JP2008186418A - Information processor, server device, driver processing method, storage medium, program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve processing by a device driver for obtaining a normal processing result after installing the device driver to a device. <P>SOLUTION: An agent determines (S76) whether the installed device driver is a regular version when processing by the device driver is executed after the device driver downloaded by a downloading means is installed (S71). In this case , when it is determined that the device driver is the regular version, the processing is executed by the installed device driver (S77). When it is determined that the device driver is not the regular version, on the other hand, requested processing is interrupted and a flag for re-installing the device driver to the device is set (S78). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a driver process in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server apparatus.

  Conventionally, as the number of corporate client PCs and MFPs (MFPs) increases, a document solution business for reducing TCO by efficiently managing them has been performed using many applications. Among them, in order to manage printer drivers for printing data from a PC, a so-called push installation mechanism for easily installing a recommended driver from a server to a client has been proposed.

And in patent document 1, the version information of the said program is memorize | stored with the program of the application software memorize | stored in the terminal device of a client. Then, when using the application software, the version information is confirmed with respect to the server. If the application program is not the latest version, the latest version of the application program is immediately downloaded. Then, updating to the latest version of the application program is described.
JP 2002-189594 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the client PC downloads the latest driver to the client PC from the Web or the like. For this reason, when the latest driver is installed, it is impossible to return to a genuine version of the driver that does not cause unauthorized printing to be executed in the printing process. Therefore, as a result, there is a problem that the printing result desired by the user cannot be obtained and the printing cost and the management cost are increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of realizing processing by a device driver that obtains a normal processing result after installing the device driver for the device. It is.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server apparatus, and acquiring means for acquiring an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device from the server apparatus; An agent includes execution means for executing a task notified from the server apparatus based on a task request to the server apparatus, and download means for downloading a device driver for the device from the server apparatus, wherein the agent includes the download After installing the device driver downloaded by the means, a determination means for determining whether or not the installed device driver is a proper version when executing processing by the device driver; If it is determined that the device driver is installed, the process is executed with the installed device driver. If the determination unit determines that the device driver is not a valid version, a flag for re-installing the device driver for the device is set. And setting means.

  An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server apparatus, and acquiring means for acquiring an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device from the server apparatus; The agent includes execution means for executing a task notified from the server apparatus based on a task request to the server apparatus, and download means for downloading a device driver for the device from the server apparatus, After executing the processing by the device driver downloaded by the download means, a display means for displaying a screen for selecting whether the installed device driver is valid or invalid based on the processing result, and a user selection for the screen to be selected. Based on the results, just before installing the device drivers the download, characterized in that it comprises a return means for returning the effectively device driver that has been installed.

  The server device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A server device capable of transmitting, to an information processing device, a device driver that communicates a device connected to a network, the first transmission means for transmitting an agent for processing the device driver to the information processing device; Based on a request from the agent transmitted by the transmission unit, a generation unit that generates a task for installing the device driver in the information processing apparatus, and a task generated by the generation unit are transmitted to the information processing apparatus. And a second transmission means.

  According to the present invention, even if the information processing apparatus downloads a device driver that causes an unauthorized process result from the server apparatus, the unauthorized process can be interrupted and a legitimate device driver can be downloaded and installed.

  In addition, even after the information processing apparatus downloads the device driver and executes the process that causes an illegal processing result from the server apparatus, the device driver immediately before the download can be restored by the user's selection instead of the latest device driver. Can do.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the screen.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applicable. In this example, a server computer 202 and a plurality of client computers 204, 206, 208 are connected on a communication line 201. In this embodiment, a printer connected to a network is taken as an example of a device, but a composite image processing apparatus having a print function may be used. If the device is a printer, the device driver is a printer driver.

  In FIG. 1, there is a printer 203 that can be shared from other client computers on a communication line via printers 205 and 207 and a client computer 204 directly connected to the communication line.

