JP2009245098A - Program-updating method and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a computer system which updates a program installed in a host computer connected to USB device equipment when USB devices mounted on the USB device equipment are exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: A USB hub and a medium drive 31 connected to the USB hub are mounted on a CD/DVD publisher 3. When the medium drive 31 is exchanged, a storage device 35, which stores an updating program 36 for updating an application program 21, is connected to the USB hub. When the CD/DVD publisher 3 and the host computer 2 are connected, the application program 21 acquires the device information on the medium drive 31 and determines whether its own updating is necessary. When the updating is necessary, the application program 21 executes its own updating by using the updating program 36 of the storage device 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a host computer connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) hub and a USB device connected to the USB device after the USB device of the USB device connected to the USB hub is replaced. The present invention relates to a program update method and a computer system capable of updating an installed program.

As a USB device device on which a USB hub and a plurality of USB devices connected to the USB hub are mounted, there is a media processing device that writes data and prints a label on a medium such as a CD or a DVD. The media processing device is, for example,
A USB device includes a media drive, a label printer, a media transport mechanism for transporting media, and the like that are described in Patent Document 1. The USB device device can be driven and controlled from a program such as a device driver or an application program installed in a host computer connected to the USB device device.
JP 2007-35273 A

If a USB device fails, the USB connected to the USB hub during the repair process
The device may be replaced with a new one with a different product name or model number. This is because a stock of a product having the same model number as the USB device connected to the USB hub at the time of product shipment is not always secured until the time of the failure. Alternatively, the version may be upgraded and replaced with a new one.

Here, the device driver drives and controls each USB device mounted on the USB device device in cooperation with the firmware. In addition, the application program installed in the host computer includes each U program installed in the USB device.
As in the case of the device driver, there is a device that includes a control unit that controls driving of the SB device in cooperation with firmware installed in each USB device.
For this reason, when a USB device is replaced with a new one, the firmware of the replaced USB device does not correspond to the device driver or control means, and the USB device device can be driven and controlled from these programs. It may not be possible.

When it becomes impossible to drive and control the USB device device from the program, the user updates the program and the device driver and control means are exchanged.
It must correspond to the firmware of the B device. However, in order to perform the update, there is a problem that the user has to obtain an update program such as the latest program separately. Further, if the update is not performed using an appropriate update program corresponding to the replaced USB device, there is a problem that the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program even if the update is performed.

In view of these points, the problem of the present invention is that the USB mounted on the USB device device.
An object of the present invention is to propose a program update method and a computer system capable of updating a program installed in a host computer to an optimal one without changing the device after replacing the device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention controls the drive of a USB device device after replacing the USB device of a USB device mounted with a USB hub and a USB device connected to the USB hub. A program update method for updating a program installed in a host computer connected to the USB device device,
A device information storage step of storing and holding device information of the USB device before exchanging the USB device;
A storage device connection step of connecting a storage device storing an update program for updating the program to the USB hub when the USB device is replaced;
A connecting step of connecting the USB device device and the host computer;
A device information acquisition step of acquiring device information of the replaced USB device;
An update determination step of determining whether the update of the program is necessary based on the device information of the USB device and the device information of the USB device stored and held;
An update step of updating the program by the update program when it is determined that the update is necessary.

A device driver installed in the host computer drives and controls the USB device installed in the USB device device in cooperation with the firmware. Some of the application programs installed in the host computer include control means for controlling the USB device installed in the USB device device in cooperation with its firmware in the same manner as the device driver. is there. In these programs, after the USB device is replaced, the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program unless the program and the firmware of the USB device correspond to each other. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the necessity of updating the program installed in the host computer is determined based on the device information of the USB device before and after replacing the USB device, and the update is necessary. Will be updated. That is, when it is recognized that the USB device has been replaced with a new one based on the device information, the program can be updated. Therefore, even if this program is a device driver, the program includes control means. Even in this case, the program can be updated to correspond to the firmware of the USB device. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program by exchanging the USB device. In addition, the update program is stored in the storage device and connected to the USB hub.
There is no need for the user to download the update program separately. Here, the connection includes enabling communication.

