Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-203527 filed Aug. 6, 2008. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to an image forming device, an image forming system and an install program. 
     2. Related Art 
     Generally, for an information processing device such as a personal computer connected to a printer as an image forming device through a USB (Universal Serial Bus), in installing a program such as a printer driver necessary to use the printer, in many cases, it is installed by using a CD-ROM for program installing attached to the printer at the time of shipping, or by accessing a network such as the Internet on the side of the personal computer to download the program such as the printer driver. 
     However, in the installing method using the CD-ROM for program installing, in case the CD-ROM is lost or damaged, it is necessary to accept the CD-ROM from the manufacturer again; thus, as the case may be, the program installing in the personal computer could not be done instantly. 
     In the installing method by downloading the program through the network, a network connecting environment is indispensable; thus in case connection to the Internet cannot be done, as the case may be, the program could not be installed. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming device includes a storage unit that stores a program to use the device itself as image data of a virtual recording medium; and a controller including: a detecting unit that detects connection of another device using the device itself; a transmitting unit that transmits, if the connection is detected by the detecting unit, discriminates an information of the device itself to another device using the device itself; a receiving unit that receives a response information based on the discriminating information; and wherein another device using the device itself is available to access the image data of the virtual recording medium on the basis of the response information 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system S 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system S 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views for explaining an example of a printer device ID and a CD-ROM device ID; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a typical configuration of a personal computer PC 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of installing processing of a printer driver; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views showing a typical exhibition of virtual CD-ROM implementing function selection on the operating panel; and 
         FIG. 7  is a view for explaining a typical exhibition of an instruction of installing a printer driver. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an explanation will be given of an exemplary embodiment which is an example of this invention. Now, in the attached drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements and the repeated explanation will be avoided. Since the explanation made herein is directed to the best mode for carrying out this invention, this invention should not be limited to this best mode. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 7 , an explanation will be given of an image forming system S 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention. 
     The image forming system S 1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a printer PR 1  serving as an image forming device, a cable  100  connected through an input/output interface such as USB, and a personal computer PC 1  serving as an information processing device. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, a single printer PR 1  and a single information processing device PC 1  are connected, but without being limited to such a case, two or more printers and two or more information processing devices may be connected. 
     Further, in this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the printer PR 1  is a laser system of printer using toner as a color material, but without being limited to such a case, this invention may be applied to a full-color printer, a composite machine or an ink-jet system of printer. 
       FIG. 2  shows a typical configuration of the printer PR 1  and personal computer PC 1 . 
     The printer PR 1  includes a control device  10  constructed of a microcomputer for various kinds of arithmetic processing, an operating panel  11  constructed of a liquid crystal display device for displaying various kinds of information and a printing mechanism unit  12  for making an image on a printing sheet. 
     The control device  10  includes a CPU  50  for executing arithmetic processing; an interface  51  for outputting displayed data to the operating panel  11 ; a ROM  52  for storing various programs; a RAM  53  which is used as a working area of the CPU  50 ; an printing unit interface  54  for outputting image data to the printing mechanism unit  12 ; a hard disk drive (HDD)  55  for storing various kinds of data; an interface control unit  56  for controlling a USB port  58 , a network port  59  and a parallel port  60 ; and an image processing unit  57  for processing the image data. 
     Stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk drive  55  are image data D 1  of a virtual CD-ROM serving as a virtual recording medium accommodating the program such as the printer driver of the printer PR 1  and discriminating information D 2  of the printer PR 1 . 
     Now, the virtual CD-ROM will be explained. 
     The virtual CD-ROM refers to a general term of the technique which virtually handles a file on the hard disk as the CD-ROM set in a CD-ROM drive. 
     By previously copying the contents of the CO-ROM on the hard disk drive, even if there is not the CD-ROM, as occasion demands, it can be assumed as if the CD-ROM were set in the virtual CD-ROM drive. 
     Namely, from the OS or application software on the side of the personal computer PC 1 , the virtual CD-ROM drive can be also handled in the same manner as a physical drive. Thus, the software operates as if it were read from a real CD-ROM drive. 
     Some kinds of software do not operate if they are not start up from the CD-ROM. Therefore, the technique of the virtual CD-ROM can be conveniently adopted when such software is started up without using the CD-ROM. 
     More specifically, for example, even if the CD-ROM for installing the printer driver attached at the time of shipping of the printer PR 1  is lost or damaged to be disabled, without taking the labor and time of getting a substitute from the manufacturer, the installing processing can be done instantly, thereby improving user&#39;s convenience. 
