JP2004199102A - Driver automatic installation apparatus and program used for the same and driver automatic installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable any even without sufficient knowledge on a computer or peripheral equipment to easily install a driver program applicable for the peripheral equipment. <P>SOLUTION: When accepting the request of the automatic installation of a driver applicable for a printer 40 by using a browser 34 from a computer 30 of a user, a driver automatic installer module 22 is downloaded from a server 20 for driver installation to the computer 30, the driver automatic installer module 22 which is automatically activated when download is completed and checks language environment of the computer 30 or the type of the printer 40 to acquire the storage destination in the server 20 for driver installation of a driver module applicable for the printer 40, and downloads and installs the drive module from the storage destination. Thus, it is possible to automatically install the driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a driver automatic installation apparatus, a program used therefor, and a driver automatic installation method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a driver automatic installation apparatus for automatically installing a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network. The present invention relates to an installation apparatus, a program used therefor, and an automatic driver installation method for automatically installing a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various peripheral devices such as a printer and a scanner are connected to the personal computer via an external interface. To properly operate such a peripheral device, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device needs to be installed in the personal computer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, driver programs corresponding to peripheral devices are often upgraded in order to operate the peripheral devices properly, and in order to operate the peripheral devices more accurately, the latest version of the driver program must be downloaded to the personal computer. Need to install. The installation of this latest driver program requires the selection of a driver program according to the model of the peripheral device and the language environment of the personal computer. It was a difficult task for us.
[0004]
An object of the automatic driver installation apparatus and the automatic driver installation method of the present invention is to install a driver program suitable for a peripheral device easily without requiring sufficient knowledge of a computer and peripheral devices. Another object of the automatic driver installation apparatus and the automatic driver installation method of the present invention is to install a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a computer via a network. A program for an automatic driver installation device according to the present invention is intended to cause a computer to function as an automatic driver installation device that achieves at least a part of the above-described objects. It is an object of the present invention to make it easy to install a driver program by automatically downloading and installing a driver program compatible with peripheral devices connected to a computer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
An automatic driver installation apparatus, a program used for the same, and an automatic driver installation method according to the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.
[0006]
The driver automatic installation device of the present invention includes:
A driver automatic installation device that automatically installs a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network,
An automatic installation selection screen output unit that outputs an automatic installation selection input screen that allows selection input of automatic installation of the driver program from the client computer to the client computer via the network;
Driver storage means for storing a driver program suitable for the peripheral device;
Driver output means for outputting a driver program stored in the driver storage means in an installable manner to the client computer in accordance with an automatic installation selection input from the client computer on the automatic installation selection input screen;
The gist is to provide
[0007]
In the driver automatic installation apparatus of the present invention, the automatic installation selection input screen displayed and output to the client computer via the network is used to receive an automatic installation selection input of a driver program compatible with the peripheral device connected to the client computer, In accordance with the selection input of the automatic installation, a driver program suitable for the stored peripheral device is output to the client computer so as to be installable. As a result, a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer can be easily installed via the network.
[0008]
In the driver automatic installation apparatus of the present invention, the driver is automatically activated when downloaded to the client computer, requests the driver output means to output the driver program to the client computer, and accompanies the request. Installer storage means for storing a driver installation program for installing the driver program input to the client computer, and when the automatic installation selection input is made from the client computer using the automatic installation selection input screen, the installer Installer output means for outputting the driver installation program stored in the storage means to the client computer in a downloadable manner. It is also possible. In this way, by downloading the driver installation program to the client computer, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device connected to the client computer can be automatically installed on the client computer.
[0009]
In the driver automatic installation apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention in which a driver program is installed using the driver installation program, a display character string used for a screen displayed on the client computer when inputting and / or installing the driver program is changed. A language file storage unit for storing a language file for each of a plurality of languages, wherein the driver installation program, when started on the client computer, checks a language environment of the client computer and a language corresponding to the search result. Screen displayed on the client computer when inputting and / or installing the driver program using the language file by downloading a file from the language file storage means Can also be assumed to be a program that displays the string. In this way, the driver program can be downloaded and installed while displaying the character string adapted to the language environment of the client computer.
