JP2009301138A - Image processing apparatus, terminal device, and printer driver installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, and a printer driver installation method capable of easily installing a printer driver corresponding to an image processing apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus via a wireless LAN.
An image processing apparatus 11 having a printing function operable as a wireless LAN access point and a wireless LAN client, wherein the wireless LAN connection means is connected to a terminal device 12 which is another wireless LAN client via a wireless LAN; Based on a request via the wireless LAN from the terminal device 12 connected via the wireless LAN, printer information providing means for providing information related to the printing function of the own device via the LAN, and based on a request from the terminal device 12 via the wireless LAN The printer driver according to the terminal device 12 is provided with a printer driver providing means for providing the printer driver via the LAN.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, a terminal device, and a printer driver installation method, and more particularly to an image processing device and a terminal device connected by a wireless LAN, and a printer driver installation method for the terminal device.

  In recent years, wireless LANs that transmit and receive data by wireless communication have become widespread. Wireless LAN communication systems include an ad hoc mode (independent mode) and an infrastructure mode.

  In the ad hoc mode, wireless LAN clients communicate directly with each other without using a wireless LAN access point. The ad hoc mode has a restriction that it cannot communicate with two or more wireless LAN clients at the same time. In the infrastructure mode, communication is performed via a wireless LAN access point.

  Conventionally, when a terminal device such as a PC as a wireless LAN client uses a printer via a wireless LAN, a wireless print server operating as a wireless LAN client is connected to the printer. When using the ad hoc mode, the terminal device and the wireless print server communicate directly. When the infrastructure mode is used, the terminal device and the wireless print server communicate with each other via a wireless LAN access point. When a terminal device uses a printer via a wireless LAN, it is necessary to install a printer driver corresponding to the printer in advance.

Some conventional multifunction peripherals have a user (user) operating the operation unit to request and obtain a plug-in program corresponding to the multifunction peripheral from the server, and install the plug-in program (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-260354 A

  For example, a wide variety of printers are used in offices and the like. However, when the terminal device uses a wide variety of printers via the wireless LAN, it is necessary to install a printer driver corresponding to each printer in advance. Even if a printer is installed near the terminal device, the user cannot use the printer installed near the terminal device unless a printer driver corresponding to the printer is installed in the terminal device.

  For example, when the terminal device is a portable notebook PC, and the notebook PC is carried to a predetermined location and used, even if a printer is installed near the location, the printer driver corresponding to the printer is connected to the notebook. If not installed on the PC, there is a problem that the user cannot use a printer installed near the notebook PC.

  There are many types of printers used in offices, etc., and replacement and addition are expected to occur frequently, so all printer drivers corresponding to various printers used in offices etc. It is not realistic to install it in the terminal device.

  As described above, when a terminal device such as a PC as a wireless LAN client conventionally uses a printer via a wireless LAN, the user must install a printer driver corresponding to the printer in advance. There was a problem that it took time and effort.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. An image processing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, and a printer driver that can easily install a printer driver corresponding to an image processing apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus via a wireless LAN in the terminal apparatus. The purpose is to provide an installation method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a printing function that can operate as a wireless LAN access point and a wireless LAN client, and is connected to a terminal device that is another wireless LAN client via a wireless LAN. From the terminal device, a wireless LAN connection unit, a printer information providing unit that provides information related to the printing function of the own device via the LAN based on a request via the wireless LAN from the terminal device connected by the wireless LAN, And a printer driver providing means for providing a printer driver corresponding to the terminal device via the LAN based on the request via the wireless LAN.

  The present invention also provides a terminal device which is an image processing apparatus having a printing function operable as a wireless LAN access point and a wireless LAN client, and another wireless LAN client connected by a wireless LAN, the image processing apparatus Wireless LAN connection means for connecting by wireless LAN, use / non-use selection means for allowing the user to select whether or not to use the print function of the image processing apparatus connected by wireless LAN, and use of the print function of the image processing apparatus. When selected by the user, printer information acquisition means for acquiring information about the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus via the LAN, and a printer driver of the image processing apparatus based on the information about the image processing apparatus It is determined whether the printer driver has been installed. If the printer driver has not been installed, the wireless LA And having a printer driver acquisition means for acquiring the printer driver from the image processing apparatus via, a printer driver installation means of making installation and port of the printer driver.

