JP2010015244A - Install system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an install system and a program which can know unavailable functions before use of a device driver, and is enhanced in convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The install system 100 includes a PC 10 and an MFP 20. The MFP 20 includes a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a PC-FAX transmission function and a PC-FAX reception function. When installing a driver of each function of the MFP 20 in the PC 10, the install system 100 accesses the MFP 20 and acquires status information about availability of each function of the MFP 20, and relates the status information to each function of the MFP 20 and displays it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an installation system and program for installing a device driver or the like in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC). More specifically, the present invention relates to an installation system and a program for selecting and installing a device driver or the like according to whether or not a device can be used.

As a device that can be used from a PC, a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile (FAX) function has been put into practical use. In order to use such a device from a PC, it is necessary to install a device driver or the like corresponding to each function in the PC in advance using a CD-ROM or the like. As an installation technique of the device driver, for example, there is an uninstall system disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2004-295181 A

  However, the conventional installation technology has the following problems. That is, some devices that can be used from a PC have a function (so-called lock function) that restricts the use of a specific function by an administrator. By using this lock function, some functions may be restricted during installation. On the other hand, the installation of the device driver is executed independently of the device. For this reason, a driver with a function that is restricted in use may be installed. In that case, the general user often finds that the user cannot use the function for the first time when accessing the device in order to use the restricted function. In other words, the time until the device is accessed is wasted and inconveniences the user. In addition, if the general user is not informed by the administrator or the like that the use of a specific function is restricted, it may be confusing because the reason why the user cannot use the function is not known. In addition to the lock function, there are states in which device functions cannot be used. For example, toner empty, no paper, line access restriction, and line not connected are applicable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional installation techniques described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an installation system and program in which functions that cannot be used can be known before use of a device driver and convenience is improved.

  An installation system for solving this problem is an installation system that installs a driver corresponding to a function of a device in an information processing apparatus, and acquires information on whether or not the function of the device is available during the installation process. And means for notifying the function of the device and the availability information acquired by the acquisition means in association with each other.

  The installation system of the present invention acquires information on the availability of the functions of the device to be installed. The availability of the function corresponds to, for example, a function based on the setting of the function usage restriction. In addition, it may be based on toner empty, no paper, line access restriction, line unconnected, and the like. In the installation system, during the installation process, information on whether or not the function of the device to be installed is used is acquired, and the acquired information on whether or not the device is available is associated with the function of the device and notified.

  That is, in the installation system of the present invention, the availability of the device function is notified during the installation process, so that the user can grasp the availability of the function at the time of installation. For this reason, at least the user who performed the installation is considered to recognize the availability of the function, and it can be expected to avoid an operation using the unavailable function. In addition, even if the operation is performed, it is considered that the reason why it cannot be used is recognized, and a calm response can be expected.

  In addition, the device of the installation system of the present invention has a plurality of functions, and the acquisition means acquires information on availability of use for each function, and the notification means notifies information of availability of use for each function. That is, some devices having a plurality of functions, such as an MFP, have a lock function that restricts the use of each function. In recent years, some functions are restricted by an administrator. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for a device installation system such as an MFP.

  Further, the notification means of the installation system of the present invention is better to notify the display area separately for the group of usable functions and the group of unusable functions. In other words, by distinguishing between functions that can be used and those that cannot be used, it becomes easy to grasp the functions that cannot be used.

  Further, the installation system of the present invention is preferably provided with a restricting means for restricting the installation of the driver corresponding to the unusable function. That is, by forcibly restricting the installation, it is possible to avoid wasting the storage area by installing an unusable driver. Also, it is possible to avoid trying to use it without knowing that it cannot be used. In particular, even a user other than the user who performed the installation or a user who has forgotten the unavailable function can avoid an operation that uses the unavailable function.

  Further, the installation system of the present invention is preferably provided with selection means for selecting whether or not to install a driver corresponding to a function that cannot be used. That is, in the installation system, a function that can be used after it cannot be used after installation is assumed. Therefore, the user is inquired about installation of the disabled function. This improves the degree of freedom of installation.

  In addition, when installing a driver corresponding to an unusable function, the above installation system appends a character or symbol that recognizes the unusable function to the display name of the program corresponding to the unusable function. It is better to have In other words, by attaching a character or symbol that recognizes that the program cannot be used to the display name of the program on the information processing apparatus, all users who use the information processing apparatus can grasp whether or not the function can be used before use. . Specifically, for example, a character string such as “locked” or a mark such as “x” is added to the display name of the shortcut icon of the driver or application. In addition, “locking” may be added to the notation name of the application selected from the start menu.