  An agent program is installed from the server computer (SC) 202 in the storage unit of each client computer (PC) 204, 206, 208. Then, the SC 202 installs a printer driver for printing from the printers 203, 205, and 207 that can be used via the communication line 201 via the agent program.

[Configuration of printing system]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the SC 202 and the PCs 204, 206, and 208 shown in FIG.

  In the figure, the client computer will be described with PC 204 as PC 2000 and SC 202 as SC 1000. In this example, the SC 1000 and the PC 2000 are connected via the communication line 3000.

  Further, the PC 2000 will be described with respect to driver installation processing assuming that the administrator who performs driver processing for the SC 1000 uses it.

  In SC1000 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 1080 denotes a first central processing unit, which is composed of a CPU, and loads an OS, a control program, and an application stored in the first storage unit 1060 into a RAM or the like and executes them. A first storage unit 1060 includes an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  Note that the first storage unit 1060 stores a program and related data via the first storage medium reading device 1050. Here, the media that can be read by the first storage medium reading device 1050 include a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an IC memory card, and the like, and programs and related data are stored in the media. .

  Reference numeral 1070 denotes a first data control unit, which includes a first driver control unit 1071 that loads a system program and an application program into, for example, a RAM and executes the program. The first data control unit 1070 manages device drivers related to the printers 203, 205, 207, etc. connected via the communication line 3000. The first driver control unit 1071 executes device driver installation processing for the PCs 204, 206, and 208 based on the control procedure shown in FIG.

  The first data control unit 1070 processes information input from the input unit 1020 and outputs the information to a peripheral device such as a printer connected to the SC 1000 via the interface control unit 1040.

  In the present embodiment, the first display unit 1010 is a display device such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and the second input unit 1020 is configured by a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse. Reference numeral 1090 denotes a system bus, which connects the above-described units and the first central processing unit 1080. Reference numeral 1030 denotes a first input / output data control unit which performs control of processing input from the first input unit 1020 and displaying it on the first display unit 1010. Further, the first input / output data control unit 1030 writes data and programs read from the second storage medium reading device 1050 to the first storage unit 1060 and reads data and programs stored in the first storage unit 1060. I do.

  Further, the first storage unit 1060 may be configured with a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk, or may be configured with a combination thereof.

  The communication line 3000 is a normal LAN or a bidirectional serial interface such as IEEE1394 or USB.

  In PC2000 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 2080 denotes a second central processing unit, which is composed of a CPU. Reference numeral 2060 denotes a second storage unit, which includes an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  The second storage unit 2060 stores a program and related data via the second storage medium reading device 2050. Here, the media that can be read by the second storage medium reading device 2050 include a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an IC memory card, and the like, and programs and related data are stored in the media. .

  Reference numeral 2030 denotes a second input / output data control unit, which controls the input from the second input unit 2020 and displays it on the second display unit 2010. In addition, the second input / output data control unit 2030 writes data and programs read from the second storage medium reading device 2050 to the second storage unit 2060, and reads data and programs stored in the second storage unit 2060. I do. In the PC 2000, an agent is installed from the SC 1000, and a printer driver for controlling from the printers 203, 205, and 207 via the communication circuit 3000 is installed.

  Reference numeral 2070 denotes a second data control unit, which includes a second driver control unit 2071 that loads and executes a system program and an application program in, for example, a RAM.

  The second data control unit 2070 processes information input from the input unit 2020 and outputs the information to a peripheral device such as a printer connected to the PC 2000 via the second interface control unit 2040. Reference numeral 2090 denotes a system bus, which connects the above-described units and the first central processing unit 2080.

  In the present embodiment, the second display unit 2010 is a display device such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and the second input unit 2020 is configured by a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  Furthermore, the second storage unit 2060 may be configured with a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk, or may be configured with a combination thereof.

  The communication line 3000 is a normal LAN or a bidirectional serial interface such as IEEE1394 or USB.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a driver installation workflow in the network system shown in FIG. This example corresponds to a series of workflows from SC 1000 to installation of a printer driver in the client 2200 or the like based on an instruction from the PC 2000. Reference numerals 301 to 309 denote processing.

