JP7427970B2 - Image processing system and device usage program installer - Google Patents

Description

The technical field disclosed herein relates to an image processing system having an image processing device and an installer that installs a device usage program.
It is related to.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image processing systems have been known that allow one or more information processing apparatuses to use a plurality of image processing devices via a network. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a plurality of scanners, a server, and a client PC, in which a scanner driver is built into the server, the server receives scan requests from the client PC, and the server controls the scanner. The configuration is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-50014

In an image processing system having a plurality of image processing devices, a user is allowed to select an image processing device to perform image processing via an application program that can input image processing instructions.

This specification discloses a technique for constructing a system with good operability in an image processing system including an image processing device.

An image processing system developed to solve this problem includes a plurality of image processing devices, a server connected to the plurality of image processing devices , and an information processing device incorporating a second application. In the system, in the server, an operating system program installed in the server causes the server computer to function as an operating system, and an application program installed in the server causes the server computer to function as a first application. , the first application outputs a search instruction to the operating system when receiving an operation for selecting an image processing device to which an image processing instruction to perform image processing is to be sent; The system acquires model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices from a model information storage area in response to the search instruction outputted by the first application, and stores the model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices obtained. output to the first application, and the first application displays the model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices output by the operating system as a selection of image processing devices to which the image processing instruction is to be transmitted. and the model information storage area is a storage area managed by the operating system to store model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices, and further, in the server, the model information storage area is a storage area managed by the operating system to store model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices, and further, in the server, The process is executed, and in the installation process, the computer installs on the server a device usage program for instructing the image processing device that is the target of the installation process to perform image processing; acquiring a device name of a certain image processing device, writing the acquired device name in the model information storage area corresponding to the image processing device to be processed in association with the device usage program, and writing the acquired device name in the model information storage area in association with the device usage program; If the first application outputs the search instruction after the device name is written to The stored device name is now output to the first application, and after receiving the operation to select the device name displayed by the first application, the first application performs image processing. When there is an instruction, the server instructs the image processing device corresponding to the device name to perform image processing via the device usage program corresponding to the device name , and further, the server The computer reads the list in which the device name corresponding to the image processing device to be installed is written, acquires the device name from the read list, and applies the acquired device name to the image processing device to be installed. The device usage program is written in the corresponding model information storage area in association with the device usage program, and in the information processing apparatus, the computer of the information processing apparatus executes the processing of the second application, and in the processing of the second application, , the computer of the information processing apparatus acquires device information of an image processing device to be installed in the installation process on the server, and inputs the device name for the image processing device indicated by the device information using the information. Create the list in which the device information accepted and acquired through the user interface of the processing device is associated with the accepted device name, and run the device usage program in the installation process in the server. At the time of installation, the list created by the second application is read, and the device name associated with the device information is obtained from the read list .

According to the image processing system disclosed herein, the server installs a device usage program for using an image processing device, and writes an arbitrary device name of the image processing device to be installed in the model information storage area. . Thereafter, when a search instruction is output from the first application, the operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") outputs the device name written in the model information storage area. Therefore, a system with good operability can be realized in that an image processing device can be selected based on the device name.

A control method realized by the above program, an information processing device that executes the program, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the program are also new and useful.

According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a technology for constructing a system with good operability in an image processing system including an image processing device is realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a scanning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a scanner selection screen. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a PC in a list creation procedure. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of batch expansion processing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of a batch deployment tool. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a device list. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the server in an installation procedure. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of installation processing. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen of an integrated installer.

Hereinafter, the scanning system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is a system including a plurality of scanners, a server and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") connected to each scanner.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the scanning system 100 of the present embodiment includes a server 1, a plurality of scanners such as a scanner A2, a scanner B3, a scanner C4, and a scanner D5, and a plurality of PCs 6 to 7. , these are systems connected to each other via a network 200. Scan system 100 is an example of an image processing system. Note that in the following description, the subscripts A to D will be omitted if there is no need to distinguish them.

The scanners 2 to 5 are devices that have a function of reading an image of a document to obtain scan data, and a function of transmitting the obtained scan data. Scanners 2-5 may include devices of the same model. Scanners 2 to 5 are examples of image processing devices.

The server 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12, as shown in FIG. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The server 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. There is. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 and similar controllers described later are general terms that collectively refer to hardware and software used to control the server 1, etc., and are a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the server 1, etc. does not necessarily represent.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. The memory 12 stores various programs such as a startup program for starting the server 1, various application programs (hereinafter referred to as "apps") for using the scanner, and various data such as image data and document data. , is a storage area in which various setting information is stored. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed.

An example of the memory 12 is not limited to an HDD built into the server 1, but may be a storage medium readable and writable by the CPU 11. A computer readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above-mentioned examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Furthermore, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from servers on the Internet are a type of computer-readable signal medium, but non-transitory computer-readable storage Not included in media.

The user IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware that accepts operations by the user. Note that the user IF 13 may be a combination of a display and an operation unit such as a keyboard, mouse, or trackball.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the scanners 2 to 5 via the network 200. The communication standard of the communication IF 14 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or the like. The mode of communication of the communication IF 14 may be wired or wireless.

