JP2007097156A - Image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set only a necessary function in an information processing apparatus from among a plurality of functions included in an image processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus 10 including a plurality of functions to execute image processing and including a function for transmitting a plurality of pieces of identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from an information processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus 10 includes: a setting means for setting one or a plurality of pieces of identifier information to respond from the plurality of pieces of identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions; a receiving means for receiving a request to acquire the identifier information from the information processing apparatus; and a transmitting means for transmitting one or a plurality of pieces of identifier information set by the setting means to the information processing apparatus when the receiving means receives the request to acquire the identifier information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an information processing device, and a control method, and is particularly suitable for use in performing image processing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus that supports a plurality of printer languages (PCL (Printer Control Language), PostScript, etc.) with one apparatus is known. In such an image processing apparatus, by providing a printer language attribute to a command, a plurality of printer languages can be supported by the same interface.

  In addition, Windows (registered trademark), which is an operating system (OS) manufactured by Microsoft, automatically detects the model of an image processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus (PC). It has a function of searching for and installing a printer driver corresponding to the detected model. Such a function is called “Plug and Play”. In this plug and play, an information processing apparatus (PC) acquires a device ID from an image processing apparatus, and a printer driver corresponding to the acquired device ID can be installed.

  Using this technique, when a plurality of printer drivers can be used for one device ID, a technique for selecting which printer driver to install by plug and play on the information processing apparatus (PC) side has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1). Also, a technique has been proposed in which when a new expansion device is attached, a device ID corresponding to the attached expansion device is issued from the image processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus (PC) (see Patent Document 2).

  However, in the image processing apparatus that supports the plurality of printer languages described above, a plurality of printer drivers correspond to one device ID. For this reason, when the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus (PC) are connected to each other via USB (Universal Serial Bus), plug and play occurs only once. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a special installer for a case where it is desired to use a plurality of printer languages or a case where it is desired to select which printer language is used.

  Therefore, in recent years, a method called “USB Composite” has been developed in which a logical USB interface is divided into functions in an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions (printer, scanner, PC, FAX, etc.). In this method, when the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus (PC) are connected to each other via USB, plug-and-play occurs for the number of functions of the image processing apparatus. Therefore, even when the image processing apparatus has a plurality of functions, it is possible to install printer drivers for all functions in the information processing apparatus (PC) with only plug and play.

JP 2003-216378 A JP-A-9-267538

  However, when “USB Composite” is applied to the above-described image processing apparatus that supports a plurality of printer languages, a plurality of printer drivers for the printer language are automatically installed. For this reason, unnecessary printer drivers that are not used by the user are automatically installed in the information processing apparatus (PC), causing the user to be confused. For example, even if the user deletes a printer driver that is not used, plug-and-play occurs every time the information processing device (PC) and the image processing device are reconnected by USB or the information processing device is restarted There was a problem that it would.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an information processing apparatus can set only necessary functions among a plurality of functions of an image processing apparatus.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of functions for performing image processing, and has a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus A setting unit that sets one or a plurality of identifier information to be responded from among the identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions, and accepting a request for acquiring the identifier information from the information processing device And a transmission unit that transmits one or more identifier information set by the setting unit to the information processing apparatus when a request for obtaining the identifier information is received by the receiving unit. It is characterized by that.
An information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing, and obtains identifier information for identifying the functions to the image processing apparatus. Requesting means for requesting, and as a response to the request by the requesting means, a plurality of identifier information for identifying each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the image processing apparatus, And an installation unit that selects and installs a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing apparatus based on a plurality of pieces of identifier information acquired by the acquisition unit.

An image processing apparatus control method according to the present invention has a plurality of functions for performing image processing, and a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a setting step for setting one or more identifier information to be responded from among identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions; and a request for obtaining identifier information, When a request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the receiving step received from the information processing device and the receiving step, one or more identifier information set by the setting step is transmitted to the information processing device. And a transmitting step.
An information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing, and identifies the functions for the image processing apparatus. A plurality of pieces of identifier information for identifying each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user as a response to the request by the request step and a request step for requesting acquisition of identifier information for the request from the image processing apparatus And an installation step of selecting and installing a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing device based on a plurality of identifier information acquired by the acquisition step. .

The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention has a plurality of functions for performing image processing, and has a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an image processing apparatus having one or more identifier information to be responded from among identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions A setting step for setting identifier information, a reception step for receiving a request for acquisition of identifier information from the information processing apparatus, and a request for acquisition of identifier information received by the reception step, which is set by the setting step. Control of an image processing apparatus having a transmission step of transmitting one or a plurality of identifier information to the information processing apparatus And characterized by storing a control program for executing the law to a computer.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing. A request step for requesting the image processing apparatus to acquire identifier information for identifying the function, and each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user as a response to the request by the request step Acquiring a plurality of identifier information for performing from the image processing device, and a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing device based on the plurality of identifier information acquired by the acquiring step The computer executes the control method of the information processing apparatus having the installation process of selecting and installing And characterized by storing a control program.

