JP2005301608A - Installation program, installation device, and peripheral device driver installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention enables installation of a peripheral device driver intended by the user himself / herself, not only for a user having sufficient knowledge about a PC, a peripheral device, a network, and the like, but also for a general user.
The installer acquires the peripheral device information of the network peripheral device transmitted from the network peripheral device, acquires the peripheral device information of the local peripheral device from the local port, and can be installed in the peripheral device information of each peripheral device The peripheral device information of the peripheral device corresponding to the driver is registered in the peripheral device list, and the registered peripheral device list is displayed on the display device. When the user selects a peripheral device to install, the installer checks whether the driver for the specified peripheral device is already installed, installs the driver if it is not installed, and installs the driver if it is not installed. Compare the versions and display the comparison result on the display device.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an installation program, an installation device, and a peripheral device driver installation method, and in particular, an installation program, an installation device, and a peripheral device driver for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device connected via a network and locally connected. Related to the installation method.

  Conventionally, various peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, modems, and digital cameras can be connected to a PC (Personal Computer), and information necessary for the operation of the peripheral devices is provided to the OS (Operating System) of the PC. The peripheral device driver is a program that manages the operation of the peripheral device.

  In order to install the peripheral device driver on the PC, the PC starts up an installation program (hereinafter referred to as an installer) corresponding to the model of the peripheral device to be installed, and the started installer installs the peripheral device driver.

  For example, there are a network system, an information processing apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium that allow a driver to be installed by a simple operation when a driver for a peripheral device on the network is not installed (for example, Patent Literature 1).

For example, a print control method, a print control apparatus, a print control program that can be executed by a computer, and a computer that can easily construct an optimal member printer driver according to a print environment or for each of a plurality of output methods, and a computer Is a readable storage medium (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-189692 JP 2003-84943 A

  Here, the conventional peripheral device driver installer installs a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device on the network (hereinafter referred to as a network peripheral device) or a locally connected peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as a local device). It was common to take the process of allowing the user to select a specific peripheral device model, etc. .

  Here, if the user who wants to use the network peripheral device selects the local peripheral device in the selection of the installation process as described above, or vice versa, the peripheral device cannot be used even after the installation process ends. .

  That is, in order to correctly perform the above installation process, it is necessary to know in advance in what form the peripheral device corresponding to the peripheral device driver installed by the user is connected to the PC. Further, the user is required to have sufficient knowledge about the PC, peripheral devices, network, and the like.

  As described above, in the conventional peripheral device driver installer, there are a plurality of selections to be made by the user, and in order to complete the installation correctly, these selections must be made correctly. There was a problem that required.

  Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a user having sufficient knowledge about a PC, peripheral devices, a network, and the like, and even an ordinary user can install a peripheral device driver intended by the user himself, It is an object of the present invention to provide an installation apparatus and a peripheral device driver installation method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an installation program for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device in an information processing apparatus, a process of searching for a network peripheral device on the network, and the searched network peripheral A process of acquiring information from a device, a process of searching for a local peripheral device connected via an interface of the information processing apparatus, a process of acquiring information of the searched local peripheral device, and the acquired network peripheral device Information and local peripheral device information are registered in the peripheral device list, the peripheral device list is displayed on the display device, and the peripheral device selected on the displayed peripheral device list is instructed to be installed. In accordance with the accepted process and the accepted installation instructions And wherein the operating and process to install the peripheral device driver for the peripheral device to the computer.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a process for confirming whether a peripheral device driver to be installed according to the installation instruction has been installed in the information processing apparatus, and the confirmation When the processing confirms that the peripheral device driver has been installed, the computer operates a process of comparing the installed peripheral device driver version with the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed. It is characterized by making it.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the version of the installed peripheral device driver is the same as the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by comparing the versions. When the confirmation is made, the version of the installed peripheral device driver is older than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed based on the comparison between the process of displaying the same version on the display device and the comparison of the versions. And confirming that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is the version of the peripheral device driver that is scheduled to be installed by comparing the version and the process of displaying on the display device that a new version is to be installed. Make sure it is newer than When, characterized in that to operate the process of displaying on the display device to the effect that would install an older version to the computer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, a process of acquiring the installed peripheral device driver setting confirmed in the confirmation processing, and the peripheral device driver taking over the acquired setting The installation process is performed by a computer.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the peripheral device driver corresponding to the network peripheral device searched by the network peripheral device search process and the local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means. Causes the computer to perform processing to check whether the file exists, and to register the network peripheral device corresponding to the peripheral device driver file whose presence has been confirmed and the local peripheral device in the peripheral device list as installable It is characterized by that.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the computer is caused to operate a process for re-searching the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the information on the network peripheral device is model information of the network peripheral device and address information for specifying a logical position on the network. The peripheral device information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the displaying process displays the acquired network peripheral device information and the local peripheral device information on the same screen.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an installation device for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device in an information processing device, searching for a network peripheral device on the network, and acquiring information from the searched network peripheral device A peripheral device searching means, a local peripheral device searching means for searching for a local peripheral device connected via an interface of the information processing apparatus, and acquiring information of the searched local peripheral device; and the network peripheral device searching means. Peripheral device list control means for registering the acquired network peripheral device information and the local peripheral device information acquired by the local peripheral device search means in the peripheral device list, and display control means for displaying the peripheral device list on the display device And the peripheral device displayed on the display device Input control means for receiving an instruction for installing the peripheral device selected on the list, and peripheral device driver installing means for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in accordance with the installation instruction received by the input control means It is characterized by comprising.

