JP5375102B2 - Host device, host device control method, image forming system, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a second device driver with a higher function for updating a general-purpose first device driver corresponding to a plurality of models, based on the indication given by a user concerning an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The storage part 16 of a printer 10 stores a device ID 101 and a compatible ID (CID) 102. The compatible ID is an identifier associated with a class driver 202 being a simple driver available in the plurality of models. The device ID is an identifier associated with an exclusive driver 203 prepared for each model. The user allows the exclusive driver be used for upgrading the initially installed class driver through a driver setting screen, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a host device, a host device control method, an image forming system, and a computer program.

  In order to use the printer, the user needs to install a printer driver corresponding to the printer in the personal computer. For example, when a printer driver corresponding to a user's printer is included in the printer driver group attached to the operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) of the personal computer in advance, the user can connect the printer driver to the personal computer. You can use the printer by installing it.

  When the storage medium storing the printer driver is attached to the printer, the user can install the printer driver stored in the storage medium in the personal computer. Alternatively, the user can use a personal computer to access the website of the vendor that provides the printer, obtain the latest printer driver, and install it on the personal computer.

  Furthermore, a technique is also known in which the printer driver version stored in advance in the printer is read from the printer and the printer driver is automatically updated when the printer driver property is opened (Patent Document 1). In the prior art, the printer driver in the printer is always updated to the latest version by connecting the printer to the vendor site via the Internet. In the prior art, when the version of the printer driver in the personal computer is old, the latest printer driver in the printer is read and updated.

JP 2006-82541 A

  In the prior art, each time the printer driver property screen is opened, the version of the printer driver in the personal computer is automatically compared with the version of the printer driver in the printer to determine whether or not an update is necessary. Accordingly, there is a problem that the printer driver version is updated to the latest version regardless of the user's intention, while the printer driver cannot be updated to the latest version at a timing desired by the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a host device capable of updating the first device driver to the second device driver at a timing designated by the user, a host device control method, and image formation. To provide a system and a computer program. Another object of the present invention is from a first device driver capable of using a predetermined function among the functions of the image forming apparatus at a timing specified by the user, to the first device driver of the functions of the image forming apparatus. PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a host device, a host device control method, an image forming system, and a computer program that can be updated to a second device driver that can use more functions and can improve user convenience. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, a host device according to one aspect of the present invention is a host device that uses an image forming apparatus for forming an image, and can be associated with a plurality of models including the models of the image forming apparatus. 1st identification information acquisition means which acquires 1 identification information from an image forming apparatus, and the 1st device driver which can use a predetermined function among a plurality of functions which an image forming apparatus has. An installation unit that detects and installs the first device driver corresponding to the first identification information acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit from among the device drivers, and corresponds to the model of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing. Second identification information acquisition means for acquiring second identification information from the image forming apparatus, and the first device driver among the functions of the image forming apparatus. A second device driver that can use more functions than the management device that manages the second device driver corresponding to the second identification information acquired by the second identification information acquisition means Second device driver acquisition means for acquiring from the management apparatus, and updates the installed first device driver to the second device driver acquired from the management apparatus based on an instruction input from the user.

  The host device configured as described above can acquire the first identification information from the image forming apparatus and install the first device driver corresponding to the first identification information. Therefore, by using the first device driver, the host apparatus can form an image using only predetermined functions among the functions of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the host apparatus can acquire the second identification information from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing, and can acquire the second device driver corresponding to the second identification information from the management apparatus. Accordingly, the host device can use the first device driver that can use a predetermined function among the functions of the image forming apparatus and all the functions of the image forming apparatus based on an instruction input from the user. The second device driver can be updated.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second identification information acquisition unit acquires the second identification information from the second identification information storage unit when installing the first device driver at a predetermined timing, and acquires the acquired second identification. Remember information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second identification information acquisition unit receives the update instruction for instructing the update from the first device driver to the second device driver at a predetermined timing from the second identification information storage unit. Second identification information is acquired.

  In a preferred embodiment, an update instruction may be input when an update instruction button provided on the setting screen of the first device driver is operated.

  In a preferred embodiment, when printing using the first device driver, a predetermined message may be displayed on the screen, and an update instruction may be input when the predetermined message is operated.

