JP2017117235A - Management program, management system, and information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience for a user and add a supported model in a control program installed in an information processing device.SOLUTION: Provided is an information processing device for managing a control program that includes a process execution unit to execute a processing request on an apparatus that corresponds to a model that corresponds to model information indicating a function mounted in a plurality of apparatuses differing in model and defined individually in correspondence to apparatus models, and added model information by adding the model information, the information processing device comprising a process change control unit for changing a process executable by the process execution unit and the control program, a model information addition determination unit for determining an apparatus model that becomes controllable by adding model information to the control program, and a model information addition unit for adding model information to the control program, with model information defined in correspondence to the apparatus model that is determined to be controllable by adding model information being added to the control program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a management program, a management system, and an 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 a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Of these image processing apparatuses, when operating a printing apparatus used to output an electronic document, a print job is generated by a printer driver installed in an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) and printed. It is common to send to a device. Therefore, it is necessary to install a printer driver in an information processing apparatus that transmits a print job to the printing apparatus.

  Also, when using a plurality of different printing apparatuses of different models, it is necessary to install a printer driver corresponding to each model in the information processing apparatus. Also, when the function on the printing apparatus side is expanded or when a new model of printing apparatus is used, it is necessary to install a printer driver corresponding to the function or model in the information processing apparatus. For this reason, there is a burden on the vendor and user of the printing apparatus, such as troublesome management of installing a printer driver for a new model or installing a new model printer driver.

  On the other hand, a printer driver that can be used in common for a plurality of printing apparatuses of different models has been devised and used as a model-common driver (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a model common driver usually provides a function specific to each model, for example, a function to generate a print job specific to each model, and a function to display a print setting screen specific to each model on the screen of the information processing apparatus. Model-specific setting information is provided for each model. Furthermore, the model common driver is configured to support multiple models by reading such model-specific setting information, and based on the information specifying the model input from the information processing device, the model-specific driver is specified. Provides functions according to the setting information.

  When such a model-common driver version upgrade is performed, not only a supported model is added, but also a rendering engine that performs a function for displaying a print setting screen on the information processing apparatus and processing for an image to be printed. Modifications are also made. Therefore, it is conceivable that the processing executed by the model common driver changes.

  Therefore, there is a user who wants to avoid a specification change or processing failure at the time of printing, which occurs when the model common driver as described above is upgraded when a printing apparatus is newly connected to the information processing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and aims to improve convenience for a user and to add a supported model in a control program installed in an information processing apparatus. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides information indicating functions installed in the device in a plurality of devices of different models, each of which is determined according to the model of the device and the information A management program for managing a control program including a process execution unit for executing a process request for the device corresponding to the model corresponding to the model information added by adding model information, A process change control unit that changes a process that can be executed by the process execution unit and the control program, and a model information addition determination unit that determines a model of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program. And a model information adding unit that adds the model information to the control program, and it is determined that control is possible by adding the model information. The model information which is determined in accordance with the model of the device that is characterized in that to execute the model information addition step of adding to the control program in the information processing apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the control program installed in information processing apparatus, the convenience for a user can be improved and the model supported can be added.

The figure which shows the operation | use form of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mode when upgrading the printer driver according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mode when model information is added to the printer driver according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer driver according to the embodiment of the invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the core module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the installer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrated the composition of the information contained in the driver set concerning the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing for acquiring model information of models that can be added to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the composition of the system definition file concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the composition of the information transmitted to the server concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated addable model information memorized by the server concerning an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated addable model information transmitted from the server concerning an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which manages the support model of the model common driver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrated the selection operation screen concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the selection operation screen concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the selection operation screen concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the composition of file specification information concerning the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a generation mode of a logical printer when image forming apparatuses of the same model according to the embodiment of the present invention are connected. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing for acquiring model information of models that can be added to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the presence or absence of administrator authority according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for managing a supported model of a model-common driver according to the presence or absence of administrator authority according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrated the selection operation screen displayed according to the presence or absence of the administrator authority which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of an update control system for a printer driver, an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output on a transported recording medium, and a client terminal that is an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) An image forming system including a printer driver that is installed in the client terminal and used as a control program in order to control the operation of the image forming apparatus, and a driver server that manages the printer driver will be described as an example. Note that the printer driver according to the present embodiment is a model-common driver that is common to a plurality of models, and can be used in common for any model that is supported by the model-common driver.

  In addition, the printer driver according to the present embodiment includes model information for providing a function specific to each model, for example, a function for generating a print job specific to each model and a function for displaying a print setting screen specific to each model. By providing for each model, it is configured to support multiple models.