  According to the present invention, one or a plurality of identifier information for identifying one or a plurality of functions for performing image processing is set, and set when an identifier information acquisition request is received from the information processing apparatus One or more pieces of identifier information are transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Accordingly, when the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus are connected to each other, only the necessary functions among the plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus can be automatically set by the information processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to construct an environment that is convenient for the user who uses the image processing apparatus.

  According to another feature of the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus is requested to acquire identifier information for identifying a function of the image processing apparatus. Then, as a response to the request, a plurality of identifier information for identifying each of the plurality of functions designated in advance by the user is acquired from the image processing apparatus. Then, based on the acquired plurality of identifier information, a plurality of drivers for executing the functions of the image processing apparatus are selected and installed. Accordingly, only necessary functions among a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus can be automatically set by the information processing apparatus without using a special installer.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of the image processing apparatus 10.
In FIG. 1, a system control unit 101 controls the overall operation of the image processing apparatus 10 via a system bus 120. The system control unit 101 can be realized using a CPU, for example.

The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the system control unit 101. The registration memory 103 is configured by a battery-backed SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a flash memory, or the like, and stores setting values registered by the user, management data of the image processing apparatus 10, and the like.
The image memory 104 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores image data. The work memory 105 is constituted by a DRAM or the like and stores program control variables and the like.

The operation unit 106 includes various keys and the like, and is used by the user to perform various inputs.
The display unit 107 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like, and is for performing various displays and phonetic sounds.

  The reading control unit 108 is configured using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), an image processing control unit, or the like. The reading control unit 108 optically reads a document, converts the read document into electrical image data, and performs various images such as color processing, binarization processing, and halftone processing on the image data. Processing is performed to generate and output high-definition image data. The reading control unit 108 includes an ADF method that reads an original on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) one by one and a document table method that reads a document placed on a platen glass while it is stationary. It corresponds to either or both.

The recording control unit 109 is configured using a printer such as a thermal printer, a laser printer, or an ink jet printer, an image processing control unit, or the like. The recording control unit 109 performs various image processes such as a smoothing process and a recording density correction process on the image data to be recorded and converts the image data into high-definition image data, and outputs the image data on a recording sheet. In the present embodiment, the recording control unit 109 corresponds to a plurality of printer languages.
The encoding / decoding unit 110 encodes raw image data (for example, MH compression, MR compression, MMR compression, JBIG compression, or JPEG compression). The encoding / decoding unit 110 decodes the encoded image data into raw image data.

The communication control unit 111 is configured using a modem, an NCU (Network Control Unit), or the like, and exchanges image information and the like with an information processing terminal serving as a communication partner through the communication line 11. .
The USB interface 30 corresponds to the USB communication standard. The USB logical interface of the USB interface 30 is divided for each printer language.
The USB function control unit 112 performs communication control of the USB interface 30. The USB function control unit 112 performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard, and converts data from the USB control task executed by the system control unit 101 into a USB packet. Then, the USB function control unit 112 transmits the USB packet to the external information processing terminal, or conversely converts the USB packet transmitted from the external information processing terminal into data and outputs the data to the CPU 101. Note that these various control commands and data transmission / reception will not be described in detail because known methods can be used.

The network control unit 113 is for communicating with an external terminal such as the information processing terminal 20 connected to the image processing apparatus 10 via the network 50. Regarding the communication control method, since a known method can be used, it will not be described in detail.
The Web server control unit 114 creates HTML files such as the state of the image processing apparatus 10, the state of various jobs, and a user registration screen. Then, the Web server control unit 114 provides a page based on the HTML file to the information processing terminal 20 in response to a browsing request via the network 50 from the information processing terminal 20 having a browser.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of the information processing terminal 20.
In FIG. 2, a CPU 201 reads a control program stored in a storage medium and controls the operation of the entire information processing terminal via the system bus according to the read control program. This control program is stored in, for example, the ROM 202, the main memory 203, the hard disk 220, the FD (Flexible Disk) drive 221, or the CD-ROM drive 222.
The ROM 202 stores a control program executed by the CPU 201 and the like.
The main memory 203 is for temporarily storing a control program and image data and operating the information processing terminal 20 at high speed.

The hard disk control unit 204 controls the hard disk 220 in which an OS (Operating System), various application programs, image data, and the like are stored. It is assumed that application software and driver software for transmitting / receiving various control commands and data to / from the image processing apparatus 10 are installed in the hard disk 220.

  These application software and driver software are usually installed in the hard disk 220 from other computer-readable storage media in which these application software and driver software are stored via the FD drive 221 and the CD-ROM drive 222. In addition, application software and driver software can be downloaded via the network control unit 207 and the modem 208 and installed in the hard disk 220.

  The keyboard / mouse control unit 205 controls the keyboard / mouse 230 as an instruction input unit from the user. The display control unit 206 controls the display 240 that performs various displays. The network control unit 207 performs control for connecting to the network 50 via the network interface 41. Regarding the connection to the network 50 by the network control unit 206, a known method is used and will not be described in detail.

