JP4284964B2 - Support program and equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a support program, a support apparatus, and a support method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a support program that supports the use of a peripheral device connected to a computer by a computer, a computer in which the support program is installed, and a peripheral device connected to the computer. The present invention relates to a support device that supports the use of a computer via a network, a program that causes a computer to function as such a support device, and a support method that supports the use of a peripheral device connected to the computer via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of support program, a wizard program started on Windows (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) has been proposed. This program performs software installation, computer setting processing, predetermined processing on the software, and the like interactively with the operator of the computer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the usage method of the peripheral device connected to the computer depends on the peripheral device, there are various usage methods and the usage method may require a complicated operation. In addition, the handling may differ depending on the manufacturer of the peripheral device. Therefore, in order to use a peripheral device, it is necessary to install a plurality of programs suitable for the peripheral device and to learn how to use the program.
[0004]
One object of the support program, the support device, and the support method of the present invention is to provide a more versatile method of using peripheral devices connected to a computer. Another object of the support program, the support apparatus, and the support method of the present invention is to provide an easier usage method of a peripheral device connected to a computer. An object of the storage medium of the present invention is to effectively function a program that provides a more versatile and easier use of peripheral devices connected to a computer. An object of the program for the support device of the present invention is to make it function as a support device that provides a more versatile and easier method of using peripheral devices connected to a computer.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
The support program, the storage medium storing the support program, the support device, and the program for the support device of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above-described object.
[0006]
The support program of the present invention is:
A support program for supporting the use of a peripheral device connected to the computer by the computer,
A plurality of execution modules that interactively execute a plurality of usage methods of the peripheral device by the computer for each usage method;
A selection module for causing an operator of the computer to select which of the plurality of usage methods is to be executed and for executing an execution module corresponding to the selected usage method;
It is a summary to provide.
[0007]
In the support program of the present invention, when a usage method is selected by an operator of the computer, an execution module that interactively executes the selected usage method to the operator is executed. It is possible to more easily use the peripheral device more simply by selecting. As a result, the trouble of installing a plurality of software and the trouble of learning how to handle the software can be saved. Note that peripheral devices include a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, an external storage device, and the like.
[0008]
In such a support program of the present invention, the execution module provides the support data at a timing when the support data is used with respect to a support data providing apparatus that provides support data that can be used when executing the corresponding usage method. And a module that executes the corresponding usage method using the support data provided with the request. In this way, the operator can easily perform a wider use of the peripheral device.
[0009]
In the support program of the present invention in which the support data is provided, the support data providing device is a device that provides the support data by distribution to a computer connected via a network, and the execution module is configured to provide the network. It is also possible to use a module that requests delivery of support data to the support data providing apparatus. In this way, since the support data provided from the support data providing apparatus can be used, the operator can easily execute a wider use of the peripheral device.
[0010]
In the support program of the present invention in which the support data is provided, the execution module uses any one of the plurality of support data when there are a plurality of support data provided in response to the request. It may be a module that accepts selection by the operator of whether or not to request provision of support data. In this way, the usage method of the peripheral device can be executed using the support data desired by the operator.
[0011]
In the support program of the present invention, the execution module distribution device capable of distributing an execution module via a network is requested to distribute the execution module via the network, and the plurality of execution modules distributed along with the request are provided. It is also possible to provide an additional module added as one of the execution modules. In this way, it is possible to add an execution module that executes the usage method of the peripheral device. As a result, the operator can use the peripheral device in a wider range and easily.
[0012]
In the support program of the present invention, the update module distribution device capable of distributing an updated execution module corresponding to any of the plurality of execution modules via the network via the network It is also possible to provide an update module that requests distribution of the executed execution module and replaces the execution module distributed in response to the request with the corresponding execution module. In this way, a plurality of execution modules can be updated.
[0013]
The computer of the present invention is a support program of the present invention according to any one of the above-described aspects, that is, a support program that basically supports the use of a peripheral device connected to the computer by the computer. A plurality of execution modules for interactively executing a plurality of usage methods by the computer for each usage method, and allowing the operator of the computer to select which of the plurality of usage methods to execute. The gist is that a support program comprising a selection module for executing an execution module corresponding to the selected usage method is installed.
