Program set, starting method, and setup method

Abstract

To provide a new technique for using programs related to an image processing device when an information processing device is communicably connected with the image processing device.SOLUTION: A program set 41 is downloaded to a PC 1 by an OS 21 of the PC 1 in response to the PC 1 being communicably connected with a printer 2 through a communication IF 14. In the program set 41, a first launcher program 42 is started first by the OS 21 in response to the program set 41 being downloaded. The started first launcher program 42 starts a second launcher program 43 that does not require user account control. The second launcher program 43 starts an installer 44 that requires the user account control. When the installer 44 is started at the time of connection of the printer 2, the installer, for example, acquires administrator privileges to install a control program, such as a printer driver 51, on the PC 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program set consisting of a plurality of programs, a method for starting a program, and a method for setting up a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for automatically installing a program for controlling an image processing device such as a printer when the image processing device is connected to an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when an operating system (OS) detects a printer through plug-and-play and if automatic installation control information indicates automatic download, a device app is automatically downloaded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-184229 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an information processing apparatus is communicatively connected to an image processing apparatus, a new technique is desired for using a program related to the image processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A program set made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems is a program set executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface, and is downloaded from a first server by an operating system of the information processing device in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to an image processing device via the communication interface, and the program set includes a first program, a second program, and a third program, and the first program is a first type of program, and the second program and the third program are second type programs different from the first type, and the first program, which is the first type of program, is launched by the operating system of the information processing device in response to the program set being downloaded, and the first program, in response to being launched from the operating system, causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a first launch process to launch the second program that does not require user account control, and the second program, in response to being launched from the first program, causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a second launch process to launch the third program that requires user account control.

[0006] The program set having the above configuration is downloaded to the information processing device by the operating system of the information processing device in response to a communication connection between the image processing device and the image processing device. In the program set, a first type of first program that is first launched by the operating system launches a second type of program that does not require user account control, and the second program then launches a third type of program that requires user account control. As a result, even in an environment where the information processing device cannot launch a second type of program that requires user account control, the information processing device can launch the third program that requires user account control via the second program, and the third program can, for example, obtain administrator privileges and execute processing.

[0007] Another aspect of the program set is a program set executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface, the program set being downloaded from a first server by the operating system of the information processing device in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to an image processing device via the communication interface, the program set including a first type of program and a second type of program different from the first type, the first type of program being launched by the operating system of the information processing device in response to the program set being downloaded, the first type of program being launched from the operating system causing the computer of the information processing device to execute a startup process to launch the second type of program, and the second type of program being launched from the first type of program being accepted by the computer of the information processing device as a selection of whether or not to install a control program for controlling the image processing device, and if the selection to install is accepted, causing the computer of the information processing device to execute an installation process to install the control program.

[0008] The program set having the above configuration is downloaded to the information processing device by the operating system of the information processing device in response to a communication connection between the information processing device and the image processing device. In the program set, a first type of program that is first launched by the operating system launches a second type of program. In processing by the second type of program, the information processing device accepts a selection as to whether or not to install a control program for the connected image processing device, and installs the control program if the selection to install is accepted. This allows the information processing device to install the control program at the user's selection even when the image processing device is connected.

[0009] An apparatus for realizing the functions of the program set, a startup method, a setup method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program set are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a new technology for utilizing a program related to an image processing device when an information processing device is communicatively connected to the image processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each program in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pop-up screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an administrator authority approval screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation for installing a control program. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each program in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the program set will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a program set that is downloaded to and executed by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") that can be connected to a printer.

[0013] (First embodiment) A PC (Personal Computer) 1 of the first embodiment is connectable to a printer 2, which is a device having the function of printing images, and is an apparatus that can install various application programs (hereinafter referred to as "apps") for causing the printer 2 to perform functions such as printing, and can execute processes according to each app. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing device." The printer 2 is an example of an "image processing device." Instead of the PC 1, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer may be used.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the PC 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in Fig. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used to control the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the PC 1. The computer includes, for example, the CPU 11, etc.

[0015] The CPU 11 of the PC 1 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. The memory 12 stores various programs and various data. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of memory. Note that the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the PC 1, but may also be a storage medium readable and writable by the CPU 11, such as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0016] The user IF 13 includes a display 13a, which is hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware that accepts operations by the user. Note that the user IF 13 may be a combination of the display 13a capable of displaying information and a mouse, keyboard, or the like that has an input acceptance function, or may be a touch panel that has the functions of the display 13a and an input acceptance function.