The modem 208 is used to connect to a provider through the communication line 21 and to communicate data, image information, and the like with an information processing apparatus that is a communication partner.
The USB host control unit 209 performs communication control of the USB interface 31. The USB host control unit 209 converts the data from the CPU 201 into a USB packet according to the USB communication standard, and transmits the USB packet to the image processing apparatus 10. Conversely, the USB host control unit 209 converts the USB packet transmitted from the image processing apparatus 10 into data. And output to the CPU 201. In addition, about these communication control methods, since a well-known method can be used, description is abbreviate | omitted. The FD drive control unit 210 controls the FD drive 221.
The CD-ROM drive control unit 211 controls the CD-ROM drive 222.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the image processing apparatus 10 when a printer language is selected.
First, in step S <b> 301, the system control unit 101 displays a list of printer languages supported by the image processing apparatus 10 on the display unit 107. At this time, the system control unit 101 reads out the currently selected printer language from the registration memory 103 and displays information indicating which printer language is selected on the display unit 107 together with a list of printer languages. A display example at this time will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 302, the system control unit 101 selects a printer language used by the user based on the operation content of the operation unit 106. In step S303, the system control unit 101 determines whether or not the printer language selection operation is completed, and repeats the processes in steps S302 and S303 until the printer language selection operation is completed. When the printer language selection operation is completed in this way, in step S304, the system control unit 101 stores the printer language information related to the selected printer language in the registration memory 103, and the process ends.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer language selection screen displayed on the display unit 107 of the image processing apparatus 10 in step S301 of FIG.
It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment supports three types of printer languages: printer language A, printer language B, and FAX.
A printer language selection screen 401 shown in FIG. 4A is a display example when all of the three types of printer languages are selected. On the other hand, the printer language selection screen 402 shown in FIG. 4B is a display example when only the printer language B is selected from the three types of printer languages.

  On the printer language selection screen 401 shown in FIG. 4A, the user can designate each printer language by operating the operation unit 106 and checking a check box. Then, the system control unit 101 selects a printer language whose check box is checked from among three types of printer languages.

  After the printer language is selected in this way, the user operates the operation unit 106 and clicks the OK button. Then, the system control unit 101 determines that the selection operation has ended, and the printer language whose check box is checked is stored in the registration memory 103. If the image processing apparatus 10 is not used as a printer or FAX, it is possible to uncheck all check boxes and register a state in which there is no printer language to select.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the image processing apparatus 10 when the selected printer language is transmitted to the information processing terminal 20.
First, in step S <b> 501, the USB function control unit 112 waits until there is a “USB Description request” from the information processing terminal 20. When there is a “USB Description request”, in step S502, the system control unit 101 reads the printer language information stored in the registration memory 103 in step S304 of FIG.

In step S <b> 503, the system control unit 101 executes a USB control task, and creates “USB Description information” based on the read printer language information.
Next, in step S504, the USB function control unit 112 converts the “USB Description information” generated in step S503 into a USB packet. Then, the USB function control unit 112 transmits the “USB Description information” converted into the USB packet to the information processing terminal 20. The “USB Description information” will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a list of printer languages supported by the image processing apparatus 10 is displayed on the printer language selection screens 401 and 402 so that the user can specify the printer language. Then, only one or a plurality of “USB Description information” corresponding to the printer language designated by the user is transmitted to the information processing terminal 20 at the time of plug and play. On the other hand, “USB Description information” (DeviceID character string) corresponding to the printer language not designated by the user is not transmitted. The printer class USB Description information includes a DeviceID character string of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of the USB function control unit 112 when all of the three types of printer languages are selected as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, only one Device 601 indicated by the largest frame can be defined in the USB communication standard, and indicates the overall attributes of the image processing apparatus 10. The attribute of Device 601 is expressed by Device Descriptor. The Device Descriptor includes a manufacturer ID (Vendor ID), a product ID (Product ID), a release number, and the number of Configurations of the image processing apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the number of configurations is “1”.

  Only one Configuration 602 is defined in the Device 601 (Configuration 1). The attribute of Configuration 602 is expressed by Configuration Descriptor. This Configuration Descriptor includes the number of interfaces in the Configuration. In the present embodiment, the number of interfaces is “4”.

  In the configuration 602, four interfaces (Interfaces 610, 620, 630, and 640 (Interface 0 to 3)) are defined. The attributes of these Interfaces 610, 620, 630, and 640 are represented by Interface Descriptor. This Interface Descriptor includes the number of Endpoints in the Interface, the class code, and the like. In the present embodiment, the number of Endpoints in the Interface 610 (Interface 0) used for the scanner is “3”, and the class code is a vendor class (0xFF).

