Automated output of user guide

• US 7,522,301 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsubayashi, Don Hideyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Kimberly A
• Application Number:
  US11/204,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20050289249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 348/231.9, 399/77, 711/115, 709/217, 709/220, 709/221, 709/224, 709/250, 717/174, 717/175, 717/176, 717/177
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers

Abstract

An interface card for a device with image output capabilities. The interface card includes a connector for connecting to the device and a controller. The controller sends data for output of an image of a quick-start guide from the interface card to the device through the connector. The controller sends the data once without error and does not send the data to the device again unless the interface card is reset with respect to whether the data has been sent. In the preferred embodiment, the interface card further includes a non-volatile memory, and the controller stores an indication that the data has been sent without error in the non-volatile memory in a case that the data has been sent without error. The controller uses the indication to determine if the data has been sent once without error, and the interface card is reset with respect to whether the data has been sent by resetting the indication. Examples of interface cards according to the invention include, but are not limited to, CD-ROM and DVD cards for computer systems with displays and/or printers, display interface cards, and network interface cards for printers.

Claims

1. A device connectable to an external device, comprising:

a connector for connecting to the external device; and

a controller for sending a predetermined signal to the external device, receiving a request from the external device for a program which should be run automatically, and sending, to the external device in accordance with the request for the program, data for output by the external device which indicates how to install or to configure the device to the external device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal sent by said controller comprises a signal which ordinarily would be sent if a memory medium storing a program which should be run automatically has been inserted into a memory medium drive.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said controller receives a request from the external device for a filename for the program, said controller sends a predetermined file name for the data to the external device in accordance with the request for the filename, and the external device sends the request for the program based on the sent filename.

4. A method for controlling a device connectable to an external device, comprising the steps of:

sending a predetermined signal to the external device;

receiving a request from the external device for a program which should be run automatically; and

sending, to the external device in accordance with the request for the program, data for output by the external device which indicates how to install or to configure the device to the external device.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined signal comprises a signal which ordinarily would be sent if a memory medium storing a program which should be run automatically has been inserted into a memory medium drive.

6. A method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from the external device for a filename for the program; and

sending a predetermined filename for the data to the external device in accordance with the request for the filename,

wherein the external device sends the request for the program based on the sent filename.