[0017] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the first server 4, the second server 5, and the printer 2. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and USB. The PC 1 may be connectable to the Internet 6 via the communication IF 14. The PC 1 may be provided with multiple communication IFs 14 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0018] An operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 is installed in the memory 12 of the PC 1. The OS 21 is a multitasking OS that can process multiple tasks in parallel by managing and switching between them. Examples of the OS 21 include Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark).

[0019] The memory 12 can store programs downloaded from the first server 4 and the second server 5. For example, the PC 1 can download from the first server 4 and the second server 5 a program set 41 for installing a control program corresponding to the printer 2 and a printer driver 51 for controlling printing by the printer 2, and store them in the memory 12.

[0020] The second server 5 in this embodiment is a server provided by a printer vendor. The second server 5 stores a control program for controlling the printer. The second server 5 is a web server that publishes the control program to information processing devices such as PC 1 and provides the control program in response to a request from the information processing device. The second server 5 is an example of a "second server."

[0021] The control programs are, for example, a printer driver 51, a status monitor 52, and a printing program 53. The printer driver 51 has a function of working in cooperation with the OS 21 to generate print data for printing on the printer 2, for example. The printer driver 51 also has a function of connecting an information processing device such as the PC 1 to the printer and controlling the printing of the printer. The status monitor 52 has a function of monitoring the status of the printer 2. The printing program 53 has a function of accepting a print instruction to cause the printer to print, for example. The printing program 53 may also have a function of creating or editing an image to be printed. The printer driver 51, the status monitor 52, and the printing program 53 are provided for each printer model.

[0022] The first server 4 in this embodiment is a server provided by a vendor of the OS 21. The first server 4 stores programs executable by the OS 21. For example, the first server 4 can manage programs uploaded by various vendors. The first server 4 is a server that publishes programs to information processing devices such as the PC 1 and provides the programs in response to requests from the information processing devices. The first server 4 is, for example, a cloud server that provides the services of an online store (the so-called Microsoft Store) provided by Microsoft. Note that the program stored in the first server 4 may be a single program or a program set including multiple programs. The first server 4 is an example of a "first server."

[0023] In this embodiment, a program set 41 and an information file 49 are stored in the first server 4. Both the program set 41 and the information file 49 are uploaded to the first server 4 by the vendor of the printer 2. The information file 49 stores information that links a hardware ID with the program set 41. The information file 49 is, for example, an INF file (setup information file). The hardware ID is identification information defined by the vendor of the printer 2.

[0024] The first server 4 may be configured with a plurality of servers. In this case, one of the plurality of servers may manage the information file 49 and provide the information file 49 in response to a request from the PC 1, and another server may manage the program set 41 and provide the program set 41 in response to a request from the PC 1.

[0025] The program set 41 of this embodiment includes a first launcher program 42, a second launcher program 43, and an installer 44. The first launcher program 42 is a program corresponding to a predetermined setup environment. The predetermined setup environment is, for example, an environment that is automatically downloaded from the first server 4 to the PC 1 and set up when the PC 1 is connected to a device such as the printer 2 for communication. The first launcher program 42 is, for example, a UWP app corresponding to the Universal Windows Platform (hereinafter referred to as "UWP"), which is an execution platform for software that runs on Microsoft's Windows (registered trademark) 10. Although the UWP app is automatically downloaded to the PC 1 from the Microsoft Store when the PC 1 is connected to a device such as the printer 2 for communication, it cannot launch a Win32 app that requires user account control.

[0026] The second launcher program 43 and the installer 44 are programs that do not support a predetermined setup environment and are different in type from the first launcher program 42. For example, the second launcher program 43 and the installer 44 are Win32 applications. The second launcher program 43 and the installer 44 are programs that are downloaded from the first server 4 together with a UWP application as part of the program set 41 and are launched by the UWP application. In this embodiment, the second launcher program 43 and the installer 44 constitute a second type of program 45. The program set may also be referred to as a program package.

[0027] The installer 44 is a program for installing control programs such as the printer driver 51, the status monitor 52, and the print program 53 into the PC 1. The installer 44 may install all or some of the control programs corresponding to the printer 2. The installer 44 may have a function for selecting the control programs to be installed from among the control programs corresponding to the printer 2. The installer 44 is a program that requires user account control in order to execute processing with administrator privileges.

