Control of information processing using one or more peripheral apparatus

• US RE42,170 E1
• Filed: 11/03/2000
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Furukawa, Hideaki
• Primary Examiner(s): FENNEMA, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US09/704,755
• Time in Patent Office: 3,763 Days
• Field of Search: 712/1, 712/29, 712/225, 710/10, 710/24, 710/40, 710/87, 347/3, 345/561, 358/401, 709/228
• US Class Current: 712/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1225 Software update, e.g. print driver, modules, plug-ins, fonts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1232 Transmitting printer device capabilities, e.g. upon request or periodically
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Abstract

At least one peripheral processing apparatus and at least one information processing apparatus, interconnected through a network, include a storage means for storing control information by which the information processing apparatus controls the peripheral apparatus through the network. The control information stored in the storage means is transferred through the network to the information processing apparatus, which receives it, the control data being generated by the information processing apparatus based upon the control information transferred to the information processing apparatus control means executes control process according to the data control received.

Claims

1. A peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising:

storage means storing a control program which the information processing apparatus uses to control said peripheral processing apparatus;

reception means for receiving a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the control program stored in said storage means be transferred to the information processing apparatus through the network;

securing means for securing a channel to the information processing apparatus through the network on the basis of the transfer request received by said reception means; and

transfer means for transferring the control program stored in said storage means through the channel secured by said securing means on the network to the information processing apparatus in response to the transfer request received by said reception means, so as to allow the information processing apparatus to use the control program to generate control data for controlling said peripheral processing apparatus, which control data is subsequently to be transferred to said peripheral processing apparatus through the network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means executes transfer at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means executes transfer at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

5. A peripheral processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reception means receives the control data from the information processing apparatus generated by the information processing apparatus using the transferred control program, and said peripheral processing apparatus further comprising control means for executing a control processing according to the control data received by said reception means.

6. A peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising:

storage means storing a control program;

reception means for receiving a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the control program stored in said storage means be transferred to the information processing apparatus through the network;

transfer means for transferring the control program stored in said storage means through the network to the information processing apparatus in response to the transfer request received by said reception means, so as to allow the information processing apparatus to use the control program to generate control data for controlling said peripheral processing apparatus, which control data is subsequently to be transferred to said peripheral processing apparatus through the network;

unique information storage means for storing information unique to said peripheral processing apparatus; and

control means for controlling said transfer means to transfer the unique information stored in said unique information storage means through the network to the information processing apparatus in response to said reception means receiving a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the unique information be transferred to the information processing apparatus.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer means executes transfer at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer means executes transfer at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

12. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unique information describes each location of the peripheral processing apparatus.

13. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unique information describes execution speed of the peripheral processing apparatus.

14. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unique information describes running cost of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

15. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unique information describes power consumption of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

16. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unique information describes a trouble rate of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

17. An information processing apparatus connected to a peripheral processing apparatus through a network, comprising:

request means for requesting the peripheral processing apparatus to transfer a control program for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus to said information processing apparatus through the network;

reception means for receiving the control program transferred from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network in response to a request provided by said request means;

building means for placing the control program received by said reception means under the control of an operating system and building the received control program in the operating system; and

generation and transfer means for generating control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus using the control program built in the operating system by said building means and transferring the control data through the network to the peripheral processing apparatus.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by said information processing apparatus.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said reception means receives the control program from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network at timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said reception means receives the control program from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network at timing based upon reset operation of the information processing apparatus.

