JP2013250952A - Information processing apparatus, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a universal device driver for controlling a plurality of kinds of peripheral devices different in model easily correspond to a new model.SOLUTION: A verification unit 124 of an information processing apparatus 100 verifies whether or not installation of a second device driver to be an installation object can correspond to addition of model information on the basis of an information file 140 on compatibility between versions. When it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can correspond to the addition of the model information, an execution unit 131 adds, to a first model information file, difference information showing the difference between a model or function included in the first model information file of an installed first device driver and a model or function included in a second model information file of the second device driver.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium.

  Peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, fax machines, and copiers connected to a network are controlled by an information processing device such as a host computer. For this control, it is necessary to install a control program (referred to as a driver or a device driver) corresponding to each type of peripheral device in the information processing apparatus.

  Here, a universal device driver such as a universal printer driver is known as a device driver for controlling not only one peripheral device but a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models. By using a universal device driver, a single device driver can control a plurality of types of peripheral devices. However, the conventional universal device driver cannot support peripheral devices of a model that is not registered in the model information list held in the driver, and is upgraded to a version corresponding to the peripheral device of the model. Was necessary.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are disclosed as methods for reducing the work required to install a device driver installed in an information processing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 prepares an additional function data file in which information on function addition for a specific device driver already installed is described, and reflects the contents of the additional function data file on the already installed device driver. It is disclosed.

  Also, in Patent Document 2, the peripheral device driver is configured to include a basic program that is common to all peripheral devices, and corresponds to the difference program held by the peripheral device to be connected and the function of the peripheral device. It is disclosed that a peripheral device dependent file including a function program or the like is added to a basic program.

  However, conventionally, it has been disclosed to add a function specific to a peripheral device to be connected to a driver common to the peripheral device model. Regarding universal device drivers that control multiple types of peripheral devices of different models, it was difficult to easily add compatible models that can be controlled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an information processing apparatus and program capable of easily supporting a new model for a universal device driver for controlling a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models And a storage medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a first specifying unit, a second specifying unit, a verification unit, and an execution unit. The first specifying unit, based on the first model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the installed first device driver and the version information, and the version information of the first device driver and The peripheral device model and function that can be supported by the first device driver are specified. The second specifying unit, based on the second model information file including the model and function of the compatible peripheral device included in the second device to be installed and the version information, and the version information of the second device driver and the version information Identify peripheral device models and functions that can be supported by the second device driver. The verification unit determines whether or not the second device driver can be installed by adding model information based on a version compatibility information file that defines compatibility information between device driver versions in the device driver installation. Verify that. The execution unit is identified by the second identification unit and the model and function identified by the first identification unit when it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information. Difference information indicating the difference between the selected model and function is added to the first model information file.

  The program of the present invention is a program to be executed by a computer, and is based on a first model information file including a model and function of a compatible peripheral device included in the installed first device driver, and version information. The first step of identifying the version information of the first device driver and the model and function of the peripheral device that can be supported by the first device driver, and the model of the compatible peripheral device included in the second device to be installed And a second step of specifying the version information of the second device driver and the model and function of the peripheral device that can be supported by the second device driver based on the second model information file including the function and the version information, Compatibility information between device driver versions in device driver installation A third step of verifying whether the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information based on the determined version compatibility information file; and the installation of the second device driver is model information. Difference information indicating a difference between the model and function specified in the first step and the model and function specified in the second step is obtained. A program for causing the computer to execute a fourth step to be added to one model information file.

  The storage medium of the present invention is based on the first model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the first device driver already installed in the computer, and the version information. Version information and a first step for identifying the peripheral device model and function that can be supported by the first device driver, and a second model that includes the compatible peripheral device model and function included in the second device to be installed A second step of identifying the version information of the second device driver and the model and function of the peripheral device that can be supported by the second device driver based on the information file and the version information; and the device driver in the installation of the device driver Version compatibility information file that defines compatibility information between versions And a third step of verifying whether or not the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information, and that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information. When the verification is performed, the difference information indicating the difference between the model and function specified in the first step and the model and function specified in the second step is added to the first model information file. A readable storage medium storing a program for executing the four steps.

  According to the present invention, a new model can be easily associated with a universal device driver for controlling a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a version compatibility information file. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of installation processing executed by the information processing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen. FIG. 6 is a screen showing a selectable model list. FIG. 7 is a screen showing a selectable model list. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a model information file. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a function display screen. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a function display screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device, a program, and a recording medium will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 100, a server 200, and image forming apparatuses 400 serving as a plurality of types of peripheral devices having different models connected via a network 300. ing.

  The network may be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. For example, the network uses a LAN (Local Area Network) and uses a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or TCP / IP.

  The image forming apparatus 400 is a known image forming apparatus having an image forming function for forming an image on a recording medium. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows a diagram in which one image forming apparatus 400 is connected to the network 300, but actually, a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models are connected. Is done.

