Device, method and program for creating installer

There is provided a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, are configured to extract driver configuration files forming a device driver from the computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed, to acquire an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated inputs made in regard to the control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device, and to create an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-054197, filed on Feb. 28, 2006. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of the present invention relate to a processing technique for creating an installer to be used for installing a device driver (for controlling a peripheral device (printer, scanner, MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), etc.)) in a computer.

2. Related Art

In recent years with advanced computer network technologies, networks such as large-scale LANs (Local Area Networks) are commonly constructed in companies, universities, etc. by interconnecting numbers of PCs (Personal Computers). To such a network, peripheral devices like printers, scanners and MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) are also connected to be shared by a lot of PCs on the network.

Such a network-constructing environment is usually provided with at least one manager or administrator (hereinafter simply referred to as a “manager”) for the overall control of not only the network but also PCs and peripheral devices connected to the network, and such a manager generally hopes to previously unify the PCs' settings regarding the control of peripheral devices to desired settings (e.g. a setting for operating printers with their toner saving modes (toner saving functions) constantly turned ON). For this purpose, it is ideal to install device drivers (for the control of peripheral devices) in the PCs, with desired settings previously made to the device drivers (i.e. after making the desired settings to the device drivers).

Incidentally, the installation of a device driver in a PC is generally carried out by use of an installer. The installer includes several driver configuration files as the main body of the device driver, an initial setting file describing control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling a peripheral device, and an installation program for copying the driver configuration files and the initial setting file to the PC and making necessary settings (an installer including such components is also called an “installation set”).

In order to create an installer capable of installing a device driver in a PC with desired settings previously made to the device driver as above, it becomes necessary to rewrite the contents of the initial setting file included in the installer to desired values. However, such rewriting, requiring a thorough knowledge of the contents of the initial setting file which are unique to each device driver, is difficult for people other than the vendor supplying the device driver.

For this reason, a manager hoping for such an installer generally requests the vendor of the device driver to create an installer in which the contents of the initial setting file have been rewritten to desired values. However, the creation of such an installer takes an extremely long time and that can cause an excessive load on the vendor.

Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2003-280840 discloses an installer that lets the user input desired settings at the installation of a printer driver, memorizes the inputted settings, and makes the settings (memorized at the point of the installation) to the printer driver. With the installer, the user is relieved of the need of making settings of the printer driver on each printing since desired settings can be made to the printer driver at the point of the installation. However, even with the installer, the settings have to be made for each PC in which the printer driver is installed, and thus it is still extremely troublesome for the manager of a network to make desired settings for each of the PCs included in the network.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention are advantageous in that a computer readable medium storing a program, an installer creating method and an information processing device, for creating an installer capable of installing a device driver in computers (e.g. PCs) with desired settings previously made to the device driver, can be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

General Overview

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects of the invention may be implemented in computer software as programs storable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, are configured to extract driver configuration files forming a device driver from the computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed, to acquire an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated inputs made in regard to the control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device, and to create an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

With the computer program product configured as above, the user can create an installer of an appropriate device driver capable of controlling the device according to desired control parameters, by use of the computer by inputting the desired control parameters to the computer.

Since the above installer, capable of installing a device driver in computers with desired settings previously made to the device driver, can be created as above not only by the vendor but also by any user, the settings of device drivers installed in computers included in a network can easily be unified to desired settings by the manager of the network, for example, only by distributing the installer created as above to users of the network (i.e. to the computers included in the network).

By the extraction of the driver configuration files forming the device driver currently installed in the computer, the manager of the network can first check whether the operation of the device driver on his/her own computer is normal or not and thereafter create and distribute an installer of the device driver, for example.

Here, the “installation” of the device driver in a computer means copying the driver configuration files and the initial setting file to the computer and making necessary settings. Specifically, when the computer is operating with a Windows® OS (Operating System), the “installation” means storing the driver configuration files and the initial setting file forming the device driver in the “system folder” and registering the device driver in the “registry” as a virtual device.

