Abstract:
A computer allowing a user to use, even when the printing device is changed, a new printing device in a state close to a familiar environment of use is provided. The computer includes a determining unit determining whether an existing environment for using another electronic device used for the same usage as the new electronic device has been set in the computer. The computer further includes a setting unit selectively executing a process for setting an environment for using the new electronic device in the computer using the existing environment as a reference, and a process for setting a default setting for using the new electronic device in the computer, depending on a result of determination.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2011-101372 filed in Japan on Apr. 28, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a computer and, more specifically, to a computer that allows, when a process to enable connection of the computer to an external electronic device is executed, easy setting of conditions of use for the electronic device. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Document data created by a computer is printed mostly by a printing device connected to the computer. It is possible for the user to set how the printing is to be done, using an operation screen image displayed on the computer. Screen image arrangement and method of operation of the operation screen image differ dependent on the printing device that is connected. Therefore, when the printing device to be connected is changed, the method of operating the operation screen image changes accordingly and, therefore, every time the printing device is changed, the user must be accustomed to the manner of operation of the changed operation screen image. 
     As a technique for making easier the use of operation screen image, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-326426 discloses a technique allowing the user to adjust the order of display of operation screen images. The operation screen image includes a plurality of selection screen images and as the user sets the order of display of these selection images in advance, the operation screen images are displayed in the order as desired by the user. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-102402 discloses a technique that can set a plurality of setting items to be displayed on one operation screen image. 
     Though these techniques change the operation screen images to be more convenient for the user, operations required for this purpose are complicated and, therefore, the problems described above are left unsolved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer that allows the user to use, when a printing device is changed, the new printing device in an environment close to a familiar environment. 
     According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer capable of setting a new environment for using a new electronic device, including: a first determining unit determining whether or not an existing environment for using another electronic device used for the same usage as the new electronic device has been set in the computer; and a setting unit, selectively executing a process for setting an environment for using the new electronic device in the computer using the existing environment for using the above-mentioned another electronic device as a reference, and a process for setting a default environment for using the new electronic device in the computer, depending on a result of determination by the first determining unit. 
     By the computer, using an existing environment for using one electronic device as a reference, an environment for using a new electronic device can be set in the computer. Therefore, the user can use the new electronic device in surroundings familiar to the user. Further, for the setting, the user can select whether or not the default environment is to be used. 
     Preferably, the setting unit includes a second determining unit determining, in response to a determination by the first determining unit that the existing environment has been set in the computer, whether two or more existing environments are set in the computer, a selecting unit selecting, in response to a determination that two or more existing environments are set, an environment set as a default environment in the computer, a first setting unit setting an environment for using the new electronic device in the computer, using the default environment selected by the selecting unit as a reference, and a second setting unit setting, in response to a determination by the first determining unit that the existing environment has not been set in the computer, a predetermined default environment for the new electronic device in the computer. 
     If there is a plurality of existing environments, any one of the plurality of existing environments is selected and set as the default environment in the computer. If no existing environment is set in the computer, a predetermined default environment is set in the computer. Therefore, it is possible for the user to set the environment for using the new electronic device in accordance with the state how the existing environment or environments are saved. 
     More preferably, the setting of new environment involves install of a driver program for driving the new electronic device in the computer and determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program; and the first setting unit includes a first driver program setting unit setting the driver program of the new electronic device such that an operation screen image that is determined using an operation screen image used in the default environment selected by the selecting unit as a reference is used. 
     The driver program of the new electronic device is set such that the operation screen image that is determined based on the operation screen used in the default environment as a reference is used. Therefore, the operation screen image when the new electronic device is used comes to be similar to the operation screen image used when another electronic device is used. Thus, the user can use the new electronic device through the operation screen image that is similar to a conventional one. 
     More preferably, the computer further includes a display device. The setting of new environment involves install of a driver program for driving the new electronic device in the computer and determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program; the driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the first setting unit includes a display control unit displaying an operation screen image used in the default environment selected by the selecting unit and the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner on the display device, and a first driver program setting unit, urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     The operation screen image used in the default environment and the plurality of operation screen images are displayed on the display device in a contrasting manner, the user selects one of them, and the user can set the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. Since the operation screen image used in the default environment is displayed in contrast to the selected screen image, the user can select and set the operation screen image for the new electronic device while looking at the default screen image as a reference. 