  Details of the update control system according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, a client terminal 2, and a server 3 that manages device drivers such as a printer driver. ) And the like are connected and operated. Note that the number of image forming apparatuses and client terminals connected to the network is merely an example, and a large-scale system in which many of these are connected may be used. Further, the image forming apparatus and the client terminal may be connected to different networks, and these networks may be connected via a wide area network such as a public line.

  The image forming apparatuses 1a to 1e are MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) that can be used as printers, facsimiles, scanners, and copiers by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. The image forming apparatuses 1a to 1e generate CMYK or monochrome drawing information based on image information included in a print job transmitted from the client terminal 2 via the network, and based on the generated drawing information. It has a function as a color printer or a monochrome printer that executes image formation output. The image forming apparatuses 1a to 1e in FIG. 1 are all different models, and the model names are Model-A, Model-B, Model-C, Model-D, and Model-E, respectively. In the following description, the image forming apparatuses 1a to 1e are referred to as the image forming apparatus 1 unless otherwise distinguished.

  The client terminal 2 is an information processing terminal operated by a user, and is realized by an information processing apparatus such as a PC. The client terminal 2 may be realized by a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The client terminal 2 is installed with a printer driver for controlling at least one type of image forming apparatus among Models-A to E. Therefore, the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment generates a print job, which is command information for causing the image forming apparatus of the model supported by the installed printer driver to perform printing, by user operation. It can be transmitted over the network.

  The network in FIG. 1 may be connected via a wide area network such as the Internet or a public line other than a limited network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The server 3 is a server that manages device drivers such as printer drivers, and stores various model-specific drivers and model-common drivers. The client terminal 2 can download and install a device driver from the server 3 via the network. The model-specific driver is a printer driver that supports only one type of image forming apparatus and provides functions specific to the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, the printer driver 300 will be described as an example of a model-common driver that can be used in common for a plurality of models.

  In the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatuses 1a to 1c are connected to the client terminal 2 and the server 3, respectively, and the image forming apparatuses 1d and 1e are configured as the image forming apparatus 1 to be connected later. Yes. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 a is controlled in image forming operation by a model-specific driver capable of executing control of all processes in the model of the image forming apparatus 1.

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

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as that of a general server or PC. That is, the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, and an I / F 15. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 16 and an operation unit 17 are connected to the I / F 15. The server 3 may be configured not to include the LCD 16 and the operation unit 17.

  The CPU 11 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire client terminal 2. The RAM 12 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 11 processes information. The ROM 13 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 14 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 15 connects and controls the bus 18 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 16 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the client terminal 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the LCD 16 functions as a display unit. The operation unit 17 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the client terminal 2.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 13, the HDD 14, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 12, and the CPU 11 performs an operation according to the program loaded in the RAM 12, whereby the software control unit Is configured. A functional block that realizes the function of the client terminal 2 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 client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes an OS (Operating System) 100, an application 200, a printer driver 300, an installer 400, and a network I / F 500.

  The OS 100 is an operating system such as Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) or Linux (registered trademark). The application 200 is software that directly has a function of performing work that the user of the client terminal 2 wants to execute on the client terminal 2 such as a text editing program, a word processor, and spreadsheet software. The printer driver 300 is a device driver for using the image forming apparatus 1.

  The application 200 notifies the OS 100 of an instruction for displaying the print setting screen or notifies the image information, and the OS 100 notifies the printer driver 300 of the instruction and image information notified from the application 200. As a result, the printer driver 300 displays a print setting screen on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 in accordance with the instruction notified from the OS 100, or generates a print job based on the image information notified from the OS 100, and generates the generated print. The job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network.

  The installer 400 is a program for introducing information for updating the printer driver 300 and information for installing the upgraded printer driver 300 into the client terminal 2. Note that, as described above, the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment adds a new model information and a supported model by the installer 400. In other words, in the present embodiment, the installer 400 functions as a management program, and functions as a process change control unit that changes the processes executable by the core module 320 and the printer driver 300 in conjunction with the functions in the installer 400.

  The network I / F 500 is an interface for the client terminal 2 to communicate with other devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 500 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in the process performed when installing a printer driver 300 having a different version for the purpose of improving drawing performance or the like, the printer driver 300 and the core module described later in FIG. 320 is updated to a different version. In FIG. 4, for example, the process performed by the core module 320 may be changed in order to newly control the “Model-D” model.

