JP2012113423A - Image processing system, installation management program, information processor, and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate installation of a driver of a desired image processor in installing a driver of an image processor in an information processor.SOLUTION: In a system where a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are connected with a user terminal 2 via a network, the user terminal 2 makes a transition to the state for installing a driver, notifies the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 of the state transition, receives device setting information transmitted from at least one of the image forming apparatuses 1 in response to the notification, and installs the driver on the basis of the device setting information; and the image forming apparatuses 1 output the information for displaying an installation confirmation screen in response to the notification of the state transition of the user terminal 2, generates and transmits the device setting information according to user's operation for the installation confirmation screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an installation management program, an information processing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to installation of a print control program for an image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. .

  Such an image processing apparatus can be shared by a plurality of information processing terminals by being connected to a network, thereby improving user convenience. As the information processing terminal, a PC (Personal Computer) generally used by each user is used.

  On the other hand, when using a printer or scanner among such image processing apparatuses in conjunction with an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer), software for using the functions of the printer and scanner via the information processing apparatus A driver that is a program needs to be installed in the information processing apparatus.

  When the driver is installed in the information processing apparatus, a method for installing the driver using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM bundled with the image processing apparatus, or a web depending on the type of the image processing apparatus to be used. A method of downloading a corresponding driver from above is used. On the other hand, in order to avoid an unfamiliar user from installing a wrong driver, the driver is stored in a storage medium provided in the image processing apparatus, and the driver from the image processing apparatus main body via the network is stored. A method for downloading the software program is already known.

  In addition, by specifying an image processing apparatus connected via a network and obtaining information such as a server storing a driver program from the image processing apparatus, a storage medium provided in the image processing apparatus There is also proposed a method of downloading and installing a driver program from a server provided on the network (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The above-described method for downloading a driver program from the image processing apparatus and the method for downloading from a server provided on the network based on information acquired from the image processing apparatus include an image processing apparatus in which a user is connected via the network. Must be selected from the list. However, when a large number of image processing apparatuses are connected to the network, selecting a desired image processing apparatus from the list is not easy for a particularly inexperienced user. In addition, when a plurality of image processing apparatuses of the same type are connected on the network, there is a problem that if a list by model name is displayed, it cannot be determined which one is the desired image processing apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it is possible to easily install a print control program of a desired image processing apparatus when installing the print control program of the image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one embodiment of the present invention is an image processing system including an information processing device and a plurality of image processing devices connected to the information processing device via a network. The apparatus changes to a state for installing the print control program of the image processing apparatus, and installs the state transition notification unit for notifying the plurality of image processing apparatuses that the state has changed, and the print control program. And an installation information receiving unit that receives installation information transmitted from at least one of the plurality of image processing devices in response to the notification, and the print control program based on the received installation information Installed in the information processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus includes the information processing apparatus. Upon receiving notification that the apparatus has transitioned to the state for installing the print control program, an installation confirmation screen for instructing the information processing apparatus to install the print control program of the image processing apparatus is displayed. An installation confirmation screen output unit for outputting information for generating, and an installation information transmission unit for generating the installation information and transmitting it to the information processing apparatus in response to the instruction to the installation confirmation screen .