     More preferably, the computer further includes a display device. The driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the second setting unit includes a screen image display control unit displaying the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner to each other on the display device, and a second driver program setting unit, urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     A plurality of operation screen images are included in advance in the driver program of the new electronic device, and the images are displayed on the display device in a contrasting manner. Therefore, it is possible for the user to compare the plurality of operation screen images and to select one. 
     More preferably, the computer has a driver program for driving the new electronic device installed in advance. The setting of new environment involves determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program for driving the new electronic device; and the first setting unit includes a driver program setting unit setting the driver program of the new electronic device such that an operation screen image that is determined using the operation screen image used in the default environment selected by the selecting unit as a reference is used. 
     The driver program of the new electronic device is programmed such that the operation screen image that is determined based on the operation screen used in the default environment as a reference is used. Therefore, the operation screen image when the new electronic device is used comes to be similar to the operation screen image used when another electronic device is used. Thus, the user can use the new electronic device through the operation screen image that is similar to a conventional one. 
     More preferably, the computer further includes a display device and has a driver program for driving the new electronic device installed in advance. The setting of new environment involves determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program for driving the new electronic device; the driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the first setting unit includes a display control unit displaying an operation screen image used in the default environment selected by the selecting unit and the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner on the display device, and a driver program setting unit, urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     The operation screen image used in the default environment and the plurality of operation screen images are displayed on the display device in a contrasting manner, the user selects one of them, and the user can set the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. Since the operation screen image used in the default environment is displayed in contrast to the selected screen image, the user can select and set the operation screen image for the new electronic device while looking at the default screen image as a reference. 
     More preferably, the new electronic device is an image forming apparatus. 
     Using an existing environment for using one image forming apparatus as a reference, the user can set an environment for using a new image forming apparatus in the computer. 
     More preferably, the new electronic device is an image reading apparatus. 
     Using an existing environment for using one image reading apparatus as a reference, the user can set an environment for using a new image reading apparatus in the computer. 
     According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an environment setting method of setting a new environment in a computer to enable use of a new electronic device, including: the determining step of determining whether or not an existing environment for using another electronic device used for the same usage as the new electronic device has been set in the computer; and the setting step of selectively executing a process for setting an environment for using the new electronic device in the computer using the existing environment for using the above-mentioned another electronic device as a reference, and a process for setting a default environment for using the new electronic device in the computer, depending on a result of determination at the determining step. 
     By the environment setting method, using an existing environment for using one electronic device as a reference, an environment for using a new electronic device can be set in the computer. Therefore, the user can use the new electronic device in surroundings familiar to the user. Further, for the setting, the user can select whether or not the default environment is to be used. 
     Preferably, the setting step includes: the step of determining, in response to a determination at the determining step that the existing environment has been set in the computer, whether two or more existing environments are set in the computer, the step of selecting, in response to a determination that two or more existing environments are set, an environment set as a default environment in the computer, the first setting step of setting an environment for using the new electronic device in the computer, using the default environment selected at the selecting step as a reference, and the second setting step of setting, in response to a determination at the determining step that the existing environment has not been set in the computer, a predetermined default environment for the new electronic device in the computer. 
     More preferably, the setting of new environment involves install of a driver program for driving the new electronic device in the computer and determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program; and the first setting step includes the step of setting the driver program of the new electronic device such that an operation screen image that is determined using the operation screen image used in the default environment selected at the selecting step as a reference is used. 
     More preferably, the setting of new environment involves install of a driver program for driving the new electronic device in the computer and determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program; the driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the first setting step includes the step of displaying an operation screen image used in the default environment selected at the selecting step and the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner on a display device of the computer, and the step of urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     More preferably, the driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the second setting step includes the step of displaying the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner to each other on a display device of the computer, and the step of urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     More preferably, the computer has a driver program for driving the new electronic device installed in advance; the setting of new environment involves determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program for driving the new electronic device; and the first setting step includes the step of setting the driver program of the new electronic device such that an operation screen image that is determined using the operation screen image used in the default environment selected at the selecting step as a reference is used. 
     More preferably, the computer has a driver program for driving the new electronic device installed in advance; the setting of new environment involves determination of a format of an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of the driver program for driving the new electronic device; the driver program for the new electronic device includes in advance a plurality of operation screen images; and the first setting step includes the step of displaying an operation screen image used in the default environment selected at the selecting step and the plurality of operation screen images in a contrasting manner on a display device of the computer, and the step of urging the user to select one of the plurality of operation screen images displayed on the display device, and setting the driver program of the new electronic device to use the selected operation screen image. 