Therefore, the “driver configuration files forming the device driver currently installed in the computer” have to have been “installed” in the computer as above (being simply stored in a storage unit of the computer is not enough). In cases where the computer is operating with a Windows® OS, for example, the driver configuration files have to have been stored in the “system folder” and the device driver (including the driver configuration files) has to have been registered in the “registry” as a virtual device. This point is significantly different from the case where an installer is created by the vendor supplying the device driver.

In at least one aspect, the instructions are further configured to call up and execute a function of the device driver for displaying a setting screen for receiving inputs made in regard to the control parameters so that an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received through the setting screen is acquired.

With the above configuration, the computer program product in accordance with the present invention is relieved of the need of including the function for displaying the setting screen for receiving inputs made in regard to the control parameters and the configuration of the computer program product can be simplified, since the receiving of the inputs made in regard to the control parameters is implemented by calling up and executing the function of the device driver. Further, by use of the setting screen displayed by the function of the device driver, the user, being accustomed to the setting screen usually displayed by the device driver, can easily make the inputs of the control parameters with intuitive understanding of how to use the setting screen.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer to execute: a selection receiving step of receiving a selection input specifying whether to execute driver installation or installer creation; an installation step, executed when the driver installation is selected in the selection receiving step, of installing a device driver for controlling a device in the computer; and following steps executed when the installer creation is selected in the selection receiving step: a configuration extracting step of extracting driver configuration files forming a device driver from the computer in which the device driver for controlling the device has been installed; a setting acquiring step of acquiring an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated inputs made in regard to the control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device; and an installer creating step of creating an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

With the computer program product configured as above, a function of creating a new installer as above can be added to an installation program. For example, only by receiving an installer containing such an installation program from the vendor, the user can carry out both the installation of a device driver contained in the installer and the creation of a new installer capable of installing the device driver in a computer with desired settings previously made to the device driver.

The installation step may also be configured to install the device driver in the computer so that the device driver controls the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file acquired in the setting acquiring step.

With the above configuration, the initial setting file acquired in the setting acquiring step can be used also for the installation step, by which installation of the device driver (contained in the installer together with the installation program) in the computer with desired settings previously made to the device driver, reinstallation of a copy of an existing device driver (already installed in the computer) in the computer with desired settings made to the device driver, etc. become possible.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an installer creating method comprising: a configuration extracting step of extracting driver configuration files forming a device driver from a computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed; an input receiving step of receiving inputs of control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device; a setting creating step of creating an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received by the input receiving step; and an installer creating step of creating an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

In at least one aspect, the input receiving step calls up and executes a function of the device driver for displaying a setting screen for receiving inputs made in regard to the control parameters, and the setting creating step creates an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received through the setting screen.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a configuration extracting unit which extracts driver configuration files forming a device driver from a computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed; an input receiving unit which receives inputs of control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device; a setting creating unit which creates an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received by the input receiving unit; and an installer creating unit which creates an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

In at least one aspect, the input receiving unit calls up and executes a function of the device driver for displaying a setting screen for receiving inputs made in regard to the control parameters, and the setting creating unit creates an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received through the setting screen.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an installer creating method, comprising: extracting driver configuration files forming a device driver from the computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed; acquiring an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated inputs made in regard to the control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device; and creating an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

With the method configured as above, the user can create an installer of an appropriate device driver capable of controlling the device according to desired control parameters, by use of the computer by inputting the desired control parameters to the computer.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing device, which comprises a configuration extracting unit which extracts driver configuration files forming a device driver from a computer in which the device driver for controlling a device has been installed, an acquiring unit which acquires an initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated inputs made in regard to the control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device, and an installer creating unit which creates an installer which installs a device driver, including the driver configuration files and the initial setting file and controlling the device according to the control parameters described in the initial setting file, in a computer.

