JP4876837B2 - Scanner driver and scanner driver cooperation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanner driver and a scanner driver cooperation device, and more particularly, to a scanner driver and a scanner driver cooperation device that use functions of a plurality of scanner drivers through one scanner driver.

  A scanner that scans a document or the like and reads an image may be used by directly connecting to an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) via SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) or USB (Universal Serial Bus). In recent years, the number of opportunities to connect a scanner or a multifunction device equipped with a scanner function to an information processing device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and use it as a network scanner has increased in recent years. Yes.

  A TWAIN driver has become an industry standard for scanner drivers that control scanners, multifunction devices, and the like to acquire document image data, and many manufacturers provide scanner drivers that comply with this method.

  However, as products (devices) that can be used as scanners increase, the types of scanner drivers and the number of models supported by each scanner driver increase, and the burden on development tends to increase.

  Therefore, for example, a data source that is a dynamic library is provided for each device, information about the device is stored in the corresponding data source, and command exchange between the image application and the scanner driver is performed via the data source. A method of sharing a scanner driver for an image application has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, with this method, the point that a scanner driver is required for each device is the same as in the past (see FIG. 8A), and as the number of devices increases, the number of devices increases as the screen scrolls when the scanner driver is selected. The scanner driver may be displayed, and it took a lot of trouble to switch devices easily.

In the network scanner, for example, there is a method of providing a TWAIN data source for each device that can use the same scanner driver (see FIG. 8B). In this method, when a user selects a scanner driver, devices corresponding to the scanner driver are spontaneously detected from the network and displayed in a list, so that the user can switch devices by selecting a device to be used. Can be done.
JP-A-10-275223

  If the means for accessing the device does not change greatly, it is possible to provide a scanner driver that can access almost all devices in this manner.

  However, if the device access method is changed, such as a change in communication protocol or physical access method, the existing scanner driver cannot be expanded for development due to an increase in development man-hours or changes in operability. There is a case.

  For this reason, a new scanner driver that is completely different from the existing scanner driver is developed, and when the user selects a device that the user wants to use, the existing scanner driver should be selected or a new scanner driver should be selected. Must be known in advance, and the same problem as in Patent Document 1 described above occurs.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a scanner driver that can operate the functions of a plurality of scanner drivers through one scanner driver without affecting the operability of the user, and a scanner driver and a scanner capable of improving usability An object is to provide a driver cooperation apparatus.

The scanner driver according to the present invention reads an image by driving a reading device having an image reading function based on a command received from an image processing application by a scanner driver that supports the reading device among a plurality of scanner drivers. A scanner driver for causing a computer to execute processing, wherein the first device sets a reading device to be used when reading an image from among reading devices supported by any of the plurality of scanner drivers provided in the computer a setting unit, when from the application using the selected command instructs the driver to indicate the commands from the plurality of scanner driver accepts the command, set by the first device setting means A setting requesting unit for requesting setting of the reading device to a support driver that is a scanner driver that supports the reading device when it is determined that the reading device supported by the command instruction driver is not a reading device; A second device setting means for setting a reading device supported by the support driver as a reading device used when reading an image based on the setting request from the setting request means; and the application using the command instruction driver. wherein by receiving the command, when the reading device which is set by the first device setting means is determined to be a reading device supported by said command instruction driver from the applique Received the command from the Deployment treated with the reading device and the reading device which is set by the first device setting means is determined that another scanner driver is a read device that supports the reading after sending the setting request by the setting request means to said support driver that supports the device, and transfers the command, command processing for processing commands by receiving the processing result of the command from said support driver And a processing result transmitting means for transmitting the processing result of the command to the application.

Further, the first device setting means displays a list of reading devices supported by any of the scanner drivers, and accepts selection of the reading devices.

In addition, the information related to the reading device is stored, and when the scanner device supports the reading device, the computer further executes processing for storing the information related to the support driver in the first storage unit, The command processing means determines the reading device based on the information stored in the first storage means, and processes a command corresponding to the reading device.