  In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of timings are prepared in advance as predetermined timings. When the first device driver is installed, the update from the first device driver to the second device driver is performed at the plurality of timings. A plurality of cases may be included among a case where an update instruction to be instructed is input and a case where a predetermined message displayed on the screen at the time of printing is operated.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second device driver acquisition unit acquires and activates a device driver update unit for updating to the second device driver from the management device, and the device driver update unit receives the second identification information from the management device. The second device driver corresponding to can be acquired and installed.

  In another preferred embodiment, the second identification information acquisition means can acquire the second identification information from the second identification information storage means with the approval of the user.

  In still another preferred embodiment, when the first device driver requests the use of a function not supported by the first device driver from the application program, the first device driver obtains the second device driver from the management device by the second device driver acquisition unit. The device driver can be acquired and the first device driver can be updated to the second device driver.

  In still another preferred embodiment, when the device driver associated with the application program is the first device driver, the application program causes the second device driver acquisition unit to acquire the second device driver from the management apparatus, and Update one device driver to the second device driver.

  The management device may be configured as a server device provided on a communication network, and can be connected to the management device via the communication network.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a class driver and an exclusive driver. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a class driver, compatible ID, device ID, and a dedicated driver. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of a class driver. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of an exclusive driver. It is a figure which shows the screen of the host computer at the time of printing. It is a figure which shows the screen of an updater. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for installing a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the process for updating from a class driver to a dedicated driver. It is a flowchart including the update process performed with the system which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a flowchart of the update process performed with the system which concerns on 3rd Example. It is a flowchart of the installation process performed with the system which concerns on 4th Example. It is a flowchart of an update process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the system of this embodiment, as will be described below, a class driver 202 that can form an image with only the minimum necessary settings and compatible with a plurality of models, and all functions of the image forming apparatus according to detailed settings are used as appropriate. A dedicated driver 203 corresponding to only that model is prepared. In this embodiment, the class driver 202 is updated to the dedicated driver 203 at a timing desired by the user.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entire printing system as an “image forming system”. This system includes, for example, a printer 10 as an “image forming apparatus”, a host computer 20 as a “host apparatus”, and a vendor website 30 as a “management apparatus”.

  The printer 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a printing unit 12, an image reading unit 13, a user interface unit 14 (UI unit 14), and a communication interface unit 15 (I / F 15).

  The control unit 11 is a device for controlling the operation of the printer 10, for example, generates image data for printing based on print data output from the host computer 20, and drives the printing unit 12. Alternatively, the control unit 11 drives the image reading unit 13 to read an image, and outputs the read image data to the host computer 20.

  The printing unit 12 is configured, for example, as an ink jet printing mechanism that performs serial printing or a laser printing mechanism that performs page printing. The printing unit 12 can perform monochrome printing and color printing.

  The image reading unit 13 is an apparatus for reading an image of a document placed on a document table and generating image data. Since the printer 10 includes the image reading unit 13, the printer 10 can be used like a copier. The image reading unit 13 may not be provided.

  The communication interface unit 15 is a circuit for communicating with the communication interface unit 26 of the host computer 20. The communication interface units 15 and 26 are connected via a communication path 41. The host computer 20 and the printer 10 can communicate using, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, or the like. Alternatively, the printer 10 and the host computer 20 may communicate with each other via a wireless local area network (LAN), infrared rays, or the like.

  The user interface unit 14 includes, for example, a touch panel in which a display unit and an input unit are integrated, or one or more switches and a display device. The user can give an instruction to the printer 10 via the user interface unit 14, and can also check the setting contents.

  The storage unit 16 serving as the “first identification information storage unit” and the “second identification information storage unit” includes a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, for example. The storage unit 16 stores a compatible ID 102 (CID102) as “first identification information” and a device ID 101 as “second identification information”.

  Although details will be described later, the compatible ID 102 can be associated with a plurality of models. The device ID 101 is associated with each model. That is, a dedicated device ID 101 is associated with a certain type of printer. Other device IDs are associated with other types of printers. On the other hand, one compatible ID 102 can be associated with both one type of printer and another type of printer.

  The device ID 101 and the compatible ID 102 are stored in the storage unit 16 as integral data. The host computer 20 can analyze the data read from the storage unit 16 and extract the device ID 101 and the compatible ID 102.

