JP2008234339A - Information processor, information processing system, and printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the consistency between an application and a printer by dynamically changing setting items to be displayed to a user during printing. <P>SOLUTION: A PC 1 includes an application information acquisition part 15 which acquires application information 11 for the kind of an application 3; a storage part 9 which stores print setting information for setting items in printing corresponding to the application 3; a print setting information acquisition part 17 which acquires print setting information corresponding to the application information 11 acquired by the acquisition part 15; and a print setting screen formation part 19 which forms information for a print setting screen to be displayed on a display part 7 based on the print setting information acquired by the acquisition part 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a printer driver.

  Conventionally, when an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus prints print data generated using an application using a connected image forming apparatus, a printer driver is used, and setting items for printing are displayed to the user. Select and print. At this time, the set items are collected and stored in order to reduce the operation burden on the user. When the user tries to print again, the stored setting is read and displayed to the user. As such a printing apparatus, an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2006-72576 A

  However, according to the above-described invention, there is an insufficient point in terms of matching between the application program and the printer driver. Specifically, in the conventionally used invention, since the setting items that are stored together are displayed uniformly, for example, in response to a print command from an application program for printing a simple text document. In addition, an item asking whether or not to perform color printing is displayed, that is, an unnecessary item is displayed among setting items displayed to the user. As a result, there is a problem that it causes unnecessary confusion to the user.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and information processing that can improve the consistency between an application program and a printer driver by dynamically changing setting items displayed to a user at the time of printing. An object is to provide an apparatus, an information processing system, and a printer driver.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention stores an application information acquisition unit that acquires application information related to the type of application program, and print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application program A print setting information acquisition unit that acquires the print setting information corresponding to the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit among the print setting information stored in the print setting information storage unit And a print setting screen creation unit that creates information related to the print setting screen displayed on the display unit based on the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition unit.

  According to this configuration, the information processing apparatus acquires application information of an application program that has supplied a print command, and creates a print setting screen based on the acquired application information. Accordingly, the information processing apparatus can create a print setting screen according to the type of application.

  An information processing system according to the present invention includes: an information processing apparatus that outputs print data generated by a predetermined application program; and a server apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. The server device stores print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application program, the information processing device acquires an application information acquisition unit that acquires application information related to the type of the application program, and the server device. Among the stored print setting information, the print setting information acquisition unit that acquires the print setting information corresponding to the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit via the network, and the print setting information acquisition unit. It is characterized in that it comprises the a print setting screen creation unit for creating information regarding the print setting screen displayed on the display unit based on the print setting information.

  According to this configuration, the information processing apparatus acquires application information of an application program that has supplied a print command, and creates a print setting screen based on the acquired application information. Accordingly, the information processing apparatus can create a print setting screen according to the type of application program. Since the print setting information is stored in the server device, the print setting information can be shared by a plurality of users connected via a network.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer driver for causing a display unit of an information processing apparatus to display a print setting screen related to setting items when printing print data generated by a predetermined application program. Application information acquisition means for acquiring application information related to the type of the application program, and the application information acquisition means from a print setting information storage unit that stores print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application. Print setting information acquisition means for acquiring the print setting information corresponding to the application information, and a print setting screen displayed on the display unit based on the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition means Is characterized in that to function as a print setting screen creation means for creating information.

  According to this configuration, the printer driver causes the information processing apparatus to acquire the application information of the application program that has supplied the print command, and to create a print setting screen based on the acquired application information. Thus, the printer driver can cause the information processing apparatus to create a print setting screen according to the type of application program.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus, the information processing system, and the printer driver of the present invention, the consistency between the application program and the printer driver is improved by dynamically changing the setting items displayed to the user during printing. be able to.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) as an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an application 3 as an application program for generating print data, a printer, The driver 5 includes a display unit 7 that displays a predetermined image for the user, and a storage unit 9 that stores various types of information. In such a PC 1, when a user operates the application 3 to execute print processing, such a command is supplied from the application 3 to the printer driver 5. In response to this, the printer driver 5 acquires application information regarding the type of the application 3 and refers to the storage unit 9 based on the acquired application information. Then, the PC 1 acquires print setting information corresponding to the application information among the print setting information related to the setting items at the time of printing stored in the storage unit 9. Then, the PC 1 creates information related to the print setting screen to be displayed on the display unit 7 based on the print setting information, and causes the display unit 7 to display the print setting screen based on the information. As a result, the user can set print items according to the application 3.

