JP2005251023A - Information processing device, control program of information processing device, recording medium, information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device for easily knowing which function becomes newly implementable by the installation of a new program when the new program is installed, and updating and addition are conducted to the present program. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a display part 10, a driver management part 19 (a management means) for managing information relating to a driver (a program for conducting predetermined process), a driver storage part 15 (a storage part) for storing the driver, a comparison part 11 (a comparison means) for comparing first and second drivers which are requested to be compared with each other from drivers stored in the driver storage part 15 by the driver management part 19, and a display control part 13 for displaying the comparison result of the comparison part 11 on the display part 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus provided with a predetermined program, for example, a host computer connected to a printer and provided with a printer driver as the program.

Usually, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer stores a program (for example, a printer driver) for operating a peripheral device such as a printer, and the program may be updated (for example, upgraded) to a new one. In this case, in the conventional information processing apparatus, even if a new program is installed, the version is displayed. Similarly, even when a new peripheral device is added (for example, when a new printer is added to a printer that has been used so far), version information of a new program (driver) is displayed.
JP 2000-235561 A (publication date; August 29, 2000)

  In other words, in the conventional information processing apparatus, even if an old program (for example, an old version of a driver) is updated to a new program (for example, a new version of a driver), any specific function can be realized. I could not know easily.

  For example, even if the user installs a new version of the printer driver, in order to know the functions added or updated by this, the user himself / herself can change the functions of the old version printer driver and the new version printer driver from the web. I had to investigate the difference. Similarly, even if a user installs a new printer driver with the introduction of a new printer (a different type of printer from the existing printer), the user cannot easily know the functions added by this.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The purpose of the present invention is to install a new program and update or add to the program so far by installing the new program. It is to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily know whether a new function can be newly realized.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is stored in a display unit, a management unit that manages information related to a program that performs a predetermined process, a storage unit that stores the program, and a storage unit. Comparison means for comparing the first and second programs requested to be compared by the management means from among the programs, and display control means for displaying the comparison result of the comparison means on the display unit It is characterized by.

  In the information processing apparatus, a program (for example, a printer driver) that performs predetermined processing is stored in the storage unit. Then, the management unit makes a comparison request to the comparison unit so as to compare a program to be compared (for example, a newly installed driver and the same kind of program). Then, the comparison unit compares each program that has received the comparison request (for example, extracts a difference in function realized by each program). The comparison result is displayed on the display unit by the display control means.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a new program is installed, a difference (comparison result) between the new program and the program to be compared can be easily communicated to the user. Thereby, efficient information processing becomes possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device, a storage unit that stores a program that performs predetermined processing in the external device, and a storage unit that stores the program. Comparison means for comparing the first and second programs for which a comparison request has been made by the external device from among the stored programs, and comparison result transmission means for transmitting a comparison result by the comparison means to the external device It is characterized by having prepared.

  In the information processing apparatus, a program (for example, a printer driver) that performs predetermined processing is stored in the storage unit. The external device makes a comparison request to the comparison unit so as to compare a program to be compared (for example, a newly installed driver and a program of the same type) from the program via the transmission unit. Then, the comparison unit compares each program that has received the comparison request (for example, extracts a difference in function realized by each program). Then, the comparison result is transmitted to the external device by the comparison result transmission unit.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a new program is installed in the external device, the difference (comparison result) between the new program and the program to be compared is transferred from the comparison result transmission unit to the communication unit. Can be transmitted to the external device, and this can be transmitted to the user of the external device. That is, the user of the external device can easily grasp this difference (comparison result). In this way, the information processing apparatus enables efficient information processing in the external device.

  In the information processing apparatus, it is preferable that the comparison unit compares functions realized by the first and second programs and sets a difference between these functions as the comparison result.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a new program is installed, a function that can be newly realized by the new program is displayed on the display unit, and this can be transmitted to the user. That is, the user can easily grasp the functions realized by the new program. As a result, more efficient information processing is possible.

  In the information processing apparatus, the first and second programs are first and second drivers corresponding to the same image forming apparatus, respectively, and the second driver has a version of the first driver. It may be different.

  According to the above configuration, when a new version driver (second driver) is installed, a difference (comparison result) between the new version driver and a driver to be compared (for example, an old version driver) is displayed. This can be displayed on the screen and communicated to the user. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be operated more efficiently.