A scanner driver cooperation apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanner driving unit including an application for processing an image and a plurality of scanner drivers that support image reading processing in a reading device having an image reading function based on a command received from the application. The scanner driving unit configured to set a reading device to be used when reading an image from reading devices supported by any of the plurality of scanner drivers, and the plurality of scanner drivers. When the command is received from the application using the command instruction driver selected to instruct the command, the reading device set by the first device setting means is the command instruction driver. When it is determined that the reading device is not supported by the setting device, a setting request unit that requests the support driver, which is a scanner driver that supports the reading device, to set the reading device, and the setting request from the setting request unit A first device setting unit configured to set a reading device supported by the support driver as a reading device to be used when reading an image; and by receiving the command from the application using the command instruction driver, If it is determined that the reading device set by the device setting means is a reading device supported by the command instruction driver, a command received from the application is sent to the reading device. And when it is determined that the reading device set by the first device setting means is a reading device supported by another scanner driver, the support driver supporting the reading device After the setting request is transmitted by the setting request means, the command is transferred, and the command processing result is received by receiving the command processing result from the support driver. And a processing result transmitting means for transmitting to.

Further, the first device setting means displays a list of reading devices supported by any of the scanner drivers, and accepts selection of the reading devices .

In addition, the scanner driving unit stores information related to the reading device, and when another scanner driver supports the reading device, the scanner driving unit further stores information related to the support driver in the first storage unit. And the command processing means determines the reading device based on information stored in the first storage means, and performs processing of a command corresponding to the reading device .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently develop a scanner driver without deteriorating user convenience.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image reading system configured using an information processing apparatus (scanner driver cooperation apparatus) including a scanner driver according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an application 11 that uses an image scanned by scanning a document, and a device 20 (20-1, 20) that functions as a scanner, such as a scanner or a multifunction peripheral having a scanner function. -2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-5) and scanner driver 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3) for performing processing for controlling and application 11 uses scanner driver 12. And a scan interface 13 that performs processing for the communication, and is connected to each device 20 via a communication interface (not shown) and a network 30 such as a LAN.

  Here, the scanner driver (1) 12-1 supports the device (1) 20-1, and the scanner driver (2) 12-2 replaces the device (2) 20-2 with the scanner driver (3) 12-. 3 supports the device (3) 20-3, the device (4) 20-4, and the device (5) 20-5.

  The application 11, the scanner driver 12, and the scan interface 13 are realized by software installed in the information processing apparatus 10, and each scanner driver can be installed and uninstalled independently.

  Using the above configuration, when the application 11 instructs the scan interface 13 to select the scanner driver 12, the information processing apparatus 10 detects and displays a list of the installed scanner drivers 12, and selects the scanner driver. To the user, and an arbitrary scanner driver selected by the user is set as a scanner driver (1) 12-1 used at the time of image reading.

  The scanner driver (1) 12-1 lists devices supported by other drivers such as the device (2) 20-2 and the device (3) 20-3 as well as the devices supported by the driver. When the device (1) 20-1 supported by the driver is selected, the device is stored and set as a device to be used when reading an image.

  On the other hand, when a device selected by another driver, for example, a device 2 supported by the scanner driver 2, is selected, the scanner driver 2 and the device 2 are stored in the own driver, and are used by the scanner driver 2 as devices used when reading an image. Set device 2.

  Then, when an image reading instruction command is transmitted from the application 11 to the scan interface 13, the scan interface 13 activates a preset scanner driver (1) 12-1.

  When the device (1) 20-1 supported by the driver is set as a device used at the time of image reading, the scanner driver 1 processes the command (COM) from the application with the driver.

  On the other hand, when the device 2 supported by the scanner driver 2 (other driver) is set as a scanner driver and a device that is used when reading an image, the scanner driver 2 is started using the same means as a normal scan interface. The command (COM) processing is requested, and the command processing result (RES) in the scanner driver 2 is notified to the application through the scan interface.

  Note that the command requested from the scanner driver 1 to the scanner driver 2 is a command itself instructed by the application via the scan interface, and for the scanner driver 2, the operation is the same as when receiving a command from the scan interface.

  In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus and each device are connected via a network. However, the connection between the information processing apparatus and each device is not limited to network connection. For example, FIG. 2A is an example in which a network scanner connected to a specific PC or server via a LAN such as 100BASE-T and a scanner connected via a USB cable are mixed, and a scanner driver for each LAN and USB. 3 can be implemented by replacing the network access units 48 and 58 in FIG. 3 described later with a USB device access unit that performs processing for accessing the device via USB.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, devices using different protocols may be mixed, and a scanner driver corresponding to each protocol is provided, and network access units 48 and 58 shown in FIG. Can be implemented by replacing those with those corresponding to the respective communication protocols.

  Hereinafter, a scanner driver according to the present invention will be described in detail using embodiments.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the scanner driver.