As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 12 of the server 1 includes an OS 41, a scanner driver A 42, a scanner driver B 43, a scanner driver C 44, a scanner driver D 45, a middleware 50, a scanner information file A 52, and scanner information. Various data and various programs are stored, including a file B53, a scanner information file C54, and a scanner information file D55. The OS 41 is an example of an OS program, and is composed of one or more OS programs. The OS 41 causes the CPU 11 to function as an OS. The OS is, for example, Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), or Linux (registered trademark).

The scanner drivers 42 to 45 are programs corresponding to the scanners 2 to 5 with the same subscript, respectively, and are programs that communicate with the corresponding scanners 2 to 5 to control the operations of the scanners 2 to 5, respectively. Furthermore, even if the scanners 2 to 5 have the same model, the server 1 of this embodiment has a built-in scanner driver corresponding to each scanner. Note that one scanner driver may be configured to correspond to a plurality of scanners of the same model. The scanner drivers 42 to 45 are all driver programs that conform to the TWAIN standard, and for example, when an application related to scanning receives a scan execution instruction, etc., the one corresponding to the specified scanner is activated. The scanner drivers 42 to 45 are examples of device usage programs.

The middleware 50 is a program that starts the corresponding scanner drivers 42 to 45. Further, the middleware 50 passes a scanner search instruction to the OS 41 based on a user's instruction, for example. Middleware 50 is an example of an application program. By executing the middleware 50, the CPU 11 of the server 1 functions as a first application. For example, the middleware 59 may issue instructions to the scanner drivers 42 to 45 upon receiving instructions from an application different from the first application.

The scanner information files 52 to 55 are files managed by the OS 41. Scanner information files 52 to 55 are files that respectively correspond to scanners 2 to 5 with the same subscript and store information about the scanners 2 to 5. The information stored in the scanner information files 52 to 55 includes model information of the corresponding scanners 2 to 5. The scanner information files 52 to 55 are referenced by the OS 41 when there is a scanner search instruction from the middleware 50. The OS 41 returns information stored as model information in the scanner information files 52 to 55 to the middleware 50 as a scanner search result. The storage areas of the memory 12 that store the scanner information files 52 to 55 are examples of model information storage areas corresponding to the scanners 2 to 5, respectively. Note that the scanner information files 52 to 55 only need to be accessible from the OS 41, and may be stored not only in the memory 12 but also in an external device.

The PC 6 and the PC 7 are connected to the server 1 and the scanners 2 to 5 via a network 200, respectively. Similar to the server 1, the PCs 6 and 7 include controllers 60 and 70 including a CPU and memory, and user IFs 63 and 73 connected to the controllers 60 and 70. Scan applications 46 and 47 are built into the memories of the PCs 6 and 7, respectively. The user IFs 63 and 73 are examples of display devices. Note that in FIG. 1, details of the PCs 6 and 7 are omitted.

The scan applications 46 and 47 are applications that accept various instructions regarding scanning. The scan applications 46 and 47 receive user input indicating, for example, an instruction to select a scanner to be used, an instruction to execute a scan, a file format for saving image data, and a storage location via the user IF of each PC. accept. The scan application 46 and the scan application 47 may be different types of programs or may be the same.

The PCs 6 and 7 of the scanning system 100 of this embodiment do not have built-in scanner drivers corresponding to the scanners 2 to 5. The PCs 6 and 7 only need to be equipped with at least a user IF and a communication IF for connecting to the network 200, and when the users of the PCs 6 and 7 use the scanners 2 to 5, the server 1 The scanner drivers 42 to 45 provided by the computer are used. Alternatively, the configuration may be a so-called thin client in which the server 1 is provided with a scan application and the PCs 6 and 7 instruct the scan application provided in the server. PCs 6 and 7 are examples of client terminals.

In the scan system 100 of the present embodiment, for example, when the scan app 46 is executed on the PC 6 and the scan app 46 receives an instruction input to select a scanner via the user IF 63, the scan app 46 connects the communication IF of the PC 6 and It communicates with the server 1 via the network 200 and transmits information on the scanner search instruction to the server 1. In the server 1, the middleware 50 receives information via the communication IF 14. The middleware 50 passes scanner search instruction information to the OS 41, and the OS 41 reads information used as options for selecting a scanner from the scanner information files 52 to 55 stored in the memory 12. The OS 41 reads out information stored as model information in the scanner information files 52 to 55, for example. The information stored as model information is, for example, information that is tagged to indicate that it is model information.

The OS 41 passes the read information to the middleware 50, and the middleware 50 transmits the information passed from the OS 41 to the PC 6 via the communication IF 14. The scan application 46 receives the information transmitted from the middleware 50 via the communication IF of the PC 6, and displays options for selecting a scanner on the user IF 63 based on the received information. As a result, information stored as model information in the scanner information files 52 to 55 is displayed as a scanner selection option.

In conventional systems, if there are multiple scanners of the same model in the system, serial numbers are assigned as model information, such as "Model A (1)", "Model A (2)", etc. In some cases, individual scanners were distinguished by When such model information is displayed as options, it is difficult to understand the correspondence between each scanner and the number, making it difficult to select a scanner.

