JP2010009097A - Network system and printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate new creation or change of setting information of a printer. <P>SOLUTION: The printer driver 100 includes a first setting file 130 storing setting information of the printer driver 100 arranged in a first holder 110 in which the printer driver 100 is arranged; a second setting file 140 storing setting information which is arranged in a second holder 120 other than the first holder 110; and a registry area 150 in which setting information to be newly formed or changed can be written. The printer driver 100 further includes a writing part 106 which writes, when setting information is written to the registry area 150, the setting information written to the registry area 150 to the second setting file 140; a reading part 102 which preferentially reads setting information when the second setting file 140 is present in the second holder 120; and a display part 104 which displays a list of the setting information read by the reading part 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer driver and a network system for controlling a printer corresponding to a plurality of print media.

  Recent printers have various uses such as printing from small print media such as postcards and L-size photographic paper to large print media exceeding A3 size. For this reason, the printer driver that controls the printer may need to cope with a print medium of a new size that was not assumed when the printer was shipped. However, in order to add setting information for a new print medium, the setting information must be added to the setting file and the printer driver installer must be re-created.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of creating a customized driver installation set without installing a printer driver.

  However, in the conventional method, the printer driver has to be set to generate a pseudo API and obtain a response, and there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.

  Furthermore, in recent years, printers are connected to server terminals, and the use of printers from a plurality of client terminals connected to a network is increasing. In such an environment, when the printer driver corresponding to the printer is updated, the printer drivers on a plurality of client terminals must be updated all at once.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, a Point & Print technique in the Windows (registered trademark) operating system of Microsoft Corporation shown in Non-Patent Document 1 is known. For example, when a user issues a point-and-print instruction at a client terminal, in the case of a Windows (registered trademark) server terminal, the client terminal connects to a “true connect” printer by remote procedure call (RPC) at the time of the point-and-print. Create When the RPC connection is created, the printer driver and printer settings are downloaded from the server terminal to the client terminal. Further, the client terminal automatically receives the update program from the server terminal. When the printer driver or setting is updated, the client terminal receives the new setting asynchronously and executes print processing using the driver.

JP 2006-309725 A "Technical overview of Windows (registered trademark) Point and Print", [online], June 18, 2003, [Search May 13, 2004], <URL: http://www.microsoft.com/japan/ windowsserver2003 / techinfo / overview / pointandprint.mspx>

  However, in the conventional point-and-print method, only the module that the system knows as the printer driver configuration module is copied from the server terminal to the client terminal. There is a problem that is not copied.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A network system in which a server terminal to which a printer is connected and one or more client terminals are connected via a network, wherein the server terminal includes a printer driver for controlling the printer and the printer driver. A first setting file storing setting information of the printer driver arranged in the first folder, and a second storing the setting information arranged in a second folder other than the first folder. A setting file and a registry area for writing the setting information to be added, and the printer driver writes the newly created or changed setting information to the registry area when the setting information is written to the registry area. A writing unit for writing the setting information to the second setting file; and the second setting And a reading unit that preferentially reads the setting information from the second setting file when the file exists, and the network system newly adds the printer in which the client terminal is connected to the server terminal. When specified, the printer driver on the server terminal, the first setting file, and the registry area are downloaded to the client terminal, and when the registry area on the server terminal is updated, the server terminal A function of downloading the registry area of the client terminal to the registry area of the client terminal, and the printer driver downloaded to the client terminal includes the setting information written to the registry area by the writing unit. Said second of the client terminal It is written in the second setting files placed in the folder, a network system, characterized in that.

  According to this configuration, by writing the setting information to be added to the registry area of the server terminal, the setting information newly created or changed by the printer driver is written in the second setting file of the server terminal. Since the registry area of the server terminal has been updated, it can be downloaded to the registry area of the client terminal and the setting information to be added can be written to the second setting file of the client terminal by the printer driver of the client terminal. Setting information can be reflected on client terminals connected to the network.

[Application Example 2]
A printer driver for controlling a printer, wherein the printer driver includes a first setting file storing setting information of the printer driver arranged in a first folder in which the printer driver is arranged, and the first driver A second setting file in which the setting information is stored in a second folder other than the first folder, and a registry area in which the setting information can be written. The setting information is written in the registry area. A writing unit for writing the setting information written in the registry area to the second setting file, and the second setting file if the second setting file exists in the second folder. A reading unit that preferentially reads the setting information from a file, and a list of the setting information read by the reading unit Including a Shimesuru display unit, a printer driver, characterized in that.

