JP2010165212A - Device driver management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device driver management system allowing version management of a device driver while reducing the cost of a device. <P>SOLUTION: The device transmits first version information that is information related to a version of the device driver held by the device and device specification information for specifying the device to a management server computer via a network at a prescribed period. The management server computer compares the received first version information and second version information that is information related to a version of the device driver held by the management server computer. When the second version information is a newer version, the management server computer holds download necessity/unnecessity identification information indicating that it is necessary to download the device driver associatively to the device specification information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device driver management system, and more particularly to a device driver management system that efficiently manages version management of device drivers held by a printer.

  In order for the printer to print from the user computer used by the user, it is necessary to install a printer driver on the user computer. The printer driver is software for performing various controls on the printer when printing is performed by the printer based on the print data generated by the user computer.

  This printer driver is generally supplied to a user from a printer manufacturer. That is, when a user purchases a printer, a printer driver stored in a CD-ROM or the like is packed together with the printer. The user installs a printer driver from the CD-ROM into his / her user computer so that the control between the user computer and the printer is properly performed.

  However, since the printer driver is software, a new version of the printer driver with improved functions or bugs may be supplied. In order for the user to obtain the latest printer driver that has been upgraded in this way, it is necessary to access the homepage of the printer manufacturer and download the latest printer driver from this homepage to the user computer.

  However, even if the latest printer driver is provided on the homepage of the printer manufacturer, users often continue to use the conventional printer driver without knowing its existence. Also, even if the user knows that the latest printer driver has been posted on the homepage, the user must actively download the printer driver, and the operation of the user computer is complicated. It was.

  In order to solve such problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-327828 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-82541 (Patent Document 2) describe a management system in which the printer itself holds the latest printer driver. Disclosure. In other words, a management server computer that holds the latest printer driver on the network is installed, the printer periodically accesses the management server computer, the version of the printer driver that it holds, and the printer driver that the management server computer holds Compare the current version with the printer. If the version of the printer driver held by the printer is not the latest, the printer obtains the printer driver from the management server computer and distributes the latest printer driver to each user computer connected to this printer. . In this way, each user computer can acquire the latest printer driver simply by connecting to the printer.

  However, in the management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-327828 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-82541 (Patent Document 2), the printer itself needs to perform version management of the printer driver. There is a need to incorporate functions for this into the printer itself. In other words, it is necessary to install various software on the printer for comparing printer driver versions and managing versions, which incurs software development / maintenance costs, and stores the software as a program. This requires a storage device for the printer, which increases the cost of the printer.

  Such a problem with driver version management is not limited to a printer, and can occur in the same way as long as it is a device driver related to a peripheral device such as a scanner or a projector.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-327828 JP 2006-82541 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a device driver management system capable of realizing device driver version management while reducing the cost of the device.

In order to solve the above problems, a device driver management system according to the present invention provides:
A device driver management system having a device and a management server computer for managing a device driver used to use the device, wherein the device is connectable to the management server computer via a network;
The device is
A device that transmits first version information, which is information related to the version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device to the management server computer via the network at a predetermined cycle. Information transmission means;
Polling execution means for adding polling at a predetermined cycle to the management server computer via the network with adding the device identification information;
With
The management server computer is
Device information receiving means for receiving the first version information and the device specifying information transmitted by the device information transmitting means;
The first version information received by the device information receiving means is compared with the second version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is, download necessity identification information that holds download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device identification information. Holding means;
When the polling by the polling execution means is received, the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device specifying information added to the polling needs to cause the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer Download necessity judgment means for judging whether or not there is,
When the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed when the download necessity judgment unit judges. Creating a command set for causing the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the command set to the device via the network;
With
The device further comprises:
Downloading the device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer by receiving the polling reply sent by the reply sending means and executing the instruction set included in the polling reply; Download execution means
It is characterized by providing.

  In this case, the device may be a printer, and the device driver may be a printer driver.