  The invention of claim 10 confirms whether or not the peripheral device driver to be installed according to the installation instruction received by the input control means in the invention of claim 9 is already installed in the information processing apparatus. When the peripheral device driver confirming means and the peripheral device driver confirming means confirm that the peripheral device driver has been installed, the version of the installed peripheral device driver and the peripheral device driver to be installed The apparatus further comprises version comparison means for comparing the versions.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, in the tenth aspect of the invention, the display control means includes a version of the peripheral device driver that has been installed by the version comparison means, and a version of the peripheral device driver that is to be installed. Are displayed on the display device, and the version of the peripheral device driver already installed by the version comparison means is the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed. When it is confirmed that the older version is installed, a message indicating that a new version is to be installed is displayed on the display device, and the version of the peripheral device driver already installed by the version comparison unit is the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed. When confirming that it is newer than the version , Characterized in that it displayed on the display device to the effect that will install the old version.

  The invention of claim 12 further comprises setting acquisition means for acquiring the setting of the installed peripheral device driver confirmed by the peripheral device driver confirmation means in the invention of claim 10, further comprising the peripheral device driver installation. The means takes over the setting acquired by the setting acquisition means and installs the peripheral device driver.

  The invention of claim 13 is the invention of claim 9, wherein the peripheral device list control means is a network peripheral device searched by the network peripheral device search means and a local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means. Check whether the peripheral device driver file corresponding to the file exists, and register the network peripheral device and local peripheral device corresponding to the confirmed peripheral device driver file in the peripheral device list as installable And

  The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 9, wherein the network peripheral device search means and the local peripheral device search means re-search the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device. .

  The invention of claim 15 is the invention of claim 9, wherein the information on the network peripheral device is model information of the network peripheral device and address information for specifying a logical position on the network, The peripheral device information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the display control means displays the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information in the same screen.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in a peripheral device driver installation method for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device in an information processing apparatus, the network peripheral device on the network is searched and information is obtained from the searched network peripheral device. And search for local peripheral devices connected via the interface of the information processing apparatus, acquire information on the searched local peripheral devices, and obtain information on the acquired network peripheral devices and information on local peripheral devices. Registering in the peripheral device list, displaying the peripheral device list on a display device, receiving an instruction to install the peripheral device selected on the displayed peripheral device list, and according to the received installation instruction, the peripheral device Install peripheral device drivers that support And butterflies.

  The invention of claim 18 is the invention of claim 17, wherein it is confirmed whether or not a peripheral device driver scheduled to be installed in accordance with the installation instruction has been installed in the information processing apparatus. When it is confirmed that the peripheral device driver has been installed, the version of the installed peripheral device driver is compared with the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, in the eighteenth aspect of the invention, the version of the installed peripheral device driver and the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed are the same by comparing the versions. When it is confirmed, the fact that it is the same version is displayed on the display device, and it is confirmed by comparison of the versions that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is older than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed. Display a message indicating that a new version is to be installed, and the version of the installed peripheral device driver is newer than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by comparing the versions. When confirming that it is old , Version and displaying on the display device to the effect that will be installed.