  In the figure, it is assumed that the scanner interface (1) 12-1 is set in the scan interface 13 to be a scanner driver used in the application 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner driver 12-1 includes a scanner selection unit 40, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) providing unit 41, a transfer unit 42, a storage unit 43, an API (Application Program Interface) unit 44, A command processing unit 45, a reading unit 46, an image processing unit 47, and a network access unit 48 are provided.

  The scanner selection unit 40 performs processing for selecting a device (scanner) that executes a reading instruction (command) from the application 11. Specifically, for example, when a reading instruction (command) from the application 11 is received, the scanner information stored in the storage unit 43 is searched, and a device is selected based on the scanner information. At this time, when a device corresponding to another scanner driver is selected, the scanner driver corresponding to the device is activated and a command received from the application is transmitted. Further, when the scanner information is not stored in the storage unit 43, a GUI is displayed on the information processing apparatus, and the selection of a device (scanner) by the user is accepted.

  The GUI providing unit 41 performs processing for providing the user with an interface for accepting device selection. Specifically, for example, a GUI that displays a list of devices that can be supported by the scanner driver and devices that can be supported by another scanner driver that cooperates with the scanner driver is created. The GUI may be mainly composed of characters or only characters without using many graphics.

  The transfer unit 42 performs processing for transmitting and receiving commands and command processing results to and from other scanner drivers.

  The storage unit 43 stores information about the device (scanner information). Specifically, for example, information (scanner information) related to the device selected by the scanner selection unit 40 and the scanner driver (support driver) corresponding to the device is stored.

  The API unit 44 performs predetermined processing such as searching for a device that can be handled by its scanner driver, setting a device to be used, and releasing the set device. Specifically, for example, when a device search is instructed from the GUI providing unit 41, a compatible device is searched and a search result is notified. When the setting of the device is instructed from the GUI providing unit 41, the scanner information is written in the storage unit 43. When the setting cancellation is instructed, the scanner information is deleted from the storage unit 43.

  The command processing unit 45 performs processing for executing a read instruction (command) received from an application.

  The reading unit 46 performs processing for reading an image with the device 20-1.

  The image processing unit 47 performs processing such as converting an image read from a document into an appropriate file format.

  The network access unit 48 performs processing for accessing the device 20-1 via the network.

  Next, the scanner driver 12-2 includes a scanner selection unit 50, a GUI providing unit 51, a transfer unit 52, a storage unit 53, an API unit 54, a command processing unit 55, a reading unit 56, and image processing. Unit 57 and a network access unit 58.

  The scanner selection unit 50, GUI providing unit 51, transfer unit 52, storage unit 53, API unit 54, command processing unit 55, reading unit 56, image processing unit 57, and network access unit 58 are respectively connected to the scanner selection unit 40. , GUI provision unit 41, transfer unit 42, storage unit 43, API unit 44, command processing unit 45, reading unit 46, image processing unit 47, and network access unit 48, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  The scanner driver (1) 12-1 and the scanner driver (2) 12-2 are scanner drivers that can operate independently and control different devices 20-1 and 20-2. Process (support).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the scanner driver when setting the device 20 used in the application 11.

  First, the scanner selection unit 40 of the scanner driver (1) 12-1 displays, for example, a GUI (see FIG. 5) for instructing reading of an image, and the “change scanner” button is clicked with a mouse pointer. Upon receiving a setting change (setting request) for the device 20 used in the application 11 (step 100), the device setting is started, the device supported by the driver is searched for in the API unit 44, and the GUI providing unit 41 is notified. (Step 101).

  The GUI providing unit 41 determines whether or not there is another scanner driver that cooperates (the own driver relays a command or the like) (step 102), and determines that there is no other driver that cooperates (in step 102). NO), a GUI for displaying a list of devices supported by the driver is created, and a process for displaying the GUI on the display of the information processing apparatus is performed (step 103).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that there is another scanner driver to be linked (hereinafter referred to as “scanner driver 2”) (YES in step 102), the API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 can be supported by the scanner driver. A device notification is requested (step 104).

  The API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 searches for a device supported by the driver (step 105), and notifies the search result to the GUI providing unit 41 of the scanner driver 1 (step 106).

  The GUI providing unit 41 creates a GUI for displaying a list of devices supported by the driver and the scanner driver 2 (other driver), and performs a process for displaying the GUI on the display of the information processing apparatus (step 103). .

  When the device (device 1 or 2) is selected, the scanner selection unit 40 stores the scanner information (scanner identification information, information on the scanner driver that supports the scanner, etc.) of the selected device in the storage unit 43. The device is stored and the device is set as a device to be used at the time of image reading (step 107).