In this case, the device
Print request receiving means for receiving, from a user computer, a print request including third version information that is information relating to the version of a device driver held by the user computer;
The third version information received by the print request receiving means is compared with the fourth version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the device, and the fourth version information is a newer version. A notification sending means for sending a reminder notification prompting the acquisition of a new version of the device driver to the user computer;
May be further provided.

  In this case, when the device accepts a transmission request for a new version of the device driver from the user computer in response to the reminder notification, the device transmits the device driver held by the device to the user computer. Further, device driver transmission means may be further provided.

The download necessity identifying information holding means includes:
When the second version information is a newer version than the first version information, the download necessity identification information indicates that the device needs to download a new version of the device driver. State
If the second version information is not a newer version than the first version information, the download necessity identification information indicates that it is not necessary to cause the device to download a new version of the device driver. As well as
The download necessity determination means needs to cause the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer when the download necessity identification information is in the first state. It may be determined that this is indicated.

The management server computer according to the present invention is:
A management server computer that is connected to a device via a network and manages a device driver used to use the device,
Receiving, from the device, device information including first version information, which is information related to a version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device at a predetermined cycle via the network; Device information receiving means;
The first version information received by the device information receiving means is compared with the second version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is, download necessity identification information that holds download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device identification information. Holding means;
Polling reception means for receiving polling with the device specific information added at a predetermined cycle from the device via the network;
When the polling receiving unit receives the polling, the download necessity identifying information corresponding to the device specifying information added to the polling causes the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer. Download necessity judgment means for judging whether or not it indicates that it is necessary,
If the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed when the download necessity judgment unit judges. Creating a command set for causing the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the command set to the device via the network;
Based on the device driver download request generated by the device by executing the instruction set included in the polling reply sent by the reply sending means, the device driver held by the management server computer is Download execution means for downloading to the device;
It is characterized by providing.

The device according to the present invention is
A device that can be connected to a management server computer that manages device drivers via a network.
By transmitting first version information, which is information related to the version of the device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device to the management server computer at a predetermined cycle via the network. The management server computer compares the first version information with the second version information that is information on the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. In some cases, the management server computer associates download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device specifying information. Is held in the coater, and the device information transmission means,
Polling execution means for adding polling at a predetermined cycle to the management server computer via the network with adding the device identification information;
The management server computer that has received the polling by the polling execution means determines the device driver held by the management server computer based on the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device identification information added to the polling. When the management server computer determines that the device needs to be downloaded, it includes an instruction set that causes the device that has performed the polling to download a device driver held by the management server computer A polling reply receiving means for receiving a polling reply from the management server computer via the network;
Download execution means for downloading a device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer by executing the instruction set included in the polling reply;
It is characterized by providing.

The device driver management system control method according to the present invention includes:
A device driver management system control method comprising: a device; and a management server computer that manages a device driver used to use the device, wherein the device is connectable to the management server computer via a network. ,
The device sends, to the management server computer, first version information, which is information related to a version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device at a predetermined cycle via the network. Sending, and
The management server computer receiving the first version information and the device identification information;
The management server computer compares the received first version information with the second version information that is information about the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is determined that the download request identification information indicating that it is necessary to download the device driver held by the management server computer to the device, the step of holding in association with the device identification information,
The device adds the device specifying information to the management server computer via the network and performs polling at a predetermined cycle;
When the management server computer receives the polling, the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device identification information added to the poll causes the device to download a device driver held by the management server computer Determining whether it indicates that it is necessary,
If the management server computer determines that the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed. Creating an instruction set that causes a device to download a device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the instruction set to the device via the network;
The device receives the polling reply, and executes a command set included in the polling reply to download a device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer.
It is characterized by providing.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a device driver management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram explaining an example of the internal structure of the management server computer of FIG. The block diagram explaining an example of an internal structure of the user computer of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the printer in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (No. 1) for explaining an example of the contents of device driver management processing executed by the device driver management system of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of device driver management processing executed by the device driver management system of FIG. 1; The figure which shows an example of a structure of the download necessity identification table which the management server computer which concerns on this embodiment hold | maintains. The figure explaining an example of the polling reply file which the management server computer concerning this embodiment produces. The figure which shows an example of the user confirmation screen displayed on the display screen of the user computer which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a device driver management system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the device driver management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a management server computer 20 and a printer network system 32 connected to the management server computer 20 via a network 30. Has been.