  In the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the case where the peripheral device connected to the network 300 is the image forming apparatus 400 is described, but the peripheral device is not limited to the image forming apparatus. The peripheral device may be, for example, a fax machine having a facsimile function, a scanner apparatus having a scanner function, a projection apparatus having a projection function for projecting an image, or the like. Further, the peripheral device may be a multi-function peripheral having two or more of a plurality of functions such as an image forming function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a projection function.

  The image forming apparatus 400 includes a controller 402 and an engine unit 404. The controller 402 includes a main storage unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD, and a communication unit. The main storage unit stores various programs and various data. The auxiliary storage unit stores various programs and various data. The communication unit communicates with an external device such as the information processing apparatus 100. The CPU executes various programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit and the main storage unit, thereby controlling and drawing the entire image forming apparatus 400, communicating via the communication unit with an external device, and an operation panel (not shown). Control operation input from the user and display of information on the operation panel. The engine unit 404 is a known printer engine that performs image printing.

  The controller 402 of the image forming apparatus 400 receives a print job from the information processing apparatus 100 via the server 200. The print job includes printing conditions, image data to be printed, and the like. The engine unit 404 controls the controller 402 to form an image of image data included in the print job on a recording medium or the like according to the print conditions included in the print job.

  The server 200 is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The server 200 manages each image forming apparatus 400 connected to the network 300 and transmits a print job received from the information processing apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 400. In the present embodiment, the server 200 stores a version compatibility information file 201 in advance.

  The version compatibility information file 201 is information indicating compatibility between versions of the universal printer driver. Hereinafter, the universal printer driver may be referred to as UPD.

  More specifically, the version compatibility information file 201 contains information on the version information of the UPD that requires an upgrade installation (details will be described later) and model information when a new UPD is installed for each version of the UPD. Version information of device drivers that can be additionally supported, and upgrade installation is necessary, but if some of the new functions to be added are restricted as restricted functions, it can be supported by adding function information Is a file that defines constraint information indicating

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the version compatibility information file 201.

  The version compatibility information file 201 is a file that defines compatibility information for each version information (VERSION) of UPD. Compatibility information for each version information of each UPD corresponds to an additional function (ADD FUNCTION) of the UPD with respect to the old version of UPD, a supported model (SUPPORT MODEL) of the UPD, and addition of model information to the UPD of the version. Possible UPD version information (MODEL ADDITIONABLE), upgrade installation is necessary, but if some of the new functions to be added are restricted as restricted functions, it is possible to cope with the addition of function information Restriction information (also referred to as restriction on additional functions) (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP), UPD version information (NEED VERSION) that requires an upgrade installation for this version of UPD UP).

  In the example of FIG. 2, the version compatibility information file 201 has a version 1.1 when the version (Ver) of the UPD already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 is 1.0.0.0, for example. When installing UPD of 0.0, “NONE” having no additional function (ADD FUNCTION) is shown to increase the number of two models NX110 and NX210 as supported models (SUPPORT MODEL).

  Also, the version compatibility information file 201 in FIG. 2 includes version 1.1 as UPD version information (MODEL ADDITIONABLE) that can be supported by adding a model in a version 1.0.0.0 UPD. A range from 0.0 to 1.2.0.0 is shown. Further, the version compatibility information file 201 in FIG. 2 requires a version upgrade installation in a version 1.0.0.0 UPD, but restricts some of the new functions to be added as restricted functions. Then, the restriction information (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP) indicating whether or not it is possible to cope with the addition of function information indicates “NONE” indicating whether or not the function is supported. Also, the version compatibility information file 201 in FIG. 2 includes 2.0.0.0 as version information (NEED VERSION UP) of UPD that requires upgrade installation for version 1.0.0.0 UPD. Versions after 0.0 are shown.

  Thus, the version compatibility information file 201 is a file that defines compatibility information for each version information of UPD. Note that the inter-version compatibility information file 201 is provided or updated by the manufacturer of the release source when a new UPD is released, for example. The inter-version compatibility information file 201 is the same file as the inter-version compatibility file 140 and the inter-version compatibility information file 125 described later (see FIG. 3, details will be described later).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is a computer including a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 controls communication with a display unit that displays information, an operation input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse that accepts user instruction input, and peripheral devices such as the image forming apparatus 400 and the server 200. A communication interface (I / F) is connected to each other by wire or wireless. A known display device such as a liquid crystal may be used for the display portion.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing apparatus 100.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a UPD 101 and an installer 120. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the UPD package 110 is installed in the information processing apparatus 100 as the installation target UPD. In addition, a version compatibility file 140 is stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 100.

  The UPD package 110 to be newly installed is a case where the manufacturer of each peripheral device newly releases the UPD package 110 or when a new model peripheral device is connected to the network 300. As appropriate, it may be acquired from a management server managed by the manufacturer, a storage medium provided by the manufacturer, or the like. The acquisition of the UPD package 110 may be performed when “installation” is instructed by an operation instruction of the operation unit of the information processing apparatus 100 by the user, or is automatically distributed from the management server or the storage medium. You may make it do.

