JP7456275B2 - Installation program, information processing device, and package program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an installation program and the like for installing a device driver.

The following patent document describes that a device driver is used to execute a predetermined process by a device.

JP2013-175080A

For example, when a device driver is improved and a new device driver is developed, it is necessary to update the old driver, which is the device driver already installed in the information processing apparatus, to the new driver, which is the new driver. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to appropriately update the old driver to the new driver.

In order to solve the above problems, an installation program disclosed in an embodiment is a computer-readable installation program for an information processing device including a display interface and a user interface, the installation program This is for updating an old driver, which is a device driver already installed on the computer, to a new driver, which is a new device driver. an extraction means for extracting an old printer queue that is a printer queue associated with the identification information of the old driver acquired by the acquisition means from printer queues registered in an operating system; , reading means for reading device communication information set in association with the old printer queue extracted by the extracting means from the information processing apparatus; and displaying the identification information of the new driver acquired by the acquiring means. display control means for displaying on an interface; and when an operation for the identification information of the new driver displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, the new driver is read out by the reading means. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the information processing apparatus functions as an installation means for installing on the information processing apparatus so as to be set in the operating system in association with the device communication information.

The installation program disclosed in the embodiment can suitably update an old driver to a new driver.

1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an installation program 34. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an installation program 34. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an installation program 34. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing device information. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration file. 7 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 70. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 70. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a notification screen 100. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 110. 3 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 110. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration file. 3 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 130. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a new and old driver list 150. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a PC (an example of an information processing device) 10 and MFPs 50, 52, and 54. The MFPs 50, 52, and 54 are devices that can execute various processes such as scanning processing, printing processing, and fax transmission/reception processing.

The PC 10 mainly includes a CPU (an example of a computer) 12, a memory 14, an LCD (an example of a display interface) 16, an input I/F (an example of a user interface) 18, and a network I/F 20. These components are able to communicate with each other via bus 22.

The PC 10 is capable of communicating with the MFPs 50, 52, and 54 through the network I/F 20 and the network 58. As the communication method, for example, wired LAN, USB, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be adopted.

The CPU 12 executes processing according to the old first driver (an example of an old driver) 30, the old second driver (an example of an old driver) 32, the third driver 33, the installation program (an example of an installation program) 34, the new first driver (an example of a new driver) 36, the new second driver (an example of a new driver) 38, and the OS (an example of an operating system) 40 in the memory 14. The old first driver 30 is a device driver for executing a printing process, etc. by the MFP 50, and is already installed in the PC 10. On the other hand, the new first driver 36 is a new version of the device driver that is an improvement of the old first driver 30, and is stored in the memory 14 but is not installed in the PC 10. In other words, the old first driver 30 is an old version of the device driver for the MFP 50. Also, the old second driver 32 is a device driver for executing a printing process, etc. by the MFP 52, and is already installed in the PC 10. On the other hand, the new second driver 38 is a new version of the device driver that is an improvement of the old second driver 32, and is stored in the memory 14 but is not installed in the PC 10. That is, the old second driver 32 is an old version of the device driver of the MFP 52. The third driver 33 is a device driver for executing a printing process by the MFP 54, and has already been installed in the PC 10. A new version of the device driver of the third driver 33 has not been developed. The installation program 34 is a program for installing any of the device drivers, the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38, in the PC 10. The installation program 34 is packaged with the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38, and further, a setting file (an example of a setting file) 44 described later is also packaged. That is, the installation program 34, the new first driver 36, the new second driver 38, and the setting file 44 are packaged as a package program (an example of a package program) 46. The package program 46 is read from a CD-ROM inserted in the PC 10, or downloaded from a server. Furthermore, the OS 40 is, for example, an operating system such as Windows (registered trademark), MacOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), etc. In the following description, the CPU 12 that executes the installation program 34 etc. may be described simply as the program name. For example, the description "the installation program 34" may mean "the CPU 12 that executes the installation program 34."

The memory 14 also includes a data storage area 48 . The data storage area 48 is an area for storing data necessary for executing the installation program 34 and the like. Note that the memory 14 is configured by combining a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, a buffer included in the CPU 12, and the like.

Memory 14 may be a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above-mentioned examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Furthermore, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from servers on the Internet are a type of computer-readable signal medium, but non-transitory computer-readable storage Not included in media.

The LCD 16 displays various functions of the PC 10. The input I/F 18 includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is an interface for inputting user operations.

Note that this specification basically shows the processing of the CPU 12 according to instructions written in a program. That is, processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", "control", and "setting" in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 also includes hardware control via the OS 40. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without a request from the CPU 12 is also included in the concept of "the CPU 12 obtains data." Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Furthermore, data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Further, processing such as "command", "response", "request", etc. is performed by communicating information indicating "command", "response", "request", etc. Further, words such as "command", "response", "request", etc. may be written to mean the information itself indicating "command", "response", "request", etc.

In the communication system 1 having the above-described configuration, an arbitrary device driver among the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38 is selected by a user operation through the processing of the installation program 34, and the selected device driver is installed on the PC 10. It is possible to install it. Below, the processing of the installation program 34 when an arbitrary device driver selected by a user operation among the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38 is installed on the PC 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. This will be explained in detail using a flowchart.