  The printer network system 32 includes one or a plurality of user computers 40 and a printer 50 via an internal network 60. In the example of FIG. 1, one printer 50 and three user computers 40 </ b> A, 40 </ b> B, and 40 </ b> C are connected via an internal network 60. The internal network 60 is a so-called local network, and an environment in which one printer is used by a plurality of user computers 40 is realized by the internal network 60.

  A network server 70 is connected to the internal network 60, and the user computer 40 and the printer 50 are connected to the network 30 via the network server 70 and connected to the management server computer 20.

  The number of user computers 40 and printers 50 connected to the management server computer 20 via the network 30 is arbitrary. The number of printer network systems 32 connected to the management server computer 20 via the network 30 is also arbitrary. In particular, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of printer network systems 32 are connected to the management server computer 20 via the network 30.

  The network 30 is configured by a public network to which an unspecified number of users can be connected. For example, the network 30 is configured by the Internet. In the example of FIG. 1, the user computer 40 and the printer 50 are configured to be connected to the external network 30 via the internal network 60, but the individual user computer 40 and the printer 50 are directly connected to each other. It may be connected to the network 30.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the management server computer 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the management server computer 20 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104, a hard disk drive 106, and the like. , A communication interface 108, a user input interface 110, and a display screen 112, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 114.

  The CPU 100 constitutes a control unit that performs overall control of the management server computer 20. The CPU 100 reads a necessary program from the ROM 104 or the hard disk drive 106 and writes generated data to the RAM 102 or the hard disk drive 106 in order to realize these various controls. In addition, the CPU 100 displays information necessary for the user of the management server computer 20 on the display screen 112 as appropriate.

  The hard disk drive 106 constitutes a so-called large-capacity auxiliary storage device, and various control data and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner in addition to programs. In particular, in the present embodiment, the hard disk drive 106 can store the latest printer driver and programs and data necessary for distributing the printer driver to the printer 50.

  The communication interface 108 is an interface necessary for the management server computer 20 to communicate with the user computer 40 and the printer 50. In other words, the management server computer 20 realizes communication with the user computer 40 and the printer 50 by connecting to the network 30 via the communication interface 108.

  The user input interface 110 is an interface for a user to input various instructions and data to the management server computer 20, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, various control buttons, and the like. In the example of FIG. 2, the user input interface 110 is provided integrally with the main body of the management server computer 20. However, the user input interface 110 is provided separately from the main body of the management server computer 20. You may be allowed to.

  The display screen 112 is configured by, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display or a liquid crystal display. In the example of FIG. 2, the display screen 112 is provided integrally with the main body of the management server computer 20, but this display screen 112 is provided separately from the main body of the management server computer 20. You may do it.

  The user of the management server computer 20 operates the user input interface 110 to store and hold the latest printer driver distributed to each printer 50 in the hard disk drive 106. Then, the management server computer 20 distributes the latest printer driver to each printer 50 by performing processing described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the user computer 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the user computer 40 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 204, a hard disk drive 206, A communication interface 208, a user input interface 210, and a display screen 212 are provided, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus 216.

  The CPU 200 constitutes a control unit that performs overall control of the user computer 40. The CPU 200 reads a necessary program from the ROM 204 and the hard disk drive 206 and writes generated data to the RAM 202 and the hard disk drive 206 when realizing the various controls. In addition, the CPU 200 appropriately displays information necessary for the user of the user computer 40 on the display screen 212.

  The hard disk drive 206 constitutes a so-called large-capacity auxiliary storage device, and various control data and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner in addition to programs. In particular, in the present embodiment, the hard disk drive 206 stores various application programs and various data generated using the application programs. The hard disk drive 206 can also store a program for causing the printer 50 to print various data and a printer driver for the printer 50 that is necessary for the printing.