  In addition, what applied the component, expression, or arbitrary combination of the component of this invention to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, a data structure, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, and a printer driver installation method capable of easily installing a printer driver corresponding to an image processing apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus via a wireless LAN.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a printer is described as an example of an image processing apparatus having a printing function. However, another image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral may be used. In this embodiment, a PC client will be described as an example of a terminal device, but another terminal device in which a printer driver is installed may be used.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a system according to the present embodiment. The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration including a printer 11, a PC client 12, and one or more other nodes 13. The printer 11 and the PC client 12 are connected via a wireless LAN. The printer 11 and the other node 13 are connected via a wired LAN.

  In this embodiment, when the PC client 12 makes a wireless LAN connection to the printer 11, a printer driver corresponding to the printer 11 is automatically installed in the PC client 12, and when the wireless LAN connection is disconnected, the printer 11 is automatically uninstalled (deleted) from the PC client 12.

  As described above, the PC client 12 can use the printer 11 as an ad hoc printer only when the printer 11 is connected to the printer 11 via a wireless LAN. Whether or not to install or uninstall the printer driver can be selected by the user of the PC client 12 as described later.

  FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing an outline of the printer. 2 includes an image forming unit 21, an image reading unit 22, an image memory unit 23, an operation unit 24, a storage unit 25, a control program 26, a communication unit 27, and a wireless LAN unit 28.

  The image forming unit 21 is a plotter unit, for example, and performs an image forming operation. The image reading unit 22 is a scanner unit, for example, and performs an image reading operation. The image memory unit 23 is used in an image forming operation and an image reading operation. The operation unit 24 is an operation panel, for example, and accepts an operation from the user and provides a user interface (UI) to the user.

  The storage unit 25 stores printer information and a printer driver, which will be described later, in addition to information necessary for the operation of the printer 11. The control program 26 performs overall control of the printer 11. The communication unit 27 performs overall control of communication performed by the printer 11. The wireless LAN unit 28 controls wireless communication performed by the printer 11. Details of the wireless LAN unit 28 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing an outline of the PC client. 3 includes a display unit 31, an input unit 32, a keyboard 33, a mouse 34, a printer driver operation unit 35, a storage unit 36, a control program 37, a communication unit 38, and a wireless LAN unit 39.

  The display unit 31 provides a UI to the user. The input unit 32 accepts various inputs by operating the keyboard 33 or the mouse 34 by the user. The printer driver operation unit 35 installs and uninstalls a printer driver. Details of the printer driver operation unit 35 will be described later.

  The storage unit 36 stores PC information, printer installation information, port information, and ad hoc printer connection history information, which will be described later, in addition to information necessary for the operation of the PC client 12. The control program 37 performs overall control of the PC client 12. The communication unit 38 performs overall control of communication performed by the PC client 12. The wireless LAN unit 39 controls wireless communication performed by the PC client 12. Details of the wireless LAN unit 39 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a module configuration diagram showing details of the printer. The module configuration diagram of FIG. 4 shows the module configuration of the storage unit 25 and the wireless LAN unit 28 of the printer 11 necessary for the description of this embodiment, and other module configurations are omitted. The storage unit 25 in FIG. 4 stores printer information 45 and a printer driver 46. The wireless LAN unit 28 includes a wireless LAN client module 41, a wireless LAN access point module 42, and a printer information / printer driver providing module 43.

  The wireless LAN client module 41 operates the printer 11 as a wireless LAN client. The wireless LAN access point module 42 operates the printer 11 as a wireless LAN access point. That is, the printer 11 operates as a wireless LAN client or a wireless LAN access point. The printer information / printer driver providing module 43 reads the printer information 45 or the printer driver 46 stored in the storage unit 25 and provides it to the PC client 12.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of printer information. The printer information 45 in FIG. 5 is represented by a record having a model, a compatible OS, and a compatible emulator as data items. By using the printer information 45 in FIG. 5, the printer information / printer driver providing module 43 can notify the PC client 12 of the model of the printer 11, the corresponding OS, and the corresponding emulator.

  FIG. 6 is a module configuration diagram showing details of the PC client. The module configuration diagram shown in FIG. 6 shows the module configuration of the display unit 31, printer driver operation unit 35, storage unit 36, and wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 necessary for the description of this embodiment. The configuration is omitted.

  The display unit 31 shown in FIG. 6 has a user interface module 61. The printer driver operation unit 35 includes a printer driver installation module 59 and a printer driver uninstallation module 60. The storage unit 36 stores PC information 55, printer installation information 56, port information 57, and ad hoc printer connection history information 58. The wireless LAN unit 39 includes a wireless LAN client module 51, a connection destination determination module 52, a printer information / printer driver acquisition module 53, and a printer driver operation module 54.