  The version compatibility file 140 is the same file as the version compatibility information file 201 stored in the server 200. For example, when the version compatibility information file 201 stored in the server 200 is updated, the updated version compatibility information file 201 is distributed to the information processing apparatus 100 as the version compatibility file 140. To do.

  The UPD 101 is a universal printer driver that is already installed in the information processing apparatus 100. The UPD 101 corresponds to a first device driver.

  The UPD 101 includes a UI (user interface) unit 102, a drawing unit 103, a model information file 104 (first model information file), and a version information file 105. The UI unit 102 is a module (functional unit) for displaying various input screens, selection screens, and the like on a display unit provided in the information processing apparatus 100. The drawing unit 103 is a drawing module that allows a drawing process executed by the UPD 101 to be performed.

  The model information file 104 is a file storing model information indicating models that can be supported by the UPD 101 and function information indicating functions of the model. As described above, the model indicates the model of a peripheral device such as the image forming apparatus 400 connected to or connected to the network 300. Further, the function indicates a function possessed by each peripheral device. The function indicates, for example, a function for executing various printing conditions when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 400.

  The version information file 105 is a file including version information indicating the version of the UPD 101.

  The UPD package 110 is a UPD to be newly installed in the information processing apparatus 100. The UPD package 110 corresponds to a second device driver.

  The UPD package 110 includes a UI unit 111, a drawing unit 112, a model information file 113 (second model information file), a version information file 114, and an installation information file 115.

  The UI unit 111 is a module for displaying various input screens, selection screens, and the like on a display unit of a device (in this case, the information processing device 100) in which the UPD package 110 is installed. The drawing unit 112 is a drawing module that allows a drawing process executed at the time of a printing process in the UPD package 110 to function.

  The model information file 113 is a file that stores model information indicating models that can be supported by the UPD package 110 and function information indicating functions of the models. The version information file 114 is a file including version information indicating the version of the UPD package 110.

  The installation information file 115 is a file including various types of information used by the installer 120 of the information processing apparatus 100 when the UPD package 110 is installed in the information processing apparatus 100 of the installation destination. In the installation information file 115, for example, information indicating the compression state of the UPD package 110 and the like are stored. The installer 120 reads the UPD package 110 on the basis of the installation information file 115 and executes an installation described later.

  The installer 120 is a collection of various applications and files for executing installation of the installation target UPD (UPD package 110 in the present embodiment) in the information processing apparatus 100.

  The installer 120 includes a first specifying unit 123, a second specifying unit 126, a verification unit 124, an execution unit 131, an inter-version compatibility information file 125, and a UI unit 127.

  Note that the inter-version compatibility information file 125 is the same as the inter-version compatibility information file 201 as described above. For example, when the version compatibility information file 201 stored in the server 200 is updated, the updated version compatibility information file 201 is distributed to the information processing apparatus 100 as the version compatibility file 125. To do.

  The first specifying unit 123 specifies the version information of the UPD 101 and the models and functions of peripheral devices that can be supported by the UPD 101 from the installed UPD 101 as the first device driver. The first identification unit 123 reads the model information file 104 and the version information file 105 of the UPD 101 to identify the version information of the UPD 101 and the peripheral device model and function that can be supported by the UPD 101.

  The second specifying unit 126 specifies the version information of the UPD package 110 and the peripheral device model and function that can be supported by the UPD package 110 from the UPD package 110 as the second device driver to be installed. The second specifying unit 126 reads the model information file 113 and the version information file 114 of the UPD package 110 to specify the version information of the UPD package 110 and the model and function of the peripheral device that can be supported by the UPD package 110. .

  The verification unit 124 determines whether the installation of the UPD package 110 can be supported by the addition of model information based on the acquisition results of the first specification unit 123 and the second specification unit 126 and the version compatibility information file 125. To verify.

  The verification unit 124 includes a difference extraction unit 128. The difference extraction unit 128 extracts the difference between the model and function indicated by the model information file 113 of the UPD package 110 to be installed and the model and function indicated by the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101 as difference information. .

  In other words, the difference information is a model and a function other than a model and a function that are compatible with the installed UPD 101 among the models and functions that can be supported by the UPD package 110 to be installed. In other words, the difference information is a new model (new model) and a new function (new function) that can be supported by the UPD package 110 to be installed.

  In the present embodiment, the difference extraction unit 128, based on the inter-version compatibility information file 125, the compatibility information corresponding to the version information of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100, and the UPD package to be installed The difference information is extracted based on the compatibility information corresponding to the version information 110.

  The execution unit 131 is an execution module that executes processing such as installation. The execution unit 131 performs an upgrade installation or a model addition installation based on the verification result by the verification unit 124 or the like.

  The upgrade installation refers to installing the entire UPD package 110 in the information processing apparatus 100 by replacing the UPD package 110 to be installed with the already installed UPD 101. By this upgrade installation, the UPD version of the information processing apparatus 100 is upgraded to the UPD package 110 version.

  Although the details will be described later, the additional model installation is a difference between the model and function indicated by the model information file 113 of the UPD package 110 and the model and function indicated by the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101. This indicates that at least a part is added to the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101. In this case, the UPD version of the information processing apparatus 100 remains the version of the installed UPD 101, and at least a part of new models and functions included in the UPD package 110 to be installed is added to the model information file 104. Will be.