  In addition, the above installation system incorporates detection means for detecting that an unusable function has changed to usable in the information processing apparatus, and the detection means is triggered by detecting that the function to be detected has changed to usable. In addition, it is better to notify that the function can be used. That is, when a function to be detected becomes available after installation, the user can grasp that fact.

  In addition, the detection means may better instruct the activation of the installer when the detection target function is not installed in response to detection that the detection target function has been changed to usable. That is, when the driver of the function that has become usable is not installed, it can be grasped that it cannot be used unless it is installed in addition to being made usable.

  Further, the present invention is a program for installing a driver corresponding to a function possessed by a device in an information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus obtains information on whether or not the function of the device can be used during installation processing; It includes a program that functions as a notification means for associating and reporting the function of the device and the availability information acquired by the acquisition means.

  According to the present invention, an installation system and a program that can know a function that cannot be used before using a device driver and improve convenience are realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying an installation system and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an installation system and a program that include an MFP as a device and a PC as an information processing apparatus, and install various drivers of the MFP in the PC.

[System configuration]
The installation system 100 of this embodiment includes a PC 10 and an MFP 20 as shown in FIG. In the system 100, the PC 10 and the MFP 20 are connected via a network 4 such as a LAN. The MFP 20 in this embodiment has a printer function, a scanner function, a PC-FAX transmission function, and a PC-FAX reception function. A driver corresponding to each function of the MFP 20 is incorporated in the PC 10. In FIG. 1, one MFP 20 is connected to the PC 10, but devices other than the MFP 20 can be connected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the PC 10 includes a CPU 11 that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM 12 that stores a startup process program (BIOS) executed by the CPU 11 when the PC 10 is started, and the CPU 11 performs various processes. It has a RAM 13 that is used as a temporary storage area when performing, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 14 that stores various programs and data.

  The PC 10 includes an operation unit 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 16 such as a liquid crystal display, and a serial port interface 17 that exchanges signals with other information devices such as a CD-ROM drive. , A network interface 18 for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, and a printer port interface 19 for exchanging signals with a printer.

  The HDD 14 of the PC 10 incorporates various applications such as an OS, device drivers for controlling various devices, word processors, and spreadsheet software. Further, the HDD 14 of the PC 10 includes a database 141 that records device functions and their restricted states (status). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the database 141 records a device name, a function, and a usability status for identifying each device as one record. In a device having a plurality of functions such as an MFP, a record is created for each function.

  Specifically, in the “status” column in the database 141, the usage restriction status of each function, that is, the setting of the lock function is recorded. That is, a function whose use is restricted is recorded as “lock”, and a function whose use is not restricted is recorded as “valid”. In the case of a device having no lock function, nothing is recorded in the “status” column.

[Installer Operation]
Next, the operation of the installer (an example of acquisition means, notification means, restriction means, selection means, and supplementary means) of the installation system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The installer is stored in the CD-ROM 5 (see FIG. 2) and is executed via the serial interface 17 of the PC 10. The installer may be downloaded from the manufacturer's server via the Internet, or may be stored in a recording medium other than the CD-ROM 5. Further, it may be stored in the HDD 14.

  First, a device connectable to the PC 10 is searched and a device to be installed is selected (S101). When only one device targeted by the installer is searched when selecting a device, the device may be automatically selected. If no target device of the installer is searched, it may be confirmed whether or not to continue the installation process.

  Next, status information of each function of the selected device (MFP 20 in this embodiment) is acquired (S102). That is, the PC 10 inquires of the MFP 20 about the type of function and the availability of each function. The MFP 20 has a function of responding to the inquiry about the lock state of each function.

  Next, based on the status information of each function acquired in the process of S102, it is determined whether there is a function that cannot be used, that is, a function that is in a locked state (S103). If there is no locked function (S103: NO), all functions are installed (S121), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is a function in the locked state (S103: YES), a selection screen for identifying and displaying the function in the locked state and the function in the unlocked state is displayed (S104). In this embodiment, a selection dialog 81 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed as a selection screen. In the selection dialog 81, for example, if the printer function and the PC-FAX transmission function among the functions of the MFP 20 are locked and the scanner function and the PC-FAX reception function are unlocked, the printer function and the PC-FAX The transmission function is displayed in the “unusable function” column, and the scanner function and the PC-FAX reception function are displayed in the “usable function” column. Thus, by displaying the display area separately for the group of usable functions and the group of unusable functions, the user can grasp which function is locked at a glance.

  Next, the function to be installed is selected (S105). For example, in this embodiment, by selecting a check box 82 associated with a function in the selection dialog 81, it can be set as an installation target. As an initial value of the check box 82, the function displayed in the “unusable function” column is set to off, and the function displayed in the “usable function” column is set to on. . The user selects an installation target while recognizing the lock state of each function. Thereafter, to continue the installation process, the installation button 83 is pressed. In addition, when the installation process is to be canceled because the desired function is limited, the cancel button 84 is pressed.