  In FIG. 4, for example, when generating drawing information, calibration processing is executed on the “Model-D” model, and in “Model-B” and “Model-C”, drawing information is obtained without performing calibration processing. In the case of generation, the printer driver 300 needs to be updated from “Ver.2.0” to “Ver.3.0”. When the printer driver 300 is updated from “Ver. 2.0” to “Ver. 3.0”, the core module 320 can perform calibration processing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in order to add a supported model while maintaining the drawing performance and the like, it is performed when model information that is a function for specifying a function that can be used in each model of the image forming apparatus 1 is added. In the processing, model information is added while the printer driver 300 and the core module 320 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, for example, it may not be necessary to change the processing performed by the core module 320 in order to newly control the “Model-A” model.

  In FIG. 5, for example, halftone processing is executed on the “Model-A” model when drawing information is generated, and halftone processing is also executed on “Model-B” and “Model-C” for drawing. When generating the information, the “Model-A” image forming apparatus 1 can be controlled even if the printer driver 300 remains “Ver.2.0”. Therefore, in the case as shown in FIG. 5, the “Model-A” model information can be newly controlled by adding the “Model-A” model information to the additional model information area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the model of the image forming apparatus 1 that can be controlled by the client terminal 2 by adding model information that is information specifying a function that can be used in each model of the image forming apparatus. Processing for adding the model of the image forming apparatus 1 that can be added or controlled by the client terminal 2 by upgrading the printer driver 300 is performed.

  By performing such processing, it is possible to use the image forming apparatus 1 that can be controlled by the client terminal 2 by adding model information of the image forming apparatus 1 without upgrading the printer driver 300. It becomes like this. Thus, it is one of the gist of the present invention to add a model of the image forming apparatus 1 that can be controlled in the client terminal 2 without impairing the convenience of the user.

  Next, the functional configuration of the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment includes a logical printer group 310, a core module 320, and a model information storage unit 330. A model-specific driver, which is a printer driver 300 for performing processing specific to a model corresponding to the model of the printing apparatus, similarly includes a logical printer group and a core module.

  The logical printer group 310 includes logical printers 311 and 312. The logical printers 311 and 312 are generated for each image forming apparatus connected to the client terminal 2 and connected to each image forming apparatus. Each of the logical printers 311 and 312 has a print setting value, an IP address, and the like unique to each image forming apparatus. Holds connection destination information. Therefore, when the client terminal 2 changes the print settings for each image forming apparatus and executes the printing, the logical printers 311 and 312 are designated to change the print settings and execute the printing. In this embodiment, a logical printer (Model-B) 311 is generated as a logical printer driver connected to the image forming apparatus 1b, and a logical printer (Model-C) is connected as a logical printer connected to the image forming apparatus 1c. 312 is generated.

  The core module 320 is a processing execution unit that provides a main function as a printer driver, and displays a print setting screen on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 in accordance with an instruction notified from one of the logical printers 311 and 312. Then, a print job is generated based on the image information notified from one of the logical printers 311 and 312, and the generated print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The model information storage unit 330 stores model information that is model information supported by the printer driver 300 that is a model common driver. That is, in the present embodiment, the model information storage unit 330 functions as a model information storage unit. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the model information is added by the installer 400. In the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment, the logical printer setting unit 324 reads the model information stored in the model information storage unit 330, thereby generating a logical printer corresponding to the read model information.

  Next, a functional configuration of the core module 320 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the core module 320 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the core module 320 according to the present embodiment includes a drawing unit 321, a display control unit 322, a communication unit 323, and a logical printer setting unit 324.

  The drawing unit 321 generates a print job based on image information to be printed out. The display control unit 322 displays information on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2. The communication unit 323 exchanges information with the image forming apparatus via the network I / F 500 and notifies each unit of the printer driver 300 of the acquired information.

  The logical printer setting unit 324 performs settings related to the logical printers 311 and 312 based on the information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the communication unit 323. Also, a new logical printer is set based on model information stored in a model information storage unit 330 described later. Accordingly, the logical printer setting unit 324 functions as a virtual mechanism generation unit that generates a logical printer based on the model information. Note that settings regarding the logical printers 311 and 312 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the printer driver 300 is upgraded in this embodiment, not only all supported model information is stored in the storage area, but also the functions included in the core module 320. Is modified. For example, the configuration of the screen displayed on the client terminal 2 by the display control unit 322, the modification of the processing mode of the print job performed by the drawing unit 321 and the addition of the model of the image forming apparatus supported by the printer driver 300 are performed. . While such a modification has an advantage of being able to quickly cope with a fault correction in the process executed by the printer driver 300, there is a possibility of causing confusion for the user due to a change in specifications and functions.