  First, as a driver management process, in a server & client environment as shown in FIG. 2, in a process 302, a driver to be installed is set in a repository managed by the SC 1000. In step 303, a driver for using the device is registered.

  On the other hand, in the process 305, according to the client search result from the SC 1000 executed in the process 304, a grouping process and exchange with the SC 1000 are performed for the client to install the driver. Therefore, the Agent corresponding to the second driver control unit 2071 in the PC 2000 shown in FIG. 1 is distributed.

  Next, in process 306, the device search result from the server 100 connected to the communication line 3000 executed in process 301 is associated with the previously registered driver in process 303.

  Next, in process 307, a task is generated from the client to which the device-driver association information and Agent are distributed in SC1000, and in process 308, the scheduling is set.

  Finally, in process 309, the driver installs from the SC 1000 to the client according to the set scheduling, and completes the driver installation process. This is a series of driver installation processes.

  The Agent installation task corresponds to S47 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In this example, the SC 1000 accesses the PC 2000 and installs an agent.

  In addition, S41-S48 show each step. Each step is realized by the first central processing unit 1080 of the SC 1000, which is the administrator PC, loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  First, in S41, the first data control unit 1070 transmits an agent installer from the SC 1000 to the client searched by the process shown in FIG. In step S 42, the first data control unit 1070 confirms whether the client administrator ID and password information transmitted from the SC 2000 exist in the database existing on the SC 1000 or the communication line 3000. Here, the database may be configured by a computer device, a network disk, or the like as long as the database includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk and manages the administrator ID and password information of the client.

  If it is determined that the client administrator ID and password information transmitted by the first data control unit 1070 do not exist, the process proceeds to S43. In step S <b> 43, the first data control unit 1070 performs client administrator ID and password setting processing on the first storage unit 1060.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S42 that the administrator ID and password information of the client exist in a database accessible via the communication line 3000, the information is acquired from the database in S43.

  Next, in S45, the SC 1000 logs in to the PC 2000 via the communication line 3000 using the administrator ID and password acquired.

  In step S46, the first data control unit 1070 determines whether the user has logged in to the PC 2000, for example. If it is determined that the first data control unit 1070 has logged in to the PC 2000, the agent installer is executed in S47, the result of the process is notified to the SC 1000 in S48, and the process ends. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S46 that the first data control unit 1071 has failed to log in, the process proceeds to S48, the result of the process is notified to the SC 1000, and this process ends. In this case, the first display unit 1010 of the SC 1000 displays information indicating a login error via the user interface.

  As a result, an agent for installing the printer driver can be installed on the client that has logged in.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In this example, the SC 1000 generates a task for registering or deleting a driver in the process 307 illustrated in FIG. 3, schedules the process in the process 308, and then actually executes the task. In addition, S51-S55 show each step. Each step is realized by loading the control program into the RAM and executing it by the first central processing unit 1080 of the SC 1000 which is the administrator PC.

  First, in S51, the task generated by the first driver control unit 1071 instructs the agent of SC2000 to request task coordination from the SC1000 according to the scheduling. Next, in S52, the agent of the PC 2000 that has received the request instruction requests the SC 1000 for a task. Here, the agent is already installed in the client according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  In step S53, the SC 1000 requested for the task performs task queuing with respect to the PC 2000. In step S54, the PC 2000 executes the queued task. In step S55, the PC 2000 notifies the SC 1000 of the result, and the process ends. Hereinafter, the queued task will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In this example, the PC 2000 is an example of task generation in process 37, task schedule setting process in process 38, and driver installation process 39 in FIG. 3 based on the queued tasks.

  S61 to S68 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  First, the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 acquires driver information installed in the PC 2000 from the SC 1000 according to the task schedule setting of FIG. 3 in S61.