First, the data storage area 48 stores device information for each device driver installed in the PC 10. Device information is information that is created every time a device driver is installed on the PC 10, and when a device driver is installed on the PC 10, the driver name (an example of identification information) of the device driver, the printer queue, Port information (an example of device communication information) for communicating with a device to be operated by the device driver is set in the OS 40 in association with the port information (an example of device communication information). Therefore, device information that includes the driver name of the installed device driver, the printer queue, and the port information associated when the device driver was installed is created when the device driver is installed. Then, each time device information is created, the created device information is stored in the data storage area 48. Note that the port information includes, for example, a communication port name used in Windows. For example, a port name such as "USB001" is used to communicate with a device connected to the PC 10 via USB. For example, a port name such as "COM1" is used to communicate with a device connected to the PC 10 via Bluetooth. For example, a port name such as "IP_111.222.111.222" (the number is an example of an IP address) is used to communicate with a device connected to the PC 10 via LAN. Further, the port information may be information including the IP address and TCP/IP port number of the device. Hereinafter, for convenience, port information will be exemplified as "PORT A."

In the PC 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, three pieces of device information A to C are stored in the data storage area 48. In device information A, a driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper", a printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper", and port information "PORT A" are associated. Note that the device information A is device information created when the old first driver 30 was installed. That is, the driver name and printer queue of the old first driver 30 are "MFP-12345XML Paper." Further, in the device information B, the driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper", the printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper", and the port information "PORT B" are associated. Note that the device information B is device information created when the old second driver 32 was installed. In other words, the driver name and printer queue of the old second driver 32 are "MFP-87654XML Paper." Further, in the device information C, the driver name "MFP-333XML Paper", the printer queue "MFP-333XML Paper", and the port information "PORT C" are associated. Note that the device information C is device information created when the third driver 33 is installed. In other words, the driver name and printer queue of the third driver 33 are "MFP-333XML Paper." Note that in the device information A to C, the driver name and the printer queue have the same name, but the printer queue may have a different name from the driver name depending on the user's operation.

In this way, a plurality of pieces of device information are stored in the data storage area 48, and the installation program 34 reads out all printer queues from these pieces of device information (S100). That is, the installation program 34 reads the printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper", "MFP-87654XML Paper", and "MFP-333XML Paper".

Further, the configuration file 44 of the package program 46 stores the driver name of a device driver that can be installed by the process of the installation program 34 and the driver name of a device driver that can be replaced with the device driver in association with each other. In other words, the configuration file 44 contains the driver name of the old version of the device driver before being updated by installation (hereinafter referred to as "old driver name"), and the driver name of the new version of the device driver after being updated by installation (hereinafter referred to as "old driver name"). , "new driver name") are stored in association with each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, as file 1, the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" and the new driver name "MFP-12345series" are stored in association with each other in the configuration file 44, and file 2 As such, the old driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper" and the new driver name "MFP-87654series" are stored in association with each other in the configuration file 44.

The new driver name "MFP-12345 series" is the driver name of the new first driver 36, and the new driver name "MFP-87654 series" is the driver name of the new second driver 38. As described above, the old driver name "MFP-12345 XML Paper" is the driver name of the old first driver 30, and the old driver name "MFP-87654 XML Paper" is the driver name of the old second driver 32. From this, it can be seen that the setting file 44 stores, as file 1, information indicating that the old first driver 30 is to be updated to the new first driver 36, and stores, as file 2, information indicating that the old second driver 32 is to be updated to the new second driver 38. In this way, the setting file 44 stores the driver name before the update (old driver name) and the driver name after the update (new driver name) in association with each other.

Therefore, the installation program 34 acquires the old driver name and the new driver name from the configuration file 44 in order to identify the driver name before the update and the driver name after the update (S102). That is, the installation program 34 obtains the combination of the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" and the new driver name "MFP-12345series" from file 1 of the configuration file 44, and obtains the combination of the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" from file 2. 87654XML Paper” and the new driver name “MFP-87654series”. Next, the installation program 34 extracts a printer queue with the same driver name as the old driver name acquired in S102 from all the printer queues read in S100 (S104). That is, in S100, three printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper", "MFP-87654XML Paper", and "MFP-333XML Paper" are read from the data storage area 48, and the drivers for these three printer queues As shown in FIG. 5, the names are "MFP-12345XML Paper", "MFP-87654XML Paper", and "MFP-333XML Paper". On the other hand, in S102, two old driver names "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper" are acquired from the configuration file 44. Therefore, in the process of S104, the installation program 34 retrieves the old driver names "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP- Extract printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper" with the same driver name as "87654XML Paper". Note that the printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper" are the printer queues of the old first driver 30 and the old second driver 32, so the printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML" "Paper" is written as the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper."

In this way, when the old printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper" are extracted (S106: YES), the installation program 34 extracts one of the old printer queues from among the extracted old printer queues. As the target old printer queue (hereinafter referred to as "target old printer queue"), the port information associated with the target old printer queue in the device information is read (S108). At this time, for example, if the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" is the target old printer queue, the installation program 34 reads the port information associated with the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" in the device information. . That is, in the device information, as shown in FIG. 5, the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" is associated with the port information "PORT A", so the installation program 34 reads the port information "PORT A". As a result, the device driver corresponding to the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper", that is, the port information "PORT A" for communicating with the MFP 50 to be operated by the old first driver 30 is read.