  According to this configuration, the setting information is written in the second setting file by the printer driver by writing the newly created or changed setting information in the registry area, so that the setting information can be reflected in the printer driver.

[Application Example 3]
In the printer driver described above, the printer driver checks whether the format of the second setting file is correct when the second setting file exists in the second folder, and the format is not correct. A printer driver, which reads only the first setting file.

  According to this configuration, if the format is not correct even if the second setting file exists in the second folder, the setting information can be read from the first setting file. It can be determined whether or not it was made.

[Application Example 4]
In the printer driver described above, the printer driver can select whether or not to read the second setting file when the second setting file exists in the second folder. Printer driver.

  According to this configuration, the configuration of the printer driver can be returned to the initial state by selecting not to read the second file even if the second setting file exists in the second folder.

[Application Example 5]
In the printer driver described above, the setting information written in the registry area exists in the second setting file when the second setting file exists in the second folder. A printer driver, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the information is newer than the setting information, and overwriting the setting information in the second setting file when the determination unit determines that the information is newer.

  According to this configuration, since the same second setting file can be created on the server terminal and the client terminal, the client terminal can always obtain the latest setting information.

[Application Example 6]
The printer driver according to the above, wherein the printer driver controls the printer based on the setting information selected from the list of setting information displayed by the display unit.

  According to this configuration, the printer can be set based on newly created or changed setting information written in the second setting file.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a network system will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
<Network system configuration>
First, the configuration of the network system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a server terminal 10, a printer 20, a cable 30 that connects the server terminal 10 and the printer 20, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 40, and a server terminal 10. LAN (Local Area Network) cable 50 connected to each other, one or more client terminals 1010 connected to LAN cable 50, and LCD 1040. When the network system 1 is configured by a wireless LAN, the LAN cable 50 is omitted, but in the first embodiment, a case of a wired LAN will be described.

  The server terminal 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 200, a read-only memory (ROM) 210, a random access memory (RAM) 220, a hard disk drive (HDD) 230, and an external interface (I / F). ) 240, LCDC (Liquid Crystal Display Controller) 250, and LAN adapter 270 are connected to each other via an internal bus 260.

  The LCDC 250 is connected to the LCD 40 via the connection cable 41. The I / F 240 is connected to the printer 20 via the cable 30. As an example, the I / F 240 uses a LAN, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, or the like. A LAN cable 50 is connected to the LAN adapter 270.

  The HDD 230 includes a first folder 110 in which the printer driver 100 and the first setting file (CFGA) 130 are installed, a second folder 120 in which the second setting file (CFGB) 140 is arranged, a registry An area 150 is arranged. In the case of Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), the first folder 110 is arranged in the system folder. The second folder 120 is arranged at an arbitrary location other than the system folder. The printer driver 100 and the CFGA 130 are incorporated in an installer that is created when the printer 20 is shipped or when the printer driver 100 is updated. The registry area 150 records Windows (registered trademark) basic information, software extension information, and the like, and can record setting information of the printer 20 added after the printer driver 100 is installed. The CFGB 140 can store the setting information recorded in the registry area 150.

  The printer driver 100 includes a reading unit 102, a display unit 104, and a writing unit 106. The writing unit 106 writes the setting information in the CFGB 140 when the setting information is written in the registry area 150. The reading unit 102 reads setting information preferentially from the CFGB 140 when the CFGB 140 exists in the second folder 120. The display unit 104 displays a list of setting information read by the reading unit 102 on the setting screen.

  Similar to the server terminal 10, the client terminal 1010 includes a CPU 1200, a ROM 1210, a RAM 1220, an HDD 1230, an I / F 1240, an LCDC 1250, and a LAN adapter 1270 that are connected to each other via an internal bus 1260. The LCDC 1250 is connected to the LCD 1040 via the connection cable 1041. A LAN cable 50 is connected to the LAN adapter 1270.

  The operating system of the server terminal 10 and the client terminal 1010 constituting the network system 1 is configured by Windows (registered trademark) and has a point-and-print function shown in Non-Patent Document 1. When the client terminal 1010 designates the printer 20 connected to the server terminal 10, the printer driver 100, the CFGA 130, and the registry area 150 are downloaded from the server terminal 10 to the client terminal 1010 by the point-and-print function.

  By this download, the printer driver 1100 and the CFGA 1130 are copied to the first folder 1110 of the HDD 1230 of the client terminal 1010, and the added setting information is copied to the registry area 1150. The writing unit 106 of the printer driver 1100 writes the setting information added to the registry area 1150 to the CFGB 1140 of the second folder 1120. The reading unit 102 of the printer driver 1100 reads setting information preferentially from the CFGB 1140 when the CFGB 1140 exists in the second folder 1120. The display unit 104 of the printer driver 1100 displays a list of setting information read by the reading unit 102 on the setting screen.