  If the set device is a device (device 1) supported by the scanner driver 1 (self driver) (YES in step 108), the device setting is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the set device is a device (device 2) supported by the scanner driver 2 (other driver) (NO in step 108), a device setting request is transmitted to the scanner driver 2 (step 110). The device setting in the scanner driver 1 is finished (step 109), and the API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 to which the device setting request is transmitted from the scanner driver 1 stores the scanner information of the device for which setting is requested in the storage unit 53. The device is stored and the device (device 2) is set as a device to be used when reading an image (step 211).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the scanner driver when an image is read by scanning a document with a device.

  First, when an image reading instruction (command) transmitted from the application 11 is received by the scanner selection unit 40 of the scanner driver 1 (step 200), the scanner selection unit 40 reads the scanner information from the storage unit 43 and reads the image. It is determined whether a device to be used is set (step 201).

  If it is determined that a device is set (YES in step 201), it is determined whether or not the device is supported by its own driver (scanner driver 1) (step 202).

  If it is determined in step 201 that no device is set (NO in step 201), device setting is started, the device supported by the driver is searched for in the API unit 44, and the GUI providing unit 41 is notified. (Step 203).

  Here, the GUI providing unit 41 determines whether or not there is another scanner driver that cooperates (the own driver relays a command or the like) (step 204), and determines that there is no other driver that cooperates (step 204). If NO in step 204), a GUI for displaying a list of devices supported by the driver itself is created, and a process for displaying it on the display of the information processing apparatus is performed (step 205).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 204 that there is another scanner driver to be linked (hereinafter referred to as “scanner driver 2”) (YES in step 204), the API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 can be supported by the scanner driver. A device notification is requested (step 206).

  The API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 searches for a device supported by the driver (step 207), and notifies the search result to the GUI providing unit 41 of the scanner driver 1 (step 208).

  The GUI providing unit 41 creates a GUI for displaying a list of devices supported by the driver and the scanner driver 2 (other driver), and performs a process for displaying the GUI on the display of the information processing apparatus (step 205). .

  When the device (device 1 or 2) is selected, the scanner selection unit 40 stores the scanner information (scanner identification information, information on the scanner driver that supports the scanner, etc.) of the selected device in the storage unit 43. The device is stored and the device is set as a device to be used at the time of image reading (step 209).

  If the set device is a device (device 1) supported by the scanner driver 1 (self driver) (YES in step 210), the device setting is terminated, and the set device is the scanner driver 2 (others). If it is a device (device 2) supported by (driver) (NO in step 210), a device setting request is transmitted to the scanner driver 2 (step 211), and the device setting is terminated.

  When a device setting request is transmitted from the scanner driver 1 (step 211), the API unit 54 of the scanner driver 2 that has received the device setting request stores the scanner information of the device for which setting is requested in the storage unit 53. The device is stored and the device (device 2) is set as a device to be used when reading an image (step 212).

  When the device (device 1) supported by the driver (scanner driver 1) is set in the storage unit 43 (YES in step 202), the command processing unit 45 includes the reading unit 46, the image processing unit 47, and the network. Using the access unit 48, processing for executing a command (image reading instruction) in the device (1) 20-1 is performed (step 213), and the command processing result (image data) is transmitted via the scanner selection unit 40. It transmits to the application 11 (step 214).

  On the other hand, when the device (device 2) supported by the other driver (scanner driver 2) is set in the storage unit 43 (NO in step 202), the scanner selection unit 40 activates the scanner driver 2 and also the application 11 Are transferred to the scanner selection unit 50 of the scanner driver 2 (step 215).

  The scanner selection unit 50 selects a device (device 2) set in the storage unit 53 as a device to be used for image reading, and the command processing unit 55 includes a reading unit 56, an image processing unit 57, and a network access unit 58. Is used to execute a command to be executed by the device (2) 20-2 (step 216), and the processing result of the command is transmitted to the scanner selection unit 40 of the scanner driver 1 via the scanner selection unit 50 (step 216). Step 217).

  Then, the scanner driver selection 40 transmits the command processing result in the scanner driver 2 to the application 11 (step 214).

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when a plurality of independently operable scanner drivers cooperate with each other and a scanner device that does not support a device that reads an image receives a command for instructing image reading from an application. Since the command is transferred to the scanner driver that supports the device and processing is requested, the functions of a plurality of scanner drivers can be used through one scanner driver.

  In addition, the user can use a device that is supported by any of the scanner drivers that cooperate with each other without being aware of which scanner driver is set as the scanner driver to be used when reading an image. In addition, user operability and convenience can be improved.