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an installation management program for managing installation of a print control program of the image processing apparatus in an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network. And a step of notifying the plurality of image processing devices of the transition to a state for installing the print control program of the apparatus and the state transition, and information for installing the print control program, And receiving the installation information transmitted from at least one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and installing the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received installation information. The information processing apparatus is executed.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network, the state being changed to a state for installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus. A state transition notifying unit for notifying the plurality of image processing devices that the transition has occurred, and information for installing the print control program, and at least one of the plurality of image processing devices according to the notification An installation information receiving unit that receives the installation information transmitted from the computer, and an installation unit that installs the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received installation information.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus transitions to a state for installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus. An installation confirmation screen output unit that outputs information for displaying an installation confirmation screen for instructing the information processing apparatus to install the print control program of the image processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus; And an installation information transmission unit that generates installation information that is information for installing the print control program and transmits the installation information to the information processing apparatus in response to the instruction on the installation confirmation screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily install a print control program for a desired image processing apparatus when installing the print control program for the image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the information management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the information processing terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the user terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the whole system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the installation confirmation screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the apparatus setting information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the driver package URL table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the user terminal which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the installation continuation confirmation screen which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the installation authentication table which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of an image processing system, a system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and information processing apparatuses such as a PC (Personal Computer) are connected via a network will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to this embodiment includes image forming apparatuses 1a, 1b, and 1c (hereinafter collectively referred to as image forming apparatus 1) including input / output functions such as a printer and a scanner, and a user operation. A user terminal 2 that is an information processing terminal such as a PC and a driver installed in the user terminal 2 in order to use the image forming apparatus 1 via the user terminal 2, that is, the image forming apparatus 1 executes image forming output. A driver server 3 in which a print control program for storing the program is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 and the user terminal 2 are connected to a network A such as an office of a user who uses the image processing system according to the present embodiment, and the driver server 3 is connected to the present embodiment. It is connected to a network B such as a service provider that provides the service of the image processing system. The network A and the network B are connected via a public line 4 such as the Internet or a telephone line.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copying machine by including an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. The user terminal 2 is an information processing terminal operated by a user, and an installer application that realizes a function of downloading and installing a driver for using the image forming apparatus 1 from the driver server 3 is installed. The driver server 3 distributes a driver software program in response to a request from the installer application.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the user terminal 2, and the driver server 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the image forming apparatus 1 and the driver server 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as a general server, PC, or the like. That is, the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire user terminal 2. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the user terminal 2. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the user terminal 2 such as a keyboard and a mouse. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the driver server 3 according to the present embodiment is operated as a server. Therefore, user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, and the like in addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, the user terminal 2, and the driver server 3 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 200 and a network I / F 210 in addition to the HDD 40, the LCD 60, and the operation unit 70 described in FIG. The controller 200 includes a network control unit 201, a display control unit 202, an operation control unit 203, and an installer application 220.

  The network I / F 210 is an interface for the user terminal 2 to communicate with other devices via the network, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) or USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface is used. The network I / F 210 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The controller 200 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 200 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 200 is a control unit that controls the entire user terminal 2.

  The network control unit 201 acquires information input via the network I / F 210 and transmits information to other devices via the network I / F 210. The display control unit 202 causes the LCD 60 to display the status of the user terminal 2 such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the installer application 220. The operation control unit 203 acquires a signal of an operation by the user with respect to the operation unit 70 and inputs the signal to software operating on the user terminal 2 such as the installer application 220.

  The installer application 220 provides a function for installing a driver for using the image forming apparatus 1 in the user terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the installer application 220 includes an installation control unit 221 and a driver package generation unit 222.

  The installation control unit 221 controls driver installation in the installer application 220. Specifically, the installation control unit 221 has a function of displaying a GUI on the CLD 60 via the display control unit 202 based on an operation signal input from the operation control unit 203, or the network A via the network control unit 201. A function of acquiring information of the connected image forming apparatus 1 is included.

  The driver package generation unit 222 executes a driver package for installing the driver of the image forming apparatus 1 from the driver server 3 connected to the network B, that is, a program for installing the driver, under the control of the installation control unit 221. Download and store in HDD 40.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a scanner unit 102, a paper discharge tray 103, a display panel 104, and a paper feed table. 105, a print engine 106, a paper discharge tray 107, and a network I / F 108.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 110, an engine control unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an operation display control unit 140, and an input / output control unit 150. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 102 and a print engine 106. In FIG. 4, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of a sheet or document bundle is indicated by a broken arrow.

  The display panel 104 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and as a touch panel, when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1. It is also an input interface (operation unit). The display panel 104 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 108 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 108 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG. Further, the network I / F 108 includes a function as a FAX modem, and also functions as an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to perform FAX transmission / reception via the network.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 110 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. In addition, the main control unit 110 according to the present embodiment executes various processes corresponding to the functions of the installer application 220. The processing executed by the main control unit 110 will be described in detail later. The engine control unit 120 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 106, the scanner unit 102, and the like.

  The image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 110. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 106 as an image forming unit. The image processing unit 130 processes image data input from the scanner unit 102 to generate image data. The image data is information stored in the storage area of the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another apparatus such as the user terminal 2 via the network I / F 108.