  In step S62, the second central processing unit 2080 determines whether there is a driver to be processed in the PC 2000 based on the acquired driver information. Here, when the second central processing unit 2080 determines that there is no target driver, this processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the second central processing unit 2080 determines that there is a driver to be processed in the PC 2000 in S62, the process proceeds to S63. In step S63, the second central processing unit 2080 determines whether the task content is the driver addition or update process 63-1, or the driver deletion process 63-2.

  If the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the driver deletion process 63-2 is performed, the corresponding driver installed in the PC 2000 is deleted in S64, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S63 that the second central processing unit 2080 is the driver addition or update process 63-1, the driver set is downloaded from the SC1000 or the database on the communication line in S65.

  Then, the second central processing unit 2080 determines whether the content of the task is a driver addition process 66-1 or an existing driver update process 66-2. If the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the driver addition process 66-1 is performed, in S67, a process of adding the downloaded driver to the second storage unit 2060 of the PC 2000 is executed. This process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S66 that the second central processing unit 2080 is the driver update process 66-2, the existing driver installed in the second storage unit 2060 is updated in S68. The process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of driver version check processing by the PC 2000.

  In addition, S71-S78 show each step. Each step is realized by the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  In S71, second central processing unit 2080 executes driver installation acquired from SC 1000.

  Thereafter, in step S72, the installed driver version is added to the version information of the printer driver managed by the agent in the second storage unit 2060, and update processing is performed. In this way, the latest version of the printer driver can be installed in the PC 2000.

  In step S73, the second input unit 2020 is operated to print information generated by an application being executed via the installed printer driver. Here, the printer driver transfers print information to a printer that can communicate via the communication line 3000, and the printer that has received the print information transfers the image data to the engine to perform printing. Here, in accordance with the system of the printer engine, the printer side performs image processing necessary for the received print information.

  Then, second central processing unit 2080 determines whether or not the reinstallation flag managed by the agent is ON.

  If the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the reinstallation flag is in the ON state, the requested printing process based on the instruction from the user is interrupted, and this process is terminated. Here, the re-installation flag is a flag for determining whether or not to reinstall the printer driver transmitted from the SC 1000, and its content is set from OFF to ON in S78.

  On the other hand, if the second central processing unit 2080 determines in S74 that the reinstallation flag is OFF, the process proceeds to S75. In step S75, the driver version is checked by comparing the recommended driver version managed by the agent with the version of the printer driver executing printing.

  Here, it is determined whether or not the version of the printer driver that the second central processing unit 2080 intends to execute printing and the recommended driver version are the same version. That is, it is determined whether there is a regular version that does not cause unauthorized printing to be executed in the printing process.

  Here, if the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the version is not a regular version, the process proceeds to S78, and the reinstallation flag 902 shown in FIG. 10 managed by the agent managed by the second storage unit 2060 is turned ON. Set and finish this process.

  On the other hand, if the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the version of the printer driver is a regular version in S76, the process proceeds to S77. In step S77, the print information from the requested application is output to a communicable printer connected via the communication line 3000 via the regular version printer driver, printing is performed, and the process is terminated. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of driver version check processing by the PC 2000 shown in S75.

  S81 to S83 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  First, in S81, the printer driver re-installation flag 902 managed by the agent is checked by checking the printer driver version by scheduling the task. In step S82, the second central processing unit 2080 determines whether the reinstall flag 902 of the printer driver managed by the agent is in an OFF state.

  If the second central processing unit 2080 determines that the re-installation flag 902 for the printer driver is in an OFF state, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the second central processing unit 2080 determines in S82 that the reinstallation flag 902 is ON, the process proceeds to S83.

  In step S83, the recommended version of the printer driver managed by the first storage unit 1060 of the SC 1000 is reinstalled in the second storage unit 2060 of the PC 2000, and this process ends.

  Thus, even when the latest version of the printer driver downloaded from the server is a printer driver other than the recommended version that is guaranteed to operate from the client, the printing process can be interrupted. For this reason, even after downloading and installing the latest printer driver, it is possible to prevent a situation in which print information is illegally printed.

