JP2002209051A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image forming apparatus which surely upgrades a driver of a printer or a multifunction peripheral. A high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral 61 is connected to a CSS center 71 via a public line 80. The high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral 61 includes a plurality of PCs 11 to 18 and a plurality of monochrome printers 2.
1 to 24, 31 and color printers 41, 42, 51 are connected on the same network. The printing device 61 having a connection to the line 80 checks the models on the same network and the types of drivers required for them, obtains version upgrade information of the above-mentioned model from the connection destination of the line 80, and obtains the current version. If the version has been updated from the above, the driver of the new version is downloaded and stored in the printing device 61. Since each individual does not individually access the WEB site, the traffic volume can be reduced, network congestion can be avoided, and as a result, the network speed does not decrease.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a line (hereinafter referred to as CSS) of a printer, a multifunction peripheral, or the like.
) Or an image forming apparatus in a system connected to the same network as the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is configured as a network system in which, for example, a plurality of apparatuses are connected to a network together with a computer. Furthermore, it is connected to another network system via a public line. These image forming apparatuses can be applied not only to printers but also to various types of image forming apparatuses such as plain paper copiers and facsimile machines.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus configured in such a network system, utilities such as a driver are supplied from the WEB or the like with respect to upgrading of software of a printer or a multifunction peripheral, depending on individual users. I have.

[0004]

Conventionally, however, in the case where individual users upgrade their own versions, individual users individually access the WEB to download and install drivers required by themselves. I have.

[0005] One of the problems in that case is that of network congestion and communication costs. Since each individual accesses individually, traffic will be concentrated if an external site is accessed to access the same file. If you are using a paid line such as a modem here,
Communication costs are incurred separately.

[0006] The second problem is how to get the right version of the right driver. It is easy for each individual to search the WEB site and find and download the necessary driver there, if it is a person with a certain level of skill, but difficult for those who do not. Also, usually, such web sites are rarely seen frequently, so it is not known when the latest version is available. As a result, there is a possibility that the performance of the printer or the multifunction peripheral cannot be utilized, or in some cases, an incorrect driver may be used so that normal printing may not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which surely upgrades the driver of a printer or a multifunction peripheral.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one printing apparatus having a line for transmitting self-diagnosis results on the same network, and having a line. No printing device at least one
Check the models that have printers with lines and are on the same network and the type of driver required for them,
It is characterized by obtaining the version upgrade information of the driver of the above model from the connection destination of this line, and downloading the new version of the driver if it has been upgraded from the current version and saving it in the printing device. I have.

The invention according to claim 2 has at least one printer having a line for communicating the self-diagnosis result and at least one printer having no line on the same network, and has a line. The printer checks the models on the same network and the type of driver required for them, obtains the version upgrade information of the driver of the above model from the connection destination of this line, and upgrades from the current version. If a new version of the driver is downloaded and saved in the printing device, the driver is updated and the administrator of the network printer is notified that the driver has been upgraded. The feature is to inform the user of the tool.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one printer having a line for communicating the self-diagnosis result and at least one printer having no line on the same network and having a line. The printer checks the models on the same network and the type of driver required for them, obtains the version upgrade information of the driver of the above model from the connection destination of this line, and upgrades from the current version. If a new version of the driver is downloaded and saved on the printer, the driver is notified that the driver has been upgraded to a printer that does not have a line, and the transferred printer is sent to the network printer that has accessed the printer. Notify the management tool that a new version of the driver has been downloaded and Network printer management tool,
The user is notified that a new version of the driver has been downloaded.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example according to the present invention. This is also a common form of connection in offices in recent years. The high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral 61 is connected to the CSS center 7 via the public line 80.
1 and a plurality of PCs
11 to 18, a plurality of monochrome printers 21 to 24, 31, and color printers 41, 42, 51 are connected on the same network.

Generally, the multifunction peripheral is connected to the CSS. The line (hereafter CSS) is an abbreviation for customer support system.
The maintenance service is performed by transmitting various types of information of the multifunction peripheral at night when the user is not in use and connected to the center 71. This system is common in copiers and multifunction peripherals, but is not usually provided in printers.

FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the only printing device that is connected to the CSS is the high-speed monochrome multifunction peripheral 61. The multifunction peripheral (hereinafter, multifunction peripheral 1) 61 checks the printer connected to the same network and the current driver version. According to the configuration of FIG. 1, four low-speed monochrome printers (21 to 24) and one high-speed monochrome printer (3
1), two low-speed color printers (41, 42), one high-speed color printer (51), and one's own high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral 61, for a total of nine printers of five types. MFP1
(61) is generally used at night when the user is not using
Call the S center and first perform work related to maintenance services.