  The application 3 is a program installed in the PC 1 and is configured by, for example, a document creation application, a presentation application, a spreadsheet application, or the like. Such an application 3 is configured by information including application information 11 relating to the type of the application 3 by the user. The application 3 includes a driver access unit 13 for accessing the printer driver 5. When the user operates the application 3 to execute print processing, the driver access unit 13 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit, and allows the user to select a printer that transmits print data. In the following, the screen shown in the figure is referred to as a “printer selection screen”. Then, the driver access unit 13 accesses the printer driver 5 of the printer selected by the user and starts up the printer driver 5.

  The printer driver 5 is a driver for a printer selected by the user, and is a program stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown). Such a printer driver 5 is executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and causes the PC 1 to execute various operations. Specifically, the printer driver 5 includes an application information acquisition unit 15 that causes the CPU to acquire the application information 11, and a print setting information acquisition unit that causes the CPU to acquire print setting information corresponding to the application information 11 from the storage unit 9. 17 and a print setting screen creation unit 19 that causes the CPU to create information related to the print setting screen to be displayed on the display unit 7 based on the print setting information.

  The storage unit 9 is configured by a memory such as an HDD, and stores print setting information corresponding to an application like a table as shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the application 3 is a program for creating a text document, and items to be selected by the user at the time of printing are items relating to paper orientation and duplex printing. Then, the print setting information corresponding to the application 3 as described above is configured only with items of paper orientation and duplex printing as items to be set at the time of printing. When the print setting screen is displayed based on such print setting information, only the items related to the paper orientation and double-sided printing are displayed on the display unit 7 as shown in FIG. Unnecessary items are not displayed.

  Further, for example, the application 3 is a program that requires detailed setting of the image quality of the output image, such as drawing software, and items to be selected by the user at the time of printing are paper orientation, duplex printing, and Assume that the items are related to page order, paper quality, printing options, and color. Then, such print setting information corresponding to the application 3 is configured with items relating to paper orientation, double-sided printing, page order, paper quality, printing options, and color as items to be set at the time of printing. . When the print setting screen is displayed based on such print setting information, the display unit 7 needs the paper orientation, double-sided printing, and page order required for the user as shown in FIG. Items related to quality, print options, and color. As described above, the setting item at the time of printing refers to an item that the user should consider at the time of printing according to the nature of the application.

  The application information 11 is information acquired from the application 3, and is configured by the name of the application 3, for example.

  Hereinafter, a series of operations of the PC 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user executes the printing function of the application 3 and starts a series of processes, the PC 1 displays a printer selection screen in step S1. Such processing is executed when the application 3 causes the display unit 7 to display a printer selection screen. Thus, the user can select a printer that outputs print data.

  Next, in step S2, the PC 1 selects a printer driver. Specifically, such processing is executed by the application 3 selecting the printer driver 5 corresponding to the printer selected by the user via the printer selection screen.

  Next, in step S3, the PC 1 starts up a printer driver. Specifically, such processing is executed by the driver access unit 13 starting up a printer driver. Whether or not to start the printer driver differs depending on whether or not the user presses the “property” button on the printer selection screen, for example. In the present embodiment, the user presses the “property” button because of the nature of the invention. Detailed description will be given assuming that is pressed.

  Next, in step S4, the PC 1 acquires the application information 11 of the application 3. Such processing is executed when the printer driver 5 causes the CPU to access the application 3 and acquire application information.

  Next, in step S5, the PC 1 determines whether or not the application information 11 has been acquired. If it is determined that the application information 11 has been acquired, the PC 1 executes the processes after step S6.

  In step S6, the PC 1 determines whether or not the acquired application information is registered. In this process, the print setting information acquisition unit 17 causes the CPU to refer to the acquired application information, and whether or not the storage unit 9 has information on the same application type as the application type included in the application information. It is executed by making it judge. If it is determined that the acquired application information is registered, the PC 1 executes the processes after step S7.

  Next, in step S7, the PC 1 determines whether or not print setting information is registered. This process is executed by causing the CPU to determine whether or not the print setting information acquisition unit 17 stores the print setting information corresponding to the acquired application information 11 in the storage unit 9. If it is determined that the print setting information is registered, the PC 1 executes the processes after step S8.