The number of Endpoints in the Interface 620 (Interface 1) used for the printer language A is “2”, and the class code is the printer class (0x07).
The number of Endpoints in the Interface 630 (Interface 2) used for the printer language B is “2”, and the class code is the printer class (0x07).
Further, the number of Endpoints in the Interface 640 (Interface 3) used for FAX transmission / reception is “2”, and the class code is the printer class (0x07).

  Only three Endpoints (Endpoints 611, 612, 613 (Endpoints 1, 2, 3)) are defined in Interface 610 (Interface 0) used for the scanner. The attributes of these Endpoints 611, 612, and 613 (Endpoints 1, 2, and 3) are expressed by Endpoint Descriptor. This Endpoint Descriptor includes the Endpoint number of the Endpoint, the communication direction, the transfer type, the packet size, and the like.

Endpoint 611 (Endpoint1) is mainly used for receiving control data. The endpoint 612 (Endpoint2) is mainly used for transmitting control data and read data. Endpoint 613 (Endpoint3) is mainly used to notify that the start of scanning is instructed from the image processing apparatus 10 side.
In the Interface 620 (Interface 1) used for the printer language A, only two End points (End points 621 and 622 (End points 4 and 5)) are defined. The attributes of these Endpoints 621 and 622 (Endpoints 4 and 5) are expressed by Endpoint Descriptor. This Endpoint Descriptor includes the Endpoint number of the Endpoint, the communication direction, the transfer type, the packet size, and the like.

Endpoint 621 (Endpoint4) is mainly used to receive control data and print data. Endpoint 622 (Endpoint5) is mainly used to transmit the print status of received print data.
The DeviceID character string 625 is identifier information for the printer language A. The DeviceID character string 625 includes MFG indicating a company name, MDL indicating a model name, CLS indicating a class, and DES indicating display information. In the present embodiment, CLS is “PRINTER” representing a printer class. By transmitting such information to the information processing terminal 20, the information processing terminal 20 can determine which driver should be installed, as will be described later.

  In the Interface 630 (Interface 2) used for the printer language B, only two End points (End points 631 and 632 (End points 6 and 7)) are defined. The attributes of these Endpoints 631 and 632 (Endpoint6 and 7) are expressed by Endpoint Descriptor. This Endpoint Descriptor includes the Endpoint number of the Endpoint, the communication direction, the transfer type, the packet size, and the like.

Endpoint 631 (Endpoint6) is mainly used to receive control data and print data. Endpoint 632 (Endpoint7) is mainly used to transmit the print status of received print data. The DeviceID character string 635 is identifier information for the printer language B.
In Interface 640 (Interface 3) used for FAX transmission, only two Endpoints (Endpoints 641 and 642 (Endpoints 8 and 9)) are defined. The attributes of these Endpoints 641 and 642 (Endpoint8, 9)) are expressed by Endpoint Descriptor. This Endpoint Descriptor includes the Endpoint number of the Endpoint, the communication direction, the transfer type, the packet size, and the like.

Endpoint 641 (Endpoint8) is mainly used to receive control data and FAX transmission data. Endpoint 642 (Endpoint9) is mainly used for transmitting the communication status of FAX transmission data. The DeviceID character string 645 is FAX identifier information.
With these configurations, when the image processing apparatus 10 is connected for the first time, the information processing terminal 20 can install a necessary driver group using a function called plug and play that Windows (registered trademark) has. It becomes. Further, the information processing terminal 20 can realize functions such as printing, scanning, and faxing with respect to the image processing apparatus 10 using the installed driver group. Details of the driver group installation will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the configuration of the USB function control unit 112 when only the printer language B is selected from the three types of printer languages, as shown in FIG. 4B. .
In FIG. 7, only one Device 701 indicated by the largest frame can be defined in the USB communication standard, and indicates the overall attributes of the image processing apparatus 10. The attribute of Device 701 is expressed by Device Descriptor. The Device Descriptor includes a manufacturer ID (Vendor ID), a product ID (Product ID), a release number, the number of Configurations, and the like of the image processing apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the number of configurations is “1”.

  Only one Configuration 702 is defined in the Device 701 (Configuration 1). The attribute of Configuration 702 is expressed by Configuration Descriptor. This Configuration Descriptor includes the number of interfaces in the Configuration. In the present embodiment, the number of interfaces is “2”.

  Two Interfaces (Interfaces 710 and 720 (Interface0 and 1)) are defined in the configuration 702 (Configuration 1). The attributes of Interfaces 710 and 720 (Interface 0 and 1) are expressed by Interface Descriptor. The Interface Descriptor includes the number of Endpoints in the Interface, the class code, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the number of Endpoints in Interface 710 (Interface 0) used for the scanner is “3”, and the class code is a vendor class (0xFF). The number of Endpoints in Interface 1 (720) used for the printer language B is “2”, and the class code is the printer class (0x07).
In the Interface 710 (Interface 0) used for the scanner, only three Endpoints (Endpoints 711, 712, and 713 (Endpoints 1, 2, and 3)) are defined. Details of these endpoints 711, 712, and 713 (Endpoints 1, 2, and 3) are the same as those of the endpoints 611, 612, and 613 described with reference to FIG.

