JPH11328079A - Information processor, connection state display method, information processing system, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easily confirmable an actual connection state and to make immediately graspable the location of a device to be used by acquiring system setting information, confirming the connection relation among devices according to the acquired system setting information, and displaying a screen, on which the connection relation can be recognized. SOLUTION: When a USB printer manager 1102, a scanner driver 1103, and a printer driver 1104 call an API, a USB port monitor 1105 interprets and converts instructions of the called API and pass them to a USB port driver 1106. An OS USB driver stack 1107 directly controls the USB port of a host computer 101 according to control instructions received from the USB port driver 1106 to send and receive data to and from a USB printer/scanner device 1108. Thus, since an instruction giving a notice that the device has been selected to the selected device is outputted, the connection state can be confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a display method for displaying a connection state of an OA device such as a printer or a scanner connected to an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, when a plurality of printers and scanners are connected to an information processing apparatus such as a host computer to execute printing of an original or reading of an original, a user needs to print a paper or an original to be read. In order to set the device to be used, it is necessary to confirm how the device is connected to the information processing device.

Further, in order for a user to associate a device driver with each connected device by operating a display on the information processing device, for example, it is necessary to determine to which port of the information processing device the device to be used is connected. It is necessary to confirm.

Therefore, conventionally, when a scanner device or the like is connected via a parallel interface such as a Centronics interface in which one device is connected to one port, each port of the interface is connected to the port. By displaying on the display of the information processing device, port connection information (for example, a display indicating that "scanner device A is connected to LPT port 1") associated with the device being used, the user can use the device. It was possible to easily confirm which device should be connected and to which port of the information processing device the device is connected.

[0005]

However, in a system in which an information processing apparatus has an interface capable of cascade (serial) connection such as a USB port or star connection, and a plurality of scanners and the like are connected to the interface, Conventionally, it has not been possible to confirm how each device is connected to an information processing device only with the port connection information described above. For example, in an example in which an information processing apparatus has one port, and a total of four printers and the like are sequentially connected in cascade (serial) from this port, the user can connect each apparatus to the information processing apparatus in any order. There is a problem that it is not possible to grasp whether the devices are actually connected in series and to immediately determine where the device to be used is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily confirm the actual connection state of a plurality of connected devices and to immediately locate a device to be used. It is an object to provide an information processing apparatus, a connection state display method, an information processing system, and a storage medium that can be grasped.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, and obtains system setting information provided by an operating system. And display means for recognizing a connection relationship between a plurality of devices based on the system setting information acquired by the acquisition device and displaying a screen on which the connection relationship between the plurality of devices can be recognized.

[0008] An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, wherein acquisition means for acquiring the connection information of the plurality of devices, and connection information acquired by the acquisition means. And comparing means for comparing the lengths of the character strings of the connection information of the plurality of devices, and display means for displaying the connection status of the plurality of devices according to the comparison result by the comparison means. And

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a small-sized, low-cost printer having a document printing function / document image reading function by mounting a detachable scanner / printer cartridge on a carriage of a serial printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating features of an embodiment of an information processing system in which a plurality of scanner devices are connected to a host computer. In the figure, 101 is a notebook type host computer (information processing device), 102 is a printer / scanner device A, 103 is a printer / scanner device B, 104 is a printer / scanner device C, and 105 is a printer / scanner device D.

The notebook type host computer 101 has a USB hub with two connections, and each printer / scanner device 10
2, 103, 104, and 105 have USB hubs with one connection.

The devices constituting the system are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and the host computer 101, the printer / scanner A102, and the host computer 101,
The printer / scanner device B103, the printer / scanner device C104, and the printer / scanner device D105 are cascaded (series) in this order.

When the connection is made as described above, the printer / scanner A10 is viewed from the host computer 101.
2 is the printer / scanner B10 in the USBPRN01 port
3 is the USBPRN02 port, is the printer / scanner device C1
04 is a printer / scanner device D10 on the USBPRN03 port
5 appears to be connected to the USBPRN04 port.

In this embodiment, the printer / scanner devices are simply connected in cascade (series), but a star connection can be added by connecting a plurality of connectable hubs.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the notebook type host computer 101 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a USB connector, and 202 denotes an enlarged view of the USB connector. 203 is a USB connector 1 and 204 is a USB connector 2, and the host computer has a total of two USB interface connectors.

FIG. 3 is a rear view common to each of the printer / scanner apparatuses 102, 103, 104, and 105 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a USB connector, and 302 denotes an enlarged view of the USB connector. is there. Also, 3
03 is a USB connector 3, 304 is a USB connector 4,
The printer / scanner device has a total of two USB I / F connectors.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a USB cable according to the present embodiment.

4, the USB connector 1 on the back of the host computer 101 and the USB connector 4 on the back of the printer / scanner device A102, the USB connector 2 on the back of the host computer 101 and the connector 4 of the printer / scanner device B103, the printer / scanner The USB connector 3 on the back of the scanner B103 and the USB connector 4 on the back of the printer / scanner C104, the USB connector 3 on the back of the printer / scanner C104 and the USB connector 4 on the back of the printer / scanner D105 are connected.

That is, the printer / scanner device A10
2 and the printer / scanner B103 are connected to the hub of the notebook type host computer 101, the printer / scanner C104 is connected to the hub of the printer / scanner B103, and the printer / scanner D105 is connected to the hub of the printer / scanner C104. Will be.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the notebook type host computer 101 in the present embodiment. AC adapter (rated voltage 20
[V], 54 [W]) 501 and nickel-metal hydride secondary battery (rated voltage 12 [V], 2700 [mA / h]) 502
There is. The built-in functions include the power supply unit 50
3. Power Management IC504, CPU505, BIOS5
06, LCD507, Video Controller (VGAC) 508,
Video memory (VRAM) 509, hard disk drive (HDD) 510, hard disk controller (HDC)
511, DMA controller (DMAC) 512, port (PORT)
513, floating point processor (FPU) 514, real time clock (RTC) 515, keyboard controller
(KBC) 516, keyboard 517, system main memory 518, floppy disk controller (FDC)
519, floppy disk drive (FDD) 52
0, an interrupt controller (IRQC) 521, a serial interface (SIO) 522, and the like. Port 5 for USB I / F
13 is provided via a USB port included therein.

FIG. 6 shows a printer / printer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the scanner device. In the figure, 601 is a panel unit including a power switch, a resume switch, a power display LED, and an error display LED switch, 602 is a power supply unit, 603 is a printer controller, 604 is a system memory (ROM), and 605 is a system memory (ROM). A multiprocessor unit (MPU), 606 is a motor control unit composed of a CR motor (carriage motor) and an LF motor (line feed motor), 607 is a printer head, 608 is a USB interface controller,
9 is a USB connector, and 610 is a multiprocessor unit (MPU) for USB.

FIG. 7 shows a printer / printer according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a front cover of the scanner device is opened. In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a front cover.
Reference numeral 702 denotes a cartridge exchange switch, and reference numeral 703 denotes a cartridge holder. The cartridge exchange switch is a toggle switch. Cartridge exchange switch 70
When 2 is pressed, the cartridge holder 703 moves left and right.

In the initial state, the cartridge holder 70
3 is located at the right end of the printer when viewed from the front. Thereafter, when the cartridge replacement switch 702 is pressed, the cartridge holder 703 moves to the center of the printer, and the cartridge can be replaced. When the cartridge replacement switch 702 is further pressed, the cartridge holder 703 moves to the right end of the printer when viewed from the front again.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a printer / printer according to this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scanner device with a front cover opened when a cartridge is removed. In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a front cover. 802 is a cartridge exchange switch, 803 is a cartridge holder, 80
Reference numeral 4 denotes a printer cartridge.

A method for removing the cartridge will be described with reference to FIG.