  In the information processing apparatus, the first and second programs may be drivers corresponding to different image forming apparatuses.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when installing a driver (second driver) of a new image forming apparatus, the difference between the driver of the new image apparatus and the driver to be compared (driver of a different image apparatus) ( (Comparison result) can be displayed on the display unit and this can be conveyed to the user. As a result, the new image forming apparatus can be operated more efficiently.

  In the information processing apparatus, when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different comparison units, it is more preferable to select which image forming apparatus the driver is to be compared with.

  In addition, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit and a display unit that communicate with the above-described information processing device (an information processing device that includes a comparison unit and a comparison result transmission unit, but does not include a management unit or a display unit). And a management unit that makes a comparison request to the comparison unit, and a display control unit that displays the comparison result transmitted from the comparison result transmission unit on the display unit.

  In this information processing apparatus, the comparison unit of the communication counterparty so that the management unit compares the program to be compared (for example, a newly installed driver and the same type of program) from among the programs of the storage unit in the communication counterparty. Make a comparison request. Note that the comparison unit of the communication partner compares these programs and outputs the result to the comparison result transmission unit. And the display control means of this information processing apparatus receives the comparison result from this comparison result transmission part, and displays this on a display part.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a new program is installed, a difference (comparison result) between the new program and the program to be compared can be easily communicated to the user. Thereby, efficient information processing becomes possible.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit can select whether or not to display the comparison result on the display unit. Thereby, unnecessary comparison processing in the comparison unit and unnecessary display processing in the display control unit can be eliminated.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control means can change the content of the comparison result displayed on the display unit. Thereby, unnecessary comparison processing in the comparison unit and unnecessary display processing in the display control unit can be eliminated.

  A control program for an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a control program for operating the above information processing apparatus, and is characterized by causing a computer to realize the above means.

  A recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a control program for the information processing apparatus.

  The information processing method of the present invention includes a step of detecting a first program for performing a predetermined process, a step of detecting a second program to be compared with the first program, and the first and second steps. And a step of displaying the comparison results of the first and second programs.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, a difference (comparison result) between a new program (for example, a program to be installed) and a program to be compared can be easily transmitted to the user, and more efficient information can be obtained. Processing is possible.

[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information network system in the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the server, host computer, and printer shown in FIG. 2 and their specific configurations.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information network system 1 has a configuration in which one or more printers 20 (image forming apparatuses) are connected to a host computer 8 (information processing apparatus) connected to a server 4 (information processing apparatus). It is.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the information network system 1 includes a server 4, a host computer 8, and a printer 20. The host computer 8 includes a communication interface 9, a display unit 10, an input unit 18, a driver storage unit 15 (storage unit), and a printer control unit 17. The printer control unit 17 includes a driver management unit 19 ( A management unit), a comparison unit 11 (comparison unit), a display control unit 13, and a print processing unit 16. In addition, the server 4 includes a driver storage unit 5 and a communication interface 7. Further, the printer 20 is connected to the host computer 8 via the communication interface 9.

  The driver storage unit 15 stores a previous driver (hereinafter referred to as an old driver) and a newly installed driver (hereinafter referred to as a new driver). The print processing unit 16 performs a printing process on the printer 20 in cooperation with the driver stored in the driver storage unit 15.

  The driver management unit 19 manages the driver and the driver storage unit 15 that stores the driver. That is, a driver (old driver) is detected from the driver storage unit 15 and its version is recognized. Further, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (new driver) stored in the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 via the communication interface 9 according to a user instruction (installation start instruction), and sends it to the driver storage unit 15. Store. It also recognizes that version. Further, the driver management unit 19 outputs the new and old drivers (version information) to be compared from the driver storage unit 15 to the comparison unit 11 (makes a comparison request).

  The comparison unit 11 extracts a specific functional difference realized by each driver based on the input version (old version and new version) of each driver, and outputs this to the display control unit 13. The display control unit 13 controls the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (and the user instruction from the input unit 18).

  The procedure for comparing the new version driver with the old version driver when the driver (new version driver) in the server 4 is installed in the host computer 8 in the information network system 1 with reference to FIG. Indicates. Here, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a driver installation procedure according to the present embodiment.

  First, a driver installation start instruction by the user is input from the input unit 18 (S50). Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (an old version driver, hereinafter referred to as an old driver) from the driver storage unit 15 (S51). If detected, the version of the detected driver (old driver) is recognized (S52).

  Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (hereinafter referred to as a new driver) of a newer version than the driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 via the communication interfaces 7 and 9, and the host computer 8. Is stored in the driver storage unit 15 (S53). If no driver is detected, the installation process ends.

  Next, the driver management unit 19 recognizes the version of the detected driver (new driver), and outputs the version of the driver (new and old drivers) to be compared to the comparison unit 11 (S54).

  Next, the comparison unit 11 compares them based on the input version of each driver, extracts the difference in function realized by each driver as the comparison result, and outputs this to the display control unit 13 (S55). ).

  Next, the display control unit 13 displays functions newly realized by the new driver on the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (S56). When the display is completed in S57, the process proceeds to S58, and the driver management unit 19 installs a new driver stored in the driver storage unit 15 (S58). This completes the installation process.

  If no driver (old driver) is detected in the driver storage unit 15 in S51, the process proceeds to S59, where the driver management unit 19 sends the information from the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 via the communication interfaces 7 and 9. Detect the driver (new driver). If a new driver is detected, the process proceeds to S58, and this driver (new driver) is stored in the driver storage unit 15 of the host computer 8 and installed. If no new driver is detected in S59, the installation process is terminated.

  4A and 4B show the relationship between the version of each driver input to the comparison unit 11 and the output from the comparison unit 11 (function difference information). FIG. 9A shows the output (information) when the old version driver is 1.00 and the new version driver is 1.10, 1.20, 1.30. FIG. 5B shows the output (information) when the new version driver is 1.30 and the old version drivers are 1.00, 1.10, and 1.20. FIG. 4C shows a display example on the display unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the comparison unit 11, when the old version driver is 1.00 and the new version driver is 1.10, the information x is output information, and the old version driver is Information y is output information when the new version driver is 1.20 at 1.00, and information z is output when the old version driver is 1.00 and the new version driver is 1.30. It may be information. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the new version driver is 1.30 and the old version driver is 1.00, the information z is output information, and the new version driver is 1. 30, if the old version driver is 1.20, the information p is output information, and if the new version driver is 1.30 and the old version driver is 1.20, the information q is output information. Also good.

  For example, when the information p is output from the comparison unit 11 (when the new version driver is 1.30 and the old version driver is 1.20), the display control unit 13 displays the information shown in FIG. Display as shown in c). In other words, under the title of “Upgraded contents”, it is newly realized by a new driver such as “Printing speed has been increased.” “Postcard size printing has become possible.” Display specific functions.

  Note that S60 (see FIG. 5) may be performed between S53 and S54 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing such a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a new version of the driver is detected in the driver storage unit 5 in S53, the user determines whether or not to display a new function realized by this driver (new driver) in S60. To select. That is, in S <b> 60, the display control unit 13 displays a notification screen for the user on the display unit 10 according to an instruction from the driver management unit 19. If the user input is “display” (YES), the process proceeds to S54, and the subsequent steps are performed. If “not displayed” (NO), the process proceeds to S58, and only the installation is performed without displaying a new function.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of a notification screen to the user in S60. As shown in the figure, in S60, a screen notification such as “A new version of the printer driver has been detected. Do you want to display the difference from the old version of the printer?” Is displayed. Let the user select “No”.

  In addition, in S56 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, as a new function to be displayed, “function restriction / alternative function”, “additional function”, “performance improvement”, and “defect handling” are itemized, and either or All may be displayed. An example of a notification screen to the user in this case is shown in FIGS. (B) is an example when any item is selected, and (c) is a case where all items are selected.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 7 to 10 as follows. In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of printers connected to the host computer, the procedure for notifying the user of the difference between the function realized by the newly installed printer driver and the function of another printer different from this. explain. Here, the configuration of the information network system 1 itself and the configurations of the server 4 and the host computer 8 constituting the same are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is assumed that a plurality of printers 20 are connected (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The function of the host computer 8 in this embodiment will be described below.

  The driver storage unit 15 stores a driver to be newly installed (hereinafter referred to as a new driver) and a printer driver (hereinafter referred to as another driver) of a printer (separate printer) different from the printer corresponding to the new driver. The print processing unit 16 performs a printing process on the printer 20 in cooperation with the driver stored in the driver storage unit 15. There may be a plurality of other printers.