Next, the installation program 34 reads out the old driver name associated with the target old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" in the device information (S109). In other words, in the device information, as shown in FIG. 5, the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" is associated with the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper", so the installation program 34 reads out the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper".

Next, the installation program 34 identifies the new driver name associated with the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" in the configuration file 44 (S110). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the configuration file 44, in file 1, the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" is associated with the new driver name "MFP-12345series", so the installation program 34 installs the new driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper". Specify the name “MFP-12345series”.

The installation program 34 then displays the old and new driver list 70 on the LCD 16, as shown in FIG. 7 (S112). The old and new driver list 70 includes information 72 regarding the driver before the update (hereinafter referred to as "old driver information") and information 74 regarding the driver after the update (hereinafter referred to as "new driver information"). This is a list to be displayed, and includes the device driver of the target old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper", that is, the old driver information 72a of the old first driver 30, and the new first driver that is the updated device driver of the old first driver 30. A new and old driver list 70a in which the new driver information 74a of the driver 36 is associated with each other is displayed on the LCD 16.

Note that the old driver information 72 is displayed on the left side of the old and new driver list 70 and is composed of an old printer queue 78, an old driver name 80, old port information 82, and a deletion check column 84. The target old printer queue is displayed in the old printer queue 78, the old driver name read in S109 is displayed in the old driver name 80, and the old driver name read out in S108 is displayed in the old port information 82. Port information is displayed. Therefore, the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper" 78a, the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" 80a, and the old port information "PORT A" 82a are displayed as the old driver information 72a in the new and old driver list 70a. Ru.

The new driver information 74 is displayed on the right side of the old and new driver list 70, and is composed of a new printer queue 86, a new driver name 88, new port information 90, and a default check box 92. The new driver name 88 displays the new driver name identified in S110, the new printer queue 86 displays the same name as the new driver name 88, and the new port information 90 displays the same name as the old port information 82. Therefore, the new printer queue "MFP-12345 series" 86a, the new driver name "MFP-12345 series" 88a, and the new port information "PORT A" 90a are displayed as new driver information 74a in the old and new driver list 70a. The new printer queue "MFP-12345 series" 86a is displayed in a state that can be changed by user operation. In other words, by operating the new printer queue "MFP-12345 series" 86a with a mouse or the like, a cursor is displayed on the new printer queue "MFP-12345 series" 86a, and by inputting any character, "MFP-12345 series" can be changed.

Subsequently, the installation program 34 determines whether the above-described processes of S108 to S112 have been executed for all printer queues extracted in S104 (S114). Here, in S104, two old printer queues "MFP-12345XML Paper" and "MFP-87654XML Paper" are extracted, but in the above explanation, only for the old printer queue "MFP-12345XML Paper", The processes from S108 to S112 are executed, but the processes from S108 to S112 are not executed for the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper." Therefore, it is determined that the processes of S108 to S112 described above have not been executed for all of the extracted printer queues (S114: NO), and the process returns to S108.

Then, the installation program 34 sets the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" as the target old printer queue and reads out the port information associated with the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" in the device information (S108). That is, in the device information, as shown in FIG. 5, the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" is associated with the port information "PORT B", so the installation program 34 reads the port information "PORT B". As a result, the device driver corresponding to the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper", that is, the port information "PORT B" for communicating with the MFP 52 to be operated by the old second driver 32 is read.

Next, the installation program 34 reads the old driver name associated with the target old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" in the device information (S109). In other words, in the device information, as shown in FIG. 5, the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" is associated with the old driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper", so the installation program 34 ``Paper''.

Next, the installation program 34 identifies the new driver name associated with the old driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper" in the configuration file 44 (S110). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the configuration file 44, the old driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper" is associated with the new driver name "MFP-87654series" in file 2, so the installation program 34 installs the new driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper". Specify the name "MFP-87654series".

The installation program 34 then displays the new and old driver list 70b on the LCD 16 in addition to the new and old driver list 70a, as shown in FIG. 8 (S112). The old and new driver list 70b includes the old driver information 72b of the device driver of the target old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper", that is, the old second driver 32, and the new second driver that is the updated device driver of the old second driver 32. New driver information 74b of the driver 38 is displayed in correspondence. At this time, the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper" 78b, the old driver name "MFP-87654XML Paper" 80b, and the old port information "PORT B" 82b are displayed as the old driver information 72b in the old and new driver list 70b. Ru. Furthermore, as new driver information 74b in the old and new driver list 70b, a new printer queue "MFP-87654series" 86b, a new driver name "MFP-87654series" 88b, and new port information "PORT B" 90b are displayed. Note that the new printer queue "MFP-87654series" 86b is also displayed in a state that can be changed by user operation, similar to the new printer queue "MFP-12345series" 86a.