  The operation display control unit 140 displays information on the display panel 104 or notifies the main control unit 110 of information input via the display panel 104. The input / output control unit 150 inputs information input via the network I / F 108 to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 also controls the input / output control unit 150 to access other devices such as the user terminal 2 and the driver server 3 via the network I / F 108 and the network.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 150 receives a print job via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 110. When receiving a print job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate drawing information based on document information or image information included in the print job.

  When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120 controls the print engine 106 to form an image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 105 based on the generated drawing information. Let it run. As a specific aspect of the print engine 106, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 106 is discharged to a discharge tray 107.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, the operation display control unit 140 or the display unit 104 is operated according to a user operation on the display panel 104 or a scan execution instruction input from the external user terminal 2 or the like via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers a scan execution signal to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 controls the engine control unit 120 based on the received scan execution signal.

  The engine control unit 120 drives the ADF 101 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 101 to the scanner unit 102. In addition, the engine control unit 120 drives the scanner unit 102 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 101. If no original is set on the ADF 101 and the original is set directly on the scanner unit 102, the scanner unit 102 images the set original according to the control of the engine control unit 120. That is, the scanner unit 102 operates as an imaging unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a CCD included in the scanner unit 102 optically scans the document, and imaging information generated based on the optical information is generated. The engine control unit 120 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 102 to the image processing unit 130. The image processing unit 130 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 120 according to the control of the main control unit 110. Image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in a storage medium attached to the image forming apparatus 1 such as the HDD 40. That is, the scanner unit 102, the engine control unit 120, and the image processing unit 130 work together to function as a document reading unit.

  The image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in the HDD 40 or the like as it is according to a user instruction, or is transmitted to an external device such as the user terminal 2 via the input / output control unit 150 and the network I / F 108. . Further, as described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 that does not include the function of transmitting the scan result image, the image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in a predetermined storage area, and information processing such as the user terminal 2 is performed. A driver installed and operating in the terminal downloads the image information via the network I / F 108.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on imaging information received by the engine control unit 120 from the scanner unit 102 or image information generated by the image processing unit 130. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 120 drives the print engine 106 as in the case of the printer operation. When the information format of the drawing information and the imaging information is the same, the imaging information can be used as the drawing information as it is.

  In such an image processing system, as described above, when a print job is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1, a scan execution command is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus 1, when the user terminal 2 acquires an image generated by scanning, a software program for using the function of the image forming apparatus 1, that is, a driver needs to be installed in the user terminal 2. is there. The installer application 220 has a function of assisting the user when installing such a driver.

  Next, an operation of installing the driver of the image forming apparatus 1 in the user terminal 2 based on the function of the installer application 220 as a function according to the gist of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of installing a driver in the user terminal 2 based on the function of the installer application 220.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the user terminal 2 accepts a user operation (S501). As a result, an operation signal is input to the controller 200 via the operation control unit 203, and the installer application 220 is activated. The installer application 220 starts a printer driver installation waiting state by being activated. As a result, the user terminal 2 transitions to a state for installing the driver of the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the installer application 220 starts an installation wait state, the installer application 220 controls the network control unit 201 to transmit a signal for notifying installation wait (S502). The process of S502 is a process of notifying that the state of the user terminal 2 has changed to a state for installing the driver of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the installer application 220 functions as a state transition notification unit. Note that the start of the installation waiting state of the installer application 220 may require further user operation such as operation of the application GUI after activation.

  The notification process of waiting for installation in S502 is executed by broadcasting. As a result, all the image forming apparatuses 1 connected to the network A, i.e., the same router or lower, are notified that the user terminal 2 is in an installation waiting state. Note that the installation waiting notification process in S502 may be performed by multicast or the like that is executed by designating the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 acquired in advance by a response to the broadcast or the like in addition to the transmission by the broadcast described above. . Further, the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 serving as a multicast destination may be acquired by manual input by a user or by reading information on a list of IP addresses generated in advance.

  In S <b> 502, the installer application 220 identifies the user terminal 2 and the user using the user terminal 2, such as the name of the user who has logged in the user terminal 2 and the IP address of the user terminal 2. Is transmitted together with a signal for notifying the waiting for installation.