With the information processing device configured as above, the user can create an installer of an appropriate device driver capable of controlling the device according to desired control parameters, by use of the information processing device by inputting the he desired control parameters to the information processing device.

Embodiment

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given in detail of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1is a system block diagram showing the general outline of a network environment including an information processing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in which a scanner2, a printer3and an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)4as peripheral devices are connected to a PC (Personal Computer)1as the information processing device via a network5such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Incidentally, the peripheral devices2,3and4may also be directly (not via a network5) connected to the PC1by use of serial cables, USB cables, etc.

In the PC1, printer drivers for controlling printer units20(seeFIG. 3) of the printer3and the MFP4have been installed. Incidentally, while the printer drivers are taken as examples of device drivers in this embodiment, other types of device drivers such as a scanner driver for controlling the scanner2may also be handled similarly in this embodiment.

The printer3, having a printer function, is a peripheral device capable of printing images, texts, etc. on print sheets (e.g. paper) according to print data (including image data, text data, etc.) transmitted from the PC1. The scanner2, having a scanner function, is a peripheral device capable of scanning an image on a document and thereby generating image data.

The MFP4is a multifunctional device including a printer unit20(placed in the lower part of the device), a scanner unit21(placed above the printer unit20), a document cover23having an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)22, an operation panel24(placed in the front part of the top of the device), etc. as shown inFIG. 3and thereby having the printer function, the scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, etc. in one body.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing the general composition of the PC1as the information processing device. The PC1includes a control unit10, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)14storing various programs and data, a display unit15, an input unit16, a CD-ROM drive18for reading out data from a CD-ROM (example of a storage medium), and a NIC (Network Interface Card)17(e.g. LAN adapter) for the connection of the PC1to the network5. The components of the PC1are connected together by an internal bus19to communicate with one another.

Incidentally, the device functioning as the information processing device in the network environment is not restricted to such a PC1; a terminal device having a computer inside, such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), may also be used as the information processing device.

The display unit15includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit15is connected to the control unit10via an unshown video board or graphic board. On the display unit15, setting screens (details will be explained later) to be used for setting print conditions (control parameters), etc. of the printer3and the MFP4, a mouse pointer, etc. are displayed. The display on the display unit15is implemented by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) function of the PC1.

The input unit16includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The input unit16(keyboard, mouse, etc.) is connected to the control unit10via unshown USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminals or PS/2 terminals. The input unit16receives the user's inputs for setting the print conditions (control parameters), etc. and sends the user inputs to the control unit10.

The control unit10, for the centralized control of the components of the PC1, is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit)11, a ROM (Read Only Memory)12, a RAM (Random Access Memory)13, etc. In the PC1, the control unit10is the so-called mother board.

An OS (Operating System) has been installed in the PC1. In the environment of the OS, a process according to steps shown in flow charts ofFIGS. 6-12is realized. In other words, a configuration extracting function, an input receiving function, a setting creating function and an installer creating function are implemented by the execution of the process by the CPU11.

While the explanation of this embodiment will be given below assuming that a Windows® OS has been installed in the PC1, the present invention is also applicable to PCs operating with other OS's.

The HDD14is a device including high-capacity disks (example of storage media) and a read/write unit in one body. As shown inFIG. 4, a system folder7S (storing various system files, etc. necessary for the operation of the OS), a registry7R (in which setting data for applications, system files, etc. are recorded), etc. are formed in the HDD14.

The system folder7S stores each printer driver (driver main body)71which has been installed in the PC1, together with each INI file (initial setting file)72storing information on the print conditions (control parameters), etc. applied to each printer driver71and each INI file (setting information file)74storing setting information, etc. on each printer driver71.

Specifically, each printer driver71includes a driver file711as a main file to be used for the printing, a configuration file712as a main file to be used for the display of a UI (User Interface: the setting screens), dependent files713as auxiliary files for the main files, and a data file714in which all the settable values of the control parameters have been described. The files711-714will hereinafter be referred to as “driver configuration files”.