In order to remove the cartridge, first, the cartridge replacement switch 802 is depressed, and the cartridge holder 803 is moved to the center of the printer, so that the cartridge can be replaced. Next, the cartridge holder 803
Is operated by operating the cartridge attaching / detaching lever attached thereto. Finally, the cartridge 804 is manually removed from the cartridge holder 803. When the cartridge removal is completed, the printer becomes unusable.

FIG. 9 shows a printer / printer according to this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scanner device with a front cover opened when a cartridge is mounted. In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes a front cover, and 902 denotes a cartridge replacement switch. 903 is an enlarged view of a cartridge holder portion, 904 is a cartridge holder, 905 is a cartridge attaching / detaching lever, and 906 is a printer cartridge.

A method for mounting the cartridge will be described with reference to FIG.

In order to mount the cartridge, first, the cartridge 906 is manually mounted on the cartridge holder 904. Next, the cartridge 906 is fixed to the cartridge holder 904 by operating the cartridge attaching / detaching lever 905 attached to the cartridge holder 904. Finally, the user presses the cartridge exchange switch 902 to move the cartridge holder 904 to the right end of the printer as viewed from the front. When the cartridge installation is completed, the printer is ready for use.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a scanner cartridge that can be mounted on the printer / scanner device according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a housing of a scanner cartridge; 1002, a connector portion as an internal I / F for making electrical contact when a cartridge holder is mounted; 1003, three colors (red, red,
A light-emitting unit of a green (green) LED (light-emitting diode) 1004 is a light-receiving unit that receives light reflected from a document. Light reflected from the document is converted into image data by a photoelectric conversion element (Basis sensor).

The scanner cartridge 1001 used for scanning an image and the printer cartridge used for printing have the same shape, and are detachable from the printer / scanner device. There are a total of five types of printer cartridges, a monochrome printer cartridge (one type) and a color printer cartridge (four types).

Next, the host computer 10 having the above configuration will be described.
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of printer / scanner apparatuses are connected to the first apparatus will be described.

FIG. 11 shows an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of printer / scanner devices are connected to the host computer having the above-described configuration.
FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of software for controlling 104 and 105.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1101 denotes a USB copy utility, which is application software having a function of printing image data read from a specific printer / scanner device to a specific printer / scanner device. The USB copy utility 1101 can acquire information on the printer / scanner device from the USB printer manager 1102 using a dedicated API.

A USB printer manager 1102 monitors the status of each printer / scanner device.
This is monitoring and control software having a function of notifying other software programs of information on the printer / scanner device, a function of automatically starting the copy utility 1101 in response to a change in the status of the printer / scanner device, and the like.

Reference numeral 1103 denotes a scanner driver (IS Scan US)
B), which is device driver software having a function of controlling a specific printer / scanner device to scan a document and read image data, and a function of transferring the read image data to specific application software. Scanner driver 1103 is U
The information of the printer / scanner device can be acquired from the SB printer manager 1102.

Reference numeral 1104 denotes a printer driver, which is device driver software having a function of controlling a specific printer / scanner device and printing (printing) image data generated by specific application software. In order to execute printing (printing) using all the printer / scanner devices existing in the system, the printer driver 1104 must be registered in association with one connected printer / scanner device one by one. No (see FIG. 20).

The printer driver 1104 can acquire printer / scanner information from the USB printer manager 1102 using a dedicated API.

Reference numeral 1105 denotes a USB port monitor.
Printer manager 1102, scanner driver 110
3 and a printer driver 1104 provide an application programming interface (API) used to control the printer / scanner device.

As the API, USB port control commands such as a command to open a specific USB port, a command to close a specific USB port, a command to write data to a specific USB port, and a command to read data from a specific USB port are prepared. ing.

USB printer manager 1102, scanner driver 1103, and printer driver 1104
Calls the API, the USB port monitor 1105 interprets the called API command, converts the API command, and delivers it to a USB port driver 1106 described later.

Reference numeral 1106 denotes a USB port driver.
After interpreting the control command received from the port monitor 1105, the command is further converted and passed to an OS USB driver stack 1107 described later.

Reference numeral 1107 denotes an operating system USB driver stack (OS USB driver stack)
According to the control command received from the USB port driver 1106, the USB port of the host computer 101 is directly controlled to transmit and receive data to and from the USB printer / scanner device 1108.

Each of the above software programs is developed in the system main memory 518 of the host computer 101 and executed by the CPU 505.

FIG. 12 shows a main screen of the user interface displayed by the USB printer manager 1102 in the information processing apparatus connected as shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1201 denotes an end button. When this button is pressed, the USB printer manager 11
02 ends. A help button 1202 displays help information when this button is pressed.

Reference numeral 1203 denotes a USB connection status display unit, which displays the USB connection status of the printer / scanner device in an overhead view. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a nozzle check pattern print button.
At step 3, a nozzle check pattern printing start command is issued to the selected printer / scanner device. Reference numeral 1205 denotes a demo pattern print button.
The printer / device selected in the B connection status display section 1203
Issues a demonstration pattern printing start command to the scanner device.
A cleaning button 1206 issues a cleaning start command to the printer / scanner device selected in the USB connection status display unit 1203 when this button is pressed. A cartridge replacement button 1207 issues a cartridge replacement start command to the printer / scanner device selected by the USB connection status display unit 1203 when this button is pressed. Reference numeral 1208 denotes a message notification check box. Reference numeral 1209 denotes a port selection box. By operating this box, the USB connection status display unit 1201 is displayed.
In step 3, the selected printer / scanner device can be changed. Reference numeral 1210 denotes an OK button. When this button is pressed, the display of the USB printer manager 1102 is reduced in size.

FIG. 13 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the USB connection status display section 1203. Referring to FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes a bit map representing the state of the printer / scanner device connected to the USB port. Reference numeral 1302 denotes text indicating the status of the printer / scanner device connected to the USB port. Reference numeral 1303 denotes a simple control function pop-up menu, which is displayed by right-clicking with the mouse connected to the host computer in the connection status display section.

Reference numeral 1304 denotes a scroll bar, which can be operated to move the display screen of the USB connection status display section right and left. Reference numeral 1305 denotes a status display unit of the printer / scanner device A102 in FIG. 1306 is FIG.
It is a status display section of the middle printer / scanner device B103. 1307 is a printer / scanner device C104 in FIG.
5 is a status display section. Reference numeral 1308 denotes a status display unit of the printer / scanner device D105 in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a display screen when the title bar of the USB printer manager 1102 is right-clicked with the mouse connected to the host computer 101 when two printer / scanner devices are connected to the host computer 101. is there. In the figure, reference numeral 1401 denotes a title bar. Reference numeral 1402 denotes a system menu.

FIG. 15 shows a USB copy utility 1101 and a scanner driver 110 with two printer / scanner devices connected to the host computer 101.
3 is a display screen when a scanner / printer device selection command usable for scanning is issued to the USB printer manager 1102. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 1501 denotes a scanner / printer device selection request message window used for scanning, 1502 denotes a printer / scanner device A 102 usable for scanning, and 1503 denotes a printer / scanner device B 104 usable for scanning.

FIG. 16 shows connection information of the printer / scanner device stored in the host computer 101 in the information processing system connected as shown in FIG.

The process of creating a system setting information database (registry) by the OS will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S3501, the user connects the printer / scanner device to the host computer.

Next, the process advances to step S3502, and thereafter, the software (OS USBDriver Sta.)
ck (1107)), and the connection of the device in S3501 is detected.

In step S3503, the OS-attached software searches the registry to determine whether the detected connection information has already been registered.

The process advances to step S3504 to determine whether connection information has been registered in the registry.

If it is determined in step S3504 that the software has not been registered, the process advances to step S3505 to register the connection information of the device in which the software attached to the OS has been detected in the registry, and ends the processing.

If it is determined in S3504 that the information has been registered, the process ends.