  Further, since the agent can notify the server device of the reinstallation flag without involving a complicated driver download operation by the user, a printer driver that matches the regular version can be downloaded from the server device.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an agent installed on the client computer 2000 from the server computer 1000 shown in FIG.

  Here, the agent 900 has one or more recommended versions 901, and by referring to the recommended version 901, it is possible to add or delete a regular version of the printer driver to the second storage unit 2060.

  Further, the version 901 of the printer driver installed in the second storage unit 2060 of the client computer 2000 may be a version that is not recommended by the PC 2000. In this case, by referring to the re-installation flag 902 and re-installing the printer driver from the server computer 1000, the regular version of the printer driver can be acquired from the SC 1000 and installed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a program loading method using a recording medium in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a storage medium, for example, a flexible disk 10-1, storing a program according to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, or FIG. X described later is read from the flexible disk drive of the computer apparatus 10-2. Then, it is stored in an external storage device of the computer apparatus 10-2, for example, a hard disk, etc., and the stored program is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU to execute the above-described control.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of the flexible disk 10-1 shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the storage capacity of the flexible disk and the like are specified by the volume information 11-1. The information processing method control program execution file 11-3 and the image processing method control program related data file 11-4 are stored so that the storage location can be specified by the directory information 11-2.

  Thus, the SC 1000 and the PC 2000 can install the information processing method control program execution file 11-3 stored in the flexible drive in the external storage device. Further, the PC 2000 can install the image processing method control program related data file 11-4 in the external storage device.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of SC 1000 and PC 2000 shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the information processing method control program shown in FIG. 11 is loaded into the RAM or the like provided in the SC 1000 and the PC 2000 is shown.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 12-1 denotes a basic I / O program. Reference numeral 12-2 denotes an operating system. An information processing method control program 12-3 corresponds to the information processing method control program file 11-3 stored in the flexible disk shown in FIG. 12-4 is related data, which is data related to the execution of the information processing method control program 12-3. A work area 12-5 is a variable area according to the volume of the information processing method control program 12-3 and related data 12-4. Note that the storage capacity of the RAM can be expanded by mounting a memory device.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing method control program is directly read from the flexible disk into the data control unit via the flexible disk drive and executed. However, the information processing method control program may be saved from a storage medium such as a flexible disk to a storage unit such as an HD and read into the data control unit when executed.

  In addition to the flexible disk and HD, the storage medium for storing the information processing method control program may be a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, an IC memory card, or the like. It is also possible to store the information processing method control program in the ROM.

[Second Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the re-installation flag is set by determining whether the version is a regular version by the driver version check by the agent. The case has been described in which the regular device driver is downloaded from the server device and installed with reference to the set reinstallation flag.

  On the other hand, when the downloaded device driver is installed, a print check flag may be set to inquire the user about the processing execution result by the installed device driver.

  If the processing result is bad, the device driver controls to re-install the device driver that has been normally processed until immediately before, instead of the latest installed device driver. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of processing for preventing a situation in which normal printing cannot be performed when the driver is updated.

  Note that S1301 to S1311 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  First, in step S1301, the second data control unit 2070 acquires a printer driver from the SC 1000 via the agent acquired from the SC 1000, and executes driver installation in the second storage unit 2060. Thereafter, in S1302, the second data control unit 2070 determines whether or not the driver information related to the printer driver has been updated. If the second data control unit 2070 determines that the driver information has not been updated, the process proceeds to S1304.

  On the other hand, if the second data control unit 2070 determines in S1302 that the driver information has been updated, the process proceeds to S1303. In step S1303, an instruction from the SC 1000 reflects the current driver version, which is the version installed until immediately before the agent of the PC 2000 manages, in the immediately previous version. Further, the version of the printer driver installed by the second data control unit 2070 is reflected in the current driver version. Further, the second data control unit 2070 sets a print check flag (PCF) to ON.

  Thereafter, in step S1304, based on the user's operation instruction, the second data control unit 2070 determines whether the print information from the application is transferred to the printer via the installed printer driver and instructed to execute printing. If it is determined that the second data control unit 2070 has not instructed execution of printing, the process returns to S1302.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1304 that the second data control unit 2070 has instructed printing execution, in step S1305, printing information from the application is transferred to the printer via the installed printer driver, and printing is executed.