In this way, when the processes from S108 to S112 are executed for the old printer queue "MFP-87654XML Paper," it is assumed that the processes from S108 to S112 described above have been executed for all extracted printer queues. It is determined (S114: YES), and the installation program 34 determines whether or not the list check field has been operated (S116). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a list check column 96 is displayed at the upper left corner of the old and new driver list 70. The list check field 96 is a check field indicating whether or not to install a device driver according to the new driver information 74 displayed in the old and new driver list 70. A check mark "R" is displayed in the column 96, and the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74 is set as the device driver to be installed. That is, when the list check column 96a of the old and new driver list 70a is operated, the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74a, that is, the new first driver 36, is set as the device driver to be installed. Further, when the list check column 96b of the old and new driver list 70b is operated, the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74b, that is, the new second driver 38, is set as the device driver to be installed.

In addition, the old and new driver list 70 displays not only the list check field 96 but also the deletion check field 84 as the old driver information 72 and the default check field 92 as the new driver information 74, as described above. The deletion check column 84 is a check column indicating whether or not to delete the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72 after the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74 is installed. In other words, the deletion check column 84 is a check column indicating whether or not to delete the old version of the device driver after the new version of the device driver is installed. Then, by operating the deletion check field 84, a check mark "R" is displayed in the deletion check field 84, and the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72 including the deletion check field 84 is selected as the device driver to be deleted. Set. That is, when the deletion check column 84a of the old and new driver list 70a is operated, the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72a, that is, the old first driver 30, is set as the device driver to be deleted. Furthermore, when the deletion check column 84b of the old and new driver list 70b is operated, the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72b, that is, the old second driver 32, is set as the device driver to be deleted.

Further, the default check field 92 is a check field indicating whether or not to set the device operated by the processing of the new version of the device driver as the default printer after the new version of the device driver is installed. Then, by operating the default check field 92, a check mark "R" is displayed in the default check field 92, and the device of the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74 including the default check field 92 is set as the default printer. Set. That is, when the default check field 92a of the old and new driver list 70a is operated, the device of the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74a, that is, the MFP 50, is set as the default printer. Further, when the default check column 92b of the old and new driver list 70b is operated, the device of the device driver corresponding to the new driver information 74b, that is, the MFP 52, is set as the default printer.

In this way, the old and new driver list 70 displays the list check column 96, the delete check column 84, and the default check column 92, and the user can operate any of the check columns. Then, when any of the list check columns 96 is operated (S116: YES), the installation program 34 determines whether the install button 98 displayed below the old and new driver list 70 has been operated (S118). At this time, when the install button 98 is operated (S118: YES), the installation program 34 executes the installation process execution subroutine (S120).

In the installation process execution subroutine, the installation program 34 sets one of the old and new driver lists (hereinafter referred to as "selection list") whose list check field 96 has been operated as the target selection list, and selects the selection list as the target selection list. The new driver name 88 included in the new driver information 74 is specified (S200). For example, when the list check column 96a of the old and new driver list 70a and the list check column 96b of the old and new driver list 70b are operated and the old and new driver list 70a is selected as the target selection list, the installation program 34 The new driver name "MFP-12345series" 88a included in the new driver information 74a of 70a is specified. The installation program 34 then installs the device driver with the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 88a, that is, the new first driver 36, on the PC 10 (S202). At this time, the installation program 34 stores the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 88a, the new printer queue "MFP-12345series" 86a, and the new port information "PORT A" 90a included in the new driver information 74a of the old and new driver list 70a. It is associated and set in the OS 40. Further, device information is created that associates the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 88a, the new printer queue "MFP-12345series" 86a, and the new port information "PORT A" 90a, and is stored in the data storage area 48.

Subsequently, the installation program 34 determines whether an operation has been performed on the deletion check column 84a of the target selection list, that is, the old and new driver list 70a (S204). At this time, if there is an operation in the deletion check column 84a of the old and new driver list 70a (S204: YES), the installation program 34 installs the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72a of the old and new driver list 70a, that is, the old 1 driver 30 is deleted (S206). On the other hand, if there is no operation in the deletion check column 84a of the old and new driver list 70a (S204: NO), the process of S204 is skipped.

Next, the installation program 34 determines whether the above-described processes of S200 to S206 have been executed for all selection lists (S208). Here, the list check field 96a of the old and new driver list 70a and the list check field 96b of the old and new driver list 70b are operated, and in the above explanation, the processes of S200 to S206 are executed only for the old and new driver list 70a, The processes of S200 to S206 have not been performed on the old and new driver list 70b. Therefore, it is determined that the processes of S200 to S206 described above have not been executed for all selection lists (S208: NO), and the process returns to S200.

Then, the installation program 34 uses the old and new driver list 70b as a target selection list and specifies the new driver name "MFP-87654series" 88b included in the new driver information 74b of the old and new driver list 70b. The installation program 34 then installs the device driver with the new driver name "MFP-87654series" 88b, that is, the new second driver 38, on the PC 10 (S202). At this time, the installation program 34 updates the new driver name "MFP-87654series" 88b, the new printer queue "MFP-87654series" 86b, and the new port information "PORT B" 90b included in the new driver information 74b of the old and new driver list 70b. It is associated and set in the OS 40. Further, device information is created that associates the new driver name "MFP-87654series" 88b, the new printer queue "MFP-87654series" 86b, and the new port information "PORT B" 90b, and is stored in the data storage area 48.