  Therefore, in the installer 400 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, by adding the model information of the image forming apparatus 1, a model supported by the printer driver 300 can be obtained without upgrading the printer driver 300. Execute the process to add. Hereinafter, the installer 400 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the installer 400 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the installer 400 according to this embodiment includes a driver management unit 410, a logical printer addition unit 420, and a model information addition unit 430. The client terminal 2 may include an authority acquisition unit 440 that determines whether the user is logged in with administrator authority.

  The driver management unit 410 generates command information that instructs to upgrade the printer driver 300 or add model information to the printer driver 300 based on the operation of the client terminal 2 performed by the user. The logical printer addition unit 420 generates command information for adding a logical printer to the printer driver 300 based on the model information.

  The model information addition unit 430 includes a model information addition control unit 431 that adds model information to the model information storage unit 330 of the printer driver 300 and an additional model information storage unit 432 that stores model information to be transmitted to the printer driver 300. The model information adding unit 430 may be downloaded from the server 3 to be described later to the client terminal 2 and the downloaded model information adding unit 430 may be installed in the installer 400 as a model information adding module.

  The model information addition control unit 431 transmits the model information stored in the additional model information storage unit 432 to the model information storage unit 330. Also, the model information is acquired from the server 3 and stored in the additional model information storage unit 432. Therefore, the additional model information storage unit 432 stores model information corresponding to the model added as a supported model. As described above, the authority acquisition unit 440 determines whether the user of the client terminal 2 is logged in with administrator authority based on the OS setting information.

  Note that the model information adding unit 430 according to the present embodiment includes a portable storage medium connected to the client terminal 2, an external storage medium, or the server 3 connected to the client terminal 2 via a network. Model information as an additional candidate is acquired from the external device, and the acquired model information as an additional candidate is stored in the additional model information storage unit 432.

  Next, the functional configuration of the server 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 3 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the server 3 includes a driver transmission unit 30 and the model information addition unit 430 described above.

  The driver transmission unit 30 includes a driver set 31 and a driver search unit 32. The driver set 31 is the latest version of a printer driver corresponding to various image forming apparatuses. The driver transmission unit 30 may include a plurality of driver sets 31. The driver search unit 32 searches for the driver set 31 corresponding to the request information received from the client terminal 2 and transmits it to the client terminal 2.

  In the driver set 31, as shown in FIG. 10, “version information” of drivers included in the driver set 31, model information that enables generation of a logical printer by adding model information in that version. "Addable model information" is included.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, one of the gist according to the present embodiment is to add a model supported by the printer driver 300 by adding model information to the printer driver 300 installed in the client terminal 2. There is to do. Accordingly, when it is desired to add a model supported by the printer driver 300, the printer driver 300 is upgraded, or a model to be supported is added by adding model information of the model desired to be supported. The user operates the client terminal 2 to select whether to upgrade the printer driver 300 or to add model information. Hereinafter, a process for managing a model supported by the printer driver 300 by upgrading the printer driver 300 or adding a supported model will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing for acquiring model information of models that can be added to the printer driver 300. In this embodiment, the process of acquiring model information of models that can be added to the printer driver 300 is executed by a function installed in the installer 400.

  First, the driver management unit 410 analyzes the system definition file of the printer driver 300 installed in the client terminal 2 and determines “driver name information” which is a driver name for determining which model of the printer driver 300 the printer driver 300 is. “Version information”, which is version information of the printer driver 300 at the time of analysis, and “Compatible model information”, which is information of a model that is compatible with the printer driver 300 at the time of analysis (S1101). Accordingly, the driver management unit 410 functions as a model information acquisition unit that executes a model information acquisition step of acquiring model information. Then, the acquired “driver name information” and “version information” are transmitted to the server 3 (S1102).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram exemplifying information constituting the system definition file of the printer driver 300 in S1101. As shown in FIG. 12, the system definition file of the printer driver 300 includes at least “driver name information”, “version information”, and “compatible model information”.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating “driver name information” and “version information” of the printer driver 300 transmitted to the server 3 in step S1102. Upon receiving “driver name information” and “version information”, the driver search unit 32 searches for a model that can be added to the printer driver 300 and transmits the search result to the client terminal 2 as “addable model information” (S1103). ). In the processing of S903, the driver search unit 32 transmits information on a model that can be newly added to the corresponding printer driver 300 based on the received “driver name information” and “version information”. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating “addable model information” of the printer driver 300 stored in the server 3.

  “Addable model information” of the printer driver 300 shown in FIG. 14 is stored in the server 3 in association with “driver name information” of the printer driver. Further, since the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment is “Ver. 2.0” as illustrated in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatuses 1 a and 1 c that are “Model-A, Model-C, and Model-E”. 1e “addable model information” is transmitted to the client terminal.