  Further, the invention of claim 20 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 18, the setting of the confirmed peripheral device driver that has been installed is acquired, and the peripheral device driver is installed by taking over the acquired setting. To do.

  The invention of claim 21 is the peripheral device driver corresponding to the network peripheral device searched by the network peripheral device search processing and the local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means in the invention of claim 17. The presence or absence of the file is confirmed, and the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device corresponding to the peripheral device driver file whose existence is confirmed are registered in the peripheral device list as installable.

  The invention according to claim 22 is the invention according to claim 17, wherein the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device are searched again.

  The invention of claim 23 is the invention of claim 17, wherein the information on the network peripheral device is model information of the network peripheral device and address information for specifying a logical position on the network, The peripheral device information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected.

  The invention of claim 24 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 17, the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information are displayed on the same screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily install a driver even if the user does not have sufficient knowledge about a PC, peripheral devices, a network, and the like.

  In addition, according to the present invention, even when a peripheral device is turned on or connected during installation, a predetermined peripheral device can be registered in the peripheral device list without restarting the installer. Has the effect of becoming.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the user can easily take over the setting of the peripheral device that suits his / her preference to the newly installed peripheral device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, there is a peripheral device driver installation program for connecting a peripheral device driver corresponding to a peripheral device corresponding to these peripheral devices to the PC by connecting a PC (Personal Computer) via a network and a local port. The configuration installed in the PC will be described in detail as an example. Hereinafter, a peripheral device connected via a network is a network peripheral device, a locally connected peripheral device is a local peripheral device, a peripheral device driver is a driver, and a peripheral device installation program is an installer.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of the PC 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 and the network peripheral device 2 are connected via the network 3, and the PC 1 and the local peripheral device 4 are locally connected.

  Here, the PC 1 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes a CPU 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, an HD 8, a network I / F 9, and a plurality of local ports (first local port, second local port) 10.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 5 performs sequence control of the PC main body based on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is basic software.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 6 records a program executed when the PC 1 is started.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 7 is used as a buffer area of a work area necessary for program execution.

  An HD (Hard Disk) 8 stores an OS, application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications), drivers, various data, and the like.

  A network I / F (Interface) 9 transmits and receives various data to and from the network peripheral device 2.

  The local port 10 transmits / receives various data to / from the local peripheral device 4. The type of the interface standard for the local port 10 is not limited.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the PC 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 1 includes a driver file storage unit 11 that stores peripheral device driver files, a network I / F 9, and local ports (first local port and second local port) 10. Installer 12, a plurality of drivers (first driver and second driver) 13, and various applications (not shown) are installed, and these are functions of the OS under the control of the OS (not shown). Various processes are executed using.

  The PC 1 is connected to a plurality of network peripheral devices (first network peripheral device, second network peripheral device) 2 via a network I / F 9 and a plurality of local peripheral devices (first (Local peripheral device, second local peripheral device) 4.

  The PC 1 is connected to a display device 14 such as a monitor display that can visually display various information such as an application screen, and an input device 15 such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  Here, the installer 12 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the installer 12 includes a peripheral device search unit 16, a peripheral device list control unit 17, a display control unit 18, an input control unit 19, a driver confirmation unit 20, and a driver installation unit 21.

  The peripheral device search unit 16 performs processing for searching for information related to peripheral devices connected to the PC 1 (hereinafter referred to as peripheral device information). As a function, the peripheral device search unit 16 requests peripheral device information (for example, model name, network address, etc.) from the network peripheral device 2 on the network, and the network peripheral device 2 responds to the request to the peripheral device. Requests network peripheral device search means 22 for acquiring information and peripheral device information (for example, model name, connected local port name, etc.) of the local peripheral device 4 connected to each local port 10 of the PC 1. Local peripheral device search means 23 for acquiring peripheral device information from each responding local port 10.