  In the Interface 720 (Interface 1) used for the printer language B, only two Endpoints (Endpoints 721 and 722 (Endpoint6 and 7)) are defined. The details of these Endpoints 721 and 722 (Endpoints 6 and 7) are the same as the Endpoints 631 and 632 described with reference to FIG. The DeviceID character string 725 is identifier information for the printer language B. This identifier information is equivalent to the ID character string 635 described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the information processing terminal 20 when preparing to install a driver.
Software for installing the driver (installer) is usually supplied from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. This installer may be a program activated by a user operation, but when the CD-ROM storing the installer is loaded into the CD-ROM drive 222, the installer program is automatically activated. It is even more desirable if configured as described above. It is also possible to start the downloaded installer after downloading the installer to the hard disk 220 via the network control unit 207 or the modem 208.

In this way, when the installer program is activated and preparations for installing the driver are started, the CPU 201 determines in step S801 whether or not the driver can be installed. This determination is made, for example, by the CPU 201 confirming the remaining capacity of the hard disk 220 of the information processing terminal 20, the capacity of the main memory 203, the type of installed OS, and the like.
If it is determined that the driver cannot be installed as a result of the determination, the process advances to step S805, and the display control unit 206 displays an error screen on the display 240 based on the control signal output from the CPU 201. To finish the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the driver can be installed, the process advances to step S802, and the CPU 201 determines whether there is old driver information in a storage medium in the information processing terminal 20 such as the hard disk 220, for example. If there is old driver information as a result of this determination, the process advances to step S803, and the CPU 201 deletes the old driver information. The reason why the old driver information is deleted in this manner is that if the old driver information remains, the subsequent installation may not operate normally.
On the other hand, if there is no old driver information, step S803 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, the CPU 201 copies a driver group required for installation to the hard disk 220. For example, when the OS is Windows (registered trademark), the driver group can be copied to the hard disk 220 by using an API (Application Program Interface) called “SetupCopyOEMInf”. In addition, an INF file is included in the driver group copied to the hard disk 220. In the INF file for printer language A, a character string corresponding to the MFG and MDL character strings in the DeviceID character string 625 for printer language A and a file name to be installed for printer language A are described.

The printer language B INF file includes a character string corresponding to the MFG and MDL character strings in the DeviceID character strings 635 and 725 for the printer language B, and a file name to be installed for the printer language B. Has been.
In the FAX INF file, a character string corresponding to the MFG and MDL character strings in the FAX DeviceID character string 645 and a file name to be installed for FAX are described.

  As described above, the installer copies in advance to the hard disk 220 a driver set in which a DeviceID character string that is different for each printer language is associated with a driver that realizes the printer language identified by the DeviceID character string. To. At this time, the installer copies such a driver set to the hard disk 220 for all the printer languages included in the image processing apparatus 10 and holds all the printer language drivers included in the image processing apparatus 10 in advance. To. As shown in FIG. 9, when the information processing terminal 20 is connected to the image processing apparatus 10 via USB, only the driver corresponding to the printer language set using the selection screen shown in FIG. It is automatically installed in the information processing apparatus 20.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing in the information processing terminal 20 when installing a driver.
First, in step S <b> 901, the CPU 201 waits until the USB host control unit 209 detects connection of the image processing apparatus 10.
If connection of the image processing apparatus 10 can be detected in step S901, the process advances to step S902, and the CPU 201 instructs the USB host control unit 209 to issue a configuration information acquisition command in the image processing apparatus 10 by the plug and play described above. . Accordingly, the USB host control unit 209 issues, for example, a Get_Device_Descriptor instruction, a Get_Configuration_descriptor instruction, and a Get_String_Descriptor instruction to the image processing apparatus 10. Then, the USB host control unit 209 acquires the configuration information (USB Description information) of the image processing apparatus 10 as a response to the configuration information acquisition command. By issuing the various commands described above from the information processing terminal 20 to the image processing apparatus 10, the information processing terminal 20 can sequentially acquire the various types of information illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG.

  In step S903, based on the information acquired in step S902, the CPU 201 generates a USB port corresponding to the manufacturer ID and product ID of the image processing apparatus 10 included in the device descriptor, and each interface number. . In the example shown in FIG. 6, USB ports for the interface 610 for the scanner, the interface 620 for the printer language A, the interface 630 for the printer language B, and the interface 640 for FAX are generated. As each port information, the class code in the above-described Interface Descriptor is stored.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, USB ports for the interface 710 for the scanner and the interface 720 for the printer language B are generated. As each port information, the class code in the above-described Interface Descriptor is stored.
In step S904, the CPU 201 determines whether the generated USB port is for a printer class. If it is determined that the generated USB port is for the printer class, the process advances to step S905, and the CPU 201 instructs the USB host control unit 209 to issue a Get_Device_ID command. As a result, the USB host control unit 209 issues a Get_Device_ID command to the image processing apparatus 10. Then, the USB host control unit 209 acquires the DeviceID character string (DeviceID information) described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 as a response to the Get_Device_ID command.