  The “addable model information” of the printer driver 300 as shown in FIG. 14 is also added to the client terminal 2 from the server 3 as “addable model information” for addable models of a version earlier than the current version of the printer driver 300. It may be configured to be transmitted. In this embodiment, for example, Ver. When the printer driver 300 of 2.0 is installed, Ver. The “addable model information” of “Model-X”, which is an addable model in the 1.0 printer driver 300, can be transmitted.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating “addable model information” transmitted from the driver search unit 32 to the client terminal 2 in S1103. As shown in FIG. 15, “addable model information” describes the model name of the image forming apparatus 1 added as a supported model by adding model information to the printer driver 300.

  Upon receiving the “applicable model information” shown in FIG. 15, the driver management unit 410 adds the model information to the printer driver 300 by adding the model information to the image forming apparatus 1 whose model name is described in “addable model information”. It is determined that this is a model that can be controlled. At this time, the driver management unit 410 determines that the image forming apparatuses 1 a, 1 c, and 1 e are the models of the image forming apparatuses 1 a to 1 e connected to the client terminal 2 based on “addable model information” illustrated in FIG. 15. It is determined that the model can be controlled by adding information. Therefore, the driver management unit 410 functions as a model information acquisition control unit that acquires the model information of the image forming apparatus 1 that can be controlled in the client terminal 2 by adding the model information from the server 3 that is an external device.

  At this time, the image forming apparatus 1b that is described in the “supported model information” but not described in the “addable model information” can be controlled by the driver management unit 410 by default in the current version of the printer driver 300. It is determined that the model is set. Further, the image forming apparatus 1d that is not described in the “applicable model information” and “supported model information” is determined by the driver management unit 410 as a model that cannot be controlled unless the printer driver 300 is upgraded.

  The version of the printer driver 300 according to the present embodiment is “Ver.2.0”. Accordingly, models that can generate a logical printer by adding model information to the model information storage unit 330 are “Model-A, Model-C, Model-E”.

  Note that the printer driver 300 needs to be upgraded in order to generate a logical printer of the “Model-D” image forming apparatus that is not described in “Addable model information” and “Supported model information”. When the printer driver 300 is upgraded, the processing performed by the functions included in the core module 320 is also changed. Therefore, by upgrading the printer driver 300, the printer driver 300 is upgraded so that a model that cannot be generated by simply adding model information to the model information storage unit 330 can execute processing specific to that model. To do. In this way, it is possible to control an image forming apparatus of a model that cannot be controlled by adding model information.

  Further, in the update of the core module 320, for example, the processing executed by the drawing unit 321 on the print image is modified. Further, the configuration of the screen display that the display control unit 322 displays on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 changes.

  Next, the driver management unit 410 acquires information on the model of the image forming apparatus connected to the client terminal 2 via the network I / F 500 as “connected model information” (S1104). In the present embodiment, Model-A, Model-D, and Model-E are models connected to the client terminal 2. At this time, the “connection model information” may include an IP address of the image forming apparatus connected to the client terminal 2.

  Then, the driver management unit 410 determines a model that can be controlled only by adding the model information based on the “applicable model information” and the “connected model information” (S1105). The driver management unit 410 adds the model information to the printer driver 300 among the models included in the “connected model information” and is newly supported by the models included in the “applicable model information”. It is determined that Accordingly, the driver management unit 410 functions as a model information addition determination unit that determines that the Model-A and Model-E image forming apparatuses add model information to the printer driver 300 and are newly supported models.

  It should be noted that for the models that are included in the “connected model information” but are not included in the “supported model information” and “addable model information”, the driver management unit 410 does not become controllable even if the model information is added. It is determined that In such a case, in order to be able to control a model that is not included in the “supported model information” and “addable model information”, the printer driver 300 is upgraded, or “supported model information” and “addable” are added. It is determined that the model may be controllable by installing a model-specific driver for a model not included in the “model information”.

  Furthermore, among the models included in “Connected model information”, among the models included in “Supported model information”, for the models included in “Supported model information”, by newly generating a logical printer, , It is determined as a model that can make a print request to the image forming apparatus that is a model included in the “supported model information”.

  In this manner, in the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment, among the image forming apparatuses connected to the terminal, an image forming apparatus that can be used is determined by adding model information to the model common driver. The determination result at this time is information used for a UI such as a dialog that can be selected and displayed on the screen of the client terminal 2.

  Hereinafter, processing for managing the supported models of the printer driver 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for managing the supported models of the printer driver 300.