  In step S1306, the agent acquired from the SC 1000 confirms the PCF. In step S1307, the second data control unit 2070 determines whether or not the PCF is in an ON state, and if it is determined that the PCF is not in an ON state, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the second data control unit 2070 determines that the PCF is in the ON state, in S1308, the second display unit 2010 displays a user input screen for confirming to the user whether the print result has been printed normally. Display above.

  In step S <b> 1309, the second data control unit 2070 determines whether the user has selected normal printing on the user input screen displayed on the second display unit 2010. If the second data control unit 2070 determines that the user has selected normal printing, the process advances to step S1311 to turn off the PCF managed by the agent, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the second data control unit 2070 determines in S1309 that the user has not selected normal printing, the second data control unit 2070 sets the rollback flag (RBF) to ON in S1310, This process ends.

  As described above, in the case of print processing as a result of processing via the displayed user interface, it may be determined that the print result is not normal printing. In this case, instead of the installed device driver, the device driver that has been effectively installed immediately before can be restored according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of processing for preventing a situation in which normal printing cannot be performed when the driver is updated.

  Note that S1401 to S1404 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the second central processing unit 2080 of the PC 2000 loading the control program into the RAM and executing it.

  First, in step S1401, the second data control unit 2070 checks the content of the RBF in step S1310 shown in FIG. 13 managed by the agent by driver check based on task scheduling. In step S1402, the second data control unit 2070 determines whether the RBF is in an ON state. Here, when the second data control unit 2070 determines that the RBF is not in the ON state, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the second data control unit 2070 determines in step S1402 that the RBF is in the ON state, the previous version of the printer driver is acquired from the SC 1000 to the PC 2000 and installed in step S1403. In step S1404, the immediately previous version of the printer driver managed by the agent acquired from the SC 1000 is reflected in the current version, and the process is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, after the device driver is installed, when the first process is executed, a screen asking the user whether the process execution result is acceptable can be displayed, and the installed device driver can be validated or invalidated. it can.

  For this reason, even if the user installs the latest version of the device driver from the server device, if the user determines that the device driver cannot obtain a normal processing result, the previous device driver may be restored. it can. As a result, even after the latest device driver is installed once, the user can restore the device driver that was valid immediately before, and can continue processing results desired by the user.

  As a result, it is possible to solve the problem that the printing result desired by the user cannot be obtained and the printing cost and the management cost are increased.

[Third Embodiment]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory maps shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the server device according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the storage medium storing the software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, based on an instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  While various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification by those skilled in the art.

It is a figure which shows an example of the information processing system which can apply the information processing apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server and a client illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a driver installation workflow in the network system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the agent installed in a client computer from the server computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the program loading method by the recording medium in the information processing apparatus which shows this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the flexible disk shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the server and client shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 7th data processing procedure in the information processing system which shows this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. The figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the server apparatus based on this invention

Explanation of symbols

1000 SC
1060 First storage unit 1071 First data control unit 1080 First central processing unit 2000 PC
2010 second display unit 2070 second data control unit 2060 second storage unit 2080 second central processing unit

Claims (24)