Next, in step S906, the CPU 201 compares the MFG and MDL information in the DeviceID character string acquired in step S905 with the MFG and MDL information in various INF files copied to the hard disk 220 in step S804. Then, an INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information is searched.
In step S907, the CPU 201 determines whether there is an INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information. As a result of the determination, if there is an INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information, the process advances to step S908, and the CPU 201 installs various driver files described in the INF file, The process proceeds to S918. At this time, the CPU 201 generates an icon corresponding to the installed driver file.

  On the other hand, if there is no INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information in step S907, the process proceeds to step S909. Then, the display control unit 206 displays a dialog for allowing the user to specify an INF file on the display 240 based on the control signal output from the CPU 201.

Next, in step S910, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has specified an INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information based on the operation result by the user of the keyboard / mouse 230. As a result of this determination, if the user designates an INF file that matches the DeviceID character string with the MFG and MDL information, the process proceeds to step S911. Then, the CPU 201 installs various driver files described in the INF file, and proceeds to step S918. At this time, the CPU 201 generates an icon corresponding to the installed driver file.
On the other hand, if the user does not specify an INF file in which the DeviceID character string matches the MFG and MDL information, the process skips step S911 and proceeds to step S918.

  If it is determined in step S904 that the generated USB port is not for the printer class, the process advances to step S912, and the CPU 201 searches for the INF file by a method according to the generated USB port class. For example, when the generated USB port is for a scanner driver, the manufacturer ID (Vendor ID), product ID (Product ID), and scanner interface number of the image processing apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. Search for an INF file using. That is, it is determined whether or not the manufacturer ID, the product ID, and the scanner interface number match between the USB Description information acquired in step S902 and the various INF files copied to the hard disk 220 in step S804. .

  Next, in step S913, it is determined whether there is a corresponding INF file. For example, if the generated USB port is for a scanner driver, it is determined whether there is an INF file in which the USB Description information acquired in step S902 matches the manufacturer ID, product ID, and scanner interface number. to decide. The scanner class USB description information includes a manufacturer ID, a product ID, and an interface number for the scanner. As a result of the determination, if the corresponding INF file exists, the process proceeds to step S914, and the CPU 201 installs various driver files described in the corresponding INF file, and proceeds to step S918. At this time, the CPU 201 generates an icon corresponding to the installed driver file.

  On the other hand, if there is no corresponding INF file in step S913, the process proceeds to step S915. Then, the display control unit 206 displays a dialog for allowing the user to specify an INF file on the display 240 based on the control signal output from the CPU 201.

Next, in step S916, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has designated the corresponding INF file based on the operation result by the user of the keyboard / mouse 230. As a result of this determination, if the user designates the corresponding INF file, the process proceeds to step S917, and the CPU 201 installs various driver files described in the corresponding INF file, and proceeds to step S918. At this time, the CPU 201 generates an icon corresponding to the installed driver file.
On the other hand, if the user does not specify the corresponding INF file, step S917 is omitted and the process proceeds to S918.

In step S918, the CPU 201 searches for a next new USB port. If there is a next new USB port as a result of this search, the process returns to step S904, and steps S904 to S918 are repeated until there is no USB port.
As described above, appropriate drivers are installed for each interface.

FIG. 10 shows an example of icons displayed on the display 240 of the information processing terminal 20 after the driver is installed. In FIG. 10A, as shown in FIG. 4A, all three types of printer languages are selected, and the driver corresponding to the DeviceID character string (device ID) corresponding to the selected printer language is plugged. It is a display example at the time of installing by and play. In this case, since there are three printer classes (see FIG. 6), the number of printer icons is three.
On the other hand, in FIG. 10B, as shown in FIG. 4B, all of one type of printer language is selected, and a driver corresponding to a DeviceID character string (device ID) corresponding to the selected printer language. Is a display example when installed by plug and play. In this case, since there is one printer class (see FIG. 6), the number of printer icons is one.

As described above, in this embodiment, a list of printer languages supported by the image processing apparatus 10 is displayed on the printer language selection screens 401 and 402 so that the user can specify the printer language. On the other hand, the installer included in the information processing apparatus 20 has a driver set having a different DeviceID character string for each printer language, and copies all the printer language drivers to the hard disk 220 in advance.
When the information processing terminal 20 is connected to the image processing apparatus 10 via USB, only the DeviceID character string corresponding to the printer language designated by the user is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 10 to the information processing apparatus 20. Then, a driver corresponding to the DeviceID character string is automatically installed in the information processing apparatus 20.

With the configuration described above, a plurality of printer languages can be selected at once, and only the selected printer language can be installed in the information processing apparatus 20. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary plug and play from occurring when the information processing terminal 20 is restarted. Thereby, the function of the image processing apparatus 10 can be selected according to a user's use environment.
In addition, the information processing apparatus 20 copies all printer language drivers to the hard disk 220 in advance. Therefore, regardless of what printer language is selected in the image processing apparatus 10, only the printer language selected in the image processing apparatus 10 can be installed in the information processing apparatus 20 using a common installer.