Meanwhile, in the registry7R, a virtual printer registry73is formed, in which each printer driver71is registered as a virtual printer. In the virtual printer registry73, information such as the correspondence between each printer driver71and a virtual printer name is described.

Each printer driver71explained above is installed in the system folder7S of the HDD14from an installer7like the one shown inFIG. 5, for example. The installer7, which has been stored in a CD-ROM70(example of a storage medium), is distributed to the user of the PC1and is read out from the CD-ROM70by the CD-ROM drive18. The installer7may also be delivered to the PC1via the Internet, etc. from a server of a vendor supplying the driver.

The installer7includes the aforementioned printer driver71and INI files72and74, together with an installation program75for installing the printer driver71and INI files72and74in the PC1. The installation program75is loaded in the CPU11of the PC1and executes a process for copying the printer driver71and INI files72and74to the system folder7S of the HDD14and registering the printer driver71in the virtual printer registry73in the registry7R as a virtual printer (virtual device).

Incidentally, the installation program75in this embodiment has a function of creating a new installer as will be explained later, in addition to the above installation function.

In the following, a process (installer creating method) which is executed by the installation program75(computer program product) will be described referring toFIGS. 6-12, etc.

FIG. 6is a flow chart showing the main routine of the installation program75. The PC1activating the installation program75first displays an interface selection screen81on the display unit15to let the user select a connection mode (connection method) of a printer (target printer) to be handled by this process (S10). As shown inFIG. 13, the interface selection screen81includes an input window811for receiving the user's selection input specifying whether the target printer is a local printer or a network printer, a next button813to be pressed for advancing to the next step, a back button812, and a cancel button814, etc. The inputs to the selection screen are made by the user by operating the input unit16(ditto for other screens).

Here, the “local printer” means a printer that is directly connected to the PC1via a serial port, parallel port, USB port, etc. Meanwhile, the “network printer” means a printer that is indirectly connected to the PC1via a network5.

When the next button813is pressed by the user, the PC1judges which connection mode has been selected in the input window811of the interface selection screen81(S11).

When the target printer is a network printer (S11: YES), the PC1displays a network printer selection screen82(for receiving a selection of a network printer) on the display unit15(S12). As shown inFIG. 14, the network printer selection screen82includes a display window821for displaying a list of network printers connected to the PC1via the network5, a cursor823for letting the user make a selection from the display window821, a port driver selection window822, a next button825to be pressed for advancing to the next step, a back button824, and a cancel button826, etc. When the next button825is pressed by the user, the PC1stores the printer name, the node name, the IP address and protocol information regarding the selected network printer (S13).

On the other hand, when the target printer is a local printer (S11: NO), the PC1displays a local port selection screen83(for receiving a selection of a local port) on the display unit15(S14). As shown inFIG. 15, the local port selection screen83includes a display window831for displaying a list of local ports of the PC1, a cursor832for letting the user make a selection from the display window831, a next button834to be pressed for advancing to the next step, a back button833, and a cancel button835, etc. When the next button834is pressed by the user, the PC1stores the selected port name (S15).

Subsequently, the PC1executes a process for displaying a display screen84(showing currently installed printer drivers) on the display unit15(S2). As shown inFIG. 16, the display screen (printer driver name selection screen)84includes a (currently installed drivers) check box843to be checked by the user for viewing the currently installed printer drivers, a display window841for displaying the currently installed printer drivers in response to the checking of the check box843, a cursor842for letting the user make a selection from the display window841, a search button844to be pressed for searching for new printer drivers, a next button846to be pressed for advancing to the next step, a back button845, and a cancel button847, etc.