  The wireless LAN client module 51 operates the PC client 12 as a wireless LAN client. When the wireless LAN connection is disconnected, the connection destination determination module 52 determines the printer 11 to be reconnected using the ad hoc printer connection history information 58 described later. The printer information / printer driver acquisition module 53 acquires the printer information 45 or the printer driver 46 from the printer 11. The printer driver operation module 54 causes the printer driver operation unit 35 to install and uninstall the printer driver 46.

  The printer driver installation module 59 installs the printer driver 46 acquired from the printer 11. The printer driver uninstall module 60 uninstalls the printer driver 46 acquired and installed from the printer 11. The user interface module 61 displays a UI described later on the display unit 31 and provides the user with the UI.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an example of PC information. The PC information 55 in FIG. 7 is represented by a record having a model number and an installed OS as data items. The model number of the PC information 55 represents the model number of the PC client 12. The installed OS of the PC information 55 represents the OS installed in the PC client 12.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an example of printer installation information. The printer installation information 56 in FIG. 8 is represented by a record having a model and a port number as data items. The model of the printer installation information 56 in FIG. 8 represents the model of the printer 11 in which the printer driver 46 is installed. The port number represents a port created when the printer driver 46 is installed.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an example of port information. The port information 57 of FIG. 9 is represented by a record having a port number, name, IP address, and model as data items. The port number of the port information 57 in FIG. 9 is a number for identifying the port. The name is the name of the port. The IP address represents an IP address corresponding to the port. The type represents the type of port.

  FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an example of ad hoc printer connection history information. The ad hoc printer connection history information 58 in FIG. 10 is represented by a record having a model, a creation, and a creation name as data items. The model of the ad hoc printer connection history information 58 in FIG. 10 represents the model of the printer 11 that has installed the printer driver 46 or created a port on the PC client 12 side. The created product identifies the printer driver 46 installed on the PC client 12 side or the created port. The product name is the name of the printer driver 46 installed on the PC client 12 side or the created port.

(When connected)
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure at the time of wireless LAN connection in the system of this embodiment. In step S <b> 1, the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 to perform wireless LAN connection settings for the PC client 12. After the wireless LAN connection setting by the user is performed, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S2 and performs wireless LAN connection with the printer 11. In step S3, the display unit 31 of the PC client 12 notifies the user that the wireless LAN connection is complete.

  In steps S4 and S5, the user selects use of the ad hoc printer (printer 11) by operating the keyboard 33 and the mouse 34. After the use of the ad hoc printer is selected by the user, the wireless LAN unit 39 proceeds to step S6 and acquires the printer information 45 from the printer 11.

  In step S 7, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 compares the model included in the printer information 45 acquired from the printer 11 with the model included in the printer installation information 56 stored in the storage unit 36. The presence or absence of the printer driver 46 corresponding to the printer 11 is confirmed based on whether or not the model included in the printer information 45 is included in the printer installation information 56.

  If the model included in the printer information 45 is not included in the printer installation information 56, the wireless LAN unit 39 proceeds to step S8, and notifies the user of a new printer discovery using the display unit 31.

  In steps S9 and S10, the user selects installation of the printer driver 46 by operating the keyboard 33 and mouse 34. After the installation of the printer driver 46 is selected by the user, the wireless LAN unit 39 proceeds to step S11, specifies the OS, and requests the printer driver 46 from the printer 11.

  In step S 12, the wireless LAN unit 28 of the printer 11 acquires the printer driver 46 corresponding to the designated OS from the storage unit 25. In step S 13, the wireless LAN unit 28 of the printer 11 transmits the printer driver 46 acquired in step S 12 to the PC client 12.

  When the printer driver 46 is received from the printer 11, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S 14 and causes the printer driver operation unit 35 to install the printer driver 46 received from the printer 11.

  When the installation of the printer driver 46 received from the printer 11 is completed, the wireless LAN unit 39 proceeds to step S15 and notifies the user of the installation completion of the printer driver 46 corresponding to the printer 11 using the display unit 31.

  The processing of the PC client 12 at the time of wireless LAN connection will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the PC client at the time of wireless LAN connection.