Further, the storage device connection process for connecting the storage device to the USB hub can be performed by the vendor who replaces the USB device at the time of repair or version upgrade. Therefore, the vendor can store or hold the update program most suitable for driving and controlling the USB device including the replaced USB device in the storage device, and can provide or return the update program to the user. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program despite being updated.

Further, if the update program is stored in the storage device, the vendor can provide the update program to the user simply by connecting the storage device to the USB hub when the USB device is replaced. In addition, the storage device is USB
Since it is a device, it is easy for the host computer to recognize the storage device, and it is also easy to use an update program stored in the storage device from a program installed in the host computer.

In the present invention, when the latest program is installed in the host computer, in order to avoid unnecessary update, when it is determined that the update is necessary, the update process is performed before the update step. Including a version detection step for detecting version information of the update program, and if the version information is not newer than the version information of the application program stored and held in advance in the program, the update step is not performed. Is desirable.

In the present invention, when the application program and device driver are included in the program, the USB device is driven and controlled in the update program in order to update the device driver simultaneously with the update of the application program or independently. In order to do so, a driver update program for updating the device driver is included, and in the update step, the device driver is preferably updated by the driver update program.

In the present invention, when the media drive connected to the USB hub is replaced,
In order to easily update the program, the USB device is a media drive, and the update program is stored in a storage medium readable by the media drive. In the storage device connection step, Instead of connecting a storage device to the USB hub, it is desirable to make the media drive accessible to the storage medium. That is, if a storage medium storing an update program is inserted into the replaced media drive, the program can be updated by accessing the update program from the media drive.

In the present invention, the media drive is connected to the USB device separately from the replaced USB device.
In order to easily update the program when connected to a hub, the U
At least the USB device and the media drive are connected to the SB hub,
The update program is stored in a storage medium that can be read by the media drive. In the storage device connection step, the storage device is stored in the US.
Instead of connecting to a B-hub, it is desirable to make the media drive accessible to the storage media. That is, if a storage medium storing an update program is inserted into a media drive connected to the USB hub, the program can be updated by accessing the update program from the media drive.

In the present invention, the USB device device may be a media processing device in which at least the media drive and a label printer are connected to the USB hub.

Next, the computer system of the present invention includes:
USB with USB hub and USB device connected to this USB hub
Device equipment,
A host computer connected to the USB device device;
A program installed in the host computer to drive and control the USB device device;
A storage device connected to the USB hub and storing an update program for updating the program;
The program includes device information acquisition means for acquiring device information of the USB device every time the program is started, and the U information acquired by the device information acquisition means last time.
Whether the device information of the SB device is stored and held, and whether the program needs to be updated based on the device information of the USB device acquired last time and the device information of the USB device newly acquired by the device information acquisition unit Update determining means for determining whether or not the update is necessary, and update means for updating the program with the update program when the update is determined to be necessary.

In a computer system comprising a USB device device and a host computer connected thereto, a device driver mounted on the host computer drives and controls the USB device mounted on the USB device device in cooperation with the firmware. . In addition, in the application program installed in the host computer, the USB device installed in the USB device device,
Some include control means for controlling driving in cooperation with the firmware. In these programs, after the USB device is replaced, if the program and the firmware of the USB device do not correspond, the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program. On the other hand, according to the present invention, each time the program is started, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information of the USB device, and the update determination unit acquires the USB device newly acquired by the device information acquisition unit. Device information and last acquired U
The necessity of program update is determined based on the device information of the SB device, and when it is determined that the update is necessary, the program is updated by the update means. That is, when it is recognized that the USB device has been replaced with a new one based on the device information, the program can be updated. Therefore, even if this program is a device driver, the program includes control means. Even in this case, the program can be updated to correspond to the firmware of the USB device. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program by exchanging the USB device. In addition, since the update program is connected to the USB hub while being stored in the storage device, there is no need for the user to download the update program separately when updating. Here, the connection includes enabling communication.

Furthermore, the step of connecting the storage device to the USB hub can be performed by the vendor who replaces the USB device at the time of repair or version upgrade. Therefore, the vendor can store or hold the update program most suitable for driving and controlling the USB device including the replaced USB device in the storage device, and can provide or return the update program to the user. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program despite being updated.