  Next, in step S8, the PC 1 creates information related to the print setting screen. Such processing is executed by causing the CPU to create information related to a screen to be displayed on the display unit 7 based on the acquired print setting information. Thereafter, in step S9, the PC 1 displays a print setting screen based on the information created on the display unit 7, and ends a series of processes.

  On the other hand, if the PC 1 determines in step S5 that the application information 11 has not been acquired, the PC 1 determines in step S6 that the acquired application information has not been registered, and the PC 1 has print setting information in step S7. If it is determined that it is not registered, the PC 1 creates information related to the standard print setting screen in step S10 because it cannot display the print setting screen.

  Thereafter, the PC 1 outputs the items set by the user and the print data to a printing apparatus such as a printer as print information.

  As described above, according to the PC 1, setting items displayed to the user at the time of printing can be dynamically changed according to the application information 11. Thereby, the consistency between the application information 11 and the printer driver 5 can be improved.

  Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that since the PC according to the second embodiment has a portion having the same configuration as the PC 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only a different portion will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the PC 51 according to the second embodiment includes a setting tool 53 for rewriting print setting information in addition to the configuration of the PC 1.

  The setting tool 53 is a program for rewriting print setting information stored in the storage unit 9. The setting tool 53 is configured to be able to change setting items at the time of printing included in the print setting information designated by the user.

  When such a setting tool 53 is executed, an image as shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter referred to as “main window”) is displayed on the display unit 7, for example. Specifically, when the setting tool 53 is executed, the display unit 7 displays a window including an application name display area 55, a defined application name display area 57, and switches S1, S2, and S3.

  The application name display area 55 is an area provided for the user to newly add application information. In the application name display area 55, information corresponding to application information is input. Then, when the user inputs an application name in the application name display area 55 and presses the switch S1, an image as shown in FIG.

  The image shown in FIG. 9 is a window (hereinafter referred to as “setting window”) for selecting a setting item that the user desires to set corresponding to the application. Then, the user uses each check field to select a setting item desired to be set in correspondence with the application. After these are selected, the application name input in the application name display area 55 and the set setting items are stored in the storage unit 9 in association with each other as application information and print setting information.

  The defined application name display area 57 is an area provided to allow the user to change the setting items of the print setting information already registered. In this area, the application information already stored in the storage unit 9 is displayed. The user can edit / delete the setting item corresponding to the selected application information by selecting the application information desired to be edited or deleted and pressing the switch S2 or S3.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the PC 51 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user supplies a command to activate the setting tool 53 and starts a series of processes, the PC 51 activates the setting tool 53 in step S11. When such processing is executed, a main window is displayed on the display unit 7.

  Next, in step S12, the PC 51 acquires defined application information. Such processing is executed by the setting tool 53 accessing the storage unit 9 and reading the registered application information.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the PC 51 displays the read application information in the defined application name display area 57. As a result, the user can refer to the defined application information.

  Next, in step S14, the PC 51 determines whether or not the switch S1 that instructs registration is pressed. When registration is instructed, the PC 51 executes the processes after step S15 on the assumption that new application information is added.

  Next, in step S <b> 15, the PC 51 determines whether or not a correct application name has been input in the application name display area 55. If it is determined that the correct application name has been input, the PC 51 displays a setting window on the display unit 7 in step S16. When the user edits each item and is instructed to save, the PC 51 stores such information as print setting information in the storage unit 9 in association with the application information, and repeatedly executes the processing from step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the correct application name is not input in the application name display area 55, the PC 51 notifies the user that the correct application name is not input in the application name display area 55 in step S17. And the process after step S12 is performed.

  On the other hand, if the PC 51 determines in step S14 that the switch S1 that instructs registration is not pressed, the PC 51 determines whether or not the switch S2 that instructs editing is pressed in step S18. If it is determined that editing has been instructed, in step S19, the PC 51 displays a setting window corresponding to the application information designated by the user. As a result, the user can edit each item with reference to the print setting information desired to be edited. When the editing is completed, the PC 51 stores the edited print setting information in the storage unit 9 so as to overwrite it, and executes the processes after step S12.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the switch S2 has not been pressed, the PC 51 determines in step S20 whether or not the switch S3 for instructing deletion has been pressed. If it is determined that deletion has been instructed, in step S21, the PC 51 deletes the print setting information corresponding to the application information designated by the user from the storage unit 9, and executes the processes in and after step S12.