  After the wireless LAN connection setting by the user is performed, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S21 and performs wireless LAN connection with the printer 11. In step S22, the display unit 31 of the PC client 12 displays a connection method selection screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of a connection method selection screen. In the connection method selection screen of FIG. 13, “wireless LAN” indicating that the infrastructure mode is used as the connection method with the printer 11 and “ad hoc printer” indicating that the ad hoc mode is used as the connection method with the printer 11 are displayed. "Is displayed in a selectable manner.

  For example, when “wireless LAN” on the connection method selection screen is selected, the PC client 12 is connected to the printer 11 operating as a wireless LAN access point in a wireless LAN connection in the infrastructure mode. When “ad hoc printer” is selected on the connection method selection screen, the PC client 12 is connected to the printer 11 operating as a wireless LAN client in a wireless LAN connection in an ad hoc mode.

  The user can select “wireless LAN” or “ad hoc printer” from the connection method selection screen by operating the keyboard 33 and the mouse 34. When the user selects “ad hoc printer” from the connection method selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S23 and acquires printer information 45 from the printer 11.

  In step S 24, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 compares the model included in the printer information 45 acquired from the printer 11 with the model included in the printer installation information 56 stored in the storage unit 36. Whether or not the printer driver 46 corresponding to the printer 11 is present (whether or not installed) is determined based on whether or not the model included in the printer information 45 is included in the printer installation information 56.

  If it has not been installed, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S25 and causes the display unit 31 to display a printer driver installation selection screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is an image diagram of an example of a printer driver installation selection screen. On the printer driver installation selection screen of FIG. 14, “Yes” indicating that the printer driver 46 is to be installed and “No” indicating that the printer driver 46 is not to be installed are displayed so as to be selectable.

  When the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and selects “YES” from the printer driver installation selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S26, specifies the OS, and sends the printer driver 46 from the printer 11 to the printer 11. get. In step S 27, the wireless LAN unit 39 causes the printer driver operation unit 35 to install the printer driver 46 acquired from the printer 11.

  After installing the printer driver 46 acquired from the printer 11 in the printer driver operation unit 35, the wireless LAN unit 39 acquires the port information 57 stored in the storage unit 36. In step S30, the wireless LAN unit 39 causes the printer driver operation unit 35 to create a port based on the acquired port number 57, and then ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S25, when the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and selects “NO” from the printer driver installation selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that the installation has been completed, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S28 and causes the display unit 31 to display a port creation selection screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an image diagram of an example of a port creation selection screen. In the port creation selection screen of FIG. 15, “Yes” indicating that a port is to be created and “No” that indicates that a port is not to be created are displayed so as to be selectable.

  When the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and selects “YES” from the port creation selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S29 and performs the processing as described above. When the user operates the keyboard 33 and the mouse 34 and selects “Ad hoc printer” from the connection method selection screen in step S22 or “No” from the port creation selection screen in step S28, the wireless communication of the PC client 12 is performed. The LAN unit 39 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

(When disconnected)
FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when the wireless LAN is disconnected in the system of this embodiment. In step S51, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 detects disconnection of the wireless LAN connection with the printer 11. In step S52, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 determines the printer driver 46 of the printer 11 that has been disconnected from the wireless LAN connection as a deletion target.

  In step S53, the wireless LAN unit 39 uses the display unit 31 to notify the user of a disconnection detection message indicating that the wireless LAN connection with the printer 11 has been disconnected. The disconnection detection message indicates the printer driver 46 of the printer 11 to be deleted.

  In steps S54 and S55, the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 to select deletion (uninstallation) of the printer driver 46. When the user selects to uninstall the printer driver 46, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S56 and uninstalls the printer driver 46 of the printer 11 determined as a deletion target in step S52.

  The processing of the PC client 12 when the wireless LAN is disconnected will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the PC client when the wireless LAN is disconnected. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 17 includes a normal disconnection process when the wireless LAN connection is normally disconnected and an abnormal disconnection process when the wireless LAN connection is abnormally disconnected.

  The normal disconnection is a case where the disconnection is performed according to a wireless LAN sequence, for example, a response to a disconnection request from a wireless LAN access point or a deviation from the radio wave range of the wireless LAN. Abnormal disconnection refers to a case where the PC client 12 is unilaterally disconnected, such as turning off the PC client 12, disabling the wireless LAN device, or shifting to a forced sleep state when the notebook PC is closed.

  When the wireless LAN connection is normally disconnected, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S61, and what is automatically installed (created) at the time of the wireless LAN connection is stored in the storage unit 36. The determination is made based on the connection history information 58.