  The execution unit 131 includes an installation execution unit 121, a version upgrade installation unit 122, a model information file creation unit 129, and a model information file update unit 130 in detail.

  The installation execution unit 121 is a module that installs the universal printer driver in the information processing apparatus 100 when the universal printer driver is not installed in the information processing apparatus 100.

  The upgrade installation unit 122 performs an upgrade installation on the UPD package 110 to be installed on the installed UPD 101. The model information file creation unit 129 newly creates a model information file 113 included in the UPD package 110 to be installed, or the function and model indicated by the difference information extracted by the difference extraction unit 128 in the model information file 113. Among them, the function and model selected by the user are added. The model information file update unit 130 adds the function and model selected by the user among the functions and models indicated by the difference information extracted by the difference extraction unit 128 to the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101. Then, the model information file 104 is updated.

  The UI unit 127 is a functional unit for displaying various input screens on the display unit provided in the information processing apparatus 100 when the installer 120 executes various processes.

  Next, a procedure of installation processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of installation processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100. In the information processing apparatus 100, when the UPD is installed in the information processing apparatus 100, the installer 120 is activated and executes the processing routine shown in FIG.

  For example, the information processing apparatus 100 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 4 when the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the network 300. The UPD package 110 that is the UPD to be installed may be acquired from a Web server or the like managed by the manufacturer of each type of peripheral device connected to the network. For example, the server 200 may be used as this server.

  First, the first specifying unit 123 checks for a printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 100 (step S501). In the present embodiment, for example, in the process of step S501, the first specifying unit 123 reads the version information file 105 of the UPD 101 and acquires the version information of the UPD 101.

  Next, the second specifying unit 126 specifies version information of the UPD package 110 to be installed in the information processing apparatus 100 (step S502). In step S <b> 502, the second identifying unit 126 identifies the version information of the UPD package 110 by reading the version information file 114 of the UPD package 110.

  Next, the first specifying unit 123 determines whether or not the universal printer driver has been installed in the information processing apparatus 100 (step S503). In step S503, the determination in step S503 is performed by determining whether the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 100 investigated in step S501 is a universal printer driver. For example, the first specifying unit 123 may perform the determination in step S503 by determining whether the version information of the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 100 is version information indicating a universal printer driver. .

  Next, when a negative determination is made in step S503 (step S503: No), the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the installation execution unit 121 performs a normal installation that installs the UPD package 110 to be installed in the information processing apparatus 100 (step S504). Then, this routine ends.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S503 (step S503: Yes), the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, the first specifying unit 123 reads the version information file 105 of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100, and specifies the version information of the UPD 101 (step 505).

  Next, the verification unit 124 determines whether or not to upgrade (step S506). In step S506, the verification unit 124 indicates that the version indicated by the version information of the UPD package 110 to be installed acquired by the second specifying unit 126 is the version indicated in the version information of the installed UPD 101 specified in step S505. By determining whether or not it is newer, the determination in step S506 is performed.

  If a negative determination is made in step S506 (step S506: No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S506 (step S506: Yes), the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, the verification unit 124 verifies compatibility between the UPD package 110 to be installed and the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 (step S507).

  The verification unit 124 refers to any of the version compatibility information file 125 stored in the information processing apparatus 100, the version compatibility file 140, and the version compatibility information file 201 stored in the server 200. To verify compatibility.

  Specifically, the verification of compatibility between versions refers to the information processing apparatus 100 stored in the version compatibility information file 125 (or the version compatibility file 140 or the version compatibility information file 201). In other words, the compatibility information corresponding to the version information of the already installed UPD 101 and the compatibility information corresponding to the version information of the UPD package 110 to be installed are compared and verified. In the present embodiment, a case where the version compatibility information file 125 is used will be described.

  Next, the verification unit 124 determines (verifies) whether or not the installation of the UPD package 110 to be installed can be supported by adding model information based on the verification result in step S507 (step S508).

  For example, it is assumed that the version compatibility information file 125 has the contents shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that the version information (Ver) of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 is 1.0.0.0. Further, it is assumed that the version information (Ver) of the UPD package 110 to be installed is 1.1.0.0.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the version information (MODEL ADDITIONABLE) of UPD that can be supported by adding model information to the version 1.0.0.0 UPD in the version compatibility information file 125 is as follows. 1.1.0.0 to 1.2.0.0. For this reason, in this case, the verification unit 124 determines that it is possible to cope with the addition of the model information (step S508: Yes).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S508 (step S508: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the difference extraction unit 128 selects an additional model (step S509).

  In the processing of step S509, the difference extraction unit 128 uses the difference between the model and function of the corresponding peripheral device of the UPD package 110 to be installed and the model and function of the corresponding peripheral device of the installed UPD 101 as difference information. Select additional models by extracting.