The connection information is created by the operating system (OS) and stored in a system setting information database (registry) provided by the OS. In the figure, reference numeral 1601 denotes USB hub connection information of the host computer 101. Reference numeral 1602 denotes hub connection information of the printer / scanner A102. Reference numeral 1603 denotes hub connection information of the printer / scanner device D105. 1604 is a printer /
This is the connection information of the hub of the scanner device C104. Reference numeral 1605 denotes hub connection information of the printer / scanner device B103. Reference numeral 1606 denotes connection information of the printer / scanner device A102. Reference numeral 1607 denotes connection information of the printer / scanner device D105. 160
Reference numeral 8 denotes connection information of the printer / scanner device C104. Reference numeral 1609 denotes connection information of the printer / scanner device B103. The connection information changes depending on the connection status of the printer / scanner device.

The connection information of a specific printer / scanner always includes connection information of a hub to which the printer / scanner is connected.

For example, a printer / scanner device A102
Connection information 1606 "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & ROO
T_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "
Contains the connection information "PCI &VEN_8086" of the USB hub of the host computer to which the printer / scanner device A102 is connected.
& DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 ".

Then, the printer / scanner device A102
"4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB &R" of connection information 1606
The character string “1USB” included in OOT_HUB & PCI... Indicates that the printer / scanner device A102 is connected to the USB hub 1 of the two USB hubs provided in the host computer 101.

FIG. 17 shows the information processing system connected as shown in FIG.
02 is the detailed information of the printer / scanner device A102 associated with the connection information 1602 of No. 02.

The detailed information is stored in the host computer in a file format. 17, reference numeral 1701 denotes device driver registration information associated with the printer / scanner device A102. In the present embodiment, the device driver associated with the printer / scanner device A102 is “USB ¥ 0003”. Reference numeral 1702 denotes status information of the printer / scanner device A102. When the printer / scanner device A102 is normally connected by USB I / F, this value is set to "0x00000001". On the other hand, if the printer / scanner device A102 has a USB I / F
If the connection is not successful, this value will be "0x0000000
Set to 0 ".

In this embodiment, only the detailed information of the printer / scanner device A102 associated with the connection information of the printer / scanner device A102 will be described.
In the system, detailed information of each printer / scanner device associated with the connection information of the printer / scanner device B103, the printer / scanner device C104, and the printer / scanner device D105 also exists in the same format.

FIG. 18 shows the printer / scanner device A1 of FIG. 17 in the information processing system connected as shown in FIG.
02 is the port connection information of the printer / scanner device A102 associated with the detailed information No. 02.

The port connection information is stored in a file format in the host computer. In the figure, 180
Reference numeral 1 denotes device driver registration information associated with the printer / scanner device A102. In the present embodiment,
The device driver associated with the printer / scanner device A102 is "USB ¥ 0003". This registration information is the same as the device driver registration information 1701 associated with the printer / scanner device A102.

Reference numeral 1802 denotes a printer / scanner device A1
02 connection port information. In this embodiment, the connection port of the printer / scanner A102 is "USBPRN01".

In the present embodiment, only the port connection information of the printer / scanner device A102 associated with the connection information of the printer / scanner device A102 will be described.
3. The detailed information of each printer / scanner device associated with the connection information of the printer / scanner device C104 and the printer / scanner device D105 also exists in the same format.

FIG. 19 shows detailed information of the printer driver registered in association with the printer / scanner device A102 in the information processing system connected as shown in FIG. This information is associated with the port connection information of the printer / scanner device A102.

This detailed information is stored in the file format of the host computer 101 only when the printer driver 1104 is registered in association with the printer / scanner device.
Is stored in

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes connection port information of the printer / scanner A102. This information is the connection port information 180 of the printer / scanner device A102.
Same as 2. 1902 denotes a printer / scanner device A
This is the friendly name of the printer driver registered in association with 102. In the present embodiment, the friendly name of the printer driver registered in association with the printer / scanner device A102 is "BJC-43
0J USB ".

In this embodiment, only the detailed information of the printer driver registered in association with the printer / scanner A102 will be described.
The detailed information of the printer driver associated with the connection information of the printer / scanner device B103, the printer / scanner device C104, and the printer / scanner device D105 also exists in the same format.

FIG. 20 shows registration information of the printer driver 1104 stored in the host computer 101 in the information processing system connected as shown in FIG.

The registration information is stored in the host computer 101 in a file format only when the printer driver is registered in association with the printer / scanner device. In the figure, reference numeral 2001 denotes registration information of the printer driver A1104 registered in association with the printer / scanner device A102, and a character string "BJC-430J USB".
Is a printer friendly name that identifies the printer driver A1104. This information is associated with the printer driver detailed information in FIG.

Reference numeral 2002 denotes a printer / scanner device B10
Printer driver B1104 registered in association with No. 3
Is registered information, and the character string "BJC-430J USB (Copier-2)"
A printer friendly name for identifying the printer driver B 1104. Reference numeral 2003 denotes registration information of the printer driver C1104 registered in association with the printer / scanner device C1104, and the character string "BJC-430J USB (copy 3)" is a printer friendly name for identifying the printer driver C1104. 2004 is a printer /
This is registration information of the printer driver D1104 registered in association with the scanner device D105, and includes a character string "BJC-430".
“J USB (copy 4)” is a printer-friendly name that identifies the printer driver D1104.

In the registration information, one printer driver is registered in association with one printer / scanner device. The printer friendly name identifying each printer driver can be changed by the user by rewriting the character string.

FIG. 21 is a list of bitmaps displayed on the USB connection status display section 1203. The bitmap is
A total of 24 types are prepared for a total of 12 types, two sets for selection and non-selection. The difference between the selected and unselected bitmaps is that the background color is different.

In the figure, reference numeral 2101 denotes a bitmap representing the host computer 101; 2102, a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device in which a color printer cartridge is mounted in a usable state;
03 is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device in which a monochrome printer cartridge is mounted in a usable state, 2104 is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device in which a scanner cartridge is mounted in a usable state, and 2105 is a used bitmap. A bitmap representing a printer / scanner device in an unusable state and an unknown mounting cartridge, a bitmap 2106 representing a printer / scanner device with a color printer cartridge mounted in an unusable state, and 2107 an unusable state Is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device with a monochrome printer cartridge mounted thereon, 2108 is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device with a scanner cartridge mounted in an unusable state, and 2109 is an information unavailable state Is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device whose mounting cartridge is unknown, 2110 is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device having a color printer cartridge mounted in a state where information cannot be obtained, and 2111 is a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device in which a color printer cartridge has been mounted. Reference numeral 2112 denotes a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device to which a color printer cartridge is attached. Reference numeral 2112 denotes a bitmap representing a printer / scanner device to which a scanner cartridge is attached in a state where information cannot be acquired.

FIG. 22 is a list of texts displayed on the USB connection status display section 1203. Eight types of texts are prepared in the form of "port name notation part (driver information notation part / cartridge information notation part)". The port name notation section describes the USB port name of the host computer to which the printer / scanner device is connected. In the driver information notation part, device driver information registered in association with the printer / scanner device is described. The cartridge information notation section describes information on cartridges mounted on the printer / scanner device.

In the figure, reference numeral 2201 denotes a text displayed when the printer / scanner device is usable, a printer driver is registered in association with the printer driver, and a printer cartridge is mounted. At this time, a printer friendly name for identifying the printer driver is described in the driver information notation section, and a print (printer) cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Reference numeral 2202 denotes text displayed when the printer / scanner device is usable, the scanner driver is registered, and the scanner cartridge is mounted. At this time, the driver information notation section
A scanner driver name is described, and a scanner cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Reference numeral 2203 denotes that the current device driver information and cartridge information cannot be obtained when the printer / scanner device is unusable, and that the device driver information and cartridge information have been obtained at least once after the first system startup. This is the text that will be displayed if none exists. At this time, "Driver unknown" is displayed in the driver information notation section.
And the cartridge information notation section describes "cartridge unknown".