Further, if the update program is stored in the storage device, the vendor can provide the update program to the user simply by connecting the storage device to the USB hub when the USB device is replaced. In addition, the storage device is USB
Since it is a device, it is easy for the host computer to recognize the storage device, and it is also easy to use an update program stored in the storage device from a program installed in the host computer.

In the present invention, in order to avoid unnecessary update when the latest program is installed in a host computer, the program includes a version detection unit that detects version information of the update program. Preferably, the update means does not update if the version information is not newer than the version information of the application program stored and held in advance in the program.

In the present invention, if the program includes an application program and a device driver, the program includes the application program and the device driver in order to update the device driver simultaneously with the update of the application program or independently. The update program includes a driver update program for updating the device driver, and the update unit preferably updates the device driver with the driver update program.

In the present invention, when the media drive connected to the USB hub is replaced,
In order to easily update the program, the USB device is a media drive, the update program is stored in a storage medium readable by the media drive, and the storage device stores the storage device. The media drive can access the media. In other words, if the storage media stored by the update program is inserted into the replaced media drive and made accessible, the update program can be updated by reading the update program from the media drive. It can be performed.

In the present invention, the media drive is connected to the USB device separately from the replaced USB device.
In order to easily update the program when connected to a hub, the U
At least the USB device and the media drive are connected to the SB hub,
The update program is stored in a storage medium that can be read by the media drive, and the storage device can be the media drive that can access the storage medium. In other words, if a storage device that is stored and held by the update program is inserted into the media drive connected to the USB hub and is made accessible, the update program is read from this media drive. You can update the program.

In the present invention, the USB device device may be a media processing device in which at least the media drive and a label printer are connected to the USB hub.

According to the present invention, the necessity of updating the program installed in the host computer is determined based on the device information of the USB device before and after the replacement of the USB device, and if an update is necessary, the update is performed. Done. That is, when it is recognized that the USB device has been replaced with a new one based on the device information, the program can be updated. Therefore, even if this program is a device driver, the program is installed in the USB device device. Even when control means that cooperates with the firmware of the existing USB device is included, the program can be updated to correspond to the firmware of the USB device. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program by exchanging the USB device. In addition, since the update program is connected to the USB hub while being stored in the storage device, it is not necessary for the user to obtain the update program separately when updating.

Further, the step of connecting the storage device to the USB hub can be performed by the vendor who replaces the USB device for repair or the like. Therefore, the vendor must replace the replaced USB
An update program most suitable for driving and controlling a USB device including the device can be stored in the storage device and provided to the user. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the USB device device cannot be driven and controlled from the program despite being updated.

Further, if the update program is stored in the storage device, the vendor can provide the update program to the user simply by connecting the storage device to the USB hub when the USB device is replaced. In addition, the storage device is USB
Since it is a device, it is easy for the host computer to recognize the storage device, and it is also easy to use an update program stored in the storage device from a program installed in the host computer.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a media processing system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Media processing system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the media processing system of this example. Media processing system 1
Performs writing of data and printing of a label on a writable medium such as a CD or DVD, and includes a host computer 2 and a CD / DVD publisher 3 connected to the host computer 2 so as to be communicable. ing.

The CD / DVD publisher 3 has two media drives 31 and 32 capable of writing data to the media and reading data from the media, and a label that prints the label on the media on which the data has been written. A printer 33 and a media transport mechanism 34 for supplying blank media taken out from a media supply unit (not shown) to the media drives 31 and 32 and the label printer 33 in this order and then discharging them to a media storage unit (not shown); A storage device 35 incorporating a hard disk or semiconductor memory is provided. The media drives 31 and 32, the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34, and the storage device 35 are all USB devices, and are not shown.
It is mounted on the CD / DVD publisher 3 while being connected to the hub. The media drives 31, 32, label printer 33, media transport mechanism 34, and storage device 35 are connected to the host computer 2 via a USB hub.