  If installation is instructed by pressing the install button 83 (S106: YES), the selected function is installed (S107). In the process of S107, a program (device driver, application, etc.) relating to the selected function is incorporated into the PC 10. Furthermore, for a function that is an installation target regardless of the locked state, the display name of the program corresponding to the function is changed to a name that can identify the locked state.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the characters “(locked)” are added to the display name of the device displayed as an icon. In addition, "(locked)" is added to the display name of the application displayed on the start menu or desktop. For example, when the PC-FAX transmission function is locked but installed, as shown in FIG. 7, the display name of the PC-FAX program displayed on the start menu 95 is “(locked)”. "Is added. Thereby, the user can recognize that the installed function is locked. That is, even after installation, the locked function can be recognized before accessing the MFP 20. In particular, even a user other than the user who performed the installation or a user who has forgotten a function that cannot be used can recognize that a specific function is locked.

  As a display name that can be identified as being locked, the characters “(locked)” may be added, and characters such as “unusable” and “restricted” may be used. Moreover, not only characters but also symbols and figures such as “×” may be used. Moreover, you may combine a character and a symbol.

  Thereafter, status information on the functions installed in the PC 10 is stored in the database 141 (see FIG. 3) (S108). After the process of S108, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the installation is canceled by pressing the cancel button 84 (S106: NO), this process is terminated without performing the installation process.

  In the selection dialog 81 according to the present embodiment, the locked function can be installed, but the installation of the locked function may be restricted. For example, the check box 82 may not be displayed in the “unusable function” column. In addition, although the check box 82 is displayed, it may be an input prohibition display such as gray out. By forcibly limiting the input in this way, it is possible to avoid wasting the storage area by installing a locked driver. Also, it is possible to avoid trying to use it without knowing that it is locked. On the other hand, by enabling input, when the lock is released after installation, the driver can be used immediately without installing the driver.

[Operation of monitoring tool]
Next, the operation of the monitoring tool (an example of detection means) incorporated in the PC 10 by the above-described installation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The monitoring tool is application software that monitors the status of each function of the MFP 20, and detects that the status has changed. More specifically, when the status of each function of the MFP 20 changes, the MFP 20 notifies the signal that the status has changed. The monitoring tool detects the signal.

  First, a device to be monitored (MFP 20 in this embodiment) is detected (S200). If the MFP 20 is not detected (S200: NO), this process ends. On the other hand, if the MFP 20 is detected (S200: YES), the process proceeds to S201, and monitoring of the status of the MFP 20 is started.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a notification that the lock has been released (hereinafter referred to as “lock release notification”) (S201). If there is an unlock notification (S201: YES), the database 141 is accessed to search for the unlocked function (S211) and determine whether the function is installed (S212).

  When the unlocked function is not installed (S212: NO), that is, when there is no record of the function in the database 141, the lock is released as a notification of the lock state as shown in FIG. In addition to the function that has been set, a message box 86 is displayed to notify that installation is required to use the function (S213). Thereby, the user can recognize that the installation is necessary in addition to the availability of the new function. If the installer can be started, the installer may be automatically started.

  If the unlocked function has already been installed (S212: YES), the status of the function stored in the database 141 is updated, and the display names of the device driver and its application are unlocked. The name is changed to an identifiable name (S214). Specifically, the characters “(locked)” (see FIGS. 6 and 7) appended to the driver name and application name are deleted (see FIG. 10). Further, as a notification of the lock state, as shown in FIG. 11, a message box 87 for notifying that the lock of the function is released is displayed (S215). As a result, the user can recognize that the function that has been locked can be used.

  If there is no lock release notification (S201: NO), it is next determined whether or not there is a notification that the lock has been set (hereinafter referred to as "lock setting notification") (S202). When there is a lock setting notification (S202: YES), the database 141 is accessed to search for the function for which the lock is set (S221), and it is determined whether or not the function is installed (S222).

  When the function for which the lock is set is not installed (S222: NO), as shown in FIG. 12, a message box 88 for notifying that there is a function for which the lock is set is displayed as a notification of the lock state. (S223). Thus, the user can recognize that one function of the MFP 20 has become unusable. Note that the process of S223 may be omitted.

  If the function for which the lock is set is installed (S222: YES), the status of the function stored in the database 141 is updated, and the display names of the device driver and its application are in the locked state. This is changed to an identifiable name (S224). Specifically, the letters “(locked)” (see FIGS. 6 and 7) are added to the driver name and application name. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a message box 88 for notifying that the lock of the function is set is displayed as a notification of the lock state (S225). As a result, the user can recognize that the function that was in the unlocked state has become unusable.

