A driving configuration method and device of a printer, a printer and a storage medium

Abstract

The application relates to a printer driving configuration method, device, printer and storage medium. The printer driving configuration method comprises the following steps: the printer responds to a communication request of an upper computer in a U disk mode to establish a communication connection with the upper computer; the printer responds to an access request of the upper computer and sends a driving configuration file stored in a memory of the printer to the upper computer, wherein the driving configuration file comprises a printer driving program file or link information for indicating a network storage address of the driving program file. The application has the advantages of low implementation cost and convenient printer driving installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printer driver configuration technology; more specifically, it relates to a printer driver configuration method, apparatus, printer, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most printers on the market require users to download and install printer drivers when connecting to a host computer for printing. Therefore, printer manufacturers typically include a USB drive containing the printer driver files for users to download and install. This method is costly and can be inconvenient if the USB drive is lost. Therefore, a lower-cost and more convenient solution for users to install printer drivers is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To at least partially address the problems of the prior art, a first aspect of the present invention provides a printer driver configuration method, comprising the following steps: S1, the printer responds to the communication request from the host computer in USB flash drive mode to establish a communication connection with the host computer; S2, in response to the access request from the host computer, the printer sends the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer.

[0004] In the above technical solution, the printer driver is downloaded and installed using the driver configuration file built into the printer's memory, eliminating the need for a separate USB flash drive for the printer, thus reducing costs and making the download and installation of the printer driver more convenient.

[0005] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the driver configuration file includes a printer driver file.

[0006] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the driver configuration file includes link information indicating the network storage address of the printer driver file. The link information may be a script file or an HTML file.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the printer driver file is stored over a network. The driver configuration file includes link information indicating the network storage address. Compared with the printer driver file, this driver configuration file with link information occupies less printer memory, which not only enables quick and easy installation of the printer driver, but also further reduces printer costs.

[0008] Furthermore, the memory includes a first partition, and the link information includes first link information, which is used to indicate the network storage address of driver files for multiple different printers, including the printer. The first link information and the firmware code of the printer are stored in the first partition.

[0009] In the above technical solution, printer manufacturers can embed driver configuration files / first link information into different printers. Different printers can find the corresponding printer driver file through the first link information. Different printers can store the same driver configuration file, which helps to further reduce costs.

[0010] Furthermore, the memory also includes a second partition, and the link information further includes second link information stored in the second partition; wherein the second link information is used to indicate the network storage address of the printer's driver file.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the second link information used to indicate the network storage address of the printer driver file is stored separately, which helps to reduce the memory size required by the second partition. Furthermore, the first partitions of the memory for different printers can be batch-programmed, while only the second partitions need to be programmed individually, reducing production, programming, and maintenance costs. Simultaneously, if the second partition is abnormally damaged or the second link information is modified, the user can still find the specific storage location of the printer driver file through the first link information stored in the first partition, effectively improving fault tolerance.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention discloses a printer driver configuration device, comprising: A communication connection module is used to respond to communication requests from the host computer in USB flash drive mode in order to establish a communication connection with the host computer. The file transfer module is used to send the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer in response to the host computer's access request.

[0013] Furthermore, the driver configuration file includes link information indicating the network storage address of the driver file.

[0014] Furthermore, the memory includes a first partition and a second partition, and the link information includes first link information and second link information. The first link information and the firmware program code of the printer are stored in the first partition, and the second link information is stored in the second partition. The first link information is used to indicate the network storage address of driver files for multiple different printers, including the printer, and the second link information is used to indicate the network storage address of the driver file for the printer.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention discloses a printer, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be executed by the processor to implement the printer driver configuration method of any of the preceding claims.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention discloses a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is executable by a processor to implement the printer driver configuration method of any of the preceding claims. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the printer driver configuration method in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural block diagram of the printer driver configuration device in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in conjunction with specific embodiments in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, it should be understood that the following specific embodiments and detailed description are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of protection of the invention.

[0020] In this invention, the printer connects to a host computer via an interface. The printer has a printer mode and a USB flash drive mode. When connected to the host computer in USB flash drive mode, the printer is recognized as a USB flash drive, i.e., the printer is recognized as a large-capacity storage device. The data stored in the printer's memory can be displayed on the host computer, and the host computer can read files stored in the printer's memory. When connected to the host computer in printer mode, the printer is recognized as a printing device and can exchange printing data with the host computer, receiving printing data from the host computer for printing. The host computer includes, but is not limited to, computers and mobile terminals.

