Print control program product, facsimile control device, and facsimile control method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a print control program product, a facsimile control device, and a facsimile control method capable of implementing facsimile transmission in an environment in which print processing using a general-purpose printer driver is performed. A print control program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a display process, an acquisition process, and an instruction process. The display process causes the setting image to be displayed in response to a request from the general-purpose printer driver (16). The acquisition process acquires a facsimile transmission destination serving as a facsimile receiver via the setting image. The instruction processing delivers print control data including a facsimile transmission destination to a general printer driver (16), and causes the general printer driver (16) to execute a print instruction which is a facsimile transmission instruction to a printer having a facsimile transmission function in accordance with the print control data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing control program product, a fax control device, and a fax control method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for causing a printer to perform booklet printing in an information processing device in which an OS (Operating System)-compliant printing program, namely, an OS-compliant printer driver, is installed.

[0003] However, the general printer driver such as the OS standard printer driver used in the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not support fax transmission. Therefore, in an environment where printing processing using a general printer driver is performed, the development of a technology that enables fax transmission is desired.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-56754 Summary of the Invention

[0005] A print control program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following processing: a display process for displaying a setting image in response to a request from a universal printer driver; an acquisition process for acquiring a fax destination to be a fax recipient via the setting image; and an instruction process for delivering print control data including the fax destination to the universal printer driver and causing the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction, which is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function, in accordance with the print control data.

[0006] A fax control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a universal printer driver; a display processing unit that displays a setting image in response to a request from the universal printer driver; an acquisition processing unit that acquires a fax transmission destination, which is a fax recipient, via the setting image; and an instruction processing unit that delivers print control data including the fax transmission destination to the universal printer driver and causes the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction, which is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function, in accordance with the print control data.

[0007] A fax control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following processes: a display process for displaying a setting image in response to a request from a universal printer driver; an acquisition process for acquiring a fax destination to be a fax recipient via the setting image; and an instruction process for delivering print control data including the fax destination to the universal printer driver and causing the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction, which is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function, in accordance with the print control data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 For use in Figure 1 A sequence diagram illustrating a first example of a facsimile transmission process in a printing system.

[0010] Figure 3 To continue Figure 2 The following sequence diagram.

[0011] Figure 4 To express in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0012] Figure 5 To express in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of a user interface image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0013] Figure 6 To express in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of a user interface image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0014] Figure 7 To express in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of a user interface image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0015] Figure 8 To express in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of a user interface image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0016] Figure 9 For use in Figure 1 A sequence diagram illustrating a second example of a fax transmission process in the printing system.

[0017] Figure 10 To continue Figure 9 The following sequence diagram.

[0018] Figure 11 A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, each of the accompanying drawings is merely an illustration for illustrating embodiments of the present invention. In addition, all of the structural elements described in the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily essential structural elements of the present invention.

[0020] System structure

[0021] Regarding a configuration example of a printing system according to this embodiment, Figure 1 To explain. Figure 1 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to the present embodiment.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 100 according to this embodiment can include a terminal device 10 , a facsimile machine A ( 21 ), a facsimile machine B ( 22 ), a printer A ( 31 ), a printer B ( 32 ), and a printer C ( 33 ).

[0023] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device with a communication function, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and can be used by a user who wishes to send a fax or print. In order to process a print request, the terminal device 10 is connected to printers A (31), B (32), and C (33) via a network N1. The print request can include a fax transmission request with fax machine A (21), fax machine B (22), etc. as the recipient.

[0024] Although not shown, the printing system 100 can include a plurality of terminal devices 10. Since the printing system 100 is configured to enable facsimile transmission from a printer, it can also be called a facsimile system or a facsimile transmission system.

[0025] Printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) are examples of printers with a fax transmission function. Printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) are all capable of printing on a medium upon receiving print data, and are also capable of sending a fax to a fax destination upon receiving print data specifying a fax destination. Furthermore, each printer can be configured to receive faxes. Each printer produces printed materials by printing, and produces transmission data as a transmission material by sending a fax.

[0026] While the printing system 100 is described for ease of explanation as including three printers, it may be sufficient to include at least one printer. Furthermore, while each printer may be a device having fax transmission, communication, and printing functions, it may also be a multifunction printer having other functions such as a scanner and a copy function. Furthermore, each printer may also be referred to as a printing device or an image forming device. Furthermore, the printing method used by each printer is not limited; for example, various printing methods such as inkjet printing and laser printing can be employed.

[0027] Fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) are examples of fax machines that receive faxes. Although fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) connected to printer A (31) via network N2 are shown as examples of fax transmission destinations from printer A (31), the present invention is not limited to these devices. For example, when printer B (32) or printer C (33) is connected to network N2, fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) can also be used as fax transmission destinations to transmit faxes from printer B (32) or printer C (33). In addition, the fax transmission destination is not limited to at least one of fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22), and can also be other fax machines not shown, and the number of such other fax machines can be three or more. In addition, fax machines such as fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) can be configured so as to transmit faxes. In addition, network N2 is usually a public telephone line network.

[0028] The printing system 100 performs fax transmission from a selected printer among printers A (31), B (32), and C (33) to a fax transmission destination selected by the user operation in response to user operation from the terminal device 10. Furthermore, the printing system 100 can also perform printing from a selected printer among printers A (31), B (32), and C (33) in response to user operation from the terminal device 10. The following describes a detailed configuration example of the terminal device 10. The description of the configuration examples of the individual printers or the configuration examples of the individual facsimile devices will be omitted.