[0028] For security reasons, the first launcher program 42 of this embodiment does not launch programs that require user account control. Therefore, the first launcher program 42 cannot directly launch the installer 44 that requires user account control. Therefore, the program set 41 includes a second launcher program 43 that can be launched by the first launcher program 42 without requiring user account control and that can launch the installer 44 with user account control specified.

[0029] The first launcher program 42 is an example of a "first type of program" or "first program." The second launcher program 43 is an example of a "second program" or "launch program." The installer 44 is an example of a "third program" or "installation program." The "first type of program" may be a Print Support Application (PSA) or a Hardware Support Application (HSA) instead of a normal UWP app.

[0030] In this embodiment, the PC 1 is connected to the printer 2 via the communication IF 14. The printer 2 is a device that has at least a printing function and a communication function. For example, when the printer 2 receives print data from the PC 1 or the like, it can execute printing based on the received print data. The printer 2 may be a device capable of color printing, or may be a device capable of only monochrome printing.

[0031] Next, the procedure for the process in which the PC 1 of this embodiment performs setup using the program set 41 will be described with reference to the sequences of FIGS. 2 and 5. Note that in this embodiment, each process other than user operation basically represents the process of the CPU 11 following instructions written in programs such as the first launcher program 42, the second launcher program 43, and the installer 44. For convenience, in this specification, various processes performed by the controller 10 or the CPU 11 according to programs such as the first launcher program 42, the second launcher program 43, the installer 44, and the OS 21 may be described as if each program independently performs various processes. The process by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS 21. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without a detailed description of the OS 21. Furthermore, the term "acquire" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request.

[0032] 2, when the OS 21 of the PC 1 detects that the printer 2 has been connected to the PC 1 using the communication IF 14, it acquires a hardware ID from the printer 2 (A01). If the acquired hardware ID is the first hardware ID acquired by the OS 21, the OS 21 accesses the first server 4 using the communication IF 14 and requests transmission of the information file 49 (A11). The request includes the hardware ID acquired from the printer 2.

[0033] The first server 4 reads the information file 49 corresponding to the hardware ID attached to the request and sends it to PC1 (A12). When the OS21 receives the information file 49 using the communication IF14, it requests the first server 4 to send the program set 41 using the communication IF14 (A13). This request is accompanied by the information file 49 received at A12. The first server 4 reads the program set 41 linked to the hardware ID from the information file 49 attached to the request at A13 and sends it to PC1 (A14). The OS21 stores the program set 41 downloaded from the first server 4 using the communication IF14 in the memory 12 (A15). As a result, the program set 41 is automatically installed in the OS21 in response to the printer 2 being connected to PC1 for the first time.

[0034] When the installation of the program set 41 is completed, the OS 21 displays a pop-up screen on the display 13a of the user IF 13 (A21). That is, the PC 1 displays a pop-up screen on the display 13a to notify the user of the existence of the program set 41 that was automatically installed when the printer 2 was connected to the PC 1.

[0035] 3 shows an example of a pop-up screen 100 in which a model name 101 of the printer 2 connected to the PC 1 and an image 102 are displayed. Furthermore, the pop-up screen 100 includes an icon 103 indicating the presence of a launcher application, i.e., a program set 41. Therefore, the PC 1 can notify the user from the pop-up screen 100 of the presence of a launcher application corresponding to the printer 2 connected to and communicating with the PC 1, i.e., the program set 41 for launching the installer 44 corresponding to the printer 2, and prompt the user to launch it. The OS 21 waits until the icon 103 is operated.

[0036] When OS21 accepts an operation on icon 103 using user IF13 (A22), it launches first launcher program 42 corresponding to OS21 from among the programs included in program set 41 (A23). First launcher program 42 is registered in program set 41 as the application to be launched first by OS21 from among the programs in program set 41.

[0037] Due to restrictions imposed by the OS 21, the first launcher program 42 cannot launch an installer 44 that requires user account control. In other words, the first launcher application 42 cannot launch another program with an instruction to obtain administrator privileges. For this reason, the first launcher program 42 stores the second launcher program 43, which does not require user account control, as the launch destination. Therefore, the first launcher program 42 launches the second launcher program 43 in response to a launch from the OS 21 (A31). A31 is an example of a "first launch process" or a "first launch step."

[0038] An installer 44 that requires user account control is stored as a launch destination in the second launcher program 43. In response to launching from the first launcher program 42, the second launcher program 43 launches the installer 44 with an instruction to obtain administrator privileges (A32). A32 is an example of a "second launch process" or a "second launch step."