  Further, conventionally, after selecting a scanner driver, the user has to select a device to be used for reading an image from devices supported by the scanner driver (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). However, in the present invention, even after a scanner driver is selected, a device used for reading an image can be selected from devices supported by either the selected scanner driver or a scanner driver that cooperates with the scanner driver. This is possible (see FIG. 7C), and the operability and convenience of the user can be improved when selecting a device.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image reading system configured using an information processing apparatus including a scanner driver according to the present invention. It is this schematic block diagram which shows an example of the connection method of information processing apparatus and each device. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a scanner driver. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in a scanner driver at the time of device setting. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI in the application at the time of instruct | indicating reading of an image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in a scanner driver during image reading. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI at the time of selecting a device. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a device (scanner) and a scanner driver.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing apparatus 11 ... Application 12 ... Scanner driver 13 ... Scan interface 20 ... Device 30 ... Network 40, 50 ... Scanner selection part 41, 51 ... GUI provision part 42, 52 ... Transfer part 43, 53 ... Storage part 44, 54: API unit 45, 55 ... Command processing unit 46, 56 ... Reading unit 47, 57 ... Image processing unit 48, 58 ... Network access unit

Claims (6)

A scanner driver that causes a computer to execute a process of reading an image by driving a reading device having an image reading function based on a command received from an application for processing an image by a scanner driver that supports the reading device among a plurality of scanner drivers. Because
First device setting means for setting a reading device to be used when reading an image from reading devices supported by any of the plurality of scanner drivers provided in the computer;
When the command is received from the application using a command instruction driver selected to instruct the command from among the plurality of scanner drivers, the reading device set by the first device setting unit is If it is determined that the reading device is not supported by the command instruction driver, setting request means for requesting setting of the reading device to a support driver that is a scanner driver that supports the reading device;
Second device setting means for setting a reading device supported by the support driver as a reading device to be used when reading an image based on the setting request from the setting request means;
By accepting the command from the application using the command instructing the driver, when the reading device which is set by the first device setting means is determined to be a reading device supported by said command instruction driver, When a command received from the application is processed using the reading device and the reading device set by the first device setting unit is determined to be a reading device supported by another scanner driver, after sending the setting request by the setting request means to said support driver that supports the reading device, and transfers the command, processing of the command by receiving the processing result of the command from said support driver And command processing means for performing,
A scanner driver that causes a computer to execute processing result transmission means for transmitting the processing result of the command to the application. The scanner driver according to claim 1, wherein the first device setting unit displays a list of reading devices supported by any of the scanner drivers and accepts selection of the reading device. In addition to storing information related to the reading device, when another scanner driver supports the reading device, the computer further executes processing for storing information related to the support driver in the first storage unit ,
3. The command processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the command processing unit determines the reading device based on information stored in the first storage unit, and processes a command corresponding to the reading device. Scanner driver. An application to process images,
A scanner driving unit comprising a plurality of scanner drivers for supporting image reading processing in a reading device having an image reading function based on a command received from the application;
With
The scanner driver is
First device setting means for setting a reading device to be used when reading an image from reading devices supported by any of the plurality of scanner drivers;
When the command is received from the application using a command instruction driver selected to instruct the command from among the plurality of scanner drivers, the reading device set by the first device setting unit is If it is determined that the reading device is not supported by the command instruction driver, setting request means for requesting setting of the reading device to a support driver that is a scanner driver that supports the reading device;
Second device setting means for setting a reading device supported by the support driver as a reading device to be used when reading an image based on the setting request from the setting request means;
When it is determined that the reading device set by the first device setting unit is a reading device supported by the command instruction driver by receiving the command from the application using the command instruction driver, When a command received from the application is processed using the reading device and the reading device set by the first device setting unit is determined to be a reading device supported by another scanner driver, Processing of the command by sending the setting request to the support driver that supports the reading device by the setting request means, and then transferring the command and receiving the command processing result from the support driver. And command processing means for performing,
Processing result transmission means for transmitting the processing result of the command to the application;
A scanner driver cooperation apparatus comprising: 5. The scanner driver cooperation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first device setting unit displays a list of reading devices supported by any one of the scanner drivers and accepts selection of the reading devices . The scanner driving unit stores information related to the reading device, and when another scanner driver supports the reading device, further executes a process of storing information related to the support driver in a first storage unit,
It said command processing means, the first to determine the reading device based on the information stored in the storage means, according to claim 4 or 5, wherein to characterized in that the processing of the command in response to said reading device Scanner driver linkage device.

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