21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said reception means receives the control program from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

22. An information processing apparatus connected to a peripheral processing apparatus through a network, comprising:

request means for requesting the peripheral processing apparatus to transfer a control program for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus to said information processing apparatus through the network;

reception means for receiving the control program transferred from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network in response to a request provided by said request means;

storage means for storing the control program received by said reception means; and

generation and transfer means for generating control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus using the control program stored in said storage means and transferring the control data through the network to the peripheral processing apparatus;

wherein said apparatus is connected to a plurality of the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network,

wherein said request means requests each of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses to transfer information unique to the peripheral processing apparatus to said information processing apparatus through the network, and

wherein said reception means receives the unique information transferred from each of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses through the network in response to a request provided by said request means,

and said information processing apparatus further comprising;

second storage means for storing the unique information received by said reception means; and

selection means for selecting one of the plurality of peripheral apparatuses based on the unique information stored in said second storage means,

wherein said generation and transfer means generates control data for controlling the one peripheral processing apparatus selected by said selection means based on the control program stored in said storage means and transfers the control data through the network to the selected one peripheral processing apparatus.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by said information processing apparatus.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein one said peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

25. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein one said peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

26. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each said peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

27. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said reception means receives both the control program and the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

28. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said reception means receives the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which any of the peripheral processing apparatuses is unable to execute its processing.

29. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein, when said reception means receives the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which any of the peripheral processing apparatuses is unable to execute its processing, said selection means eliminates whichever of the peripheral processing apparatuses is in the inexecutable state, from possible apparatuses available to be selected.

30. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the unique information describes execution speed of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

31. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the unique information describes each location of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

32. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the unique information describes running cost of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

33. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the unique information describes power consumption of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

34. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the unique information describes a trouble rate of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

35. A method of controlling a peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising the steps of:

storing a control program in a memory, which the information processing apparatus uses to control said peripheral processing apparatus;

receiving a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the control program stored in said storage means be transferred to the information processing apparatus through the network;

securing a channel to the information processing apparatus through the network on the basis of the transfer request received by said reception means; and

transferring the control program stored in the memory through the channel secured by said securing step on the network to the information processing apparatus in response to a transfer request received in said receiving step, so as to allow the information processing apparatus to use the control program to generate control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus, which control data is subsequently to be transferred to the peripheral processing apparatus through the network.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

38. A method according to claim 35, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

39. A method according to claim 35, wherein said transfer step is executed at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

40. A method according to claim 35, wherein said transfer step is executed at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

41. A method according to claim 35, wherein said receiving step includes receiving the control data from the information processing apparatus generated by the information processing apparatus using the transferred control program, and said method further comprising the step of executing a control processing according to the control data received in said receiving step.

42. A method of controlling a peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising the steps of:

storing a control program in a memory;

receiving a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the control program stored in said storage means be transferred to the information processing apparatus through the network;

transferring the control program stored in the memory through the network to the information processing apparatus in response to a transfer request received in said receiving step, so as to allow the information processing apparatus to use the control program to generate control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus, which control data is subsequently to be transferred to the peripheral processing apparatus through the network;

storing information unique to the peripheral processing apparatus; and

controlling to execute said transferring step, to transfer the stored unique information through the network to the information processing apparatus in response to receipt in said receiving step of a transfer request from the information processing apparatus requesting that the unique information be transferred to the information processing apparatus.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

45. A method according to claim 42, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

46. A method according to claim 42, wherein said transfer step is executed at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

47. A method according to claim 42, wherein said transfer step is executed at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

48. A method according to claim 42, wherein the unique information describes location of the peripheral processing apparatus.

49. A method according to claim 42, wherein the unique information describes execution speed of the peripheral processing apparatus.

50. A method according to claim 42, wherein the unique information describes running cost of the peripheral processing apparatus.

51. A method according to claim 42, wherein the unique information describes power consumption of the peripheral processing apparatus.

52. A method according to claim 42, wherein the unique information describes a trouble rate of the peripheral processing apparatus.

53. A control method for use in a peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising the steps of:

requesting the peripheral processing apparatus to transfer a control program for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus through the network;

receiving the control program transferred from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus in response to a request provided in said requesting step;

placing the received control program under the control of an operating system and building the received control program in the operating system; and

generating control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus using the control program built in the operating system and transferring the control data through the network to the peripheral processing apparatus.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

55. A method according to claim 53, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

56. A method according to claim 53, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

57. A method according to claim 53, wherein said receiving step includes receiving the control program from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatus.