     More preferably, the new electronic device is an image forming apparatus. 
     More preferably, the new electronic device is an image reading apparatus. 
     By the computer and the environment setting method of the present invention, when a new printing device is connected to the computer, it is possible for the user to operate the operation screen image of the printing device in a manner similar to the method of operating the operation screen image that has been familiar to the user. Thus, it is unnecessary for the user to learn the method of operating the operation screen image from scratch, and hence, printing error can be reduced. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an overall configuration of a network image forming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a control block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the computer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a control block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an MFP (Multifunctional Printer) shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart representing a control structure of a computer program for realizing the network image forming system in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a setting screen image of a standard printer. 
         FIG. 6  shows exemplary data related to the driver of an MFP in the system in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show examples of operation screen images of the MFP. 
         FIG. 9  shows an operation screen image of the standard printer. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show examples of operation screen images of the image reading apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart representing a control structure of a computer program for realizing the network image forming system in accordance with a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  shows exemplary data related to the driver of an MFP in the system in accordance with the second embodiment. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  show examples of selection screen images for selecting an operation screen image of the MFP. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     &lt;&lt;First Embodiment&gt;&gt; 
     In the following description and in the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference characters. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Detailed description of the same process executed in a different embodiment will not be repeated, either. 
     [Overall System Configuration] 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a network image forming system in accordance with the present embodiment includes a computer  200  creating and processing image data in accordance with operation instructions from a user, and MFPs  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  300 , receiving an instruction from computer  200  and printing image data. These components are connected to be communicable, by means of a network line (internal LAN line)  400  and the Internet  500 . The Internet  500  may be an intra-net. 
     In the following, an example will be described in which MFPs  110 ,  120  and  130  already have their drivers installed in computer  200 , and the driver for MFP  300  is to be newly installed in computer  200 . 
     [Hardware Configuration] 
     &lt;Computer  200 &gt; 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , computer  200  includes: a bus  290 ; a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  210  connected to bus  290 ; an ROM (Read Only Memory)  220  connected to bus  290 ; an RAM (Random Access Memory)  230  connected to bus  290 ; a hard disk (HDD)  240  connected to bus  290 ; an optical disc drive  280  connected to bus  290 , to which an optical disc  282  is loaded, and which is capable of writing information to optical disc  282  and reading information from optical disc  282 ; an input interface (hereinafter referred to as “input IF”)  250  connected to bus  290 , for providing an interface for connection to a mouse  252  and a keyboard  254 ; a display interface (hereinafter referred to as “display IF”)  260  connected to bus  290 , for providing an interface for connection to a display  262 ; and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network IF”)  270  for providing wired or wireless (in the present embodiment, wired) connection to network line  400 . Computer  200  may include a magnetic disk drive to which a magnetic disk is loaded, and which is capable of writing information to the magnetic disk and reading information from the magnetic disk, in place of/in addition to optical disc drive  280 . 
     A computer program for operating computer  200  is stored in optical disc  282  to be loaded to optical disc drive  280 , and further transferred to HDD  240 . The program may be transmitted through network line  400  to computer  200  and stored in HDD  240 . The program is loaded to RAM  230  when executed. The program may be directly loaded to RAM  230  from optical disc  282  or through network line  400 . 
     The program includes a plurality of instructions for operating computer  200 . Some of the basic functions are provided by an operating system (OS) operating on computer  200  or a third-party program, or by modules of various tool kits installed in computer  200 . Therefore, the program may not necessarily include all the functions necessary to realize the system and method of the present embodiment. The program may include only those of the instructions which execute prescribed processes of computer  200  by calling appropriate functions or “tools (groups of programs each realizing a prescribed function)” in a manner controlled to realize desired results. Since general operations of a computer implementing computer  200  are well known, description thereof will not be given here. 
     &lt;MFP  300 &gt; 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , MFP  300  constituting the network image forming system in accordance with the present embodiment includes: a bus  390 ; a CPU  310  connected to bus  390 ; an ROM  320  connected to bus  390 ; an RAM  330  connected to bus  390 ; a hard disk (HDD)  340  connected to bus  390 ; an input IF  350  and a display IF  360  connected to bus  390  for providing interfaces for connection to a touch-panel display  380 ; and a network IF  370  and a FAX communication unit  375 , connected to bus  390 , for providing wired or wireless (in the present embodiment, wired) connection to network line  400  and connection to a public line, respectively. Though not shown in  FIG. 3 , MFP  300  has hardware buttons including a start button and ten-key buttons. 