  In the present embodiment, first, the difference extraction unit 128, for example, displays version information (Ver) 1.0.0... Of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 indicated in the version compatibility information file 125. NX100 and NX200 are read as models supporting the UPD corresponding to 0 (SUPPORT MODEL). Further, the difference extraction unit 128 verifies the version compatibility information file 125 and corresponds to the version information (Ver) 1.1.0.0 of the UPD package 110 to be installed, corresponding to the version of UPD corresponding to the UPD package (Ver) 1.1.0.0. As SUPPORT MODEL, NX100, NX200, NX110, and NX210 are read.

  Then, the difference extraction unit 128 compares the read models and functions corresponding to these versions, and extracts difference information indicating these differences. Then, the difference extraction unit 128 selects an additional model by selecting a model included in the extracted difference information.

  In this case, the difference extraction unit 128 selects NX110 and NX210 as additional models.

  Next, the UI unit 127 displays an installation method selection screen (selection UI) for selecting an installation method on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 100 (step S510).

  The installation method selection screen displayed in step S510 is a screen for allowing the user to select “version upgrade installation” or “model addition”. “Version upgrade installation” indicates that a UPD to be newly installed is installed. “Add model” indicates that the model information is added instead of the upgrade installation.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the UI unit 127 displays an installation method selection screen on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 100 through the process of step S510. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the installation method selection screen displays the version of the installed UPD 101 and the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed, and selects “version upgrade installation” or “model addition”. And a checkbox for. In the “model addition” column, a list of models selected in step S509 and a check box for selecting each model are displayed. For example, NX110 and NX210 are displayed as selectable models that can be added.

  The user selects “version upgrade installation” or “model addition” by operating an operation unit (not shown) while referring to the installation method selection screen. When “Add model” is selected, at least one of the listed models displayed as models that can be added is selected. Then, by selecting an “OK” button on the installation method selection screen in accordance with an operation instruction of the user operation unit, selection information instructed by the user via the installation method selection screen is input to the installer 120.

  This selection information includes “version upgrade installation” or “model addition” and the selected “model”.

  Next, the execution unit 131 determines whether “add model” is instructed by the user (step S511). The execution unit 131 determines whether or not the selection information received by the installer 120 indicates “model addition” by the display processing in step S510, thereby determining step S511.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S511 (step S511: Yes), the process proceeds to step S512.

  In step S512, the model information file update unit 130 executes model additional installation (step S512). Then, this routine ends.

  In the process of step S512, the model information file update unit 130 stores the model information indicating the “model” selected by the user included in the selection information received by the installer 120 in the process of step S510 in the information processing apparatus 100. It is added to the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101. As a result, the model information file updating unit 130 executes model additional installation.

  That is, by executing the processing of step S512, the version information indicated by the version information file 105 of the UPD 101 is updated in the model information file 104 without being upgraded to the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed. Specifically, model information of a model that is not supported by the UPD 101 and can be supported by the UPD package 110 is added to the model information file 104.

  Therefore, the added new model can be selected as a model that can be supported by the UPD 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 by the process of step S512.

  FIG. 6 is a screen showing a selectable model list displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 100 by the UI unit 102 in a state before the additional model installation in step S512 is performed. FIG. 7 is a screen showing a selectable model list displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 100 by the UI unit 102 in the state after the model addition installation in step S512.

  After the additional model installation in step S512, the version of the UPD 101 remains 1.0.0.0 which is the old version, but as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, selectable models are NX100 and NX200. From these two models (see FIG. 6), there are four models (see FIG. 7) of NX100, NX200, NX110, and NX210.

  Returning to FIG. 4, on the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S511 (step S511: No), that is, if “upgrade installation” is instructed by the user, the process proceeds to step S513.

  In step S513, the upgrade installation unit 122 executes an upgrade installation (step S513). Specifically, the upgrade installation unit 122 installs the entire UPD package 110 in the information processing apparatus 100 by replacing the installed UPD 101 with the UPD package 110 to be installed. Then, this routine ends.

  By executing the processing of step S513, the UPD installed in the information processing apparatus 100 becomes the UPD package 110.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the process of step S508 (step S508: No), the process proceeds to step S515.

  For example, it is assumed that the version compatibility information file 125 has the contents shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that the version information (Ver) of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 is 1.2.0.0. Further, it is assumed that the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed is 2.0.0.0.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, in the version compatibility information file 125, the range of UPD versions that can be supported by adding model information to the version 1.2.0.0 UPD ( MODEL ADDITIONABLE) is nothing (NONE). Therefore, in this case, the verification unit 124 determines that it is impossible to respond by adding model information, and makes a negative determination in step S508. Then, the process proceeds to step S515.

  In step S515, the verification unit 124 determines whether the function selection version upgrade is not possible (step S515).

  In step S515, the verification unit 124 determines whether or not the constraint information (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP) corresponding to the version information of the installed UPD 101 in the inter-version compatibility information file 125 is “NONE” indicating impossibility. As a result, the determination in step S515 is performed.

