WO2007063779A1

WO2007063779A1 - Peripheral device

Info

Publication number: WO2007063779A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/323486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masahiro Tanaka
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2005-11-30
Filing date: 2006-11-24
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: JP2007156581A

Abstract

Provided is a peripheral device capable of reducing a user load when checking driver version information. When installing a driver, driver version information is acquired via PC connection unit (27) and the acquired driver version information is stored in a storage device (15). By operating an operation key unit (22) and a dial key (23), it is possible to display version information on a display device (25).

Description

Peripheral device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a peripheral device that is connected to an information processing terminal device so that data can be transmitted and received, and is controlled by a driver stored in the information processing terminal device.

Background art

A personal computer (hereinafter simply abbreviated as “PC”) that is an information processing terminal device can exhibit various functions by connecting many peripheral devices such as a display, a printer, and a scanner. Because the specifications and control methods of peripheral devices vary greatly from device to device, the basic software (OS: Operating System) installed on the PC cannot control all peripheral devices independently. For this reason, the manufacturing capability of peripheral devices provides users with device drivers to control their products, and users use device drivers by incorporating them into the OS.

If an appropriate device driver is not used, malfunctions such as malfunction of peripheral devices and stop of operation may occur. In order to prevent the occurrence of such problems and to eliminate such problems, version information of the device driver used by the OS is required.

When performing maintenance, it is necessary to check the version information, but the work is complicated and the burden on the user is large.

Conventionally, a management device such as a host or server stores and manages device driver version information of peripheral devices and various software version information stored in the device via a network.

In the image forming apparatus communication system described in Japanese Patent No. 2875926, the slave CPU collects the ROM versions of the CPUs of each unit and transmits them to the main CPU in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of CPUs. To do. The main CPU adds its version to the version information and sends it to the host device.

An information processing terminal described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-171634 is disclosed by an image forming apparatus from a client. The version information of the external program is transferred to the device, the image forming apparatus compares the version information of the driver that has already been stored and the transferred version information, and the external program is new and has a version. Receive a new version of the external program.

The intercom and its system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-196758 send and display the software version information of its own device to any of the central entrance, the call control device, or the management device.

In the network printing system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-54077, a printing device having a CSS line checks the type of driver of the printing device on the same network, obtains version upgrade information from the connection destination, If you upgrade from version, download new driver.

In these technologies, the driver and software version information is managed by a management device connected to the network. Therefore, when the user confirms the version information, it is necessary to operate the management device, which is a burden on the user. There is a problem that is large.

Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a peripheral device capable of reducing the burden on the user when confirming driver version information.

The present invention is connected to an information processing terminal device so that data can be transmitted and received, and is controlled by a driver stored in the information processing terminal device.

Storage means for storing version information of the driver;

An output device for outputting the version information stored in the storage device.

In addition, the present invention is characterized by comprising information acquisition means for acquiring the version information from the information processing terminal device.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the information acquisition means acquires the version information when the driver is installed in the information processing terminal device.

In addition, the present invention is characterized by having an instruction means for instructing output of the version information. And

Brief Description of Drawings

[0004] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the version information storage process.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the version information display process.

4A to 4D are diagrams showing examples of screen display in the version information display process. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an embodiment of a peripheral device of a PC that is an information processing terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The MFP 1 includes an image reading device 11, a printing device 12, an image reading device interface unit 13, an image storage device 14, a storage device 15, a cordless control circuit 16, a handset 17, a control device 18, a modem 19, and a network control device 20. The operation key unit 22, the dial key 23, the display device interface unit 24, the display device 25, the antenna 26, and the PC connection unit 27 are configured.

The image reading device 11 is a scanner for facsimile transmission and copying of an original image, and includes a reduction reading method using a combination of a lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor, a contact sensor method using a rod lens array, and the like. A reading method is used. The printing device 12 is a unit that prints image information received via the telephone network 21 or image information read from the image storage device 14, and is a printing method such as a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. Is used. The image reading device interface unit 13 converts analog image information read by the image reading device 11 into digital image information. The image storage device 14 is made up of memory that can be written at any time such as flash ROM, for example, and stores image information read by the image reading device 11 and facsimile image information received via the telephone line network 21. Unit, and by providing this unit Therefore, many complicated functions, such as transfer of received image information, broadcast, substitution reception when printing paper runs out, memory transmission, and the like are possible. The storage device 15 is storage means for storing various processing programs such as a driver version information display processing program and a communication processing program, and version information including the version of the driver installed in the PC.

The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment can be wirelessly connected to one or a plurality of cordless slave devices, and the cordless control circuit 16 controls wireless communication with the cordless slave devices. The cordless control circuit 16 includes a tuner for searching a communication path for establishing wireless communication with the cordless slave unit, establishing a connection, calling, radio wave transmission, and reception. The handset 17 includes a receiver that is a speaker that outputs sound and a transmitter that is a microphone that inputs sound when performing telephone communication.