First, in step S1, the MFP 1 checks a model on the network. Subsequently, a call is made to the CSS center (step S2) to check whether or not the version has been upgraded (step S2). If the version has been upgraded (step S2 / Yes), the driver is downloaded (step S3). If the version has not been upgraded (step S2 / No), the driver is not downloaded (step S5). When the confirmation for all the drivers is completed (step S6 / Yes), information is provided to the accessing user (step S7).

Normally, it is often the case that the same driver is used even for different models, and the model is selected at the time of installation. In this example, a low-speed black and white printer
It is assumed that two types of drivers are required, one for a high-speed black-and-white printer and a high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome driver), and the other for a low-speed color printer and a high-speed color printer (hereinafter referred to as a color driver).

After the work related to the maintenance service is completed,
A comparison is made between the version of the monochrome driver that the user currently has and the latest version registered in the CSS center 71. If a new version is registered, the driver is downloaded. Next, the current version of the color driver is compared with the latest version registered in the CSS center 71. If a new version is registered, the driver is downloaded. The high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral 61 connected to the CSS stores the latest driver by replacing the individually downloaded new version of the driver with the old version.

FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of the second embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that step S
The same applies to 11 to S16. In the second embodiment, when the confirmation for all the drivers is completed (step S16)
/ Yes), providing information to Adomin (step S)
17) The information is provided from the adomin to the client (step S18), and the process ends.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus connected to the CSS is only the high-speed monochrome multi-function peripheral 61. The multifunction peripheral (hereinafter, multifunction peripheral 1) 61 checks the printer connected to the same network and the current driver version. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, there are four low-speed black-and-white printers, one high-speed black-and-white printer, two low-speed color printers, one high-speed color printer, and oneself high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral, for a total of nine printers. The multifunction device 1 generally calls the CSS center at night when the user is not using it, and first performs operations related to maintenance services.

Normally, it is often the case that the same driver is used even when different models are used, and the model is selected at the time of installation in many cases. In this example, a low-speed black and white printer
It is assumed that two types of drivers are required, one for a high-speed black-and-white printer and a high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome driver), and the other for a low-speed color printer and a high-speed color printer (hereinafter referred to as a color driver).

After the work related to the maintenance service is completed,
Compare the version of the monochrome driver you currently have with the latest version registered in the CSS center. If the new version is registered, download the driver. Next, the current version of the color driver is compared with the latest version registered in the CSS center, and if a new version is registered, the driver is downloaded. The individually downloaded new version of the driver is replaced with the old version, and the high-speed monochrome MFP connected to the CSS stores the latest driver.

In recent years, the number and types of devices connected to a network have been dramatically increased. Among them, the number, types and functions of printers such as printers are increasing, such as printers and multifunction devices, and color and monochrome devices, and it is necessary to manage them. Ricoh Co., Ltd. has a tool (Ridoc
Manager for Admin) and a tool (Ridoc Manager for Client) for general users to individually monitor printing devices to improve the usage environment.

The high-speed black-and-white multifunction device that has saved the latest driver updates the version information to Ridoc Manager for Admi
Notify the administrator with n (described as Admin in the figure).
The administrator notifies the general user (referred to as Client in the figure) who uses Ridoc Manager for Client.

Next, the operation flow of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that step S
21 to S28 are the same, and Cl in step S29
The display on the taskbar of the PC of the event has been added.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the only printing device connected to the CSS is a high-speed monochrome multifunction peripheral. This multifunction device (hereinafter, multifunction device 1) checks the printer connected to the same network and the current driver version. According to the configuration of FIG.
, 1 high-speed black and white printer, 2 low-speed color printers,
There are one high-speed color printer and one high-speed black-and-white multi-function printer. The multifunction device 1 generally calls the CSS center at night when the user is not using the device, and first performs operations related to maintenance services.

Normally, it is often the case that the same driver is used for different models, and the model is selected at the time of installation. In this example, a low-speed black and white printer
It is assumed that two types of drivers are required, one for a high-speed black-and-white printer and a high-speed black-and-white multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome driver), and the other for a low-speed color printer and a high-speed color printer (hereinafter referred to as a color driver).