  The communication interface 208 is an interface necessary for the user computer 40 to communicate with the management server computer 20 and the printer 50. In other words, the user computer 40 is connected to the internal network 60 via the communication interface 208, thereby being connected to the network 30 and realizing communication with the management server computer 20. The user computer 40 is connected to the internal network 60 via the communication interface 208 to realize communication with the printer 50.

  The user input interface 210 is an interface for a user to input various instructions and data to the user computer 40, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, various control buttons, and the like. In the example of FIG. 3, the user input interface 210 is provided integrally with the main body of the user computer 40, but the user input interface 210 is provided separately from the user computer 40 main body. You may do it.

  The display screen 212 is configured by, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display or a liquid crystal display. In the example of FIG. 3, the display screen 212 is provided integrally with the main body of the user computer 40. However, the display screen 212 is provided separately from the main body of the user computer 40. May be.

  The user of the user computer 40 operates the user input interface 210 to instruct the printer 50 to print at an arbitrary timing. At this time, if the version of the printer driver held by the user computer 40 is old, the printer You will be prompted to replace the 50 with the latest printer driver. In the present embodiment, the user can update the printer driver of the user computer 40 to the latest version only by requesting acquisition of the printer driver in response to the prompt from the printer 50.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the printer 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 50 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 304, a hard disk drive 306, and a communication. An interface 308, a user input interface 310, a display screen 312, and a print execution unit 314 are provided, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus 316.

  The CPU 300 constitutes a control unit that performs overall control of the printer 50. The CPU 300 reads a necessary program from the ROM 304 or the hard disk drive 306 and writes generated data to the RAM 302 or the hard disk drive 306 when realizing the various controls. Further, the CPU 300 displays information necessary for the user on the display screen 312 as appropriate.

  The hard disk drive 306 constitutes a so-called large-capacity auxiliary storage device, and various control data and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner in addition to programs. In particular, in the present embodiment, the latest version of the printer driver acquired from the management server computer 20 is stored in the hard disk drive 306. It is also possible to store programs and data necessary for acquiring the latest printer driver from the management server computer 20 and distributing the acquired printer driver to the user computer 40.

  However, the hard disk drive 306 may not be mounted on the printer 50. In this case, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory that stores the program and data in a rewritable manner in a nonvolatile manner may be mounted. In this case, a printer driver described later is stored in an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory. Further, programs and data necessary for acquiring the latest printer driver from the management server computer 20 and distributing the acquired printer driver to the user computer 40 are stored in the auxiliary storage device and the ROM 304.

  The communication interface 308 is an interface necessary for the printer 50 to communicate with the management server computer 20 and the user computer 40. That is, the printer 50 is connected to the internal network 60 via the communication interface 308 and is connected to the network 30 to realize communication with the management server computer 20. Further, the printer 50 realizes communication with the user computer 40 by being connected to the internal network 60 via the communication interface 308.

  The user input interface 310 is an interface for the user to input various instructions and data to the printer 50, and includes, for example, a numeric keypad and various control buttons. For example, when the display screen 312 is configured by a touch panel, the user input interface 310 and the display screen 312 can be configured integrally. The display screen 312 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

  The print execution unit 314 is a mechanism unit that performs printing with the printer 50. The method of the printer engine is arbitrary, and examples include a laser beam method and an ink jet method. A mechanism for supplying a print medium such as print paper to the printer engine is also provided in the print execution unit 314.

  The basic operation of the printer 50 is to receive print data from the user computer 40 and execute printing by the print execution unit 314. However, the printer 50 according to the present embodiment also has a function of acquiring the latest version of the printer driver from the management server computer 20 and supplying the printer driver to the user computer 40.

  Next, device driver management processing performed by the device driver management system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 5 and 6. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining the contents of the device driver management process executed by the device driver management system 10.