The storage device 35 includes an application program 21 and a printer driver 22 (installed in the host computer 2 in order to drive and control the CD / DVD publisher 3.
An update program 36 for updating the device driver is stored and held. The update program 36 is a program for updating the application program 21 and the printer driver 22 installed in the host computer 2 to the latest version. In this example, the latest version of the application program 21 and this program are stored in the host computer 2. Includes an installer to install.

The host computer 2 includes an operating system (OS) 20 and a CD / DVD.
An application program 21 for driving and controlling the publisher 3 and a printer driver 2 for driving and controlling the label printer 33 mounted on the USB device.
2 is installed. The OS 20 is a Windows (registered trademark) OS and is a CD / D.
When a USB device such as the VD publisher 3 is connected to the host computer 2, the connection of each USB device mounted on the USB device is automatically detected as a plug-and-play processing operation. The device name and hardware ID of each USB device are acquired as device information. The acquired device information is stored and held in the registry 23 managed by the OS 20. Accordingly, the registry 23 stores and holds device information of the media drives 31 and 32, the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34, and the storage device 35.

The application program 21 includes a drive control unit 211 for driving and controlling the media drives 31 and 32 installed in the CD / DVD publisher 3, a printer control unit 212 for driving and controlling the label printer 33, and a media transport mechanism 34. Is provided with a transport mechanism control means 213 for controlling the driving of the motor. Also,
In order to operate the media drives 31 and 32, the label printer 33 and the media transport mechanism 34 in cooperation with each other, the integrated control means 2 for linking the drive control by the drive control means 211, the printer control means 212 and the transport mechanism control means 213.
14 is provided. Drive control means 211 and transport mechanism control means 2
13 controls the drive of the media drives 31 and 32 and the media transport mechanism 34 in direct cooperation with the firmware installed in each USB device without using a device driver. The printer control means 212 controls the drive of the label printer 33 via the printer driver 22.

When the application program 21 drives and controls the CD / DVD publisher 3 to write data and print a label on a blank medium, the following drive control is performed under the control of the integrated control unit 214. Done.

In other words, the transport mechanism control means 213 controls the drive of the media transport mechanism 34, and
Remove the blank media from the media supply unit. And two media drives 31
, 32 are supplied to the media drive 31 where the data writing operation is not performed.
Then, the drive control means 211 drives and controls the media drive 31 to write data on the blank medium.

When the data writing is completed, the transport mechanism control unit 213 drives and controls the media transport mechanism 34 to supply the media on which the data has been written from the media drive 31 to the label printer 33. Then, the printer control unit 212 drives and controls the label printer 33 via the printer driver 22, and prints the label on the medium on which the data has been written.

When the label printing is completed, the transport mechanism control means 213 displays the media transport mechanism 3.
4 is driven and controlled, and the media on which data writing and label printing have been completed is discharged from the label printer 33 to the media storage unit.

In addition, the application program 21 acquires device information of each USB device installed in the CD / DVD publisher 3 every time the application program 21 is activated, and the device information acquisition unit 215 previously acquires the device information. Update determination means 216 for determining whether or not the update of the application program 21 is necessary based on the device information of each USB device and the newly acquired device information of each USB device, and for updating the application program 21 itself Update means 217 and version detection means 218 for detecting version information of the update program 36 stored and held in the storage device 35.

Whenever the application program 21 is activated, the device information acquisition unit 215
The device information of each USB device installed in the CD / DVD publisher 3 is stored in the OS 2
Get from 0. That is, when the CD / DVD publisher 3 and the host computer 2 are connected, the media drives 31 and 3 are connected by the plug and play processing operation of the OS 20.
2. Since the device information of the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34 and the storage device 35 is acquired and stored in the registry 23, the device information acquisition means 21
5 acquires device information of each USB device from the registry 23.

The update determination unit 216 stores and holds the device information of the media drives 31, 32, the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34, and the storage device 35 acquired by the device information acquisition unit 215 when the application program 21 was started last time. When the device information acquisition means 215 newly acquires each device information, each newly acquired device information and each device information stored and held (each previously acquired device information)
And compare. If the device name or hardware ID included in each newly acquired device information is different from the device name or hardware ID included in each stored device information, It is determined that the application program 21 needs to be updated. If the device name and hardware ID included in the stored device information are the same, it is determined that the application program 21 need not be updated.