  The peripheral device list control unit 17 includes the peripheral device information of the network peripheral device 2 and the peripheral device information of the local peripheral device 4 acquired by the peripheral device search unit 16, and the driver file stored in the driver file storage unit 11 of the PC 1. The network peripheral device 2 and the local peripheral device 4 that can be installed are registered in the peripheral device list 24 based on the above.

  The display control unit 18 performs processing for displaying a message on the display device 14 when the peripheral device list 24 or the driver is installed.

  The input control unit 19 receives a user instruction input from the input device 15 and performs a process of transferring the received instruction to each component unit.

  The driver confirmation unit 20 performs a process of confirming a driver installed on the PC 1. The driver confirming unit 20 compares the versions of both drivers when it is confirmed that the same driver as the driver corresponding to the peripheral device registered in the peripheral device list 24 has been installed as a function. 25 and setting acquisition means 26 for acquiring the setting of the installed driver.

  The driver installation unit 21 performs a process of installing a driver corresponding to the driver file stored in the driver file storage unit 11.

  Next, the functional operation of the installer 12 when registering the peripheral device information of the network peripheral device 2 and the local peripheral device 4 connected to the PC 1 in the peripheral device list 24 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The network peripheral device search means 22 transmits a request for peripheral device information to the network peripheral device 2 via the network I / F 9. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the first network peripheral device 2 and the second network peripheral device 2 respond to the request, and the network peripheral device search means 22 receives the request from the first network peripheral device 2. The transmitted peripheral device information of the first network peripheral device 2 and the peripheral device information of the second network peripheral device 2 transmitted from the second network peripheral device 2 are acquired via the network I / F 9.

  The local peripheral device search means 23 requests peripheral device information of the local peripheral device 4 connected to the local port 10. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the first local peripheral device 4 is connected to the first local port 10, and the second local peripheral device 4 is connected to the second local port 10. The device search means 23 receives the peripheral device information of the first local peripheral device 4 transferred from the first local port 10 and the peripheral device information of the second local peripheral device 4 transferred from the second local port 10. get.

  The peripheral device search unit 16 includes the peripheral device information of the first network peripheral device 2 and the peripheral device information of the second network peripheral device 2 acquired by the network peripheral device search means 22 and the first information acquired by the local peripheral device search means 23. When the peripheral device information of one local peripheral device 4 and the peripheral device information of the second local peripheral device 4 are passed to the peripheral device list control unit 17, the peripheral device list control unit 17 receives the peripheral device information of each peripheral device. The driver corresponding to each peripheral device is confirmed based on the received peripheral device information of each peripheral device, and it is confirmed whether the driver file of the confirmed driver is stored in the driver file storage unit 11.

  If it is confirmed that the driver file is stored, it is determined that the driver of the driver file can be installed, and the peripheral device information of the peripheral device corresponding to the driver is registered in the peripheral device list 24. If it is confirmed that the driver file is not stored, it is determined that the driver of the driver file cannot be installed, and the peripheral device information of the peripheral device corresponding to the driver is not registered in the peripheral device list 24.

  Next, a functional operation of the installer 12 when the peripheral device list 24 is displayed on the display device 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the input control unit 19 receives an instruction to display the peripheral device list from the input device 15, the input control unit 19 notifies the display control unit 18 of an instruction to display the peripheral device list, and when the display control unit 18 receives an instruction to display the peripheral device list, When the request for the peripheral device list 24 is notified to the peripheral device list control unit 17 and the peripheral device list control unit 17 accepts the request for the peripheral device list 24, the peripheral device list 24 is passed to the display control unit 18, and the display control unit 18. When the peripheral device list 24 is received, the received peripheral device list 24 is displayed on the display device 14.

  Next, the functional operation of the installer 12 when installing the driver of the peripheral device selected from the peripheral device list 24 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user refers to the peripheral device list 24 displayed on the display device 14, selects a peripheral device to be installed by the input device 15, and instructs the installation of the selected peripheral device, the input control unit 19 reads from the input device 15. When an instruction to install a peripheral device is received, an instruction to install the peripheral device is notified to the driver installing unit 21. When the driver installing unit 21 receives an instruction to install the peripheral device, the driver corresponding to the peripheral device instructed to install. Is requested to the driver confirmation unit 20, and when the driver confirmation unit 20 receives the request, the driver confirmation unit 20 determines whether the driver corresponding to the peripheral device instructed to install has been installed. Confirm.