  In FIG. 1, for convenience, the storage unit 16 is provided inside the control unit 11, but the storage unit 16 may be provided outside the control unit 11. Moreover, the structure which separates the memory | storage part which memorize | stores device ID101, and the memory | storage part which memorize | stores compatible ID102 may be sufficient.

  The host computer 20 is configured as a computer device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal, for example. The host computer 20 includes, for example, a microprocessor 21 (CPU 21), a memory 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, an auxiliary storage device 25, a communication interface unit 26, and a network interface unit 27. .

  The auxiliary storage device 25 is composed of a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory device, for example. The auxiliary storage device 25 stores, for example, an OS 201, a class driver 202 as a “first device driver”, a dedicated driver 203 as a “second device driver”, and an application program 204.

  When the host computer 20 is activated, various programs and data such as the OS 201 are read from the auxiliary storage device 25 and stored in the memory 22. When the CPU 21 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 22, each process described later is realized.

  The input unit 23 is a device for inputting an instruction from the user to the host computer 20. The input unit 23 includes, for example, a keyboard switch, a pointing device, a microphone, or the like. The output unit 24 is configured as a display device, for example. The output unit 24 can also include a speaker.

  The network interface unit 27 is a circuit for communicating with the vendor website 30. The network interface unit 27 is connected to the network interface unit 34 of the vendor website 30 via a communication network 42 such as the Internet, for example.

  The vendor website 30 is a website of a vendor that supplies the printer 10 to the market. The vendor website 30 is configured as a server computer including a microprocessor 31, a memory 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, and a network interface unit 34, for example.

  The auxiliary storage device 33 stores an updater management unit 302 and a dedicated driver management unit 301 in addition to an OS and a web server program (both not shown). The updater management unit 302 is a computer program that manages the updater 200 (see FIG. 7) as “device driver update means”. The dedicated driver management unit 301 manages the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to each of a plurality of types of printers provided by a vendor.

  Based on the device ID input from the host computer 20, the vendor website 30 detects the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the device ID, and transmits the detected dedicated driver 203 to the host computer 20.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship and structure between the class driver 202 and the dedicated driver 203.

  The class driver 202 is a simple and general-purpose printer driver that is associated with a plurality of types of printers. The class driver 202 includes, for example, a simple print function 2021, a device ID acquisition function 2022, and an updater acquisition and activation function 2023.

  The simple print function 2021 is a function that allows the printer 10 to print with only the minimum necessary print settings, such as the paper size and the number of copies. The device ID acquisition function 2022 as “second identification information acquisition unit” is a function for acquiring the device ID 101 from the storage unit 16 of the printer 10. The updater acquisition and activation function 2023 is a function for acquiring and starting the updater corresponding to the device ID 101 from the updater management unit 302 of the vendor website 30.

  The dedicated driver 203 includes a function 2031 for performing detailed print settings for a printer corresponding to the dedicated driver 203. By using the detailed print setting function 2031, the user can appropriately use all the functions of the printer.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship among the class driver 202, the compatible ID 102, the device ID 101, and the dedicated driver 203. As already described, the compatible ID 102 common to a plurality of models is associated. The class driver 202 is associated with each compatible ID 102. Therefore, the class driver 202 corresponding to the printer can be specified based on the compatible ID 102.

  The compatible ID 102 is associated with a plurality of models. Different device IDs 101 are prepared for each model. Accordingly, a plurality of device IDs 101 can be associated with each compatible ID 102.

  Each device ID 101 is associated with each model of the printer, and a dedicated driver 203 is prepared for each model. Therefore, the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the printer can be specified based on the device ID 101 acquired from the printer.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the device ID 101 and the compatible ID 102 are stored in the storage unit 16 of the printer 10. Therefore, as described later, the host computer 20 can specify and use the class driver 202 corresponding to the printer by acquiring the compatible ID 102 from the printer 10. Furthermore, the host computer 20 can specify and use the driver 203 dedicated to the printer by acquiring the device ID 101 from the printer 10.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a setting screen 500 of the class driver 202. The class driver setting screen 500 includes, for example, one tab menu 501. The tab menu 501 includes, for example, an update instruction button 502, a paper size setting unit 503, a print direction setting unit 504, an allocation setting unit 505, a print number setting unit 506, a unit print setting unit 507, An OK button 508, a cancel button 509, and an apply button 510 are provided.