  In the management server computer 20, for example, the device driver management processing program is read from the ROM 104 or the hard disk drive 106 and executed by the CPU 100. In the user computer 40, for example, the device driver management processing program is read from the ROM 204 or the hard disk drive 206 and executed by the CPU 200. In the printer 50, for example, the device driver management processing program is read from the ROM 304 or the hard disk drive 306 and executed by the CPU 300.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 50 periodically transmits printer information to the management server computer 20 via the network 30 at a predetermined cycle (step S <b> 100). This printer information includes at least information for specifying the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50 and printer specifying information for specifying the printer 50. This printer specifying information is constituted by the serial number of the printer 50, for example. In addition, how long the predetermined cycle is set is arbitrary, and for example, a cycle once a day, a cycle once a week, or the like can be considered.

  The management server computer 20 receives the printer information transmitted from the printer 50 via the network 30 (step S110). Subsequently, the management server computer 20 compares the version of the printer driver included in the printer information with the version of the printer driver held by itself, and the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50 is determined. It is determined whether it is the latest one (step S120).

  As a result of this comparison, if it is determined that the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50 is the latest, the management server computer 20 has received the printer information without performing any special processing. The accompanying process is terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of this comparison, if it is determined that the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50 is not the latest, that is, the version of the printer driver held by the management server computer 20 is held by the printer 50. If it is determined that the version is newer than the version of the printer driver to be updated, the management server computer 20 updates the download necessity identification table and holds information indicating that there is a need for download (step S130).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the download necessity identification table TB10 according to the present embodiment. The download necessity identification table TB10 is formed and held in the hard disk drive 106 of the management server computer 20, for example.

  In the download necessity identification table TB10, printer identification information and download necessity identification information are stored in association with each other. That is, information for identifying whether or not the printer 50 specified by the printer specifying information needs to download a new version of the printer driver held by the management server computer 20 is stored.

  In step S130 of this embodiment, the management server computer 20 searches the download necessity identification table TB10 using the printer identification information included in the printer information as a search key, and specifies the printer identification included in the printer information. The download necessity identification information corresponding to the information is “necessary”.

  For example, when the serial number of the printer 50 is used as the printer identification information, the management server computer 20 acquires the serial number from the printer information received in step S110. If the acquired serial number is, for example, “123456789”, the management server computer 20 changes the download necessity identification information corresponding to the serial number “123456789” from “unnecessary” to “necessary”.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the printer specifying information is registered in advance in the download necessity identification table TB10 by the user of the management server computer 20. However, in step S130, if the matching printer identification information cannot be detected in the download necessity identification table TB10, the printer identification information is automatically registered in the download necessity identification table TB10. May be.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 50 polls the management server computer 20 at a predetermined cycle (step S140). In this embodiment, this polling is performed for the purpose of confirming the presence of both the printer 50 and the management server computer 20, and the management server computer 20 is used to manage the remaining amount and maintenance of consumables of the printer 50. It is done for the purpose of doing it remotely. In other words, the polling in step S140 is a process that is executed regardless of whether or not version management of the device driver held by the printer 50 is performed.

  This polling is performed from the printer 50 to the management server computer 20 at a cycle of once per hour, for example. This polling includes at least the printer specifying information described above in order to specify the printer 50. In this embodiment, this polling is created by an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file.

  The management server computer 20 receives this polling via the network 30 (step S150). Then, the management server computer 20 that has received the polling creates a polling reply file indicating that the polling has been normally received (step S160). In this embodiment, this polling reply file is also created as an XML file.

  Next, the management server computer 20 determines whether or not the printer 50 that has transmitted the polling is a printer driver that needs to be downloaded (step S170). Specifically, the management server computer 20 searches the download necessity identification table TB10 based on the printer identification information included in the polling, and acquires download necessity identification information corresponding to the printer identification information. If the download necessity identification information is “necessary”, it is determined that the printer 50 requires downloading of the printer driver, and the download necessity identification information becomes “unnecessary”. If the printer 50 is present, it is determined that the printer 50 is not required to download a printer driver.