     Touch-panel display  380  in MFP  300  in accordance with the present embodiment displays a menu of basic functions, and receives user inputs related to selection of a mode or a function, or related to a value of a setting item (for example, a numerical value of magnification) related to the selected function. Further, MFP  300  has a browser function for displaying data received from computer  200  on touch-panel display  380 . 
     Bus  390 , ROM  320 , RAM  330 , HDD  340 , input IF  350 , display IF  360 , network IF  370  and FAX communication unit  375  operate in cooperation with each other under the control of CPU  310 , and realize printing process, FAX transmission/reception process, scanner process and copy process in MFP  300 . These processes are executed by various components constituting MFP  300  not shown in  FIG. 3 , under the control of CPU  310 . 
     By way of example, MFP  300  includes a document reading unit (scanner unit), an image forming unit, a paper feed unit and a paper discharge device. In MFP  300 , document image data read from the document reading unit are subjected to various image processing operations. The image data after image processing are output to the image forming unit. MFP  300  has a so-called laser (electrophotographic) printing function utilizing a laser beam for exposure. The MFP may have a different type printing function. 
     [Software Configuration] 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , a control structure of a program executed by computer  200  when the driver of MFP  300  is newly installed in computer  200  in the present embodiment will be described. The program is activated in response to a user instruction, or in response to loading of a medium recording the install program to the corresponding drive. Referring to  FIG. 4 , at step  32 , CPU  210  confirms the status of setting of the printing device or devices having their drivers installed in computer  200 . At step  34 , CPU  210  determines whether or not there is a printing device having its driver installed in computer  200 . If the determination is positive, the control proceeds to step  36 , and if it is negative, the control proceeds to step  48 . 
     At step  36 , CPU  210  determines whether there is a plurality of printing devices having their drivers installed in computer  200 . If the determination is positive, the control proceeds to step  38 , and if it is negative, the control proceeds to step  40 . 
     At step  38 , CPU  210  selects and determines which of MFPs  110 ,  120  and  130  having their drivers installed is to be used as a printing device whose data related to the driver are to be used as a reference (hereinafter referred to as a “standard printer”) when the driver of MFP  300  is installed to computer  200 . When an operation screen image for setting operation conditions of MFP  300  is to be determined, CPU  210  refers to the operation screen image of the standard printer. The specific manner of reference will be described later. 
     In the present embodiment, the printing device set by the user as the “default printing device” is used as the standard printer. Referring to  FIG. 5 , on a setting screen image  70  of a printing device shown on display  262 , icons  62 ,  64  and  66  indicating MFPs  110 ,  120  and  130  having their drivers already installed in computer  200  are displayed. Further, below icons  62 ,  64  and  66 , names of manufacturers and models of respective printers are displayed. Near the icon  62  representing MFP  110 , a check mark  68  is displayed, indicating that MFP  110  is set as the “default printing device.” On the other hand, at step  40  shown in  FIG. 4 , CPU  210  sets a printing device having its driver already installed to be the standard printer. 
     At step  42 , CPU  210  looks up as a reference the data related to the driver of standard printer, in the database saved on the Internet  500 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the database, data related to the operation screen images of printing devices are stored, model by model of the printing devices. Data  90  related to the driver of MFP  300  include data related to the operation screen image of MFP  300  and data related to all types of operation screen images, of all types of printing devices, of all default manufacturers. Data configuration displays  82  to  88  represent data related to the driver of MFP  300  as well as drivers of MFPs  110 ,  120  and  130  having their drivers installed in computer  200 , among the data recorded in the database. Each data configuration display includes the manufacturer&#39;s name and model name of the printing device, as well as an identifier indicating the type of operation screen image of the printing device. Further, the data configuration displays  84  to  88  include displays of identifiers of operation screen images to be applied to MFP  300 , for each operation screen image of each printing device. By way of example, assume that MFP  110  is set as the standard printer, and the operation screen image of MFP  110  is set to AR450M_a.bmp indicated by data configuration display  84 . Here, the operation screen image for MFP  300  is determined to be MX2300F_A.bmp. Using this database, when a standard printer is set, the operation screen image of the printing device to be installed is uniquely determined. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4 , at step  44 , CPU  210  reads the data looked up as a reference at step  42  from the database. Further, at step  46 , based on the data and the operation screen image of the standard printer determined at step  38  or  40 , CPU  210  determines the arrangement of the operation screen image of MFP  300 . 