58. A method according to claim 53, wherein said receiving step includes receiving the control program from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which the peripheral processing apparatus is unable to execute its processing.

59. A control method for use in a peripheral processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a network, comprising the steps of:

requesting the peripheral processing apparatus to transfer a control program for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus through the network;

receiving the control program transferred from the peripheral processing apparatus through the network for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus in response to a request provided in said requesting step;

storing the received control program in a memory;

generating control data for controlling the peripheral processing apparatus using the control program stored in said storing process and transferring the control data through the network to the peripheral processing apparatus;

requesting each of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses to transfer information unique to the peripheral processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus through the network, in response to a request provided in said requesting step;

storing the received unique information in a memory; and

selecting one of the peripheral apparatuses based on the unique information stored in the memory,

wherein said step of generating control data includes generating control data for controlling the one peripheral processing apparatus selected in said selecting step based on the stored control program and transferring the control data through the network to the selected one peripheral apparatus.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein the control program comprises a printer driver for the peripheral processing apparatus which is interpreted and executed by the information processing apparatus.

61. A method according to claim 59, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a printer for forming images.

62. A method according to claim 59, wherein the peripheral processing apparatus is a copy machine.

63. A method according to claim 59, wherein said receiving step includes receiving both the control program and the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at a timing based upon reset operation of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

64. A method according to claim 59, wherein said receiving step includes receiving the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which any of the peripheral processing apparatuses is unable to execute its processing.

65. A method according to claim 59, wherein, when said receiving step receives the unique information from the peripheral processing apparatuses through the network at a timing based upon detection of a state in which any of the peripheral processing apparatuses is unable to execute its processing, said selection process eliminates whichever of the peripheral processing apparatuses is in the inexecutable state, from possible apparatuses available to be selected.

66. A method according to claim 59, wherein the unique information describes location of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

67. A method according to claim 59, wherein the unique information describes execution speed of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

68. A method according to claim 59, wherein the unique information describes running cost of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

69. A method according to claim 59, wherein the unique information describes power consumption of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

70. A method according to claim 59, wherein the unique information describes a trouble rate of each of the peripheral processing apparatuses.

71. An information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses through a network, comprising:

reception means for receiving, from each of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses, information unique to the peripheral processing apparatus through the network;

selection means for selecting one of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses which is to print data, on the basis of the unique information received by said reception means;

memory means for storing a plurality of device drivers for controlling respective devices; and

generation means for generating the data to be printed by the one peripheral processing apparatus selected by said selection means using one of the plurality of device drivers stored in said memory means corresponding to the selected peripheral processing apparatus.

72. An information processing apparatus according to claim 71, further comprising guide means for designating priorities between the unique information of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses, wherein said selection means selects one of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses on the basis of the priorities designated by said guide means.

73. An information processing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the unique information indicates locations of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

74. An information processing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the unique information indicates execution speeds of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

75. An information processing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the unique information indicates running costs of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

76. An information processing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the unique information indicates consumption powers of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

77. An information processing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the unique information indicates trouble rates of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

78. An information processing apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said reception means further receives from the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses respective device drivers.

79. An method of information processing, for processing information through a network comprising the steps of:

receiving, from each of a plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses, information unique to the peripheral processing apparatus through the network;

selecting one of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses which is to print data, on the basis of the unique information received by the receiving step;

storing a plurality of device drivers for controlling respective devices; and

generating the data to be printed by the one peripheral processing apparatus selected by the selection step using one of the plurality of device drivers stored in the storing step corresponding to the selected peripheral processing apparatus.

80. An information processing method according to claim 79, further comprising designating priorities between the unique information of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses, wherein said selection step selects one of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses on the basis of the priorities designated by said designation.

81. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein the unique information indicates locations of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

82. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein the unique information indicates execution speeds of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

83. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein the unique information indicates running costs of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

84. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein the unique information indicates consumption powers of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

85. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein the unique information indicates trouble rates of the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses.