Reference numeral 2204 denotes that the current device driver information and cartridge information cannot be obtained when the printer / scanner device is in an unusable state. However, in the past, device driver information and cartridge information have been obtained after the first system startup. Is the text to be displayed in the case. At this time, the recently obtained device driver name is described in the driver information notation section, and the recently obtained cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Reference numeral 2205 denotes text displayed when the printer / scanner device is unusable, the printer driver is not registered in association with the printer driver, and the printer cartridge is mounted. At this time,
In the driver information notation section, "No printer driver" is described, and in the cartridge information notation section, printing (printer)
A cartridge name is described.

Reference numeral 2206 denotes a text representing the case where the printer / scanner device is unusable, the scanner driver is not registered in association with the scanner driver, and the case where the scanner cartridge is mounted. At this time, "no scanner driver" is described in the driver information notation section, and the scanner cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Reference numeral 2207 denotes a text displayed when the printer / scanner device cannot acquire information and the device driver information and the cartridge information have never been acquired after the first system startup. At this time, the recently obtained device driver name is described in the driver information notation section, and the recently obtained cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Reference numeral 2208 denotes a text displayed when the printer / scanner device is in a state where information cannot be obtained and device driver information and cartridge information have been obtained after the first system startup in the past. At this time, the recently obtained device driver name is described in the driver information notation section, and the recently obtained cartridge name is described in the cartridge information notation section.

Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the operation of processing for acquiring information on a plurality of printer / scanner devices to which the USB printer manager 1102 is connected will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29.

FIG. 23 shows a host computer 101 according to the present embodiment in which a total of four printer / scanner devices 102,
FIG. 3 shows an information storage structure for storing information of each printer / scanner device in an information processing system to which 103, 104, and 105 are connected. This information storage structure is prepared for each printer / scanner device.

In the figure, reference numeral 2301 denotes a device driver area for storing device driver information.
Has a byte area. The device driver information is stored in this area as a character string. Reference numeral 2302 denotes a connection port information area having a 16-byte area for storing connection port information. The connection port information is stored in this area as a character string. A connection information area 2303 has a 256-byte area for storing connection information. The connection information is stored in this area as a character string. A cartridge information area 2304 has a 4-byte area for storing cartridge information. In this area, cartridge information is stored as an integer from 0 to 6. The meaning of each integer is as follows.

0: No cartridge installed 1: Monochrome printer cartridge 2: Color printer cartridge 1: Color printer cartridge 2: Color printer cartridge 3: Color printer cartridge 4: Scanner cartridge

Reference numeral 2305 denotes a status information area having a 4-byte area for storing status information. In this area, status information is stored as an integer from 0 to 3. The meaning of each integer is as follows.

0: Unusable state 1: Available state 2: Inaccessible state

FIGS. 24, 25, 26, 27, 2
8, FIG. 29 shows the host computer 10 of the present embodiment.
One printer / scanner 102, 103, 10
In an information processing system connecting 4,105 devices,
24 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process in which the USB printer manager 1102 acquires information of each printer / scanner device and stores the information in the structure of FIG.

First, in step S2401, the program is stored in the printer / printer stored in the host computer 101.
The connection information (FIG. 16) of the scanner device is read. In this embodiment, the connection information 1606 of the printer / scanner B103, the connection information 1607 of the printer / scanner C104, the connection information 1608 of the printer / scanner D105, and the connection information 1609 of the printer / scanner A102 can be read.

Next, in step S2402, it is determined whether there is a printer / scanner device for which information has not yet been acquired. If the information of all the printer / scanner devices has been obtained, the program ends. On the other hand, if there is a printer / scanner device for which information has not been acquired, the process advances to step S2403. Step S2403
Thereafter, information acquisition processing of each printer / scanner device is started.

In step S2403, detailed information of each printer / scanner is searched, and status information is read. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the detailed information of the printer / scanner device A102 in FIG. 17 is searched, and the status information 1702 is read.

Next, the value of the status information read in step S2404 is checked, and the printer / scanner device
It is determined whether or not the connection is normally made by the I / F. If the status information is set to "0x00000001", it is determined that the connection is normally established, and the process advances to step S2405.
On the other hand, if it is set to "0x00000000", it is determined that the connection is not made normally, and the process returns to step S2402 to check the next printer / scanner device. Printer /
In the information acquisition process of the scanner device A102, the printer /
The status information of the scanner device A 102 is “0x00000001”
Therefore, the process proceeds to step S2405.

In step S2405, device driver registration information 1701 included in the detailed information of the printer / scanner A102 in FIG. 17 is read. Now the device driver registration information is "USB \ 0003".

Next, in step S2406, the associated port connection information is searched using the read device driver registration information, and the connection port information is read. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, when searching using the device driver registration information "USB \ 0003", the port connection information of the printer / scanner device A102 in FIG.
Read PNR01 ".

Next, in step S2407, the connection port information is stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the connection information "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_
HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7072 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "in the connection information area 2303 of the structure shown in FIG. 23, and the connection information" USBPRN01 "of the printer / scanner A102 in the connection port information area 2302 of the structure shown in FIG.
Save each.

Next, the process proceeds to step S2501 of processing 2, and a connection port is opened to access the printer / scanner device. In the port open processing, the port open instruction AP
Executed by calling I. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device, the API is called using the connection port "USBPRNA" as a parameter.

Next, in step S2502, it is checked whether or not the connection port has been normally opened, that is, the execution result of the port open instruction API is checked. If the opening of the port fails, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is being used by another software program, and the process advances to step S2503. In step S2503, the inaccessible status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 2 (inaccessible state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, step S29 of process 7
Go to 01.

If the port can be opened in step S2502, the flow advances to step S2504 to issue a device ID acquisition command to the printer / scanner. Device ID command issuance processing writes data to the port using the device ID acquisition command as a parameter
Executed by calling the API.

Next, the flow advances to step S2505 to change the device
Check whether the ID acquisition command has been issued normally. If the command is not issued, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is in an unusable state for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2508. In step S2508, the unusable status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. Printer / scanner device A1
In the information acquisition process 02, the integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information 2305 area of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

If the command is successfully issued in step S2510, the flow advances to step S2506 to set the printer /
Obtain a device ID from the scanner device. As long as the operation is normal, the printer / scanner apparatus proceeds to step S25.
As soon as the device ID acquisition command issued in step 04 is received, its own device ID is prepared, so this information is read. The device ID acquisition process is performed by using a data read API from a port.

Next, the flow advances to step S2507 to determine whether the device ID has been normally obtained. If acquisition of the device ID has failed, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is unusable for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2508. In step S2508, the unusable status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. Printer / scanner A
In the information acquisition process of 102, the integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG.
Save. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

On the other hand, if the device ID has been successfully acquired in step S2507, the flow advances to step S2509 to issue a status acquisition command to the printer / scanner device. The status acquisition command issuance processing is executed by calling a data write API to a port using the status acquisition command as a parameter.

Next, the flow advances to step S2510 to check whether the status acquisition command has been normally issued. If the command is not issued, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is in an unusable state for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2508. In step S2508, the unusable status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. Printer / scanner device A1
In the information acquisition process 02, the integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

On the other hand, if the command issuance is successful in step S2501, the process 3 proceeds to step S2601.
In step S2601, status information is acquired from the printer / scanner device. As long as it is working properly,
Upon receiving the status acquisition command issued in step S2509, the printer / scanner device prepares its own status information, and reads this information. Status acquisition processing reads data from the port
Done using the API.

Then, the flow advances to step S2602 to determine whether or not status information has been normally obtained. Here, if acquisition of status information fails, the printer /
It is determined that the scanner device is unusable for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2603. Step S260
In step 3, the unusable status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Then, step S of processing 7
Proceed to 2901.