  The installation waiting notification broadcast from the user terminal 2 is received by the input / output control unit 150 in the image forming apparatus 1 and input to the main control unit 110. When the main control unit 110 obtains the installation wait notification, the main control unit 110 controls the operation display control unit 140 to display a GUI of the installation confirmation screen for the user to confirm that the driver of the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the user terminal 2. It is displayed on the display panel 104 (S503). That is, the main control unit 110. Functions as an installation confirmation screen output unit. The process of S503 is executed in all the image forming apparatuses 1a, 1b, and 1c connected to the network A as shown in FIG. An example of the installation confirmation screen displayed on the display panel 104 in S503 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the installation confirmation screen, the user name and IP address of the user terminal 2 that sent the installation wait notification in S502 are displayed, and the driver of the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the user terminal 2. An operation unit for selecting whether or not to perform is displayed. In step S <b> 501, the user changes the user terminal 2 to an installation waiting state, then moves to a place where the image forming apparatus 1 where the driver is to be installed is installed, and then operates the display panel 104 of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The user presses or touches the “OK” button on the installation confirmation screen displayed on the display panel 104 as shown in FIG. 6 in the image forming apparatus 1 in which the driver is to be installed. Accordingly, the display panel 104 outputs a signal corresponding thereto, and the main control unit 110 acquires the signal via the operation display control unit 140 and accepts the operation (S504).

  When the main control unit 110 receives the operation, the main control unit 110 generates device setting information including information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1 and the model of the image forming apparatus 1, and sends it to the user terminal 2 that has received the installation wait notification. Transmit (S505). FIG. 7 shows an example of the device setting information generated and transmitted in S505. As shown in FIG. 7, the device setting information according to the present embodiment includes a “model name” indicating the model of the image forming apparatus 1 and an IP address that is an address of the image forming apparatus 1 on the network.

  The information shown in FIG. 7 is information used by the installer application 220 to install the driver. That is, in the present embodiment, device setting information is used as installation information. Accordingly, the main control unit 110 functions as an installation information transmission unit in S505.

  The device setting information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 is received by the network control unit 201 in the user terminal 2 and input to the installer application 220. The device setting information input to the installer application 220 is acquired by the driver package generation unit 222. That is, in the installer application 220, the driver package generation unit 222 functions as an installation information reception unit. Based on the acquired device setting information, the driver package generation unit 222 determines an acquisition destination from which the driver package of the driver to be installed is acquired (S506).

  In step S <b> 506, the driver package generation unit 222 displays a table in which a model name of the image forming apparatus 1 is associated with a network address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in which the driver package of the model is stored (hereinafter referred to as a driver). The access destination for downloading the driver package is determined based on the package URL table.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a driver package URL table held by the driver package generation unit 222. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the driver package URL table includes information in which “model name” indicating the model of the image forming apparatus 1 and “URL” indicating the access destination for downloading the driver package of the model are associated with each other. It is.

  In this embodiment, the model name of the image forming apparatus 1 is included in the device setting information, and the URL is determined from the model name based on the driver package URL table shown in FIG. In addition, information indicating an access destination for downloading the driver package of each image forming apparatus 1, that is, information indicating a network address such as a URL is included in the device setting information. In step S506, the installer application 220 displays the device setting information. The driver package acquisition destination may be determined from the access destination information included in the.

  When the acquisition destination of the driver package is determined, the driver package generation unit 222 accesses the driver server 3 via the network control unit 201 to download and acquire the driver package (S507). The driver package generation unit 222 stores the driver package downloaded from the driver server 3 in the HDD 40.

  When the driver package is stored in the HDD 40, the installation control unit 221 executes driver installation on the user terminal 2 based on the driver package (S508). As a result, the driver is installed in the user terminal 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 can be used in the user terminal 2. That is, in the processing from S506 to S508, the installation control unit 221 and the driver package generation unit 222 function as a driver installation unit. Note that in the processing of S508, in addition to decompressing the driver software program compressed as a driver package and copying it to the HDD 40, setting of driver parameters such as port numbers and the like is an installer configured as a driver package. Executed by.