  An update instruction button 502 is a button for the user to instruct an update from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203. The paper size setting unit 503 is for the user to set the size of the printing paper. For example, the user can select any one paper size from a relatively small selection range such as A5 size or A4 size. In the present embodiment, for example, the maximum size that can be selected by the class driver 202 is A4, and printing on paper larger than that is not possible.

  The print direction setting unit 504 is for specifying the print direction, that is, the orientation of the print paper. As the print direction, for example, the user can select one of “vertical” and “horizontal”. The assignment setting unit 505 is used by the user to set the number of images to be assigned to the printing paper. A print number setting unit 506 is used by the user to set the number of print copies. The copy unit print setting unit 507 is used by the user to set whether or not to print in copy units.

  Note that the functions available in the class driver 202 are not limited to those shown in FIG. For example, a function other than the function shown in FIG. 4 may be used by the class driver 202, and conversely, a part of the function shown in FIG. 4 may not be used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a setting screen 520 for the dedicated driver 203. The dedicated driver 203 can use all the functions of the printer 10. Therefore, the dedicated driver setting screen 520 is configured to allow more detailed print settings than the class driver setting screen 500.

  The dedicated driver setting screen 520 includes, for example, a setting list display unit 521 and a tab menu unit 522. The setting list display unit 521 displays the current setting contents. The tab menu section 522 includes, for example, a basic setting menu 523, a page setting menu 524, and a utility menu 525.

  The basic setting menu 523 includes, for example, a selection unit 530 for selecting an existing setting, a registration unit 531 for storing the current setting contents so that they can be reused at a later date, a print setting unit 540, and a paper feed A setting unit 550 and an ink remaining amount management unit 560 are included.

  The print setting unit 540 can include a paper type setting unit 541, a print quality setting unit 542, a color print setting unit 543, and a color correction setting unit 544. The paper type setting unit 541 is for the user to select and set the type of printing paper. Examples of the printing paper include plain paper and exclusive glossy paper. The print quality setting unit 542 is for the user to select and set the print quality. Examples of print quality include “standard”, “clean”, “high speed”, and the like. The color print setting unit 543 is for the user to select and set whether to print in color or monochrome. The color correction setting unit 544 is for the user to set a color correction method.

  The paper feed setting unit 550 can be configured to include a paper feed method setting unit 551 and a paper size setting unit 552. The paper feed method setting unit 551 is for the user to select and set the paper feed method. Examples of the paper feeding method include “auto sheet feeder” and “manual feeding”. The paper size setting unit 552 is for the user to select and set the size of the printing paper. Examples of the paper size include A3, A4, B4, B5, and a postcard.

  The remaining ink management unit 560 is for managing the remaining amount of the ink tank of the printing unit 12. The remaining ink amount management unit 560 displays the remaining amount of ink of each color. Although FIG. 5 shows a case where four colors of ink are used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration using less than four colors of ink or a configuration using five or more colors of ink may be used.

  In the page setting menu 524, for example, the printing direction, the number of copies, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, the presence / absence of stamp mark printing, etc. can be set.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen 570 displayed on the output unit 24 of the host computer 20 during printing using the class driver 202. On the screen 570, a class driver setting screen 500A is displayed. Unlike the setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 4, the class driver setting screen 500A does not include an update instruction button 502.

  Instead, the screen 570 includes balloon help 573. The balloon help 573 can display characters such as “Can be updated to a driver dedicated to this printer” as a “predetermined message”. The balloon help 573 can be displayed near the printer icon 572 displayed on the task bar 571.

  When the user clicks the balloon help 573 with the mouse pointer 574, an update from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203 is instructed. Accordingly, the class driver setting screen 500A in the screen 570 does not include the update instruction button 502. This is because an update instruction can be given by operating the balloon help 573. Nevertheless, the configuration screen 500 having the update instruction button 502 in the screen 570 may be displayed. In that case, the user can give an update instruction by operating either the update instruction button 502 or the balloon help 573.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing an updater screen 580. When updating from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203, the updater is downloaded to the host computer 20 from the updater management unit 302 of the vendor website 30. When the updater is activated, a screen 580 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the output unit 24 of the host computer 20.