86. An information processing method according to claim 80, wherein said reception step further receives from the plurality of peripheral processing apparatuses respective device drivers.

87. A printing system including a plurality of output control apparatuses and an information processing apparatus communicating with the plurality of output control apparatuses via a network,

each output control apparatus comprising:

print counting means for counting a print count value indicating a number of prints in response to delivery of a print sheet printed by the printer;

first trouble counting means for counting a first trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles of the printer;

second trouble counting means for counting a second trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles which occur until the print count value counted by said print counting means reaches a predetermined value;

determination means for determining whether or not the print count value counted by said print counting means reaches the predetermined value;

first transmission control means for controlling transmission of trouble data including the second trouble count value counted by said second trouble counting means to the information processing apparatus via the network, without receiving a request for outputting the second trouble count value from the information processing apparatus, if said determination means determines that the print count value counted by said print counting means reaches the predetermined value; and

second transmission control means for controlling transmission of status information including consumptive power of the output control apparatus, location of the output control apparatus, function of the output control apparatus and the trouble data, in response to a request for the status information from the information processing apparatus, and

the information processing apparatus comprising;

reception means for receiving the trouble data and the status information from the plurality of output control apparatuses;

selection means for selecting one of the plurality of output control apparatuses which has the smallest second trouble count value, based on the trouble data received by said reception means; and

display control means for displaying the location of the one output control apparatus selected by said selection means based on the status information.

88. A method of a printing system including a plurality of output control apparatuses communicating with an information processing apparatus via a network, the method of communicating comprising:

performing, by each output control apparatuses, the following;

a print counting step of counting a print count value indicating a number of prints in response to delivery of a print sheet printed by the printer;

a first trouble counting step of counting a first trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles of the printer;

a second trouble counting step of counting a second trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles which occur until the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches a predetermined value;

a determining step of determining whether or not the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches the predetermined value;

a first transmission control step of controlling transmission of trouble data including the second trouble count value counted in said second trouble counting step to the information processing apparatus via the network, without receiving a request for outputting the second trouble count value from the information processing apparatus, if it is determined in said determination step that the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches the predetermined value; and

a second transmission control step of controlling transmission of status information including consumptive power of the output control apparatus, location of the output control apparatus, function of the output control apparatus and the trouble data, in response to a request for the status information from the information processing apparatus, and

performing, by the information processing apparatus, the following;

a receiving step of receiving the trouble data and the status information from the plurality of output control apparatuses;

a selecting step of selecting one of the plurality of output control apparatuses which has the smallest second trouble count value, based on the trouble data received in said receiving step; and

a display step of displaying the location of the one output control apparatus selected by said selection means based on the status information.

89. A memory medium, storing computer-executable code for a method of a printing system including a plurality of output control apparatuses communicating with an information processing apparatus via a network, the method of communicating comprising:

performing, by each output control apparatus, the following;

a print counting step of counting a print count value indicating a number of prints in response to delivery of a print sheet printed by the printer;

a first trouble counting step of counting a first trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles of the printer;

a second trouble counting step of counting a second trouble count value indicating a number of print troubles which occur until the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches the predetermined value;

a determining step of determining whether or not the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches the predetermined value;

a first transmission control step of controlling transmission of trouble data including the second trouble count value counted in said second trouble counting step to the information processing apparatus via the network, without receiving a request for outputting the second trouble count value from the information processing apparatus, if it is determined in said determination step that the print count value counted in said print counting step reaches the predetermined value; and

a second transmission step of controlling transmission of status information including consumptive power of the output control apparatus, location of the output control apparatus, function of the output control apparatus and the trouble data, in response to a request for the status information from the information processing apparatus, and

performing, by the information processing apparatus, the following;

a receiving step of receiving the trouble data and the status information from the plurality of output control apparatuses;

a selecting step of selecting one of the plurality of output control apparatuses which has the smallest second trouble count value, based on the trouble data received in said receiving step; and

a display control step of displaying the location of the one output control apparatus selected by said selection means based on the status information.