  If it is determined that the switch S3 has not been pressed, the PC 51 determines in step S22 whether an end instruction has been issued. If it is determined that there is no termination instruction, the PC 51 executes the processes after step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an end instruction, the PC 51 ends the setting tool 53 in step S23 and ends a series of processing.

  In this way, by providing a setting tool that enables editing and addition of print setting information, it is possible to create print setting information according to the user's taste and improve convenience for the user. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Since the PC according to the third embodiment has a portion having the same configuration as that of the PC 1, detailed description of the portion is omitted, and only a different portion is described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the printing system according to the third embodiment includes a server 101 in addition to the PC 1. The PC 1 and the server 101 are connected via a network 103 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The server 101 is connected to a plurality of PCs (not shown) via the network 103, and can be accessed from each PC. The server 101 includes a storage unit 105 that stores print setting information. The print setting information stored in the storage unit 105 is stored in association with the application information in the same manner as the print setting information described above. Each PC including the PC 1 accesses the server 101 via the network 103 and refers to the print setting information.

  Hereinafter, a series of operations of the printing system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user executes the printing function of the application 3 and starts a series of processes, the PC 1 displays a printer selection screen in step S41. Next, in step S42, the PC 1 selects a printer driver. Next, in step S43, the PC 1 starts up a printer driver. Next, in step S44, the PC 1 acquires the application information 11 of the application 3. Next, in step S45, the PC 1 determines whether or not the application information 11 has been acquired. If it is determined that the application information 11 has been acquired, the PC 1 executes the processes after step S46.

  If it is determined that the application information 11 has been acquired, the PC 1 determines whether the server 101 is accessible in step S46. Thereby, the PC 1 determines whether or not the print setting information can be acquired. If it is determined that the server 101 is accessible, the PC 1 executes the processes after step S47.

  Next, in step S47, the PC 1 determines whether or not the acquired application information is registered. In this process, the print setting information acquisition unit 17 causes the CPU to refer to the acquired application information, and whether or not the storage unit 105 has information on the same application type as the application type included in the application information. It is executed by making it judge. If it is determined that the acquired application information has been registered, the PC 1 executes the processing from step S48.

  Next, in step S48, the PC 1 determines whether print setting information is registered. This process is executed by causing the CPU to determine whether or not the print setting information acquisition unit 17 stores the print setting information corresponding to the acquired application information 11 in the storage unit 105. If it is determined that the print setting information is registered, the PC 1 executes the processing from step S49.

  Next, in step S49, the PC 1 creates information regarding the print setting screen. Such processing is executed by causing the CPU to create information related to a screen to be displayed on the display unit 7 based on the acquired print setting information. Thereafter, in step S50, the PC 1 displays a print setting screen based on the information created on the display unit 7, and ends a series of processes.

  On the other hand, if the PC 1 determines in step S45 that the application information 11 cannot be acquired, or if it is determined in step S46 that the PC 1 cannot access the server 101, the PC 1 acquires the application information acquired in step S47. If it is determined that the print setting information has not been registered, and if the PC 1 determines that the print setting information is not registered in step S48, the PC 1 cannot display the print setting screen, and the standard print is performed in step S51. Create information about the setting screen.

  In this way, the print setting information can be supplied by storing the print setting information in the server 101 accessible by a plurality of users. Thereby, according to the printing system, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the printing system according to the fourth embodiment has a portion having the same configuration as that of the printing system described in the third embodiment with respect to the PC 1, the PC 51, and the detailed description of the portion. Is omitted, and only the differences are described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the printing system according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the printing system according to the third embodiment, the printer 151 edits the print setting information stored in the server 101. A setting tool 153 is provided.

  The setting tool 153 is a program for accessing the server 101 via the network 103 and editing print setting information stored in the server 101.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user supplies a command to activate the setting tool 153 and starts a series of processes, the PC 151 activates the setting tool 153 in step S61. When such processing is executed, a main window is displayed on the display unit 7.

  Next, in step S62, the PC 151 determines whether or not the server 101 is accessible. If it is determined that the server 101 is accessible, the PC 151 acquires defined application information in step S63.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the server 101 is not accessible, the PC 151 cannot access the server 101 in step S64, and notifies the user that the print item is set on the standard print setting screen. The process of step S63 is executed.