[0029] Configuration of the terminal device 10

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device 10 can include a control unit 11 , a storage unit 12 , a communication unit 13 , an operation unit 14 , and a display unit 15 .

[0031] The control unit 11 controls the entire terminal device 10. The control unit 11 can be configured to include, for example, a processing unit, a working memory, and a storage device for storing control programs or parameters. The processing unit can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 11 can also be configured as a SoC (System on a Chip). As can be seen from these examples, the control unit 11 can be configured to store the control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 11 can also be configured to store a part of the control program as a circuit structure like an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or can also be configured as a dedicated circuit.

[0032] The above-mentioned control program may include a program for the processing unit to perform processing related to printing while working in collaboration with the storage unit 12, the communication unit 13, the operating unit 14, and the display unit 15. The above-mentioned control program may include an OS. In addition, since the OS is an OS installed on the terminal device 10, it becomes an OS of a type corresponding to the model of the terminal device 10, etc. The above-mentioned control program may include a web browser inside or outside the OS. Although the example in which at least a part of the control program is stored in the storage unit 12 provided separately from the control unit 11 is cited below for explanation, the storage unit 12 may also be a part of the storage device in the control unit 11. In other words, the storage unit 12 can also be understood as a part of the control unit 11.

[0033] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or other memory-based storage device. The storage unit 12 stores, as part of the control program, a universal printer driver 16 (described later) and a vendor support application 17, in a state executable by the control unit 11. Hereinafter, the vendor support application will be referred to as the vendor support app. The storage unit 12 can also store various data, such as files to be printed or faxed.

[0034] The communication unit 13 communicates with external devices such as printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) via network N1, either wirelessly or wired, based on various mobile communication standards and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication unit 13 can be composed of one or more communication interfaces capable of performing such communication. Network N1 is typically a local area network (LAN).

[0035] The operation unit 14 is a portion that receives operations performed by the user of the terminal device 10 and can also be referred to as an operation receiving unit. The operation unit 14 can be implemented, for example, by any one or more of physical buttons, a touch panel mounted on the display unit 15, a pointing device, and a keyboard. In a configuration where the operation unit 14 includes a touch panel, the display unit 15 and the touch panel can also be referred to as the operation panel of the terminal device 10.

[0036] The display unit 15 is a portion for displaying a user interface (UI) image for operating the terminal device 10, and is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent display. Alternatively, the display unit 15 may include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0037] The universal printer driver 16 will be described. The universal printer driver 16 is an OS-standard printer driver included in the OS control program or attached to the OS. The universal printer driver 16 can be a program that controls various types of printers and enables printing. The universal printer driver 16 can also be referred to as an OS-universal print program or a universal print program.

[0038] The universal printer driver 16 uses a universal protocol for printer search and printing. For example, the universal printer driver 16 uses mDNS / DNS-SD for printer search and IPP for printer printing. DNS stands for Domain Name System. mDNS stands for multicast DNS. DNS-SD stands for DNS Service Discovery. IPP stands for Internet Printing Protocol.

[0039] As can be seen from this example, the universal printer driver 16 can be, for example, an IPP Class driver. IPP is an example of a standard protocol for managing and controlling printers. IPP uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) POST requests and responses to obtain printer information and control printers. IPP allows for printer settings and printer status. Secure communication can also be achieved by using HTTPS (HTTP Secure) instead of HTTP.

[0040] The vendor support app 17 will be described. The vendor support app 17 is an application that assists the universal printer driver 16 and is used to expand the functionality of the universal printer driver 16. Therefore, the universal printer driver 16 can have the function of launching the vendor support app 17 or sending print jobs to the vendor support app 17. For example, the vendor support app 17 can be a Print Support Application (PSA).

[0041] The vendor support app 17 can be a program that assists the universal printer driver 16 and causes the computer to execute print control appropriate for the performance of the target printer, that is, to support the unique functions of the printer. In this embodiment, the unique functions of the printer include a fax transmission function. The computer referred to here refers to the terminal device 10 or the control unit 11. When the vendor support app 17 receives a print job from the universal printer driver 16, it can convert the print job so that printing or fax transmission can be executed on the designated printer using the unique functions of the designated printer.

[0042] The vendor support app 17 is an application provided by the printer vendor, etc. The vendor support app 17 can be provided to the user of the terminal device 10 by being published, for example, in an application store provided by the OS. Alternatively, the vendor support app 17 can be provided to the user by being included in or attached to the OS.

[0043] The vendor support app 17 also includes a print control program, described below. This print control program can also be installed, for example, as a PSA. This print control program causes a computer to execute the display, acquisition, and instruction processes described below. The computer referred to here also refers to the terminal device 10 or the control unit 11.

[0044] The display process causes the display unit 15 to display a setting image in response to a request from the universal printer driver 16. The setting image can be a user interface (UI) image used for configuration. The following description will use the setting image as a setting UI image. An example of a setting UI image will be described later in the example of fax transmission processing. This request is executed through inter-process communication between the universal printer driver 16 and the print control program. Furthermore, this request can be executed by the universal printer driver 16 when, for example, the user receives an operation from the operation unit 14 to display a detailed setting UI image.

[0045] The acquisition process acquires the fax destination to be the fax recipient via the setting UI image. This acquisition process can acquire the fax destination by accepting a user operation for designating the fax destination from the operation unit 14 via the setting UI image.

[0046] The instruction processing sends the print control data including the fax transmission destination to the universal printer driver 16, and causes the universal printer driver 16 to execute the print instruction to the printer according to the print control data. The printer is a printer with a fax transmission function, and Figure 1 In the example, the printer selected from printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) by the user operation from the terminal device 10. In addition, since the print control data is data including the fax transmission destination, the above-mentioned print instruction becomes a fax transmission instruction.

[0047] The universal printer driver 16, which receives such a print instruction request, can execute a fax transmission instruction by executing the print instruction to the target printer. For example, if the target printer is printer A (31) and the fax transmission destinations are fax machines A (21) and B (22), the following processing is performed. That is, the universal printer driver 16 transmits the print instruction to printer A (31), and printer A (31) receives the print instruction and faxes the target print data to fax machines A (21) and B (22).

[0048] In addition, since this print control program is a program for executing facsimile transmission, it can also be called a facsimile transmission program. In addition, since this print control program is a program for executing facsimile transmission, it can also be called a facsimile control program.

[0049] In other words, this embodiment provides a fax control method that includes the aforementioned display processing, acquisition processing, and instruction processing. Because this fax control method enables fax transmission, it can also be referred to as a fax transmission method. Furthermore, because this fax control method implements fax transmission as part of print control, it can also be referred to as a print control method.

[0050] In other words, the terminal device 10 includes the universal printer driver 16 and the following first acquisition processing unit, second acquisition processing unit, and notification processing unit. For the same reason as the reason for the conversion of terms regarding the facsimile control method, the terminal device 10 can also be called a facsimile transmission device or a print control device.

[0051] The display processing unit displays a setup UI image in response to a request from the universal printer driver 16. The acquisition processing unit acquires the fax destination, which is the fax recipient, via the setup UI image. The acquisition processing unit can also be referred to as a destination acquisition unit for acquiring the fax recipient. The instruction processing unit delivers print control data containing the fax destination to the universal printer driver 16, causing the universal printer driver 16 to execute a print instruction, which is a fax transmission instruction to a printer with fax transmission functionality, in accordance with the print control data. Because the instruction processing unit requests the universal printer driver 16 to execute a print instruction, it can also be referred to as an instruction request unit or a print instruction request unit.

[0052] Effects of this embodiment

[0053] Before describing a more specific example of the facsimile transmission process in the present embodiment, the effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0054] As described above, in printing system 100, the print control program instructs universal printer driver 16 to issue a fax transmission instruction as a print instruction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it can be said that, during a print process using universal printer driver 16, a fax transmission process, which is not supported solely by universal printer driver 16, can be executed. In other words, according to this embodiment, fax transmission can be performed in an environment where a print process using the universal printer driver is being performed, that is, fax transmission can be performed using the universal printer driver.

[0055] In order to supplement the relevant effects, the printing systems involved in this embodiment and the comparative example are compared. In the printing system involved in the comparative example, the vendor's printer driver is not used, but a universal printer driver that is standardly installed in the Windows (registered trademark. The same applies hereinafter) OS is used to control the printer. Even in the universal printer driver in this comparative example, a universal protocol is used in the search and printing of the printer. Moreover, even in the universal printer driver in the comparative example, a vendor auxiliary application associated with the printer is started, and a mechanism for customizing printing settings or customizing IPP communication during printing is provided. Of course, the vendor auxiliary application or universal printer driver involved in the comparative example does not include the above-mentioned printing control program.

[0056] However, the universal printer driver itself does not support fax transmission. Furthermore, the custom print settings in the comparative example are limited to general settings related to printing, and the configurable print settings do not include options such as specifying a fax recipient or specifying a phone book for this purpose. Therefore, fax transmission from a terminal device is not possible using the mechanism described in the comparative example.

[0057] Thus, in the comparative example, fax transmission cannot be performed during printing using the universal printer driver. On the other hand, as described above, according to this embodiment, a print control program is introduced that causes the universal printer driver 16 to issue a fax transmission instruction specifying a destination as a print instruction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, fax transmission, which cannot be performed in the comparative example, can be performed even during printing using the universal printer driver 16.

[0058] First Example of Fax Transmission Processing

[0059] Regarding the first example of the fax transmission process involved in this embodiment, Figures 2 to 8 To explain. Figure 2 For Figure 1FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining a first example of a facsimile transmission process in the printing system 100 . Figure 3 For, continue Figure 2 The following sequence diagram. Figures 4 to 8 For, means in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a UI image displayed during a fax transmission process.

[0060] The following example also illustrates a case where the vendor support app 17 installs a print control program that performs the above-mentioned display processing, acquisition processing, and instruction processing. Furthermore, although the following example illustrates a case where a fax transmission request is made from the terminal device 10 to printer A (31), the same applies to cases where a fax transmission request is made to other printers, such as printer B (32) or printer C (33). In the first example, the fax transmission process is described using a phone book function to specify a fax transmission destination. A phone book can also be referred to as an address book.

[0061] First, the user U starts an application for starting or editing a document file or other file to be sent by fax. Then, the user U selects a printer A (31) with a fax function from the operation unit 14 in the print settings for the document to be sent by fax and selects properties. With this operation, the universal printer driver 16 receives an instruction to start printing (step S1).

[0062] The universal printer driver 16 that receives such a print start instruction from the user U displays, for example, Figure 4 A basic print setting image such as the UI image shown is displayed (step S2).

[0063] The UI image 40 includes a basic settings tab 41 for accepting user operations to make basic settings, which are fundamental settings for printing. It may also include an application settings button 42 for accepting user operations to switch to an application print settings screen for making application settings, such as detailed settings for printing or fax transmission settings. The basic settings tab 41 accepts settings for paper size, paper orientation, and color, indicating a selection between color and monochrome. The basic settings tab 41 may also be configured to accept settings for image quality and text depth. While the UI image 40 is displayed, the user U can make these basic settings.

[0064] In addition, the UI image 40 can include a version information tab 43 that records version information, an OK button 44, a Cancel button 45, and a Help button 46. The OK button 44 is a button that is selected when the basic settings are saved and the UI image 40 is closed. The Cancel button 45 is a button that is selected when the basic settings are abandoned and the UI image 40 is closed. The Help button 46 is a button that is selected when a UI image or a website page that records information that serves as assistance to the user U when setting in the UI image 40 is displayed. In addition, the application setting button 42 may not be included in the UI image 40. In this case, the OK button 44 can be set as a button that is selected when the basic settings are saved, the UI image 40 is closed, and the user moves to the application print setting image.

[0065] When the user U selects the application setting button 42 using the operation unit 14 while the UI image 40 is displayed, the user U requests the universal printer driver 16 to display the application print setting image (step S3). This request can also be accepted by the user U selecting the print button from the operation unit 14 while the printer A (31) with a fax function is selected in the print setting of the fax transmission target document. Therefore, even if the UI image 40 does not include the application setting button 42, the user U can still make this request.

[0066] Upon receiving the request, the universal printer driver 16 requests the vendor support app 17 to set the application print setting items that can be set as the vendor function (step S4). The vendor support app 17 sends the predefined application print setting items to the universal printer driver 16 in response to the request (step S5). Upon receiving the response, the universal printer driver 16 embeds the predefined application print setting items that can be set as the vendor function in the predefined UI image and displays it on the display unit 15 (step S6).

[0067] In step S6, as such a UI image, for example, Figure 5 The UI image 50 shown is displayed. Furthermore, the processing of steps S4 to S6 may be as follows. Specifically, the universal printer driver 16 may request the application print setting image in step S4, receive it from the vendor support app 17 in step S5, and display the received application print setting image as is or by embedding it in a predetermined UI image.

[0068] Figure 5The UI image 50 shown may include a transmission letter setting field 51 and a preview field 52. The transmission letter setting field 51 may include a selection field 51a for selecting a transmission letter desired by the user U from among no transmission letter and a plurality of sample transmission letters, and a transmission letter format setting button 51b for transitioning to a UI image for setting the transmission letter format.

[0069] If "No transmission letter" is selected in the selection field 51a of the transmission letter setting field 51 and the Next button 54 is selected, fax transmission is performed without a transmission letter, and the screen moves to the next UI screen. If any sample transmission letter is selected in the selection field 51a and the Next button 54 is selected, fax transmission is performed based on the selected sample transmission letter, and the screen moves to the next UI screen.

[0070] The letter setting field 51 can also include a setting button 51c for setting the font of the letter text, a subject field 51d for entering the subject of the letter, a comment field 51e for entering any notes to be included in the letter, and a source information field 51f indicating the source of the message. When the user U selects setting button 51c, a UI image for selecting the text font is displayed, and information about the selected font is displayed next to setting button 51c. The source information field 51f includes a source setting button 51g for displaying a UI image for setting the source of the message. Information indicating the source of the message set in the UI image displayed by selecting setting button 51g is displayed in source information field 51f.

[0071] The preview column 52 includes a preview display area 52a that displays a preview image of the sample sending letter selected in the sending letter setting column 51, with the contents set by other setting items in the sending letter setting column 51 embedded therein. The preview column 52 may further include a detailed preview button 52b for displaying a detailed preview image.

[0072] Furthermore, UI image 50 may include a return button 53 for returning to the previous UI image, a next button 54 for transitioning to the next UI image, a cancel button 55, and a help button 56. Cancel button 55 has the same function as cancel button 45, differing only in the object of the UI image. Help button 56 has the same function as help button 46 and, when selected, displays information that assists with the settings in UI image 50.

[0073] Next, while the UI image 50 is displayed after the processing of step S6, the user U inputs settings for print settings other than the fax function's destination, such as settings for a transmission letter, through the operation unit 14 (step S7). Alternatively, step S7 may be executed at any timing, such as after the processing of step S8 described later and before the processing of step S17. For example, the UI image transition sequence may be such that the transmission letter is set after the fax transmission destination setting described later is performed.

[0074] Following step S7, user U inputs a designation of a phone book read from the vendor support app 17, and the universal printer driver 16 accepts this input (step S8). Here, an example is given in which user U selects the Next button 54 in the UI image 50 to automatically designate a PC-FAX phone book stored in the storage unit 12. The PC-FAX phone book is an example of a phone book used when sending faxes from the terminal device 10. In other words, in this example, user U automatically designates a PC-FAX phone book stored in the storage unit 12 by selecting the Next button 54. Of course, user U can also select a phone book from one or more PC-FAX phone books by inputting the path to the PC-FAX phone book stored in the storage unit 12. However, the designated phone book is not limited to this; it can be a phone book stored in the vendor support app 17, or user U can directly enter multiple fax numbers as fax destinations. All three phone book designation methods utilize data stored in the terminal device 10's internal phone book for designation.

[0075] When the input for designating the phone book is performed in step S8 , the universal printer driver 16 notifies the vendor support app 17 of the input (step S9 ).

[0076] Upon receiving the instruction from step S9, the vendor assistance app 17 reads the input PC-FAX phone book and confirms whether the phone book-related processing can be completed (step S10). Specifically, the vendor assistance app 17 confirms whether the phone book extension is a specific extension (step S11). A specific extension is one that is designed to be supported. If it is not a specific extension, it is preferable to notify the user U to urge them to re-enter the phone book.

[0077] If the input PC-FAX phone book is determined to have a specific extension, the vendor support app 17 checks whether the data in the read PC-FAX phone book corresponds to the data processed by the vendor support app 17 (step S12). Specifically, the vendor support app 17 reads the PC-FAX phone book and checks whether the input data satisfies the format of the recipient name and fax number (step S13).

[0078] In step S13, confirmation is performed, for example, as follows. First, the vendor support app 17 checks whether a fax number has been registered for each recipient name. Alternatively, the recipient name can be left blank. If a fax number is not registered for each recipient name, the vendor support app 17 preferably notifies the user U to re-enter the phone book.

[0079] On the other hand, if more than one fax number character string is registered for each recipient name, the provider support app 17 checks whether any characters other than those permitted in fax numbers, such as 0 to 9, #, and *, are registered in the fax number. If any characters other than those permitted are registered in the fax number, the provider support app 17 preferably notifies the user U and prompts him or her to re-enter the phone book.

[0080] On the other hand, if the fax number does not contain any content other than a usable character string, the provider support app 17 checks whether the fax number's character count falls within the longest fax number used worldwide. If it does not, the provider support app 17 preferably notifies the user U to urge them to re-enter their phone book. On the other hand, if it does, the provider support app 17 determines that the determination in step S13 is satisfied and proceeds to the next step.

[0081] If it is determined that the conditions are satisfied in step S13, the vendor assistance app 17 notifies the universal printer driver 16 of the recipients recorded in the checked PC-FAX phone book (step S14). The universal printer driver 16 that receives the notification embeds the PC-FAX phone book in a pre-defined UI image, thereby displaying the basic print setting image with the recipients embedded therein (step S15). Thus, the user U can visually confirm the recipients in the PC-FAX phone book. An example of such a basic print setting image with the recipients embedded therein is Figure 6The UI image 60 shown below is an example of displaying the UI image 60. In addition, in step S15, not only the recipient but also other formats can be embedded in the predetermined UI image, and as the predetermined UI image, a UI image with a predetermined format can also be used.

[0082] UI image 60 can include a destination list 61, a phone book recipient list 62, an add button 63, and a delete button 64. Phone book recipient list 62 is a list of the recipients registered in the PC-FAX phone book, as notified in step S14. In phone book recipient list 62, all registered recipients, or a portion of recipients extracted based on user operations, are arranged and displayed in a predetermined order, such as the Japanese syllabary order or alphabetical order. For each recipient, information such as a name or group name, its kana pronunciation, fax number, company or organization name, and affiliation can be pre-selected. By selecting one or more recipients from phone book recipient list 62 and selecting add button 63, the user can copy or move the selected recipients to destination list 61, which has been set as the fax transmission destination. Furthermore, by selecting one or more destinations from the destination list 61 and selecting the delete button 64 , the user can delete the selected destinations from the destination list 61 or move them to the phone book destination list 62 .

[0083] Furthermore, UI image 60 may include a return button 65, a next button 66, a cancel button 67, and a help button 68. Return button 65, next button 66, and cancel button 67 have the same functions as return button 53, next button 54, and cancel button 55, respectively, differing only in the objects in the UI image. Help button 68 has the same function as help button 56 and, when selected, displays information that assists with the settings in UI image 60.

[0084] Next, with the UI image 60 displayed after the processing in step S15, the user U inputs one or more recipients as fax transmission destinations through the operation unit 14 and selects the Next button 66. In this manner, the user U inputs the fax number into the universal printer driver 16 (step S16). Inputting one or more recipients can be performed as follows. Specifically, the user U can select a recipient to be set as a fax transmission destination from the phone book recipient list 62 and select the Add button 63 to add the recipient to the transmission destination list 61. Furthermore, the user U can remove a recipient that was mistakenly added to the transmission destination list 61 from the fax transmission destination list by selecting the recipient and selecting the Delete button 64.

[0085] Next, when the input of step S16 is completed by selecting the next button 66, the universal printer driver 16 causes, for example, Figure 7 The universal printer driver 16 can also display the confirmation UI image via the vendor support app 17 .

[0086] UI image 70 can include a destination list 71, transmission message information 72, a preview button 73, a return button 74, a send button 75, a cancel button 76, and a help button 77. Destination list 71 displays information indicating one or more recipients set as fax transmission destinations. Transmission message information 72 displays information outlining the transmission message sent to the fax transmission destinations. Preview button 73 previews the contents of the fax being sent and, when selected by the user U, displays the UI image including the preview. Return button 74 returns to the previous UI image. Send button 75 initiates the start of the transmission of the set fax. Cancel button 76 has the same function as cancel button 45, differing only in the UI image object. Help button 77 has the same function as help button 46 and, when selected, displays information that assists with operations in UI image 70.

[0087] With the UI image 70 displayed, the user U checks each setting. If no problem is found, the user selects the send button 75, thereby notifying the universal printer driver 16 of the start of printing (step S17). If the user U determines that there is a problem with any of the settings, the user can simply select the return button 74.

[0088] The universal printer driver 16 , which has received the notification of the printing start in step S17 , notifies the vendor support app 17 of the printing start and notifies all the destinations set by the user U (step S18 ).

[0089] Next, the vendor support app 17 reads the recipients notified in step S18 and repeatedly generates print jobs and notifies the universal printer driver 16 based on the number of recipients read (step S19). In step S19, the universal printer driver 16 is notified of the printing of the fax-to-be-sent document, assigned the print settings entered by user U in step S7 and the information indicating the read fax number, for each recipient. The assigned print settings can be included in the print job as print control data, along with the print data indicating the fax-to-be-sent document. For example, the print control data can be IPP attribute data.

[0090] The universal printer driver 16 receives the notification in step S19 and instructs printing by sending each print job to printer A (31) (step S20). Printer A (31) receives the print job and faxes the print data to one or more recipients represented by the print job, i.e., the fax destination. For example, when the recipients represented by the fax destination are fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22), fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) save the received print data. Alternatively, fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) print based on the received print data, thereby producing printed materials. In addition, although the example of the recipient represented by the fax destination being a fax number is given for explanation, it can also be an email address of a fax machine, etc.

[0091] In addition, although steps S19 and S20 illustrate an example of instructing printing via the universal printer driver 16, for example, the vendor support app 17 may also directly instruct the printer A (31) to print. In this case, communication between the vendor support app 17 and the printer A (31) is preferably performed using a vendor-extension protocol of IPP, or other SNMP or vendor-specific protocols. SNMP is an abbreviation for Simple Network Management Protocol.

[0092] As illustrated in steps S8 to S16, the print control program installed in the vendor support app 17 can include a program that causes a computer such as the terminal device 10 to execute the following recipient identification process. This recipient identification process accepts a call-up operation from the user U via the setup UI image, displays the phone book on the setup UI image in response to the call-up operation, and allows the user U to identify the fax recipient. Because the recipient identification process specifies the recipient, it can also be referred to as a recipient designation process.

[0093] Furthermore, as exemplified as the data of the IPP Attribute in step S19, the print control data can include data indicating attribute information indicating the attributes of the printer set by the universal printer driver 16. This attribute information can be information indicating the capabilities and status of the printer A (31). For example, when the universal printer driver 16 is an IPP Class driver, this attribute information can be the following IPP Attribute. In other words, in this case, the IPP Attribute can refer to any one of the settings set as IPP values, such as Printer Attribute, Enable Printer, and Printer Description Attribute.

[0094] Furthermore, as exemplified in the notification process of step S19, the instruction process in the print control program can be configured to perform the following processing when a single print data item is received from the universal printer driver 16 and N destinations are obtained as fax transmission destinations. Specifically, the instruction process is configured to generate N print jobs corresponding to each of the N destinations and transmit the generated N print jobs to the universal printer driver 16, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0095] In the first example of fax transmission processing, the terminal device 10, which has the OS-standard universal printer driver 16 installed in this manner, achieves the following effect. Specifically, when performing a fax transmission, the terminal device 10 can simultaneously send print jobs to each recipient in the phone book stored in the terminal device 10 when sending a print job as a fax transmission job. This simultaneous sending of multiple print jobs is not possible in the aforementioned comparative example.

[0096] However, while step S16 illustrates an example in which one or more recipients can be arbitrarily specified, it is also possible to specify only one recipient. In this case, the acquisition process in the print control program becomes a process for acquiring only one recipient at a time as a fax transmission destination. In this case, the N in the instruction process corresponds to 1.

[0097] Furthermore, regarding steps S3-S6, the universal printer driver 16 may also employ a configuration that supports fax transmission via certain IPP settings, such as Enable-Printer or Printer Attribute, during IPP printing. Consequently, the universal printer driver 16 can automatically switch whether the fax transmission destination is displayed or not on the basic print settings screen, such as the UI image 40, based on this setting. For example, the universal printer driver 16 can automatically switch whether the application settings button 42 is displayed in the UI image 40, based on this setting.

[0098] In addition, the phone book check performed by the provider support App 17 described in steps S10 to S13 may not be performed in the Figure 2 When the phone book is specified as shown, the printing start instruction is received in step S17. In this case, the notification of the incompleteness to the user U is omitted. Thus, although the fax is not sent to the recipient with the incomplete part, the user U can save the trouble of re-entering the phone book.

[0099] Furthermore, regarding step S20, the vendor support app 17 may also have a function of displaying the printing status for each sent print job. Alternatively, the universal printer driver 16 may also have a function of displaying the printing status for each sent print job via the vendor support app 17. In either configuration, the user U can be notified of the printing status of each print job, such as error or success.

[0100] Furthermore, the universal printer driver 16 can also perform the following processing even if attribute information such as the printer's description value, such as the Printer Description Attribute, which is supported by IPP printing, does not support color support. In this case, the universal printer driver 16 converts the automatically transmitted print data into monochrome data in step S20 and transmits it. This allows the printer, which does not support color, to automatically switch to monochrome printing even if the user U does not explicitly set it to monochrome printing.

[0101] In addition, the vendor support App 17 or other applications can also add a function to display the pre-registered PC-FAX phone book like the Windows FAX Utility. For example, the user U can display the pre-registered PC-FAX phone book to the vendor support App 17 or other applications via the universal printer driver 16. Figure 8 The vendor support App 17 or another application program that has received the instruction can display the FAX Utility setting image illustrated in the UI image 80 .

[0102] The UI image 80 can include a printer selection menu 81, a main body phone book display button 82, and a main body setting button 83. Although the printer selection menu 81 shows the current state of printer A (31) being selected, it can accept user operations to change to printer B (32) or printer C (33). The main body phone book display button 82 can be set as a button for displaying a UI image that can open and edit the PC-FAX phone book. Alternatively, the main body phone book display button 82 can also be set as a button for opening the PC-FAX phone book stored in the main body of the terminal device 10 and displaying a UI image for selecting a fax sending destination. This UI image can be displayed as Figure 6 The main body setting button 83 is a button for displaying UI images for implementing various other settings.

[0103] In addition, the UI image 80 can include a sending setting bar 84, a receiving setting bar 85, and an option setting bar 86. The sending setting bar 84 can include a button 84a for sending only faxes, a button 84b for editing the PC-FAX phone book, and a button 84c for viewing the sending history. The receiving setting bar 85 can include a button 85a for saving received faxes on the computer, a button 85b for notifying a new forwarding destination folder, and a button 85c for opening the saved folder. The computer mentioned above refers to the terminal device 10. Any of the buttons 84a, 84b, 84c, 85a, 85b, and 85c will display the UI image of the content represented by each button. For example, by selecting button 84a, the user U can transfer to Figure 5 UI image 50.

[0104] Option setting field 86 includes an option setting button 86a for transitioning to a UI image for making settings related to fax transmission and reception other than those set in transmission setting field 84 and reception setting field 85. Option setting field 86 may include a button 86b for opening online help and a button 86c for opening an import guide.

[0105] Second Example of Fax Transmission Processing

[0106] Regarding the second example of the printing process according to this embodiment, Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 To explain. Figure 9 For Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for describing a second example of the facsimile transmission process in the printing system 100 . Figure 10 For, continue Figure 9 The following sequence diagram shows the second example, which is mainly different from the first example. However, the other aspects including the application of various application examples are also the same.

[0107] In the second example, as in the first example, the vendor support app 17 is installed with a print control program that performs the above-mentioned display processing, acquisition processing, and instruction processing. Furthermore, in the second example, as in the first example, although the following description uses an example of a fax transmission request from the terminal device 10 to the printer A (31), the same applies to fax transmission requests to other printers.

[0108] In the second example, the fax transmission process is described for the case where the phone book function is used to specify the fax transmission destination. However, the second example differs from the first example in that the phone book registered in the printer body is used; otherwise, the process is the same. Therefore, the process of steps S1 to S9 of the first example (steps S31 to S39) is also applied in the second example. However, in step S38, the user U specifies the phone book stored in the printer A (31) as input for the phone book read from the vendor assistance app 17, and the universal printer driver 16 accepts this input. Then, in step S39, the universal printer driver 16 notifies the vendor assistance app 17 of this input.

[0109] The vendor auxiliary App 17 receives the notification and starts communicating with the printer A (31), and requests the phone book registered in the main body of the printer A (31) (step S40). As described above, the communication is preferably performed in accordance with a vendor-extended protocol of IPP, or other SNMP or vendor-specific protocols. The printer A (31) that receives the request of step S40 responds by sending the stored phone book (step S41). Next, the vendor auxiliary App 17 receives the notification of the phone book and returns it to the universal printer driver 16 (step S42). The universal printer driver 16 responds to the user U by displaying the contents of the received phone book on a UI image (step S43). The UI image displayed here is not shown in the figure, but it can be set to only show the contents of the received phone book, for example. Figure 6 The UI image of the phone book destination list is a phone book destination list such as the phone book destination list 62 in the UI image 60. However, the phone book destination list shown here is not a PC-FAX phone book but a phone book registered on the printer A (31).

[0110] Next, the provider support app 17 performs the checks described in steps S10 to S13 for the phone book replied in step S41 (steps S44 to S47). Next, the same processing as steps S14 to S17 is performed (steps S48 to S51). Although in step S49, similar to step S15, for example, Figure 6 However, the phone book destination list is not a PC-FAX phone book but a phone book registered on printer A (31).

[0111] The universal printer driver 16 that has received the notification of the start of printing in step S51 notifies the vendor support app 17 of the start of printing and also notifies the fax numbers of all the recipients set by the user U (step S52 ).

[0112] Next, the vendor support app 17 reads the fax number notified in step S52 and repeats the process of generating print jobs and notifying the universal printer driver 16 according to the number of fax numbers read (step S53). In step S53, the same process as step S19 can be performed.

[0113] The universal printer driver 16 receives the notification in step S53 and, similarly to step S20, instructs printing by sending each print job to printer A (31) (step S54). Printer A (31) receives the print job and faxes the print data to one or more fax numbers represented by the print job, i.e., the fax destination. For example, when the fax numbers represented by the fax destination are fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22), fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) save the received print data. Alternatively, in this case, fax machine A (21) and fax machine B (22) print based on the received print data, thereby producing printed materials. In addition, although the example in which the recipient represented by the fax destination is a fax number is given for explanation, it can also be an email address of a fax machine, etc.

[0114] In the second example, unlike the first example, a facsimile transmission process can be performed using a telephone directory registered in the printer main body.

[0115] Furthermore, although the second example utilizes the phone book registered in the printer, the vendor support app 17 may also have a function of storing the phone book in the terminal device 10 in synchronization with the phone book registered in the printer.

[0116] Other variations

[0117] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the main purpose. For example, the system structure of the printing system, the structure of each device constituting the system, the structure of each program contained in each device, the processing steps of each device, etc. are not limited to the examples shown. In addition, the printing system can also adopt a network structure such as a terminal device connected to a printer via a print server. In addition, although the above-mentioned embodiments describe fax communications using public telephone lines, they are not limited to such fax communications. That is, the present invention can also be applied to situations where fax communications based on ITU-T standards such as T.30, T.37, T.38, and T.62 are performed. In addition, ITU-T is the abbreviation of International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector.

[0118] In addition, each device provided in the printing system according to the above embodiment can have a hardware structure such as the following. Figure 1Examples of the terminal devices include terminal devices, printers, and fax machines. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device.

[0119] Figure 11 The device 1000 shown in FIG. 1 may include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 may include interfaces required by the device, such as a communication interface or an interface with an input / output device.

[0120] The processor 1001 may be, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), also known as a microprocessor. The processor 1001 may also include multiple processors. The memory 1002 may be composed of, for example, a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The functions of each device are implemented by the processor 1001 reading programs stored in the memory 1002 and executing the programs while exchanging required information via the interface 1003.

[0121] In addition, the above-mentioned program includes a command group (or software code) for causing the computer to execute one or more functions described in the embodiment when read by the computer. The program can also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. As a non-limiting example, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), ultra-high-speed cache memory, solid-state drive (SSD, solid-state hard disk) or other memory technology. In addition, as a non-limiting example, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes a CD-ROM (read-only compact disc), a digital versatile disc (DVD, digital versatile disc), a Blu-ray (registered trademark, Blu-ray) disc or other optical disc storage, a cassette tape, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program can also be sent on a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. As a non-limiting example, a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium includes an electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of transmission signal.

[0122] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the structures of the above embodiments, but of course includes various deformations, modifications, and combinations that can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention of the technical solutions of the claims of this application.

[0123] Explanation of symbols

[0124] 10…Terminal device; 11…Control unit; 12…Storage unit; 13…Communication unit; 14…Operation unit; 15…Display unit; 16…Universal printer driver; 17…Vendor support app; 21…Fax machine A; 22…Fax machine B; 31…Printer A; 32…Printer B; 33…Printer C; 40…UI image; 41…Basic settings tab; 42…Application settings button; 43…Version information tab; 44…OK button; 45…Cancel button; 46… Help button; 50…UI image; 51…Sending letter setting bar; 51a…Selection bar; 51b…Sending letter format setting button; 51c…Set button; 51d…Subject bar; 51e…Comment bar; 51f…Sending source information bar; 51g…Sending source setting button; 52…Preview bar; 52a…Preview display area; 52b…Detailed preview button; 53…Back button; 54…Next button; 55…Cancel button; 56…Help button; 60…UI image; 61…Sending Destination list; 62… Phonebook recipient list; 63… Add button; 64… Delete button; 65… Back button; 66… Next button; 67… Cancel button; 68… Help button; 70… UI image; 71… Destination list; 72… Sending message information; 73… Preview button; 74… Back button; 75… Send button; 76… Cancel button; 77… Help button; 80… UI image; 81… Printer selection menu; 82… Phonebook display Display button; 83…Main setting button; 84…Send setting bar; 84a…Button; 84b…Button; 84c…Button; 85…Receive setting bar; 85a…Button; 85b…Button; 85c…Button; 86…Option setting bar; 86a…Option setting button; 86b…Button; 86c…Button; 100…Printing system; 1000…Device; 1001…Processor; 1002…Memory; 1003…Interface; N1…Network; N2…Network; U…User.

Claims

1. A printing control program product that causes a computer to execute the following processing: a display process for displaying a set image in response to a request from the universal printer driver; an acquisition process of acquiring a fax destination to be a fax recipient via the setting image; The instruction process delivers print control data including the fax transmission destination to the universal printer driver, and causes the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction that is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function in accordance with the print control data.

2. The printing control program product according to claim 1, wherein: The printing control program is a printing support application program.

3. The printing control program product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The invention comprises a program for causing the computer to execute the following recipient-specific processing, wherein the recipient-specific processing is to accept a call-up operation of a phone book from the user via the setting image, and display the phone book on the setting image according to the call-up operation, thereby allowing the user to perform a special process for the recipient.

4. The printing control program product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The print control data includes data indicating attribute information indicating attributes of the printer set by the universal printer driver.

5. The printing control program product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The instruction processing is a process of generating N print jobs corresponding to each of the N destinations when one print data is received from the universal printer driver and N destinations are obtained as the fax transmission destination, and sending the generated N print jobs to the universal printer driver.

6. The printing control program product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The acquisition process is a process of acquiring only one destination at a time as the facsimile transmission destination.

7. A fax control device comprising: Universal printer driver; a display processing unit configured to display a setting image in response to a request from the universal printer driver; an acquisition processing unit that acquires a fax transmission destination serving as a fax recipient via the setting image; The instruction processing unit passes print control data including the fax transmission destination to the universal printer driver, and causes the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction that is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function in accordance with the print control data.

8. A fax control method, comprising the following steps: a display process for displaying a set image in response to a request from the universal printer driver; an acquisition process of acquiring a fax destination to be a fax recipient via the setting image; The instruction process delivers print control data including the fax transmission destination to the universal printer driver, and causes the universal printer driver to execute a print instruction that is a fax transmission instruction to a printer having a fax transmission function in accordance with the print control data.

Images