  The driver management unit 19 manages the driver and the driver storage unit 15 that stores the driver. That is, in accordance with a user instruction (installation start instruction), a new driver and another driver stored in the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 are detected via the communication interface 9, and this is output to the driver storage unit 15 and stored. To do. It also recognizes such information. Further, the driver management unit 19 outputs a new driver (information) to be compared and another driver (information) to the comparison unit 11 (makes a comparison request).

  Based on the input new driver (or its version) and another driver, the comparison unit 11 extracts a specific functional difference realized by each driver, and outputs this to the display control unit 13. The display control unit 13 controls the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (and the user instruction from the input unit 18).

  Hereinafter, a procedure for comparing the new driver with another driver in the server 4 when the driver (new driver) in the server 4 is installed in the host computer 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the driver installation procedure in this embodiment.

  First, a driver installation start instruction by the user is input from the input unit 18 (S61). Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (new driver) to be newly installed from the driver storage unit 5 in the server 4, stores it in the driver storage unit 15 of the host computer 8, and recognizes the version (S62). ).

  Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a printer driver (hereinafter referred to as another driver) different from the printer corresponding to the new driver from the driver storage unit 5 in the server 4 (S63). If detected, the separate driver is stored in the driver storage unit 15 of the host computer 8 and the corresponding printer (hereinafter referred to as another printer) is recognized (S64). If not detected, the process proceeds to S68 to install a new driver, and the installation process is completed. Subsequent to S <b> 64, the information of another printer recognized by the driver management unit 19 and the version information of the new driver are output to the comparison unit 11.

  Next, the comparison unit 11 extracts the difference between the function of the different printer and the function realized by the new driver based on the input information of the different driver (different printer) and the version of the new driver, and displays the difference. The data is output to the unit 13 (S65).

  Next, the display control unit 13 displays the function newly realized by the new driver on the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (S66). When the display ends in S67, the driver management unit 19 installs a new driver stored in the driver storage unit 15 (S68). This completes the installation process.

  8A and 8B show the relationship between the printer information input to the comparison unit 11 and the output from the comparison unit 11 (function difference information). FIG. 5A shows an example of output (information) for each printer for a predetermined new driver. FIG. 5B shows an example of output (information) for each printer when the new driver version is 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.30.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the comparison unit 11 outputs information a, information b, information c, and information d to each of the printers A to D when the new driver is a predetermined version. It may be information. That is, when the printer A is detected, the information a is output, and when the printer A, the printer B, and the printer D are detected, the information a, b, and d are output.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the comparison unit 11, when the new driver is version 1.00, information A100, information B100, information C100, and information D100 are obtained for each of the printers A to D, respectively. , Is output information, and the new driver is version 1.10, the information A110, information B110, information C110, and information D110 are output information for each of the printers A to D, and the new driver is version 1. .20, information A120, information B100, information C100, and information D100 are output information for each of the printers A to D. If the new driver is version 1.30, each printer A to D is output. On the other hand, information A130, information B130, information C130, and information D130 may be output information.

  Here, in the display unit 10, when the information b is output from the comparison unit 11, the display control unit 13 performs display as illustrated in FIG. 9A on the display unit 10. That is, under the title “Difference from B printer”, specific functions newly realized by the new driver as compared with printer B are displayed, such as “double-sided printing is possible”. Further, when a plurality of printers are detected, it is possible to display a screen as shown in FIG. 10B and allow the user to select a comparison target printer. Here, when the B printer is selected and display is selected, a screen display as shown in FIG.

  Note that S69 (see FIG. 10) may be performed between S64 and S65 in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing such a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a driver (another printer) of another printer is detected in the driver storage unit 5 in S64, whether a new function realized by this driver (another driver) is displayed in S69. Let the user choose whether or not. That is, in S <b> 69, the display control unit 13 displays a notification screen for the user on the display unit 10 according to an instruction from the driver management unit 19. If the user input is “display” (YES), the process proceeds to S65, and the subsequent steps are performed. If “not displayed” (NO), the process proceeds to S68, and only installation is performed without displaying a new function.

  Furthermore, Embodiment 1 described above can be combined with this embodiment. In the following, referring to FIG. 11, when a new driver in the server 4 is installed in the host computer 8, the new driver is compared with the old driver, or the new driver and another driver (a printer compatible with the new driver) Shows a procedure for comparing with a driver corresponding to another printer. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a driver installation procedure in this case.