  If it is determined that the printer driver needs to be downloaded, the management server computer 20 adds a printer driver download command to the polling reply file (step S180). That is, an instruction set for causing the printer 50 to download a new version of the printer driver from the management server computer 20 is created and embedded in the polling reply file.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the polling reply file created in step S180. As shown in FIG. 8, the polling reply file is generated as an XML file including information indicating normal reception created in step S160 and the printer driver download command created in step S180.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S170 that downloading of the printer driver is not required, the management server computer 20 skips the process of step S180.

  Next, the management server computer 20 transmits the created polling reply file to the printer 50 via the network 30 (step S190). Then, the printer 50 receives this polling reply file (step S200).

  Since the received polling reply file is opened and executed by the printer 50, if the polling reply file includes a printer driver download instruction, the printer 50 executes the printer driver download instruction. It becomes. That is, the printer 50 generates a download request based on the printer driver download command, and transmits the download request to the management server computer 20 via the network 30 (step S210). This download request is received by the management server computer 20 (step S220).

  Receiving this download request, the management server computer 20 acquires the latest version of the printer driver from the hard disk drive 106 and transmits it to the printer 50 via the network 30 (step S230).

  The latest version of the printer driver transmitted from the management server computer 20 is received by the printer 50 (step S240) and stored in the hard disk drive 306 (step S250). In other words, the old version of the printer Dubair held in the hard disk drive 306 is discarded and replaced with a new version of the printer driver. As a result, the printer driver held by the printer 50 is the latest version.

  In step S230, the management server computer 20 that has finished transmitting the printer driver changes the download necessity identification information in the download necessity identification table TB10 from “necessary” to “unnecessary” (step S260). As a result, the printer driver download command is not added to the polling reply file in the next polling.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the user computer 40 generates a print request at an arbitrary timing (step S300). For example, when a user creates a document or an image using an application program of the user computer 40B and inputs a print instruction on the printer 50 to the user computer 40, a print request is generated on the user computer 40B. In the following description, a case where a print request is generated by the user computer 40B will be described as an example, but the same processing is executed even when a print request is generated by the other user computers 40A and 40C. .

  The print request generated by the user computer 40B is transmitted from the user computer 40B to the printer 50 via the internal network 60 using a printer driver held by the user computer 40B (step S302). In the present embodiment, the print request includes information for specifying the version of the printer driver held by the user computer 40B in addition to normal print data.

  The print request transmitted from the user computer 40B is received by the printer 50 (step S304). The printer 50 compares the version of the printer driver included in the print request with the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50, and the version of the printer driver included in the print request is the latest. It is determined whether it is a thing (step S306).

  If the version of the printer driver included in the print request is the latest, that is, the version of the printer driver included in the print request is the same as the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50, or the print request If the version of the included printer driver is newer, the printer 50 executes printing based on the print request received in step S304 (step S308), and ends this process.

  On the other hand, when the version of the printer driver included in the print request is not the latest, that is, the version of the printer driver held by the printer 50 is newer than the version of the printer driver included in the print request. In this case, the printer 50 generates an old version notification and transmits it to the user computer 40B (step S310). That is, an old version notification, which is a notification that informs the user that the version of the printer driver of the user computer 40B is old and prompts the user to obtain a new version of the printer driver from the printer 50, is generated via the internal network 60. Send to user computer 40B.

  The user computer 40B receives this old version notification (step S312), and displays a user confirmation screen on the display screen 212 (step S314). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user confirmation screen W10 displayed on the display screen 212 in step S314. As shown in FIG. 9, the user confirmation screen W10 displays a message indicating that a newer version of the printer driver used by the user computer 40B can be acquired from the printer 50, and displays a new message to the user. Prompts the user to acquire the version of the printer driver and selects whether to execute the acquisition process.

  When the user confirmation screen W10 is displayed, the user uses the user input interface 210 to input whether or not to acquire a new version of the printer driver to the user computer 40B. For this reason, the user computer 40B determines which one has been selected and input by the user (step S316).

  If the user selects an instruction not to acquire a new version of the printer driver, the user computer 40 ends this process without acquiring a new version of the printer driver.

  On the other hand, when the user selects an instruction to acquire a new version of the printer driver, the user computer 40B sends the latest driver request for requesting the printer 50 to send the latest printer driver via the internal network 60. (Step S318).

