Patent ID: 7404191
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an external device connection unit configured to connect an external device; a first driver storage unit configured to store a first driver to control the connected external device in a general-purpose manner; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a second driver to control the connected external device in a device-specific manner exists in the external device; an acquisition unit configured to, if said determination unit determines that the second driver exists, obtain the second driver from the connected external device; and an image data storage unit configured to store image data, wherein said image data storage unit is a volatile storage unit; a controller for controlling a storage operation of said second driver, a third storage unit configured to store information on the existence/absence of the second driver in the connected external device; and a update unit configured to update the information, wherein said determination unit determines the existence/absence of the second driver to control the connected external device in the device-specific manner in the connected external device, based on the updated information stored in said third storage unit.