[0039] In response to the instruction to obtain administrator authority from the second launcher program 43, the installer 44 requests approval of administrator authority from the OS 21 (A41). In response to the request from the installer 44, the OS 21 displays an administrator authority approval screen on the display 13a of the user IF 13 (A42). For example, an example of the administrator authority approval screen 200 shown in Fig. 4 includes a message 201 asking whether or not to allow the installer 44 to make changes to the PC 1, a "Yes" button 202 to allow the changes, and a "No" button 203 to not allow the changes.

[0040] The administrator authority approval screen 200 may display the issuer of the installer 44, i.e., the vendor that provides the first server 4 from which the program set 41 is downloaded. The administrator authority approval screen 200 may include a details button for displaying details of the changes. In other words, the administrator authority approval screen 200 may be capable of displaying information for making an approval decision.

[0041] When the "Yes" button 202 included in the administrator authority approval screen 200 is operated using the user IF13 and the OS21 accepts approval of the administrator authority as shown in FIG. 2 (A43), the OS21 passes the administrator authority to the installer 44 (A44).

[0042] When the installer 44 acquires administrator privileges from the OS 21 (A44), it operates with the administrator privileges and executes an installation process for installing the control program (A51). In other words, when the PC 1 first connects to the printer 2 for communication, the installer 44 can be automatically installed without the user having to perform the installer 44 installation operation. After acquiring administrator privileges from the OS 21, the PC 1 executes the installation process using the installer 44. A44 is an example of an "acquisition process." A51 is an example of an "installation process" or an "installation step."

[0043] The OS 21 does not transfer the administrator authority to the installer 44 until the "No" button 203 is operated on the administrator authority approval screen 200 or the "Yes" button 202 is operated. In this case, the installer 44 cannot operate with the administrator authority and does not execute the installation process of A51.

[0044] The installation process will be briefly explained based on FIG.

[0045] For example, with UWP apps, programs stored in the Microsoft Store are automatically downloaded and installed, so the user cannot choose whether or not to install a control program. Therefore, for example, by storing multiple control programs in the Microsoft Store, all of the control programs can be installed on PC1 when printer 2 is connected. However, there is a possibility that unnecessary control programs may be automatically installed on PC1, which could increase the load on memory 12.

[0046] Therefore, the installer 44, which is automatically installed in the PC 1 in response to the communication connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, displays a selection screen for selectively installing a control program on the display 13a of the user IF 13 (B01).

[0047] For example, the example of selection screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 displays a selection 301 of control programs that are compatible with printer 2 and can be installed on PC 1. Selection 301 may include an "All" option for selecting all control programs. Selection 301 may also include options for displaying individual control programs, such as "Printer Driver," "Status Monitor," and "Printing Application." The status monitor and printing application provided by second server 5 are Win32 applications, and the printer driver is also a Win32 application. Selection screen 300 includes check boxes 302a, 302b, 302c, and 302d indicating whether or not to select each item. Note that the selectable control programs may differ from those shown in FIG. 6. Selection screen 300 includes a specification field 303 for specifying a save destination for the control program to be installed. Selection screen 300 includes a "Back" button 304 for returning to the previous process, a "Cancel" button 305 for canceling the installation process, and a "Next" button 306 for confirming the selection. The installer 44 stores URL information indicating the location of the corresponding control program in association with each item of the options 301.

[0048] The selection screen 300 may have some items that can be selected and some that cannot. For example, a printer driver required for controlling a printer may not be available for selection and must be installed, while a status monitor or printing application may be available for selection and installed only if selected.

[0049] For example, when the "Next" button 306 is operated using the user IF13 with the "Printer Driver" checkbox 302b checked, the installer 44 accesses the second server 5 using the communication IF14 based on the URL information associated with the selected printer driver, as shown in FIG. 5, and requests the download of the selected printer driver (B11).

[0050] The second server 5 transmits the printer driver 51 to the PC 1 that issued the download request (B12). When the installer 44 receives the printer driver 51 using the communication IF 14, it instructs the OS 21 to install the printer driver 51 (B13). This instruction includes the downloaded printer driver 51 and information about the save destination specified in the specification field 303 on the selection screen 300. The OS 21 registers the printer driver 51 selected as a selection target on the selection screen 300 in the specified save destination (B14). When the installation of the printer driver 51 is completed in this manner, the OS 21 notifies the installer 44 of the completion of the installation (B15).