  Based on the result of the determination performed in the process of FIG. 11, the driver management unit 410 displays a screen for causing the user of the client terminal 2 to select a model that can be printed on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 as illustrated in FIG. 17. It is displayed (S1601). FIG. 17 is a diagram exemplifying a screen (selection operation screen) for selecting whether to upgrade the printer driver 300 or to add a model supported by adding model information. At this time, the model name of the image forming apparatus 1 included in the “applicable model information” and “connected model information” is displayed on the selection operation screen. Then, the user operates the selection operation screen displayed on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 shown in FIG.

  When “Install a new driver” is selected (S1602 / Yes), the screen shown in FIG. 17 installs the upgraded printer driver 300, so that “Model” is displayed like the selection operation screen shown in FIG. -D "is displayed in a selectable format (S1603). In S1203, when “Install new driver” is selected, there may be a model-specific driver that can be installed in the client terminal 2. For example, in FIG. 18, when “Model-D” is selected, a model-specific driver of “Model-D” may be installable.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 19, whether to install the “Model-D” model-specific driver, or upgrade the printer driver 300 so that the “Model-D” model information can be added. It may be displayed in a selectable format.

  When “OK” is pressed on the selection operation screen of FIG. 18, the driver management unit 410 includes information (file specification) including a URL specifying the installation file of the upgraded printer driver 300 as shown in FIG. Information) is acquired from the server 3 (S1604). Even when a model-specific driver is installed, information including a URL in which the model-specific driver installation file is designated is acquired in step S1504.

  The driver management unit 410 acquires file designation information of the printer driver 300 that has been upgraded from the server 3. Then, the installation file of the upgraded printer driver 300 is acquired from the URL specifying the upgraded printer driver 300 included in the file designation information, and the printer driver 300 is installed by the function of the installer 400. At this time, the printer driver 300 is installed to upgrade the version of the printer driver 300 (S1605). When the printer driver 300 is upgraded (for example, from Ver. 2.0 to Ver. 3.0), the model information of Model-A, Model-D, and Model-E is stored in the model information storage unit 330. Installed in a pre-stored state.

  When “Install new driver” is not selected on the selection operation screen of FIG. 17 (S1602 / No), the user performs an operation to specify the model name of the image forming apparatus 1 on the selection operation screen of FIG. When “OK” is pressed (S 1606), the driver management unit 410 requests the model information addition control unit 431 for the model information to be added to the printer driver 300 based on the operation content of the user.

  The model information addition control unit 431 acquires the corresponding model information from the additional model information storage unit 432, and transmits it to the model information storage unit 330 of the core module 320 (S1607). Accordingly, the driver management unit 410 performs a process execution control step for controlling the process of installing the printer driver 300 that has been upgraded based on the determination result of the process of S805 or the process of adding model information to the printer driver 300. It functions as a process execution control unit that executes

  The model information storage unit 330 of the core module 320 stores the model information acquired from the model information adding unit 430 in a storage area such as the HDD 14 (S1608). When performing the processing of S1607 and S1608, the model information adding unit 430 that executes a model information adding step for adding model information corresponding to the model selected from the server 3 is downloaded as a model information adding module, and the installer 400 The configuration may be implemented as an internal function. In such a case, for the purpose of reducing the amount of data during communication, the model information adding unit 430 is configured with a model information addition control unit 431 that realizes a function of adding only model information to be added and model information to be added. Also good.

  When the processes of S1605 and S1608 are finished, the logical printer setting unit 324 of the core module 320 reads the model information from the model information storage unit 330 and executes driver setting for generating a logical printer (S1609).

  In the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the same model image forming apparatus Model-B (2) is connected to the client terminal 2 to which Model-B (1) is connected, and the same model image forming apparatus is connected. May be connected to a plurality of devices. As shown in FIG. 21, in such a case, logical printers corresponding to Model-B (1) and Model-B (2) having different IP addresses are required.

  In such a case, the logical printer adding unit 420 performs processing for adding only the logical printer based on the printer driver 300 and the “connected model information”. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, different “connected model information” is added to the model information stored in the model information storage unit 330 and transmitted to the logical printer setting unit 324. The logical printer setting unit 324 reads logical printer generation request information having different “connection model information”, and generates logical printers having different IP addresses.

  Further, it is determined based on the login information of the OS whether or not the user of the client terminal 2 is logged in as an administrator with management authority to set a restriction on functions that can be realized in the client terminal 2, and the determination result is Correspondingly, the processing mode may be changed.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing for acquiring model information of models that can be added to the printer driver 300 depending on whether or not the client terminal 2 has administrator authority. First, the driver management unit 410 analyzes the system definition file of the printer driver 300 installed in the client terminal 2 and determines “driver name information” which is a driver name for determining which model of the printer driver 300 the printer driver 300 is. "Is acquired (S2201).