FIG. 7is a flow chart showing the details of the step S2inFIG. 6. When the check box843for viewing the currently installed printer drivers is checked by the user (S21: YES), the PC1acquires the names of the currently installed printer drivers (S22) and displays a list of the acquired printer driver names in the display window841(S23). The printer driver names can be acquired from the virtual printer registry73of the registry7R. On the other hand, when the check box843is not checked by the user (S21: NO), the PC1empties the display window841(S24). After step S23, the PC1judges whether a cancel button is pressed (S25). If the cancel button is pressed (S25: YES), the PC1cancels current process. If the cancel button is not pressed (S25: NO), the PC1determines whether the next button846is pressed (S26). If the next button is not pressed (S26: NO), the process returns to step S21.

When the next button846is pressed by the user (S26: YES), the PC1acquires a printer driver name that has been selected by the user with the cursor842from the display window841displaying the list of the printer driver names acquired in S22(S27), returns to the process ofFIG. 6, and stores the acquired printer driver name (S16). It is assumed here that the “printer driver71” shown inFIG. 4has been selected by the user.

Subsequently, the PC1displays a selection screen85(for letting the user select whether or not to install a program which implements an interactive help) on the display unit15(S31). As shown inFIG. 17, the selection screen85includes a check box851for letting the user select whether or not to install the interactive help, a next button853to be pressed for advancing to the next step, a back button852, and a cancel button854, etc. When the next button853is pressed by the user, the PC1judges whether the check box851has been checked or not (S32). If the check box851has been checked (S32: YES), the PC1stores setting information indicating that the installation of the interactive help has been selected by the user (S33).

Subsequently, the PC1executes a process for displaying installation setting information regarding the selected printer driver71(S4).FIG. 8is a flow chart showing the details of the step S4inFIG. 6. The PC1first executes a process for displaying an installation setting information display screen86regarding the selected printer driver71on the display unit15(S41). As shown inFIG. 18, the installation setting information display screen86includes a display window861for displaying the installation setting information (printer name, driver name, port name, etc.), an “Only create an Installation Program for other users” check box862(display as a selection receiving step) for letting the user select whether or not to execute a process for creating an installer which will be explained later, a setting button863to be pressed for advancing to a process for changing the installation setting information on the printer driver71, a custom button864to be pressed for advancing to a process for changing the initial settings of the printer driver, a finish button866to be pressed for confirming the settings, a back button865, and a cancel button867, etc. Incidentally, the installation setting information (printer name, driver name, port name, etc.) to be displayed in the display window861can be acquired from the aforementioned INI file (setting information file)74.

When the setting button863on the installation setting information display screen86is pressed by the user (S42: YES), the PC1executes a process for receiving inputs for changing the printer name and port name regarding the selected printer driver71(S7).FIG. 9is a flow chart showing the details of the step S7inFIG. 8. The PC1first displays a setting screen87(for receiving inputs for changing the printer name and port name regarding the selected printer driver71) on the display unit15(S71). As shown inFIG. 19, the setting screen87includes setting windows871for letting the user set the port name, the printer name and default information, an OK button872to be pressed for confirming the settings, and a cancel button873, etc.

When the OK button872is pressed by the user (S72: YES), the PC1stores the information on the setting screen87in the INI file (setting information file)74(S73-S75). An example of the contents of the INI file (setting information file)74is shown inFIG. 22, in which values have been set for the port name, the printer name and the default information.

The port name, the printer name and the default information are included in the aforementioned concept “control parameters to be used by the device driver for controlling the device” since they are information to be used by the printer driver71for the communication with a printer (specifically, for the selection of a communication interface). Therefore, the step S7(S71-S76) explained above corresponds to the aforementioned “setting acquiring step”. Among the steps S71-S76, the step S71corresponds to the aforementioned “input receiving step”, while the steps S73-S75correspond to the aforementioned “setting creating step”. The INI file (setting information file)74stored (created) by the steps S73-S75is included in the aforementioned concept “initial setting file describing control parameters that have incorporated the inputs received by the input receiving step”.