[0051] Note that multiple installation targets may be selected on the selection screen 300. For example, when the check box 302a is checked, the installer 44 attaches URL information of all control programs corresponding to the printer 2 to an installation instruction and passes the instruction to the OS 21. The OS 21 downloads and stores all of the selected control programs from the second server 5 based on the URL information.

[0052] If the "Back" button 304 or the "Cancel" button 305 is operated, the installer 44 will not execute the installation process. Therefore, the installer 44 can also accept the selection not to install the control program. This prevents the installation of unnecessary control programs, and prevents an increase in the memory load on the PC 1.

[0053] Therefore, when the PC 1 is first connected to the printer 2 for communication, the installer 44 can select whether or not to install the control program, even if the control program is automatically downloaded to the PC 1 as part of the program set 41. Moreover, the installer 44 allows the user to select which program to install from among multiple control programs compatible with the printer 2. This allows the PC 1 to install only the control programs the user needs, increasing the degree of freedom in the control programs to be installed. Furthermore, the PC 1 can avoid the automatic installation of control programs with large data volumes, thereby suppressing an increase in memory load.

[0054] As described above, the program set 41 of the first embodiment is downloaded to the PC 1 by the OS 21 of the PC 1 in response to a communication connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2. In the program set 41, the first launcher program 42, which is first launched by the OS 21, launches the second launcher program 43, which does not require user account control, and the second launcher program 43 then launches the installer 44, which requires user account control. As a result, even in an environment where the first launcher program 42 cannot launch the installer 44, the PC 1 can launch the installer 44, which requires user account control, via the second launcher program 43, and the installer 44 can, for example, obtain administrator privileges and execute processing.

[0055] For example, a UWP app (an example of a type 1 program) that supports UWP (an example of a predetermined setup environment) is automatically installed from the Microsoft Store, but cannot launch a Win32 app (an example of a type 2 program) that requires user account control. Installers that can install various control programs for image processing devices (e.g., printing apps and status monitors) are Win32 apps, and require user account control to run with administrator privileges. Therefore, to launch an installer with user account control using a system that uses UWP, a program set including a UWP app, a Win32 app launcher app, and a Win32 app installer is available in the Microsoft Store. The UWP app that is launched first launches the Win32 app launcher app, which then launches the Win32 app installer, allowing the installer to obtain administrator privileges and install various apps.

[0056] Therefore, the program set 41 of the first embodiment includes a first launcher program 42 corresponding to UWP, and a second launcher program 43 and installer 44 corresponding to Win32 applications, and is configured so that the first launcher program 42, which is first launched by the OS 21, launches the second launcher program 43, which does not require user account control, and the second launcher program 43 launches the installer 44, which requires user account control. According to this, when the PC 1 is connected for communication with the printer 2, the installer 44, which requires user account control, is launched, and for example, a control program corresponding to the printer 2 can be installed on the PC 1 and made available.

[0057] Furthermore, in the program set 41 of the first embodiment, control programs such as the printer driver 51 are not automatically installed by the OS 21 of the PC 1 in response to a communication connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, but the program set 41 is first downloaded to the PC 1. In the program set 41, the first launcher program 41, which is first launched by the OS 21, launches the installer 44 via the second launcher program 43. In processing by the installer 44, the PC 1 accepts a selection as to whether or not to install the control program for the connected printer 2, and installs the control program if the selection to install is accepted. This allows the PC 1 to install the control program at the user's choice, even when the printer 2 is connected.

[0058] For example, with UWP, programs stored in the Microsoft Store are automatically installed, and you cannot choose whether to install them. Therefore, for example, by storing multiple control programs in the Microsoft Store, you can have all of those control programs installed when Printer 2 is connected. However, in this case, there is a risk that unnecessary programs may also be automatically installed on PC 1, which could increase memory load.

[0059] Therefore, in the program set 41 of the first embodiment, an installer 44 for the control program is installed in the OS 21, and the control program can be selectively installed using the installer 44. This is expected to suppress an increase in memory load.

[0060] (Second embodiment) Next, a program set according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 7, in a program set 141 according to the second embodiment, a second type of program 45 is configured only by an installer 44. This differs from the program set 41 according to the first embodiment, in which the second type of program 45 is configured by a second launcher program 43 and an installer 44. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and components common to the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] The program set 141 includes a first launcher program 142 and an installer 44. The first launcher program 142 is a program provided by the OS 21 and is capable of launching programs that require user account control. In this respect, the first launcher program 142 differs from the first launcher program 42 of the first embodiment, which cannot launch programs that require user account control. Because the first launcher program 142 can launch the installer 44 that requires user account control, the program set 141 does not include the second launcher program 43.