[0010]
In the automatic driver installation apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, in which the driver program is installed using a driver installation program, the driver storage unit stores a plurality of driver programs compatible with a plurality of peripheral devices, and the client computer Storage destination output means for outputting a storage destination of the driver program suitable for the peripheral device in the driver storage unit to the client computer based on a request having information on the peripheral device from the client device. The program obtains information on the peripheral device connected to the client computer, requests the storage destination output means to output the storage destination of the driver program corresponding to the storage destination output means with the obtained information, May be made the corresponding driver program using a storage destination that is output from the serial memory destination output means is a program that requested the driver output unit to be outputted from the driver output means. In this way, a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer can be accurately installed on the client computer without requiring sufficient knowledge about the computer and the peripheral device. In the driver automatic installation apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, the information on the peripheral device may be information including a model of the peripheral device and a type of the operation system.
[0011]
In the driver automatic installation device according to the present invention, the network may be the Internet. In this case, the driver automatic installation device of the present invention may be configured by a web server.
[0012]
The program for a driver automatic installation apparatus of the present invention is a program for installing the driver automatic installation apparatus of the present invention in any one of the above-described embodiments, that is, a driver program basically compatible with a peripheral device connected to a client computer. A driver automatic installation apparatus for automatically installing the driver program on the client computer via a network, wherein an automatic installation selection input screen which allows the driver computer to automatically input the driver program is input to the client computer via the network. Automatic installation selection screen output means for outputting, driver storage means for storing a driver program suitable for the peripheral device, and the client by the automatic installation selection input screen And a driver output unit that outputs a driver program stored in the driver storage unit to the client computer so as to be installable in response to a selection input of automatic installation from a computer. .
[0013]
In the program for the automatic driver installation device of the present invention, the computer is caused to function as the automatic driver installation device of the present invention in any one of the above-described embodiments. It is possible to provide an effect that a driver program suitable for a connected peripheral device can be easily installed via a network.
[0014]
The driver installation program of the present invention is automatically activated when downloaded to a client computer, and downloads a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer from a driver supply device connected via a network. The gist of the invention is to install the downloaded driver program on the client computer.
[0015]
According to the driver installation program of the present invention, a driver program suitable for peripheral devices connected to the client computer can be installed in the client computer only by downloading the program to the client computer. As a result, the driver program can be easily installed.
[0016]
In such a driver installation program according to the present invention, when the client computer is started, the language environment of the client computer is investigated, and the client computer is input and / or installed based on the result of the investigation. A corresponding language file is downloaded from the driver supply device in which a display character string used for a screen to be displayed as a language file for each of a plurality of languages is stored, and the driver program is input and / or installed using the downloaded language file. In this case, the program may display a character string on the client computer. In this way, the driver program can be downloaded and installed while displaying the character string adapted to the language environment of the client computer.
[0017]
Further, in the driver installation program of the present invention, information on a peripheral device connected to the client computer is obtained, and a storage location of a driver program corresponding to the driver supply device is referred to using the obtained information. It may be a program for downloading the corresponding driver program based on the obtained storage destination. In this way, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device connected to the client computer can be more accurately installed on the client computer.
[0018]
Further, in the driver installation program according to the present invention, the network may be the Internet, and the driver supply device may be a web server.
[0019]
The driver automatic installation method of the present invention includes:
A driver automatic installation method for automatically installing a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network,
(A) receiving a selection input of automatic installation of the driver program from the client computer,
(B) downloading the driver program to the client computer via the network according to the received selection input;
(C) Install the downloaded driver program
That is the gist.
[0020]
According to the driver automatic installation method of the present invention, a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer can be installed via a network.
[0021]
In the automatic driver installation method of the present invention, the step (b) includes examining a language environment of the client computer and downloading and / or installing the driver program in a language corresponding to the examination result. Downloading a language file including a display character string used for a screen displayed on the client computer, and displaying the character string on the client computer when the driver program is downloaded and / or installed using the downloaded language file. It can also be. In this way, the driver program can be downloaded and installed while displaying the character string adapted to the language environment of the client computer.
[0022]
In the automatic driver installation method according to the present invention, the step (b) includes a step of acquiring information on a peripheral device connected to the client computer, and a step of storing a driver program adapted to the peripheral device using the acquired information. It may be a step that includes a step of inquiring about the destination and a step of downloading the matching driver program based on the storage destination obtained by the inquiry. In this way, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device connected to the client computer can be more accurately installed on the client computer without requiring sufficient knowledge about the computer and the peripheral device.
[0023]
Furthermore, in the driver automatic installation method of the present invention, the network may be the Internet.