The control device 18 is constituted by a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU), for example, and controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 1 together with a processing program stored in the storage device 15. The control device 18 is based on various information such as input information from the operation key unit 12, information indicating the state of the image reading device interface unit 13, and information included in a received signal from the telephone line network 21, for example. 1 Control the overall operation. The modem 19 modulates a digital signal indicating image information into an analog signal suitable for transmission to the telephone line network 21 and prints an analog signal received from the telephone line network 21 via the network control unit 20 for printing. Demodulate to digital signal for image display. The network control device 20 is connected to the telephone line network 21 and monitors the status of the telephone line network 21, and the telephone line is connected to either the cordless control circuit 16 side, the handset 17 side, or the modem 19 side. Switch.

The operation key unit 22 receives and sends a facsimile, scans an original image, receives a key 22a, sends a key 22b, scans a key 22c, and prints a key 22d. Function key 22e for registering functions related to the operation of MFP 1 such as function key 22e for registering the destination phone number and changing the ringtone, and for confirming the input when entering instructions and values The determination key 2 2f is provided. The dial key 23 is provided with numeric keys from 0 to 9, * key, and # key, and is an input means for inputting operation control parameters, communication telephone numbers, etc. In this embodiment, it is used to check the driver version. Also used as an input key.

The display device interface unit 24 provides various types of image information given through the control device 18, for example, image information obtained through the telephone network 21, image information read out from the image storage device 14, and image reading device 11. The image information read out from the image information and the like, the version information of the driver stored in the storage device 15 in the present invention, and the like are converted into a format suitable for the display device 25.

The display device 25 as output means is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display (abbreviated as LCD), and displays various images based on the image information converted by the display device interface unit 24. The antenna 26 is used for transmitting and receiving radio waves for wireless communication with the cordless slave unit. The PC connection unit 27 is a connection interface with the PC, thereby receiving an operation command of PC power, and performing printing or scanner operation as described above via the control device 18.

The information acquisition means is composed of the control device 18 and the PC connection section 27, and the instruction means is composed of the operation key section 22 and the dial key 23.

When the driver is installed on the PC, the multifunction device 1 can store the driver version information, and can store the version information as necessary.

First, the storage process of version information will be explained.

For example, when installing the driver for MFP 1 on a PC using CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), the CD-ROM is inserted into the PC's CD-ROM drive and the installation program is used. Then, the files necessary for driver installation are copied from the files stored on the CD-ROM to a specified folder (storage area) on the PC. At this time, the version information of the driver for MFP 1 to be installed is written in a predetermined file section such as an inf file (setup information definition file) with the extension inf.

Then, install the driver for MFP 1 by connecting the PC connection port and PC connection 27 of MFP 1 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Be started. After exchanging data necessary for driver installation between the PC and the MFP 1, the MFP 1 reads the file in which the version information is written, and acquires the driver version information. When obtaining version information, it is preferable to store the time when the version information was obtained. In addition to version information, PC information such as OS (Operating System) type and version, USB version with which communication was performed, user name logged in to the PC, and driver installation progress, etc. You may make it do. This makes it possible to reduce maintenance time and analyze the cause of failure by referring to this information during maintenance and when a failure occurs.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the version information storage process.

The MFP 1 performs the following process to store version information. In step S1, the control device 18 sets a timer at t = 0 and starts counting. In step S2, the control device 18 determines whether or not the driver version information has been acquired from the PC. If it has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S3, the control device 18 stores the acquired version information in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 15. In step S4, the control device 18 compares the current value of the timer with a predetermined value, for example, 30 seconds, and determines whether the time-up force has been reached. If the time is up, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S2. Note that the timer count is for forcibly terminating the version information storage process due to time-up, and does not terminate the driver installation itself. Next, version information display processing will be described.

The multi-function device 1 is configured so that the version information stored in the storage device 15 can be displayed on the display device 25 when a user performs a predetermined operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the version information display process.

The MFP 1 performs the following process to display version information. When the function key 22e of the operation key unit 12 is pressed in the standby state, the version information display process is started. In step S 11, a function menu screen for changing various settings is displayed on the display device 25. Specifically, the control device 1 indicates that the function key 22e has been pressed. When 8 is detected, the control device 18 displays the display content stored in the storage device 15 on the display device 25 via the display device interface unit 24 according to the program stored in the storage device 15.

4A to 4D are diagrams showing examples of screen display in the version information display process. As shown in FIG. 4A, on the function menu screen 31, each item and a number are displayed in association with each other. When the numeric key of the dial key 23 is input, the control device 18 determines that an item corresponding to the input number is selected.