  In the updater screen 580, for example, a model designation unit 581, a driver update instruction button 582, and an end button 583 can be provided. The model designation unit 581 is for allowing the user to designate the model of the printer to be updated by the driver. If the model is known, the device ID can be specified. The driver update instruction button 582 is used to make the user decide to update the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203. An end button 583 is used to instruct to stop updating from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the printer 10 is installed in the host computer 20. Steps S10 to S18 of this process are executed by the OS 201, and S19 to S21 are executed by the class driver 202.

  The OS 201 determines whether the printer 10 is connected to the host computer 20 (S10). When the printer 10 is connected to the host computer 20 (S10: YES), the OS 201 acquires a device ID 101 and a compatible ID 102 (hereinafter, CID 102) from the printer 10 via the communication path 41 (S11).

  The OS 201 searches for the dedicated driver 203 that matches the device ID (S12), and determines whether there is a dedicated driver 203 that matches the device ID (whether or not the dedicated driver 203 is attached to the OS 201). (S13). For example, in the case of a new printer 10 that is put on the market after shipping the OS, the OS 201 does not include the dedicated driver 203.

  If the OS 201 does not include the dedicated driver 203 that matches the device ID (S13: NO), the OS 201 searches for the class driver 202 that matches the CID (S14). The OS 201 determines whether there is a class driver 202 that matches the CID (S15).

  If the class driver 202 is not provided (S15: NO), the OS 201 notifies that the printer driver to be installed cannot be found through a message displayed on the screen of the output unit 24 (S16). The user who receives this notification, for example, accesses the vendor website 30 and manually searches for a desired printer driver.

  On the other hand, when either the dedicated driver 203 matching the device ID is found (S13: YES) or the class driver 202 matching the CID is found (S15: YES), the OS 201 By using the definition file (INF file), a file necessary for using the found printer driver is installed (S17). Then, the OS 201 registers the installed printer driver (S18).

  Here, a case where the dedicated driver 203 is not found (S13: NO) and only the class driver 202 is found will be described (S15: YES). Accordingly, the class driver 202 is installed in the host computer 20 (S17) and registered (S18).

  The class driver 202 tries to acquire a device ID from the printer 10 by communicating with the printer 10 using the interface unit 26 or the like (S19). The class driver 202 determines whether or not the device ID has been successfully acquired from the printer 10 (S20). If the class driver 202 has successfully acquired the device ID (S20: YES), the class driver 202 stores the acquired device ID in the registry (S21), and ends the installation process. If acquisition of the device ID is not successful (S20: NO), the installation process is terminated.

  If a dedicated driver 203 matching the device ID is found (S13: YES), the dedicated driver 203 is installed and registered (S17, S18). The dedicated driver 203 may also try to acquire the device ID by communicating with the printer 10 (S19 to S21). Alternatively, when the dedicated driver 203 is installed and registered (S17, S18), the installation process may be terminated without attempting to acquire the device ID.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an update process for updating the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203. Of the steps shown in FIG. 9, S30 to S40, S43, and S44 are executed by the class driver 202. S41, S42, S45 to S47 are executed by the updater 200.

  An update instruction for starting the update process can be given to the host computer 20 by a plurality of methods. One method is to operate an update instruction button 502 included in the setting screen 500 of the class driver 202 shown in FIG. 4 (S30).

  Another method is when the user clicks on balloon help 573 (see FIG. 6) displayed on the screen 570 during printing (S31). That is, the class driver 202 updates the dedicated driver 203 by displaying the balloon help 573 when the user desires to execute printing by operating the print button provided in the application program or the like (S31: YES). Is notified to the user (S32).

  If the user clicks the balloon help 573 within a predetermined time (S33: YES), an update instruction is given. If the user does not click the balloon help 573 within the predetermined time (S33: NO), the balloon help 573 disappears (S34), and the update process ends.

  If either the update instruction button 502 is operated (S30: YES) or the balloon help 573 is operated (S33: YES), the class driver 202 tries to acquire the device ID from the registry ( S35). The class driver 202 determines whether the device ID has been successfully read from the registry (S36).

  When the device ID is acquired from the printer 10 and stored in the registry through S19 to S21 in FIG. 8, the class driver 202 can acquire the device ID from the registry (S36: YES).