On the other hand, if the status information has been successfully obtained in step S2602, the flow advances to step S2604.
In step S2604, it is determined whether the obtained status information is a usable status. If the acquired status information is not the usable status, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is in an unusable state for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2603. Step S26
In step 03, the unusable state status is stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device. Printer /
In the information acquisition process of the scanner A102, an integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

On the other hand, if the status information acquired in step S2604 is the usable status, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is available, and the flow advances to step S2605 to issue a cartridge information acquisition command to the printer / scanner device. I do. The cartridge information acquisition command issuance processing is performed by using the cartridge information acquisition command as a parameter,
Executed by calling I.

Next, the flow advances to step S2606 to determine whether the cartridge information acquisition command has been normally issued. If the command is not issued, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is unusable for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2603.

In step S2603, the unusable status is stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

On the other hand, if the command has been successfully issued in step S2606, the flow advances to step S2607 to acquire cartridge information from the printer / scanner device. As long as the printer / scanner device normally operates, it receives the cartridge information acquisition command issued in step S2605 and immediately prepares the cartridge information attached to itself, so it reads this information. API for reading cartridge information from port
This is done using

Next, the flow advances to step S2608 to determine whether cartridge information has been normally obtained. Here, if acquisition of cartridge information fails, it is determined that the printer / scanner device is unusable for some reason, and the process proceeds to step S2603. Step S26
In step 03, the unusable state status is stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device. Printer /
In the information acquisition process of the scanner A102, an integer 0 (unusable state) is stored in the status information area 2305 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2901 of process 7.

On the other hand, if the acquisition of the cartridge information is successful in step S2608, step S270 of process 4
Proceed to 1. In step S2701, it is checked whether the acquired cartridge information is “scanner cartridge”. If the cartridge information is not “scanner cartridge”, the flow advances to step S2801 of process 6. On the other hand, if the acquired cartridge information is “scanner cartridge”, the process advances to step S2702.

In step S2702, scanner cartridge information is stored in association with printer / scanner device connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 6 (scanner cartridge) is stored in the cartridge information area 2304 of the structure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 2703.

In step S2703, it is determined whether a scanner driver exists in the host computer 101 of the system. The existence check process of the scanner driver 1103 is performed by searching whether the main execution file of the scanner driver 1103 exists on the hard disk driver of the host computer 101.

Next, if the main execution file of the scanner driver 1103 exists in step S2704, it is determined that the scanner driver exists, and the flow advances to step S2801 of process 6. On the other hand, the scanner driver 110
If the third main execution file does not exist, it is determined that the scanner driver 1103 does not exist, and the process advances to step S2705.

In step S2705, the driver information "no scanner driver" is stored in association with the printer / scanner device connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the character string "no scanner driver" is stored in the device driver area of the structure shown in FIG.
Save. After that, the process returns to step S2402 to start the information acquisition processing of the next printer / scanner device.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S2701 and step S2704 to process 6, first, step S2701
At 2801, the printer cartridge information is stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device. The cartridge information to be stored is the cartridge information acquired in step S2609. Printer / scanner device A102
In the information acquisition process, one of the integers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is stored in the cartridge information area 2304 of the structure shown in FIG. 23 (the value to be stored is attached to the printer / scanner A102). Depends on the type of printer cartridge used). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2802.

In step S2802, step S240
The printer driver detailed information is searched using the connection port information read in step 6. Printer / scanner device A10
In the information acquisition process 2, the printer driver detailed information in FIG. 19 is searched using the port connection information “USBPRN01”.

Next, in step S2803, it is determined whether printer driver detailed information exists. The search for the printer driver detailed information is performed by searching an information file stored in the host computer 101 using the port connection information as a search key. If the printer driver detailed information does not exist, it is determined that there is no printer driver 1104 registered in the system in association with the printer / scanner device whose information is currently being acquired, and the process advances to step S2804.

In step S2804, the driver information "no printer driver" is stored in association with the printer / scanner device connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the character string "no printer driver" is stored in the device driver area 2301 of the structure shown in FIG. After that, the process returns to step S2402 to start the information acquisition processing of the next printer / scanner device.

On the other hand, if there is printer driver detailed information in step S2803, the system determines that there is a printer driver registered and associated with the printer / scanner device whose information is currently being acquired, and proceeds to step S2805. . In step S2805, the printer driver friendly name included in the printer driver detailed information is read.

Next, in step S2806, the printer /
The printer driver friendly name is stored in association with the connection information of the scanner device. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the printer driver friendly name "BJC-430J USB" is stored as a character string in the device driver area 2301 of the structure shown in FIG. 23 (step S2807). Then, step S
In step 2808, the usable status is stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device (selection unit). After that, the process returns to step S2402 to start the information acquisition processing of the next printer / scanner device.

The following describes steps S2503 and S250
8, a case where the process proceeds from S2603 to process 7 will be described. First, in step S2901, the driver information stored in association with the connection information of the printer / scanner device in the previous information acquisition is read. Then, step S29
In 02, it is determined whether or not data exists in the driver information stored in the previous information acquisition. If there is no data in the driver information, the process advances to step S2903 to save the driver information "driver unknown" as a character string in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the character string "driver unknown" is stored in the device driver area 2301 of the structure shown in FIG. Then, in step S2904,
To save the cartridge non-mounting information as an integer in association with the printer / scanner device connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 0 is entered in the cartridge information area 2304 of the structure shown in FIG.
Save. After that, the process returns to step S2402 to start the information acquisition processing of the next printer / scanner device. Then, the process is repeated until the information acquisition of all the printer / scanner devices existing in the system is completed.

On the other hand, if there is data in the driver information in step S2902, the flow advances to step S2905 to read the cartridge information stored in association with the printer / scanner connection information in the previous information acquisition.

In step S2906, it is determined whether or not data exists in the cartridge information stored in the previous information acquisition. If there is no data in the cartridge information, the process advances to step S2903 to save the driver information "driver unknown" as a character string in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the character string "driver unknown" is stored in the device driver area 2301 of the structure shown in FIG. Next, the process advances to step S2904 to store the cartridge non-mounting information as an integer in association with the printer / scanner device connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the integer 0 is stored in the cartridge information area 2304 of the structure shown in FIG. After that, the process returns to step S2402 to start the information acquisition processing of the next printer / scanner device. Then, the process is repeated until the information acquisition of all the printer / scanner devices existing in the system is completed.

On the other hand, if there is data in the cartridge information in step S2906, the flow advances to step S2907 to store the read storage driver information in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the driver information read is stored as a character string in the device driver area 2301 of the structure shown in FIG.

The flow advances to step S2908 to store the read storage cartridge information in association with the printer / scanner connection information. In the information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device A102, the read cartridge information is stored as an integer in the cartridge information area 2304 of the structure shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S2402 to start the next printer / scanner information acquisition process. Then, the process is repeated until the information acquisition of all the printer / scanner devices existing in the system is completed.

In this embodiment, when the system is started, the above-described information acquisition process is repeated once every six seconds. The acquired information is stored in the host computer for two times. That is, the information acquired in the immediately preceding acquisition process and the information acquired in the current acquisition process are stored.

When the information acquisition process is executed, the contents of the data storage structure change according to the state of the printer / scanner device. In the present embodiment, there are nine patterns of change in the contents of the data storage structure. The details will be described below.