[0014]
In the computer of the present invention, since the support program of the present invention in any of the above-described aspects is installed, the effect of executing the support program of the present invention, that is, the surroundings can be obtained simply by selecting a desired usage method. It is possible to achieve the effect of making it possible to more easily use the device more diversified and the time and effort of installing a plurality of software and learning the handling of the software. .
[0015]
The support device of the present invention comprises:
A support device for supporting use by a client computer of a peripheral device connected to the client computer via a network,
Execution program storage means for storing a plurality of execution programs for interactively executing a plurality of usage methods by the client computer of the peripheral device for each usage method;
Use request accepting means for accepting a request for use of any of the plurality of use methods via the network;
When the use request is accepted by the use request accepting means, an execution program corresponding to the use method related to the accepted use request is selected from the plurality of execution programs stored in the execution program storage means. A program delivery means for delivering to
It is a summary to provide.
[0016]
In the support device according to the present invention, when a usage request for one of a plurality of usage methods is received via a network, an execution program corresponding to the usage method according to the received usage request is distributed. By executing the executed execution program, it is possible to easily execute the use of the peripheral device by a desired usage method. That is, by requesting a desired method of use from the client computer side, it is possible to more easily use the peripheral devices in various ways. As a result, there is no need to install a plurality of software or to learn how to handle the software. Note that peripheral devices include a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, an external storage device, and the like.
[0017]
In such a support device of the present invention, a support data storage means for storing a plurality of support data that can be used when executing the method of using the peripheral device, and a request for delivery of support data from the client computer via the network. When receiving a distribution request receiving unit and a request for distributing the support data, the support data related to the request among the plurality of support data stored in the support data storage unit is distributed to the client computer related to the request A support data distribution unit, and the execution program is adapted to a usage method corresponding to the distribution request reception unit via the network at a timing when the support data is used while being executed on the client computer. A request for data distribution is made and the support data is sent along with the request. It may be assumed to be a program for executing a method of use corresponding with assistance data distributed by the distribution means. In this way, the operator can easily perform a wider use of the peripheral device.
[0018]
The program for the support device of the present invention causes the computer to use the support device of the present invention according to any of the above-described aspects, that is, basically the peripheral device connected to the client computer via the network. An execution program storage means for storing a plurality of execution programs for interactively executing, for each usage method, a plurality of usage methods by a client computer of the peripheral device, and the network A usage request receiving means for receiving a usage request for one of the plurality of usage methods, and a plurality of executions stored in the execution program storage means when the usage request is received by the usage request receiving means. Of the program, how to use the received usage request A program distribution means for distributing to a client computer according to the execution program to said use request, and summarized in that to function as a support device comprising a.
[0019]
Since the program for the support device of the present invention causes the computer to function as the support device of the present invention in any of the above-described aspects, the effect of the support device of the present invention, for example, a desired usage method from the client computer side can be obtained. By requesting it, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the effect of making it possible to more easily use the peripheral devices in various ways.
[0020]
The support method of the present invention is as follows:
A support method for supporting use by a client computer of a peripheral device connected to the client computer over a network,
(A) storing a plurality of execution programs for interactively executing, for each usage method, a plurality of usage methods by the client computer of the peripheral device;
(B) accepting a usage request for one of the plurality of usage methods via the network;
(C) When the usage request is received, an execution program corresponding to the usage method related to the received usage request among the plurality of stored execution programs is distributed to the client computer related to the usage request.
This is the gist.
[0021]
According to the support method of the present invention, when a usage request for one of a plurality of usage methods is received via a network, an execution program corresponding to the usage method according to the received usage request is distributed. By executing the distributed execution program, it is possible to easily execute the use of the peripheral device by a desired usage method. That is, by requesting a desired method of use from the client computer side, it is possible to more easily use the peripheral devices in various ways. As a result, there is no need to install a plurality of software or to learn how to handle the software.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including a computer 20 in which a support program 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. The support program 23 of the embodiment is installed in the computer 20 as software that supports the use of the printer 28 as a peripheral device connected to the general computer 20, and the operator selects the use of the printer 28. A usage method selection module 24, an additional update module 25 that downloads and adds or updates an execution module from the support server 40 connected to the computer 20 via the Internet 30, and an additional update module that is added and updated. The execution module includes a plurality of execution modules such as a greeting card creation module 26a and a CDR label creation module 26b. In this specification, the module is the same as the program.