  First, a driver installation start instruction by the user is input from the input unit 18 (S70). Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 15 (S71). If detected, the version of the detected driver (old driver) is recognized (S78). Next, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (hereinafter referred to as a new driver) of a newer version than the driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 via the communication interfaces 7 and 9, and the host computer 8. Is stored in the driver storage unit 15 (S79).

  Here, if the old driver is not detected, the driver management unit 19 detects a driver (hereinafter referred to as another driver) of a printer different from the printer corresponding to the new driver from the driver storage unit 5 in the server 4 (S72). . If another driver is detected, the driver is stored in the driver storage unit 15 of the host computer 8 and the corresponding printer (hereinafter referred to as another printer) is recognized (S73). If not detected, the process proceeds to S77 where a new driver is installed and the installation process is terminated. Subsequent to S <b> 73, the information of another printer recognized by the driver management unit 19 and the version information of the new driver are output to the comparison unit 11. Next, the comparison unit 11 extracts the difference between the function of the different printer and the function realized by the new driver based on the input information of the different printer and the version of the new driver, and outputs this to the display control unit 13. (S74). Next, the display control unit 13 displays functions newly realized by the new driver on the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (S75). When the display is completed, the driver management unit 19 installs a new driver stored in the driver storage unit 15 (S77). This completes the installation process.

  On the other hand, if an old driver is detected in S71, the driver management unit 19 sends a driver (newer version) than the driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 5 of the server 4 via the communication interfaces 7 and 9. Hereinafter, a new driver) is detected and stored in the driver storage unit 15 of the host computer 8 (S79). If no driver is detected, the installation process ends. Next, the driver management unit 19 recognizes the version of the detected driver (new driver) and outputs the version of the driver (new and old drivers) to be compared from the driver storage unit 15 to the comparison unit 11. (S80).

  Next, the comparison unit 11 compares them based on the input version of each driver, extracts the difference in function realized by each driver as the comparison result, and outputs this to the display control unit 13 (S81). ). Next, the display control unit 13 displays functions newly realized by the new driver on the display unit 10 based on the output from the comparison unit 11 (S82). When the display is completed in S83, the process proceeds to S77, where the driver management unit 19 installs a new driver stored in the driver storage unit 15. This completes the installation process.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 12 as follows.

  Here, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the server, the host computer, and the printer in this embodiment, and their specific configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information network system 1 of the present embodiment also has a configuration in which one or more printers are connected to a host computer connected to a server. In the present embodiment, this server has a comparison unit 31 (see FIG. 12).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the information network system 1 includes a server 40 (information processing apparatus), a host computer 80 (external apparatus), and a printer 120. The host computer 80 includes a communication interface 29 (communication unit), a display unit 30, an input unit 38, a driver storage unit 35, and a printer control unit 37. The printer control unit 37 includes a driver management unit 39, The display control unit 33 and the print processing unit 36 are provided. Further, the server 40 includes a comparison unit 31, a comparison result transmission unit 34 (comparison result transmission means), a driver storage unit 25, and a communication interface 27 (communication unit). Further, the printer 120 is connected to the host computer 80 via the communication interface 29.

  The driver storage unit 35 stores a previous driver (hereinafter referred to as an old driver) and a newly installed driver (hereinafter referred to as a new driver). The print processing unit 36 performs a printing process on the printer 120 in cooperation with the driver stored in the driver storage unit 35.

  The driver management unit 39 included in the host computer 80 manages the driver and driver storage units 25 and 35. That is, a driver (old driver) is detected from the driver storage unit 35 and its version is recognized. Further, the driver management unit 39 recognizes the driver (new driver) stored in the driver storage unit 25 of the server 40 via the communication interfaces 27 and 29 in accordance with a user instruction (installation start instruction). Is stored in the driver storage unit 35. Further, the driver management unit 39 outputs each driver to be compared (version information of the old driver and the new driver) to the comparison unit 31.

  The comparison unit 31 included in the server 40 extracts a specific functional difference realized by each driver based on the input version (old version and new version) of each driver, and compares this with the comparison result transmission unit 34. Output to. In addition, the comparison result transmission unit 34 transmits the comparison result received from the comparison unit 31 to the display control unit 33 of the host computer 80. Further, the display control unit 33 included in the host computer 80 controls the display unit 30 based on the comparison result received from the comparison result transmission unit 34 (and the user's instruction from the input unit 38).