     At step  48 , CPU  210  installs the printer driver of MFP  300  based on the setting of the operation screen image. If the determination at step  34  is negative, a default operation screen image of MFP  300  is installed at step  50 , and a driver set to use the screen image is installed at step  48 . After execution of step  48 , the control ends. 
     [Setting of Operation Screen Image] 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation screen image of the printing device to be installed is uniquely determined corresponding to the standard printer. Such correspondence is recorded in advance in the database, based on which of the plurality of operation screen images of the printing device to be installed is closest to the arrangement of operation screen image of the standard printer. This will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . 
     An operation screen image  140  shown in  FIG. 7  and an operation screen image  160  of  FIG. 8  are operation screen images specified by the identifiers MX2300F_A.bmp and MX2300F_B.bmp of data configuration display  82  of  FIG. 6 . Further, an operation screen image  180  of  FIG. 9  is an operation screen image specified by the identifier AR450M_a.bmp of data configuration display  84  of  FIG. 6 , which is the screen image set for the standard printer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , by way of example, operation screen image  140  displays: a document display area  142  illustrating how the document data is printed; a printing surface setting area  144  for setting a printing surface; an N-up print setting area for setting how many pages of the document are to be collectively printed on one sheet of paper; a finish setting area  148  for setting staple position, binding margin and the like; and a document direction setting area  150  for setting the printing direction of the document data. These areas are arranged in such a layout as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , similar to operation screen image  140 , operation screen image  160  displays: document display area  162 ; printing surface setting area  164 ; N-up print setting area  166 ; finish setting area  168 ; and document direction setting area  170 . When operation screen image  140  of  FIG. 7  is compared with operation screen image  160  of  FIG. 8 , it can be seen that though displayed contents of respective areas are similar, the screen image layout is different as can be noticed from different display positions of document display areas  142  and  162 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , operation screen image  180  displays: document display area  182 ; printing surface setting area  184 ; N-up print setting area  186 ; finish setting area  188 ; and a user setting area  190  for setting a user of the document data. These areas are displayed in such a layout as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to the data shown in  FIG. 6 , which of the operation screen images  140  and  160  is to be set as the operation screen image of MFP  300  is determined depending on which is more similar to the operation screen image  180  of the standard printer. When operation screen images  140 ,  160  and  180  are compared, it is found that operation screen image  140  has the layout structure more similar to operation screen image  180 , with the document display area positioned on the left side of the screen image. Therefore, the program is set such that operation screen image  140  (operation screen image indicated by identifier MX2300F_A.bmp) is applied, as shown in the data configuration of  FIG. 6 . 
     By the computer program in accordance with the present embodiment, when the driver of MFP  300  is to be installed in computer  200 , among the operation screen images available for the driver of MFP  300 , one that has similar arrangement to the operation screen image of the standard printer is automatically selected and set. If no printing device has been installed, an operation screen image is automatically set from among the operation screen images available for the printer driver of MFP  300 . Therefore, after a general install operation, the user can use an operation screen image similar to the familiar operation screen image on the newly installed printing device. Thus, it becomes unnecessary for the user to learn the method of operating the new operation screen image and, as a result, error in printing can be reduced. 
     [Modification] 
     The computer program in accordance with the present embodiment is applicable not only when a printing device such as an MFP is installed but also when an image reading apparatus such as a scanner is installed. In such a situation also, the operation of the computer program is similar to that described above and, therefore, program configuration will not be repeated. It is noted, however, that the arrangement of operation screen image is different to some extent. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , by way of example, an operation screen image  410  of a scanner displays: a preview display area  412  giving a preview display of scanned image data; and a scanning conditions setting area  414  for setting how the image data is to be scanned. Referring to  FIG. 11 , an operation screen image  420  of another scanner simply displays setting items related to reading of image data. 
     When the driver of a new scanner is to be installed in the computer, the install program operates such that the operation screen image similar to the operation screen image of a standard scanner is set for the scanner to be installed. By way of example, if the operation screen image of standard scanner has such an arrangement as represented by operation screen image  410 , the operation screen image of the scanner to be installed is determined based on whether the preview display area and the scanning conditions setting area are both included and based on whether the items displayed in the scanning conditions setting area are displayed in an order similar to that in area  414 . 