[0023]
In addition to the support program 23 described above, the computer 20 is installed with a browser 21 that displays a web page, a printer driver 22 that adapts the printer 28 to the computer 20, and the like.
[0024]
The support server 40 is connected to a module storage device 42 that stores a plurality of execution modules and a support data storage device 44 that stores a plurality of support data used when executing the execution modules. The execution module and support data requested to be downloaded are acquired from the module storage device 42 and the support data storage device 44 and distributed as a web server.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the usage method selection process that is performed when the usage method selection module 24 of the support program 23 is executed. This process is executed when the support program 23 is activated. In the usage method selection process, first, the peripheral device selection screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed and output, and processing for accepting selection of peripheral devices is executed (step S100). Various peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras are applicable. In the following processing, a case where a printer is selected as a peripheral device will be described as a specific example.
[0026]
When the peripheral device is selected, the usage method selection screen 52 illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed and output, and processing for accepting selection of the usage method of the peripheral device, specifically, the usage method of the printer 28 as a peripheral device is executed (see FIG. 4). Step S110). In the example of FIG. 4, “creating a greeting card”, “creating a CDR label”, “printing on a T-shirt”, or the like can be selected as a method of using the printer 28. When the usage method of the peripheral device is selected in this way, the execution module corresponding to the selected usage method is activated (step S120), and the usage method selection process is terminated. In the following specific example, the case where “Create Greeting Card” is selected and the greeting card creation module 26a is activated will be described.
[0027]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a greeting card creation process performed when the greeting card creation module 26a as an execution module is activated in the usage method selection process. In this greeting card creation process, first, a process of accepting selection of the type of card to be created by displaying and outputting the card type selection screen 54 illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed (step S200). In the example of FIG. 6, “New Year's card”, “Christmas card”, “Birthday card”, and the like can be selected as the card type.
[0028]
When the card type is received in this way, a process for receiving a destination for sending the card is performed (step S210). The reception of a destination may be performed by selecting from a previously created address book, or an address or name may be input on the spot. Further, the number of destinations to be accepted may be one or plural. Such destination acceptance processing can be performed by various methods.
[0029]
When the destination is received, the support server 40 is requested to output a template display page based on the card type received in step S200 (step S220), and the selection of the template is received (step S230). Specifically, the request for display output of the template display page is made by transmitting and outputting a URL set according to the type of the selected card. Upon receiving such a request, the support server 40 transmits to the computer 20 a template display page 56 illustrated in FIG. 7 which displays a list of template thumbnails according to the type of card based on the transmitted URL. Here, the template and its thumbnail are stored in the support data storage device 44 as support data used when executing the execution module. By displaying the template display page 56 on the computer 20 in this way, the operator can select a desired template.
[0030]
When a template is selected, the selected template is downloaded from the support data storage device 44 via the support server 40 (step S240), and the text screen of the card is displayed using the downloaded template to accept text editing. (Step S250), the text screen using the template and the received address are printed based on the print instruction from the operator (Step S260), and the greeting card creation process is terminated. Note that the text screen editing process and the card printing process are well-known general processes, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0031]
In the above description, the processing when “Create Greeting Card” is selected as the method of using the printer 28 as the peripheral device is described as a specific example. However, if “Create CDR Label” is selected, the CDR label is created. When the module 26b is activated, a template for creating a CDR label as support data is downloaded and created from the support data storage device 44 as necessary, and another use method of the printer 28 is selected. The execution module is activated, and support data usable by the activated execution module is downloaded from the module storage device 42 and executed. That is, by selecting a peripheral device and selecting a usage method of the selected peripheral device, an execution module corresponding to the selected peripheral device usage method is executed, and the usage method is interactively executed for the operator. Then, if necessary, support data used for the usage method is selected and downloaded from the support data storage device 44, and execution of the usage method is completed.