  In the port number setting process, the IP address information included in the device setting information described with reference to FIG. 7 is referred to. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the information on the network address such as the IP address in the device setting information transmitted to the user terminal 2 in the driver installation waiting state, thereby automatically installing the driver and the port number as described above. It is possible to set parameters such as

  In addition to the above-described IP address, information to be referred to when setting parameters for driver installation may be, for example, the network name (host name) of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the information may be included in the device setting information. In addition, by including information that can be referred to in the parameter setting after driver installation in the device setting information, the installation process and subsequent setting process can be preferably automated.

  When the driver installation process is completed, the installer application 220 sends a notification indicating that the installation is completed (S509). The installation completion notification in S509 is transmitted by broadcast as in S502. As a result, as in S502, an installation completion notification is input to all the image forming apparatuses 1 connected to the network A.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, as in S <b> 503, an installation completion notification broadcast from the user terminal 2 is received by the input / output control unit 150 and input to the main control unit 110. When the main control unit 110 obtains the installation wait notification, the main control unit 110 controls the operation display control unit 140, ends the GUI display of the installation confirmation screen displayed in S503 (S510), and ends the process.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1 that has received the operation from the user in S504 and executed the processing in S505 may end the GUI display at that time. On the other hand, there may be an image forming apparatus 1 that receives the installation wait notification broadcasted from the user terminal 2 and displays the GUI and then does not perform any operation by the user and remains in the processing state of S503. The process of S510 is a process for ending the GUI display in such an image forming apparatus.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the user terminal 2 activates the installer application 220 and shifts to the installation waiting state, whereby all the image forming apparatuses 1 connected via the network are connected. On the other hand, installation waiting is notified by broadcasting. Thereafter, the user moves to the installation location of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the driver is to be installed in the user terminal 2 and operates to instruct to install the driver in the GUI displayed on the display panel 104 of the image forming apparatus 1. I do.

  Through such processing, the user can install the driver of the desired image forming apparatus 1 in the user terminal 2 without performing an operation of selecting an apparatus from the list of image forming apparatuses 1 on which the driver can be installed. It becomes possible. That is, there are a plurality of devices of the same model, such that the device may be erroneously selected from the list of image forming apparatuses 1 on which the driver can be installed, an inexperienced user cannot determine a desired device, The problem that cannot be judged can be solved.

  As described above, with the functions of the installer application 220 and the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily install a driver of a desired image processing apparatus when installing the driver of the image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the model name is included in the device setting information transmitted to the user terminal 2 in response to an operation on the installation confirmation screen displayed on the display panel 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. In addition, the case where a URL or the like as an access destination for downloading a driver package is included has been described as an example. That is, the aspect in which the model name is included as the installation information and the aspect in which the access destination for downloading the driver is included have been described as examples. Thereby, the driver installed by the function of the installer application 220 can be updated to the latest version only by updating the driver package stored in the driver server 3 to the latest version.

  In addition, the driver package is stored in a storage medium in the image forming apparatus 1, and the driver package itself is transmitted to the user terminal 2 in response to an operation on the installation confirmation screen displayed on the display panel 104 of the image forming apparatus 1. May be. That is, a driver package that is a program for installing a driver may be included in the installation information. In this case, in order to install the latest version of the driver, it is necessary to update the driver package stored in the storage area in the image forming apparatus 1 to the latest version. Such an aspect is particularly effective when, for example, it is not preferable to connect the network A to a public line.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, an example in which the installer application 220 of the user terminal 2 receives the device setting information from one image forming apparatus 1 and completes the installation, outputs an installation completion notification and ends the processing. explained. In the present embodiment, a mode in which drivers of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are installed in succession will be described. In addition, about the structure which attaches | subjects the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, it shall show the same or equivalent part as Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the installer application 220 when an operation corresponding to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5 is executed in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the installation control unit 221 of the installer application 220 notifies the installation waiting by broadcasting as a process corresponding to S502 of FIG. 5 (S901). Then, the driver package generation unit 222 receives the device setting information transmitted by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the user's operation (S902).

  Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the drivers of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are installed in succession as described above. Accordingly, the user operates the user terminal 2 to start the notification of S801, and then operates the installation confirmation screen around the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1. As a result, the processes of S504 and S505 in FIG. 5 are executed in the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, and the device setting information is transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 to the user terminal 2. The device setting information transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 is stacked in the driver package generation unit 222 of the user terminal 2. The device setting information may be temporarily stored in another storage medium such as the HDD 40.