[0024]
The server computer of the present invention comprises:
A server computer connected to the client computer via the Internet, for executing installation of a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer,
As a web page displayed by a browser of the client computer, an automatic installation page including an instruction element for instructing execution of automatic installation of the driver program for the peripheral device is stored, and automatic installation of the driver program is stored. A storage device for storing a driver setup program executed on the client computer for
When the instruction element is selected by the user of the client computer on the driver automatic installation page and a transfer request of the driver setup program transmitted from the client computer is received in response thereto, the instruction element is responded to according to the transfer request. A failure countermeasure support unit that transfers the driver setup program to the client computer.
It is characterized by having.
[0025]
According to the server computer of the present invention, when the user of the client computer selects an instruction element on the driver automatic installation page, the driver setup program is transferred from the server computer to the client computer. Is automatically installed, the driver program suitable for the peripheral device can be installed even if the user does not have detailed knowledge about the client computer and the peripheral device.
[0026]
In the server computer of the present invention, when the peripheral device information including the peripheral device model is supplied from the client computer, the failure countermeasure support unit refers to the peripheral device information and refers to the model of the peripheral device. The storage location of the driver setup program including a driver program suitable for the server may be notified to the client computer. This makes it possible to more reliably set up a driver program suitable for the peripheral device.
[0027]
Further, in the server computer of the present invention, the failure countermeasure support unit stores model / program correspondence information indicating a relationship between a plurality of models of the peripheral device and a plurality of driver programs respectively suitable for the plurality of models. By referring to the model / program correspondence information using the peripheral device information supplied from the client computer, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device may be selected. In this case, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device can be more quickly and more accurately installed on the client computer.
[0028]
The server program of the present invention comprises:
A server program which causes a server computer connected to the client computer via the Internet to support the client computer in order to execute installation of a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer. ,
A user of the client computer selects the instruction element on an automatic installation page including an instruction element for instructing execution of automatic installation of the driver program for the peripheral device, and accordingly, the client computer And a first program for causing the server computer to execute a process of transferring the driver setup program to the client computer in response to the transfer request when the transfer request of the driver setup program transmitted from the server is received. And
[0029]
According to the server program of the present invention, when the user of the client computer selects an instruction element on the driver automatic installation page, the driver setup program is transferred from the server computer to the client computer, and the driver setup program causes the driver to be installed. Since the program is automatically installed, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device can be installed even if the user does not have detailed knowledge about the client computer and the peripheral device.
[0030]
In the server program of the present invention, when peripheral device information including the model of the peripheral device is supplied from the client computer, a driver suitable for the model of the peripheral device is referred to by referring to the peripheral device information. A second program that causes the server computer to execute a process of notifying the client computer of a storage location of the driver setup program including a program may be included. This makes it possible to more reliably set up a driver program suitable for the peripheral device.
[0031]
The server program according to the present invention, wherein the second program is a server computer for showing a relationship between a plurality of models of the peripheral device and a plurality of driver programs respectively suitable for the plurality of models. The server computer may be configured to select a driver program suitable for the peripheral device using the peripheral device information supplied from the client computer with reference to the model / program correspondence information stored in the server computer. In this case, a driver program suitable for the peripheral device can be more quickly and more accurately installed on the client computer.
[0032]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a driver automatic installation system including a driver installation server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driver installation server 20 of the embodiment functions as a web server for automatically installing a printer driver compatible with the printer 40 connected to the computer 30 via the Internet 10 as shown in FIG. The driver automatic installer module 22 that automatically starts up when the download of the printer driver is completed and downloads and installs a printer driver suitable for the printer 40, and the text used when performing the automatic installation are created and filed in a plurality of languages. A language information file 24, a driver database 26 constructed as data of driver versions and driver module storage locations for each printer model, and a driver module 28 as a program of each printer driver. Obtain.
[0033]
The driver installation server 20 according to the embodiment downloads the driver automatic installer module 22 to the computer 30 when requested by the computer 30 using the browser 34, thereby completing the download to the computer 30 and automatically starting the driver. The automatic installer downloads and installs a driver module compatible with the printer 40 using the language environment of the computer 30. Note that the driver can be installed as an overwrite of the currently installed printer driver 36 or can be performed separately from the currently installed printer driver 36. FIG. 2 shows an example of such a driver automatic installation process, and this process will be described in detail.