Returning to the explanation ofFIG. 8, when the custom button864on the installation setting information display screen86is pressed by the user (S43: YES), the PC1executes a process for acquiring the INI file (initial setting file)72of the selected printer driver71(S8: setting acquiring step).

Incidentally, the PC1executes the step S8(setting acquiring step) by calling up and executing a function of the printer driver71for displaying a setting screen (the aforementioned “user interface”). Specifically, the setting screen (user interface) is displayed according to the aforementioned configuration file712(seeFIG. 4) included in the printer driver71.

FIG. 10is a flow chart showing the details of the step S8in which the PC1calls up and executes the function of the printer driver71for displaying the setting screen (user interface: so-called “properties screen”). The PC1first activates the printer driver71from the system folder7S in which the printer driver71has been installed (S81), reads out the INI file (initial setting file)72and initializes the control parameters (S82), and displays a driver initial setting modification screen88(for receiving inputs for changing the control parameters) on the display unit15(S83: input receiving step).

As shown inFIG. 20, the driver initial setting modification screen88includes tabs881for switching the screen, setting windows882for letting the user set (change) the control parameters, an OK button883to be pressed for confirming the settings, etc.

The control parameters displayed on the driver initial setting modification screen88include values representing instructions and values that are used for creating data to be transmitted to the printer for controlling the printer, such as those regarding paper size, multipage printing, printing direction (orientation), the number of copies, paper type (media type), paper tray, etc.

When the OK button883on the driver initial setting modification screen88is pressed by the user (S84: YES), the PC1acquires the control parameters that have been inputted to the driver initial setting modification screen88(S85) and stores the acquired control parameters in the INI file (initial setting file)72, that is, creates a new INI file (initial setting file)72containing the acquired control parameters (S86: setting creating step). An example of the contents of the INI file (initial setting file)72is shown inFIG. 23. If the OK button883is not pressed (S84: NO), the PC1judges whether a cancel button is pressed (S87). If the cancel button is pressed (S87: YES), the PC1returns to the process ofFIG. 8. If the cancel button is not pressed (S87: NO), the process returns to step S83.

The PC1creates the INI file (initial setting file)72according to the operation of the installed printer driver71as above. After ending the step S8(FIG. 10), the PC1returns to the process ofFIG. 8.

Subsequently, the PC1executes a process for receiving inputs for changing a center connection setting and an update setting of the printer driver71(S9).FIG. 11is a flow chart showing the details of the step S9inFIG. 8. The PC1first displays a setting screen89(for receiving inputs for changing the center connection setting and the update setting of the printer driver71) on the display unit15(S91). As shown inFIG. 21, the setting screen89includes setting windows891for letting the user set the enabling/disabling of the center connection setting and the update setting, an OK button892to be pressed for confirming the settings, a cancel button893, etc.

When the OK button892is pressed by the user (S92: YES), the PC1stores the information on the setting screen89in the INI file (setting information file)74(S93). An example of the contents of the INI file (setting information file)74is shown inFIG. 22, in which values have been set for the center connection setting and the update setting in addition to the aforementioned port name, printer name and default information. If the OK button892is not pressed by the user (S92: NO), the PC1judges whether a cancel button is pressed (S94). If the cancel button is pressed (S94: YES), the PC1ends current process. If the cancel button isn't pressed (S94: NO), the PC1executes a process for returning to step S91.

Returning to the flow chart ofFIG. 8, after ending the step S9, the PC1displays the installation setting information display screen86(seeFIG. 18) again (S41). Returning to the flow chart ofFIG. 6, when the finish button866on the display screen86(for confirming the settings explained above) is pressed by the user (S51: YES), the PC1judges whether the “Only create an Installation Program for other users” check box862(for receiving a selection input specifying whether to execute an installer creating step (S6) or an installation step (S54)) on the display screen86has been checked or nor (S53). If the finish button866is not pressed (S51: NO), the PC1judges whether a cancel button is pressed (S52). If the cancel button is pressed (S52: YES), the PC1cancels current process. If the cancel button is not pressed (S52: NO), the process returns to step S4. Here, the display screen86functions also as a selection screen for receiving the selection input in the selection receiving step.