[0021] Furthermore, the printer may include a mode switching button. Different operations on the mode switching button activate printer mode and USB flash drive mode, or switch between these two modes. In this embodiment, the mode switching button can be the printer's power button. Different operations on the power button activate printer mode and USB flash drive mode. For example, double-clicking the power button activates the printer in USB flash drive mode; single-clicking the power button activates the printer in printer mode. This eliminates the need for a separate mode switching button or additional control program, and the operation is simple. As a variation of this embodiment, the mode switching button can be a button other than the power button; alternatively, the printer may automatically switch between printer mode and USB flash drive mode via software control, instead of using a mode switching button. For example, when the printer is first connected to the host computer, it defaults to USB flash drive mode. After the host computer completes the printer driver installation, it sends a mode switching command to the printer, and the printer automatically switches to printer mode.

[0022] When configuring / downloading and installing the printer driver, the host computer establishes a communication connection with the printer, which is in USB flash drive mode. At this time, the printer is recognized as a USB flash drive, and the host computer can read the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to complete the download and installation of the printer driver.

[0023] In this invention, the driver configuration file refers to a file pre-installed in the printer's memory, which the host computer reads when the printer is in USB flash drive mode to complete the printer driver installation. The driver configuration file can be the printer driver file itself, or it can be link information indicating the network storage address of the printer driver file.

[0024] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the printer driver configuration method provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes the following steps: S1, the printer responds to the communication request from the host computer in USB flash drive mode to establish a communication connection with the host computer; S2, in response to the access request from the host computer, the printer sends the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer.

[0025] Specifically, after the host computer recognizes the printer as a large-capacity storage device, it initiates a read request for the driver configuration file through the file system. This read request is the access request.

[0026] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory includes the printer's driver file. Specifically, after the host computer establishes a communication connection with the printer in USB flash drive mode, the printer responds to the host computer's access request by sending the driver file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer, thereby enabling the installation of the printer driver on the host computer. Since the driver configuration file / printer driver file is built into the printer's memory, printer manufacturers do not need to provide a separate USB flash drive for the printer, resulting in lower costs and a convenient and fast printer driver download and installation process.

[0027] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory includes link information indicating the network storage address of the driver file. Compared with the driver file, this driver configuration file containing link information occupies significantly less memory, which can further reduce printer costs, while still enabling quick and simple installation of the printer driver. The link information can be a script file or an HTML file. In another embodiment, the link information can also be a hyperlink shortcut file (.url, .webloc), text pointing to a network storage address, a QR code image, etc., as long as it can indicate the network storage address of the driver file.

[0028] Specifically, after the host computer establishes a communication connection with the printer in USB flash drive mode, the printer responds to the host computer's access request by sending the link information stored in the printer's memory to the host computer. The user can click the link to jump to the network storage address of the driver file and download the driver file of the printer / this printer from the network storage address.

[0029] Furthermore, the script in the link can automatically identify the host computer's operating system type and bitness when running, prompting the user to select the uniquely matching printer driver file / package, resulting in a better user experience. Alternatively, the script in the link can automatically identify the host computer's operating system type and bitness when running, and the browser can directly redirect to the driver package download page that matches the user's host computer.

[0030] In some embodiments, the link information includes first link information, which indicates the network storage address of driver files for multiple different printers, including the printer in question. This allows printer manufacturers to embed the first link information into different printers, enabling each printer to find its corresponding driver file. This facilitates unified management of the network storage addresses of different printer driver files, further simplifying printer production and reducing management costs.

[0031] Furthermore, the printer's memory includes a first partition where the printer's firmware program code and first link information are stored. This eliminates the need for the firmware program code to read driver configuration files / first link information from other partitions during runtime, resulting in faster code execution. Moreover, since there is no separate partition for storing driver configuration files / first link information, printer storage management is simplified, reducing processor requirements and improving printer operating speed, reducing lag, and enhancing the user experience. Preferably, the first link information is permanently stored in the first partition, for example, embedded in the printer's firmware program code, making it less susceptible to user modification and potential malfunctions.

[0032] In other embodiments, the memory further includes a second partition, and the link information further includes second link information stored in the second partition; wherein the second link information is used to indicate the network storage address of the driver file for the printer / this printer. That is, the first link information used to indicate the network storage addresses of driver files for multiple different printers can be embedded in the firmware code, while the second link information used to indicate the network storage address of the driver file for this printer is stored separately for easy user retrieval.

[0033] The second link information is stored separately in the second partition, which helps reduce the memory size required by the second partition. Furthermore, the first partitions of the memory for different printers can be batch-programmed, while only the second partitions need to be programmed individually, reducing production, programming, and maintenance costs. Additionally, if the second partition is abnormally damaged or the second link information is modified, the user can still find the specific storage location of the printer's driver file through the first link information stored in the first partition, effectively improving fault tolerance. Moreover, when the printer's driver URL is modified and cannot be found through the second link information, the user can still obtain the main page URL containing the network storage address of the printer's driver file through the first link information, thus finding the printer's driver file on the main page.