[0034]
In the driver automatic installation process, based on the URL of the driver automatic installation top page being input from the browser 30 of the computer 30, the driver automatic installation top page illustrated in FIG. The process starts with display output (step S100). When the element of "execute driver automatic installation" is selected by clicking with a mouse on this driver automatic installation top page (step S102), the driver automatic installer module 22 is downloaded from the driver installation server 20 to the computer 30. Be started. The processing up to the download of the driver automatic installer module 22 is the processing by the web page. The following processing is performed by application software started on the computer 30.
[0035]
When the download of the driver automatic installer module 22 to the computer 30 is completed in this way, the language environment investigation module of the downloaded driver automatic installer module 22 starts (step S200), and the language environment used for the OS of the computer 30 Is checked (step S202), and a language information file corresponding to the language as the check result is downloaded from the driver installation server 20 (step S204). In this process, specifically, since a language information file 24 corresponding to each language is stored in the driver installation server 20, a file compatible with the language environment is downloaded from the language information file 24 to the computer 30. become. In the language information file, a document relating to an announcement displayed on the screen of the computer 30 at the time of automatic driver installation is created in a predetermined language and stored in a predetermined format. Note that automatic activation of the language environment research module can be realized by Active technology (a trademark of Microsoft Corporation). FIG. 4 shows an example of a language information file corresponding to Japanese.
[0036]
When the language information file is downloaded in this manner, a license screen is output using the downloaded language information file, and when the user of the computer 30 selects "I agree" with the license screen, the downloaded driver automatic installer Is started (step S206). FIG. 5 shows an example of the license screen. As can be seen by comparing the license screen illustrated in FIG. 5 with the language information file illustrated in FIG. 4, the text on the announcement screen used for automatic installation of the printer driver is written in the downloaded language information file. Is used.
[0037]
When the driver automatic installer is started in this way, the driver automatic installer first displays a printer model investigation screen for investigating the model of the OS and the printer 40, and displays "Next" on the printer model investigation screen. When the button is selected, model information and OS information of the printer 40 connected to the computer 30 are acquired (step S208), and are stored in the driver database 26 of the driver installation server 20 based on the acquired information. The driver information database file of the corresponding model is downloaded (step S210). The information to be obtained includes the model of the printer 40 and the printer driver 36 installed in the computer 30 as the printer information, and the type and version of the OS of the computer 30 as the OS information. The driver database 26 of the driver installation server 20 of the embodiment is constructed by a driver information database file such as “applicable OS”, “version”, and “storage destination” for each printer model. FIG. 6 shows an example of the printer model investigation screen, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the latest driver information screen displayed by the computer 30 based on information obtained by downloading the driver information database file. The sentences used in FIGS. 6 and 7 are also used from the downloaded language information file.
[0038]
Next, an installation method selection screen illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed to allow the user to select whether the driver is to be overwritten or newly installed (step S212). When the installation method is selected, the preparation is completed as illustrated in FIG. After the screen is displayed and the final confirmation of the installation is selected, the driver module is downloaded from the storage destination of the printer driver module suitable for the printer 40 described in the downloaded driver information database file (step S214). FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the computer 30 when the driver module is being downloaded.
[0039]
When the download is completed in this way, a download completion screen illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed, and the user selects the installation of a driver compatible with the printer 40, and the downloaded driver module is installed (step S216). finish.
[0040]
According to the driver automatic installer module 22 of the embodiment described above, when the download to the computer 30 is completed, the driver is automatically started to automatically download and install a driver compatible with the printer 40 connected to the computer 30. can do. In addition, the driver automatic installer module 22 of the embodiment activates the language environment investigation module at the time of activation, investigates the language environment of the computer 30, and reads the text in the announcement screen displayed on the computer 30 at the time of installation. Since the language information file adapted to the language environment is downloaded and used, there is no need to prepare the driver automatic installer module 22 for each language. Further, according to the driver automatic installer module 22 of the embodiment, the model information of the printer 40 and the OS information of the computer 30 are automatically acquired by the automatically activated driver automatic installer, and the information is transmitted from the driver installation server 20 based on this information. The driver information database file is downloaded, the storage location of the driver compatible with the printer 40 in the driver installation server 20 is obtained, and the driver compatible with the printer 40 can be downloaded. Therefore, even a user who does not have sufficient knowledge of a computer or a printer can install a driver compatible with the printer 40.