  For example, it is assumed that the version 1.2.0.0 UPD 101 has already been installed. In this case, the restriction function (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP) corresponding to the version information 1.2.0.0 in the inter-version compatibility information file 125 shown in FIG. 2 is not (NONE). Therefore, in this case, the verification unit 124 makes an affirmative determination in step S515 (step S515: Yes).

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S515, the UI unit 127 displays an installation method selection screen in which only “version upgrade installation” can be selected as an installation method selection screen on a display unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the UI unit 127 can display the installation method selection screen illustrated in FIG. 8 on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 100 when an affirmative determination is made in step S515. As shown in FIG. 8, the installation method selection screen displays the version of the installed UPD 101 and the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed, and a check box for selecting only “version upgrade installation” And including.

  Then, the user operates the operation unit (not shown) while referring to the installation method selection screen, thereby selecting “version upgrade installation” and selecting the “OK” button on the installation method selection screen. Thus, selection information instructed by the user via the installation method selection screen is input to the installer 120. This selection information includes information indicating “version upgrade installation”. Returning to FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S513. Then, as described above, the upgrade installation is executed.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S515 (step S515: No), the process proceeds to step S516. The case where a negative determination is made in step S515 is a case where upgrade installation is necessary, but if a part of the new functions to be added is restricted as a restricted function, it can be dealt with by adding function information. is there. Specifically, the constraint information (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP) corresponding to the version information of the installed UPD 101 indicated by the version compatibility information file 125 shown in FIG. This is a case where information indicating the restriction function is set.

  FIG. 9 shows the UI unit when the installed version (Ver) of the UPD 101 is 2.1.0.0 and the version (Ver) of the installation target UPD package 110 is 3.0.0.0. FIG. 127 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation method selection screen displayed on a display unit 127.

  As shown in FIG. 2, which is an example of the inter-version compatibility information file 125, the UPD 101 version (Ver) 2.1.0.0, which can be supported by adding model information to this version of the UPD. The version information (MODEL ADDITIONABLE) is “NONE” indicating none. Therefore, in this case, if the version information of the already installed UPD 101 is version 2.1.0.0, the UPD package 110 of a version (upper) version newer than 2.1.0.0 is selected. If the UPD is an installation target, additional model installation is not possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 which is an example of the inter-version compatibility information file 125, in the version (Ver) 2.1.0.0 of the UPD 101, a UPD that requires an upgrade installation for the UPD of the version. The version (NEED VERSION UP) is “3.0.0.0 LATER”. If the version information of the already installed UPD 101 is version 2.1.0.0, and the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed is Ver3.0.0.0 or later, the upgrade installation is performed. Indicates that is required.

  Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the restriction information (FUNCTION LIMITATION VERSION UP) when the version (Ver) 2.1.0.0 is the installed UPD 101 is not “NONE” but “3.0. 0.0 [BANNER PAGE] ". This means that when installing a version 3.0.0.0 or later UPD package 110, if the “BANNER PAGE” function is restricted as a restricted function, it can be supported by adding other function information. means.

  Therefore, in such a case, a negative determination is made in step S508 (step S508: No), the process proceeds to step S515, a negative determination is made in step S515 (step S515: No), and the process proceeds to step S516. Become.

  In step S516, the difference extraction unit 128 performs functional difference extraction (step S516). In the processing of step S516, the difference extraction unit 128 is indicated by the constraint information of the installed UPD 101 from the difference between the function that can be supported by the installed UPD 101 and the function that can be supported by the installation target UPD package 110. Functions excluding functions (restrictions on additional functions) are extracted as difference information.

  For example, it is assumed that the version (Ver) of the installed UPD 101 is 2.1.0.0 and the version (Ver) of the UPD package 110 to be installed is 3.0.0.0. In this case, the additional function (ADD FUNCTION) corresponding to version 3.0.0.0 in the inter-version compatibility information file 125 shown in FIG. 2 is three functions of “SECURITY PRINT, TRUST PRINT, BANNER PAGE”. is there. In addition, UP3.0 compatible models (SUPPORT MODEL) of version 3.0.0.0 are “NX100, NX200, NX110, NX210, NX300, NX500, NX510, NX600”.

  On the other hand, compatible models (SUPPORT MODEL) of version (Ver) 2.1.0.0 are “NX100, NX200, NX110, NX210, NX300, NX500, NX510”. Therefore, in this case, the difference extraction unit 128 uses “SECURITY PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT, which is a new function of the model“ NX510 ”, which is a difference between the model compatible with the installed version of UPD 101 and the model compatible with the UPD to be installed. , BANNER PAGE ". Further, the difference extracting unit 128 further extracts “BANNER PAGE”, which is a function (restriction for additional functions) indicated by the restriction information of the installed version 2.1.0.0 UPD 101 from the extracted three functions. The excluded functions, “SECURITY PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT”, are extracted as installable functions, that is, difference information.

  Therefore, in this case, the difference extraction unit 128 sets the model “NX600” as “SECURTY PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT” 2 for version upgrade from Ver 2.1.0.0 to Ver 3.0.0.0. Difference information is extracted on the assumption that additional model installation is possible for the function.