  In the installation system 100 of this embodiment, by incorporating a monitoring tool into the PC 10, the user can grasp that the function of the device to be monitored has become usable since it cannot be used, and vice versa. In addition, when a driver for a function that has become usable since it cannot be used is not installed, in addition to being usable, it can be understood that it cannot be used unless it is installed.

  As described above in detail, the installation system 100 according to the present embodiment accesses the MFP 20 during the installation process, and acquires status information on the availability of each function of the MFP 20. The acquired status information is displayed in association with each function. That is, since the installation system 100 notifies the lock state of each function of the MFP 20 during the installation process, the user can grasp whether or not each function can be used at the time of installation. For this reason, at least the user who performed the installation is considered to recognize the availability of the function, and it can be expected to avoid an operation using the unavailable function. In addition, even if the operation is performed, it is considered that the reason why it cannot be used is recognized, and a calm response can be expected.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the embodiment, the MFP device is installed or uninstalled, but the present invention is not limited to the MFP. That is, any device controlled by an information device such as a PC may be used. For example, a scanner, a copier, or a digital camera may be used. In the embodiment, the printer driver is installed in the PC, but the present invention is not limited to the PC. For example, it may be a workstation or a portable information terminal.

  In this embodiment, the MFP 20 is accessed and the status of each function is directly acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary to acquire the status of each function. For example, in a system including a server that centrally manages the status of each function, the status of each function may be acquired indirectly by accessing the server.

  In the present embodiment, the database 141 for recording device functions and status is provided. However, if such information can be recorded in a database (for example, a registry of a Windows (registered trademark) OS) that the OS has. For example, the database may be used.

  In this embodiment, when a function in the locked state is installed, the display name of the program related to the function is changed to notify that it is in the locked state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an application related to the driver may access the database 141 at the time of activation, and if the status is locked, the operation may be stopped by informing that.

  In the present embodiment, the lock states of all functions of the MFP 20 are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be inquired about a desired function, obtain information on availability of only the desired function, and display the obtained availability information in association with the function.

  In the present embodiment, the lock state is applied as a case where the device cannot be used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the use failure may be determined based on toner empty, no paper, line access restriction, line unconnected, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the MFP 20 having a plurality of functions, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can be applied even to a single-function device having only one function.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the installation system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of PC which comprises the installation system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the database which records the function of a device, and its status. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the installer which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen which identifies and displays the function of a locked state, and the function of an unlocked state. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the icon (lock state) after an installation process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the start menu (lock state) after an installation process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the monitoring tool which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a dialog when the use restriction of an uninstalled function is cancelled | released. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the icon (unlocked state) after an installation process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a dialog when the use restriction of the installed function is cancelled | released. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a dialog when a use restriction is set.

Explanation of symbols

10 PC
141 Database 20 MFP
5 CD-ROM
81 Selection dialog 100 Installation system

Claims (10)

In an installation system that installs a driver corresponding to a function of a device in an information processing device.
Obtaining means for obtaining information on availability of the device function during the installation process;
An installation system comprising: an informing means for informing and associating the function of the device and information on availability of use acquired by the acquisition means. In the installation system according to claim 1,
The device has a plurality of functions;
The acquisition unit acquires information on availability of each function,
The informing means notifies information on availability of each function. In the installation system according to claim 2,
An installation system characterized in that the notification means notifies a display area separately for a group of usable functions and a group of unusable functions. In the installation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An installation system comprising restriction means for restricting installation of a driver corresponding to an unusable function. In the installation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An installation system comprising selection means for selecting whether to install a driver corresponding to an unusable function. In the installation system according to claim 5,
When installing a driver corresponding to an unusable function, an installation means is provided that adds a letter or a symbol that causes the display name of the program corresponding to the unusable function to be recognized as unusable system. In the installation system according to claim 5 or 6,
Incorporating detection means for detecting that an unusable function has been made available into the information processing apparatus,
An installation system characterized in that the detection means notifies that the function has become usable upon detection that the function to be detected has transitioned to be usable. In the installation system according to claim 7,
An installation system characterized in that, when the detection target function has not been installed, the detection unit instructs activation of an installer upon detection that the detection target function has transitioned to be usable. In the installation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An installation system characterized in that whether or not a function can be used is based on the setting of the function usage restriction. In a program that installs a driver corresponding to a function of a device in an information processing device,
The information processing apparatus;
Obtaining means for obtaining information on availability of the device function during the installation process;
A program for causing a function of the device to function as an informing means for informing and associating information on availability of use acquired by the acquiring means.

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