[0062] The first launcher program 142 of the program set 141 is started by the OS 21 in response to the PC 1 being communicatively connected to the printer 2 via the communication IF 14 (A01, A11 to A15, A21 to A23). The first launcher program 142 is registered in the program set 141 as the application to be started first by the OS 21 among the programs in the program set 141.

[0063] The first launcher program 142 can launch programs that require user account control. The installer 44 is registered in the first launcher program 142 as the launch destination. Therefore, the first launcher program 142 launches the installer 44 with an instruction to obtain administrator privileges (A131), without going through the second launcher program 43 of the first embodiment. The launched installer 44 obtains administrator privileges (A41 to A44) and executes installation processing (A51).

[0064] Although the program set 141 of the second embodiment does not include the second launcher program 43, the first launcher program 142, which is first started by the OS 21 in response to a communication connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, runs the installer 44 with administrator privileges, and in the process by the installer 44, accepts a selection as to whether or not to install a control program, and if the selection to install is accepted, the control program can be installed. Therefore, even when the printer 2 is connected, the PC 1 can install a control program at the user's choice. Furthermore, because the control program can be selectively installed, it is expected that an increase in memory load can be suppressed.

[0065] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, instead of the printer 2, a device with an image processing function such as a multifunction device, a scanner, or a camera may be used as an example of an "image processing device."

[0066] For example, A15 in FIG. 2 may be omitted, and the OS 21 may display the pop-up screen without storing the downloaded program set 41 in the memory 12, that is, without installing the program set 41.

[0067] 2 may be omitted, and the OS 21 may not display a pop-up screen in response to the download of the first launcher program 42. However, by displaying the pop-up screen, the user of the PC 1 may be more likely to notice the existence of the program set 41 that has been automatically downloaded to the PC 1, thereby facilitating the installation of the control program.

[0068] For example, the control program may be incorporated into the installer 44. In this case, the installer 44 does not need to access the second server 5, and can install the control program even if communication with the second server 5 is offline. However, by storing the control program on the second server 5 and downloading it to the PC 1, the size of the program set 41 is reduced, and the transfer time of the program set 41 can be shortened.

[0069] For example, the third program is not limited to the installer 44, but may be a program that performs a predetermined process with administrator privileges. For example, the program that performs a predetermined process with administrator privileges is, for example, a program that has the authority to change the security settings of the OS 21, a program that changes the communication settings of the OS 21, or a program that has the function of using a predetermined resident service of the OS 21.

[0070] For example, the installer 44 may predetermine the control program to be installed, rather than downloading and installing the control program from the second server 5. For example, one or more control programs to be installed may be pre-installed in the installer 44, so that the installer 44 can install the control program on the PC 1 without connecting to the second server 5. In this case, the processes of B01, B02, B11, and B12 in FIG. 5 are omitted.

[0071] 5 may be omitted so that the PC 1 does not accept a selection for installing the control program. For example, the installer 44 may have a predetermined control program to download from the second server 5, and may connect to the second server 5 and download the control program to the PC 1 without accepting a selection of the control program.

[0072] The installer 44 may not accept a selection as to whether to install each control program individually, but may accept a selection only as to whether to install the control program. In this case, the installer may install a predetermined control program on the PC 1 when accepting the selection to install. However, by allowing the selection of the control program to be installed on the selection screen 300, it is possible to prevent unnecessary control programs from being automatically installed on the PC 1, thereby increasing the load on the memory 12. Furthermore, by being able to select the control program to be installed from multiple control programs, the degree of freedom when installing the control program is increased.

[0073] For example, the program set 41 may be directly associated with a hardware ID and stored in the first server 4 without using the information file 49. In this case, the OS 21 may request transmission of the program set in the process of A11 in FIG. 2 or FIG. 7. The hardware ID is attached to the request. The first server 4 may transmit the program set 41 associated with the hardware ID attached to the request to the PC 1, and the OS 21 may install the program set 41 (A15). This can eliminate the round trips in the processes shown in A12 and A13 in FIG. 2 or FIG. 7.