In the scanning system 100 of the present embodiment, names that are easy to identify the corresponding scanners 2 to 5 are stored in the scanner information files 52 to 55 as information read out by the OS 41 and used as options for scanner selection. For example, the administrator of the scanning system 100 stores a scanner name arbitrarily set as model information. For example, the administrator may set the name indicating the installation location of each scanner as the scanner name, and in this case, the name of each setting location is displayed as an option when selecting a scanner. Note that when storing the scanner name as model information, the model information of each scanner may be stored in each scanner information file 52 to 55 together with the scanner name, or separately from the scanner name. good. Model information stored separately from the scanner name may not be used as an option for scanner selection. The scanner name is an example of a device name.

For example, if the scanner name of scanner A2 is set to "RoomA," the scanner name of scanner B3 is set to "RoomB," the scanner name of scanner C4 is set to "RoomC," and the scanner name of scanner D5 is set to "RoomD." For example, as shown in FIG. 2, these scanner names are displayed as scanner options. Even if Scanners 2 to 5 include the same model, displaying the scanner names that indicate their respective installation locations makes it easier for users who select scanners to associate the scanners with the scanner names. possible and easy to identify.

In the scan system 100 of this embodiment, for example, when the scan application 46 running on the PC 6 accepts the selection of a scanner from the displayed list of scanner names and then receives an instruction to execute a scan, the PC 6 , sends information about a scan execution instruction to the server 1. Based on the received information, the server 1 causes the scanner driver corresponding to the specified scanner to execute, and sends a scan execution instruction to the specified scanner as a transmission target via the scanner driver. The scan execution instruction is an example of an image processing instruction.

Next, a method of constructing the scanning system 100 of this embodiment will be described. The delivery engineer or system administrator of the scanners 2 to 5 executes procedures for constructing the scanning system 100 when installing the scanners 2 to 5. The procedure for building the system includes a list creation procedure for creating a device list that includes scanner name information, and an installation procedure for configuring the scanner driver and scanner information file on server 1 based on the created device list. It will be done. Note that hereinafter, the user who executes each procedure for system construction will be referred to as a "setup person" to distinguish him from the user of the PC 6 or PC 7 described above. The installer may be the administrator of the scanning system 100 or the seller of the scanners 2 to 5.

First, the list creation procedure will be explained. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the setup person connects the PC 8 for system construction to all the scanners that are planned to be included in the scanning system 100 to be constructed, that is, scanners 2 to 5, and performs the list creation procedure on the PC 8. Execute. The PC 8 is an example of an information processing device. Note that the PC 8 may be the PCs 6 and 7 or the server 1 (see FIG. 1) that constitute the scan system 100, or may be a PC of an operator who is not included in the scan system 100. When executing the list creation procedure on a PC 8 different from the server 1, the server 1 and the PC 8 do not need to be connected. That is, the list creation procedure can be performed in an environment separate from the scanning system 100.

The PC 8 includes a controller 80 including a CPU 81 and a memory 82, as shown in FIG. Further, the PC 8 includes a user IF 83 and a communication IF 84, which are electrically connected to the controller 80. Each electrical configuration of the PC 8 is similar to that described for the server 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the memory 82 of the PC 8 stores an OS 91 and a batch deployment tool 92. The OS 91 is similar to the OS 41 of the server 1. Note that the device list 93 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 is a file created by executing the batch expansion tool 92 in the list creation procedure, and has not been created yet at the start of this procedure.

The batch deployment tool 92 is an application for collectively managing multiple devices in a system including multiple devices. The batch deployment tool 92 is an example of a second application. By using the bulk deployment tool 92, an installer can quickly and easily manage multiple locally or network-connected scanners, for example.

Next, the list creation procedure and installation procedure will be explained with reference to flowcharts. Note that the following processing and each processing step in the flowchart basically shows the processing of the CPUs 11 and 81 according to instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following explanation are performed by the CPUs 11 and 81. Represents processing. The processing by the CPUs 11 and 81 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS of the PCs 1 and 8. In this specification, the operation of each program will be explained without describing the OS. That is, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also refer to "program B controls hardware C using an API of the OS." Furthermore, the processing of the CPUs 11 and 81 in accordance with instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be written as "performed by the CPU 11 (81)". Further, the processing of the CPUs 11 and 81 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in words such as "performed by program A", omitting the CPU.

Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process in which the CPU 11 (81) receives data without requesting it is also included in the concept of "the CPU 11 (81) acquires data". Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Furthermore, data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Furthermore, "request" and "instruction" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. Further, information indicating that a request is being made or information indicating that an instruction is being given is simply referred to as a "request" or "instruction."

In addition, the process of determining whether information A indicates matter B by the CPUs 11 and 81 is conceptually described as "determine whether information A is matter B." There are things to do. The process of determining whether information A indicates matter B or matter C by the CPUs 11 and 81 is performed by "determining whether information A is matter B or matter C." It is sometimes described conceptually, such as "to judge."

Hereinafter, as an example of the list creation procedure, the procedure of batch deployment processing by the batch deployment tool 92 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. This batch expansion process is executed by the CPU 81 of the PC 8 when the batch expansion tool 92 is activated on the PC 8 .