     &lt;&lt;Second Embodiment&gt;&gt; 
     In the first embodiment, the operation screen image of the driver of a newly installed printing device is automatically determined based on the operation screen image of a standard printer. In the present embodiment, the user can select the operation screen image of the printing device to be installed, while looking at the operation screen image of the standard printer as a reference. 
     [Software Configuration] 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , a control structure of a program executed by computer  200  when the driver of MFP  300  is installed in computer  200  in the present embodiment will be described. Since steps  32  to  40  of  FIG. 12  are the same as those of the first embodiment above, description thereof will not be repeated here. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , at step  432 , CPU  210  reads data related to the driver of standard printer selected at step  38  or  40  from the database. Referring to  FIG. 13 , data  470  related to the driver of newly installed MFP  300  include data related to operation screen images of various printing devices. Data configuration displays  462 ,  464 ,  466  and  468  represent data related to the operation screen images of MFPs  300 ,  110 ,  120  and  130 , respectively. Of these, CPU  210  reads data represented by data configuration display  464  related to MFP  110  as the standard printer. 
     Further, at step  434 , CPU  210  reads data represented by data configuration display  462  related to MFP  300  to be newly installed. 
     At step  436 , based on the data read at steps  432  and  434 , CPU  210  forms and displays a selection screen image  480  shown in  FIG. 14 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , on selection screen image  480 , a display  482  of operation screen image of standard printer and displays  484  and  486  of operation screen images for MFP  300  to be newly installed are displayed. Check boxes  488  and  490  serving as radio buttons are displayed near operation screen image displays  484  and  486 , respectively. It is possible for the user to select which of operation screen image displays  484  and  486  is to be set as the operation screen image for MFP  300 , while looking at operation screen image display  482  as a reference. If the user checks either check box  488  or  490 , CPU  210  determines the checked operation screen image to be the design of the operation screen image of MFP  300  (step  438 ). Then, the control proceeds to step  446 . 
     At step  34 , if it is determined that no printing device has been connected to computer  200 , control proceeds to step  440 . At step  440 , CPU  210  reads data related to the driver of MFP  300  to be newly installed, from the database. Based on the data, CPU  210  displays a selection screen image  510  shown in  FIG. 15  (step  442 ). On selection screen image  510 , operation screen image displays  512  and  514  representing operation screen images for MFP  300 , and check boxes  516  and  518  serving as radio buttons are displayed. Since a plurality of operation screen images available for MFP  300  are displayed as a list, it is possible for the user to select which of the operation screen images is to be set as the operation screen image for MFP  300 , while comparing the plurality of operation screen images. 
     When the user checks either one of the check boxes, the corresponding operation screen image is determined to be the operation screen image for MFP  300  (step  444 ). Then, the control proceeds to step  446 . 
     At step  446 , CPU  210  sets the driver of MFP  300  to use the selected operation screen image, and installs the driver in computer  200 . After the completion of step  46 , execution of the program ends. 
     In the present embodiment, the user can determine the operation screen image to be set, while comparing a plurality of operation screen images available for the printing device to be newly installed. Particularly, if there is an already set standard printer, the user can determine the operation screen image to be installed while viewing the operation screen image of the standard printer as a reference. The user can select a desired operation screen image, and by selecting an operation screen image similar to the one that has been used, it becomes unnecessary for the user to learn the method of operating the operation screen image from scratch. 
     The computer program in accordance with the present embodiment is also applicable when an image reading apparatus is installed, not only when a printing device is installed. The structure of the program when an image reading apparatus is installed is the same as described above and, therefore, description thereof will not be repeated here. 
     The computer program in accordance with the present embodiment is executed when a driver of a printing device or an image reading apparatus is installed in the computer. The driver to be installed is not limited to the drivers of these electronic devices. Further, the program may be executed not at the time of installing. 
     The standard printer is not limited to the one set as the “default printer.” By way of example, frequency of use of a plurality of printing devices already set in computer  200  may be detected in advance, and the printing device of which frequency of use is the highest may be set as the standard printer. 
     In the program of the first embodiment, the degree of similarity between the operation screen image of the printing device to be installed and the operation screen image of the standard printer is determined, based on the layout of operation screen images, presence/absence of each setting item and positions of display areas. Factors for determination, however, are not limited to the above. By way of example, determination may be made based on whether the name of each selection item is similar, how many selection items are displayed, or whether colors of operation screen images are similar. 
     The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and should not be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is determined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of the written description of the embodiments and embraces modifications within the meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.