  When it is confirmed that the driver is not installed, the driver installation unit 21 is notified that the driver is not installed. When the driver installation unit 21 receives the notification that the driver is not installed, the driver installation unit 21 receives a driver corresponding to the installation-instructed peripheral device. The driver file is read from the driver file storage unit 11 and the driver is installed.

  When it is confirmed that the driver has been installed, the version comparison unit 25 confirms the version of the installed driver and the version of the driver file stored in the driver file storage unit 11.

  When it is confirmed that the versions of both the drivers are the same, the driver confirmation unit 20 notifies the driver installation unit 21 that the same version of the driver has been installed, and the driver installation unit 21 has already received the same version of the driver. When receiving the notification that the driver is already installed, the display controller 18 is notified that the same version of the driver has already been installed, and when the display controller 18 receives the notification that the driver of the same version has already been installed. The display device 14 displays that the same version of the driver has already been installed.

  When the user gives an instruction to install a driver of the same version, when the input control unit 19 receives an installation instruction from the input device 15, the input control unit 19 notifies the display control unit 18 of the installation instruction, and the display control unit 18 When the instruction is accepted, an inquiry to the user as to whether to take over the setting of the installed driver is displayed on the display device 14.

  When the user instructs the installation to take over the settings of the installed driver, when the input control unit 19 receives an installation instruction to take over the settings from the input device 15, the input control unit 19 notifies the driver installation unit 21 of the installation instruction to take over the settings. When the driver installation unit 21 receives an installation instruction to take over the setting, the driver installation unit 21 requests the driver confirmation unit 20 to acquire the setting of the installed driver. When the driver confirmation unit 20 receives the request, the setting acquisition unit 26 receives the request. To obtain the setting from the installed driver, and pass the obtained setting to the driver installing unit 21. When the driver installing unit 21 receives the setting, the driver file of the driver corresponding to the peripheral device for which installation has been instructed is obtained. Reading from the storage unit 11, to install the driver takes over the settings.

  When the user instructs installation without taking over the settings (that is, with standard settings), when the input control unit 19 receives an installation instruction with standard settings from the input device 15, the driver instructs the installation instruction with standard settings. When notified to the installation unit 21 and receiving an instruction for installation with standard settings, the driver installation unit 21 reads out a driver file of a driver corresponding to the peripheral device instructed to install from the driver file storage unit 11 and installs the driver.

  When it is confirmed that the version of the installed driver is older, the driver confirmation unit 20 notifies the driver installation unit 21 that the old version of the driver has been installed, and the driver installation unit 21 installs the old version of the driver. When the notification that the old version of the driver has been installed is received, the display control unit 18 notifies the display control unit 18 that the old version of the driver has been installed. Is displayed on the display device 14.

  When the user instructs to install a new version of the driver, when the input control unit 19 receives an installation instruction from the input device 15, the input control unit 19 notifies the display control unit 18 of the installation instruction, and the display control unit 18 instructs the installation. Is received, an inquiry to the user as to whether to take over the setting of the installed driver is displayed on the display device 14. Note that the subsequent functional operation is the same as when the same version of the driver is installed, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When it is confirmed that the installed driver version is newer, the driver confirmation unit 20 notifies the driver installation unit 21 that the new version of the driver has been installed, and the driver installation unit 21 installs the new version of the driver. When the notification that the new version of the driver has been installed is received, the display control unit 18 notifies the display control unit 18 that the new version of the driver has been installed. Is displayed on the display device 14.