  Next, the UI unit 127 displays an installation method selection screen for selecting an installation method, a model to be installed, and a function to be installed on the display unit (step S517).

  For example, it is assumed that the version (Ver) of the installed UPD 101 is 2.1.0.0 and the version (Ver) of the UPD package 110 to be installed is 3.0.0.0. Then, through the processing in step S516, the difference extraction unit 128 excludes the restriction function from the difference between the model compatible with the installed version of UPD 101 and the model compatible with the UPD to be installed, and the model “NX510”. It is assumed that the function “SECURITY PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT” is extracted as difference information.

  In this case, in the process of step S517, the UI unit 127 displays an installation method selection screen shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the installation method selection screen shows the version of the installed UPD 101 (version 2.1.0.0 in FIG. 9) and the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed (version 9 in FIG. 9). 3.0.0.0) and a check box for selecting “version upgrade installation” or “model addition”. In the “model addition” column, the model (NX600 in FIG. 9) specified by the difference information extracted in step S516 and the function (SECURITY in FIG. 9) indicated by the difference information extracted in step S516 are displayed. PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT) and check boxes for selecting each model and function are displayed.

  That is, as described above, for example, regarding the version upgrade from Ver 2.1.0.0 to Ver 3.0.0.0, the model “NX600” is the model for the two functions “SECURTY PRINT, TRUSTY PRINT”. Additional installation is possible. For this reason, in this case, the UI unit 127 arranges and displays a check box for selecting a model and a function in addition to the installation method on the installation method selection screen as shown in FIG.

  The user selects “version upgrade installation” or “model addition” by operating an operation unit (not shown) while referring to the installation method selection screen. When “Add model” is selected, at least one of the models displayed as the models that can be added and at least one of the functions displayed as the functions that can be added are selected. . Then, by selecting an “OK” button on the installation method selection screen in accordance with an operation instruction of the user operation unit, selection information instructed by the user via the installation method selection screen is input to the installer 120.

  This selection information includes “version upgrade installation” or “model addition”, and when “model addition” is included, includes “model” and “function”. If the selection information includes “version upgrade installation”, the process may proceed to step S513 after the process of step S517.

  In the installer 120 that has received selection information including “model addition”, “model”, and “function” selected by the user, the model information file creation unit 129 includes model information included in the UPD package 110 to be installed. The file 113 is corrected (step S518). Specifically, the model information file creation unit 129 adds the function and model indicated by the difference information extracted by the process of step S516 to the model information file 113 included in the installation target UPD package 110, and the user performs step S517. Add the function and model selected by. Note that the model information file creation unit 129 may newly create the model information file 113 having the contents.

  Next, the model information file update unit 130 performs model additional installation (step S519). Then, this routine ends.

  In the process of step S519, the model information file update unit 130 selects the function and model indicated by the difference information extracted by the process of step S516 in the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101 by the user in step S517. Added functions and models.

  That is, by executing the processing of step S519, the model information file 104 is updated in a state where the version information indicated by the version information file 105 of the UPD 101 is not upgraded to the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed. Specifically, the model information file 104 includes model information of models that are not supported by the UPD 101 and can be supported by the UPD package 110, and constraint information of models that are not supported by the UPD 101 and can be supported by the UPD package 110. And the function information of the function selected by the user will be added.

  Therefore, the new model and function added by the process of step S519 can be selected as a model and function that can be supported by the UPD 101 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  Then, this routine ends.

  Here, FIG. 10 shows an example of the model information file 113 held in the UPD package 110 having the version (Ver) 3.0.0.0 to be installed. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a model information file.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the model information file 113 held in the UPD package 110 of version (Ver.) 3.0.0.0 includes <VALIDACCESS> as an item indicating the function of the model “NX600”. Among these, there are <TRAUSTYPRINT> in the item of Trust Print, <SECURITY PRINT> in the item of Security Print, and <BANNER PAGE> in the item of Banner Page.

  Here, in the inter-version compatibility information file 125 shown in FIG. 2, the function “Banner Page” is indicated as constraint information in the UPD of the version (Ver) 2.1.0.0, and may not be used. It is shown. Therefore, in this case, the model information file creation unit 129 deletes the item “BANNERPAGE” included in the model information file 113 held in the UPD package 110 of the version (Ver) 3.0.0.0 or Invalidate by commenting out. As a result, the model information file creation unit 129 corrects the model information file 113.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a function display screen (Valid Access) in the print setting screen displayed by the UI unit 102 before the model information file update unit 130 performs additional model installation in step S519. As shown in FIG. 11, in the state before the model information file update unit 130 performs additional model installation in step S519, for example, only the user code option is displayed on the function display screen.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a function display screen (Valid Access) in the print setting screen displayed by the UI unit 102 after the model information file update unit 130 in step S519 performs additional model installation. Note that FIG. 12 shows the model when the version of the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100 is Ver2.1.0.0 and the version of the UPD package 110 to be installed is Ver3.0.0.0. This is an example of a function display screen displayed by the UI unit 102 when the model information file update unit 130 additionally installs the “NX600” functions “Security Print” and “Trusty Print”.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the state after the model information file update unit 130 performs the model additional installation, the function display screen includes selection items of “Security Print” and “Trusty Print” as selectable functions. Is displayed. On the other hand, the “Banner Page” option shown as the constraint information is not displayed on the function display screen.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the UPD 101 already installed in the information processing apparatus 100, the UPD package 110 to be installed, and the version compatibility information file 125 (or the version compatibility file 140). Or, if it is verified that the installation of the UPD package 110 to be installed can be supported by adding the model information based on the version compatibility information file 125), the upgrade installation is not performed and the installation is completed. This can be dealt with by adding the model and function to be added to the model information file 104 of the UPD 101.