  Thereafter, the driver package generation unit 222 executes processing similar to S506 and S507 in FIG. 5 (S903 and S904), and the installation control unit 221 executes processing similar to S508 (S905). Then, the installation control unit 221 controls the display control unit 202 to confirm with the user whether or not to finish the installation as shown in FIG. 10 and whether or not to install another printer driver. A screen (hereinafter referred to as an installation continuation confirmation screen) is displayed on the LCD 60 (S906).

  In the installation continuation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10, when an operation for instructing to end the installation is performed by the user (S907 / YES), the installation control unit 221 receives a signal indicating the operation from the operation control unit 203. Is acquired, a notification of installation completion corresponding to S509 of FIG. 5 is transmitted (S908), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when an operation for instructing to continue the installation is performed by the user (S907 / NO), the installation control unit 221 acquires a signal indicating the operation from the operation control unit 203, and the driver package generation unit 222 Then, it is checked whether or not there is device setting information that has not been installed yet, that is, there is unprocessed device setting information that has been stacked (S909).

  If there is device setting information that has not been installed as a result of the confirmation in S909 (S909 / YES), the driver package generation unit 222 reads the stacked device setting information from the HDD 40, and based on the device setting information. The process from S903 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no device setting information that does not execute the installation (S909 / NO), that is, if the device setting information is not stacked, the installation control unit 221 returns to S906 and displays the installation continuation confirmation screen on the LCD 60 again. . At this time, a display may be added to the GUI mode shown in FIG. 10 so as to notify the user that there is no stacked device setting information.

  By such processing, the operation of the installer application 220 according to the present embodiment is completed. As described above, in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the drivers of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 can be installed in the user terminal 2 in succession.

  When there is unprocessed device setting information in S909 and the processing from S903 is repeated, in the case of driver installation for the image forming apparatus 1 of the same model as the image forming apparatus 1 in which the driver has been installed by the processing up to that point There is also a possibility. In such a case, the processing in S903 and S904 can be omitted.

  When the processing of S903 and S904 is omitted for installing the driver for the image forming apparatus 1 of the same model as the image forming apparatus 1 in which the driver has been installed by the processing so far, the HDD 40 is downloaded once as described above. The driver package stored in is stored as it is without being deleted until an operation for ending installation is executed in S907. When driver installation is executed by the processing of S903 to S904, the driver package generation unit 222 stores “model name” included in the device setting information that has been installed as information on the installed model name. .

  Then, when starting the processing from S903, the driver package generation unit 222 refers to the information on the installed model name described above, and confirms whether or not it matches the “model name” included in the device setting information to be processed from now on. To do. If the model names match as a result of the confirmation, the installation control unit 221 reads out the driver package for the image forming apparatus 1 with the model name from the HDD 40, and executes the processing from S905 onward. By such processing, the processing of S903 and S904 can be omitted, and the processing load and network load of the user terminal 2 can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not to allow installation or a function that permits installation in accordance with a user who is using the user terminal 2. In addition, about the structure which attaches | subjects the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, 2, it shall show the same or equivalent part as Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the operation corresponding to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5 is executed in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the main control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives an installation wait notification in accordance with the processing of S502 of FIG. 5 (S1101).

  The main control unit 110 that has received the installation wait notification performs user authentication based on the “user name” included in the device setting information (S1102). The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores a table (hereinafter referred to as an installation authentication table) in which a user name is associated with whether installation is permitted or not, a function for permitting installation, and the like in a storage medium such as the HDD 40. An example of the installation authentication table according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the installation authentication table according to the present embodiment includes a “user name” that identifies a user who may use the image forming apparatus 1 and the use of the image forming apparatus 1 for each user. "Driver installability" indicating whether or not to permit the installation of the driver, and "Function restriction" information for restricting the function and permitting the use are associated. Based on the information as shown in FIG. 12, the main control unit 110 makes a determination in S1102.