  When the user instructs to install an older version of the driver, when the input control unit 19 receives an installation instruction from the input device 15, the input control unit 19 notifies the display control unit 18 of the installation instruction, and the display control unit 18 instructs the installation. Is received, an inquiry to the user as to whether to take over the setting of the installed driver is displayed on the display device 14. Note that the subsequent functional operation is the same as when the same version of the driver is installed, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, processing performed by the installer 12 for registering the peripheral device information of the network peripheral device 2 and the local peripheral device 4 connected to the PC 1 in the peripheral device list 24 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A request for peripheral device information is transmitted to the network peripheral device (step S301), the peripheral device information is received from the network peripheral device (step S302), and the presence or absence of a driver file corresponding to the network peripheral device is confirmed (step S303). ), Registerable network peripheral devices in the peripheral device list (step S304), request peripheral device information of local peripheral devices to each local port (step S305), and accept peripheral device information from each local port (Step S306), the presence or absence of a driver file corresponding to the local peripheral device is confirmed (Step S307), the local peripheral device that can be installed is registered in the peripheral device list (Step S308), and the process is terminated.

  At this time, it is also possible to register the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device in the peripheral device list without checking the presence or absence of the driver file corresponding to the network peripheral device or the presence or absence of the driver file corresponding to the local peripheral device. .

  Next, processing for installing a driver for a peripheral device selected from the peripheral device list 24 performed by the installer 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A peripheral device list display instruction is received (step S401), and the peripheral device list is displayed (step S402).

  When displaying the peripheral device list, information on network peripheral devices and information on local peripheral devices can be displayed on the same screen. Then, it is not necessary to distinguish whether the peripheral device on which the user installs is connected to the network or connected to the local port, so that the installation work can be simplified.

  When a peripheral device to be installed is selected from the peripheral device list (step S403), it is confirmed whether or not a driver corresponding to the selected peripheral device has been installed (step S404).

  If not installed (NO in step S405), if an installation instruction is accepted (YES in step S406), the driver is installed (step S407), and the process ends.

  If it has not been installed (NO in step S405), or if no installation instruction has been accepted (NO in step S406), the installation is stopped (step S408), and the process ends.

  If it has been installed (YES in step S405), the version of the installed driver is confirmed (step S409).

  If the version of the installed driver is the same as the version of the driver for which installation has been instructed (YES in step S410), the fact that they are the same version is displayed (step S411), and the process proceeds to step S415.

  If the version of the installed driver is older than the version of the driver for which installation is instructed (NO in step S410 and YES in step S412), a message indicating that a new version of the driver is to be installed is displayed (step S413), and the process proceeds to step S415.

  If the version of the installed driver is newer than the version of the driver that has been instructed to install (NO in step S410 and NO in step S412), a message indicating that the old version of the driver is to be installed is displayed (step S414), and the process proceeds to step S415.

  If the installation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S415), the installation is stopped (step S408), and the process is terminated.

  When an installation instruction is accepted (YES in step S415), an inquiry is made as to whether or not the setting is to be taken over (step S416).

  If the setting is to be inherited (YES in step S416), the driver is installed by inheriting the setting (step S417), and the process is terminated.

  If the settings are not inherited (NO in step S416), the driver is installed without inheriting the settings (step S418), and the process is terminated.

  Next, the peripheral device list 24 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the peripheral device list 24.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral device list 24 displays peripheral device information of network peripheral devices and local peripheral devices that can be installed.

  For example, the peripheral device information of the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” displayed at the top of the peripheral device list is the address “123.123.123.120” and the model “Printer Model XXX”. Yes, it can be confirmed from the address that the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” is a network peripheral device, and the peripheral of the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” displayed second in the peripheral device list. The device information is the address “123.123.123.121” and the model “Printer Model XXX”, and it can be confirmed from the address that the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” is a network peripheral device. Peripheral device “Print” displayed third from the top of the device list The peripheral device information of “r Model XXX” is the address “USB” and the model “Printer Model XXX”, and it is confirmed from the address that the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” is a local peripheral device. The peripheral device information of the peripheral device “Printer Model XXX” displayed at the bottom of the peripheral device list is the address “LPT1” and the model “Printer Model XXX”. “Printer Model XXX” can be confirmed to be a local peripheral device.

  When the user selects a peripheral device to be installed from the peripheral device list 24 with a mouse or the like and presses the “Next” button 31 with the mouse or the like, the driver installation process described above is started.

  When the “re-search” button 32 displayed in the peripheral device list 24 is pressed with a mouse or the like, the installer starts searching for network peripheral devices and local peripheral devices again. For example, if a peripheral device that was turned off when the peripheral device list was displayed then turned on, or a peripheral device that was not connected to the network or local port when the peripheral device list was displayed When connected to a network or a local port, it is possible to register the target peripheral device in the peripheral device list by performing the above-described re-search.

