name, and a connection destination are shown respectively. The user selects a desired printer from the list of printers.

Returning to FIG. 2, when the user selects an arbitrary printer on the display screen shown in FIG. 4, the host 1 recognizes this (S212), and based on the information (b ') described above, OS7 (W)
Windows) (S213). When the setting of the connection destination is completed, the completion of the setting is displayed on the display screen of the display device 12 (S214), and the user is notified that the setting is completed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device 12 at this time. FIG. 7 shows a display screen displayed when the user selects a printer of the accounting department from the four printers shown in FIG. Thus, the installation process of the printer driver performed by the host 1 is completed.

Thus, the user can install the printer driver without knowing the connection destination of the printer in advance, and the convenience of the user is greatly improved.
In the process of setting the connection destination of the printer selected by the user to the OS 7 in the process of S 213 shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the connection destination of the printer is set to the OS 7, a necessary port driver is installed. Sometimes not.

Normally, when printing is performed via a network, a protocol (LPR,
FTP), and a port driver that supports this protocol. Therefore, print data cannot be transferred unless this port driver is installed.

Therefore, in this case, the display device 12
A screen that prompts the user to install a necessary port driver may be displayed, and after the user installs the necessary port driver, the connection destination selected by the user may be set in the OS 7.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the host 1 for installing a port driver. As shown in the figure, based on the information (b ′) described above,
The connection destination of the printer selected by the user is set to OS7 (Win
When the port driver is set to “downloads” (S601), it is determined whether or not a port driver necessary for transfer of print data is installed (S602). When this is not installed (Yes in S602), the display device 12
Prompts the user to install the required port driver. When the port driver is installed by the user (S603), the connection destination of the printer selected by the user is set to the OS 7 (Windows) (S604).

Thus, even if the printer driver is installed, printing cannot be performed because there is no port driver. In the present embodiment, a printer driver has been described as an example of a device driver to be installed. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other device drivers.

Further, the host 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of automatically making print settings and executing printing even if the user does not make print settings such as a format at the time of printing.
This function is available, for example, in the format setting item before printing.
An automatic print setting mode "is provided, and is executed by the user selecting this mode when printing is performed. Alternatively," the optimum format is preferentially printed in advance of the format " May be provided, and the user may select this item to execute it.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the automatic print setting process. As shown in the figure, when a user starts a predetermined application stored in the storage unit 15 and starts printing from the application to a predetermined printer (S701), the OS 7 (W)
In Windows, first, an intermediate file before print data to be output to the printer is created, and spool data information for spooler display added to the intermediate file is created (S702). The created spool data information includes information such as a document name (file name), a spool size (emf (enhanced meta file)), and the number of pages, which are displayed on a print spooler when printing is performed. Is done.

On the other hand, the storage unit 15 stores a determination file created by the user in advance (S70).
3). This determination file is later compared with the above-mentioned spool data information, and instructs the printer driver to make print settings such as a format based on the comparison result.

In the present embodiment, the determination file is described in a text format, and is indicated by a file having an extension “.ini”. The content is "Application name,
The file name, the spool size lower limit (emf), the spool size upper limit (emf), the page number upper limit, the page number lower limit = format number "are described. The file name indicates the name of the file to be printed, and the spool size lower limit (emf) and the spool size upper limit (emf)
The upper limit of the number of pages and the lower limit of the number of pages indicate the range of the number of pages. The format number designates a predetermined format setting from information on the format setting (print setting) provided in the printer driver. When the format number is set and instructed to the printer driver, the format number is designated. A format (print setting) corresponding to the number is set in the printer driver.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the description contents of the determination file. In the figure, "T" described in the first line
ARO8,..., = 2 ”means that when the application name of the print execution source is Ichitaro 8, the printer driver is instructed to set the format number 2. Also described in the second line in FIG. "TARO8, Test. jt
For d ,,, = 3 ”, the application name of the print execution source is Ichitaro 8 and the file name is Test.jtd.
Means that the printer driver is instructed to set the format number 3. Also, “*, * .xls ,,, = 3” described on the third line in FIG. 3 indicates that the application name of the print execution source is irrelevant and the file extension is “.xls”. This means that the format number 3 is set and instructed to the driver. Also, “Microsoft Word ,,, = 1” described in the fourth line of FIG.
Means that the application name of the print execution source is Microsoft
When ftWord, it means that the printer driver is instructed to set format number 1. In addition, Ichitaro 8
Is word processing software provided by JustSystems, and Microsoft Word is Microsoft
Word processing software provided by Soft.