[0034] Furthermore, when the printer's driver URL is updated, the printer can update the second link information indicating the printer's driver URL in response to the update command from the host computer. For example, the second link information can be updated via firmware upgrade. Specifically, the printer manufacturer can push update information to the host computer, and the printer will update the second link information in response to the update command from the host computer.

[0035] Optionally, after the host computer establishes a communication connection with the printer in USB flash drive mode, both the first link information and the second link information are sent by the printer to the host computer. For example, the first link information and the second link information can be displayed simultaneously on the same display interface of the host computer. Based on either the first link information or the second link information, the network storage address of the printer driver file can be obtained, thereby completing the download and installation of the printer driver.

[0036] Preferably, when the printer initiates access from the host computer, it first performs a reachability probe on the address pointed to by the second link information (e.g., DNS resolution / TCP handshake / HTTP status code). If the probe is successful, the second link information is returned; if the probe fails, the first link information is returned. For example, if the printer's driver URL is modified, making it impossible to find the URL through the second link information, the printer will automatically return the first link information to facilitate the user in finding the printer's driver file.

[0037] As described above, the printer of this invention can automatically switch between printer mode and USB flash drive mode via a mode switching button or software program control. When using the mode switching button to switch modes, the user needs to operate the mode switching button after the printer driver is installed to switch the printer from USB flash drive mode to printer mode.

[0038] When switching modes via software, a trigger condition can be set for the printer to enter USB flash drive mode (e.g., upon initial connection to a host computer). When this trigger condition is met, the printer enters USB flash drive mode. After the host computer completes the printer driver installation, it sends a mode switching command to the printer, which automatically switches to printer mode. Preferably, a timer is set after the printer enters USB flash drive mode; if no driver configuration file access request is received within the set time, it automatically switches to printer mode. This solves the problem of printer lag caused by the external interface of the printer being reused as both a USB mass storage device data transmission channel and a print data transmission channel, resulting in bandwidth being occupied by the USB mass storage device data transmission channel.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory may include only one of the first link information and the second link information.

[0040] A second aspect of the present invention provides a printer driver configuration device, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the drive configuration device includes: Communication connection module 1 is used to respond to communication requests from the host computer in USB flash drive mode in order to establish a communication connection with the host computer; File transfer module 2 is used to send the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer in response to the host computer's access request.

[0041] A third aspect of the present invention provides a printer, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be executed by the processor to implement the aforementioned printer driver configuration method.

[0042] For example, the memory may be a non-volatile memory or a high-speed random access memory, such as at least one of a hard disk, memory, disk storage device, plug-in hard disk, smart media card, secure digital card, flash card, flash memory device combination, and other volatile solid-state storage devices.

[0043] For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or at least one of other general-purpose processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc.

[0044] A fourth aspect of the present invention discloses a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is executable by a processor to implement the aforementioned printer driver configuration method.

[0045] For example, computer-readable storage media may be magnetic disks, optical disks, read-only memory, random access memory, flash memory, hard disk drives, or solid state drives; storage media may also be combinations of the above types of memory.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above by way of embodiments, the above embodiments are only used to exemplify possible implementations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printer driver configuration method, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: S1, the printer responds to the communication request from the host computer in USB flash drive mode to establish a communication connection with the host computer; S2, in response to the access request from the host computer, the printer sends the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer.

2. The driver configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driver configuration file includes the printer's driver file.

3. The driver configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driver configuration file includes link information indicating the network storage address of the printer's driver file.

4. The driver configuration method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The memory includes a first partition, and the link information includes first link information, which indicates the network storage address of driver files for multiple different printers, including the printer. The first link information and the firmware code of the printer are stored in the first partition.

5. The driver configuration method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The memory also includes a second partition, and the link information further includes second link information stored in the second partition. The second link information is used to indicate the network storage address of the printer's driver file.

6. A printer driver configuration device, characterized in that... include: A communication connection module is used to respond to communication requests from the host computer in USB flash drive mode in order to establish a communication connection with the host computer. The file transfer module is used to send the driver configuration file stored in the printer's memory to the host computer in response to the host computer's access request.

7. The drive configuration device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driver configuration file includes link information indicating the network storage address of the printer's driver file.

8. The drive configuration device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The memory includes a first partition and a second partition, and the link information includes first link information and second link information. The first link information and the firmware program code of the printer are stored in the first partition, and the second link information is stored in the second partition. The first link information is used to indicate the network storage address of driver files for multiple different printers, including the printer in question, and the second link information is used to indicate the network storage address of the driver file for the printer in question.

9. A printer comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, characterized in that: The computer program can be executed by the processor to implement the printer driver configuration method according to any one of claims 1-5.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that: The computer program can be executed by a processor to implement the printer driver configuration method according to any one of claims 1-5.

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