  Therefore, it is possible to add compatible models without performing upgrade installation.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, a new model can be easily associated with the universal device driver for controlling a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models.

  In addition, upgrade installation is necessary, but if it is possible to cope with the addition of function information by restricting some of the new functions to be added as restricted functions, Functions and models that can be added are added to the model information file 104 of the installed UPD 101.

  Therefore, a new model can be more easily associated with the universal device driver for controlling a plurality of types of peripheral devices of different models.

  In addition, since the model and function selected by the user among the models and functions that can be added can be added to the model information file 104, the user can easily customize the model and function.

  Note that a program for executing the installation process executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R. And recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  Further, a program for executing the installation process executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. It may be configured. Further, a program for executing an installation process executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  In addition, a program for executing an installation process executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  Note that the program for executing the installation process executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the functional unit for executing the above-described installation process, and as actual hardware The CPU (processor) reads the program from the storage medium and executes the program, so that each functional unit is loaded onto the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  In addition, although several embodiment of this invention was described above, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 UPD
104, 113 Model information file 105, 114 Version information file 110 UPD package 123 First identification unit 124 Verification unit 125, 140, 201 Inter-version compatibility information file 126 Second identification unit 128 Difference extraction unit 131 Execution unit 400 Image forming apparatus 1000 Information processing system

JP 2009-025865 A JP 2005-267541 A

Claims (8)

The version information of the first device driver and the first device driver based on the first model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the installed first device driver and the version information. A first identifying unit that identifies the types and functions of peripheral devices that can be supported;
The version information and the second device driver support the second device driver based on the second model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the second device to be installed and the version information. A second identification unit for identifying the types and functions of possible peripheral devices;
Whether or not the second device driver can be installed by adding model information is verified based on a version compatibility information file that defines compatibility information between device driver versions in the installation of the device driver. A verification unit;
When it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information, the model and function specified by the first specifying unit, and the model and function specified by the second specifying unit And an execution unit for adding difference information indicating a difference between the first model information file and the first model information file,
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The compatibility information includes, for each device driver version information, device driver version information that requires an upgrade installation when installing a different version of the device driver and device driver version information that can be supported by adding model information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The compatibility information needs to be upgraded and installed. However, restriction information indicating that it is possible to cope with the addition of function information if some of the new functions to be added are restricted as restricted functions. In addition,
The verification unit further verifies whether installation of the second device driver can be supported by addition of function information based on the version compatibility information file,
The execution unit is specified by the second specifying unit and the model and function specified by the first specifying unit when it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding function information. Information excluding the function corresponding to the restriction function indicated in the compatibility information corresponding to the version of the second device driver from the difference between the model and the function is added to the first model information file as the difference information. To
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The execution unit installs the second device driver when it is verified that the installation of the second device driver is compatible with the addition of model information.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The execution unit installs the second device driver when it is verified that the installation of the second device driver is compatible with the addition of function information.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the verification unit performs the verification when a version of the second device driver is newer than a version of the first device driver. A program for causing a computer to execute,
The version information of the first device driver and the first device driver based on the first model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the installed first device driver and the version information. A first step of identifying the types and functions of peripheral devices that can be supported;
The version information and the second device driver support the second device driver based on the second model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the second device to be installed and the version information. A second step of identifying possible peripheral device models and functions;
Whether or not the second device driver can be installed by adding model information is verified based on a version compatibility information file that defines compatibility information between device driver versions in the installation of the device driver. The third step;
When it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information, the model and function specified by the first step, the model and function specified by the second step, A fourth step of adding difference information indicating the difference of the first model information file to the first model information file;
For causing the computer to execute. On the computer,
The version information of the first device driver and the first device driver based on the first model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the installed first device driver and the version information. A first step of identifying the types and functions of peripheral devices that can be supported;
The version information and the second device driver support the second device driver based on the second model information file including the models and functions of compatible peripheral devices included in the second device to be installed and the version information. A second step of identifying possible peripheral device models and functions;
Whether or not the second device driver can be installed by adding model information is verified based on a version compatibility information file that defines compatibility information between device driver versions in the installation of the device driver. The third step;
When it is verified that the installation of the second device driver can be supported by adding model information, the model and function specified by the first step, the model and function specified by the second step, A fourth step of adding difference information indicating the difference of the first model information file to the first model information file;
A readable storage medium storing a program for executing the program.

Images