     For the manufacturer of the printer PR 1 , by storing the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM for installing in the hard disk drive  55 , attachment of the CD-ROM can be done without, thereby leading to an advantage of cost reduction. 
     Further, unlike the case of the system of downloading the printer driver through the network as the Internet on the side of the personal computer PC 1 , connection to the network is not indispensable. Thus, even if there is not the network connecting environment, the installing processing can be smoothly done. 
     It should be noted that dedicated software and a data file having a specific format therefor are required in order to employ the above virtual CD-ROM. 
     Specifically, if the data are copied from an optical medium such as CD-ROM to another medium simply in units of files, the information on the sectors of the optical medium to which the data belong, physical information on a disk and information on volume labels will be lost. 
     On the other hand, by using an image file saving function loaded in dedicated writing software, the data can be saved with specific information such as information structure or physical information of the optical medium being held. 
     Further, image data (also named as a disk image or an image file) refers to the data in which complete contents and structure of a file system are stored in a single file. 
     The virtual disk image generally employed includes an ISO system or a standard ISO system (9660 image: system which can be created by many CD/DVD writing tool and permits an original CD/DVD to be restored from the image). 
     Next, an explanation will be given of the discriminating information D 2  stored in the hard disk drive  55 . 
     The discriminating information D 2  is constructed of a discriminating code allotted to the same kind of printers (printer device ID for discriminating the printer and CD-ROM device ID for discriminating the CD-ROM). 
     The printer device ID, although not be particularly limited, may be data having the format based on a predetermined communication protocol as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   a ). 
     The CD-ROM device ID, although not be particularly limited, may be data having the format as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ). 
     By discriminating these printer device ID and CD-ROM device ID by the personal computer PC 1 , for example, if the connection to the same printer is to be done twice or more, it can be decided that the processing of installing the printer driver is not necessary, or that the program corresponding the pertinent personal computer PC 1  has been stored. 
     Next, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , an explanation will be given of the structure of the personal computer PC 1 . 
     The personal computer PC 1 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , includes a personal computer body  150  incorporating e.g. a main control unit  200 , a display  300  constructed of a liquid crystal monitor which is connected to the body  150  to display various kinds of information, a USB port  250 , etc. 
     Through the USB port  250  having plural of USB connecting terminals, the personal computer PC 1  is connected to a mouse  301  serving as a pointing device, a keyboard serving as an input unit and an external storage device  303  formed of a hard disk drive and a printer PR 1 . 
     The main control unit  200  includes a CPU  201  for executing various kinds of arithmetic processing; a ROM  202  storing various kinds of programs such as BIOS; a RAM  203  used as a working area of the CPU  201 ; an interface  204  to which the USB port  250  is connected; a hard disk drive (HDD)  350  in which various programs such as an OS (Operation System)  400 , a printer driver  401 , an application software program  402  and data are stored; and a video memory  206  used as an image processing area. 
     The interface  204  of the main control unit  200  is adapted to monitor the USB port  250  by execution of a predetermined program by the CPU  201  so that when the USB cable connected to the printer PR 1  is connected to any USB terminal of the USB port  250 , its connecting status can be detected. 
     When the connecting status is detected, the printer device ID and the CD-ROM device ID as illustrated in  FIG. 3  are received from the printer PR 1  side; if it is determined that the printer PR 1  connected is a printer still not installed with the printer driver, the hard disk drive  55  of the printer PR 1  is accessed. 
     Further, using the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM of the hard disk drive  55 , the processing of installing the program such as the printer driver into a predetermined area of the hard disk drive  350  of the personal computer PC  1  side is done. 
     Now, referring to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 , an explanation will be given of the processing procedure between the printer PR 1  and the personal computer PC 1 . 
     First, if the printer PR 1  is connected to the personal computer PC 1  through the USB cable  100 , in the personal computer PC 1 , “plug-and-play” processing of the USB is started (step S 100 ). 
     Now, the “plug-and-play” refers to the function that when the USB cable with any device connected is inserted in the USB connector, this is recognized automatically. 
     On the printer PR 1  side, “plug-and-play” response processing of the USB is started so that the printer ID as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   a ) is transmitted to the personal computer PC 1 . 
     Thus, in the personal computer PC 1 , printer connecting processing is started (step S 101 ). 
     Further, from the printer PR 1 , the CD-ROM device ID as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ) is transmitted to the personal computer PC  1 . 
     Thus, CD-ROM connecting processing for the virtual CD-ROM is started (step S 102 ), 
     In the printer PR 1 , processing of virtual CD-ROM connecting function additional response is executed (step S 201 ). 