  Next, the authority acquisition unit 440 checks whether the OS of the client terminal 2 is activated under the administrator authority based on the OS setting information (S2202). The confirmation result at this time is transmitted from the authority acquisition unit 440 to the driver management unit 410.

  When the authority acquisition unit 440 confirms whether or not there is administrator authority in the OS of the client terminal 2, the driver management unit 410 displays “version information” that is version information of the printer driver 300 at the time of analysis, and a printer at the time of analysis. “Compatible model information”, which is information on the model supported by the driver 300, is acquired (S2203). Accordingly, the driver management unit 410 functions as a model information acquisition unit that executes a model information acquisition step of acquiring model information.

  The driver management unit 410 transmits “driver name information” and “version information” acquired in the processing of S2201 to the server 3 (S2204). Of the “driver name information”, “version information”, and “compatible model information” included in the system definition file of the printer driver 300, “driver name information”, “version” are transmitted to the server 3 in the process of S 2203. Information ”.

  Upon receiving “driver name information” and “version information”, the driver search unit 32 searches for a model that can be added to the printer driver 300 and transmits the search result to the client terminal 2 as “addable model information” (S2205). ). In the process of S2204, the driver search unit 32 transmits “applicable model information” to the corresponding printer driver 300 based on the received “driver name information” and “version information”.

  Upon receiving the “applicable model information”, the driver management unit 410 can control the printer driver 300 by adding the model information to the image forming apparatus 1 whose model name is described in “addable model information”. It is determined that the model is. At this time, the driver management unit 410 adds the model information to the image forming apparatuses 1a, 1c, and 1e based on the “addable model information” among the image forming apparatuses 1a to 1e connected to the client terminal 2. It is determined that the model can be controlled.

  At this time, the image forming apparatus 1b that is described in “supported model information” but not described in “addable model information” is determined by the printer driver 300 as a supported model by default. Further, the image forming apparatus 1d that is not described in the “applicable model information” and “supported model information” is determined as a model that cannot be controlled unless the printer driver 300 is upgraded.

  Note that the printer driver 300 needs to be upgraded in order to generate a logical printer of the “Model-D” image forming apparatus that is not described in “Addable model information” and “Supported model information”. At this time, the driver management unit 410 controls the printer driver 300 so that the printer driver 300 cannot be upgraded when the OS of the client terminal 2 is activated in a state where the OS does not have administrator authority. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Next, the driver management unit 410 acquires information on the model of the image forming apparatus connected to the client terminal 2 via the network I / F 500 as “connected model information” (S2206). In the present embodiment, Model-A, Model-D, and Model-E are models connected to the client terminal 2. At this time, the “connection model information” may include an IP address of the image forming apparatus connected to the client terminal 2.

  Then, the driver management unit 410 determines a model that can be controlled only by adding the model information based on the “applicable model information” and the “connected model information” (S2207). At this time, among the models included in the “connected model information”, the model included in the “addable model information” is the model of the image forming apparatus 1 that is newly supported by adding the model information to the printer driver 300. Determined. Accordingly, it is determined that the Model-A and Model-E image forming apparatuses are newly supported models by adding model information to the printer driver 300.

  Note that models included in the “connected model information” but not included in the “applicable model information” are determined as models that can be newly controlled by installing the upgraded printer driver 300. . Therefore, the Model-D image forming apparatus 1d is determined as a model that can be newly controlled by installing the upgraded printer driver 300.

  In this manner, in the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 that can be used by adding the model information to the model common driver among the image forming apparatuses 1 connected to the terminal is determined. To do. The determination result at this time is information used for a UI such as a dialog that can be selected and displayed on the screen of the client terminal 2.

  Hereinafter, processing for managing the supported models of the printer driver 300 depending on whether or not the administrator authority of the client terminal 2 is possessed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for managing the supported models of the printer driver 300 in accordance with the administrator authority of the client terminal 2.

  If the client terminal 2 does not have administrator authority based on the result of the determination performed in the process of FIG. 22 (S2301 / No), the driver management unit 410 sends the user of the client terminal 2 as shown in FIG. A screen for selecting a model that can be controlled is displayed on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 (S1606). FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a “selection operation screen” displayed on the LCD 16 when the client terminal 2 does not have administrator authority. When the client terminal 2 does not have administrator authority, the user operates the selection operation screen displayed on the LCD 16 of the client terminal 2 shown in FIG.