[0041]
According to the driver automatic installation process of the embodiment, the process up to the downloading of the driver automatic installer module 22 to the computer 30 is performed on the web page provided by the driver installation server 20, and the subsequent processes are downloaded to the computer 30 and automatically activated. Since the automatic driver installation is performed, the load of the automatic driver installation process can be distributed. As a result, the load on the driver installation server 20 can be reduced.
[0042]
According to the driver installation server 20 of the embodiment, when the download is completed, the driver automatically starts up at the download destination computer 30 and automatically downloads and installs a driver compatible with the printer 40 connected to the computer 30. The automatic installer module 22 is stored, and the driver automatic installer module 22 is downloaded to the user's computer 30 when requested by the user, so that the driver compatible with the printer 40 connected to the user's computer 30 is automatically downloaded. Can be installed manually. Therefore, even a user who does not have sufficient knowledge of a computer or a printer can install a driver compatible with the printer 40.
[0043]
The driver installation server 20 and the driver automatic installer module 22 of the embodiment investigate the language environment of the computer 30, download a language information file corresponding to the investigation result, and use it for the text of an announcement screen used at the time of installation. However, a driver auto-installation top page is prepared for each language, and the driver auto-installer module 22 created using the language based on which language the driver auto-installation top page has selected is selected. 30 and may be automatically started.
[0044]
In the driver installation server 20 and the driver automatic installer module 22 of the embodiment, a driver compatible with the printer 40 as a peripheral device connected to the computer 30 is automatically installed. If so, a driver suitable for a peripheral device other than a printer, for example, any peripheral device such as a scanner may be automatically installed.
[0045]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described using the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Obviously you can get it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of an automatic driver installation system including a driver installation server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a driver automatic installation process.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a driver automatic installation top page.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a language information file.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a use permission screen.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printer model investigation screen.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a latest driver information screen displayed by the computer 30 based on information obtained by downloading a driver information database file.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preparation completion screen.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the computer 30 when a driver module is being downloaded.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download completion screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Internet, 20 driver installation server, 22 driver automatic installer module, 24 language information file, 26 driver database, 28 driver module, 30 computer, 34 browser, 36 printer driver, 40 printer.

Claims (22)

A driver automatic installation device that automatically installs a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network,
An automatic installation selection screen output unit that outputs an automatic installation selection input screen that allows selection input of automatic installation of the driver program from the client computer to the client computer via the network;
Driver storage means for storing a driver program suitable for the peripheral device;
Driver output means for outputting a driver program stored in the driver storage means in an installable manner to the client computer in accordance with an automatic installation selection input from the client computer on the automatic installation selection input screen;
A driver automatic installation device comprising: The driver automatic installation device according to claim 1,
The client computer automatically starts up when downloaded to the client computer, requests the driver output means to output the driver program to the client computer, and inputs the driver program in response to the request to the client computer. Installer storage means for storing a driver installation program to be installed in
When an automatic installation selection input is performed from the client computer using the automatic installation selection input screen, installer output means for outputting a driver installation program stored in the installer storage means to the client computer in a downloadable manner,
A driver automatic installation device comprising: The driver automatic installation device according to claim 2,
Language file storage means for storing a display character string used for a screen displayed on the client computer at the time of inputting and / or installing the driver program as a language file for each of a plurality of languages;
The driver installation program, when started on the client computer, checks a language environment of the client computer, downloads a language file corresponding to the check result from the language file storage unit, and uses the language file. An automatic driver installation device, which is a program for displaying a character string on a screen displayed on the client computer when the driver program is input and / or installed. The driver automatic installation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The driver storage unit is a unit that stores a plurality of driver programs compatible with a plurality of peripheral devices,
Storage destination output means for outputting a storage destination in the driver storage means of the driver program adapted to the peripheral device to the client computer based on a request having information on the peripheral device from the client computer,