  A procedure for comparing the new version driver with the old version driver when installing the driver (new version driver) in the server 4 in the host computer 8 in the third embodiment will be described below.

  First, a driver installation start instruction by the user is input from the input unit 38. Next, the driver management unit 39 detects a driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 35. If it is detected, the detected old driver version is recognized.

  Next, the driver management unit 39 detects a driver (new driver) of a newer version than the driver (old driver) from the driver storage unit 25 of the server 4 via the communication interfaces 27 and 29, and the driver of the host computer 80. Store in the storage unit 35. If no driver is detected, the installation process ends.

  Next, the driver management unit 39 recognizes the detected version of the new driver, and outputs the version of the driver to be compared (new and old drivers) to the comparison unit 31 in the server 40. Receiving this, the comparison unit 31 compares them based on the input version of each driver, extracts the difference in function realized by each driver as the comparison result, and outputs this to the comparison result transmission unit 34 To do. The comparison result transmission unit 34 transmits the comparison result received from the comparison unit 31 to the display control unit 33 in the host computer 80.

  Next, the display control unit 33 displays functions newly realized by the new driver on the display unit 30 based on the output from the comparison result transmission unit 34. When the display on the display unit 30 ends, the driver management unit 39 installs a new driver stored in the driver storage unit 35. This completes the installation process.

  If the old driver is not detected in the driver storage unit 35, the driver management unit 39 detects a new driver from the driver storage unit 25 of the server 40 via the communication interfaces 27 and 29. If a new driver is detected here, the new driver is stored in the driver storage unit 35 of the host computer 80 and installed. On the other hand, if no new driver is detected, the installation process is terminated.

  The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus having a predetermined program to be compared, for example, a computer connected to a printer and having a printer driver as the program.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a driver installation procedure according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information network system in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure of the information network system in Embodiment 1 * 2. (A) (b) is a table | surface which shows the example of the output information from the comparison part in Embodiment 1, (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display in a display part. 10 is a flowchart showing a driver installation procedure in a modification of the first embodiment. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display in the modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a driver installation procedure according to the second embodiment. (A) (b) is a table | surface which shows the example of the output information from the comparison part in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display in the display part in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a driver installation procedure according to a modification of the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a driver installation procedure according to a modification of the second embodiment. 10 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an information network system in Embodiment 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

4.40 server (information processing equipment)
8.80 Host computer (information processing device, external device)
7, 9, 27, 29 Communication interface (communication part)
11 Comparison part (comparison means)
5.25 Server driver storage (storage)
15.35 Host computer driver storage (storage)
19 Driver management section (management means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display part 13 Display control part 34 Comparison result transmission part (comparison result transmission means)
20.120 Printer (image forming device)

Claims (12)

A display unit;
Management means for managing information related to a program for performing predetermined processing;
A storage unit for storing the program;
Comparison means for comparing the first and second programs for which a comparison request has been made by the management means from among the programs stored in the storage unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means on the display unit. A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A storage unit for storing a program for performing predetermined processing in the external device;
Comparing means for comparing the first and second programs requested to be compared by the external device from the programs stored in the storage unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: comparison result transmission means for transmitting a comparison result by the comparison means to the external device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares functions realized by the first and second programs and uses a difference between these functions as the comparison result.   The first and second programs are first and second drivers respectively corresponding to the same image forming apparatus, and the second driver is different in version from the first driver. Or the information processing apparatus of 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second programs are drivers corresponding to different image forming apparatuses.   A management unit that performs communication with the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 and a display unit, a management unit that makes a comparison request to the comparison unit, and a comparison result transmitted from the comparison result transmission unit An information processing apparatus comprising display control means for displaying the information on the display.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit selects whether to display the comparison result on a display unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit can change a content of a comparison result displayed on the display unit.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the comparison unit selects a driver of which image forming apparatus is to be compared when there are a plurality of different image forming apparatuses.   A control program for operating an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said control means causes a computer to realize each of said means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the information processing apparatus according to claim 10 is recorded. Detecting a first program for performing a predetermined process;
Detecting a second program to be compared with the first program;
Comparing the first and second programs;
And a step of displaying a comparison result of the first and second programs.

Images