Subsequently, the installation program 34 determines whether or not there is an operation on the deletion check column 84b of the target selection list, that is, the old and new driver list 70b (S204). At this time, if there is an operation in the deletion check column 84b of the old and new driver list 70b (S204: YES), the installation program 34 installs the device driver corresponding to the old driver information 72b of the old and new driver list 70b, that is, the old 2 driver 32 is deleted (S206). On the other hand, if there is no operation in the deletion check column 84b of the old and new driver list 70b (S204: NO), the process of S204 is skipped.

In this way, when the processes of S200 to S206 are executed for the old and new driver list 70b, it is determined that the processes of S200 to S206 described above have been executed for all selection lists (S208: YES), The installation program 34 updates the list display (S210). That is, for example, if the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38 are installed and the old first driver 30 and the old second driver 32 are deleted, all of the information regarding the old and new driver list 70a and the old and new driver list 70b is Since the process has been completed, the old and new driver list 70a and the old and new driver list 70b are hidden from view on the LCD 16, and a notification screen 100 is displayed on the LCD 16 as shown in FIG. A comment indicating that the target device driver has been installed is displayed on the notification screen 100. On the other hand, for example, if the new second driver 38 has been installed and the old second driver 32 has been deleted, but the new first driver 36 has not been installed, all processing related to the old and new driver list 70b is completed. However, the installation process of the new first driver 36 has not been completed regarding the old and new driver list 70a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the old and new driver list 70b is not displayed on the LCD 16, but the old and new driver list 70a is displayed. For example, if the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38 are installed and the old second driver 32 is deleted, but the old first driver 30 is not deleted, the new and old driver list 70b Although all the processes have been completed, the process of deleting the old first driver 30 from the old and new driver list 70a has not yet been completed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the old and new driver list 70b is not displayed on the LCD 16, but the old and new driver list 70a is displayed.

In this way, the installation program 34 updates the list display, thereby completing the processing by the installation program 34. As a result, any device driver among the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38 is selected by the user's operation, and the selected device driver is installed on the PC 10. Note that if a printer queue is not extracted in S106 (S106: NO), a printer queue with the same driver name as the old driver name set in the configuration file 44 is stored in the data storage area 48 as device information. It means that it has not been done. In other words, there is no device driver to be updated in the PC 10. Therefore, if the printer queue is not extracted (S106: NO), the installation program 34 displays the notification screen 100 shown in FIG. 9 on the LCD 16 (S122). This completes the processing by the installation program 34.

Note that the CPU 12 that executes S102 is an example of an acquisition unit. The CPU 12 that executes S104 is an example of an extraction means. The CPU 12 that executes S108 is an example of a reading unit. The CPU 12 that executes S112 is an example of display control means. The CPU 12 that executes S202 is an example of an installation means. The CPU 12 that executes S206 is an example of a deletion unit.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, one updated device driver is prepared for one unupdated device driver, but in the second embodiment, one unupdated device driver is prepared. A plurality of updated device drivers are prepared for the device, and any one of the plurality of device drivers is installed.

Specifically, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a new and old driver list 110 is displayed on the LCD 16, as in the first embodiment. Note that the old and new driver list 110 is substantially the same as the old and new driver list 70a in the first embodiment. Also, in the new and old driver list 110, old driver information 112 and new driver information 114 are displayed in correspondence. The old driver information 112 is exactly the same as the old driver information 72a of the old and new driver list 70a of the first embodiment. On the other hand, the new driver information 114 is substantially the same as the new driver information 74a of the old and new driver list 70a of the first embodiment, but only the display mode of the new driver name 116 is different. Specifically, "MFP-12345series" is displayed in the new driver name 116, similar to the new driver name 88a of the new driver information 74a of the first embodiment, but on the right side of "MFP-12345series" A pull-down button is displayed. When the new driver name 116 is operated, a pull-down menu 118 is displayed below the new driver name 116, as shown in FIG. The pull-down menu 118 displays three driver names: "MFP-12345series," "MFP-12345GDI," and "MFP-12345BR-Script3." This is because three new driver names are stored in correspondence with one old driver name in the configuration file 44 of the second embodiment. In other words, as shown in FIG. 12, the configuration file 44 of the second embodiment includes the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" and the new driver names "MFP-12345series", "MFP-12345GDI", and "MFP-12345XML Paper". 12345BR-Script3" are stored in association with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, in the new driver information 114 corresponding to the old driver information 112 including the old driver name "MFP-12345XML Paper" 120, the pull-down menu 118 for the new driver name 116 includes "MFP-12345series". ”, “MFP-12345GDI”, and “MFP-12345BR-Script3” are displayed.

In the pull-down menu 118, it is possible to select only one of the multiple driver names. Then, by selecting one of the multiple driver names in the pull-down menu 118, the device driver with the selected driver name is set as the device driver to be installed. Then, by operating the list check column 122 of the old and new driver list 110 and operating the install button 124, the device driver to be installed is installed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, for example, when "MFP-12345 series" is selected in the pull-down menu 118, the device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345 series" is installed. As a result, when multiple updated device drivers are prepared for one pre-update device driver, any one of the multiple updated device drivers can be installed.