  The class driver 202 accesses the vendor website 30 via the network interface unit 27 and the like, and downloads the updater 200 from the updater management unit 302 (S39). The class driver 202 delivers the device ID acquired in S35 to the downloaded updater 200 and activates the updater 200 (S40).

  The updater 200 searches for the dedicated driver 203 in the dedicated driver management unit 301 based on the input device ID (S41), and downloads and activates the installer of the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the device ID (S42).

  As a result, the dedicated driver 203 is installed in the host computer 20, and thereafter, the user performs settings for printing using the dedicated driver 203. Therefore, the user freely uses each function of the printer 10 to obtain a desired printed matter.

  When the class driver 202 cannot acquire the device ID from the registry (S36: NO), the class driver 202 tries to acquire the device ID from the printer 10 (S37). When the device ID can be acquired from the printer 10 (S38: YES), the above-described S39 to S42 are executed.

  When the device ID cannot be acquired from the printer 10 (S38: NO), the class driver 202 downloads the updater 200 from the vendor website 30 (S43). Then, the class driver 202 activates the updater 200 without handing over the device ID (S44).

  For example, the updater 200 presents a screen 580 as shown in FIG. 7 to the user, and requests the user to input a device ID (model input) (S45). The updater 200 searches the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the device ID from the dedicated driver management unit 301 based on the device ID manually input by the user (S46). The class driver 202 downloads the found installer of the dedicated driver 203 from the dedicated driver management unit 301 and activates it (S47).

  According to this embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. In this embodiment, a class driver 202 that can be used by a plurality of types of printers is prepared, and the class driver 202 corresponding to the CID 102 of the printer 10 is installed in the host computer 20. Therefore, even with the new printer 10 announced after the OS 201 is released, the user can use the minimum printing function by using the class driver 202.

  In the present embodiment, the device ID is acquired from the printer 10 at a predetermined timing, the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the device ID is installed at the timing instructed by the user, and the class driver 202 is updated to the dedicated driver 203. Therefore, the user can update the dedicated driver 203 at his / her favorite timing, which improves user convenience.

  In this embodiment, an update instruction to the dedicated driver 203 can be instructed by operating an update instruction button 502 provided on the setting screen 500 of the class driver 202. Therefore, each time the user uses the class driver 202, the user can determine whether or not the dedicated driver 203 should be updated.

  For example, the class driver 202 is sufficient if only monochrome printing is performed on A4 size paper, but the dedicated driver 203 is used for color printing on non-rectangular paper or when high-speed color printing is desired. Necessary. Therefore, the user can immediately instruct the update to the dedicated driver 203 according to the printing contents at that time.

  In this embodiment, a balloon help 573 for notifying that the update to the dedicated driver 203 can be performed is displayed on the screen of the host computer 20 at the time of printing. Accordingly, the user can be reminded of the existence of the dedicated driver 203, and the user can easily instruct the update to the dedicated driver 203. This improves usability.

  In this embodiment, update processing from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203 can be executed by using either the update instruction button 502 or the balloon help 573. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  In this embodiment, the printer 10 is installed (S19), the class driver 202 is updated to the dedicated driver 203 (S30, S37), or the balloon help 573 is operated (S33, S37). In addition, the device ID is acquired from the printer 10. Therefore, even when the device ID cannot be acquired at the time of installing the printer 10, the device ID can be automatically acquired at the timing of instructing the update (S30, S33, S37), and the usability for the user is improved.

  In this embodiment, the updater 200 is first downloaded from the vendor website 30 and activated, and the update to the dedicated driver 203 is executed using the updater 200. Therefore, the latest updater 200 stored in the vendor website 30 can be used to update the latest dedicated driver 203.

  A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart including the update process according to the present embodiment. In the following embodiments including the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment, the class driver 202 is updated to the dedicated driver 203 based on the contents of the print target data created by the application program 204.

  The user creates a document to be printed using an application program 204 such as document creation software, spreadsheet software, drawing software, photo processing software, or the like.

  The application program 204 reflects the user operation on the screen display and stores the user operation content (S50). A user who desires printing selects printing from the menu of the application program 204. When printing is instructed by the user (S51: YES), the application program 204 passes the setting values related to printing to the class driver 202 (S52). Examples of setting values relating to printing include paper size, number of copies, paper shape, distinction between color printing and monochrome printing, presence / absence of double-sided printing, designation of enlargement or reduction, print quality, and the like.