  In the above-described embodiment, the same driver as the driver already installed in the PC is prevented from being registered twice. For a general user, the same driver is one. This is because there is almost no point in having a plurality on one PC. However, for some advanced users, a configuration that allows multiple registration of the same driver may be applied depending on the setting.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which an installer is installed on a PC as in the above-described embodiment, and a configuration in which a PC has a built-in or connected driver installation device having the same function as the installer described above. But it is applicable.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a fundamental structure of PC1. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of PC1. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed by an installer 12 for registering peripheral device information of a network peripheral device 2 and a local peripheral device 4 connected to a PC 1 in a peripheral device list 24; It is a flowchart which shows the process which installs the driver of the peripheral device selected from the peripheral device list | wrist 24 which the installer 12 performs. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a peripheral device list 24. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC
2 Network peripheral device 3 Network 4 Local peripheral device 5 CPU
6 ROM
7 RAM
8 HD
9 Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Local port 11 Driver file storage part 12 Installer 13 Driver 14 Display apparatus 15 Input device 16 Peripheral equipment search part 17 Peripheral equipment list control part 18 Display control part 19 Input control part 20 Driver confirmation part 21 Driver installation part 22 Network peripheral equipment search Means 23 Local peripheral device search means 24 Peripheral device list 25 Version comparison means 26 Setting acquisition means 27 “Next” button 28 “Re-search” button

Claims (24)