[0074] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0075] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 PC 2. Printer 11 CPU 14 Communication Interface 21 OS 41,141 program sets 42,142 First Launcher Program 43 Second Launcher Program 44 Installer 45 Type 2 Program

Claims

1. A program set executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface, the program set being downloaded from a first server by an operating system of the information processing device in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to an image processing device via the communication interface, the program set includes a first program, a second program, and a third program, the first program being a first type of program, the second program and the third program being second type programs different from the first type, and the first program being the first type of program is activated by an operating system of the information processing device in response to downloading of the program set; the first program causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a first startup process for starting the second program that does not require user account control in response to being started by the operating system; the second program, in response to being started from the first program, causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a second start-up process for starting the third program that requires the user account control; Program set.

2. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: the third program is an installer for a control program for controlling the image processing device, and causes the computer of the information processing device to execute an acquisition process for acquiring administrator authority through the user account control, and then executes an installation process for installing the control program in a state where the administrator authority has been acquired. Program set.

3. 3. A program set according to claim 2, comprising: the third program is capable of installing a plurality of the control programs; In the installation process, a selection of the control program to be selected is accepted, and the selected control program is installed. Program set.

4. 4. A program set according to claim 3, comprising: In the installation process, a selected program that is the selected control program is downloaded from a second server different from the first server and installed in the information processing device. Program set.

5. A program set executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface, the program set being downloaded from a first server by an operating system of the information processing device in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to an image processing device via the communication interface, the program set includes a first type of program and a second type of program different from the first type, and the first type of program is started by an operating system of the information processing device in response to downloading of the program set; the first type of program causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a startup process for starting the second type of program in response to being started by the operating system; the second type of program, in response to being started by the first type of program, accepts a selection as to whether or not to install a control program for controlling the image processing device in the computer of the information processing device, and, when the selection to install the control program is accepted, causes an installation process to be executed to install the control program; Program set.

6. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the second type of program includes a startup program and an installation program, In the startup process of the first type of program, the startup program that does not require user account control is started among the second type of programs; the startup program causes the computer of the information processing device to start the installation program that requires the user account control in response to being started by the first type of program; the installation program, in response to being started by the startup program, causes the computer of the information processing device to execute an acquisition process for acquiring administrator authority through the user account control, and executes the installation process in a state in which the administrator authority has been acquired. Program set.

7. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the second type of program is capable of installing a plurality of the control programs, and in the installation process, a selection of whether or not to install each of the control programs to be selected is accepted, and the control program for which the selection to install has been accepted is installed is installed. Program set.

8. 8. A program set according to claim 7, comprising: In the installation process, a selected program, which is the control program for which the selection to be installed has been accepted, is downloaded from a second server different from the first server, the second server storing the selected program, and installed in the information processing device. Program set.

9. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the image processing device is a printer, the control program is a printer driver corresponding to the printer; Program set.

10. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the image processing device is a printer, the control program is a printing program that accepts a print instruction to cause the printer to perform printing; Program set.

11. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the image processing device is a printer, the control program is a status monitor that monitors the status of the printer; Program set.

12. A program launching method for downloading and launching a specific program requiring user account control from a server in response to communication between an image processing device and an information processing device having a communication interface, the method comprising: a program launch method in which, in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to the image processing device via the communication interface, the information processing device downloads a program set from the server, the program set includes the specific program, a first launch program which is a first type of program, and a second launch program which is different from the first type of program, the specific program being a second type of program which is different from the first type of program, and the first launch program included in the program set is launched by an operating system of the information processing device in response to the program set being downloaded; a first boot step in which the information processing device boots the second boot program included in the program set and which does not require user account control, using the first boot program; a second launch step in which the information processing device launches the specific program that is included in the program set and requires the user account control by using the second launch program; Contains, How to start the program.

13. 1. A program setup method for setting up a control program for controlling an image processing device in an information processing device having a communication interface in response to the image processing device being communicatively connected to the information processing device, the method comprising: A program setup method in which, in response to the information processing device being communicatively connected to the image processing device via the communication interface, a program set is downloaded by the information processing device from a server, the program set includes a first type of program and a second type of program different from the first type, and in response to the program set being downloaded, the first type of program included in the program set is started by an operating system of the information processing device, a start-up step in which the information processing device starts up the second type of program included in the program set by the first type of program; an installation step in which the information processing device receives a selection of whether or not to install the control program by the second type of program, and installs the control program when the selection of installation is received; Contains, How to set up the program.

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