  This latest driver request is received by the printer 50 (step S320). The printer 50 that has received this latest driver request acquires the latest printer driver from the hard disk drive 306 and transmits it to the user computer 40B via the internal network 60 (step S322).

  The latest printer driver transmitted from the printer 50 is received by the user computer 40B (step S324), and installation is executed (step S326). That is, the user computer 40B that has received the printer driver temporarily stores it in the hard disk drive 206, and performs an installation process for replacing the printer driver currently in use. As a result, the printer driver of the user computer 40B is replaced with the latest version.

  As described above, according to the device driver management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the user of the user computer 40 easily acquires the latest printer driver held by the management server computer 20 and uses it by the user computer 40. The printer driver can be maintained and updated. In other words, when the user confirmation screen W10 prompting the user to acquire a new printer driver from the printer 50 is displayed, the user of the user computer 40 automatically inputs a new version of the printer driver only by permitting the acquisition. Can be installed on the user computer 40. This eliminates the need for the user of the user computer 40 to voluntarily access the management server computer 20 and acquire a new printer driver, thereby improving user convenience.

  In addition, the printer 50 transmits the information about the version of the printer driver held by itself to the management server computer 20 at a predetermined cycle, and then performs the polling process required for another purpose. It is possible to maintain the latest version of the printer driver. Therefore, the program installed in the printer 50 can be simplified, and the development cost and maintenance cost of the program can be reduced. Further, since the program becomes simple, the capacity of the storage device for storing the program can be reduced, and the cost of the printer 50 can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with respect to an example in which the device driver managed by the device driver management system 10 is a printer driver. However, the device driver managed by the device driver management system 10 is a printer driver. It is not limited to. For example, the present invention can be applied even when the device driver management system 10 manages device drivers such as a scanner driver and a projector driver.

  As for the device driver management process described in the above embodiment, a program for executing this process is recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a ROM, or a memory card. Thus, it can be distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50 to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium.

  The management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50 may include other programs such as an operating system and other application programs. In this case, in order to utilize other programs provided in the management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50, a program that realizes processing equivalent to the above-described embodiment is called out from the programs provided in the computer. A program including various instructions may be recorded on a recording medium.

  Furthermore, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier wave through a network. The program transmitted in the form of a carrier wave on the network is taken into the management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50, and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing this program.

  Also, when a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier wave on a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed. In this case, the management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50 that read the program from the recording medium or the carrier wave need to execute the program after decoding or decompressing the program.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the device driver management process is realized by software has been described as an example. However, hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific IC) provided in the management server computer 20, the user computer 40, and the printer 50 is used. It may be realized by hardware. Furthermore, this processing may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware.

10 device driver management system 20 management server computer 30 network 32 printer network system 40 (40A, 40B, 40C) user computer 50 printer 60 internal network 70 network server

Claims (8)