  Upon receiving each setting value from the application program 204, the class driver 202 compares the setting value with its own printing capability (S60), and determines whether printing requested by the application program 204 is possible (S60). S61).

  When each print setting value input from the application program 204 to the class driver 202 is within the range of the printing capability of the class driver 202 (S61: YES), the class driver 202 generates print data and transmits it to the printer 10. (S62).

  On the other hand, if any one of the print setting values input from the application program 204 is not within the range of the print capability of the class driver 202 (S61: NO), the class driver 202 is updated to the dedicated driver 203. The user is notified that it is necessary and obtains user approval for the execution of the update process (S63). For example, the class driver 202 displays on the screen of the host computer 20 a message such as “A dedicated driver is required to perform desired printing. Do you want to install the dedicated driver? (Y / N)”. .

  After obtaining the user's approval, the class driver 202 acquires the device ID from the registry or the printer 10 (S64), and further downloads and activates the updater 200 from the vendor website 30 (S65).

  As described in the first embodiment, the updater 200 downloads an installer for the dedicated driver 203 corresponding to the device ID from the vendor website 30 and starts it. As a result, the dedicated driver 203 is installed in the host computer 20 (S66). The dedicated driver 203 creates print data and transmits it to the printer 10 (S67).

  Configuring this embodiment like this also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is automatically determined whether or not the update from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203 is performed based on the print setting value passed from the application program 204, the usability for the user is improved.

  A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating printer driver update processing according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the application program 204 instructs execution of printer driver update processing.

  The application program 204 detects a printer driver associated with itself (S70), and determines whether the detected printer driver is the class driver 202 (S71).

  When the class driver 202 is associated (S71: YES), the application program 204 notifies the user of the update start from the class driver 202 to the dedicated driver 203 (S72). After obtaining the user's approval, the application program 204 executes the steps S35 to S47 described in FIG.

  Configuring this embodiment like this also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the application program 204 determines the necessity of updating the printer driver, the usability for the user can be further improved.

  A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, when the device ID is acquired from the printer 10, user approval is obtained in advance. The installation process shown in FIG. 12 includes almost the same steps as the installation process shown in FIG. However, in step 11A of this embodiment, user approval is obtained before the device ID 101 and the CID 102 are acquired from the printer 10 (S11A).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the update process. This update process includes almost the same steps as the update process shown in FIG. However, in step 37A of the present embodiment, when a device ID is acquired from the printer 10, user approval is obtained in advance (S37A).

  Configuring this embodiment like this also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to obtain user approval when acquiring a device ID from the printer 10, it is possible to prevent the device ID from being transmitted to the vendor website 30 without the user's knowledge. This can increase the sense of security of the user.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. A person skilled in the art can make various additions and changes within the scope of the present invention. For example, a printer is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a display apparatus.

  10: printer, 11: control unit, 16: storage unit, 20: host computer, 30: vendor website, 101: device ID, 102: compatible ID (CID), 200: updater, 202: class driver, 203: Dedicated driver 204: Application program 301: Dedicated driver management unit 302: Updater management unit

Claims (13)