In the second embodiment, the package program includes a device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345series," a device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345GDI," and a device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345BR-Script3." is memorized. Therefore, in the pull-down menu 118, an operation is performed to select any one of the three driver names "MFP-12345series", "MFP-12345GDI", and "MFP-12345BR-Script3". Then, the device driver with the selected driver name is installed.

Further, in the second embodiment described above, it was possible to select only one arbitrary driver name among the plurality of driver names, but in the third embodiment, it was possible to select any one driver name among the plurality of driver names. It is possible to select any number of driver names, and the selected device drivers are installed.

Specifically, in the third embodiment, the old and new driver list 130 is displayed on the LCD 16 as shown in FIG. 13. The old and new driver list 130 is substantially the same as the old and new driver list 110 in the second embodiment, but the display mode of the new driver information 132 in the old and new driver list 130 is different from the display mode of the new driver information 114 in the old and new driver list 110. In detail, in the new driver information 114 in the old and new driver list 110, a pull-down menu 118 is displayed by operating the new driver name 116, and multiple new driver names are displayed in the pull-down menu 118. On the other hand, in the new driver information 132 in the old and new driver list 130, multiple new driver names 134a, b, c are displayed individually. Specifically, the new driver name "MFP-12345 series" 134a, the new driver name "MFP-12345GDI" 134b, and the new driver name "MFP-12345BR-Script3" 134c are displayed individually.

Additionally, a new printer queue 136, a default check field 138, and a driver name check field 140 are also displayed corresponding to each of the plurality of new driver names 134. In the plurality of driver name check fields 140 corresponding to the plurality of new driver names 134, it is possible for the user to select one or more arbitrary check fields among the plurality of driver name check fields 140. There is. Therefore, for example, by operating the driver name check field 140a corresponding to the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 134a, the device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345series" is set as the device driver to be installed. Also, by operating the driver name check field 140a corresponding to the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 134a and the driver name check field 140b corresponding to the new driver name "MFP-12345GDI" 134b, the driver name "MFP- 12345series" and the device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345GDI" are set as the device drivers to be installed. Furthermore, by operating all the driver name check fields 140a, b, and c, the device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345series", the device driver with the driver name "MFP-12345GDI", and the device driver with the driver name "MFP -12345BR-Script3" device driver is set as the device driver to be installed. Then, by performing an operation on the list check column 146 of the old and new driver list 130 and an operation on the install button 148, the device driver to be installed is installed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As a result, if multiple updated device drivers are prepared for one pre-updated device driver, any one or more of the updated device drivers can be installed. I can do it. That is, in the third embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, it is possible to install any plurality of device drivers among the plurality of updated device drivers prepared for one pre-updated device driver. I can do it.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the same name as the new driver name 88 is displayed in the new printer queue 86 in the old and new driver list 70 as shown in FIG. 8, but in the fourth embodiment, The new printer queue displays the same name as the old printer queue.

Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the old and new driver list 150 is displayed on the LCD 16 as shown in FIG. 14. The old and new driver list 150 is substantially the same as the old and new driver list 70a in the first embodiment, but the name of the new printer queue 152 in the old and new driver list 150 is different from the name of the new printer queue 86a in the old and new driver list 70a. In detail, in the old and new driver list 70a in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the new printer queue 86a displays "MFP-12345 series", which is the same as the new driver name 88a. On the other hand, in the old and new driver list 150 in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the new printer queue 152 displays "12345MyPrinter", which is the same as the old printer queue 154, rather than "MFP-12345 series", which is the same as the new driver name 153. In the old and new driver list 150, the old printer queue 154 and the old driver name 156 are different. The reason for this is thought to be that the user intentionally changed the printer queue when using the device driver before the update. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the new printer queue 152 of the updated device driver is displayed as "12345MyPrinter", which is the same as the old printer queue 154 used when using the device driver before the update. Then, by operating the list check column 158 of the old and new driver list 150 and operating the install button 160, the device driver with the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 153 is installed. At this time, the new printer queue "12345MyPrinter" 152 of the old and new driver list 150, the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 153, and the new port information "PORT A" 162 are associated and set in the OS 40. As a result, even after the device driver is installed and updated, various processes can be performed using the same printer queue as the device driver before the update.

Note that when installing an updated device driver, that is, a new version of the device driver, the new version of the device driver cannot be installed using the same printer queue as the old version of the device driver. Therefore, before the new version of the device driver is installed, the name of the printer queue of the old version of the device driver is changed. That is, the printer queue "12345MyPrinter" of the old version of the device driver is changed to "MFP-12345AAA", for example. Then, a new version of the device driver is installed, and at that time, the new printer queue "12345MyPrinter" 152, the new driver name "MFP-12345series" 153, and the new port information "PORT A" 162 are associated, and the OS 40 is set to As a result, a new version of the device driver can be appropriately installed using the same printer queue as the old version of the device driver.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

The installation program 34 acquires the old driver name and new driver name that are associated with each other from the configuration file 44 (S102: see FIG. 2). The installation program 34 then extracts a printer queue with the same driver name as the old driver name from the printer queues stored as device information (S104). Next, the installation program 34 reads the extracted printer queue and the port information associated with it in the device information (S108). Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the installation program 34 displays the old and new driver list 70 including the new driver name 88 obtained from the configuration file 44 on the LCD 16 (S112: see FIG. 4). Then, when the list check column 96 of the old and new driver list 70 is operated, the installation program 34 sets the device driver with the new driver name 88 in the OS 40 in association with the port information read in S108. , install (S202: see FIG. 5). Thereby, the user can install the device driver to be installed by simply operating the list check column 96 of the old and new driver list 70. Furthermore, processing by the updated device driver can be executed using the same port information as the device driver before the update.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the old and new driver list 70, a new printer queue 86 is also displayed along with a new driver name 88 of the device driver to be installed. This allows you to select the device driver to be installed after also checking the printer queue. Furthermore, the new printer queue 86 displayed in the old and new driver list 70 can be changed by user operation. This allows the user to change to the printer queue desired by the user.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, in the old and new driver list 150, the device driver to be installed, that is, the new printer queue "12345MyPrinter" 152 of the updated device driver is replaced by the old printer queue "12345MyPrinter" of the device driver before the update. It is said to be the same as 154. By installing the device driver using the old printer queue, it becomes possible to perform various processes using the same printer queue as the device driver before the update even in the device driver updated by the installation. Note that before the device driver is installed using the old printer queue, the name of the printer queue of the device driver before the update, that is, the old printer queue is changed. Then, the device driver to be installed is installed so that it is set in the OS 40 in association with the new printer queue "12345MyPrinter" 152, which is the same as the old printer queue. This allows the updated device driver to perform processing using the same printer queue as the pre-updated device driver's printer queue.

Furthermore, the package program 46 includes an installation program 34, a configuration file 44, a new first driver 36, and a new second driver 38. In the configuration file 44, the driver name of the new first driver 36 and the driver name of the old first driver 30 are stored in association with each other, and the driver name of the new second driver 38 and the driver name of the old second driver 32 are stored. The name is stored in association with the name. That is, the configuration file 44 stores the driver name of the device driver to be installed (new driver name) and the driver name of the device driver before update (old driver name) in association with each other. Then, the installation program 34 acquires the new driver name and the old driver name that are associated with each other from the configuration file 44, and installs the device driver with the new driver name. Thereby, by using the package program 46, it is possible to efficiently install the device driver to be installed.

Further, the device driver before the update is deleted after the installation of the device driver to be installed is properly executed. This makes it possible to protect against the risk of device driver installation failure. Furthermore, deletion of the device driver before update is executed when the deletion check column 84 of the old and new driver list 70 is operated. Thereby, the device driver before the update can be deleted according to the user's intention.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, a plurality of updated device drivers are prepared for one unupdated device driver, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, In the old and new driver lists 110 and 130, a plurality of new driver names "MFP-12345series", "MFP-12345GDI", and "MFP-12345BR-Script3" are displayed as the driver names of the device drivers to be installed. Then, the device driver with the operated driver name among the plurality of new driver names is installed. With this, when a plurality of updated device drivers are prepared for one pre-updated device driver, any one of the plurality of device drivers can be installed. In addition, in the third embodiment, multiple new driver names are selected from the multiple new driver names "MFP-12345series", "MFP-12345GDI", and "MFP-12345BR-Script3" displayed in the old and new driver list 130. It is considered possible to do so. As a result, when a plurality of updated device drivers are prepared for one pre-updated device driver, any number of the updated device drivers can be installed. Furthermore, in the old and new driver list 130, new printer queues 136 with different names are displayed in association with each of the multiple new driver names "MFP-12345series", "MFP-12345GDI", and "MFP-12345BR-Script3". has been done. With this, when selecting an arbitrary device driver from a plurality of device drivers, it is possible to refer not only to the driver name but also to the printer queue.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, the device drivers to be installed, that is, the new first driver 36 and the new second driver 38, are packaged into the package program 46 and stored in the PC 10; The device driver may be stored in another device, such as a server, and the PC 10 may obtain the device driver to be installed from the other device.

Furthermore, the old driver name stored in the configuration file 44 only needs to be a name that allows the old first driver 30 or the old second driver 32 to be identified, and does not need to be the official name of each driver. In other words, it may be a driver name stored in the data storage area 48 as device information, or a name obtained by omitting a small part of the official driver name. On the other hand, the new driver name in the configuration file 44 is only used when displayed in the old and new driver list 70, so it is not as limited as the old driver name and can be set relatively freely. For example, the driver name may be stored in the data storage area 48 as device information, or it may be a nickname of the new driver. Furthermore, the new driver name in the configuration file 44 may be a printer queue created using the driver name.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example was explained in which the processes shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are executed by the CPU 12, but these processes are not limited to the CPU 12, but may be executed by an ASIC or other logic integrated circuit. , these processes may be executed by the cooperation of a CPU, ASIC, or other logic integrated circuit.

10: PC, 12: CPU, 16: LCD, 18: Input I/F, 30: 1st old driver, 32: 2nd old driver, 34: Installation program, 36: New 1st driver, 38: New 2nd Driver, 40: OS, 44: Settings file, 46: Package program

Claims (13)

A computer-readable installation program for an information processing device comprising a display interface and a user interface, the program comprising:
The installation program includes:
This is for updating an old driver that is a device driver already installed in the information processing device to a new driver that is a new device driver,
The computer,
acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the old driver and identification information of the new driver;
Extracting means for extracting an old printer queue that is a printer queue associated with the identification information of the old driver acquired by the acquiring means from printer queues registered in an operating system;
reading means for reading device communication information set in association with the extracted old printer queue from the information processing apparatus when the old printer queue is extracted by the extraction means;
Display control means for displaying identification information of the new driver acquired by the acquisition means on the display interface;
When an operation for the identification information of the new driver displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, the new driver is associated with the device communication information read by the reading means and the installation means for installing on the information processing device so as to be set in an operating system;
screen display control means for displaying on the display interface a notification screen indicating that there is no old driver to be updated when the old printer queue is not extracted by the extraction means;
An installation program that functions as follows. The display control means includes:
displaying a list of a new printer queue that is a printer queue corresponding to the identification information of the new driver and the old printer queue extracted by the extraction means on a predetermined screen on the display interface, together with the identification information of the new driver; and at that time, displaying the old printer queue extracted by the extracting means as the new printer queue,
The installation program according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined screen is updated after the installation by the installation means is completed . The display control means includes:
3. The installation program according to claim 2, wherein the notification screen is displayed on the display interface when updating the predetermined screen after the installation by the installation means is completed. The installation means includes:
When an operation for the identification information of the new driver displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, after changing the old printer queue registered in the operating system, the new driver is changed. 4. The installation program according to claim 2 , wherein the installation program is installed in the information processing apparatus so as to be set in the operating system in association with the old printer queue. The installation program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the installation program is packaged together with a configuration file constituted by identification information of the old driver and identification information of the new driver, and a new driver. . The acquisition means is
6. The installation program according to claim 5 , wherein identification information of the old driver and identification information of the new driver are acquired from the configuration file. The computer,
7. The installation program according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the old driver after the installation unit has installed the new driver. The deletion means is
8. When an operation for deleting the old driver is received via the user interface, the old driver is deleted after the new driver is installed by the installing means . Installation program listed. The acquisition means is
Obtain identification information for multiple new drivers,
The display control means includes:
displaying identification information of the plurality of new drivers acquired by the acquisition means on the display interface;
The installation means includes:
When an operation for any identification information among the identification information of the plurality of new drivers displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, the new driver of the identification information for which the operation was accepted is , installed in the information processing apparatus so as to be set in the operating system in association with the device communication information read by the reading unit. installation program. The acquisition means is
Obtain identification information for multiple new drivers,
The display control means includes:
displaying identification information of the plurality of new drivers acquired by the acquisition means on the display interface;
The installation means includes:
Each of the plurality of new drivers is installed in the information processing apparatus so as to be set in the operating system in association with the device communication information read by the reading means. 8. The installation program according to any one of Items 8 to 8. The display control means includes:
11. The installation program according to claim 9 , wherein a different printer queue is displayed in association with each of the plurality of new driver identification information acquired by the acquisition means. An information processing device comprising a display interface, a user interface, and a computer,
the computer in order to update an old driver, which is a device driver already installed in the information processing device, to a new driver, which is a new device driver;
acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the old driver and identification information of the new driver;
Extracting means for extracting an old printer queue that is a printer queue associated with the identification information of the old driver acquired by the acquiring means from printer queues registered in an operating system;
reading means for reading device communication information extracted and set in association with the old printer queue from the information processing apparatus when the old printer queue is extracted by the extraction means;
Display control means for displaying identification information of the new driver acquired by the acquisition means on the display interface;
When an operation for the identification information of the new driver displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, the new driver is associated with the device communication information read by the reading means and the an installation means for installing on the information processing device so as to be set in an operating system;
screen display control means for displaying on the display interface a screen indicating that there is no old driver to be updated when the old printer queue is not extracted by the extraction means;
An information processing device characterized by functioning as an information processing device. A computer-readable installation program for an information processing device including a display interface and a user interface, a new driver, and a configuration file constituted by identification information of an old driver and identification information of the new driver are packaged. A package program that is
The installation program is for updating the old driver, which is a device driver already installed in the information processing apparatus, to the new driver, which is a new device driver,
The installation program includes:
The computer,
acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the old driver and identification information of the new driver from the configuration file;
Extracting means for extracting an old printer queue that is a printer queue associated with the identification information of the old driver acquired by the acquiring means from printer queues registered in an operating system;
reading means for reading device communication information extracted and set in association with the old printer queue from the information processing apparatus when the old printer queue is extracted by the extraction means;
Display control means for displaying identification information of the new driver acquired by the acquisition means on the display interface;
When an operation for the identification information of the new driver displayed on the display control means is accepted via the user interface, the new driver is associated with the device communication information read by the reading means and the installation means for installing on the information processing device so as to be set in an operating system;
screen display control means for displaying on the display interface a screen indicating that there is no old driver to be updated when the old printer queue is not extracted by the extraction means;
A package program that is characterized by its functions.

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