In the batch expansion process, the CPU 81 searches for all scanners connected to the PC 8 via the communication IF 84 (S101), and acquires various information such as model information from each scanner. Further, the CPU 81 causes the user IF 83 to display a list of the acquired information on each scanner (S102). In this embodiment, since the operator starts the batch deployment tool 92 while the scanners 2 to 5 are connected to the PC 8, the scanners 2 to 5 are searched for in S101, and the scanners 2 to 5 are searched for in S102. Information will be displayed.

The batch deployment tool 92 displays a list screen 110 that displays a list of a plurality of scanners connected to the PC 8, for example, as partially shown in FIG. This list screen 110 includes a column for displaying various types of information acquired from the scanners for all searched scanners, and a column for accepting input of various types of information regarding the scanners. The information acquired from the scanner is, for example, an IP address, a MAC address, a serial number, and model information. The information obtained from the scanners includes information that identifies each scanner. Further, various types of information that can be input include, for example, a scanner name, a device password, and location information. Note that not all information is necessarily displayed on the list screen 110.

The serial number is information used by the integrated installer 51, which will be described later, to identify each scanner. The serial number is an example of device information. Note that the information used by the integrated installer 51 to identify each scanner may be a MAC address. Furthermore, if the same network address is used in the environment in which the batch deployment tool 92 is executed and the environment in which the integrated installer 51 is executed, the information used by the integrated installer 51 to identify individual scanners is the IP address. It's okay to have one.

The scanner name is, for example, a nickname for the scanner set by the operator so that the user of the PC 6 or PC 7 can easily identify the scanner. The location information is, for example, text set by the operator so that the user of the PC 6 or PC 7 can easily recognize the installation location of the scanner. Incidentally, the operator may set a scanner name so as to easily recognize the installation location of the scanner, or may set a nickname of the scanner in the location information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the list screen 110 by the batch deployment tool 92 of this embodiment includes a scanner name input field 111, a send setting button 112, a send button 113, and a program specification field 114. and are included. The scanner name input field 111 is a field that accepts input of a scanner name for each scanner. The transmission settings button 112 is a button that accepts detailed settings for file transmission. The send button 113 is a button that accepts an instruction to send information to each scanner.

The batch deployment tool 92 of this embodiment accepts specifications of not only scanner drivers corresponding to the scanners 2 to 5 but also other programs to be installed on the server 1. The program specification field 114 is a field that accepts the designation of other programs. Other programs are programs that use Scanners 2 to 5, such as a scan application, a management application that manages scanners, an integrated management application that manages not only scanners but also printers and multifunction devices, and programs generated by scanners. It is an editing app that edits scan data. The editing application may be an application that edits scan data generated by a scanner so that it can be printed by a printer. The other program is an example of a third application.

Note that the CPU 81 may limit the programs that can be specified in the program specification column 114 to those that are compatible with the model indicated by the model information of each scanner. Further, the CPU 81 may obtain information indicating programs compatible with the scanners from the scanners 2 to 5, and limit the programs that can be specified in the program specification field 114 to the programs indicated by the information.

In the program specification column 114, the CPU 81 further accepts the specification of related data for each specified program. The related data is, for example, information used when installing the program on the server 1. The related data includes, for example, initial setting information set in the program specified in the program specification field 114, and information on the scanners 2 to 5 set in the scanners 2 to 5 in relation to the program specified in the program specification field 114. This is environment setting information.

Then, the CPU 81 receives input of information such as the scanner name to the currently displayed list screen 110 via the user IF 83 (S103). When the CPU 11 receives the input of the scanner name, the CPU 11 displays the input scanner name in the input field 111. Further, when the CPU 11 receives a designation of a program to be installed in the program designation column 114, it further receives input of data related to the program.

The CPU 81 determines whether an instruction to save the file has been accepted on the list screen 110 (S104). For example, when the batch deployment tool 92 receives an operation on the transmission settings button 112, it displays a menu including "save profile" as shown in FIG. Accept instructions to save information to a file.

If it is determined that the instruction to save the file has been received (S104: YES), the CPU 81 creates the device list 93 by saving the information displayed on the list screen 110 as a CSV file or a ZIP file (S105). The device list 93 is an example of a list. For example, if the memory 82 of the PC 8 is specified as the storage location of the device list 93, the device list 93 is created in the memory 82 as shown in FIG.

The device list 93 is a list referenced by the integrated installer 51, which will be described later. The CPU 81 may, for example, obtain information indicating the memory location accessed by the integrated installer 51 and save the device list 93 at the location indicated by the information. Further, the storage location of the device list 93 is not limited to the memory 82, but may be a removable storage member such as a USB memory, a CD, or a DVD, or may be sent to an external device such as the server 1 or a cloud server and stored. You can let me. Further, the CPU 81 may generate an integrated installer that incorporates not only the device list 93 but also the device list 93, and may save the generated integrated installer. In that case, the integrated installer can use its built-in device list for processing.