[0032]
Next, the execution module addition and update processing included in the support program 23 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a module addition / update process performed when the addition / update module 25 of the support program 23 is executed. This process is executed when the operator selects to add or update an execution module from an execution module addition / update selection screen (not shown). In the module addition update process, first, the support server 40 is requested to display the execution module display page (step S300), and the process for accepting the selection of the execution module is executed (step S310). Specifically, a request for display output of the execution module display page is made by transmitting the URL incorporated in the additional update module 25 to the support server 40 in order to display the execution module display page. Upon receiving such a request, the support server 40 transmits to the computer 20 an execution module display page 58 illustrated in FIG. 9 that displays a list of execution modules based on the transmitted URL. Here, the execution modules displayed as a list on the execution module display page 58 are stored in the module storage device 42. By displaying the execution module display page 58 on the computer 20 in this way, the operator can select a desired execution module.
[0033]
When the execution module is selected, the selected execution module is downloaded from the module storage device 42 via the support server 40 (step S320), and the downloaded execution module is compared with the execution module included in the support program 23 (step S320). S330). If the downloaded execution module has the same contents as any of the execution modules included in the support program 23, the execution module having the same contents included in the support program 23 is updated by updating it to the downloaded execution module (step In step S350, the module addition / update process is terminated, and if the downloaded execution module is a module having a content different from any of the execution modules included in the support program 23, the downloaded execution module is added to the support program 23 (step S360). ), The module addition / update process is terminated. In this way, a new execution module is added or the execution module is updated to the latest one.
[0034]
According to the support program 23 of the embodiment described above, by providing a plurality of execution modules that interactively execute the usage method of the peripheral device, it is possible to install the peripheral device without learning a plurality of software installations and operations thereof. A wider range of uses can be realized. Moreover, since support data that can be used for the use of peripheral devices is downloaded and used via the support server 40 connected to the Internet 30 as necessary, a wide range of use of peripheral devices can be easily realized. . Furthermore, since execution modules can be added or updated, a wider range of use of peripheral devices can be realized.
[0035]
In the support program 23 of the embodiment, the support data stored in the support data storage device 44 is downloaded and used via the Internet 30, but an external device such as a hard disk device or a CD drive device connected to the computer 20 is used. The support data stored in the storage device may be read and used.
[0036]
In the description of the support program 23 of the embodiment, the usage method of the printer 28 is described as a specific example. However, any device usage method may be used as long as it is a peripheral device of the computer 20 such as a scanner or a digital camera.
[0037]
Next, a support device 140 as a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including the support device 140 of the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the support device 140 according to the second embodiment is configured as a web server that provides a web page to a client computer 120 connected via the Internet 130, and includes a printer 128 connected to the client computer 120 and the like. Storage device 142 that stores a plurality of execution programs that support the use of peripheral devices, support data storage device 144 that stores a plurality of support data used when executing the execution programs, and an execution program for client computer 120 Management system 146 for managing the distribution and execution of data and support for distributing support data in response to a request from the execution program executed on the client computer 120 for support data stored in the support data storage device 144 And a chromatography data distribution system 148. The execution program stored in the program storage device 142 is an execution module similar to the greeting card creation module 26a and the CDR label creation module 26b in the support program 23 installed in the computer 20 of the first embodiment. The support data stored in the data storage device 144 includes support data used for each usage method of peripheral devices such as templates stored in the support data storage device 44 connected to the support server 40 of the first embodiment. Similar data.
[0038]
Similar to the first embodiment, the client computer 120 is installed with a browser 121 that displays a web page, a printer driver 122 that adapts the printer 128 to the client computer 120, and the like.
[0039]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a program management process executed when the support apparatus 140 functions as the program management system 146. This program management process is executed when the client computer 120 requests support for the use of peripheral devices. In the program management process, first, a process similar to the peripheral device selection screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed on the client computer 120 to accept the selection of the peripheral device (step S400), and the usage method illustrated in FIG. A screen similar to the selection screen 52 is displayed and output on the client computer 120, and processing for accepting selection of a peripheral device usage method (specifically, a usage method of the printer 28 as a peripheral device) is executed (step S410). Also in the second embodiment, various peripheral devices such as a printer, a scanner, and a digital camera are applicable. In the following processing, as in the first embodiment, a case where a printer is selected as the peripheral device and “Create Greeting Card” is selected as the usage method will be described as a specific example.