  As a result of the determination in S1102, if the user authentication is NG, that is, driver installation is not permitted (NO in S1102), the main control unit 110 sends a notification (installation impossible notification) indicating that installation is not permitted. Execute (S1107) and end the process. As the installation impossibility notification in S1107, for example, a notification indicating that installation cannot be performed may be transmitted to the user terminal 2 by controlling the input / output control unit 150, or the operation display control unit 140 may be controlled to perform S1102. A GUI indicating that the driver cannot be installed may be displayed on the user terminal 2 having the “user name” determined in step S1.

  On the other hand, when the user authentication is OK, that is, when the driver installation is permitted (S1102 / YES), the main control unit 110 executes processing corresponding to S503 and S504 in FIG. 5 (S1103). Then, the main control unit 110 performs processing corresponding to S505 of FIG. 5, that is, generation and transmission of device setting information in accordance with an operation from the user on the display panel 104 (S1104).

  Here, when generating the device setting information in S1104, the main control unit 110 according to the present embodiment refers to the installation authentication table shown in FIG. Generate device setting information including In other words, when the main control unit 110 generates device setting information to be transmitted to the user terminal 2 of the user for which “function restriction” is set in the installation authentication table, the function is determined according to the item “function restriction” in the installation authentication table. The device setting information is generated so that the driver is installed with restriction.

  After that, when an installation completion notification is received according to the processing of S509 in FIG. 5 (S1105), the main control unit 110 controls the operation display control unit 140 to end the GUI display (S1106), and ends the processing. . Note that after the process of S1104, the GUI display may be terminated without waiting for the process of S1105, that is, the installation completion notification.

  In the user terminal 2 that has received the device setting information including the “function restriction” information through the processing of S1104, the driver package generation unit 222 executes the processing of S506 and S507 in FIG. 5, and then the installation control unit 221 performs S508. Installation is executed by the process. At this time, the installation control unit 221 executes the driver installation after selecting the functions to be installed by the driver package in accordance with the function restriction information included in the device setting information.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, in order to determine whether or not installation is permitted and a function that permits installation according to the user name and installation authentication table of the user terminal 2 that requests driver installation, It is possible to automatically determine the functions installed in the system, and to reduce the burden on the administrator who manages the system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether installation is possible or whether there is a function restriction based on information for identifying a user notified from the user terminal 2, and the device setting information includes those information. The case where information is transmitted to the user terminal 2 has been described as an example. In this case, as described above, the process required in the user terminal 2 is only the process of selecting the functions to be installed according to the function restriction information in the process of S508.

  In addition, it is possible to make a determination on the user terminal 2 side without requiring the processing of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, the information shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the image forming apparatus 1 or a server connected to the network. Then, when executing the installation in S508 of FIG. 5, the installation control unit 221 refers to the information shown in FIG. 8 via the network, and installs the user name and driver of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. Whether to install the image forming apparatus 1 is determined based on information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1 that is going to execute. In addition, the user name and information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1 may be transmitted to the apparatus storing the information of FIG. 8 and the determination result may be received.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 User terminal 3 Driver server 4 Public line 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation unit 80 Bus 100 Controller 101 ADF
102 Scanner unit 103 Paper discharge tray 104 Display panel 105 Paper feed table 106 Print engine 107 Paper discharge tray 108 Network I / F
110 main control unit 120 engine control unit 130 image processing unit 140 operation display control unit 150 input / output control unit 200 controller 201 network control unit 202 display control unit 203 operation control unit 220 installer application 221 installation control unit 222 driver package generation unit

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-197044

Claims (20)