An example of the device list 93 is shown in FIG. In the device list 93, information regarding a plurality of scanners can be written, with a collection of information regarding one scanner being treated as one record. In the example of FIG. 6, one record is represented in one line for scanners 2 to 5 to be included in the scanning system 100 to be constructed. One record includes information used by the integrated installer 51 to identify each scanner (for example, a serial number), and information (for example, a scanner name) that makes it easier for users of the PC 6 or PC 7 to identify the scanner. are stored in association with each other. Furthermore, although omitted in FIG. 6, various types of information acquired from the scanners by the batch deployment tool 92 and various types of information received via the list screen 110 are also used by the integrated installer 51 to identify each scanner. This information is written in the device list 93 in association with information that makes it easier for users of the PC 6 and PC 7 to identify the scanner.

Note that among the information specified in the program specification column 114 of the list screen 110, information for identifying the program (for example, program name) and information for initial settings to be set for the program are stored in the record of the device list 93. written. On the other hand, the environment setting information for the scanners 2 to 5 that is set in the scanners 2 to 5 in relation to the program specified in the program specification field 114 is information that is sent to the scanners 2 to 5, and is included in the record of the device list 93. is not written.

After S105, or if it is determined that the instruction to save the file has not been accepted (S104: NO), the CPU 81 determines whether or not the instruction to transmit has been accepted by operating the send button 113 (S106). If it is determined that the transmission instruction has been accepted (S106: YES), the CPU 81 transmits the information being displayed to each scanner (S107). The CPU 81 transmits information to each scanner using the information (for example, MAC address, IP address) acquired from each scanner in S102.

For example, if scanner name information and location information have been input on the list screen 110, in S107 the CPU 81 transmits corresponding information to each scanner. Each scanner receives the scanner name information and location information set for itself and stores them in its own memory. Thereby, each scanner can display information on the set scanner name and location information on the user IF of the scanner itself, for example, in response to an operation on the scanner itself. By displaying information on each scanner, the user of PC 6 or PC 7 can more easily identify each scanner.

Further, for example, if a program to be installed is specified on the list screen 110 and information to be set for the scanners 2 to 5 (for example, environment setting information) is input as related data for that program, in S107, the program to be installed is specified. Send information to the scanner. When each scanner receives information, it associates it with the program and stores it in its own device. Each scanner performs processing using stored information when its own device is used by the program. Each scanner performs environmental settings for itself (for example, environmental parameter settings) according to the received information, for example.

If it is determined that the transmission instruction has not been received (S106: NO), the CPU 81 determines whether or not the termination instruction has been received (S108). The termination instruction is received by, for example, an instruction to close the list screen 110, and when the CPU 81 receives the termination instruction, it terminates the batch expansion process without transmitting information to the scanner.

If it is determined that the termination instruction has not been accepted (S108: NO), the CPU 81 returns to S103 and accepts input of each information and various instructions. After S107, or if it is determined that the termination instruction has been received (S108: YES), the CPU 81 terminates the batch expansion process.

Next, the installation procedure will be explained. The installation procedure is a procedure for installing various programs and data as shown in FIG. 1 into the server 1 by using the device list 93 created in S105 of the batch deployment process described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the integrated installer 51 and the device list 93 are installed in the memory 12 of the server 1, and the integrated installer 51 is used when the server 1 and the scanners 2 to 5 are connected. This section explains the procedure for installing various programs.

The integrated installer 51 is an application that accepts instructions to install various programs related to scanners on the server 1 at once for a plurality of scanners and a plurality of programs. Although FIG. 7 shows an integrated installer 51 that includes a scanner driver installer 511 and a scan application installer 512, the programs that are installed by the integrated installer 51 are not limited to these. Accordingly, the information is imported into the server 1 from the cloud or the like. For example, if the target device is capable of printing as well as scanning, an installer for a program related to printing may also be included.

The procedure of installation processing by the integrated installer 51 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. This installation process is executed by the CPU 11 of the server 1 when the integrated installer 51 is started on the server 1. Note that the integrated installer 51 of this embodiment is a program that supports all the scanners to be included in the scan system 100 to be constructed, that is, all the scanners 2 to 5. If the scanner to be installed includes a plurality of models, an integrated installer corresponding to each model may be installed. In that case, each integrated installer may be executed in sequence.

In the installation process, the CPU 11 reads the device list 93 (S201) and obtains information regarding each scanner to be installed. The CPU 11 obtains information indicating the storage location of the device list 93 saved by the batch expansion tool 92 described above, and reads the device list 93. If the batch deployment tool 92 has previously acquired information on the memory accessed by the integrated installer 51, the integrated installer 51 can obtain the device list 93 from that location.

Further, if the device list 93 is stored in the memory 82 of the PC 8, and the PC 8 and the server 1 are communicably connected, for example, as shown by the broken line in FIG. List 93 can be obtained. Alternatively, the device list 93 may be read via a detachable memory member, a cloud server, or the like. The information indicating the storage location may be a folder path or a web page address. Further, when the batch deployment tool 92 generates the integrated installer 51 including the device list 93, the integrated installer 51 can acquire information from the device list 93 included in itself.

The CPU 11 searches for all scanners connected to the server 1 via the communication IF 14 (S202). Then, the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a list of the scanner information searched in S202 and the information in the device list 93 acquired in S201 (S203). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, since the scanners 2 to 5 are connected to the server 1, information about the scanners 2 to 5 is displayed in S203.