If it is determined that an update is necessary, the version detection unit 218 determines that the CD /
The storage device 35 mounted on the DVD publisher 3 is accessed, and the version information of the update program 36 is acquired from the file name of the update program 36 stored and held in the storage device 35.

When the update means 217 determines that the update is necessary and the version information of the update program 36 is newer than its own version information stored in advance in the application program 21, the update means 217 informs the CD / DVD publisher 3 The installed storage device 35 is accessed. In addition, the installer included in the update program 36 is activated to install the latest version of the application program 21 in the host computer 2 and update itself. Further, when the update program 36 includes a driver update program for updating a device driver such as the printer driver 22, the update unit 217 updates the device driver using the driver update program. can do.

Even when the update determining unit 216 determines that the update is necessary, the version detecting unit 218 determines the version information of the update program 36 from the version information of the application program 21 installed in the host computer 2. If it is detected that it is not new, the update means 217 does not update.

(Program update operation)
FIG. 2 shows the CD / DVD publisher 3 after the media drive 31 has been replaced.
4 is a flowchart showing an operation for updating an application program 21 installed in a host computer 2 connected to a DVD publisher 3.

First, the vendor repairs and upgrades the CD / DVD publisher 3. At this time, the media drive 31 is replaced (step ST1). Further, the storage device 35 in which the update program 36 is stored is connected to the USB hub of the CD / DVD publisher 3 by the vendor to enable communication (step S).
T2).

When the CD / DVD publisher 3 returns from the repair or version upgrade, the user turns on the power switch of the CD / DVD publisher 3 to connect to the host computer 2 (step ST11). The OS 20 of the host computer 2 performs a media drive 31 mounted on the CD / DVD publisher 3 by plug and play processing operation.
32, the device information of the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34, and the storage device is acquired and stored in the registry 23 (step ST12).

When the user starts the application program 21, the device information acquisition unit 215 of the application program 21 starts from the OS 20 with the CD / DVD publisher 3.
The device information of the media drives 31, 32, the label printer 33, the media transport mechanism 34, and the storage device 35 mounted on the storage device 35 is acquired (step ST13). The update determination unit 216 compares each device information newly acquired by the device information acquisition unit 215 with each device information already stored and held by the update determination unit 216 (step ST14).

Here, the device information acquisition unit 215 acquires each device information of each USB device mounted on the CD / DVD publisher 3 from the OS 20 every time the application program 21 is activated, and the update determination unit 216 Information acquisition means 21
5 stores and holds the device information acquired last time. Therefore, update determination means 2
Each device information stored and held by the device 16 includes device information of the media drive 31 before being replaced by the vendor. Therefore, when each newly acquired device information and each device information stored and held are compared, the media drive 31
If the device name or hardware ID included in the device information is different,
The media drive 31 is replaced with a new one having a different model number from that originally connected to the USB hub, and the drive control means 211 of the application program 21 and the firmware of the media drive 31 may not be compatible. I know that there is. Therefore, the update determination unit 216 determines that update is necessary. If it is determined that an update is necessary, the process proceeds to step ST15.

On the other hand, when the newly acquired device information matches the device information stored and held, the media drive 31 is replaced with the same product. Therefore, the update determination unit 216 determines that update is not necessary. If it is determined that no update is necessary, the update operation ends.

In step ST15, the version detection means 218 accesses the storage device 35 and detects the version information of the update program 36.

In step ST15, when the detected version information is newer than its own version information stored and held in the application program 21, the update means 217 activates the installer included in the update program 36, and The latest application program 21 is installed in the host computer 2 (step ST16). Thereby, the update operation of the application program 21 ends.

On the other hand, if the version information detected in step ST4 is not newer than its own version information stored and held in the application program 21 installed in the host computer 2, the update means 217 does not perform the update and updates the version information. The operation ends.

(Function and effect)
According to this example, when it is recognized that the media drive 31 has been replaced with a different model number or the like based on the device information of the media drive 31 before and after replacing the media drive 31, the application program 21 is updated. . As a result, it is possible to update the drive control means 211 that controls the drive of the media drive 31 without using a device driver so as to correspond to the firmware of the replaced media drive 31. As a result, it is possible to prevent the application program 21 from being incompatible with the firmware of the media drive 31 that has been exchanged and from being able to drive and control the CD / DVD publisher 3 from the application program 21.