In the installation program that installs the peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in the information processing device,
Searching for network peripherals on the network;
Processing for acquiring information from the searched network peripheral device;
Processing for searching for local peripheral devices to be connected via the interface of the information processing apparatus;
Processing for obtaining information of the searched local peripheral device;
Processing for registering the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information in the peripheral device list;
Processing for displaying the peripheral device list on a display device;
Processing for receiving an instruction to install the peripheral device selected on the displayed peripheral device list;
An installation program for causing a computer to operate a process of installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in accordance with the received installation instruction. Processing for confirming whether or not a peripheral device driver to be installed according to the installation instruction is already installed in the information processing apparatus;
A process of comparing the version of the installed peripheral device driver with the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed when it is confirmed that the peripheral device driver has been installed by the confirmation processing; The installation program according to claim 1, wherein the installation program is operated by a computer. When the version of the installed peripheral device driver and the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed are confirmed to be the same by comparing the versions, the fact that they are the same version is displayed on the display device. Processing to
When it is confirmed by comparison of the versions that the installed peripheral device driver version is older than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed, the display device displays that a new version is to be installed. Processing to
When it is confirmed that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is newer than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by comparing the versions, an indication that the old version is to be installed is displayed on the display device. The installation program according to claim 2, further comprising: causing a computer to operate the processing to be performed. A process of acquiring the installed peripheral device driver settings confirmed in the confirmation process;
The installation program according to claim 2, further comprising: causing the computer to operate a process of taking over the acquired setting and installing the peripheral device driver. Processing for checking the presence or absence of a peripheral device driver file corresponding to the network peripheral device searched by the network peripheral device search processing and the local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means;
2. The installation program according to claim 1, wherein the computer operates a network peripheral device corresponding to a peripheral device driver file whose existence has been confirmed and a process of registering a local peripheral device in a peripheral device list as installable. . The installation program according to claim 1, wherein the computer operates a process for performing a re-search of the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device. The network peripheral information is
Model information of the network peripheral device, address information for specifying a logical position on the network,
The local peripheral information is
The installation program according to claim 1, wherein the information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected. The processing to display is
The installation program according to claim 1, wherein the acquired information on the network peripheral device and the information on the local peripheral device are displayed on the same screen. In the installation device that installs the peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in the information processing device,
Network peripheral device search means for searching for network peripheral devices on the network and acquiring information from the searched network peripheral devices;
A local peripheral device search means for searching for a local peripheral device to be connected through an interface of the information processing apparatus and acquiring information of the searched local peripheral device;
Peripheral device list control means for registering information on network peripheral devices acquired by the network peripheral device search means and information on local peripheral devices acquired by the local peripheral device search means in a peripheral device list;
Display control means for displaying the peripheral device list on a display device;
Input control means for receiving an instruction to install a peripheral device selected on the peripheral device list displayed on the display device;
An installation device comprising: peripheral device driver installation means for installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in accordance with an installation instruction received by the input control means. Peripheral device driver confirmation means for confirming whether or not the peripheral device driver scheduled to be installed according to the installation instruction received by the input control means is already installed in the information processing apparatus;
Version comparison for comparing the version of the installed peripheral device driver with the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed when the peripheral device driver confirming unit confirms that the peripheral device driver has been installed. The installation apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: means. The display control means includes
When it is confirmed that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is the same as the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by the version comparison means, the fact that it is the same version is displayed on the display device. ,
When it is confirmed that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is older than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by the version comparison means, a message indicating that a new version will be installed is displayed on the display device. ,
When it is confirmed that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is newer than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by the version comparison means, the display device displays that the old version will be installed. The installation apparatus according to claim 10. Further comprising setting acquisition means for acquiring settings of installed peripheral device drivers confirmed by the peripheral device driver confirmation means;
The peripheral device driver installation means includes:
The installation device according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral device driver is installed by taking over the setting acquired by the setting acquisition unit. The peripheral device list control means includes:
Check the existence of the peripheral device driver file corresponding to the network peripheral device searched by the network peripheral device search means and the local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means,
10. The installation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a network peripheral device and a local peripheral device corresponding to a peripheral device driver file whose existence is confirmed are registered in the peripheral device list as installable. The network peripheral device search means and the local peripheral device search means are:
The installation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device are searched again. The network peripheral information is
Model information of the network peripheral device, address information for specifying a logical position on the network,
The local peripheral information is
The installation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the installation information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected. The display control means includes
The installation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information are displayed in the same screen. In the peripheral device driver installation method for installing the peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in the information processing apparatus,
Search for network peripherals on the network,
Obtain information from the searched network peripherals,
Search for local peripheral devices to be connected via the interface of the information processing apparatus,
Obtain the information of the searched local peripheral device,
Register the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information in the peripheral device list,
Displaying the peripheral device list on a display device;
Accepts an instruction to install the peripheral device selected on the displayed peripheral device list,
A peripheral device driver installation method comprising: installing a peripheral device driver corresponding to the peripheral device according to the received installation instruction. Check whether the peripheral device driver to be installed according to the installation instruction is already installed in the information processing apparatus,
When the confirmation confirms that the peripheral device driver has been installed, the version of the installed peripheral device driver is compared with the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed. The peripheral device driver installation method according to claim 17. When the version of the installed peripheral device driver and the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed are confirmed to be the same by comparing the versions, the fact that they are the same version is displayed on the display device. And
When it is confirmed by comparison of the versions that the installed peripheral device driver version is older than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed, the display device displays that a new version is to be installed. And
When it is confirmed that the version of the installed peripheral device driver is newer than the version of the peripheral device driver to be installed by comparing the versions, an indication that the old version is to be installed is displayed on the display device. 19. The method of installing a peripheral device driver according to claim 18, wherein the peripheral device driver is installed. Acquire the installed peripheral device driver settings that have been confirmed,
The peripheral device driver installation method according to claim 18, wherein the peripheral device driver is installed by taking over the acquired setting. Check the presence or absence of the peripheral device driver file corresponding to the network peripheral device searched in the network peripheral device search process and the local peripheral device searched by the local peripheral device search means,
The peripheral device driver installation method according to claim 17, wherein the network peripheral device corresponding to the peripheral device driver file whose existence has been confirmed and the local peripheral device are registered in the peripheral device list as installable. The peripheral device driver installation method according to claim 17, wherein the network peripheral device and the local peripheral device are searched again. The network peripheral information is
Model information of the network peripheral device, address information for specifying a logical position on the network,
The local peripheral information is
18. The method of installing a peripheral device driver according to claim 17, wherein the information is model information of the local peripheral device and standard information of the interface to be connected. 18. The peripheral device driver installation method according to claim 17, wherein the acquired network peripheral device information and local peripheral device information are displayed in the same screen.