The driver installation program obtains information on a peripheral device connected to the client computer, requests the storage destination output means to output a storage destination of a driver program corresponding to the storage destination output means using the obtained information, and accompanies the request. A driver automatic installation device that requests the driver output means to output the corresponding driver program from the driver output means using the storage destination output from the storage destination output means. 5. The automatic driver installation device according to claim 4, wherein the information on the peripheral device is information including a model of the peripheral device and a type of an operation system. 6. The automatic driver installation device according to claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet. 7. The driver automatic installation device according to claim 6, which is configured by a web server. An apparatus program for causing a computer to function as the driver automatic installation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. It is automatically started when downloaded to the client computer, downloads a driver program suitable for peripheral devices connected to the client computer from a driver supply device connected via a network, and downloads the downloaded driver program to the client computer. Driver installation program to be installed on client computers. When activated on the client computer, the language environment of the client computer is investigated, and a display character string used for a screen displayed on the client computer at the time of inputting and / or installing the driver program is determined based on the result of the investigation. A corresponding language file is downloaded from the driver supply device stored as a language file for each of a plurality of languages, and a character string is written to the client computer when the driver program is input and / or installed using the downloaded language file. The driver installation program according to claim 9, which is a program to be displayed. Acquiring information about the peripheral device connected to the client computer, inquiring a storage location of a driver program corresponding to the driver supply device using the acquired information, and performing the corresponding processing based on the storage location obtained by the inquiry; The driver installation program according to claim 9, which is a program for downloading a driver program. 12. The driver installation program according to claim 9, wherein the network is the Internet, and the driver supply device is a web server. A driver automatic installation method for automatically installing a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to a client computer to the client computer via a network,
(A) receiving a selection input of automatic installation of the driver program from the client computer,
(B) downloading the driver program to the client computer via the network according to the received selection input;
(C) A driver automatic installation method for installing the downloaded driver program. The step (b) includes examining a language environment of the client computer, and displaying a character string used on a screen displayed on the client computer when the driver program is downloaded and / or installed in a language corresponding to the survey result. 14. The automatic driver installation method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of downloading a language file including the following, and displaying a character string on the client computer when the driver program is downloaded and / or installed using the downloaded language file. The step (b) is a step of acquiring information on a peripheral device connected to the client computer, a step of inquiring a storage location of a driver program suitable for the peripheral device using the acquired information, and a step of acquiring the information by the inquiry. 15. The automatic driver installation method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of: downloading the compatible driver program based on the obtained storage destination. 16. The automatic driver installation method according to claim 13, wherein the network is the Internet. A server computer connected to the client computer via the Internet, for executing installation of a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer,
As a web page displayed by a browser of the client computer, an automatic installation page including an instruction element for instructing execution of automatic installation of the driver program for the peripheral device is stored, and automatic installation of the driver program is stored. A storage device for storing a driver setup program executed on the client computer for
When the instruction element is selected by the user of the client computer on the driver automatic installation page and a transfer request of the driver setup program transmitted from the client computer is received in response thereto, the instruction element is responded to according to the transfer request. A failure countermeasure support unit that transfers the driver setup program to the client computer.
A server computer comprising: The server computer according to claim 17, wherein
The trouble countermeasure support section includes:
When peripheral device information including the model of the peripheral device is supplied from the client computer, the storage location of the driver setup program including a driver program suitable for the model of the peripheral device is referred to by referring to the peripheral device information. A server computer for notifying the client computer. The server computer according to claim 18, wherein
The trouble countermeasure support section includes:
It stores model / program correspondence information indicating a relationship between a plurality of models of the peripheral device and a plurality of driver programs respectively suitable for the plurality of models, and uses the peripheral device information supplied from the client computer. A server computer that selects a driver program suitable for the peripheral device by referring to the model / program correspondence information. A server program which causes a server computer connected to the client computer via the Internet to support the client computer in order to execute installation of a driver program suitable for a peripheral device connected to the client computer. ,
A user of the client computer selects the instruction element on an automatic installation page including an instruction element for instructing execution of automatic installation of the driver program for the peripheral device, and accordingly, the client computer And a first program for causing the server computer to execute a process of transferring the driver setup program to the client computer in response to the transfer request when the transfer request of the driver setup program transmitted from the server is received. Server program. 21. The server program according to claim 20, further comprising:
When peripheral device information including the model of the peripheral device is supplied from the client computer, the storage location of the driver setup program including a driver program suitable for the model of the peripheral device is referred to by referring to the peripheral device information. A server program including a second program for causing the server computer to execute a process of notifying the client computer. The server program according to claim 21, wherein:
The second program is:
Refer to the model / program correspondence information stored in the server computer to indicate the relationship between a plurality of models of the peripheral device and a plurality of driver programs respectively suitable for the plurality of models, and supply the information from the client computer. A server program that causes the server computer to select a driver program suitable for the peripheral device using the generated peripheral device information.

Images