<Configuration file configuration>
Next, the configuration of the setting file will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the first setting file. FIG. 2B is a configuration diagram showing a setting screen based on the first setting file. FIG. 2C is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the setting information written in the registry area. FIG. 2D is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second setting file. FIG. 2E is a configuration diagram showing a setting screen based on the second setting file.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, it is assumed that the CFGA 130 stores setting information indicating the paper size name, width, and height. For example, setting information such as “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “A3 297 × 420 mm”, “A2 420 × 594 mm” is stored. FIG. 2B shows a setting screen displayed on the LCD 40 by the printer driver 100 that has read the CFGA 130. As shown in FIG. 2B, the setting screen displays a list of paper sizes read from the CFGA 130 in a pop-up menu 131 for selecting the paper size.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, it is assumed that the registry area 150 stores setting information indicating the paper size name, width, and height. For example, setting information such as “US B 11 × 17 in”, “US C 17 × 22 in”, “US D 22 × 34 in” is stored.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, it is assumed that the CFGB 140 stores setting information indicating the paper size name, width, and height. For example, setting information such as “US B 11 × 17 in”, “US C 17 × 22 in”, “US D 22 × 34 in” is stored. FIG. 2E shows a setting screen displayed on the LCD 40 by the printer driver 100 that has read the CFGB 140. As shown in FIG. 2E, the setting screen displays a list of paper sizes read from the CFGB 140 in a pop-up menu 141 for selecting the paper size.

<Printer driver operation>
Next, the operation of the printer driver will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver. Although the operation of the printer driver 100 of the server terminal 10 will be described here, the operation of the printer driver 1100 downloaded to the client terminal 1010 is the same.

  First, in step S100, the writing unit 106 determines whether the setting information exists in the registry area 150 (1150). If it exists, the writing unit 106 proceeds to step S102, and if it does not exist, the writing unit 106 proceeds to step S104.

  Next, in step S102, the writing unit 106 reads the setting information in the registry area 150 (1150), writes the read setting information in the CFGB 140 (1140), and proceeds to step S104.

  Next, in step S104, the reading unit 102 determines whether or not the CFGB 140 (1140) exists in the second folder 120 (1120). If the CFGB 140 (1140) exists, the reading unit 102 proceeds to step S106. The process proceeds to S110.

  Next, in step S106, the reading unit 102 determines whether the format of the CFGB 140 (1140) is correct (or not empty). If it is correct, the reading unit 102 proceeds to step S108, and if not correct, the process proceeds to step S110. Transition.

  Next, in step S108, the reading unit 102 reads the setting information of the CFGB 140 (1140) and proceeds to step S112.

  On the other hand, in step S110, the reading unit 102 reads the setting information of the CFGA 130 (1130) and proceeds to step S112.

  Next, in step S112, the display unit 104 displays a setting screen on the LCD 40 (1040) based on the read setting information.

  For example, when the setting information as shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the CFGA 130 at the time of shipment of the printer driver 100, the setting information is not written in the registry area 150 and the CFGB 140 does not exist in the second folder 120. The setting screen is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the setting information as shown in FIG. 2C is written in the registry area 150, the CFGB 140 exists in the second folder 120, and the setting information as shown in FIG. 2D is stored in the CFGB 140. A setting screen as shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, by writing the setting information to be added to the registry area 150 of the server terminal 10, the setting information to be added to the CFGB 140 of the server terminal 10 is written by the printer driver 100. Since the registry area 150 of the server terminal 10 is updated, setting information to be downloaded to the registry area 1150 of the client terminal 1010 and to be added to the CFGB 1140 of the client terminal 1010 can be written by the printer driver 1100 of the client terminal 1010. That is, the setting information added by the server terminal 10 can be reflected on the client terminal 1010 connected to the network. Further, even if the CFGB 140 exists in the second folder 120, the setting information can be read from the CFGA 130 when the format is not correct (or empty), so it is possible to determine whether or not the CFGB 140 has been created illegally. .

  The embodiments of the network system including the printer driver have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

  (Modification 1) Modification 1 of the printer driver will be described. In the first embodiment, it has been described that when the CFGB 140 exists in the second folder 120, the reading unit 102 always reads the setting information of the CFGB 140. However, the CFGB 140 is not read even if the CFGB 140 exists. You may make it specify. For example, a “return to initial shipping state” button is prepared on the setting screen, and when the “return to initial shipping state” button is clicked, setting information is read from the CFGA 130 and the setting screen is redrawn. According to this configuration, the setting information of the printer driver 100 can be easily returned to the initial shipment state.