A device driver management system having a device and a management server computer for managing a device driver used to use the device, wherein the device is connectable to the management server computer via a network;
The device is
A device that transmits first version information, which is information related to the version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device to the management server computer via the network at a predetermined cycle. Information transmission means;
Polling execution means for adding polling at a predetermined cycle to the management server computer via the network with adding the device identification information;
With
The management server computer is
Device information receiving means for receiving the first version information and the device specifying information transmitted by the device information transmitting means;
The first version information received by the device information receiving means is compared with the second version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is, download necessity identification information that holds download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device identification information. Holding means;
When the polling by the polling execution means is received, the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device specifying information added to the polling needs to cause the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer Download necessity judgment means for judging whether or not there is,
When the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed when the download necessity judgment unit judges. Creating a command set for causing the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the command set to the device via the network;
With
The device further comprises:
Downloading the device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer by receiving the polling reply sent by the reply sending means and executing the instruction set included in the polling reply; Download execution means
A device driver management system comprising:   The device driver management system according to claim 1, wherein the device is a printer, and the device driver is a printer driver. The device is
Print request receiving means for receiving, from a user computer, a print request including third version information that is information relating to the version of a device driver held by the user computer;
The third version information received by the print request receiving means is compared with the fourth version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the device, and the fourth version information is a newer version. A notification sending means for sending a reminder notification prompting the acquisition of a new version of the device driver to the user computer;
The device driver management system according to claim 2, further comprising:   In response to the reminder notification, the device transmits a device driver held by the device to the user computer when a request for transmitting a new version of the device driver is received from the user computer. The device driver management system according to claim 3, further comprising a transmission unit. The download necessity identification information holding means includes:
When the second version information is a newer version than the first version information, the download necessity identification information indicates that the device needs to download a new version of the device driver. State
If the second version information is not a newer version than the first version information, the download necessity identification information indicates that it is not necessary to cause the device to download a new version of the device driver. As well as
The download necessity determination means needs to cause the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer when the download necessity identification information is in the first state. It is determined that
The device driver management system according to claim 1, wherein the device driver management system is a device driver management system. A management server computer that is connected to a device via a network and manages a device driver used to use the device,
Receiving, from the device, device information including first version information, which is information related to a version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device at a predetermined cycle via the network; Device information receiving means;
The first version information received by the device information receiving means is compared with the second version information that is information related to the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is, download necessity identification information that holds download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device identification information. Holding means;
Polling reception means for receiving polling with the device specific information added at a predetermined cycle from the device via the network;
When the polling receiving unit receives the polling, the download necessity identifying information corresponding to the device specifying information added to the polling causes the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer. Download necessity judgment means for judging whether or not it indicates that it is necessary,
If the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed when the download necessity judgment unit judges. Creating a command set for causing the device to download the device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the command set to the device via the network;
Based on the device driver download request generated by the device by executing the instruction set included in the polling reply sent by the reply sending means, the device driver held by the management server computer is Download execution means for downloading to the device;
A management server computer comprising: A device that can be connected to a management server computer that manages device drivers via a network.
By transmitting first version information, which is information related to the version of the device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device to the management server computer at a predetermined cycle via the network. The management server computer compares the first version information with the second version information that is information on the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. In some cases, the management server computer associates download necessity identification information indicating that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device in association with the device specifying information. Is held in the coater, and the device information transmission means,
Polling execution means for adding polling at a predetermined cycle to the management server computer via the network with adding the device identification information;
The management server computer that has received the polling by the polling execution means determines the device driver held by the management server computer based on the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device identification information added to the polling. When the management server computer determines that the device needs to be downloaded, it includes an instruction set that causes the device that has performed the polling to download a device driver held by the management server computer A polling reply receiving means for receiving a polling reply from the management server computer via the network;
Download execution means for downloading a device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer by executing the instruction set included in the polling reply;
A device comprising: A device driver management system control method comprising: a device; and a management server computer that manages a device driver used to use the device, wherein the device is connectable to the management server computer via a network. ,
The device sends, to the management server computer, first version information, which is information related to a version of a device driver held by the device, and device specifying information for specifying the device at a predetermined cycle via the network. Sending, and
The management server computer receiving the first version information and the device identification information;
The management server computer compares the received first version information with the second version information that is information about the version of the device driver held by the management server computer, and the second version information is a newer version. If it is determined that the download request identification information indicating that it is necessary to download the device driver held by the management server computer to the device, the step of holding in association with the device identification information,
The device adds the device specifying information to the management server computer via the network and performs polling at a predetermined cycle;
When the management server computer receives the polling, the download necessity identification information corresponding to the device identification information added to the poll causes the device to download a device driver held by the management server computer Determining whether it indicates that it is necessary,
If the management server computer determines that the download necessity identification information indicates that the device driver held by the management server computer needs to be downloaded to the device, the polling is performed. Creating an instruction set that causes a device to download a device driver held by the management server computer, and sending a polling reply including the instruction set to the device via the network;
The device receives the polling reply and executes a command set included in the polling reply to download a device driver held by the management server computer from the management server computer.
A method for controlling a device driver management system, comprising:

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