The integrated installer 51 displays, for example, a list screen 120 that displays a list of information on a plurality of scanners connected to the server 1, as partially shown in FIG. The CPU 11 acquires from the scanner information that has been set in the scanner from the factory (for example, serial number, MAC address), and information that was sent to the scanner in S107 of the batch expansion process described above. Further, the CPU 11 acquires from the device list 93 information (for example, serial number, scanner name, location information, program name) written in the device list 93 in the batch expansion process. The CPU 11 associates the information read from both based on common information (for example, serial number) and displays it on the list screen 120. The list screen 120 provided by the integrated installer 51 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, an install button 122 that accepts an installation execution instruction, and a cancel button 123 that accepts a cancel instruction.

Note that programs such as scanner drivers must be installed for each target scanner. The integrated installer 51 may automatically install all scanner drivers corresponding to each scanner displayed in a list, or may accept designation of scanners to be installed. Further, the CPU 11 may further display on the list screen 120 a column for accepting designation of a program to be installed based on the program information obtained from the device list 93. For example, the CPU 11 may display the program name read from the device list 93 together with a check box, and install the checked program. For example, if the program is first displayed as checked and an operation to remove the check is accepted, the program may not be installed.

The CPU 11 determines whether an installation execution instruction has been received by operating the installation button 122 (S204). If it is determined that the execution instruction has not been received (S204: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to terminate the processing of the integrated installer 51 has been received by operating the cancel button 123 (S205). If it is determined that the termination instruction has not been received (S205: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S204 and waits until the installation execution instruction or termination instruction is received.

If it is determined that the installation execution instruction has been received (S204: YES), the CPU 11 causes the scanner driver installer 511 (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the designated scanner to execute the installation (S206). For example, if the designated scanner is scanner A2, the scanner driver A42 shown in FIG. 1 is installed. When the integrated installer 51 receives an installation execution instruction with a plurality of scanners specified as installation targets, it installs the specified programs for each of the specified scanners in turn.

Then, the CPU 11 acquires the scanner name of the scanner targeted for installation in S206 from the device list 93 read out in S201 (S207). The scanner name stored in the device list 93 is the name input in step S103 of the batch expansion process. Note that editing of the scanner name may be accepted on the list screen 120.

The CPU 11 creates a scanner information file corresponding to the specified scanner (S208), and writes the scanner name obtained in S207 as model information of the created file (S209). As a result, for example, if the designated scanner is scanner A2, the scanner information file A52 shown in FIG. 1 is created, and the scanner name, which is the name given to scanner A2, is stored as the model information. Note that, as described above, the model information in the scanner information file A52 is referred to when the OS 41 searches for a scanner.

Furthermore, if a program other than the scanner driver to be installed is specified on the list screen 120, the CPU 11 executes the installation of the other program (S210). Then, the CPU 11 transmits scanner name information to the specified scanner (S211). Note that if the scanner name information has been sent to the scanner in S107 of the batch expansion process, S211 may be omitted. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may transmit the scanner name in S211 and force the scanner to overwrite it, regardless of whether it has already been transmitted or not.

The CPU 11 determines whether program installation and creation of scanner information files have been completed for all specified scanners (S212). If it is determined that the process has not been completed (S212: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S206 and executes the same process for the next scanner. If it is determined that the processing for all scanners has been completed (S212: YES), or if it is determined that the termination instruction has been received (S205: YES), the CPU 11 ends the installation process.

When all of the scanners 2 to 5 are installed, the server 1 is in a state where the scanner drivers 42 to 45 are installed and the scanner information files 52 to 55 are stored in the memory 12, as shown in FIG. Become. Therefore, for example, in response to a scanner search instruction from the user of the PC 6 or PC 7, the OS 41 of the server 1 returns information on the scanner name, which is information stored as model information in the scanner information files 52 to 55. This allows the user of the PC 6 or PC 7 to select a scanner based on the displayed scanner name.

As described above in detail, according to the scanning system 100 of the present embodiment, the server 1 assigns the scanner names arbitrarily set to the scanners 2 to 5 when installing the scanner drivers 42 to 45 for the scanners 2 to 5. The obtained scanner name is written in the scanner information files 52 to 55 in association with the scanners 2 to 5. Thereafter, when there is a scanner search instruction from the middleware 50, the OS 41 refers to the scanner information files 52 to 55, and the stored scanner name is passed from the OS 41 to the middleware 50. As a result, the scanner name is displayed in the application that passed the search instruction to the middleware 50, and the user can select a scanner based on the scanner name. Therefore, for example, by setting the location where the scanner is installed or the department name as the scanner name, a system with better operability can be realized compared to a case where the model name of the scanner is displayed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a device list 93 in which scanner names are written is created in advance, and during the installation process on the server 1, the device list 93 is read out to obtain the scanner names. It can save you the trouble of inputting information. In particular, in this embodiment, the device list 93 can be created in advance by executing the batch deployment process on a PC 8 that is separate from the server 1, so that, for example, if the server 1 is not installed, the input of the scanner name to be acquired by the server 1 is not required. This can be done in advance in the environment, making the installation work on the server 1 easier. Furthermore, since the scanner names of a plurality of scanners can be input into one device list 93, installation time is reduced.