For example, as shown in Fig. 4A, the items "Initial registration", "Phonebook", "Sound settings" and "Maintenance mode" are associated with "1", "2", "3" and "4" respectively. It has been. Here, for example, when the numeric key “1” is pressed, the initial registration screen is displayed and the initial registration process is performed.

In step S12, the control device 18 determines whether or not the maintenance mode has been selected. If selected, the process proceeds to step S13, and if another item is selected, the process proceeds to step S18. When function menu screen 31 is displayed and numeric key “4” is pressed, controller 18 determines that the maintenance mode has been selected.

In step S13, the control device 18 causes the display device 25 to display a maintenance menu screen 32 for performing maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 4B, on the maintenance menu screen 32, each maintenance item and a number are displayed in association with each other. When the numeric key of the dial key 23 is input, the control device 18 determines that an item corresponding to the input number is selected.

For example, as shown in Figure 4B, the items "Printer maintenance", "Scanner maintenance", "Other maintenance", and "Version information" are changed to "1", "2", "3", and "4", respectively. It is related. Here, for example, when the numeric key “2” is pressed, a scanner maintenance screen is displayed and scanner maintenance processing is performed.

In step S14, the control device 18 determines whether or not the display of version information is selected. If selected, the process proceeds to step S15, and if another item is selected, the process proceeds to step S18. When the numeric key “4” is pressed while the maintenance menu screen 32 is displayed, the control device 18 determines that the display of the version information is selected. In step S15, the control device 18 causes the display device 25 to display a version information menu screen 33 for displaying version information.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the version information menu screen 33 displays the items to be displayed and the numbers in association with each other. When the numeric key of the dial key 23 is input, the control device 18 determines that an item corresponding to the input number is selected.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the items “firmware” and “dry” are associated with “1” and “2”, respectively. Here, for example, when the numeric key “1” is pressed, the current version information of the firmware, which is a control program for the multifunction device 1, is displayed. In step S16, the control device 18 determines whether or not the driver has been selected. If selected, the process proceeds to step S16, and if another item is selected, the process proceeds to step S18. When the version information menu screen 33 is displayed and the numeric key “2” is pressed, the control device 18 determines that the driver has been selected.

In step S17, the control device 18 causes the display device 25 to display the version information of the driver of the multifunction device 1 currently installed in the PC.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the version information display screen 34 displays a numerical value indicating the driver version.

For example, as shown in Figure 4D, “Driver version is 1.3” is displayed and the numerical value indicating 1.3 is displayed.

In step S18, the control device 18 displays a screen corresponding to the selected item on each screen.

If the wrong key is pressed during the version information display process, it is possible to return to the standby state by pressing the stop key 22g.When the function key 22e is pressed again, the version information display process is restarted. Can be executed.

In addition, a timer may be set at the start of each menu screen display, and when the key is not pressed for a predetermined time, the timer may be timed up to return to the standby state.

When checking the driver version for maintenance work etc., you can easily check the driver version information just by operating the peripheral device, and you do not need to start up the PC to operate. It can reduce the burden on users who are not familiar with PC operation. In the above description, output of version information has been described as a screen display on the display device 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing device 12 and the node set 17 are used as output means to print and output version information. Or may be output by voice from a speaker.

The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main characteristic power thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the scope of claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

According to the present invention, the peripheral device is connected to the information processing terminal device so as to be able to transmit and receive data, and is controlled by a driver stored in the information processing terminal device. The storage device stores the version information of the driver. The output means outputs the version information stored in the storage means. As a result, when checking the version information in the maintenance work of the peripheral device, the user can check the version information output from the output means of the peripheral device, so that the information processing terminal device or the network This eliminates the need to operate a connected management device and reduces the burden on the user.

According to the invention, the information acquisition means acquires the version information from the information processing terminal device. This eliminates the need for operations such as inputting version information to be stored in the peripheral device, thereby further reducing the burden on the user.

According to the invention, the information acquisition unit acquires the version information when the driver is installed in the information processing terminal device. As a result, the latest version information can be acquired and stored.

According to the invention, when the output of the version information is instructed by the instruction means, the output means outputs the version information. As a result, the version information can be confirmed with a simple operation when the user desires.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In a peripheral device that is connected to an information processing terminal device so that data can be transmitted and received, and is controlled by a driver stored in the information processing terminal device.

Storage means for storing version information of the driver;

A peripheral device comprising: output means for outputting the version information stored in the storage means.

2. The peripheral device according to claim 1, further comprising information acquisition means for acquiring the version information from the information processing terminal device.

3. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the version information when the driver is installed in the information processing terminal device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising instruction means for instructing output of the version information.

The peripheral device according to any one of? 3.