If the “Only create an Installation Program for other users” check box862has been checked (S53: YES), the PC1executes a process for creating an installer containing the INI file (initial setting file)72and the INI file (setting information file)74which have been created as above (S6).FIG. 12is a flow chart showing the details of the step S6inFIG. 6.FIG. 24is an explanatory drawing schematically showing the contents of the step S6.

Referring toFIG. 12, when there exists a selected printer driver71(S61: YES), the PC1acquires the file names of the aforementioned driver configuration files711-714forming the printer driver71from the virtual printer registry73of the registry7R (S62).

Subsequently, the PC1acquires the driver configuration files711-714from the system folder7S (in which the printer driver71has been installed) and copies them to an installer creation folder9(S63: configuration extracting step). The driver configuration files711-714which have been copied to the installer creation folder9will hereinafter be referred to as “driver configuration files711Z-714Z” by attaching “Z” to the reference numerals (ditto for other files copied to the installer creation folder9).

Subsequently, the PC1copies the INI file (initial setting file)72and the INI file (setting information file)74created as above to the installer creation folder9(S64).

Subsequently, if a port driver has been selected in the port driver selection window822of the network printer selection screen82(seeFIG. 14) displayed in the step S12(S651: YES), the PC1copies the port driver (unshown) to the installer creation folder9(S652).

Subsequently, if the installation of the interactive help has been selected in the check box851on the selection screen85(seeFIG. 17) displayed in the step S31(S653: YES), the PC1copies an interactive help data file (unshown) to the installer creation folder9(S654).

Subsequently, the PC1copies the installation program75to the installer creation folder9(S66), or the PC1may also copy an ordinary installation program (not having such an installer creating function) to the installer creation folder9.

Finally, the PC1creates an installer100by combining the printer driver71Z (driver configuration files711Z-714Z), the INI file (initial setting file)72Z, the INI file (setting information file)74Z and the installation program75Z together (S67), by which the installer creating step (S6) is completed.

The installer100created as above is capable of installing the printer driver71Z (operating according to the INI files72Z and74Z created and copied as above) in another PC (hereinafter referred to as an “external PC”), for example, when the installation program75Z contained in the installer100is executed by the external PC.FIG. 25is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer driver71Z installed in the external PC by the installer100. When the printer driver71Z is activated for the first time after its installation in the external PC (S901: YES), the printer driver71Z judges whether there exists the INI file (initial setting file)72Z or not (S902). If the INI file72Z exists (S902: YES), the printer driver71Z acquires the contents of the INI file72Z (S903) and thereby changes its own control parameters (S904).

Returning to the flow chart ofFIG. 6, if the “Only create an Installation Program for other users” check box862has not been checked (S53: NO), the PC1executes a process for installing the printer driver71in the PC1itself (S54: installation step). For example, step S54is executed when the printer driver71(seeFIG. 4) already installed in the PC1has a bug and a revised printer driver (from which the bug is eliminated) is installed in the PC1again.

In the installation step S54, the INI file (initial setting file)72and the INI file (setting information file)74created as above can be used for the installation. Specifically, when the revised printer driver contained in the installer7(seeFIG. 5) is installed in the PC1, the settings of the printer driver71already installed in the PC1can also be applied to the revised printer driver to be newly installed in the PC1.

While a description has been given above of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the present invention is not to be restricted by the particular illustrative embodiment and a variety of modifications, design changes, etc. are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention described in the appended claims. For example, while a printer driver that has been installed in a computer (PC1) was used as an object of the printer driver display (device driver display) in the step S2inFIG. 6(the steps S21-S27inFIG. 7) in the above embodiment, a printer driver whose driver configuration files and INF file (describing its installation procedure) have been stored in the computer may also be used as an object of the printer driver display (device driver display).