In addition, in this embodiment, by searching for scanners in batch deployment processing and writing the identification information of the actually searched scanners in a list in association with the device name, even if the system includes multiple scanners of the same model, System construction becomes easier. For example, if a batch deployment process is carried out at a dealer or head office before delivery of Scanners 2 to 5, and the scanner name of each scanner is written in the device list 93 based on the instructions of the installer, the delivery office, etc. Now, the scanners can be used simply by the office administrator connecting each scanner to the server 1 and instructing execution of installation.

Further, in this embodiment, the set scanner name is transmitted to the scanner corresponding to the scanner name and stored. As a result, each scanner can respond with a scanner name in response to a scanner name transmission request, display its own scanner name based on a user's instruction, and the like. Therefore, the user who uses each scanner can easily identify the scanner he or she wishes to execute by comparing the scanner name displayed as a scanner option with the scanner name displayed on the scanner.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the integrated installer 51 also accepts instructions to install programs other than device drivers. By also writing information about programs to be installed in the device list 93, it becomes easier to construct the entire scanning system 100 that uses the scanners 2 to 5. Furthermore, by being able to select the installation target in the installation process, the degree of freedom in installing programs related to the scanners 2 to 5 on the server 1 is increased.

Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification is naturally capable of various improvements and modifications without departing from the gist thereof. For example, an example of the information processing device is not limited to a PC, but may be a smartphone or a tablet computer, for example. Further, an example of the image processing device is not limited to a scanner, but may be any device having an image processing function, such as a multifunction peripheral, a printer, a FAX machine, and a computerized sewing machine. An appropriate program for instructing image processing devices to perform image processing may be one that is appropriate for the type and function of each image processing device. Examples of programs for instructing image processing include printer drivers, scanner drivers, FAX drivers, sewing instruction programs, and embroidery instruction programs. Furthermore, the number of information processing apparatuses and image processing devices is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, the scanner information files 52 to 55 are created and the scanner name is stored as the model information. Bye. For example, the scanner name may be stored by writing it in the registry referenced by the OS 41.

Further, in this embodiment, the designation of the program to be installed in the batch deployment process is accepted, but the designation does not have to be accepted. For example, in the installation process, only the scanner driver corresponding to the specified scanner may be installed. Furthermore, if the scan application is installed on the server 1, the PC 6 or PC 7 may not have the scan application.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the environment setting information for the scanners 2 to 5 that is set in the scanners 2 to 5 in association with the specified program is information that is sent to the scanners 2 to 5, and is not written to the device list 93. However, the information may be written to the device list 93 without being sent to the scanners 2 to 5. In that case, for example, the integrated installer 51 transmits environment setting information to the scanner based on the information read from the device list 93. Even in this case, the scanner can receive the environment setting information and set the environment of its own device.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the scanner name information is acquired from the device list 93 in the installation process, but if the scanner name information is stored in each scanner in the batch deployment process, the installation process 1 may acquire scanner name information from each scanner instead of reading the device list 93. Alternatively, the server 1 may accept input of a scanner name by the user during the installation process instead of reading the device list 93.

Further, in this embodiment, the batch deployment tool 92 and the integrated installer 51 use serial numbers or MAC addresses as information for identifying individual scanners, but scanner names or location information may also be used.

Furthermore, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of a plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as there is no inconsistency in the processing contents.

Furthermore, the processing disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the processes, or a method.

1 Server 6, 7, 8 PC
2, 3, 4, 5 Scanner 11, 81 CPU
12 Memory 13, 83 User IF
100 scan system

Claims (12)