An information processing device capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server device,
Obtaining means for obtaining from the server device an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device;
Execution means for executing a task notified from the server device based on a task request that the agent requests the server device;
Download means for downloading a device driver for the device from the server device,
The agent, after installing the device driver downloaded by the download unit, a determination unit that determines whether or not the installed device driver is a regular version when executing processing by the device driver;
When the determination unit determines that the version is a regular version, the process is executed with the installed device driver. When the determination unit determines that the version is not a regular version, the device driver for the device is reinstalled. An information processing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the flag of   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes an installation task for installing a device driver acquired from the server apparatus when the flag is set.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether an installed device driver is a regular version by comparing with a recommended version set in the agent.   The setting unit, when the determination unit determines that the version is not a regular version, interrupts the requested process and sets a flag for reinstalling a device driver for the device. 1. An information processing apparatus according to 1. An information processing device capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server device,
Obtaining means for obtaining an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device from the server device;
An execution means for executing a task notified from the server device based on a task request to the server device by the agent;
Download means for downloading a device driver for the device from the server device,
The agent, after executing processing by the device driver downloaded by the download means, a display means for displaying a screen for selecting whether the installed device driver is valid or invalid based on the processing result;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a return unit that restores a device driver that has been effectively installed immediately before installing the downloaded device driver based on a selection result of the user with respect to the screen to be selected.   The agent further includes setting means for setting a check flag for notifying a user of a processing result by the device driver and determining when the download means has downloaded a device driver from the server device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a printing apparatus and a composite image output apparatus having a printing function.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device driver is a printer driver. A server device capable of transmitting a device driver that communicates with a device connected to a network to an information processing device,
First transmission means for transmitting an agent for processing the device driver to the information processing apparatus;
Generating means for generating a task for installing the device driver in the information processing apparatus based on a request from the agent transmitted by the transmitting means;
Second transmitting means for transmitting the task generated by the generating means to the information processing apparatus;
A server device comprising:   The server device according to claim 9, wherein the device includes a printing apparatus and a composite image output apparatus having a printing function.   The server device according to claim 9, wherein the device driver is a printer driver. A driver processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server apparatus,
An acquisition step of acquiring an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device from the server device;
An execution step of executing a task notified from the server device based on a task request requested by the agent to the server device;
Downloading a device driver for the device from the server device,
The agent, after installing the device driver downloaded in the download step, a determination step of determining whether the installed device driver is a proper version when executing processing by the device driver;
In order to reinstall the device driver for the device when the determination step determines that the version is a legitimate version, the process is executed with the installed device driver, and the judgment step determines that the version is not a legitimate version. And a setting step for setting the flag.   13. The driver processing method according to claim 12, wherein the execution step executes an installation task for installing a device driver acquired from the server device when the flag is set.   13. The driver processing method according to claim 12, wherein the determination step determines whether the installed device driver is a regular version by comparing with a recommended version set in the agent. The setting step, when it is determined by the determination step that the version is not a regular version, interrupts the requested processing and sets a flag for re-installing a device driver for the device. 12. The driver processing method according to 12. A driver processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a device connected to a network or a server apparatus,
An acquisition step of acquiring an agent for executing a task for managing a device driver for the device from the server device;
An execution step in which the agent executes a task notified from the server device based on a task request to the server device;
Downloading a device driver for the device from the server device,
The agent, after executing processing by the device driver downloaded in the download step, a display step for displaying a screen for selecting valid or invalid of the installed device driver based on the processing result;
A driver processing method comprising: a restoration step of restoring a device driver that is effectively installed immediately before installing the downloaded device driver based on a selection result by the user with respect to the screen to be selected.   The agent further includes a setting step of setting a check flag for notifying a user of a processing result by the device driver and making a determination when the device driver is downloaded from the server device in the download step. The driver processing method according to claim 16.   18. The driver processing method according to claim 12, wherein the device includes a printing apparatus and a composite image output apparatus having a printing function.   The driver processing method according to claim 12, wherein the device driver is a printer driver. A driver processing method in a server device capable of transmitting a device driver for communicating a device connected to a network to an information processing device,
A first transmission step of transmitting an agent for processing the device driver to the information processing apparatus;
Based on the request from the agent transmitted by the transmission step, a generation step of generating a task for installing the device driver in the information processing device;
A second transmission step of transmitting the task generated by the generation step to the information processing device;
A driver processing method comprising:   21. The driver processing method according to claim 20, wherein the device includes a printing apparatus and a composite image output apparatus having a printing function.   The driver processing method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the device driver is a printer driver.   23. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the driver processing method according to claim 12.   A program for causing a computer to execute the driver processing method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

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