  In this embodiment, the printer function is described as an example of the selectable function. However, the selectable function is not limited to the printer function. For example, the scanner function and other functions of the image processing apparatus 10 may be selected.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the processing when the image processing apparatus 10 and the information processing terminal 20 are connected to each other via the USB interface 30 has been described. However, these connection forms are limited to the USB interface 30. is not. For example, the image processing apparatus 10 and the information processing terminal 20 may be connected via the network interfaces 40 and 41. Even through the network interfaces 40 and 41, it is possible to realize the same function as plug and play when connected via USB. Accordingly, by transmitting the DeviceID character strings 625, 635, 645, and 725 corresponding to the selected printer language to the information processing terminal 20 via the network interface 40, an appropriate driver is installed in the information processing terminal 20. It becomes possible.

  Further, the printer language may be selected from the information processing terminal 20 having a browser via the network 50 by creating an HTML file of the user registration screen in the Web server control unit 114.

  The USB interface 30 is shown as an example of a transmission unit that transmits a plurality of identifier information corresponding to the function of the image processing apparatus 10 used when installing a device driver to the information processing terminal 20 to the information processing terminal 20. In addition, as an example of a selection unit that selects a DeviceID character string, which is an example of at least one identifier information, from among DeviceID character strings corresponding to the functions of the image processing apparatus 10, the printer language displayed in step S301 in FIG. The selection screen is shown in FIG. Note that the selection in the present embodiment includes not only a method of selecting a Device ID to be transmitted, but also a method of selecting a Device ID indirectly by selecting a Device ID that is not to be transmitted. Further, when there is a DeviceID character string that has not been selected, the system control unit 101 controls the USB interface 30 not to transmit the DeviceID character string that has not been selected to the information processing terminal 20.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are provided to an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. You may supply. What was implemented by operating said various devices according to the program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the category of the present invention.

  In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment. The program code itself and means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitute the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code supplied by the computer. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the function of the above-described embodiment is realized in cooperation with an operating system or other application software running on the computer. Yes.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Do. Needless to say, the present invention includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  It should be noted that each of the above-described embodiments is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. . That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

  According to the present embodiment, one or more identifier information for identifying one or more functions designated in advance by the user is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus. Then, it is prohibited to transmit identifier information for identifying a function not designated in advance by the user to the information processing apparatus. Therefore, only identifier information for identifying the function designated by the user can be transmitted to the information processing apparatus in a batch. Accordingly, when the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus are connected to each other, only the necessary functions among the plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus can be automatically set by the information processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to construct an environment that is convenient for the user who uses the image processing apparatus.

  According to another feature of the present embodiment, a driver set including identifier information and a driver for executing a function identified by the identifier information is preliminarily stored for all of a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus. Remember. When the image processing apparatus is connected to be communicable via the network, the image processing apparatus has the identifier information acquired from the image processing apparatus and the identifier information included in the driver set stored in advance. Select and install a driver to perform the function. Therefore, the driver can be installed using a common installer regardless of what function is designated by the user. Thereby, only a necessary function among a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus can be automatically set by the information processing apparatus without using a special installer.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the basic composition of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the basic composition of the information processing terminal which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image processing apparatus when a printer language is selected in the embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer language selection screen displayed on the display unit of the image processing apparatus in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image processing apparatus when transmitting a selected printer language to an information processing terminal in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a configuration of a USB function control unit when all three types of printer languages are selected in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a configuration of a USB function control unit when only a printer language B is selected from three types of printer languages in the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the information processing terminal when preparing to install a driver in the embodiment. In an embodiment, it is a flow chart explaining an example of processing in an information processing terminal in the case of installing a driver. In an embodiment, after a driver is installed, it is a figure showing an example of an icon displayed on a display of an information processing terminal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 20 Information processing terminal 30 USB interface 101 System control part 103 Registration memory 106 Operation part 107 Display part 109 Recording control part 112 USB function control part 113 Network control part 201 CPU
207 Network control unit 209 USB host control unit 220 Hard disk 222 CD-ROM drive 230 Keyboard / mouse 240 Display

Claims (20)