  If the automatically installed product when connected to the wireless LAN is the printer driver 46, the wireless LAN unit 39 causes the display unit 31 to display a printer driver uninstallation selection screen (not shown).

  When the user operates the keyboard 33 and the mouse 34 to select uninstallation of the printer driver 46 from the printer driver uninstallation selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S63, and the printer driver 46 corresponding to the printer 11 is displayed. Uninstall. In step S64, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S64, deletes the port corresponding to the printer 11, and ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. In step S62, if the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and does not select uninstallation of the printer driver 46 from the printer driver uninstallation selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processing shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the automatically created object at the time of wireless LAN connection is a port, the wireless LAN unit 39 proceeds to step S65 and causes the display unit 31 to display a port deletion selection screen (not shown). When the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and selects the deletion of the port from the port deletion selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S64 and performs the processing as described above. If the user operates the keyboard 33 and mouse 34 and does not select port deletion from the port deletion selection screen, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the wireless LAN connection is abnormally disconnected, the wireless LAN unit 39 of the PC client 12 proceeds to step S66, and when the PC client 12 is activated next time, the ad hoc printer connection history information 58 stored in the storage unit 36 is displayed. Based on this, a wireless LAN connection with the previous ad hoc printer is attempted.

  In step S67, the wireless LAN connection unit 39 determines whether a wireless LAN connection with the previous ad hoc printer is possible. If the wireless LAN connection with the previous ad hoc printer can be established, the wireless LAN connection unit 39 ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. If the wireless LAN connection cannot be established with the previous ad hoc printer, the wireless LAN connection unit 39 proceeds to step S61 and performs the processing described above.

(Summary)
The PC client 12 in the system of this embodiment can uniquely determine the wireless LAN connection destination by using the wireless LAN. As a result, the PC client 12 in the system of the present embodiment can be connected to a specific printer 11 (ad hoc printer).

  The printer 11 operates as a wireless LAN access point or a wireless LAN client. The PC client 12 is connected to the printer 11 via a wireless LAN. After connecting to the wireless LAN, the PC client 12 confirms the presence or absence of a printer driver 46 and a port corresponding to the printer 11 to which the wireless LAN is connected.

  If at least one of the printer driver 46 and the port corresponding to the printer 11 connected to the wireless LAN does not exist, the PC client 12 allows the user to select whether to install the printer driver 46 or create a port. The PC client 12 automatically installs the printer driver 46 and creates a port according to the user's selection. Although there is no plug and play in the wireless LAN, when viewed from the user, the PC client 12 of this embodiment looks as if it is plug and play.

  The PC client 12 holds information on the automatically installed printer driver 46 and information on the automatically created port in the holding unit 36. Since the PC client 12 can detect that the wireless LAN connection with the printer 11 is disconnected, when the wireless LAN connection with the printer 11 is disconnected, the printer driver 46 is uninstalled for the user or the port is deleted. Let them choose what to do. The PC client 12 automatically uninstalls the printer driver 46 and deletes the port according to the user's selection.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, in this embodiment, the printer 11 has the printer driver 46, but another server may have the printer driver 46. In this case, the printer 11 transmits the address of another server holding the printer driver 46, the identifier of the printer driver 46, and the like to the PC client 12. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the printer driver 46 is requested by designating the OS in step S11, but the OS may be notified in advance in step S6.

It is a block diagram of an example of the system of a present Example. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an overview of a printer. It is a whole block diagram which shows the outline | summary of PC client. It is a module block diagram which shows the detail of a printer. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of printer information. FIG. It is a module block diagram which shows the detail of PC client. It is a block diagram of an example of PC information. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of printer installation information. It is a block diagram of an example of port information. It is a block diagram of an example of ad hoc printer connection history information. It is a sequence diagram showing the process sequence at the time of wireless LAN connection in the system of a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the PC client at the time of wireless LAN connection. It is an image figure of an example of a connection method selection screen. FIG. 6 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver installation selection screen. It is an image figure of an example of a port creation selection screen. It is a sequence diagram showing the process sequence at the time of wireless LAN cutting | disconnection in the system of a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the PC client when the wireless LAN is disconnected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 System 11 Printer 12 PC client 13 Other node 21 Image formation part 22 Image reading part 23 Image memory part 24 Operation part 25 Storage part 26 Control program 27 Communication part 28 Wireless LAN part 31 Display part 32 Input part 33 Keyboard 34 Mouse 35 Printer Driver operation unit 36 Storage unit 37 Control program 38 Communication unit 39 Wireless LAN unit 41 Wireless LAN client module 42 Wireless LAN access point module 43 Printer information / printer driver providing module 45 Printer information 46 Printer driver 51 Wireless LAN client module 52 Connection destination determination Module 53 Printer information / printer driver acquisition module 54 Printer driver operation module 55 PC information 56 Printer instrument Le information 57 port information 58 ad hoc printer connection history information 59 printer driver installation module 60 printer driver uninstall module 61 user interface module