Pattern 1 When the printer / scanner device is inaccessible and there is no driver information or head information saved in the past (xx part of the character string depends on the connection status) Device driver area = Character string "Driver unknown" Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = Character string "xxxxxxxxx"
xxxx "Cartridge information area = integer 0 Status information area = integer 2

Pattern 2 When the printer / scanner device is inaccessible and driver information and head information saved in the past exist (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = String storage driver information Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = Character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = Integer Storage cartridge information Status information area = Integer 2

Pattern 3 When the printer / scanner device is unusable and there is no driver information or head information stored in the past (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = Character string "Driver unknown" Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = Character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = Integer 0 Status information area = Integer 0

Pattern 4 When the printer / scanner device is unusable and there is driver information and head information saved in the past (xx part of the character string depends on the connection status) Device driver area = Character string Save driver information Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNx
x "connection information area = character string" xxxxxxxxx
xxxx "Cartridge information area = integer Storage cartridge information Status information area = integer 0

Pattern 5 When the printer / scanner device is usable, the installed cartridge is a printer cartridge, and the printer driver is registered in the system (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = Character string Printer driver friendly name Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = Character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = Integer Acquired printer cartridge information Status information area = Integer 1

Pattern 6 When the printer / scanner device is usable and the installed cartridge is a printer cartridge and the printer driver is not registered in the system (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = Character string "No printer driver" Connection port information area = Character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = Character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = Integer Acquired printer cartridge information Status information area = Integer 0

Pattern 7 When the printer / scanner device is usable, the installed cartridge is a scanner cartridge, and the printer driver is registered in the system (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = character string Printer driver friendly name Connection port information area = character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = integer 6 Status information area = integer 1

Pattern 8: When the printer / scanner device is usable, the installed cartridge is a scanner cartridge, and the printer driver is not registered in the system (the xx part of the character string depends on the connection status). Device driver area = string "No printer driver" Connection port information area = string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = integer 6 Status information area = integer 1

Pattern 9 When the printer / scanner device is usable and the installed cartridge is a scanner cartridge and the system does not have a scanner driver (character string
Device driver area = character string "No scanner driver" Connection port information area = character string "USBPRNxx" Connection information area = character string "xxxxxxxxxxx" Cartridge information area = integer 6 Status information area = integer 0

The operation of displaying information of a plurality of printer / scanner devices to which the USB printer manager is connected in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 30, 31, 32, and 33. explain.

FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, and FIG. 33 show USB information processing systems in which a total of four printer / scanner devices 102, 103, 104, and 105 are connected to the host computer 101 of this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process in which the printer manager acquires information on each printer / scanner device by the above-described process, and displays the information on the detailed explanatory diagram of the USB connection status display unit in FIG. 13.

First, in step S3001, the program determines whether display information of all printer / scanner devices has been created. If the creation of all display information has been completed, the process proceeds to processing 3 to check the connection order of each printer / scanner device. On the other hand, if creation of all display information has not been completed, the process advances to step S3002.

In step S3002, the status information and cartridge information of the printer / scanner device stored in the information acquisition process are read. Next, the status information and the cartridge information read in step S3003 are checked, and one display bitmap whose information content matches is selected from the bitmap list in FIG. For example, if the status information is available and the cartridge information is a color printer cartridge, the bitmap 2102 in FIG. 21 is selected.

Next, proceeding to step S3004, the program secures a memory buffer for creating a display text. Next, in step S3005, the connection port information of the printer / scanner device stored in the information acquisition process is read, and in step S3006,
The connection port information read in step S3005 is copied and stored in the display text creation memory buffer created in step S3004. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3101 of process 2.

In step S3101, step S30
The cartridge information read in 02 is checked by the scanner cartridge. If the read cartridge information is not a scanner cartridge, the process advances to step S3103.
If the read cartridge information is a scanner cartridge, the process advances to step S3102.

In step S3102, step S30
It is determined whether the status information read in 02 is in a usable state. If the read status information is not in the usable state, the process advances to step S3103. On the other hand, if the read status information is in a usable state, step S
Proceeding to 3105, the scanner driver name character string "IS Scan USB" is used as device driver information in step S3004.
Copy and save to the display text creation memory buffer created in. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3106.

Next, the case where the process proceeds from step S3101 and step S3102 to step S3103 will be described. In step S3103, the device driver information of the printer / scanner device saved at the time of the information acquisition process is read, and then in step S310
In step 4, the device driver information read in step S3103 is copied and stored in the display text creation memory buffer created in step S3004. After this,
Proceed to step S3106.

In step S3106, step 300
The cartridge information read in step 2 is checked to create a cartridge name character string for information display.

That is, when the cartridge information is an integer 0 (cartridge is not mounted), a cartridge name character string “cartridge unknown” is created, and the cartridge information is an integer 1
In the case of (monochrome printer cartridge), a cartridge name character string "monochrome BJ cartridge" is created, and the cartridge information is an integer 2 (color printer cartridge 1).
In the case of, the cartridge name character string "color BJ cartridge 1" is created, and when the cartridge information is an integer 3 (color printer cartridge 2), the cartridge name character string "
When the color BJ cartridge 2 "is created and the cartridge information is an integer 4 (color printer cartridge 3), a cartridge name character string" color BJ cartridge 3 "is created and the cartridge information is an integer 5 (color printer cartridge 4). At this time, a cartridge name character string “color BJ cartridge 4” is created, and the cartridge information is an integer 6
In the case of (scanner cartridge), a cartridge name character string "scanner cartridge" is created.

The flow advances to step S3107 to copy and save the cartridge name character string created in step S3106 to the display text creation memory buffer created in step S3004. Then, step S30
Returning to 01, display information of the next printer / scanner device is created.

A case will be described below where the creation of display information for all printer / scanner devices has been completed in step S3001.

In step S3201 of process 3, the program reads the connection information of all the printers / scanners stored in the information acquisition process. In step S3202, the length of the character string of the connection information of each printer / scanner device read in step S3201 is compared to check the connection order of the printer / scanner devices. Next, in step S3203, the bitmap selected in step S3003 and the display text stored in the buffer memory are connected as information of each printer / scanner device in accordance with the connection order checked from the information read in step S3002. USB port as shown in Fig. 12
It is displayed in the connection status 1203.

Hereinafter, step S3202 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described in detail.

In step S3301 of FIG. 33, the program checks the length of the character string of the connection information of each printer / scanner read in step S3201, and sorts them in ascending order.

In this embodiment, the connection information shown in FIG.・ Connection information of printer / scanner A102: "4USB &
VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & ROOT_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7
020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "・ Connection information of printer / scanner device B103:" 4USB &
VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7
020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "・ Connection information of printer / scanner device C104:" 4USB &
VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT
_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "-Connection information of printer / scanner device D105:" 4USB &
VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & PID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & VID_
04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 &
BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "

Therefore, if each printer / scanner device is sorted in the order of the shortest character string, the printer / scanner device A102, printer / scanner device B103, printer / scanner device C104, printer / scanner device D
105. However, printer / scanner device A1
02 and the printer / scanner device B103 have the same character string length, so it is determined that these two devices have the same rank.

Next, the flow advances to step S3302 to determine that the printer / scanner device having the shortest connection information character string is connected to the USB hub of the host computer.

In this embodiment, the connection information of the printer / scanner A102 and the printer / scanner B10
Since the connection information of No. 3 has the same length and is the shortest, it is determined that these two devices are connected to the USB hub of the host computer 101.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S3303, where it is determined whether the printer / scanner device having the shortest connection information character string is connected to the USB hub of the host computer 101. Specifically, it is used that connection information of a specific printer / scanner device always includes connection information of a hub to which the printer / scanner device is connected.

For example, in the present embodiment, the printer /
Scanner A102 connection information "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1
000 & 1USB & ROOT_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV
_07 & FUNC_02 "is the connection information of the USB hub of the host computer 101 to which the printer / scanner device A102 is connected." PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_0
2 "is included.

Then, the printer / scanner device A102
Connection information of "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & ROOT_HUB & PC
The printer / scanner A102 is provided in the host computer by the character string "1USB" included in "I ...".
It can be seen that one of the USB hubs is connected to USB hub 1.

Similarly, the printer / scanner device B103
Connection information of "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_HUB & PC
"I & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 &FUNC_02" contains the connection information of the USB hub of the host computer 101 to which the printer / scanner device B103 is connected, "PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV
_7020 & BUS_00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 ".