[0040]
When the selection of the peripheral device and the selection of the usage method are received in this way, the execution program corresponding to the selected usage method among the execution programs stored in the program storage device 142 is distributed to the client computer 120 for execution (Step S1). S420). As described above, the execution program in the second embodiment is the same as the execution module such as the greeting card creation module 26a and the CDR label creation module 26b in the first embodiment. Therefore, for example, when “Create Greeting Card” is selected as the usage method, an execution program similar to the greeting card creation module 26a is distributed and executed by the client computer 120. Processing similar to the greeting card creation processing to be performed is executed. Since this process has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.
[0041]
In the program management process, when the execution program is distributed and executed, it waits for the execution program to end (step S430), deletes the execution program distributed and executed to the client computer 120 (step S440), This routine ends.
[0042]
FIG. 12 shows that the support device 140 is based on a request from the execution program when “Create Greeting Card” is selected as the usage method and an execution program similar to the greeting card creation module 26a is distributed to the client computer 120 and executed. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the template delivery process performed by this. This template distribution process is an example of a support data distribution process for distributing support data. This template distribution process is also a process corresponding to steps S220 to S240 of the greeting card creation process illustrated in FIG. That is, when a template display page is requested to be output based on the type of card selected from the client computer 120, the corresponding template display page is output to the client computer 120 (step S500), and the display output is output to the client computer 120. When a template is selected from the template display page, the selection is accepted (step S510), and the corresponding template is distributed to the client computer 120 (step S520). Since these processes have been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0043]
According to the support device 140 of the second embodiment described above, an execution program that interactively executes a method of using a peripheral device connected to the client computer 120 based on a request from the client computer 120 is distributed and executed. Thus, a method for using the peripheral device can be realized. In addition, since the client computer 120 selects a desired usage method from a plurality of usage methods of the peripheral device, the client computer 120 can operate the peripheral device without learning how to install and operate a plurality of software. A wide range of use can be realized. Furthermore, since support data that can be used for the use of the peripheral device is requested and distributed to the execution program as needed, a wide range of use of the peripheral device can be easily realized.
[0044]
In the support device 140 according to the second embodiment, the execution program is distributed to the client computer 120 and executed, and then the execution program is confirmed and the execution program is deleted. However, the execution program is not deleted. Also good.
[0045]
The support apparatus 140 of the second embodiment has been described using the method of using the printer 128 connected to the client computer 120 as a specific example. However, any device can be used as long as it is a peripheral device of the computer 20 such as a scanner or a digital camera. But you can.
[0046]
In the second embodiment, the embodiment has been described as applied to the support device 140 that distributes an execution program and support data as one embodiment of the present invention. However, the support method described as the support device 140 in the second embodiment may be used. Good. Moreover, it is good also as a form of the program which makes a computer function as the support apparatus 140 of 2nd Example. In the case of the program form, each step of the support data distribution process taking the program management process illustrated in FIG. 11 and the template distribution process illustrated in FIG. 12 as an example may be programmed in an appropriate program language.
[0047]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you get.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of usage method selection processing.
3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a peripheral device selection screen 50. FIG.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a usage method selection screen 52. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a greeting card creation process.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a card type selection screen 54. FIG.
7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a template display page 56. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of module addition update processing.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an execution module display page.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a program management process.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of template distribution processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Computer, 21,121 Browser, 22,122 Printer driver, 23 Support program, 24 Usage method selection module, 25 Additional update module, 26a Greeting card creation module, 26b CDR label creation module, 28, 128 Printer, 30, 130 Internet , 40 Support server, 42 Module storage device, 44 Support data storage device, 50 Peripheral device selection screen, 52 Usage method selection screen, 54 Card type selection screen, 56 Template display page, 58 Execution module display page, 120 Client computer, 140 Support device, 142 program storage device, 144 support data storage device, 146 program management system, 148 support data distribution system.

Claims (1)

A support program for supporting the use of a peripheral device connected to the computer by the computer,
A plurality of execution modules that interactively execute a plurality of usage methods of the peripheral device by the computer for each usage method;
A selection module for causing an operator of the computer to select which of the plurality of usage methods is to be executed and for executing an execution module corresponding to the selected usage method;
Bei to give a,
The execution module requests the support data providing apparatus that provides support data that can be used when executing the corresponding usage method to provide the support data at the timing of using the support data. When there is a plurality of support data provided in response to the request, the operator determines which of the plurality of support data is to be used. A support program, which is a module that accepts selections from and requests the provision of assistance data .

Images