The update program 36 is stored in the storage device 35 and stored in the US.
Since it is connected to the B hub, it is not necessary for the user to download and obtain the update program 36 via a separate communication line when updating.

Further, the process of connecting the storage device 35 to the USB hub can be performed by the vendor who replaced the media drive 31 at the time of repair. Accordingly, the vendor can store the update program 36 most suitable for driving and controlling the CD / DVD publisher 3 including the replaced media drive 31 in the storage device 35 and provide it to the user.
As a result, the application program 21 can update the CD despite the fact that it has been updated.
/ A situation where the DVD publisher 3 cannot perform drive control can be avoided.

In addition, if the vendor stores the update program 36 in the storage device 35, when the USB device is replaced, the vendor can provide the update program 36 to the user simply by connecting the storage device 35 to the USB hub. Can do. In addition, since the storage device 35 is also a USB device, it is easy for the host computer 2 to recognize the storage device 35, and for the update stored in the storage device 35 from the application program 21 installed in the host computer 2. It is easy to use the program 36.

Further, the application program 21 includes version detection means 218 for detecting version information of the update program 36. If the version information is not newer than the version information of the application program 21 itself, the update is not performed. Therefore, unnecessary updates can be avoided when the latest application program 21 is installed in the host computer 2.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the update program 36 includes the latest version of the application program 21 and an installer for installing it on the host computer 2, but the update means 217 includes an installer, The update program 36 may include the latest version of the application program 21.

Further, the update program 36 may not be the latest version of the application program 21, but may be a differential program that updates only the control means that controls the drive control of the replaced USB device. In the above example, for example, a difference program that updates only the drive control means 211 that drives and controls the replaced media drive 31 can be used.

When the application program 21 controls the label printer 33 via the printer driver 22, the printer driver 2 is added to the update program 36.
A driver update program for updating 2 is included. In this way, the update unit 217 can update the printer driver 22 using the driver update program included in the update program 36.

For example, when the label printer 33 is replaced at the time of repair or the like, the update program 36 includes the latest version of the application program 21, an installer for installing it on the host computer 2, and the printer driver 22. And a driver update program for updating. Alternatively, a difference program for updating the printer control unit 212 and a driver update program for updating the printer driver 22 are included. Alternatively, only the driver update program is included in order to update only the printer driver 22. As the driver update program, the latest printer driver 22 and an installer for installing it in the host computer 2 can be used. In this way, the application program 21
In addition, the printer driver 22 or the printer driver 22 alone can be updated.

In the above example, the application program 21 is the device information acquisition unit 215.
, Update determination means 216, update means 217, and version detection means 21
8 may be included in the printer driver 22. That is, since a device driver such as the printer driver 22 is also a program operating on the host computer, as in the case of the application program 21, the present invention can be applied to update the device driver. In this case, the update program 36 includes a driver update program.

Further, as in the above example, when the media drive 31 is replaced at the time of repair or the like, the update program 36 is stored in a storage medium that can be read by the media drive 31, and this storage is performed. Media drive 31 whose media has been replaced
And may be accessible from the media drive 31.

In this way, the update unit 217 and the version detection unit 218 are connected to the USB.
By searching each USB device connected to the hub, the storage medium inserted in the media drive 31 can be accessed. In addition, the update means 217
The application program 21 can be updated by reading the update program 36 from the storage medium via the media drive 31. In this case, it is not necessary to connect the storage device 35 storing the update program 36 to the USB hub.

Further, as in the above example, when the media drive 32 is connected to the USB hub separately from the replaced USB device, the update program 36 is stored in a storage medium that can be read by the media drive 32. The storage medium may be inserted into the media drive 32 so as to be accessible from the media drive 32. In this way, the update unit 217 and the version detection unit 218 search for each USB device connected to the USB hub to thereby search the media drive 3.
2 can be accessed. Also, the update means 21
7 can update the application program 21 by reading the update program 36 from the storage medium via the media drive 32. In this case, it is not necessary to connect the storage device 35 storing the update program 36 to the USB hub.