An image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing and having a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus,
Setting means for setting one or more identifier information to be responded from among the identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions;
Receiving means for receiving a request for acquisition of identifier information from the information processing apparatus;
A transmission unit configured to transmit one or a plurality of identifier information set by the setting unit to the information processing apparatus when the reception unit receives a request for obtaining the identifier information; An image processing apparatus. Display means for displaying a list of the plurality of functions on a display device;
The transmitting unit is configured to identify each of one or a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the list of the plurality of functions when the receiving unit receives the request for acquiring the identifier information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of identifier information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Second transmission means for transmitting information for displaying a list of the plurality of functions on the display device included in the information processing device to the information processing device via the network;
A second one that accepts one or a plurality of functions designated by the user from a list of a plurality of functions displayed on a display device included in the information processing apparatus based on the information transmitted by the second transmission unit; Receiving means,
The transmission means receives one or more functions for identifying each of one or more functions accepted by the second accepting means when the accepting means accepts a request for obtaining the identifier information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein identifier information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. The functions include a printer function and a facsimile function,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of identifier information are device IDs respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions. A communication interface for enabling an external device including the information processing device to be communicably connected;
5. The communication interface according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface corresponds to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication standard, and a USB logical interface is divided for each of the plurality of functions. An image processing apparatus according to 1. When the request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the receiving unit, the transmitting unit transmits one or a plurality of identifier information set by the setting unit to the information processing apparatus,
The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein processing for transmitting one or a plurality of identifier information not set by the setting means to the information processing apparatus is limited. apparatus. An information processing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing,
Request means for requesting the image processing apparatus to obtain identifier information for identifying the function;
As a response to the request by the request means, an acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of identifier information for identifying each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the image processing device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an installation unit that selects and installs a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing device based on a plurality of identifier information acquired by the acquisition unit. A storage unit that prestores a driver set including the identifier information and a driver for executing a function identified by the identifier information in a storage medium for the plurality of functions;
When the image processing apparatus is communicably connected via a network, the installation unit includes identifier information acquired by the acquisition unit and identifier information included in a driver set stored in advance by the storage unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a driver for executing a function of the image processing apparatus is selected and installed based on the information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit configured to display an icon corresponding to the driver installed by the installation unit on a display device. A control method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing and having a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus,
A setting step of setting one or more identifier information to be responded from among the identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions;
A receiving step of receiving a request for acquisition of identifier information from the information processing apparatus;
A transmission step of transmitting, to the information processing apparatus, one or more pieces of identifier information set by the setting step when a request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the receiving step. A control method of the image processing apparatus. A display step of displaying a list of the plurality of functions on a display device;
The transmitting step is for identifying each of one or a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the list of the plurality of functions when the request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the receiving step. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one or more pieces of identifier information are transmitted to the information processing apparatus. A second transmission step of transmitting information for displaying a list of the plurality of functions on the display device included in the information processing device to the information processing device via the network;
A second one that accepts one or a plurality of functions designated by the user from a list of a plurality of functions displayed on a display device included in the information processing device based on the information transmitted in the second transmission step; A receiving process,
In the transmitting step, when the request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the receiving step, one or more functions for identifying each of the one or more functions received by the second receiving step 12. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein identifier information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. The functions include a printer function and a facsimile function,
The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of identifier information are device IDs respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions. A communication interface for enabling an external device including the information processing device to be communicably connected;
14. The communication interface according to claim 10, wherein the communication interface corresponds to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication standard, and a USB logical interface is divided for each of the plurality of functions. A control method for the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. When the request to acquire the identifier information is received by the receiving step, the transmitting step transmits one or more identifier information set by the setting step to the information processing apparatus,
The image processing according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein a process of transmitting one or a plurality of identifier information not set by the setting step to the information processing apparatus is limited. Control method of the device. An information processing apparatus control method for communicating with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing,
A requesting step for requesting the image processing apparatus to acquire identifier information for identifying the function;
As a response to the request by the request step, an acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of identifier information for identifying each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the image processing device;
An information processing apparatus control comprising: an installation step of selecting and installing a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing device based on a plurality of identifier information acquired by the acquisition step Method. A storage step of storing a driver set including the identifier information and a driver for executing a function identified by the identifier information in a storage medium in advance for the plurality of functions;
In the installation step, when the image processing apparatus is connected to be communicable via a network, the identifier information acquired in the acquisition step and the identifier information included in the driver set stored in advance in the storage step 17. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 16, further comprising: selecting and installing a driver for executing a function of the image processing apparatus based on the information.   18. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 16, further comprising a display step of displaying an icon corresponding to the driver installed in the installation step on a display device. The computer executes a control method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing and having a function of transmitting a plurality of identifier information respectively corresponding to the plurality of functions in response to a request from the information processing apparatus A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program to be executed,
A setting step of setting one or more identifier information to be responded from among the identifier information corresponding to the plurality of functions;
A receiving step of receiving a request for acquisition of identifier information from the information processing apparatus;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission step of transmitting one or a plurality of identifier information set by the setting step to the information processing device when a request for acquiring the identifier information is received by the reception step A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the control method. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions for performing image processing,
A requesting step for requesting the image processing apparatus to acquire identifier information for identifying the function;
As a response to the request by the request step, an acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of identifier information for identifying each of a plurality of functions designated in advance by a user from the image processing device;
Based on a plurality of identifier information acquired in the acquisition step, a computer executes an information processing apparatus control method including an installation step of selecting and installing a plurality of drivers for executing a function of the image processing apparatus A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program to be stored.

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