After the maintenance service-related work is completed,
Compare the version of the monochrome driver you currently have with the latest version registered in the CSS center. If the new version is registered, download the driver. Next, the current version of the color driver is compared with the latest version registered in the CSS center, and if a new version is registered, the driver is downloaded. The individually downloaded new version of the driver is replaced with the old version, and the high-speed monochrome MFP connected to the CSS stores the latest driver.

Next, the fact that the monochrome driver has been upgraded to four low-speed monochrome printers and one high-speed monochrome printer will be notified in sequence. Next, the fact that the color driver has been upgraded is sequentially transferred to two low-speed color printers and one high-speed color printer. If the version has not been updated, nothing is done.

In recent years, the number and types of devices connected to the network have been dramatically increased. Among them, the number, types and functions of printing devices such as printers are increasing, such as printers and multifunction devices, and color and monochrome devices, and it is necessary to manage them. Ricoh Co., Ltd. has a tool (Ridoc
Manager for Admin) and a tool (Ridoc Manager for Client) for general users to monitor printing devices individually to improve the usage environment.

A general user can use Ridoc Manager for Client
When the printer is resident on the PC, the driver that has upgraded the driver version informs the PC of the driver upgrade, and receives the Ridoc Manager fo
r Client will indicate this on the Windows taskbar.

The general user using the Ridoc Manager for Client knows that the driver has been upgraded by looking at the task bar, and updates the driver to the latest version.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus of the present invention communicates the result of the self-diagnosis on the same network, and has a printer having a line on the same network and a printer required for those models. Check the driver type, obtain the driver upgrade information for the above model from the line connection destination, and if the driver has been upgraded from the current version, download the new driver and save it on the printer. ing.

As a result of the above configuration, each individual does not need to individually access the WEB site, and the following effects can be expected. 1) Traffic volume can be reduced, network congestion can be avoided, and as a result, network speed does not decrease. 2) In an environment where access to the WEB site is performed by a pay line such as a modem, reducing the traffic volume leads to a reduction in communication costs. 3) Since each person individually searches the WEB site and does not search for a necessary driver in the WEB site, all the persons can surely install the optimum driver, and as a result, the performance of the printer or the multifunction peripheral is obtained. By making the most of, and using the correct driver, normal printing can be expected. 4) Since it is possible to avoid a situation in which the download cannot be performed because of a lack of the user environment, the version can be surely upgraded.

Further, since the confirmation is automatically performed without the user confirming that the latest version is released, the following effects can be expected. 5) Always use the latest drivers to maximize the performance of printers and multifunction devices. 6) More correct printing can be expected by using a driver with fewer bugs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram to which an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of the embodiment of claim 2;

FIG. 4 shows an operation flow of the embodiment of claim 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 11-18 Personal computer (PC) 21-24 Low-speed black-and-white printer 31 High-speed black-and-white printer 41, 42 Low-speed color printer 51, high-speed color printer 61 High-speed black-and-white multifunction printer 71 CSS center 80 Public line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printer having at least one printer having a line for transmitting self-diagnosis results and at least one printer having no line on the same network, wherein the printer having the line has the same network. Check the above models and the types of drivers required for them, obtain the version upgrade information of the above model drivers from the connection destination of the line, and if the version has been upgraded from the current version, An image forming apparatus, wherein a driver is downloaded and stored in the printing device. 2. A printer having at least one printer having a line for transmitting self-diagnosis results and at least one printer having no line on the same network, wherein the printer having the line has the same network. Check the above models and the type of driver required for them, obtain the version upgrade information of the above model driver from the connection destination of the line, and if the version has been upgraded from the current version, The driver is downloaded and saved in the printing device, and the administrator of the network printer group is notified that the driver has been upgraded. The administrator of the network printer group manages the user of the network printer management tool. An image forming apparatus. 3. A printer having at least one printer having a line for transmitting self-diagnosis results and at least one printer having no line on the same network, wherein the printer having the line has the same network. Check the above models and the type of driver required for them, obtain the version upgrade information of the above model driver from the connection destination of the line, and if the version has been upgraded from the current version, The driver is downloaded and stored in the printing device, and the fact that the driver has been upgraded is notified to the printing device having no line. The transferred printing device is a network printer management tool that has accessed the printing device. Notifies the user that a new version of the driver has been downloaded. Kupurinta management tools, image forming apparatus that a new version of the driver and notifies the user that has been downloaded.