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus having a printing function operable as a wireless LAN access point and a wireless LAN client,
Wireless LAN connection means for connecting with a terminal device which is another wireless LAN client by wireless LAN;
Printer information providing means for providing information related to the printing function of the own machine via the LAN based on a request via the wireless LAN from the terminal device connected via a wireless LAN;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a printer driver providing unit that provides a printer driver corresponding to the terminal device via the LAN based on a request from the terminal device via the wireless LAN. A wireless LAN access point and an image processing apparatus having a print function operable as a wireless LAN client, and a terminal device that is another wireless LAN client connected by a wireless LAN,
A wireless LAN connection means for connecting to the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN;
Use / non-use selection means for allowing the user to select use / non-use of the printing function of the image processing apparatus connected by a wireless LAN;
Printer information acquisition means for acquiring information about the image processing device from the image processing device via the LAN when the user selects use of the print function of the image processing device;
Based on information about the image processing apparatus, it is determined whether a printer driver of the image processing apparatus has been installed. If the printer driver has not been installed, the printer driver is acquired from the image processing apparatus via the wireless LAN. Printer driver acquisition means for
A terminal device comprising printer driver installation means for installing the printer driver and creating a port. Deletion presence / absence selection means for allowing the user to select whether or not to delete the installed printer driver and the created port when the connection with the image processing apparatus is normally disconnected;
The terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising: a printer driver uninstaller that deletes the installed printer driver and the created port when the user selects deletion of the installed printer driver and the created port. . When the connection with the image processing apparatus is abnormally disconnected, the wireless LAN connection means further includes a connection destination determination unit that causes the wireless LAN connection unit to reconnect to the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN.
If reconnection with the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN is not possible, the deletion presence / absence selection means allows the user to select whether or not to delete the installed printer driver and the created port,
4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the printer driver uninstaller deletes the installed printer driver and the created port when the user selects to delete the installed printer driver and the created port.   The terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the connection destination determination unit determines the image processing device to be reconnected to the wireless LAN connection unit based on image processing device connection history information in which a connection history with the image processing device is recorded. .   The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the information related to the image processing device includes model information of the image processing device. A printer driver installation method for a terminal device, which is another wireless LAN client connected to a wireless LAN access point and an image processing apparatus having a print function operable as a wireless LAN client,
A step of connecting a wireless LAN connection means to the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN;
A step of causing a user to select whether or not to use a printing function of the image processing apparatus connected by a wireless LAN by using / non-selecting means;
When the user selects use of the printing function of the image processing apparatus, a printer information acquisition unit acquires information about the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus via the LAN;
A printer driver acquisition unit determines whether a printer driver of the image processing apparatus has been installed based on information about the image processing apparatus. If the printer driver has not been installed, the printer driver is acquired via the wireless LAN. Obtaining from the image processing device;
A printer driver installation method comprising: a printer driver installation means for installing the printer driver and creating a port. When the connection with the image processing apparatus is normally disconnected, the step of causing the user to select whether or not to delete the printer driver installed by the deletion presence / absence selection means and the created port;
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of deleting the installed printer driver and the created port when the user selects deletion of the installed printer driver and the created port by a printer driver uninstaller. Printer driver installation method. When the connection with the image processing apparatus is abnormally disconnected, the connection destination determination unit causes the wireless LAN connection unit to reconnect to the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN;
If reconnection with the image processing apparatus via a wireless LAN is not possible, the step of causing the user to select whether or not to delete the printer driver and the created port installed by the deletion presence / absence selection means;
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of deleting the installed printer driver and the created port when the user selects to delete the installed printer driver and the created port by the printer driver uninstaller. Printer driver installation method.   The connection destination determination unit further includes a step of determining the image processing device to be reconnected to the wireless LAN connection unit based on image processing device connection history information in which a connection history with the image processing device is recorded. The printer driver installation method described.   The printer driver installation method according to claim 7, wherein the information related to the image processing apparatus includes model information of the image processing apparatus.

Images