  Note that FIG. 24 differs from FIG. 17 in that the “Install new driver” item is not displayed, and thus the printer driver 300 cannot be upgraded. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printer driver 300 from being upgraded by the user of the client terminal 2 who does not have the administrator authority. Note that the selection operation screen at this time is displayed in a state where it can be selected by the image forming apparatus 1 although it is included in the “applicable model information” and “connected model information”. At this time, when the selection operation screen of FIG. 24 is operated by the user, the driver management unit 410 requests the model information addition control unit 431 for the model information to be added to the printer driver 300 based on the operation contents of the user. Since the subsequent processing is the same as that after S1607 in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the client terminal 2 is operating with administrator authority (S2301 / Yes), the same processing as the processing after S1601 shown in the figure is executed. As described above, it is discriminated whether to upgrade the printer driver 300 according to whether or not the client terminal 2 operates with administrator authority, or to make it controllable by adding model information. Process. In this way, it is possible to limit the upgrade of the printer driver 300 of the client terminal 2 by a user who does not have administrator authority.

  As described above, according to the image forming system according to the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 can be used by adding model information to the printer driver 300, the printer driver 300 is not updated. Also good. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can be used without an unnecessary version upgrade of the printer driver 300, so that convenience and operability for the user can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the printer driver that controls the image forming apparatus are described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a device mounted inside the information processing apparatus, for example, NIC ( To control hardware installed in an information processing device such as an expansion card such as a network interface card) or a peripheral device connected to the outside, for example, a device driver such as an input / output device such as a graphic display or a sound speaker. The present invention can also be applied to other control programs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Client terminal 3 Server 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 ROM
14 HDD
15 Interface 16 LCD
17 Operation unit 18 Bus 30 Driver transmission unit 31 Driver set 32 Driver search unit 100 OS
200 Application 300 Printer driver 310 Logical printer group 311, 312 Logical printer 320 Core module 321 Drawing unit 322 Display control unit 323 Communication unit 324 Logical printer setting unit 330 Model information storage unit 400 Installer 410 Driver management unit 420 Logical printer addition unit 440 Authority Acquisition unit 430 Model information addition unit 431 Model information addition control unit 432 Additional model information storage unit 500 Network I / F

JP 2009-025865 A

Claims (6)

Information indicating functions installed in the device in a plurality of devices of different models, and the model information added by adding the model information and the model information respectively defined corresponding to the model of the device A management program for managing a control program including a process execution unit for executing a process request for the device corresponding to the model corresponding to the information,
A process change control unit for changing a process executable by the process execution unit and the control program;
A model information addition determination unit that determines the model of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program;
A model information adding unit for adding the model information to the control program;
Including
The computer is caused to execute a model information addition step of adding the model information determined in correspondence with the model of the device determined to be controllable by adding the model information to the control program. Management program. Including a model information acquisition control unit that acquires model information of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program from an external device;
The model information addition determination unit determines a model of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program based on the model information acquired from the external device. Item 2. The management program according to item 1. The process change control unit
The process execution unit is updated so that the function corresponding to the model information of the model determined to be controllable by adding the model information is provided by the process execution unit. The management program according to claim 1 or claim 2.   The model information adding step adds the model information to the control program when an authority to manage a function that can be realized in the information processing apparatus in which the control program is installed is permitted. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Including information processing devices and multiple devices of different models,
Information indicating a function installed in the device in a plurality of devices of different models, and added by adding model information and model information that are respectively determined corresponding to the model of the device A management system for managing a control program including a process execution unit for executing a process request for the device corresponding to the model corresponding to the model information,
A process change control unit for changing a process executable in the process execution unit and the control program;
A model information addition determination unit that determines the model of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program;
A model information adding unit for adding the model information to the control program;
Including
The model information adding unit adds the model information determined in accordance with the model of the device determined to be controllable in the information processing apparatus by adding the model information to the control program. Management system featuring. Information indicating a function installed in the device in a plurality of devices of different models, and added by adding model information and the model information respectively determined corresponding to the model of the device An information processing apparatus for managing a control program including a process execution unit for executing a process request for the device corresponding to the model corresponding to the model information,
A process change control unit for changing a process executable in the process execution unit and the control program;
A model information addition determination unit that determines the model of the device that can be controlled by adding the model information to the control program;
A model information adding unit for adding the model information to the control program;
Including
The model information adding unit adds the model information determined in accordance with the model of the device determined to be controllable in the information processing apparatus by adding the model information to the control program. A characteristic information processing apparatus.