Then, the printer / scanner device B103
Connection information of "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_HUB & PC
The character string “2USB” included in “I...” Indicates that the printer / scanner device B103 is connected to the USB hub 2 among the two USB hubs of the host computer 101.

Next, the flow advances to step S3304 to check whether all printer / scanner devices have been judged. If all the determinations have been completed, the connection order detection processing ends. On the other hand, if all the determinations have not been completed, the process proceeds to step S3305. In step S3305, the printer / scanner device having the next shortest character string performs step S33.
It is determined whether or not it is connected to the USB hub checked in 03.

In this embodiment, since the connection information of the printer / scanner device C104 is shortest next,
What number of the scanner device C104 is the host computer
Determine whether it is connected to a USB hub.

Specifically, the printer / scanner device C1
04 connection information "4USB & VID_04A9 & PID_1000 & 1USB & VID_04A
9 & PID_1000 & 2USB & ROOT_HUB & PCI & VEN_8086 & DEV_7020 & BUS
Check _00 & DEV_07 & FUNC_02 "and detect the character string"& ROOT_HUB ".

Next, when four characters are read before the character string "&ROOT_HUB", the character string is "2USB". Therefore, it can be seen that the printer / scanner device C103 is connected to the USB hub 2 of the host computer.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3306, where the USB hub detected in step S3302 and the
It is determined whether or not the USB hubs detected at 05 are the same. If the hubs are the same, the process proceeds to step S3307. If the hubs are different, the process proceeds to step 3308.

In the present embodiment, the host computer 101 connected to the printer / scanner device C104
Is the same as the USB hub of the host computer 101 to which the printer / scanner device B103 is connected (both are USB hubs 2), and the process proceeds to step S3307.

In step S3307, step S33
05 is connected to the USB hub of the same host computer, and
02 or is determined to be connected to the hub of the printer / scanner device detected in the previous step S3305.

Now, the printer / scanner device C 104 examined in step S 3305 is connected to the same host computer 101, and detected in step S 3302 or the previous step S 3305.
Since the scanner device is the printer / scanner device B103, the printer / scanner device C104 is the printer / scanner device.
It is determined that it is connected to the hub of the scanner device B103. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S3304 to determine the next printer / scanner device.

Now, what is checked in the next step S3305 is the printer / scanner device D105. The printer / scanner device D105 is a USB of the host computer 101.
It is connected to the hub 2. Same host computer 10
1 and detected at step S3202 or the previous step S3305 is the printer / scanner device C104. Therefore, it is determined that the printer / scanner device D105 is connected to the hub of the printer / scanner device C104.

On the other hand, in step S3306,
Processing when the USB hub detected in 3302 is different from the USB hub detected in step S3305 will be described.

At step S3308, at step S33
It is determined that the printer / scanner device detected at 05 is connected to the USB hub of the host computer. Next, the process proceeds to step S3309, where the printer / scanner device detected in step S3305 is checked at what number the USB hub of the host computer is connected.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S3304 to determine the next printer / scanner device.

Next, when the user double-clicks on the bitmap representing the status of the specific printer / scanner device in the USB connection overhead view 1203 of FIG. The process of issuing an individual identification process execution command to the printer / scanner device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 34 shows a host computer 101 of the present embodiment in which a total of four printer / scanner devices 102,
10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process in which the USB printer manager 1102 issues an individual identification execution instruction to a specific printer / scanner device connected to the system in the information processing device to which the devices 103, 104, and 105 are connected.

First, in step S3401, the user enters US
In the B-connection bird's-eye view 1203, the user double-clicks a bitmap representing the status of a specific printer / scanner device.
Then, in step S3402, the program detects the double-clicked bitmap, and designates a specific printer / scanner device corresponding to the bitmap as an identification target printer / scanner device.

Next, in step S3403, the status information of the printer / scanner to be identified which has been saved in the process of the information acquisition processing is read.

Next, the process advances to step S3404 to check whether or not the status information read in step S3403 indicates that the apparatus is usable. Here, if the read status information is not in the state in which the specification can be performed, the process is ended. On the other hand, if the read status information is in the usable state, the process proceeds to step S3405.

In step S3405, an individual identification processing execution command is issued to the printer scanner to be identified. The individual identification processing execution instruction is composed of a combination of the following three instructions. That is, 1. 1. Beep sound generation instruction; LED lighting instruction,
3. It is a wait command. Here, the beep sound generation command is a command for sounding a beep sound from an audio device such as a buzzer (not shown) provided in each printer / scanner device, and the LED lighting command is a panel unit 60 of the printer / scanner device.
LED for power display and L for error display provided in 1
The wait command is a command for turning on at least one of the EDs, and the wait command is a command for stopping generation of a beep sound or lighting of the LED for a designated time.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3406, and the printer / scanner device that has received the individual identification processing execution command emits a beep sound while turning on the LED.

For example, when the configuration of the individual identification command issued in step S3405 is as follows, in step S3406, the identification target printer / scanner device turns on the LEDs in 3, 3, or 7 beats. Beep sounds. LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 1000 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 1000 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting Instruction: Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 200 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction: 200 msec wait instruction; LED lighting instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 200 m LED wait instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 200 msec wait instruction; LED illumination instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 200 msec wait instruction; LED illumination instruction; Beep sound generation instruction; 500 msec wait instruction; LED illumination instruction; Beep sound generation command; 500 ms wait command; LED lighting command; Beep sound generation command; 1000 ms wait Instruction;

The user visually or audibly detects the printer / scanner device that emits the beep while turning on the LED, and determines the order of the printer / scanner device to be identified as viewed from the host computer. You can check.

In the operation example described above, only one pattern of the individual identification processing execution command to be issued has been described. However, the individual identification processing execution instruction is issued to each printer / scanner according to the number of printers / scanners to be identified. It is also possible to prepare a plurality of configuration patterns so as to be different for each device.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, when the user double-clicks on the bitmap representing the status of a specific printer / scanner device in the USB connection overhead view, the double-clicked bitmap is displayed. Detected, the status information of the specific printer / scanner device corresponding to the bitmap is read, and it is checked whether the status information of the device indicates that the device is usable. In this case, an individual identification processing execution command is issued to the device, and the device is notified by generation of a beep sound or blinking of an LED device so that the device can be identified as being selected. It is possible to easily confirm at what position the scanner device is connected as viewed from the host computer and where it is located.

In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of printer / scanner devices are connected to the information processing device (host computer 101) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to the case where the connection relation or order is displayed for all devices that can be connected in series to USB ports such as a keyboard, a video tape recorder, a mouse, a floppy disk drive, and a speaker.

In the present embodiment, a storage medium storing a control program represented by software for achieving the present invention is stored in the host computer 101.
The same effect can be achieved by reading the data into the system.

For example, a program used in an information processing device to which a plurality of devices can be connected is stored in a ROM (not shown) as a storage medium used in the information processing device, and a code of a selection process and an instruction output process are stored. And the code of. The code of each step has the following functions. That is, the code of the selection step selects at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the information processing device.
The code of the command output step outputs a command for notifying the device selected in the selecting step that the device has been selected.

Incidentally, the storage medium in these cases is R
In addition to the OM, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

[0198]

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the information processing device is selected, and the selected device is assigned to the selected device. Since an instruction for notifying that the selection has been made is output, the actual connection states of a plurality of devices connected to the information processing device can be easily confirmed, and the location of the device to be used is located. Can be grasped immediately.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, when a plurality of devices connected to the information processing device are devices having a document printing function or a document reading function,
In order to set the printing paper and original to be used in the device to be used, it is possible to easily check the actual connection status of the connected devices and to immediately grasp the location of the device to be used. it can.