     By the processing of the virtual CD-ROM connecting function additional response, a file system is started which is accessible to the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM drive of the hard disk drive  55  within the printer PR 1  in the same manner as to an ordinary CD-ROM drive. 
     If the virtual CD-ROM implementing function is valid, on the operating panel  11  of the printer PR 1 , for example, “virtual CD-ROM is valid” for a “function menu” ( FIG. 6(   a )). 
     If the virtual CD-ROM implementing function is invalid, for example, “virtual CD-ROM is invalid” for the “function menu” ( FIG. 6(   b )). In this case, only the USB printer device ID is notified. 
     Next, from the personal computer PC 1  side, a CD-ROM connecting request is sent to the printer PR 1 . In response to this, the printer PR 1  places the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM drive of the hard disk drive  55  in a state accessible by “read-only” from the personal computer PC 1  (step S 202 ). 
     The printer PR 1  issues a CD-ROM connecting response to the personal computer PC 1 . 
     Thus, the personal computer PC 1  completes the CD-ROM connecting processing which permits the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM drive of the hard disk drive  55  to be viewed (handled) as the ordinary CD-ROM drive (step S 103 ). 
     Further, coming with the start of the printer connecting processing in step S 101 , the personal computer PC 1  requires installing of the printer driver from a user (step S 104 ). 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an exhibition of urging the user to install the printer driver is made on the display  300  of the personal computer PC 1 . 
     Exemplarily illustrated in  FIG. 7  are exhibitions “A new printer has been connected”, “Model name”, message “Do you install the printer driver for this printer?”, “OK” and “Cancel”. 
     On the basis of these exhibitions, the user gives an instruction by mouse-clicking the exhibition of “OK” if installing is permitted, or the exhibition of “Cancel” if installing is not executed. 
     Next, on the instructing screen as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , if installing of the printer driver is permitted, the processing of installing the printer driver is executed on the basis of the operation specification of the OS (Operating System) installed in the personal computer PC 1  (step S 105 ). 
     By the processing of installing the printer driver, from the personal computer PC 1  side, a software read-out request is issued for the printer PR 1 . 
     In response to the request, the printer PR 1  transmits the software (printer driver) to the personal computer PC 1  (step S 203 ). 
     In the personal computer PC 1 , the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM drive of the hard disk drive  55  recognized as the ordinary CD-ROM in step S 103  is selected as e.g. an “F drive”. 
     If there is any application software program other than the printer driver, it will be installed in the same manner, thereby completing the processing (step S 106 ). 
     Thus, the printer PR 1  becomes usable in the personal computer PC 1 . 
     In this way, in accordance with the image forming system S 1  according to this exemplary embodiment, even if the CD-ROM for installing the printer driver attached at the time of shipping of the printer PR 1  is lost or damaged to be disabled, without taking the labor and time of getting a substitute from the manufacturer, the installing processing can be done instantly, thereby improving user&#39;s convenience. 
     Even when the CD-ROM attached is kept, in installing the printer driver, the user can do without the work of setting the CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive of the personal computer PC 1 , thereby improving the user&#39;s convenience. 
     Further, for the manufacturer of the printer PR 1 , by storing the image data D 1  of the virtual CD-ROM for installing for the printer driver in the hard disk drive  55 , it is possible to omit attachment of the CD-ROM itself for the printer driver, thereby giving an advantage of cost reduction. 
     Further, unlike the case of the system of downloading the printer driver through the network as the Internet on the side of the personal computer PC 1 , connection to the network is not indispensable. Thus, even if there is not the network connecting environment, the installing processing can be smoothly done. 
     Hitherto, the concrete explanation has been given of the invention accomplished by the inventor on the basis of the exemplary embodiment. However, the exemplary embodiment disclosed in this specification is exemplary in all points so that this invention should not be limited to the technique disclosed. Specifically, the technical scope of this invention should not be construed limitedly on the basis of the explanation of the above exemplary embodiment, but construed on the basis of the description of the scope of claims. Any technique equivalent to the technique described in the claims and any change in the claims should be included in this invention. 
     For example, after the printer driver and others have been installed, the virtual CD-ROM in the connected state can be removed by the operation of removing hardware included in the OS. 
     For the personal computer PC 1  which has once connected the printer PR 1  to complete installing of the printer driver and others, in order that the virtual CD-ROM is not connected again, setting of “valid” or “invalid” may be permitted by the setting menu of the operating panel  11  of the printer PR 1  side.

Technology Category: g