  (Modification 2) Modification 2 of the printer driver will be described. In the first embodiment, it has been described that the setting information is always written to the CFGB 140 (1140) when the setting information is stored in the registry area 150 (1150). However, the printer driver 100 (1100) is configured to write the setting information to the registry area 150 (1150). ) Further includes a determination unit that determines whether the setting information of the CFGB 140 (1140) is newer than the setting information of the CFGB 140 (1140), and overwrites the setting information of the CFGB 140 (1140) only when the setting information of the registry area 150 (1150) is newer. You may make it do. According to this configuration, since the same CFGB 140 (1140) can be performed on the server terminal 10 and the client terminal 1010, the client terminal 1010 can always acquire the latest setting information.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment. (A) Configuration diagram showing configuration of first setting file, (B) Configuration diagram showing setting screen based on first setting file, (C) Configuration diagram showing configuration of setting information written in registry area, (D) Configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second setting file, (E) Configuration diagram showing a setting screen based on the second setting file. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printer driver.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network system, 10 ... Server terminal, 20 ... Printer, 30 ... Cable, 40 ... LCD, 41 ... Connection cable, 50 ... LAN cable, 100 ... Printer driver, 102 ... Reading part, 104 ... Display part, 106 ... Writing 110 ... first folder, 120 ... second folder, 130 ... CFGA, 131 ... pop-up menu, 140 ... CFGB, 141 ... pop-up menu, 150 ... registry area, 230 ... HDD, 240 ... I / F, 250 ... LCDC, 260 ... Internal bus, 270 ... LAN adapter, 1010 ... Client terminal, 1040 ... LCD, 1041 ... Connection cable, 1100 ... Printer driver, 1110 ... First folder, 1120 ... Second folder, 1130 ... CFGA, 1140 CFGB, 1 50 ... registry space, 1200 ... CPU, 1210 ... ROM, 1220 ... RAM, 1230 ... HDD, 1240 ... I / F, 1250 ... LCDC, 1260 ... internal bus, 1270 ... LAN adapter.

Claims (6)

A network system in which a server terminal to which a printer is connected and one or more client terminals are connected via a network,
The server terminal is
A printer driver for controlling the printer;
A first setting file storing setting information of the printer driver arranged in the first folder in which the printer driver is arranged; and the setting information arranged in a second folder other than the first folder. A second configuration file in which is stored,
A registry area for writing the setting information to be added;
Including
The printer driver is
A writing unit for writing the setting information written in the registry area to the second setting file when the newly created or changed setting information is written in the registry area;
A reading unit that preferentially reads the setting information from the second setting file when the second setting file exists;
Including
The network system includes:
When the client terminal newly designates the printer connected to the server terminal, the printer driver on the server terminal, the first setting file, and the registry area are downloaded to the client terminal, and the server A function of downloading the registry area on the server terminal to the registry area of the client terminal when the registry area on the terminal is updated;
The printer driver downloaded to the client terminal is
Writing the setting information written in the registry area by the writing unit into the second setting file arranged in the second folder of the client terminal;
A network system characterized by this. A printer driver for controlling the printer,
The printer driver is
A first setting file storing setting information of the printer driver arranged in the first folder in which the printer driver is arranged; and the setting information arranged in a second folder other than the first folder. A second configuration file in which is stored,
A registry area in which the setting information can be written;
Including
A writing unit for writing the setting information written in the registry area to the second setting file when the setting information is written in the registry area;
A reading unit that preferentially reads the setting information from the second setting file when the second setting file exists in the second folder;
A display unit for displaying a list of the setting information read by the reading unit;
including,
A printer driver characterized by that.   3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein when the second setting file exists in the second folder, the printer driver checks whether the format of the second setting file is correct, and the format is correct. If not, a printer driver that reads only the first setting file.   3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein the printer driver can select whether or not to read the second setting file when the second setting file exists in the second folder. Features printer driver.   3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein the setting information written in the registry area is stored in the second setting file when the second setting file exists in the second folder. A printer driver, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the setting information is newer than existing setting information; and when the determination unit determines that the setting information is newer, the setting information is overwritten on the second setting file.   3. The printer driver according to claim 2, wherein the printer driver controls the printer based on the setting information selected from the list of setting information displayed by the display unit. .

Images