Note that the internal configuration of the system setting information database (registry) changes depending on the type of OS. However, as long as the connection status information of a plurality of connected devices is stored in a system setting information database (registry) in some form, the connection status of the devices is determined by the same method as in the present embodiment, and the screen is displayed. Needless to say, it can be displayed.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to obtain information on connected devices and display the connection status by using the registry information of the operating system,
When displaying, it is not necessary to inquire the information of the connected device to the connected device, and the display can be performed at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the notebook computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view common to each printer / scanner device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a USB cable according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the notebook type host computer in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer / scanner device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the printer / scanner device according to the present embodiment with a front cover opened.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printer / scanner device according to the present embodiment with a front cover opened when a cartridge is removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the printer / scanner device according to the present embodiment with a front cover opened when a cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a scanner cartridge that can be mounted on a printer / scanner device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of software for controlling the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface main screen displayed by the USB printer manager.

FIG. 13 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a USB connection status display unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen when the title bar of the USB printer manager is right-clicked with a mouse connected to the host computer in a state where two printer / scanner devices are connected to the host computer.

FIG. 15 is a display screen when the USB copy utility and the scanner driver issue a scanner / printer device selection command usable for scanning to the USB printer manager in a state where two printer / scanner devices are connected to the host computer. FIG.

FIG. 16 is a connection information diagram of a printer / scanner device stored in a host computer.

FIG. 17 is a detailed information diagram of the printer / scanner device A stored in the host computer.

FIG. 18 is a port connection information diagram of the printer / scanner device A stored in the host computer.

FIG. 19 is a detailed information diagram of a printer driver registered in association with the printer / scanner device A stored in the host computer.

FIG. 20 is a registration information diagram of a printer driver stored in a host computer.

FIG. 21 is a list of bitmaps displayed on the connection status display unit.

FIG. 22 is a list of texts displayed on the connection status display unit.

FIG. 23 is a detailed view of an information storage structure.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an information acquisition process of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an information display processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an information display processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an information display process of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an information display process of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an information display processing procedure of the printer / scanner device.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a procedure of registration management by the OS.

Claims (47)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, wherein the obtaining unit obtains system setting information provided by an operating system, and the plurality of devices are connected based on the system setting information obtained by the obtaining unit. Display means for recognizing the relationship and displaying a screen on which the connection relationship between the plurality of devices can be recognized. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices are printers. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the system setting information is registered in a registry when connection of a device is detected. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means identifiably displays whether each device is usable or not. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays a type of a head mounted on each device in an identifiable manner. 6. A comparison unit for comparing the length of a character string of connection information of each device based on the registry information acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the display unit responds to a comparison result by the comparison unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connection state is displayed. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display unit connects and displays the respective devices in the order of shortest character string based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display unit connects and displays devices having character strings of the same length in the same connection order based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. . 9. An information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, wherein the obtaining unit obtains connection information of the plurality of devices, and the connection of the plurality of devices is performed based on the connection information obtained by the obtaining unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: comparing means for comparing the lengths of character strings of information; and displaying means for displaying connection states of the plurality of devices according to a result of the comparison by the comparing means. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of devices are printers. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said connection information is registered in a registry when connection of a device is detected. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said display means identifiably displays whether each device is usable or not. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said display means displays a type of a head mounted on each device in a distinguishable manner. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said display means connects and displays each device in ascending order of a character string based on a comparison result by said comparison means. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display unit connects and displays devices having the same length of character strings in the same connection order based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. . 16. A method for displaying a connection state in an information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring system setting information provided by an operating system; and a system based on the system setting information acquired by the acquiring step. A display step of recognizing a connection relationship between a plurality of devices and displaying a screen on which the connection relationship between the plurality of devices can be recognized. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of devices are printers. 18. The connection status display method according to claim 16, wherein said system setting information is registered in a registry when connection of a device is detected. 19. The connection state display method according to claim 16, wherein said display step displays whether each device is usable or not. 20. The connection state display method according to claim 16, wherein in said displaying step, the type of head mounted on each device is displayed so as to be identifiable. 21. A comparing step of comparing a character string length of connection information of each device based on the registry information acquired by the acquiring step, wherein the displaying step includes:
17. The connection state display method according to claim 16, wherein a connection state is displayed according to a comparison result in the comparison step. 22. The connection state display method according to claim 21, wherein, in the display step, each device is connected and displayed in ascending order of a character string based on a comparison result obtained in the comparison step. 23. The connection state display according to claim 21, wherein, in the display step, devices having the same length of character string are connected and displayed in the same connection order based on the comparison result of the comparison step. Method. 24. A connection state display method in an information processing apparatus to which a plurality of devices are connected, wherein the obtaining step obtains connection information of the plurality of devices; A comparison step of comparing the lengths of the character strings of the connection information of the plurality of devices; and a display step of displaying a connection state of the plurality of devices according to a comparison result of the comparison step. Connection status display method. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the plurality of devices are printers. 26. The connection status display method according to claim 24, wherein the connection information is registered in a registry when connection of the device is detected. 27. The connection state display method according to claim 24, wherein the display step displays whether each device is usable or not. 28. The connection state display method according to claim 24, wherein, in said displaying step, the type of head mounted on each device is displayed so as to be identifiable. 29. The connection state display method according to claim 24, wherein, in the display step, each device is connected and displayed in ascending order of a character string based on a comparison result of the comparison step. 30. The connection state display according to claim 24, wherein, in the display step, devices having the same length of character string are connected and displayed in the same connection order based on the comparison result of the comparison step. Method. 31. A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program to which a plurality of devices are connected, wherein the obtaining step obtains system setting information provided by an operating system, and the system setting obtained by the obtaining step. A connection step of recognizing a connection relationship between the plurality of devices based on the information and displaying a screen on which the connection relationship between the plurality of devices can be recognized. 32. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of devices are printers. 33. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein said system setting information is registered in a registry when connection of a device is detected. 34. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein said display step displays whether each device is usable or not. 35. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein in the displaying step, the type of the head mounted on each device is identifiably displayed. 36. A comparing step of comparing a length of a character string of connection information of each device based on the registry information obtained in the obtaining step, wherein the displaying step includes:
32. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein a connection state is displayed according to a comparison result in the comparison step. 37. In the displaying step, based on a result of the comparison in the comparing step, each device is connected and displayed in ascending order of character strings. 38. The storage medium according to claim 36, wherein, in the displaying step, devices having the same length of character strings are connected and displayed in the same connection order based on the comparison result in the comparing step. 39. A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program to which a plurality of devices are connected, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring connection information of the plurality of devices; And storing a program including a comparison step of comparing the lengths of the character strings of the connection information of the plurality of devices, and a display step of displaying a connection state of the plurality of devices based on a comparison result of the comparison step. A storage medium characterized in that: 40. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein said plurality of devices are printers. 41. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein said connection information is registered in a registry when connection of a device is detected. 42. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein said display step displays whether each device is usable or not. 43. In the display step, a type of a head mounted on each device is displayed so as to be identifiable. 44. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein, in said displaying step, each device is connected and displayed in ascending order of a character string based on a comparison result obtained in said comparing step. 45. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein, in the display step, devices having the same length of character string are connected and displayed in the same connection order based on the comparison result in the comparison step. 46. An information processing system comprising: a plurality of devices; and an information processing device connected to the plurality of devices, wherein the obtaining unit obtains system setting information provided by an operating system; An information processing apparatus system comprising: a display unit that recognizes a connection relationship between a plurality of devices based on the acquired system setting information and displays a screen on which the connection relationship between the plurality of devices can be recognized. 47. An information processing system comprising: a plurality of devices; and an information processing device to which the plurality of devices are connected, wherein: an obtaining unit configured to obtain connection information of the plurality of devices;
A comparing unit that compares the lengths of the character strings of the connection information of the plurality of devices based on the connection information obtained by the obtaining unit; and displaying a connection state of the plurality of devices according to a comparison result by the comparison unit. An information processing apparatus system comprising: