Storage medium, information processing method, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a storage medium, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus. A program for extending a function of general purpose printing software that can be commonly used by image forming apparatuses provided by a plurality of manufacturers enables a user to use a sharpness function. An information processing method for expanding a function of general-purpose printing software that can be commonly used by image forming apparatuses provided by a plurality of manufacturers includes: displaying a display screen that accepts a setting for sharpness processing on a display unit; and setting, for the image data generated by the general-purpose printing software, to execute the sharpness processing by the image forming apparatus to which the image data is transmitted, based on the setting accepted on the display screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage medium, an information processing method and an information processing device. Background Art

[0002] A configuration is known in which a printer driver installed on a host as control software for a printing device is used to issue a print instruction to a printing device connected to the host. The host is installed with an operating system (OS) as basic software, and the printer driver is constructed according to specifications defined by the OS and is called and operated by the OS. A supplier (manufacturer) that provides a printing device provides a printer driver that complies with the specifications of the OS, thereby providing a means of instructing its printing device to print using the OS.

[0003] In recent years, A standard class driver (hereinafter also referred to as a "standard driver") is provided, which can be commonly used by printing devices provided by multiple vendors. This standard driver is included in the OS package, so that the standard driver can be used simply by connecting any printing device to the host. Therefore, there is no need to separately install a printer driver for a specific model suitable for the printing device, which improves convenience. In addition, the standard driver is constructed so that a printing function can be specified based on the printing device capability (hereinafter referred to as "PDC") generated based on information obtained from the connected printing device. This enables users who use the standard driver to specify a printing function customized according to the capability of the connected printing device even if they use one standard driver. However, this is limited to the functions that the standard driver can implement alone, and functions unique to each printer vendor cannot be specified.

[0004] Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-33526 discloses a technology in which functions are extended by using an extended application of a standard driver to realize color printing, poster printing, and bookbinding printing, which are functions unique to each printer vendor.

[0005] Here, the sharpness function is one of the functions unique to the printer driver of each printer vendor. The sharpness function is a function that enables the sharpness of the print data to be adjusted. The sharpness function enhances the sharpness by emphasizing the edges such as in a photo. The sharpness function can also reduce the sharpness by performing a smoothing process. The user can choose to print the image by enhancing the sharpness of the image, reducing the sharpness of the image, or not using the sharpness function at all.

[0006] However, when using a standard driver, the sharpness function is not available. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-33526, by using an extended application of a standard driver, color printing, poster printing, and book binding printing can be realized in printing using a standard driver, but this does not enable the use of the sharpness function. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program, wherein the program extends the functions of universal printing software that can be commonly used by image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, and the program causes a computer to perform the following operations: displaying a display screen on a display unit that accepts settings for sharpness processing; and based on the settings accepted on the display screen, setting, for image data generated by the universal printing software: the image forming device to which the image data is sent performs the sharpness processing.

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing system.

[0010] Figure 2A and Figure 2B It is the software structure diagram of the printing system.

[0011] Figure 3 : is a diagram showing the processing flow of sharpness processing performed by the printing apparatus.

[0012] Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D This is the image after sharpness processing.

[0013] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C are diagrams each showing an example of a print setting screen displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit.

[0014] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing the processing flow of the PDC editing processing performed by the printing function expansion unit.

[0015] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of capability information obtained from a printing device.

[0016] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list of print functions supported by an extended application.

[0017] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list of printing functions supported by universal printing software.

[0018] Fig.10 It is a sequence diagram of rendering application, universal printing software, extension application and printing device.

[0019] Fig.11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment in the case of associating an extended application.

[0020] Fig.12 : is a diagram showing the processing flow of the PDC editing processing performed by the printing function expansion unit in the second embodiment.

[0021] Fig.13 is a diagram showing an example of capability information obtained from a printing device in the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig.14 It is a sequence diagram of the rendering application, universal printing software, extended application, and printing device in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the technical solution of the present invention.

[0024] Note that the same components will be given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] <<First Embodiment>>

[0026] <Hardware Configuration of Printing System>

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing system. Figure 1 , the host 101 is an example of an information processing device, and has an input interface 110, a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a read-only memory (ROM) 112, a random access memory (RAM) 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. In addition, an input device such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 is connected to the input interface 110, and a display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115. A network interface (network IF) 120 performs control to perform data transmission with an external device through a network.

[0028] The ROM 112 stores an initialization program. The external storage device 114 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The external storage device 114 stores a set of application programs, an operating system (OS), print data generation software, and other various types of data. During the execution of various programs stored in the external storage device 114, the RAM 113 is used as a working memory, etc., and the various programs can be run in the host 101.

[0029] Note that in the present embodiment, the CPU 111 performs processing according to the code of the program stored in the ROM 112 to execute functions of the host computer 101 described later and processing according to flowcharts described later.

[0030] The printing device 102 as a device is an example of an image forming device, and is connected to the host 101 via an input / output interface 198 of the printing device 102 and an input / output interface 116 of the host 101. The input / output interface 198 of the printing device 102 and the input / output interface 116 of the host 101 may be connected via a wired network or a wireless network.

[0031] The printing apparatus 102 has a CPU 191 , a ROM 192 , a RAM 193 , an operation unit 194 , a reading unit 195 , a printing unit 196 , a network interface (network IF) 197 , an input / output interface 198 , and an external storage device 199 .

[0032] The CPU 191 comprehensively controls the printing apparatus 102. The ROM 192 is a memory that stores programs. The RAM 193 is a memory that temporarily stores programs and image data. The reading unit 195 is a scanner that reads an image of an original. Note that the reading unit 195 is not essential. The printing unit 196 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data.

[0033] The network IF 197 performs control to perform data transmission with external devices via a network.

[0034] Here, the host 101 and the printing device 102 are constructed separately, but they can be constructed as a single information processing device. In addition, the print setting screen and the detailed setting screen described later will be displayed on the display unit 119. Note that in this embodiment, an electronic photographic digital multifunction machine with multiple functions (including copying, printing and faxing) will be described as an example of a printing device. However, this is not the only possible situation, and this embodiment is also applicable to devices (such as inkjet systems) using other processes. In addition, it is allowed to construct the host 101 as a desktop computer, a smart phone or a laptop computer.

[0035] <Software-centric Printing System Structure>

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a diagram schematically showing the software configuration of the printing system. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The software constructs shown in Figure 1 Here, the use of the external storage device 114 shown in FIG. The printing system of the host 101 as its OS. Figure 2A1 is a diagram showing a general configuration in a case where the extension application 204 is associated with neither the universal print software 202 nor the print device 102 . Figure 2B 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where the extension application 204 is associated with the universal print software 202 and the printing device 102 .

[0037] <Configuration of a Software-Centered Printing System (When the Extension Application 204 Is Not Associated)>

[0038] First, we will use Figure 2A The configuration of the printing system in the case where the extended application 204 is not associated is described.

[0039] The rendering application 201 is software that creates content (rendering data) to be printed. For example, a document creation application and a spreadsheet application correspond to the rendering application 201. When receiving a print request from a user, the rendering application 201 issues a print instruction to the OS. The print instruction includes print setting information for instructing the operation of the general printing software 202 and the printing device 102. The print setting information is also called a print ticket (hereinafter abbreviated as "PT").

[0040] The rendering application 201 can display a print setting screen provided by any one of the universal printing software 202, the OS, or the rendering application 201 to output a PT. In addition, when "Detailed Settings" in the print setting screen is pressed, the universal printing software 202 additionally displays the detailed setting screen. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5Cto describe the print setting screen and the detailed setting screen. The detailed setting screen includes: setting items (hereinafter referred to as "control items") indicating the printing functions that can be set according to the capability information (configurable information) of the universal printing software 202, and control items indicating the setting values ​​of the setting items. Capability information is also called printing capability (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC"). The universal printing software 202 determines the PC based on the printing function information 203. The printing function information 203 is data indicating the following contents: all printing functions that can be set and their setting values, and printing functions that describe the exclusive relationship between the setting values. The printing function information 203 is also called printing device capability (PDC). The PDC 203 is included in the configuration file of the universal printing software 202 and is placed in the external storage device 114 as an unchangeable file. Alternatively, the PDC 203 can be dynamically generated by the universal printing software 202. Specifically, the universal printing software 202 or the OS can be constructed to obtain printing device attribute data from the printing device 102, and generate the PDC 203 based on the attribute information in the obtained attribute data. In the case where the PDC 203 is dynamically generated, the generated PDC 203 is editable. Note that the printing device attribute data obtained from the printing device 102 is a response obtained by issuing a Get-Printer-Attributes operation of the International Printing Protocol (IPP) to the printing device 102. The response contains attribute information indicating functions (capabilities of the printing device 102) that can be specified in the printing device 102 and setting values ​​associated with the attribute information. The response is stored in the RAM 113.

[0041] By configuring in this way, the universal printing software 202 can be configured so that the user can specify the print function available in each printing device 102 according to the connected printing device 102. That is, even if a printing device with different functions or a printing device developed by a different vendor is connected, the universal printing software 202 can be configured so that the user can specify the print function available according to the connected printing device. Note that the vendor may be the manufacturer of the printing device 102. Note that the description here will cover the use of the printing function included in The IPP class driver in is used as a construction of the universal printing software 202. The IPP class driver is a printer driver that performs printing processing according to the specifications of a standard printing protocol called the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), and is included in the OS package. The IPP class driver is not a unique printer driver customized according to the model of the printing device 102, but a standard class driver that can be used by multiple printing devices. In addition, the IPP class driver obtains the capability information of the connected printing device 102 so that the user specifies the printing functions supported by the connected printing device 102, and generates a PDC 203 based on the information. However, the IPP class driver does not support the sharpness function. This is because the sharpness function is a function unique to the printer vendor (printer manufacturer). Here, the following four points will be described: the sharpness function, the usage of the sharpness function, the sharpness processing flow, and the sharpness effect in this embodiment. First, the sharpness function will be described.

[0042] <Sharpness function>

[0043] The sharpness function is a function that enables the sharpness of print data to be adjusted. The sharpness function enhances sharpness by emphasizing the edges in a photo. The sharpness function can also reduce sharpness by performing a smoothing process. The user can choose to print an image by enhancing the sharpness of the image, reducing the sharpness of the image, or not using the sharpness function at all. The processing flow of the sharpness processing will be described in detail later. In addition, the sharpness function can also adjust the level of sharpness enhancement or reduction. Specifically, the printing device 102 can adjust the level of sharpness enhancement or reduction by maintaining a plurality of filter coefficients described in the processing flow described later and switching the filter coefficients based on the sharpness setting constructed by the user.

[0044] <Usage of the sharpness function>

[0045] Next, the use of the sharpness function will be described. Generally speaking, the sharpness of the print sample tends to be lower than the result displayed on the screen. This is because when printing digital data, the digital data cannot be faithfully reproduced due to the simulation factors of the printer. If the user feels that the print sample is blurry, the sharpness setting can be configured on the printer driver or the UI screen of the printer to enhance the sharpness, and the digital data can be printed again.

[0046] This enables the user to adjust the image quality to the user's desired quality.

[0047] <Sharpness Processing Flow>

[0048] Next, we will use Figure 3 The flow of the sharpness processing performed by the printing device 102 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the sharpness processing shown in FIG. Figure 3In each step in the process, the CPU 191 reads the program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 into the RAM 193 and executes the program.

[0049] First, in S301, the printing device 102 performs color conversion processing on the input image data to convert the input image data into image data composed of luminance and chrominance color space. Through this conversion, only the luminance component will be filtered in the subsequent steps, which means that only the brightness of the edge is processed, thereby minimizing the color conversion of the edge to a certain extent. In this embodiment, the printing device 102 performs conversion from the RGB color space to the YCbCr color space. The color conversion formula is as follows:

[0050] Y=0.2990*R+0.5870*G+0.1140*B

[0051] Cb=-0.1687*-0.3313*G+0.5000*B

[0052] Cr=0.5000*R-0.4187*G-0.0813*B...Formula (1)

[0053] Next, in S302, the printing apparatus 102 extracts a window of a certain size composed of a plurality of pixels from the YCbCr image data obtained in S301. In this embodiment, the window has 5×5 pixels.

[0054] Then, in S303, the printing apparatus 102 determines whether the sharpness setting has been configured to enhance sharpness. If the determination is "yes", the process proceeds to step S304 and subsequent steps; if the determination is "no", the process proceeds to step S309. First, the case of proceeding to step S304 and subsequent steps will be described.

[0055] Now, in S304, the printing device 102 performs a filtering process on the luminance Y signal of the window obtained in S302 to perform edge enhancement processing. The general method of edge enhancement processing involves calculating the second-order derivative component using a Laplace filter and then adding the second-order derivative component to the signal value of the original image. The calculation of the second-order derivative component is performed using the following filter coefficients. Hereinafter, the following filter coefficients are referred to as coefficients of sharpness "+1":

[0056] -0.09,-0.18,-0.27,-0.18,-0.09

[0057] -0.18,+0.09,+0.36,+0.09,-0.18

[0058] -0.27,+0.36,+1.08,+0.36,-0.27

[0059] -0.18,+0.09,+0.36,+0.09,-0.18

[0060] -0.09,-0.18,-0.27,-0.18,-0.09

[0061] The center of this 5×5 matrix (in this example, the position multiplied by 1.08) becomes the pixel of interest for the window and is the output result for that position. Thereafter, the edge component of the luminance thus obtained is regarded as dY. The value of this dY is the amount by which the luminance Y of the pixel of interest changes due to the processing in S304; the absolute value of dY is larger at the edge, indicating that the amount of change in the original image is larger. In addition, if the sign of dY is "+", the pixel of interest is determined to be brighter than the surrounding pixels, and if the sign of dY is "-", the pixel of interest is determined to be darker than the surrounding pixels.

[0062] Next, in S305, the printing device 102 determines whether the pixel of interest of the window extracted by the process in S302 is an isolated pixel relative to the surrounding pixels, and determines the degree of isolation within the window. The specific process involves: using the following formula (3) to calculate the average value aveY of the luminance (Y) component of the eight pixels other than the pixel of interest within the extracted window, and using the following formula (4) to calculate the standard deviation devY:

[0063] aveY=1 / 16*ΣY(i)...Formula (3)

[0064] devY=1 / 16Σ(aveY(i))^2...Formula (4)

[0065] The smaller the standard deviation, the smaller the variation between pixels, indicating that the surrounding area is a flat image. The corresponding relationship of isolation is as follows. Note that |dY| below indicates the absolute value of dY:

[0066] When devY is small and |dY| is small, it means that the isolation degree is low;

[0067] When devY is small and |dY| is large, the degree of isolation is high;

[0068] A large devY and a small |dY| indicate low isolation; and

[0069] When devY is large and |dY| is large, it means that the degree of isolation is low.

[0070] For example, in the case where the standard deviation devY is large, it is estimated that the pixel of interest is not an isolated pixel because the surrounding changes are large. On the contrary, in the case where the standard deviation devY is small, there is a possibility that the pixel of interest is an isolated pixel. In the case where the standard deviation devY is small and the absolute value |dY| of the edge component dY is large, it can be estimated that the pixel of interest is an isolated pixel because the changes of the surrounding pixels are small and flat despite the large edge component. In addition, the case where the absolute value |dY| of the edge component dY is small and the standard deviation devY is also small indicates a flat image.

[0071] Next, in S306, the printing device 102 determines the degree of edge enhancement based on dY obtained in S304 and the isolation obtained in S305. Here, bright and isolated areas are considered to be specular reflection components, and therefore, enhancing the edges in these bright and isolated areas involves minimal image quality degradation. In contrast, enhancing the edges in dark and isolated areas may cause image quality degradation, and therefore control is performed to suppress edge enhancement in dark and isolated areas. That is, the printing device 102 applies control to suppress edge enhancement only when the sign of dY is "-" and the isolation is large. The specific processing involves: when the sign of dY is "-", a correction value α is calculated using a lookup table (LUT) using the standard deviation devY. The correction value α is a value that approaches a maximum value of 1.0 as the devY value increases and approaches a minimum value of 0.0 as the devY value decreases. The use of the correction value α will be described later in S307.

[0072] Next, in S307, the printing apparatus 102 obtains the final luminance Y' using the following equation (5) based on α obtained in S306, dY obtained in S304, and luminance Y obtained in S301:

[0073] Y'=Y+α*dY...Formula (5)

[0074] Since the maximum value of α is 1.0, maximum edge enhancement is performed at 1.0. When α drops below 1.0, the second-order derivative component dY calculated as the added amount by convolution decreases, and the amount of change in the original image becomes smaller, resulting in suppressed edge enhancement. Note that if Y' exceeds the maximum or minimum value, Y' can be truncated to the maximum or minimum value.

[0075] Then, in S308, the printing device 102 converts the output to RGB. This calculation corresponds to the inverse matrix of the color conversion performed in S301, and the conversion is performed according to the following equation (6):

[0076] R=Y'+1.4020*Cr

[0077] G=Y'-0.3441*Cb-0.7141*Cr

[0078] B=Y'+1.7720*Cb...Formula (6)

[0079] Finally, the case of proceeding from S303 to S309 will be described. If the sharpness setting has been configured to enhance sharpness (more precisely, configured to perform blur correction), the printing device 102 performs blur correction. Blur correction can be achieved by using known techniques such as an average filter and a Gaussian filter. After blur correction, the output is converted to RGB by the processing in S308 described above.

[0080] The sharpness function is implemented through the above process. Note that in the present embodiment, the isolation is calculated using the standard deviation devY of the luminance Y around the pixel of interest, but the calculation is not necessarily limited to this. Any feature quantity can be used as long as it is a feature quantity related to the dispersion of the luminance Y of the surrounding pixels around the pixel of interest. For example, the feature quantity can be the dispersion value of the surrounding pixels, or the difference between the average value of the pixel of interest and the surrounding pixels, or the size of the average value can also be used as a reference value to determine whether the pixel of interest is isolated relative to the surrounding. In addition, although the color conversion from RGB to YCbCr has been described, this is not the only possible type of color conversion. In the case where the data input to the printing device 102 is in the CMYK color space, converting the data to the luminance-chromaticity Lab color space makes it possible to achieve the same as the above process. In addition, the sharpness can be further enhanced by converting the filter coefficient used in S304 to the filter coefficient with higher gain described below. Hereinafter, the following filter coefficients are referred to as coefficients of sharpness "+2".

[0081] -0.20,-0.40,-0.60,-0.40,-0.20

[0082] -0.40,+0.20,+0.80,+0.20,-0.40

[0083] -0.60,+0.80,+2.40,+0.80,-0.60

[0084] -0.40,+0.20,+0.80,+0.20,-0.40

[0085] -0.20,-0.40,-0.60,-0.40,-0.20

[0086] <Effect of sharpness function>

[0087] Next, we will use 4A to 4D Describes the effect of the sharpness function. Figure 4AThe diagonal line used as the original image is shown. Figure 4B Shows the processing using the sharpness "+1" coefficient Figure 4A An image of a case with 5×5 pixels at the center of each pixel. Figure 4C Shown is the processing using the sharpness factor of +2 Figure 4A An image of a case with 5×5 pixels at the center of each pixel. Figure 4D Shown in Figure 4A The image is a case where each pixel of the 5×5 pixels at the center is blurred. Note that the numerical values ​​in these figures indicate the luminance component Y, and Figure 4B and Figure 4C In the example, the processing result is intercepted with a maximum value of 255 and a minimum value of 0. In addition, the blur is the processing result using the following 5×5 Gaussian filter coefficients. In this embodiment, the commonly used 3×3 Gaussian coefficients are expanded to a 5×5 filter size for application:

[0088] 0.0000,0.0000,0.0000,0.0000,0.0000

[0089] 0.0000,0.0627,0.1250,0.0625,0.0000

[0090] 0.0000,0.1250,0.2500,0.1250,0.0000

[0091] 0.0000,0.0627,0.1250,0.0625,0.0000

[0092] 0.0000,0.0000,0.0000,0.0000,0.0000

[0093] exist Figure 4A In the original image shown, the dark and bright luminance values ​​are evenly distributed, resulting in blurred lines. Figure 4B and Figure 4C Sharpness processing is performed in , so the distribution of dark luminance values ​​and bright luminance values ​​is uneven, and the edges are enhanced. Figure 4C The sharpness is processed by using the sharpness factor of "+2", so it is the same as Figure 4B Compared with the above, the distribution of luminance value is more uneven and the edge is further enhanced. Figure 4D is blurred, so it is similar to Figure 4A In comparison, the lightness and darkness of the lines are not so obvious.

[0094] As mentioned above, users can select the desired image quality by switching the sharpness setting.

[0095] However, as described above, since the sharpness function is a printer vendor-specific function, it is not displayed on the detailed setting screen displayed by the universal printing software 202. That is, when the user uses the IPP class driver, the user cannot select the sharpness function, which means that printing cannot be performed using the sharpness function.

[0096] Now the description will return Figure 2A . When a print instruction is issued from the rendering application 201, the OS module within the universal printing software 202 generates intermediate data (also referred to as input data). Note that the data output by the rendering application 201 for printing is data in a graphics device interface format (data in a GDI format) or data in an XML paper specification format (data in an XPS format). It is assumed that an IPP class driver is used as the universal printing software 202. In this case, if the data output by the rendering application 201 is data in a GDI format, the OS converts the data in a GDI format output from the rendering application 201 into data in an XPS format. Note that the intermediate data includes rendering data (i.e., information about an image to be formed on paper) and a PT constructed by the user.

[0097] The universal printing software 202 converts the obtained intermediate data into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device 102, and sends the print data to the printing device 102. Here, the print data in the present embodiment is page description language (PDL) data according to the IPP. For example, the PDL data according to the IPP is data in a portable document format (PDF) or a PWG-Raster format. Note that the print data includes rendering data (i.e., information about an image to be formed on paper), and print setting attribute information (attribute information specifying print settings) generated based on a PT constructed by a user. The print setting attribute information includes: attribute information indicating a function (capability of the printing device) that can be specified in the printing device 102, and setting values ​​thereof associated with the attribute information.

[0098] The printing device 102 performs printing on paper based on the print data sent from the universal printing software 202. At this time, the printing device 102 forms rendering data included in the print data on paper in an operation according to the print setting attribute information included in the print data. The print setting attribute information includes attribute information for specifying print quality (such as image quality priority, speed priority, etc.), double-sided printing, etc., and its setting value. For example, in the case where the print setting attribute information includes attribute information specifying double-sided printing and its setting value indicating starting double-sided printing, the printing device 102 performs double-sided printing.

[0099] <Configuration of a Software-Centered Printing System (When the Extended Application 204 is Associated)>

[0100] Now refer to Figure 2B , the configuration of the printing system in the case of associating the extended application 204 will be described. Note that the configuration and processing not particularly mentioned below are equivalent to Figure 2A construction and processing.

[0101] The extended application 204 is software for extending the function of the universal print software 202 and is software not included in the OS in advance. Therefore, the user needs to operate the host 101 and download the extended application 204 from the server via the Internet and install the extended application 204.

[0102] Alternatively, the extended application 204 may be automatically installed based on the connection of the printing device 102 to the host 101. Specifically, when the printing device 102 is connected to the host 101, the OS obtains the device identification information from the printing device 102. The OS may download the extended application 204 corresponding to the obtained device identification information from the server via the Internet and install the extended application 204. That is, the universal printing software 202 and the extended application 204 are retained in the host 101 as separate files.

[0103] Although the universal printing software 202 and the extended application 204 can be updated and upgraded, the update process is also performed at different timings. That is, the timing at which the host 101 obtains the universal printing software 202 is different from the timing at which the extended application 204 is obtained. In addition, the trigger for the host 101 to obtain the universal printing software 202 is different from the trigger for obtaining the extended application 204. When the extended application 204 is installed, the OS associates the extended application 204 with the universal printing software 202 and the printing device 102.

[0104] The extended application 204 described in the present embodiment includes a print setting screen extension unit 205, a print function extension unit 206, an intermediate data editing unit 207, and a notification unit 209. The extended application 204 also includes shared information 208 that can be commonly accessed by the units. The shared information 208 is actually a file stored on the external storage device 114 or information stored on the RAM 113. The extended application 204 uses an application program interface (API) provided by the OS to write information to and read information from the shared information 208.

[0105] Note that the expansion application 204 may terminate the operation each time the processing of each unit is completed. In this case, the OS will start the expansion application 204 each time it receives a request to use each unit.

[0106] Furthermore, the extended application 204 can cancel the processing during the processing of each unit. If the processing is canceled, the OS will delete the job being processed in the print queue.

[0107] When the rendering application 201 receives a print request from the user, it issues a print instruction to the OS. Figure 2A In the configuration shown, the rendering application 201 can display the print setting screen. With this configuration, the detailed setting screen provided by the extended application 204 is displayed. Specifically, the detailed setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 205 included in the extended application 204 is displayed. The print setting screen extension unit 205 can also save the detailed settings configured by the user into the shared information 208. This will be described later. Figure 6 and Fig.10 The print setting screen expansion unit 205 is described in detail.

[0108] The extended application 204 has an intermediate data editing unit 207. The intermediate data editing unit 207 obtains intermediate data from the universal print software 202, converts the intermediate data into print data, and then transfers the print data to the printing device 102. Furthermore, the intermediate data editing unit 207 obtains detailed setting information from the shared information 208, and adds the detailed setting to the print data.

[0109] The printing device 102 prints on paper based on the received print data. Note that the method of converting the intermediate data into the print data is not limited to the above. The extended application 204 may be configured to obtain the print data generated by the universal printing software 202 and add detailed settings to the print data. Figure 2B In the configuration shown, the user may not configure the sharpness setting. In this case, Figure 2A In the configuration shown in , the universal printing software 202 can transmit the printing data to the printing device 102 without going through the extension application 204 .

[0110] The extended application 204 has a print function extension unit 206. The print function extension unit 206 can edit the PDC 203 generated by the universal print software 202 or the OS. This enables the print function extension unit 206 to add functions provided by the extended application 204. In addition, the print function extension unit 206 can add functions (sharpness functions) that the printing device 102 supports but the universal print software 202 does not support, add exclusive relationships between setting values ​​of print functions, and the like. When the extended application 204 is first associated with the printing device 102 and the universal print software 202, the OS starts the print function extension unit 206. In addition, the OS can start the print function extension unit 206 at other timings (such as when the OS is started). In this way, in the case where an optional device (for example, a finisher) is later added to the printing device 102 and the functions related to printing are extended, the print function extension unit 206 can detect the extended functions and add these extended functions to the PDC 203.

[0111] The extended application 204 also has a notification unit 209. The notification unit 209 can display a notification to the user in response to an error occurring in the printing device 102. For example, when a paper out error occurs in the printing device 102, the universal printing software 202 detects the error, and the OS displays a message on the display unit 119 using its function called toast notification (i.e., notification function). When the user presses the toast notification, the OS calls the notification unit 209 of the extended application 204 and displays a UI screen of the notification unit 209. For example, on the UI screen of the notification unit 209, a detailed message about the paper out error and instructions on how to reload paper can be displayed.

[0112] Once the extended application 204 sends print data to the printing device 102 , a screen such as a guide or other information related to the print data cannot be displayed during processing by each unit.

[0113] In addition, the construction of the extended application 204 used to implement the present embodiment is not limited to a construction including all the functions (units) described above, and the construction may have only some functions or other functions. The extended application 204 may also be referred to as printing software. As described above, it can be said that the extended application 204 includes at least one of the following functions. The first function is a function of displaying a setting screen (print setting screen extension unit 205). The second function is a function of editing intermediate data, converting the intermediate data into print data, and adding detailed settings to the print data function (intermediate data editing unit 207). The third function is a function of extending the functions that can be specified in the printable data generation software (print function extension unit 206). The fourth function is a function of displaying a screen in response to an error occurring in the printing device 102 (notification unit 209).

[0114] <Example of the print settings screen / detailed settings screen>

[0115] Next, we will use FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C An example of a print setting screen and a detailed setting screen in the present embodiment is described. Figure 5A A print setting screen displayed by the rendering application 201 is shown. Figure 5B Shown in Figure 2A A detailed setting screen is displayed without the configuration of the extended application 204 as shown in FIG. Figure 5C Shown in Figure 2B204. Note that the unit and module for displaying the print setting screen are not limited to the above. For example, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 may be configured to generate only a display screen. In this case, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 sends the generated display screen to the rendering application 201 via the universal printing software 202. The rendering application 201 may be configured to display the obtained display screen.

[0116] <Print setting screen displayed by rendering application 201 ( Figure 5A )>

[0117] First, we will describe Figure 5A . A control 501 has a separate object that enables the user to set a destination printer (printer for printing) to which image data is sent, the orientation of printouts, and the number of print copies. A control 502 is a preview screen, a control 503 is a print start button, and a control 504 is a button to cancel printing. A control 505 is a detailed setting button, and when the control 505 is pressed, the universal printing software 202 or the print setting screen expansion unit 205 displays an additional print screen.

[0118] <Detailed settings screen displayed by the universal printing software 202 ( Figure 5B )>

[0119] We will now describe Figure 5B . Figure 5B 509 is a button for ending the settings, and when the control 509 is pressed, the screen returns to the previous state. Figure 5A The print settings screen is shown.

[0120] <Print setting screen displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit 205 ( Figure 5C )>

[0121] We will now describe Figure 5C . Figure 5C 2 shows an additional setting screen displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit 205 in the case of having the extended application 204. Figure 5BDifferent, control 510 and list 511 are added. Control 510 is a button that enables the user to select a sharpness setting, and indicates that a standard has been selected. When control 510 is pressed, list 511 displays sharpness setting options. List 511 indicates that in addition to the currently selected "+1", there are "-1", "0", and "+2". Sharpness setting "0" indicates that no sharpness processing is performed. Sharpness settings "+1" and "+2" are settings that enhance sharpness, and "+2" is a setting that enhances sharpness more than "+1". Sharpness setting "-1" is a setting that reduces the sharpness of the image. The user can switch the sharpness function and print by selecting a sharpness setting from list 511 in order to achieve the desired image quality. Note that in this embodiment, if sharpness "-1" is selected, the 5×5 Gaussian filter mentioned above is used for processing. Furthermore, if the sharpness "+1" is selected, the coefficient of the sharpness "+1" described above is used in the sharpness processing; if the sharpness "+2" is selected, the coefficient of the sharpness "+2" described above is used in the sharpness processing. In this way, the user can configure whether to perform the sharpness processing and the level (intensity) of the sharpness processing. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and may be configured to accept only the setting of whether to perform the sharpness processing.

[0122] Now, we will describe Figure 5B and Figure 5C The detailed settings screen is generated with reference to the PC generated based on the print function information. However, since the universal printing software 202 does not support the sharpness function, the sharpness function cannot be added to the print function information. In addition, even if the sharpness function is originally included in the print function information, the universal printing software 202 cannot interpret the sharpness function included in the print function information, and therefore cannot display the sharpness setting on the detailed settings screen. However, the print function expansion unit 206 is configured to add the sharpness function to the PDC 203, and the print setting screen expansion unit 205 is configured to display the detailed settings screen with reference to the PC. With these configurations, the extended application 204 is able to display the sharpness setting on the detailed settings screen. Note that Figure 5C Additional extended functions beyond the sharpness function may be included.

[0123] <Flowchart of Print Function Extension Unit 206 Editing PDC 203>

[0124] Here, we will use Figure 6 The following describes the processing flow of the print function expansion unit 206 editing the PDC 203. Note that each step is realized by the CPU 111, which reads each unit from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executes each unit.

[0125] First, in S601, the print function extension unit 206 obtains capability information from the printing device 102. The capability information includes attribute information indicating functions that can be specified in the printing device 102 and setting values ​​associated with the attribute information, which are included in a response obtained by issuing an IPP Get-Printer-Attributes operation to the printing device 102.

[0126] Figure 7 A table 701 shown in FIG. 7 depicts, in a table format, an example of a list of items of capability information obtained from the printing apparatus 102. As shown in the table 701, functions such as sharpness can be obtained from the printing apparatus 102 and options configurable for each function.

[0127] Next, in S602, the print function expansion unit 206 obtains a list of print functions supported by the extended application 204 from the shared information 208. The list of print functions supported by the extended application 204 is stored in the shared information 208 and includes all print functions that the extended application 204 can process and their respective setting values. Figure 8 A table 801 shown in FIG. 8 depicts an example of a list of print functions supported by the extension application 204. The list of print functions supported by the extension application 204 may also be updated, such as by an update of the extension application 204.

[0128] Then, in S603 , the print function extension unit 206 obtains the PDC 203 generated by the universal print software 202 from the OS. Fig. 9 Table 901 shown in depicts an example of a list of printing functions supported by the universal printing software 202. The PDC 203 generated by the universal printing software 202 is generated based on the capability information 701 obtained by the universal printing software 202 from the printing device 102. The PDC generated by the universal printing software 202 contains only the printing functions supported by the universal printing software 202 in the capability information obtained from the printing device 102, and thus the functionality of the PDC is limited. For example, the capability information 701 obtained from the printing device 102 includes a sharpness function, but the universal printing software 202 does not support the sharpness function, and thus the sharpness function is not described in the PDC. When the printing function extension unit 206 adds functions and options to the PDC, the extension application 204 can compensate for the lack of functionality of the universal printing software 202. The printing function extension unit 206 can also delete unnecessary functions and options from the PDC generated by the universal printing software 202.

[0129] The processing in S604, S605, S606 thereafter is processing repeatedly performed on the list of functions included in the capability information obtained in S601 from the printing apparatus 102. In the present embodiment, the processing is repeatedly performed on thirteen types from size A4 to sharpness +2 included in the table 701.

[0130] First, in S604, the print function expansion unit 206 determines whether there is a function / option being processed in the PDC generated by the universal print software 202. If the determination is "yes", the next item of the function / option included in the capability information obtained from the printing device 102 is selected, and S604 is performed again. In the case where the last item of the function / option included in the capability information obtained from the printing device 102 is being processed, Figure 6 The flowchart shown ends. If the determination is "No", the process proceeds to S605. For example, in the present embodiment, since the size A4 indicated in table 701 (i.e., the capability information of the printing device 102) also exists in table 901 (i.e., the capability information of the universal printing software 202), the determination is "Yes". On the contrary, since the sharpness +1 indicated in table 701 does not exist in table 901, the determination is "No", and the process proceeds to S605.

[0131] First, in S605, the print function extension unit 206 determines whether the function / option being processed exists among the functions / options supported by the extension application 204. If the determination is "yes", the flow proceeds to S606. If the determination is "no", S604 is performed again as in the case where the determination is "yes" in S604, or Figure 6 In the present embodiment, for example, if the function being processed is sharpness+1, it also exists in the table 801 (ie, the capability information of the extended application 204); therefore, "yes" is determined, and the process proceeds to S606.

[0132] Next, in S606, the print function expansion unit 206 adds the function / option being processed to the PDC 203. After the processing of S606, as in the case where the determination is "Yes" in S604, S604 is performed again, or Figure 6 The shown flowchart ends.

[0133] As described above, the print function extension unit 206 adds functions / options to the PDC 203 that are not supported by the universal print software 202 but supported by the printing device 102 and the extended application 204. A PC is generated based on the PDC edited by this process. In addition, the print setting screen extension unit 205 generates a display screen based on the generated PC, thereby extending the functions that are not supported by the universal print software 202, and thus can display the PC. Figure 5C The detailed settings screen shown in .

[0134] <Sequence after the rendering application 201 accepts the print settings>

[0135] Next, we will use Fig.10The sequence of the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, the extension application 204, and the printing device 102 after the rendering application 201 accepts the print setting is described. Note that the CPU 111 executes Fig.10 In each step except the step of the printing device 102, the CPU 111 reads the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, and the extended application 204 from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executes the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, and the extended application 204. The CPU 191 of the printing device 102 executes Fig.10 In each step performed by the printing apparatus 102 in FIG. 1 , the CPU 191 reads a program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 into the RAM 193 and executes the program.

[0136] First, in S1001 , the rendering application 201 accepts print settings from the user. The user may operate the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to instruct the rendering application 201 to perform print settings.

[0137] Next, in S1002, the rendering application 201 displays the Figure 5A The print settings screen is shown.

[0138] Then, in S1003 , the rendering application 201 accepts instructions on detailed settings.

[0139] The user can operate the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to select the control 505 , thereby issuing an instruction regarding detailed settings.

[0140] Next, in S1004 , the rendering application 201 issues a request for displaying detailed settings to the universal print software 202 .

[0141] Then, in S1005, the universal print software 202 issues a request for displaying detailed settings to the extended application 204. Figure 2A In the illustrated configuration, the universal printing software 202 will display Figure 5C The detailed settings screen is shown.

[0142] Next, in S1006, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 of the extended application 204 displays the print setting screen on the display unit 119. Figure 5C This is because, as shown in the detailed settings screen Figure 6 As described above, the print function expansion unit 206 has added the sharpness setting to the PDC. The print setting screen expansion unit 205 refers to the PC generated based on the added PDC to enable Figure 5C The detailed setting screen shown in is displayed on the display unit 119.

[0143] Then, in S1007 , the print setting screen expansion unit 205 accepts detailed settings.

[0144] In this embodiment, if Figure 5C As shown, it is assumed that the user has selected the following settings: paper type is plain paper, paper size is A4, paper feed slot is automatic, and sharpness is + 1. The CPU 111 stores the accepted settings in the RAM 113.

[0145] Next, in S1008, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 accepts that the detailed setting is completed, and instructs writing the accepted setting to the PT. The user can operate the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 to select the control 509, thereby issuing an instruction to end the detailed setting.

[0146] Then, in S1009 , the extended application 204 sends a message to the universal print software 202 that the detailed setting has been completed.

[0147] Next, in S1010 , the universal print software 202 sends a message to the rendering application 201 that the detailed settings have been completed.

[0148] Then, in S1011 , the rendering application 201 accepts a print instruction. The user can operate the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to select the control 503 , thereby issuing a print instruction.

[0149] Next, in S1012 , the rendering application 201 issues a print instruction.

[0150] Then, in S1013 , the universal print software 202 generates intermediate data using the OS module.

[0151] Next, in S1014, the universal print software 202 saves the PT into the shared information 208. The universal print software 202 converts the content of the PT into the setting value of the IPP data and generates the IPP data.

[0152] Then, in S1015 , the universal print software 202 passes the intermediate data and the converted IPP data to the extended application 204 .

[0153] Next, in S1016 , the intermediate data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 obtains the PT saved in S1014 from the shared information 208 .

[0154] Then, in S1017, the intermediate data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 adds the sharpness item name and its setting value to the extended area of ​​the IPP data. The intermediate data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 generates print data based on the intermediate data.

[0155] Next, in S1018 , the intermediate data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 sends the print data to the printing apparatus 102 .

[0156] Then, in S1019, the printing device 102 interprets the print data and applies necessary image processing to the image of the print data. Figure 5C In the case of the print setting shown in , image processing with sharpness +1 is performed. That is, compared with the case where sharpness processing is not performed, image data with enhanced sharpness is generated. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A to 4D As stated, if Figure 4A If the image data shown in is the input data, the following will be generated Figure 4B The edge enhanced image shown in .

[0157] Next, in S1020, the printing apparatus 102 prints the image data generated in S1019. Since the processing of sharpness+1 has been performed in S1019, the sharpness of the print sample is enhanced compared to the case where the sharpness processing is not performed.

[0158] As described above, in the present embodiment, the print setting screen extension unit 205 of the extended application 204 modifies the PDC 203 based on the capability information of the universal printing software 202, the extended application 204, and the printing device 102. In addition, in response to a request for a detailed setting screen from the user, the setting screen is displayed based on the PC generated according to the PDC 203, which enables the user to construct a sharpness setting. In addition, since the intermediate data editing unit 207 generates print data based on the constructed sharpness setting, the sharpness setting can be reflected in the print data. Thereafter, when the intermediate data editing unit 207 of the printing device 102 receives the print data reflecting the sharpness setting, the sharpness module within the printing device 102 applies sharpness processing to the image data based on the sharpness setting. Through the above series of processing, the sharpness function can be implemented in the printing device 102, which enables the sharpness function to be provided to the user.

[0159] Although in this embodiment, using Figure 2B Description of the construction shown Figure 5C For example, if the general printing software 202 is requested to display detailed settings in S1004, the general printing software 202 may display Figure 5B Then, after completing Figure 5B After the detailed settings are shown, the universal printing software 202 requests the extension application 204 to display an additional detailed settings screen. Next, the extension application 204 may additionally display a detailed settings screen that can configure sharpness settings.

[0160] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the extension application 204 generates print data based on the intermediate data generated by the general print software 202. However, the extension application 204 may generate the intermediate data by itself.

[0161] <<Second Embodiment>>

[0162] In the first embodiment described above, the extended application 204 first generates print data including sharpness settings and sends the print data to the printing device 102. Then, the printing device 102 interprets the print data including sharpness settings and performs sharpness processing using a sharpness module within the printing device 102.

[0163] However, considering cost and other factors, some printing devices may not be equipped with a sharpness module. In this case, even if the extended application generates print data including sharpness settings, the printing device cannot perform sharpness processing.

[0164] Therefore, if the printing device is not equipped with a sharpness module, it is preferable to generate print data using an image that has been subjected to sharpness processing and then transfer the print data to the printing device.

[0165] Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is first determined whether the printing device is equipped with a sharpness module based on the capability information of the printing device. Next, if the printing device is equipped with a sharpness module, print data reflecting the sharpness setting is generated and the print data is passed to the printing device. On the contrary, if the printing device is not equipped with a sharpness module, the extended application performs sharpness processing on the image of the rendered data. Then, the image that has undergone sharpness processing is used to generate print data, and then the print data is passed to the printing device. This makes it possible to provide the sharpness function to the user even when the printing device is not equipped with a sharpness module.

[0166] Note that only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following three points: the configuration of the printing system in the case of associating an extended application, the PDC editing flow, and the sequence after the rendering application accepts print settings.

[0167] <Configuration of Software-Centered Printing System in Second Embodiment (Case of Associated Extended Application 1102)>

[0168] Will use Fig.11 The configuration of the printing system in the case of associating the extended application 1102 is described. Fig.11 In, with Figure 2B The blocks with the same reference numerals are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus their description is omitted. Fig.11 In, with Figure 2BThere are four different blocks: a printing device 1101, an extended application 1102, a printing function extension unit 1103, and a sharpness processing unit 1104. Unlike the printing device 102 in the first embodiment, the printing device 1101 in the second embodiment is a printing device that is not equipped with a sharpness module. The extended application 1102 is constructed differently from the extended application 204 in the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, even if there is no sharpness function in the capability information obtained from the printing device, if there is a unit for performing sharpness processing in the extended application 204, the printing function extension unit 1103 will add a sharpness function to the PDC 203. The sharpness processing unit 1104 performs sharpness processing on the intermediate data (rendering data) received from the universal printing software 202 based on the sharpness setting constructed by the user. The details will be described later.

[0169] <Flowchart of Print Function Extension Unit 1103 Editing PDC 203 in Second Embodiment>

[0170] Will use Fig.12 The PDC editing process performed by the print function expansion unit 1103 in the second embodiment is described. Note that the PDC editing process performed by the CPU 111 Fig.12 In each step, the CPU 111 reads each unit from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executes each unit. Fig.12 In the Figure 6 The steps with the same reference numerals are Figure 6 The same as in , so the description is omitted.

[0171] Upon completion of the repeated processing in S604 to S606, the print function expansion unit 1103 proceeds to S1201. Fig.13 The capability information returned from the printing device 1101 is depicted in Table 1301 shown in FIG. Unlike Table 701, the printing device 1101 in the second embodiment is not equipped with a sharpness module. Therefore, after completing the processing in S604 to S606, the sharpness function is not added to the PDC 203.

[0172] Therefore, in S1201 , processing is performed to add one or more modules, which are not included in the capability information returned from the printing device 1101 but are owned by the extended application 1102 , to the PDC.

[0173] Specifically, in S1201, the print function expansion unit 1103 refers to Fig.13 Table 1301 and PDC 203 shown in the figure are used to determine whether there is a module for sharpness processing in the extended application 204. If the determination is "yes", the process proceeds to S1202; if the determination is "no", then Fig.12Since the extended application 204 in the second embodiment is equipped with the sharpness processing unit 1104, the flow proceeds to S1202.

[0174] Next, in S1202, the print function expansion unit 1103 adds the sharpness -1, 0, +1, and +2 in the table 801 to the PDC. As described above, the print function expansion unit 1103 first adds functions / options that are not supported by the universal print software 202 but are supported by the printing device 102 and the extended application 204 to the PDC 203. Then, it is determined whether the extended application 204 is equipped with a sharpness processing unit, and in the case where the extended application 204 is equipped with the sharpness processing unit, the sharpness function is added to the PDC. With this processing, even in the case where the printing device 1101 is not equipped with a sharpness module, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 generates a display screen based on the PC generated based on the PDC, thereby enabling the display of the sharpness function. Figure 5C The detailed settings screen shown in .

[0175] <Sequence after Rendering Application 201 Accepts Print Settings in Second Embodiment>

[0176] Next, we will use Fig.14 The sequence of the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, the extension application 1102, and the printing device 1101 after the rendering application 201 accepts the print setting is described. Note that the CPU 111 executes Fig.14 In each step except the step of the printing device 1101, the CPU 111 reads the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, and the extended application 1102 from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executes the rendering application 201, the universal printing software 202, and the extended application 1102. The CPU 191 of the printing device 1101 executes Fig.14 In each step performed by the printing device 1101, the CPU 191 reads the program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 into the RAM 193 and executes the program. Fig.14 With Fig.10 The steps with the same reference numerals are Fig.10 The same as in , so the description is omitted.

[0177] In S1401, the sharpness processing unit 1104 of the extended application 1102 obtains the PT and obtains the sharpness setting. Note that if the sharpness is set to 0, sharpness processing is not performed, so the subsequent steps S1402 to S1404 are skipped.

[0178] Next, in S1402, the sharpness processing unit 1104 of the extended application 1102 obtains the capability information of the printing device 1101 from the shared information 208. If there is no capability information of the printing device 1101, the printing function extension unit 1103 may request the capability information from the printing device 1101 and save it in the shared information 208.

[0179] Next, in S1403, the sharpness processing unit 1104 of the extended application 1102 determines whether the printing device 1101 is equipped with a sharpness module based on the capability information obtained in S1402. Since the printing device 1101 is not equipped with a sharpness module in the second embodiment, it is determined to be "No". If it is determined to be "Yes", the subsequent step S1404 is skipped and print data is generated. This is mainly because the sharpness module in the printing device 1101 is able to perform sharpness processing faster than the sharpness processing unit 1104. Specifically, the sharpness module in the printing device 1101 is constructed to be able to perform processing at high speed by using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0180] Next, in S1404, the sharpness processing unit 1104 of the extended application 1102 performs sharpness processing on the intermediate rendering data based on the sharpness setting obtained in S1401, and saves the processed data into the shared information 208. At the same time, the sharpness setting in the PT is edited to “0.” Alternatively, the sharpness setting is deleted from the PT.

[0181] As described above, even in the case where the printing apparatus is not equipped with the sharpness module in the second embodiment, the sharpness function can be provided to the user.

[0182] <<Other embodiments>>

[0183] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the intermediate data editing unit 207 generates print data reflecting the sharpness setting and sends the print data to the printing device 102, which enables the sharpness function to be provided to the user. In the second embodiment, the sharpness processing unit 1104 first determines whether the printing device 1101 is equipped with a sharpness module. Then, if it is determined that the printing device 1101 is not equipped with a sharpness module, the sharpness processing unit 1104 performs sharpness processing on the intermediate data. On the contrary, if the printing device 1101 is equipped with a sharpness module, the sharpness processing unit 1104 does not perform sharpness processing. Instead, the intermediate data editing unit 207 generates print data reflecting the sharpness setting and sends the print data to the printing device 102. As described above, even in the case where the printing device is not equipped with a sharpness module in the second embodiment, the sharpness function can be provided to the user. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, in the case where it is determined that the printing device 1101 is not equipped with a sharpness module, the sharpness processing unit 1104 may respond to the sharpness processing. Figure 5AThe detailed setting control 505 shown in FIG. Figure 5B The screen shown in .

[0184] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0185] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0186] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that expands the functions of universal printing software that can be commonly used by image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, the program causing a computer to perform the following operations: displaying a display screen accepting the setting for sharpness processing on a display unit; and Based on the setting accepted on the display screen, for the image data generated by the universal print software, it is set that the sharpness processing is executed by the image forming device to which the image data is transmitted.

2. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein: The setting for the sharpness processing is a setting of whether to execute the sharpness processing.

3. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein: The setting for the sharpness processing includes: setting for the intensity of the sharpness processing, and For the image data generated by the universal printing software, it is set that the image forming device performs the sharpness processing based on the intensity set on the display screen.

4. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute the following operations: Displaying a plurality of sharpness intensities on the display screen; and Accepting one of the plurality of sharpness intensities from a user.

5. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute the following operations: The sharpness processing is performed on the image data.

6. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute the following operations: determining whether the image forming device is capable of performing the sharpness processing; In a case where it is determined that the image forming device is capable of executing the sharpness processing, based on the sharpness setting set on the display screen, for the image data generated by the universal printing software, setting: the image forming device executes the sharpness processing; and In a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus cannot execute the sharpness processing, the sharpness processing is executed on the intermediate data generated by the universal printing software based on the sharpness setting set on the display screen.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that expands the functions of universal printing software that can be commonly used by image forming devices provided by a plurality of manufacturers, the program causing a computer to perform the following operations: displaying a display screen accepting the setting for sharpness processing on a display unit; and The sharpness processing is performed on the image data generated by the universal printing software based on the setting accepted on the display screen.

8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein: The setting for the sharpness processing includes: setting for the intensity of the sharpness processing, and For the image data generated by the universal printing software, it is set that the image forming device to which the image data is transmitted performs the sharpness processing based on the intensity set on the display screen.

9. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute the following operations: displaying a plurality of sharpness intensities on the display screen, The program also includes code for accepting, from a user, a sharpness intensity of the plurality of sharpness intensity.

10. An information processing method for extending the functions of universal printing software that can be commonly used by image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, the information processing method comprising: displaying a display screen receiving the setting for sharpness processing on a display unit; as well as Based on the setting accepted on the display screen, for the image data generated by the universal print software, it is set that the sharpness processing is executed by the image forming device to which the image data is transmitted.

11. An information processing device having a program that expands the functions of general-purpose printing software that can be commonly used by image forming devices provided by a plurality of manufacturers, the information processing device comprising: a display unit that displays a display screen that accepts settings for sharpness processing by executing the program; as well as A setting section sets, based on the setting accepted on the display screen, by executing the program for image data generated by the universal printing software, that the sharpness processing is performed by an image forming device to which the image data is transmitted.

Images