An image processing system including an information processing device and a plurality of image processing devices connected to the information processing device via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A state transition notifying unit for notifying the plurality of image processing devices that the state has transitioned while transitioning to a state for installing the print control program of the image processing device;
Information for installing the print control program, an installation information receiving unit for receiving installation information transmitted from at least one of the plurality of image processing devices in response to the notification;
An installation unit that installs the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received installation information;
The image processing apparatus includes:
An installation confirmation screen for instructing the information processing apparatus to install the print control program of the image processing apparatus upon receiving a notification that the information processing apparatus has transitioned to a state for installing the print control program An installation confirmation screen output unit that outputs information for displaying
An image processing system comprising: an installation information transmission unit that generates the installation information and transmits the installation information to the information processing apparatus in response to the instruction on the installation confirmation screen. An installation management program for managing installation of a print control program of the image processing apparatus in an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network,
Transitioning to a state for installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus and notifying the plurality of image processing apparatuses that the state has transitioned; and
Information for installing the print control program, receiving installation information transmitted from at least one of the plurality of image processing devices in response to the notification;
An installation management program causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of installing the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received installation information. The installation information includes information regarding the model of the image processing apparatus,
The image processing included in the received installation information based on information associated with information on the model of the image processing apparatus and an address on the network to be accessed to acquire a print control program corresponding to each model The installation management according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a step of accessing a network address associated with information related to a model of the apparatus and acquiring a print control program of the image processing apparatus. program. The installation information includes an address on a network that is accessed to obtain a print control program corresponding to the image processing apparatus,
3. The installation according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a step of accessing a network address included in the received installation information and acquiring a print control program of the image processing apparatus. Management program. The installation information includes a program for installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus,
The installation management program according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a step of installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus in accordance with a program included in the received installation information. .   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to execute a parameter setting of the installed print control program based on information included in the received installation information. The installation management program described. The installation information includes information regarding an address on the network of the image processing apparatus,
A step of causing the information processing apparatus to execute a port setting of the installed print control program based on information on a network address of the image processing apparatus included in the received installation information. The installation management program according to claim 6.   8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the print control program is installed in the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a step of notifying the plurality of image processing apparatuses that the installation is completed. The installation management program according to item 1. Outputting information for displaying an installation continuation confirmation screen for instructing to install another print control program after at least one print control program is installed in the information processing apparatus;
A step of installing the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received other installation information when an instruction to install another print control program is given by the instruction on the installation continuation confirmation screen; The installation management program according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is executed.   The information for identifying a user who uses the information processing apparatus is also notified in the step of notifying the plurality of image processing apparatuses that the state has changed. The installation management program described in the section. The installation information is information determined based on information for identifying the notified user, and function restriction information for restricting functions installed when installing a print control program in the information processing apparatus Including
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the information processing apparatus executes a step of restricting a function based on function restriction information included in the received installation information and installing the print control program in the information processing apparatus. The installation management program described.   Whether the user is permitted to use the image processing apparatus based on information for identifying a user who uses the information processing apparatus and information for identifying the image processing apparatus included in the installation information The installation management program according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is caused to execute a step of confirming whether or not. An information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network,
A state transition notifying unit for notifying the plurality of image processing devices that the state has transitioned while transitioning to a state for installing the print control program of the image processing device;
Information for installing the print control program, an installation information receiving unit for receiving installation information transmitted from at least one of the plurality of image processing devices in response to the notification;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an installation unit that installs the print control program in the information processing apparatus based on the received installation information. An image processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus via a network,
In order to instruct the information processing apparatus to install the print control program of the image processing apparatus upon receiving a notification that the information processing apparatus has transitioned to a state for installing the print control program of the image processing apparatus An installation confirmation screen output unit that outputs information for displaying the installation confirmation screen of
And an installation information transmission unit that generates installation information that is information for installing the print control program and transmits the installation information to the information processing apparatus in response to the instruction on the installation confirmation screen. apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the installation information transmission unit generates the installation information including information related to a model of the image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the installation information transmission unit generates the installation information including an address on a network to be accessed in order to acquire a print control program corresponding to the image processing apparatus. .   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the installation information transmission unit generates the installation information including a program for installing a print control program of the image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the installation information transmission unit generates the installation information including information related to an address on the network of the image processing apparatus. The notification that the information processing apparatus has transitioned to a state for installing the print control program of the image processing apparatus includes information for identifying a user who is using the information processing apparatus,
The installation confirmation screen output unit refers to the information for identifying the user included in the notification based on the information in which the information for identifying the user is associated with the information on whether installation is possible or not. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein whether or not the print control program is installed is determined and information for displaying the installation confirmation screen is output when the installation is possible. .   The installation information transmission unit identifies a user included in the notification based on information associated with information for identifying a user and function restriction information for restricting a function to be installed when installing the print control program The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the installation information is generated including the function restriction information associated with information to be performed.

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