Plug and Play Driver Installation for Multi-Function Image Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses require complex and cumbersome procedures for installing drivers, as a single device ID can correspond to multiple drivers, and share logical interfaces, leading to degraded performance and increased overhead.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that acquires device identification information upon connection of a peripheral device, allowing for automatic installation of multiple device drivers through plug and play processing, eliminating the need for operator intervention in a complicated selection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single device ID corresponds to multiple drivers, then the system can support multiple functions (printer, scanner, FAX), but the operator must manually select and install each driver individually, increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the connected device type and installs the appropriate driver without requiring operator intervention. The installation program queries the device ID, determines the device type (printer, scanner, FAX), and autonomously installs the corresponding driver, making the system self-configuring.
Solution Approach 2:
The device ID structure is designed to include function identification parameters that automatically determine which driver to install. By encoding device type information within the device ID itself, the system can automatically select and install the appropriate driver based on the detected device type.
2Device complexity
If the same logical interface is shared by multiple functions, then device complexity is reduced, but header information for command identification must be added and control procedures become complicated, degrading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The logical interface is segmented into multiple virtual interfaces, each dedicated to a specific function (printer interface, scanner interface, FAX interface). This segmentation eliminates the need for complex command header processing by providing dedicated communication channels for each function, thereby maintaining simplicity while preserving performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an internal USB HUB is implemented to connect multiple functions, then device integration is improved, but the apparatus becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single USB interface is designed to support multiple functions (printer, scanner, FAX) through virtual interface technology. Instead of requiring separate USB connections or a USB HUB for each function, the system enables one USB interface to universally support all functions by dynamically creating and managing multiple virtual interfaces based on the connected device type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of executing plug and play processing for starting up one installation processing operation upon acquiring one device identification information item. The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring at least one device identification information item including a plurality of configuration information items corresponding to each of a plurality of logical interfaces in response to connection of a peripheral device. The information processing apparatus further includes an installation control unit for controlling execution of installation of a plurality of device drivers corresponding to the plurality of logical interfaces, respectively, by the use of the plurality of configuration information items included in the at least one device identification information item when the acquisition unit acquires the at least one device identification information item from the peripheral device.