A host device using an image forming apparatus for forming an image,
First identification information acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, first identification information that can be associated with a plurality of models including the model of the image forming apparatus;
A first device driver that can use a predetermined function among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus, and is acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit from first prepared device drivers. Installation means for detecting and installing the first device driver corresponding to the first identification information;
Second identification information acquisition means for acquiring second identification information corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing;
Among the functions of the image forming apparatus, the second device driver can use more functions than the first device driver, and the second identification information acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit Second device driver acquisition means for acquiring a corresponding second device driver from a management device that manages the second device driver;
With
The first device driver displays a predetermined message on the screen when an application program requests use of a function that is not supported by the first device driver, and when the predetermined message is updated, A host device that causes the second device driver acquisition means to acquire the second device driver from the management device, and updates the installed first device driver to the second device driver acquired from the management device. .   The second identification information acquisition unit acquires the second identification information from the second identification information storage unit and installs the acquired second identification information as the predetermined timing when the first device driver is installed. The host device according to claim 1, which is stored.   The second identification information acquisition means receives the update information from the second identification information storage means when the update instruction for instructing the update from the first device driver to the second device driver is input as the predetermined timing. 2. The host device according to claim 1, wherein the host device acquires identification information.   The host apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the update instruction is input when an update instruction button provided on the setting screen of the first device driver is operated.   4. The host device according to claim 3, wherein when printing is performed using the first device driver, a predetermined message is displayed on a screen, and the update instruction is input when the predetermined message is operated. A plurality of timings are prepared in advance as the predetermined timing,
These multiple timings are displayed on the screen when installing the first device driver, when an update instruction for instructing an update from the first device driver to the second device driver is input, and when printing. The host apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of a plurality of cases where a predetermined message is operated is included. The second device driver acquisition means acquires device driver update means for updating to the second device driver from the management apparatus and activates the device driver update means.
The device driver update means acquires and installs the second device driver corresponding to the second identification information from the management device,
The host device according to claim 1.   2. The host device according to claim 1, wherein the second identification information acquisition unit acquires the second identification information from a second identification information storage unit with user approval.   When the device driver associated with the application program is the first device driver, the application program causes the second device driver acquisition unit to acquire the second device driver from the management apparatus, and The host device according to claim 1, wherein the host device is updated by the second device driver.   The host device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is configured as a server device provided on a communication network, and is connected to the management device via a communication network. An image forming system comprising: a host device that outputs image forming data; and an image forming device that forms an image based on the image forming data input from the host device,
The image forming apparatus includes:
First identification information storage means for storing first identification information that can be associated with a plurality of models including the model of the image forming apparatus;
Second identification information storage means for storing second identification information corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus;
With
The host device is
First identification information acquisition means for acquiring the first identification information from the first identification information storage means;
A first device driver that can use a predetermined function among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus, and is acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit from first prepared device drivers. Installation means for detecting and installing the first device driver corresponding to the first identification information;
Second identification information acquisition means for acquiring the second identification information from the second identification information storage means at a predetermined timing;
Among the functions of the image forming apparatus, the second device driver can use more functions than the first device driver, and the second identification information acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit Second device driver acquisition means for acquiring a corresponding second device driver from a management device that manages the second device driver;
With
The first device driver displays a predetermined message on the screen when an application program requests use of a function that is not supported by the first device driver, and when the predetermined message is updated, The second device driver acquisition unit acquires the second device driver from the management apparatus, and updates the first device driver installed in the host apparatus to the second device driver acquired from the management apparatus. , Image forming system. A control method of a host device using an image forming apparatus for forming an image,
First identification information that can be associated with a plurality of models including the model of the image forming apparatus is acquired from the image forming apparatus,
A first device driver capable of using a predetermined function among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus, wherein the first identification obtained from the image forming apparatus among first device drivers prepared in advance. Detecting and installing the first device driver corresponding to the information;
At a predetermined timing, second identification information corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus is acquired from the image forming apparatus,
A second device driver capable of using more functions than the first device driver among the functions of the image forming apparatus, and corresponding to the second identification information acquired from the image forming apparatus. Two device drivers are acquired from a management device that manages the second device driver via a communication network;
The first device driver displays a predetermined message on the screen when an application program requests use of a function that is not supported by the first device driver, and when the predetermined message is updated, Causing the second device driver acquisition means to acquire the second device driver from the management apparatus, and updating the installed first device driver to the second device driver acquired from the management apparatus;
Host device control method. A computer program for controlling a host device that outputs image forming data for forming an image to an image forming device,
A computer that controls the host device;
Acquiring from the image forming apparatus first identification information that can be associated with a plurality of models including the model of the image forming apparatus;
A first device driver capable of using a predetermined function among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus, wherein the first identification obtained from the image forming apparatus among first device drivers prepared in advance. Detecting and installing the first device driver corresponding to the information;
Obtaining second identification information corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing;
A second device driver capable of using more functions than the first device driver among the functions of the image forming apparatus, and corresponding to the second identification information acquired from the image forming apparatus. Acquiring two device drivers from a management device that manages the second device driver via a communication network;
The first device driver displays a predetermined message on the screen when an application program requests use of a function that is not supported by the first device driver, and when the predetermined message is updated, Obtaining the second device driver from the management device by the second device driver obtaining means, and updating the installed first device driver to the second device driver obtained from the management device;
A computer program for running.

Images