Furthermore, in the above example, the USB device device is a media processing device.
In order to update the application program 21 installed in the host computer 2 in order to drive and control the SB hub and a digital multi-function peripheral equipped with a scanner, printer, FAX, etc. as a USB device connected to the USB hub. In addition, the present invention can be applied.

It is a schematic block diagram of the CD / DVD publisher to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the update operation | movement of an application program.

Explanation of symbols

1. Media processing system 2. Host computer 3. CD / DVD publisher
20. OS, 21. Application program, 22. Printer driver, 23. Registry, 31, 32. Media drive, 33. Label printer, 34. Media transport mechanism, 35. Storage device, 36. Update program, 211. Drive Control means, 212-printer control means, 213-transport mechanism control means,
214-Integrated control means 215-Device information acquisition means 216-Update determination means 217-Update means 218-Version detection means

Claims (12)

USB with USB hub and USB device connected to this USB hub
A program update method for driving and controlling the USB device device after replacing the USB device of the device device, and for updating a program installed in a host computer connected to the USB device device. ,
A device information storage step of storing and holding device information of the USB device before exchanging the USB device;
A storage device connection step of connecting a storage device storing an update program for updating the program to the USB hub when the USB device is replaced;
A connecting step of connecting the USB device device and the host computer;
A device information acquisition step of acquiring device information of the USB device;
An update determination step of determining whether the update of the program is necessary based on the acquired device information of the USB device and the device information of the USB device stored and held;
An update step of updating the program by the update program when it is determined that the update is necessary. The program update method according to claim 1,
If it is determined that the update is necessary, before the update step, including a version detection step of detecting version information of the update program,
The program update method, wherein the update process is not performed when the version information is not newer than the version information of the program stored and held in advance in the program. In the program update method according to claim 1 or 2,
The program includes an application program and a device driver,
The update program includes a driver update program for updating the device driver,
In the update process, the device driver is updated by the driver update program. In the program update method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The USB device is a media drive;
The update program is stored in a storage medium readable by the media drive,
In the storage device connection step, instead of connecting the storage device to the USB hub,
A method for updating a program, wherein the media drive is made accessible to the storage medium. In the program update method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
At least the USB device and a media drive are connected to the USB hub,
The update program is stored in a storage medium readable by the media drive,
In the storage device connection step, instead of connecting the storage device to the USB hub,
A method for updating a program, wherein the media drive is made accessible to the storage medium. The method of updating a program according to claim 4 or 5,
The USB device device is a media processing apparatus in which at least the media drive and a label printer are connected to the USB hub. USB with USB hub and USB device connected to this USB hub
Device equipment,
A host computer connected to the USB device device;
A program installed in the host computer to drive and control the USB device device;
A storage device connected to the USB hub and storing an update program for updating the program;
The program includes device information acquisition means for acquiring device information of the USB device every time the program is started, and the U information acquired by the device information acquisition means last time.
Whether the device information of the SB device is stored and held, and whether the program needs to be updated based on the device information of the USB device acquired last time and the device information of the USB device newly acquired by the device information acquisition unit A computer system comprising: an update determining means for determining whether or not the update is necessary; and an update means for updating the program with the update program when the update is determined to be necessary. The computer system according to claim 7.
The program includes version detection means for detecting version information of the update program,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the update means does not update if the version information is not newer than the version information of the application program stored and held in advance in the program. A computer system as claimed in claim 7 or 8,
The program includes an application program and a device driver,
The update program includes a driver update program for updating the device driver,
The computer system characterized in that the update means updates the device driver with the driver update program. The computer system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The USB device is a media drive;
The update program is stored in a storage medium that can be read by the media drive,
The computer system, wherein the storage device is the media drive accessible to the storage medium. The computer system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
At least the USB device and a media drive are connected to the USB hub,
The update program is stored in a storage medium readable by the media drive,
The computer system, wherein the storage device is the media drive accessible to the storage medium. The computer system according to claim 10 or 11,
The computer system, wherein the USB device device is a media processing device in which at least the media drive and a label printer are connected to the USB hub.

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