In an image processing system including a plurality of image processing devices, a server connected to the plurality of image processing devices, and an information processing device incorporating a second application ,
In the server,
An operating system program installed in the server causes the server computer to function as an operating system, an application program installed in the server causes the server computer to function as a first application, and the first application , when receiving an operation for selecting an image processing device to which an image processing instruction to perform image processing is to be transmitted, outputs a search instruction to the operating system, and the operating system outputs a search instruction to the first operating system. In response to the search instruction output by the application, model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices is obtained from the model information storage area, and the obtained model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices is output to the first application. The first application outputs the model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices output by the operating system for display as an option of the image processing device to which the image processing instruction is to be transmitted, and The information storage area is a storage area managed by the operating system to store model information of each of the plurality of image processing devices,
Furthermore, in the server,
An installation process is executed by the computer of the server, and in the installation process, the computer installs on the server a device usage program for instructing an image processing device that is a target of the installation process to perform image processing. , further acquiring the device name of the image processing device that is the processing target, and writing the acquired device name in association with the device usage program in the model information storage area corresponding to the image processing device that is the processing target. , when the first application outputs the search instruction after the device name is written in the model information storage area, the operating system, in response to the search instruction output by the first application, outputting the device name stored in the model information storage area to the first application;
The first application receives an operation for selecting the device name displayed by the first application, and when an image processing instruction is received, the first application selects the device name displayed by the first application. and instruct the image processing device corresponding to the device name to perform image processing ,
Furthermore, the server
In the installation process, the computer reads a list in which the device names corresponding to the image processing devices to be installed are written, obtains the device names from the read list, and uses the obtained device names in the installation process. writing in association with the device usage program in the model information storage area corresponding to the target image processing device;
In the information processing device,
Processing of the second application is executed by the computer of the information processing device, and in the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing device performs image processing to be installed in the installation process on the server. acquiring device information of a device, accepting input of the device name for the image processing device indicated by the device information via a user interface of the information processing apparatus, and receiving the acquired device information and the accepted device name; create the list written in association with the above, and when the server installs the device usage program in the installation process, reads the list created by the second application, and from the read list. obtaining the device name associated with the device information;
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 1 ,
In the information processing device,
In the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing apparatus acquires the plurality of pieces of device information, receives the input of the device name for each piece of device information via the user interface, and processes the plurality of pieces of device information. creating one list in which information is written, and in the list, the device name is associated with each device information,
In the server,
When installing a device usage program in the installation process, the computer of the server acquires device information of the image processing device to be installed, and acquires the device name corresponding to the acquired device information from the list. do,
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 2 ,
In the server,
In the installation process, the computer of the server searches for image processing devices connected to the server, acquires device information from each of the searched image processing devices, and acquires device information for each of the searched image processing devices. obtaining the device name corresponding to the device information from the list;
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 2 or 3 ,
In the information processing device,
In the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing device searches for an image processing device connected to the information processing device, obtains the device information from each of the searched image processing devices, and acquires the device information from each of the searched image processing devices. Accepting an input of a device name corresponding to each image processing device via the user interface, and creating the list in which the device information and the device name are associated for each image processing device found. ,
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 4 ,
In the information processing device,
in the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing apparatus transmits the device name received via the user interface to the image processing device corresponding to the device name;
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 3 ,
The server is
When installing a device usage program in the installation process, the computer of the server transmits the device name acquired from the list to an image processing device corresponding to the device name.
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The information processing device includes:
In the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing device receives, via the user interface, a designation of a program to be installed on the server and input of related data regarding the designated program, and writing program information indicating a program in the list in association with the related data;
The server is
In the installation process, it is also possible for the computer of the server to install a third application that is a program other than the device usage program and that uses the image processing device, and the third application is added to the read list. If the program information indicating an application has been written, installing the third application using the related data associated with the program information indicating the third application;
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to claim 7 ,
In the information processing device,
In the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing apparatus transmits information necessary for the image processing device to be used by the third application to the image processing device corresponding to the device name. do,
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
In the information processing device,
In the processing of the second application, the computer of the information processing apparatus transmits information necessary for the image processing device to be used by the device usage program to the image processing device corresponding to the device name. ,
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
In the list, device names of a plurality of image processing devices can be written in association with device information of each image processing device,
The server is
In the installation process, the computer of the server accepts the selection of an image processing device to be installed based on the plurality of pieces of device information written in the list, and installs a device usage program corresponding to the selected image processing device. installing, and during installation, obtaining the device name corresponding to the selected image processing device from the list, and writing the obtained device name to the model information storage area corresponding to the selected image processing device;
An image processing system characterized by: The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A client terminal is connected to the server,
In the server,
the server computer receives the search instruction from the client terminal to the first application;
On the client terminal,
the computer of the client terminal displays the device name acquired by the first application on a display device of the client terminal;
In the server,
The first application is configured to select the device name corresponding to the device name when an image processing instruction is received after receiving an operation to select the device name displayed on the display device of the client terminal. Instructing image processing to an image processing device corresponding to the device name via a device usage program;
An image processing system characterized by: on the server computer,
Execute the installation process to install the device usage program corresponding to the image processing device to be installed,
In the installation process, the device usage program for instructing the image processing device that is the processing target of the installation process to perform image processing is installed on the server, and the device name of the image processing device that is the processing target is specified. The obtained device name is written in a model information storage area corresponding to the image processing device to be processed in association with the device usage program, and the model information storage area is written in a manner corresponding to each installed image processing device. A storage area managed by the operating system of the server to store model information of the server, and in the server, the computer of the server functions as the operating system by an operating system program built into the server. The computer of the server functions as a first application by an application program built into the server, and after the device name is written in the model information storage area, the first application executes the operating system. When a search instruction is output to the system, the device name stored in the model information storage area is output from the operating system to the first application, and the first application The first application outputs a device name to be displayed as an option of an image processing device to which an image processing instruction to perform image processing is to be sent, and the first application further outputs the device name displayed by the first application. After receiving an operation for selecting, if there is an instruction for image processing, instructing the image processing device corresponding to the device name to perform image processing via the device usage program corresponding to the device name ;
Furthermore, in the installation process, the computer reads a list in which the device names corresponding to the image processing devices to be installed are written, obtains the device names from the read list, and uses the obtained device names as the writing in association with the device usage program in the model information storage area corresponding to the image processing device to be installed;
In the server, when installing the device usage program in the installation process, the list created by the second application is read out, and the list is associated with the device information of the image processing device to be installed. The device name that was used is acquired, and the list is stored in the information processing device when processing of the second application is executed by a computer of an information processing device in which the second application is installed, and in the processing of the second application, the information processing The computer of the apparatus acquires the device information, receives the input of the device name for the image processing device indicated by the device information via the user interface of the information processing apparatus, and inputs the acquired device information and the received image processing device. Created by associating and writing the device name and
An installer for a device usage program characterized by:

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