Image forming apparatus and printer driver delivery system

#The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a printer driver delivery system.

#In a conventional image forming apparatus, a specific printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus is installed in an information process unit thereof before printing. When such a printer driver is updated, a recoding medium such as a CD is used for updating the printer driver, or a user downloads an updated driver through Internet and installs the driver. Alternatively, when a printer driver is updated, an electrical mail may be sent to a user to notify that a new printer driver is available. In such a case, the user retrieves the printer driver attached to the electrical mail and installs the driver (refer to Patent Reference 1). Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-143662

#In Patent Reference 1, a host computer or an individual information terminal is selected through an operation unit of an image forming apparatus. A printer driver stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus is downloaded to the host computer or the individual information terminal through an interface. In the system disclosed in Patent reference 1, the user needs to obtain the printer driver based on the printer driver update information, thereby posing cumbersome task to the user.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer driver delivery system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a process of creating a delivery destination list and sending the delivery destination list to a delivery device;

#FIG. 3a is a schematic view showing an example of the delivery destination list, and FIG. 3b is a schematic view showing a display for prompting a user whether to send the delivery destination list to the delivery device;

#Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer driver delivery system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printer driver delivery system 1 includes a delivery device 2 for administrating a printer driver; an image forming apparatus 3 for forming an image; an administration device 4 for directing a delivery destination of the printer driver; and a plurality of information processing devices 5a to Sn (information processing device 5) for receiving the printer driver from the delivery device 2.

#The delivery device 2 may be an external device connected to Internet. The image forming apparatus 3, the administration device 4, and the information processing device 5 constitute a local area network (LAN) such as an intranet. The administration device 4 does not need to be a stand-alone device, and may be incorporated in the information processing device 5. In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 3 is a printer; the delivery device 2 is a device installed at a side of a manufacture; and the information processing device 5 is a personal computer (PC).