Returning to FIG. 7, the spool data information created in the process of S702 is compared with the above-mentioned determination file (S704). Here, when the spool data information corresponds to the content described in the determination file (S70)
5) The format number of the corresponding description is set in the printer driver (S705), and print data is generated from the intermediate data by the print setting based on the format number (S7).
06). On the other hand, if the comparison in S704 does not apply (S704: No), print data is generated from the intermediate data based on the format set when the user executed printing on the application without setting the format number (S704). S
706). In the comparison process of S704, for example, in addition to the description shown in FIG. 8, for example, a description such as ",,, = 0" is added to the determination file, and the first to fourth lines shown in FIG. If the condition is not satisfied, a format number 0 is instructed to the printer driver, and when the format number is instructed to the printer driver, printing may be performed based on the format set by the user on the application.

The print data generated in this manner is
Thereafter, the data is transferred to a predetermined printer, and printing is actually performed on paper (S707). As a result, for example, in the case of printing from the graphic application A, a quick and clean print can be obtained by printing with a high-speed graphic setting, and in the case of printing from another graphic application B, a high-resolution graphic is obtained. Format settings (print settings) for each application, such as when printing with the settings for
If you can get more appropriate printing results by changing the
It is possible to automatically obtain an appropriate print result without the user being conscious of it.

In the processing shown in FIG. 7, the processing up to the generation of print data (S706) is performed by one host 1, but may be performed by a plurality of hosts. At this time, for example, the host 1 performs only the processing up to the creation of the intermediate file (S702), and transfers the created intermediate data to another host connected to the host 1 via a network such as the LAN 6. However, the subsequent processing may be performed by this other host.

In the processing shown in FIG. 7, the determination file is stored in the storage unit 14 in the host 1. For example, a server connected to the host 1 via a network such as the LAN 6 may be used. For example, when the host 1 compares the determination file with the spool data information (S704), the host 1 may obtain the determination file from the server. This allows hosts within a predetermined range connected to the network to print the same application and the same file with common format settings (print settings). Or, FIG.
The intermediate file including the spool data information created in the process of S702 shown in (1) may be transmitted to the server that stores the above-described determination file, and the subsequent processes may be processed by this server.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to install a device driver without knowing a connection destination of a device in advance, thereby improving user convenience. It is possible to greatly improve.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a printer driver installation process performed by a host.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of a printer that responds to printer information.

FIG. 4 is a display screen of extracted printer information (information (b ′)) displayed on a display device.

FIG. 5 is a display screen displayed on a display device when a printer in the accounting department is selected.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to installation of a port driver performed by a host.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of automatic print setting.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of description contents of a determination file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 3a, 3b, 3c Network printer 3d Local printer 4 Printer I / F 5 LAN port 7 OS (Windows) 8 Processor 9 ROM 10 RAM 11 Media drive 12 Display device 13 Keyboard 14 Mouse 15 Storage part 16 Bus 17 LPT port 18 LAN board 19 buffer 20 analyzer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. When installation of a device driver is started, device information is acquired based on the device driver, a connected device is searched, and a device corresponding to the device information is extracted. Selecting a predetermined device from among the above, setting a connection destination as a connection destination of the selected predetermined device, a method of installing a device driver. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device driver is a printer driver.