  After performing the processing in step S63, in step S64, the PC 151 displays the read application information in the defined application name display area 57. Next, in step S65, the PC 51 determines whether or not the switch S1 that instructs registration is pressed. When registration is instructed, the PC 51 executes the processing after step S66 on the assumption that new application information is added.

  Next, in step S <b> 66, the PC 51 determines whether or not a correct application name has been input in the application name display area 55. If it is determined that the correct application name has been input, the PC 51 displays a setting window on the display unit 7 in step S67. When the user edits each item and is instructed to save, the PC 51 stores such information as print setting information in the storage unit 9 in association with the application information, and repeatedly executes the processing from step S62. On the other hand, if it is determined that the correct application name is not input in the application name display area 55, the PC 51 notifies the user that the correct application name is not input in the application name display area 55 in step S68. And the process after step S62 is performed.

  On the other hand, if the PC 51 determines in step S65 that the switch S1 for instructing registration has not been pressed, the PC 51 determines in step S69 whether or not the switch S2 for instructing editing has been pressed. If it is determined that editing has been instructed, in step S70, the PC 51 displays a setting window corresponding to the application information designated by the user. As a result, the user can edit each item with reference to the print setting information desired to be edited. When the editing is completed, the PC 51 stores the edited print setting information in the storage unit 9 so as to overwrite it, and executes the processes after step S62.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S69 that the switch S2 has not been pressed, the PC 51 determines in step S20 whether or not the switch S3 for instructing deletion has been pressed. If it is determined that deletion has been instructed, in step S71, the PC 51 deletes the print setting information corresponding to the application information designated by the user from the storage unit 9, and executes the processes in and after step S62.

  If it is determined that the switch S3 has not been pressed, the PC 51 determines in step S73 whether or not an end instruction has been issued. If it is determined that there is no termination instruction, the PC 51 executes the processes in and after step S62. On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been an end instruction, the PC 51 ends the setting tool 53 in step S74 and ends a series of processing.

  As described above, according to the printing system, the print setting information stored in the server 101 can be edited, so that the print setting information can be shared among the users and the convenience can be improved.

  In addition, each structure of this invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment, Each structure can be suitably changed in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

It is a block diagram of PC concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the PC. It is an example of a table for storing application information and print setting information. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the PC. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the PC. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the PC. It is a block diagram of PC concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the PC. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the PC. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the PC. It is a block diagram of PC concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the PC. It is a block diagram of PC concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the PC.

Explanation of symbols

1,51 PC
3 Application 5 Printer driver 7 Display unit 9 Storage unit 11 Application information 13 Driver access unit 15 Application information acquisition unit 17 Print setting information acquisition unit 19 Print setting screen creation unit 53 Setting tool 55 Application name display area 57 Predefined application name display area 101 Server 103 Network 105 Storage Unit 151 Printer 153 Setting Tool

Claims (7)

An application information acquisition unit that acquires application information related to the type of application program;
A print setting information storage unit for storing print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application program;
A print setting information acquisition unit that acquires the print setting information corresponding to the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit among the print setting information stored in the print setting information storage unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print setting screen creation unit that creates information related to a print setting screen to be displayed on a display unit based on the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print setting information is rewritable information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an information rewriting unit that rewrites the print setting information stored in the print setting information storage unit based on the input information. In an information processing system including an information processing device that outputs print data generated in a predetermined application program, and a server device connected to the information processing device via a network,
The server device
Storing print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application program;
The information processing apparatus includes:
An application information acquisition unit that acquires application information related to the type of the application program;
A print setting information acquisition unit that acquires the print setting information corresponding to the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit among the print setting information stored in the server device;
An information processing system comprising: a print setting screen creation unit that creates information related to a print setting screen displayed on a display unit based on the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition unit. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the print setting information is rewritable information. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus includes an information rewriting unit that rewrites the print setting information stored in the print setting information storage unit based on information. In a printer driver that causes a display unit of an information processing apparatus to display a print setting screen related to setting items when printing print data generated by a predetermined application program,
In the information processing apparatus,
Application information acquisition means for acquiring application information regarding the type of the application program;
Print setting information acquisition for acquiring the print setting information corresponding to the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit from a print setting information storage unit that stores print setting information related to setting items at the time of printing corresponding to the application program Means,
A printer driver that functions as print setting screen creation means for creating information related to a print setting screen displayed on the display unit based on the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition means.